November 2014 Archives
November 30
Who believes in god because the existence of god is ridiculous?
I'm paraphrasing, obviously, but I recently encountered the Thoughts of a Prominent Thinker who's belief in the existence of god is based, somewhat backwardsly, on the sheer ridiculousness? improbability? unlikelihood? of god's existence. I can't for the life of me track down the specific memory attached to this idea, and google only gives me a bunch of websites arguing about how to prove god does or does not exist. Help me out, friends!
posted by Grandysaur at 11:33 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Grandysaur at 11:33 PM PST - 10 comments
How does CalPERS work with Covered California?
Dream job pays $35k/year, health insurance is mandatory through CalPERS at $750/month (no employer contribution.) Since that would be more than 9.5% of my income, it looks like Covered California would kick in a subsidy. How does that work-- what do I ask for? [more inside]
posted by blnkfrnk at 11:27 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by blnkfrnk at 11:27 PM PST - 4 comments
Going to Shanghai for a week! Excited! But a little nervous.
I’m going with my friend who is doing stuff for her PhD. She will be at the university all day and I will be on my own. I need some reassurance about a few things. [more inside]
posted by stellathon at 10:16 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by stellathon at 10:16 PM PST - 10 comments
HDTV as monitor vs. "monitor" as monitor
I have long used a Samsung LCD TV as a monitor. It works for me, with adjustment of the settings (backlight, sharpness, special display compensations turned off, etc.) as well as the graphic system's. So is there a good reason to buy a computer display that bills itself as a monitor over an HDTV? I've done a short search and the reasons given don't convince me, since they don't mention display quality differences. (Reasons, some old, include: can't go higher than x resolution, connectors, speakers...) [more inside]
Scary smoke and sparking in microwave--help?
I had repeated sparks and smoking coming from the upper left side of my microwave when trying to heat a bag of popcorn and some soup (I immediately stopped it of course). However, after a thorough cleaning the problem seems to have stopped. Is it safe to assume the microwave is fine? [more inside]
posted by hejrat at 8:11 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by hejrat at 8:11 PM PST - 20 comments
PhD programs in Cognitive Science, late bloomer.
Thinking about applying to PhD programs in cognitive science after 4 years of tech job experience with no research experience. What do you say? [more inside]
posted by the_dude at 7:04 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by the_dude at 7:04 PM PST - 13 comments
From Phone To Flickr, Resized and Fast
I'm a food blogger and my photo editing process takes way too much time to justify at this moment in my life (normally I spend a long time on Photoshop saving everything for the web and resizing to a 605 width so it fits my blog). Is there a way I can do that straight from my phone and publish on to Flickr directly? That would be a huge help!
Accomodations for dog with dementia?
I have a wonderful eleven year old Westie. He's physically very healthy. He was just tested for Cushing's and cancer, both were negative. The only symptom he shows during the day is going out the dog door and then forgetting the dog door is there when he wants in. Bedtime is bad, and the accommodation we've been using failed tonight. Can you help me with ways to get him to bed safely? [more inside]
posted by 1066 at 6:56 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by 1066 at 6:56 PM PST - 10 comments
Guide to Gift Guides
Online mapmaking for delivery logistics
I want to make an online, easily-updated map with placemarks one can click on for more information. The challenge: many of my placemarks overlap (i.e., reference different individuals at one address). [more inside]
"You know, my last three girlfriends were Asian."
How can somebody on the receiving end of the unfortunate manifestations of Asian fetish ("yellow fever") suck it up and get on with her day/life as best as possible? [more inside]
posted by gemutlichkeit at 6:36 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by gemutlichkeit at 6:36 PM PST - 31 comments
Starting to get retinal migraines in your 30s?
A friend of mine (M, early 30s) started getting retinal migraines a couple of weeks ago. He's had probably three or four over the space of the past two or three weeks. How concerned should he be? [more inside]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 6:12 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by kinddieserzeit at 6:12 PM PST - 12 comments
What is a good magic kit for a 8 1/2 year old?
I'm looking for a magic kit for my son who is 8 1/2. I'd like a kit that has lots of actual physical tricks, not one containing an instruction book that teaches tricks that are mostly not included with the kit. Also - I'd like tricks that are good quality - not cheap and junky plastic. Lastly, they need to be the self-working variety that don't require any sleight of hand. Recommendations for brands that fit the bill and brands to stay away from are welcome.
posted by whatisish at 4:33 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by whatisish at 4:33 PM PST - 4 comments
New York in December - tourist questions
Three days in NYC, just before Christmas. Please give a
newbie coupled with a been-before advice about the new
Chinatown in Queens, riding the ferry to Staten Island,
and the High Line. Plus, Metrocard. [more inside]
What is this sample in these two songs?
What is the sample used in Homebody Sandman's "I Saw a World" and Cunninlynguists - "Things I Dream"? [more inside]
Best (and safest!) mandoline?
So, I want to make this for Christmas, and my knife skills are...rustic. [more inside]
posted by JoanArkham at 4:29 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by JoanArkham at 4:29 PM PST - 20 comments
Scanning fine art help
I'm helping a friend with scanning her family's artwork from the 40s and 50s. Can you walk me through the best practices and equipment? [more inside]
posted by biscuits at 4:24 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by biscuits at 4:24 PM PST - 5 comments
Hot Water Weirdness
My natural gas water heater just got replaced and a couple of oddities: 1) if I have my shed door shut all the way for a day, the next time I walk in there, it smells of natural gas (not an overwhelming odor, but you know the gas is present in the air); 2) the hot water doesn't last for an entire shower like the old water heater had. [more inside]
posted by NoMich at 4:18 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by NoMich at 4:18 PM PST - 13 comments
How can I find a print of this artist?
I'm looking for a print of Micheline Boyadjian's Two Girls. [more inside]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 3:45 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by St. Peepsburg at 3:45 PM PST - 1 comment
Need a good lawyer in Victoria or Vancouver, British Columbia
A friend in Victoria is trying to extricate herself from an emotionally abusive relationship. She has been living with this man for ten years and they own a house jointly. [more inside]
Electricians of AskMe: Help, my desk keeps shocking me!
A few months ago I moved into a new apartment, and decided to get one of these industrial shelving units - something like this to use as a desk/bookshelf/musical gear shelf. Everything works great, except when I plug my macbook into its charger and start typing. If my hands are on the aluminum body of the macbook and my wrists brush up against the metal frame of the shelving unit, I get a sharp shock, nothing too bad, but painful and annoying. [more inside]
posted by taromsn at 2:40 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by taromsn at 2:40 PM PST - 6 comments
Does a marinade help in low & slow braising?
I often see braising recipes that call for marinating meat for an hour or overnight, and then braising the meat low & slow in the same marinade (plus liquid and maybe an added spice or 2). E.g. lamb shanks, pot roast, short ribs.
But does a marinade really accomplish anything that 2 or 3 hours under low heat cannot?
Noneasy 3d printer for hobbyist
Cheap 3d printers under $200 to keep a hobbyist busy? Not interested in kickstarter vaporware, and can be barely functional. This is to keep an electronics hobbyist friend from "fixing" other electronics in the house, actual usefulness not required.
posted by benzenedream at 1:10 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by benzenedream at 1:10 PM PST - 7 comments
Older games with active modding communities
What are some ten-year-old or older computer games that have active communities producing user-created content in 2014? [more inside]
Not at fault - make a claim?
I am in California. Yesterday while stopped at a red light I was hit from behind. The visible damage on both cars is minimal and no one was hurt, but it was still a jarring crash. The person who hit me is insured but does not want me to make a claim and has offered to pay for my inspection and repairs out of pocket. Is there any reason that I should not make a claim in this situation? [more inside]
posted by The Architect at 11:29 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by The Architect at 11:29 AM PST - 26 comments
What's the best productivity solution for managing my work situation?
I'm in a new position at work where I'm now managing multiple projects and people, and need to overhaul my system for organizing tasks to avoid drowning. What solutions are there for my situation? [more inside]
The gift that keeps on eating
I'm trying to get my brother and sister-in-law (who are in their mid 30s) a good food gift for Christmas. They live in Nashville and are foodies. Last year we got them a cheese calendar (every month, they were mailed a delicious local cheese. This was in West Virginia). They liked it and I hope to do something like that again - a little gift each month that just automatically shows up. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by andreapandrea at 10:44 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by andreapandrea at 10:44 AM PST - 16 comments
Ardmore amtrak to the airport??
Help! Ardmore PA Amtrak station to the Philadelphia airport tonight — what's the best way? [more inside]
What is a good book on the history of the "L" in Chicago?
I'd like to read a book with more details on this. This is a cool page. "When the Northwestern Elevated Railroad built its Ravenswood branch in 1906, [lots of cool information with pictures].
Are there any books like that? I want to read all about the development of the area, illustrated with historical photos. What kind of cars did they use? Did they have to build through neighborhoods? how did that work? etc etc etc!
posted by bleary at 10:10 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by bleary at 10:10 AM PST - 3 comments
Getting rid of self tanner smell (DHA based) in a bedroom. Help!
I've had a guest stay with Airbnb who self tanned constantly and even a week after they have left I can still smell it in the room. The problem is it is still so pervasive that I cannot even isolate where it is coming from by going around and sniffing things up close. It's a sort of vitamin C effervescent tablet/cat pee sort of thing. [more inside]
Should I cover my grill?
I forgot to put the cover on my grill last night, and now it's raining. Maybe one stop up from a drizzle, but certainly not a downpour. My gut feeling is that covering the thing now will only make the inside of the cover wet. Thoughts?
posted by colin_l at 8:54 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by colin_l at 8:54 AM PST - 6 comments
A specific type of cookbook hunt
I'm in a cooking rut and have a toddler who eats a medically-necessary low-protein diet. Any ideas on how I can most easily find cookbooks that have nutrition facts listed for each recipe and are non-meat-centric? I've browsed through a bunch cookbooks of libraries but seem to have a 6% success rate at finding ones with nutrition facts. Those that do seem to be low-fat or low-calorie-focused books, and fat and calories are very much A-OK for my toddler. [more inside]
posted by Maarika at 8:37 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Maarika at 8:37 AM PST - 8 comments
Pack my winter social calendar
Help me find groups to up my community involvement in the dark months of winter. [more inside]
Help a nightshift worker survive days off
My partner works 12am - 8am Mon-Fri. He sleeps roughly 11am to 7pm. We see each other in the evenings and that works for us.
The problem -- there is nothing to do on Friday or Saturday night from 12am-8am on his "days" off. He has no interest in bars or pubs. There is a 24-hour grocery store and bagel shop in our medium-sized city, but that seems to be all. [more inside]
posted by Frenchy67 at 7:50 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by Frenchy67 at 7:50 AM PST - 21 comments
Please help me have a (relatively) stress-free Christmas
Looking for advice on how to have a peaceful couple of days with family members with whom I have unresolved issues. [more inside]
Please recommend your coolest holiday ornaments!
Show me your best, weirdest, coolest, funniest, or most beautiful ornaments that can be got for $20 or less. [more inside]
posted by waterisfinite at 5:57 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by waterisfinite at 5:57 AM PST - 19 comments
Help me identify this (probably fictional) conversation?
Hey all, a particular literary conversation has gotten stuck in my head for days and I can't source it. I've tried every number and combination of Bing/Google searches, but it may be that I'm not getting the exact words right in the phrase. [more inside]
posted by The Zeroth Law at 3:08 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by The Zeroth Law at 3:08 AM PST - 10 comments
November 29
What's the best realistic flight simulator?
My friend's son is planning to join the Navy ROTC with the hope of becoming a pilot. What is the best computer (console?) flight simulator for the purpose of developing those skills? Are there any special peripherals to get? Is there a different answer for piloting drones than piloting traditional aircraft? Helicopters? Thanks.
posted by msalt at 10:22 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by msalt at 10:22 PM PST - 10 comments
Stitched leather car seat + diarrhea = ?
Can this be cleaned? Should this be cleaned? Or should we go directly to replacing the seat? I've cleaned the surface, but it still smells, and I suspect the foam underneath must have gotten soaked. I'm willing to spend the money if it needs to be spent. I do not want to spend the next 10 years trying to excuse a faint eau de crap to my passengers.
Do I REALLY need to take a break from dating?
I know I "should" take a break from dating, but I don't want to. Why "should" I? Snowflakery follows [more inside]
Famous photographs for 5-6 year olds?
Running a discussion Monday night with a group of 5-6 year olds. We will be discussing how photography has changed the way we view the world, and I was looking for suggestions for some example photos to use. [more inside]
posted by caution live frogs at 8:46 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by caution live frogs at 8:46 PM PST - 31 comments
World religion for kids
What are some good books of mythology/stories from world religion for kids? [more inside]
posted by lieberschnitzel at 7:58 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by lieberschnitzel at 7:58 PM PST - 12 comments
Plugged Ears! Aural Fullness advice if you please!
Hey everyone. For awhile now I have been living with aural fullness, meaning it feels like
my ears are clogged but they are not. Not sure if my actual ability to hear has gone down, though, as I went to two audiologists and both say that my hearing is ok, though my right ear had trouble with certain frequencies
I seem to remember that as a child I had alot of hearing infections if that means anything. I also have a case of tinnitus that can get intense at times. Ringing and stuff. I have read what I may be experiencing is called 'Aural Fullness'. Just a sense of fullness in the ears that can be caused by a long line of things. Does anyone know anything about this condition?
I read that my whole issue might be a problem with my Eustachian tube, but if it was, wouldn't the audiologist notice that? I know I am not imagining this. I just want it to get better.
How to learn editing/newsroom best practices?
I stumbled my way into an associate editor position a year ago with no previous media experience, and have now been promoted to managing editor at the site. I'm successfully doing the job, but I constantly run into places where I wish I knew how "proper" newsrooms handled things. How do I learn? [more inside]
posted by MetropolisOfMentalLife at 6:19 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by MetropolisOfMentalLife at 6:19 PM PST - 6 comments
Unusual wall calendars of 2015
Should I wait a little, act now or just forget about it?
I met a guy. I liked him and I'm pretty sure he liked me too BUT I might not see him again if we don't do something about it right now. [more inside]
posted by divina_y_humilde at 5:35 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by divina_y_humilde at 5:35 PM PST - 23 comments
Buying duplicates/multiples - when is it a good idea and when isn't it?
I often obsess in my head about how many of X item I should buy at a time. What is your process for deciding this with maximum end satisfaction for any given category? [more inside]
Can I eat this pumpkin/cheese ravioli I forgot about?
I bought pumpkin ravioli (stuffed with ricotta cheese and mozzarella) last night and left it in my backpack by accident. It's been about 22 hours. It's about 60 degrees here. Can I cook and eat this right now without getting sick, do you think?
Are phone manufacturers deliberately nerfing headphone output volume?
I just got an lg g2 and ended up rooting it to install viper4android just so I can listen to my podcasts at a decent volume through full sized headphones. And the headphones I use to listen to podcasts with aren't even that special of headphones just a $40-50 pair of sennheiser hd 419s. I ended up rooting my nexus 7 yesterday and modifying the mixer_paths.xml files just to get the volume louder. My old s3 is slightly better in this repsect but i don't want to use 2 separate phones when I could just use one. So is it my imagination or are phone manufacturers treating us like babys and nerfing the output level of the headphone jack? Or has my hearing just gone to crap from listening to music too loud for too long?
Best Alternative to Thinkpad T440s
What is the best alternative to a Thinkpad T series under $500 for someone who has been satisfied with a T420 until now? [more inside]
posted by CtrlAltD at 4:23 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by CtrlAltD at 4:23 PM PST - 5 comments
Winter proof tape (?) for sealing gaps around windows outdoors
I need some sort of barrier or tape that will survive the winter snow and rain to apply to the gaps between my siding and window frame. [more inside]
posted by futz at 3:58 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by futz at 3:58 PM PST - 13 comments
Everyone's a photographer, (how) can I sell my photos?
Given that anyone can claim to be a photographer (myself included), how can I best (casually) sell my amateur photos? After reading about someone else's troubles selling fantastic photos on Etsy, is it more likely to make a sale on a site that does all the printing on their end? Is it better to upload photos daily to multiple sites, or is that considered poor form? Please tell me more of photo sites and their related etiquette. [more inside]
Find me the perfect tape to repair my Jack Spade bag's handles.
What kind of tape would work well to bolster my bag's handles against further wear? [more inside]
posted by alhadro at 3:03 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by alhadro at 3:03 PM PST - 7 comments
Scrum training towards PMP and its uses?
I'm looking at 2 Scrum certification courses (Product Owner & Scrum Master) that will give me the number of classroom hours I need towards my PMP. And then what? [more inside]
posted by bitter-girl.com at 2:56 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by bitter-girl.com at 2:56 PM PST - 2 comments
Can I connect a keyboard to my new Sony Smart TV?
I just got a new TV -- a Sony Bravia kdl-48w600b -- and I am trying to figure out if I can connect a keyboard -- any kind of keyboard to it. The internet is not helping -- I cannot find a solid answer. Some say yes you can, some say no, it's impossible (which would be a huge pain for a smart TV). Has anyone successfully connected a keyboard (wired or not) to their TV of the same model? If yes, what type of keyboard do I need to buy?
Looking for a good RV one-way transport website
What is a good website for finding cheap renting deals on RVs to travel one-way to the destination the company needs the RV moved to?
posted by yoz420 at 1:13 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by yoz420 at 1:13 PM PST - 3 comments
"Cooling off" hot chili peppers in Greek pepper brine?
I have too-hot-to-eat chili peppers, but also a jar of milder pepperoncini brine. Can the latter "cool" the former? [more inside]
posted by easement1 at 1:10 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by easement1 at 1:10 PM PST - 10 comments
Sources for historic photo art
I'm looking for a cool historic photo for a specific spot in my house. What are your favorite sources for that kind of thing? [more inside]
posted by primethyme at 12:37 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by primethyme at 12:37 PM PST - 8 comments
Not just any farm
My 3,5 year old's number one wish for christmas is a "farm, with two people cutting wood with scissors". I was stymied, until my husband said he vaguely remembers seeing an ad with her on a German children's tv channel. He thinks it may have been a Playmobil ad and there was, among other things, two guys sawing wood. [more inside]
Eliminating fragrance in HairSpray?
I use a special brand of hairspray all the time to put temporary highlights in my hair.... the downside is it makes me smell HORRIBLE.
I've tried lots of other brands and haven't found anything with as good a color.
I'm able to take the top spray nozzle off the bottle. Could I add anything into the bottle to eliminate the fragrance? like maybe rubbing alcohol?
The brand is BBlonde by Jerome Russell.
Thanks!
Datafilter
Help maximize my small data allowance! [more inside]
Any chance of matching my US federal employee salary in Toronto?
My husband's been offered a position in Toronto that would advance his career somewhat, but the effect on my career is a Huge Unknown. [more inside]
posted by Jaqi at 11:38 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by Jaqi at 11:38 AM PST - 18 comments
Wool Winter Coat
Looking for a trendy wool/cashmere/Alpaca/Merino wool coat [more inside]
Where to place the burden of degree verification.
Employers verify a degree or get a transcript by contacting the prospective employee's school. Why isn't this procedure used in colleges and universities (instead of the onus being placed on the student to provide the information)?
Humidifying, low-light, cat-friendly plants? Or a better humidifier?
We'd like to humidify our bedroom. Can we make a meaningful difference with houseplants? What kind, for low light and non-toxicity to cats? Alternatively, is there a humidifier that isn't annoying? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 9:29 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by daisyace at 9:29 AM PST - 14 comments
HP Split 13 x2 PC freezes/stutters...
...Intermittently, when I plug in the power cord or detach/reattach the tablet, the system freezes, unfreezes, freezes, etc. [more inside]
How do I make blended baby meat less bitter without sugar?
Blended baby meat - from the store or blended myself - tastes bitter and unpleasant. What are some good ways to make it taste better without using a sugar-heavy sauce?
posted by clawsoon at 9:01 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by clawsoon at 9:01 AM PST - 17 comments
Runner's knee while training for first half-marathon
I've been training for my first half-marathon in two weeks following the Hal Higdon Novice 2 program. My knee has been acting up more and more during the long runs. What to do now? [more inside]
Who are your favourite lesser-known bands in your city?
After spending more time crawling pubs and attending street fairs, I've discovered some very good local music that I might not have heard about otherwise. Usually, the most press they get is a small blurb in a local community events paper, and you generally only hear about them through word of mouth. I'd love to find less-famous musicians in other cities who deserve some love. Who are your favourite local bands? Can you link to one or two of their tracks?
How to keep backup drives synchronized in Windows 8.1?
How should I keep two backup drives synchronized in Windows 8.1? I think I want something like Rsync. Why can't Windows do this easily? Or can it? [more inside]
posted by Mngo at 7:32 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by Mngo at 7:32 AM PST - 14 comments
Have you got really good at something you were once crap at? How?
There are loads of things I'm crap at including driving tests, reading maps, i.t, maths and statistics, science and anatomy and handling conflict. Some of these would help me professionally and all are areas I'd like to improve in... or at the very least have an elementary grasp of to be better rounded or whatever.. Whilst I'm sure self talk/prior negative experiences/crap teachers and/or feedback/brain wiring (maybe...) keep me a bit stuck with these subjects.. at various points I have sat down semi seriously at least to try and tackle these knowledge deficits. Granted discipline ain't always my strongest trait.. but have you had any related success stories to overcoming a subject you were intimidated by/felt 'doomed' in(?!) I'd love to get your tips and insights.
Car Maintenance for Womenfolk
I aspire to be a woman who knows how to take care of a car. Where do I begin? [more inside]
posted by Gray Skies at 7:07 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by Gray Skies at 7:07 AM PST - 18 comments
Canadian Homeowners' Insurance for Losers?
I have a series of issues around getting my home insured. Please advise? [more inside]
Cheap, low-effort tankless water heater?
Heated garage, just cold water pipe run to it. What's the easiest way to add hot (or vaguely warm) water to my utility sink? [more inside]
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:13 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:13 AM PST - 8 comments
Remember this ad?
Need help identifying a vaguely remembered TV commercial. [more inside]
Working without a permit in Hong Kong
Asking for a friend: My daughter, "Christine", a recent college graduate, age 22, U.S. citizen, is one of three young people who got a job with a language teaching business in Hong Kong. She and the two others have been working without a permit for several months and were recently detained by immigration authorities. Now out on bail, what should she do next? [more inside]
Building a 3d printer with our sons - which one?
We're looking into building a desktop 3d printer with our just-teen sons.
What's a suitable 3d printer building process/kit, with good instruction chapters, for a sub-$1K investment, in a OSX/iOS, not-extreme-tinkering household? (Any recommendations from this recent list of entry-level 3d printers, some of which have kits?) [more inside]
posted by progosk at 1:35 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by progosk at 1:35 AM PST - 8 comments
November 28
Music composition
How difficult is it for a skilled classical composer to write a decent pop song? [more inside]
DjVu (all over again)
Kind of a follow-up to this question: I need help converting high-resolution DjVu files to PDF. [more inside]
Movies starring twin human highway flares
I'm looking for beautiful movies where love affairs are the jumping-off point for a critique of bourgeois society. [more inside]
posted by a sourceless light at 8:13 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by a sourceless light at 8:13 PM PST - 27 comments
Now, bring us some (vodka-soaked) Figgy Pudding...
I've dumped a pound of dried figs into a jar full of vodka for some fig-infused vodka goodness. The liquor is starting to turn golden and figgy... Mmmm! My recipe tells me to strain the figs out of the jar before consuming and discard them -- is there any way to reuse the figs themselves in another holiday recipe? [more inside]
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 7:26 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 7:26 PM PST - 4 comments
Does Plan B work after ovulation?
If I ovulated yesterday, and had unprotected sex today (with withdrawal), will Plan B or a similar pill work? What I'm reading on their site and elsewhere indicates that it works by preventing ovulation, and there's no evidence that it prevents implantation.
I'm sure I was ovulating yesterday, but not sure if I still am today (very possible). If there's a chance the pill will help I'll take it, but otherwise want to avoid it, because I know it will make me sick.
Gay research paper, ego syntonic/ego dystonic, avowal/disavowal
Trying to track down a research paper involving homosexuality and identity. Or something. [more inside]
posted by zeek321 at 6:30 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by zeek321 at 6:30 PM PST - 4 comments
Need to copy files from netbook to PC.
Just got a new internal hard drive for my PC and would like to copy files from my netbook to my PC's new hard drive. [more inside]
Practical Effects in Early (1940's) Film
Does anyone know common tricks used for practical effects in early films? [more inside]
Syrian Electronic Army
I got a popup saying "You have been hacked by the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA)." It appears to be a group that defaces server pages. [more inside]
Tell me about a time when you...
I'm preparing for several interviews and I want to figure out a way to finally effectively answer the ONE question that has always been interview-kryptonite to me, which has always been a a variant of: "Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with my coworker and how you resolved it." [more inside]
posted by modesty.blaise at 5:25 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by modesty.blaise at 5:25 PM PST - 12 comments
Odd cultivation method in fallow fields
I live in an area with a lot of agriculture. Being late November, most of the crops have been harvested, and the soil has been cultivated to prepare for the next planting. In most of the fallow fields this means that they've made long, raised rows. In some of the fields, though, the soil has been formed into perfectly spaced hillocks about one foot tall. 1) Why? 2) What kind of farm implement makes these mounds? [more inside]
posted by mudpuppie at 5:12 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by mudpuppie at 5:12 PM PST - 13 comments
EarPods That Work
I recently purchased the Iphone 6 and love using it, but the EarPods do not work well for me. Help me find an alternative. [more inside]
posted by incolorinred at 4:46 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by incolorinred at 4:46 PM PST - 10 comments
Ten-day course of Cipro for UTI?
I was recently diagnosed with a UTI at an urgent care clinic. The PA (I did not see an MD or NP) prescribed a ten-day course of cipro to treat it (500mg, twice a day, for 10 days). That seems excessive to me (though I will take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed). Is such a long course of antibiotics commonly prescribed for UTIs? [more inside]
I'm in demand and I don't know what to do about it!
I have a job. It's pretty good - for a graduate at least. However, it's not everything they promised and I've been looking for alternatives at the same time as trying to improve things in my current place. Now everything's happening at once and I don't know what the best way to proceed is. Snowflakes inside as always. [more inside]
Best Shave And A Haircut In SF
Where can I get the best, finest, most fussy and superlative men's straight razor shave and a haircut in San Francisco?
Squarespace filter: Positioning image caption on a gallery page?
Mr metarkest is a photographer using the Boutique template in Squarespace 7. On a gallery page, Squarespace superimposes the title and description on the lower part of images, but he wants the title and captions to appear below the images. Is there a code injection that can do this, or can you recommend someone who would write the code for hire?
posted by metarkest at 2:36 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by metarkest at 2:36 PM PST - 5 comments
Hiring pet movers to move cats?
I'm moving to a new state (California to Montana). I'm couch-surfing at the moment, so my cats are staying with my folks in California until I find a permanent place to live. I'm trying to figure out whether hiring movers is feasible, or whether I should just go back for them myself. [more inside]
posted by insufficient data at 1:44 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by insufficient data at 1:44 PM PST - 8 comments
Engineering histories for scientists/engineers
I'm looking for media (books mostly) related to technical histories of engineering projects. [more inside]
posted by Captain Chesapeake at 1:26 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Captain Chesapeake at 1:26 PM PST - 15 comments
Website template to show a video portfolio?
I'd like to make a portfolio of videos. Can you help me find a template to use? [more inside]
Irritable Kind of Mania
I've posted plenty here about mental health stuff this year, and now I'm posting because I'm about two weeks into a manic episode which is the really irritable mania, not the euphoric kind. I have only been being treated for bipolar II starting this year, and it's possible my mania is actually a trauma response. I am hoping someone here can help me make do with the mania while it lasts, if not help me figure out how to get it to end early without totally crashing. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 12:09 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by mermaidcafe at 12:09 PM PST - 7 comments
Producing a two-person video/audio conversation on my iPad mini
I want to record two people talking to each other on my iPad (with iPad video) but I want better sound than the iPad mic itself provides. What's the best way to do this? [more inside]
Challenging the new auditor
Looking for MeFites with knowledge of the (FAR) federal acquisition regulations. After 18 years of invoicing the goverment for travel as a contractor and now subcontractor, a new auditor is saying I cannot charge for flights that do not orginate and end at a home airport. No one has ever said this before. Can someone tell me where this is referenced in the 1000+ pages of the FAR.
posted by Xurando at 11:13 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Xurando at 11:13 AM PST - 11 comments
To have loved and lost... a coffee table.
Help me find a coffee table I saw recently in a catalogue, or on Houzz, or in Dwell... It's haunting my dreams! [more inside]
posted by letahl at 9:53 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by letahl at 9:53 AM PST - 4 comments
I see trouble on the way
My mom has been attending a new church whose congregants regularly fret over what they call "The Black Moon." The talk amongst the folks there (though not--as far as I know--from the pulpit itself) is that the Bible predicts a stock market crash in October of next year. What in the holy hell are they talking about? And, on a scale of one to ten, exactly how bananas are these people? [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:40 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:40 AM PST - 23 comments
Double Decker Desk/Table?
I recall seeing a desk built with just a simple tabletop, and 6" below the tabletop there was a shelf that ran all the way around the table. Ring a bell? [more inside]
posted by jacob at 9:14 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by jacob at 9:14 AM PST - 3 comments
Looking for literary Miyazaki (or a Japanese "the Famished Road")
Please recommend (English language) books set in Japan, of the magical reality genre. I'm looking for well-written prose (or great translations thereof), quirky characters (with exaggerated traits), a touch of the supranatural (other worldliness), and ideally, a bit of humor in the mix. I love most of Rushdie's work and García Márquez', and thoroughly enjoyed Okri's famished road. What might I like?
Pioneer valley/Western Massachusetts art
I'm looking for paintings, photographs and maps featuring the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts for display in my home. [more inside]
Hello, giant jar of homemade sauerkraut. How do we cook with you?
Finding facebook posts from back in the mists of time
I have a question about facebook search and finding posts in a facebook group on certain dates. [more inside]
Stylish, dressy professional women's scarves -- and not too big?
Ms. Justice would like to buy a few stylish, professional-looking scarves to dress up and add a splash of color to her business suits and jackets. One difficulty is that many scarves are just too big, giving the impression when worn that one has a small tablecloth draped around one's neck. Can you recommend some upscale, not overly flashy, scarf vendors who sell product suitable for professional office wear that is relatively small and thin?
Bleak French movie. Suicide. Possibly Crete.
I'm trying to identify a French movie for a colleague.
I don't have much to go on and IMDB/Google have failed me.
Somewhat [more inside]
How to get out of an un-winnable work situation
Asking for a friend: I feel I'm being taken advantage of at work - being asked repeatedly to act for months at a time in a higher-duties role that I aspire to... with no compensation. And I keep being overlooked for the permanent position. [more inside]
I need winter wear for Kilimanjaro.
Please help me decide what I need for cold-weather gear for Kilimanjaro! [more inside]
The Draft and Eligibility To Vote In The USA
I was told (in an argument about feminism, of all darned things) that in order to be eligible to vote in the USA a (male) citizen is required to register to be drafted into the military. Is this true at all? [more inside]
posted by Philby at 12:59 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by Philby at 12:59 AM PST - 14 comments
November 27
Is Rolfing bullshit?
How legitimate is rolfing? Wikipedia says it is pseudo-scientific. [more inside]
Am I a hypochondriac?
Could my anxiety/stress be manifesting itself with all of these distressing physical symptoms? [more inside]
posted by Tenacious.Me.Tokyo at 8:56 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by Tenacious.Me.Tokyo at 8:56 PM PST - 23 comments
Puffy bag of nuts in freezer
I was trying to make a recipe that required pecans today, but when I went to get a bag of pecans from my freezer door, I found that the bag was strangely puffed up, as if someone had inflated it. The bag had never been opened and did not look like this when I originally put it in the freezer after purchase some months ago. Two questions: 1) What could have caused this? (Can things like botulism happen to nuts in a freezer?) 2) Would you still eat the pecans? They looked and smelled 100% normal.
posted by st elmo's fire at 8:36 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by st elmo's fire at 8:36 PM PST - 16 comments
What's up with the Eleventh Doctor?
I am about halfway into season 5 of "new" Dr. Who (first season with Matt Smith) and I am not liking it so far. Will the things that I don't like about it change? [more inside]
When was the printer A. Martinez - Barcelona in operation?
I have old Spanish olive oil label, apparently from the 1930s. The printer's name, in small print at the bottom of the label, reads "A. Martinez" (although there is a slight chance that the "A." is actually an "R."). This name is followed by a dash and "Barcelona" and preceded by what looks like T* G*. The "asterisk" looks something like a superscripted yen (currency) symbol. All this is difficult to read because it is printed in black on a dark green background. The brand name of the olive oil is Vulcano.
Does this product exist? Automatic Projector/digital photo frame
Does this product exist? Would it be difficult to set up? and how much would it cost? [more inside]
Pimp this old MacBook Pro
My girlfriend would like it if her old MacBook Pro could run faster and have Windows. I don't know how to do this - that is where you come in... Help please? [more inside]
Why is there no meat sauce in Chicago grocery stores?
I've lived in Chicago for more than two years and am curious why there is no meat in canned or jarred pasta sauces here. In England Spaghetti Bolognese (an inauthentic italian sauce I know) was a grocery store staple and almost always featured ground beef. In Canada there was the poetically named Meat Sauce. In Chicago there is nary a mention of meat in any of the prepared pasta sauces on grocery store shelves (Jewel, Whole Foods, Trader Joes). What gives? Is there some sort of regulation preventing this or is it just a regional taste thing?
posted by srboisvert at 3:04 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by srboisvert at 3:04 PM PST - 18 comments
Frankencoding for the 20teens
I want to build a site but don't want to code my own password reset scripts.
Looking for recommendations for frameworks (are they called that?) or respositories for frankencoding a website. Also planning/prototyping tools that would let me describe what I want in plain language/mindmap style. [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 2:48 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Iteki at 2:48 PM PST - 6 comments
Best book or free program to teach kids to code?
Looking for an easy introduction to coding for a 12 year old. It has to be something he can do on his own, without much adult input. He loves art, drawing, and creating his own cartoon characters, so visual references are a must.
Best facial trimmer for a 5 o'clock shadow?
Is there a standard go to trimmer for leaving a 5 o’clock shadow? Something small and maneuverable which cuts evenly and closely but still leaving hair above the skin? [more inside]
How to keep it real around people I think are super cool
people who are a bit older than me in my field but who somehow see me as an equal [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 1:14 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by winterportage at 1:14 PM PST - 9 comments
Rehoming stray kittens in Brooklyn on short notice
There are kittens in the yard! Very tiny, very cute, very stumbly kittens. Unfortunately, they cannot stay where they are. Looking for help in rehoming them in NYC. [more inside]
VHS to DVD in Bucharest, Romania
This may be a long shot, but can anyone recommend someone who can transfer VHS video to DVD in Bucharest, Romania? [more inside]
posted by oclipa at 11:53 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by oclipa at 11:53 AM PST - 2 comments
Astro Cytoma, WHO grade 3
So, my wife was in a bad wreck last monday, and during the course of MRI etc, they found a tumor on her brain. In spite of the hopeful, initial thought, it turns out to be a Grade 3 Annoplastic Astro Cytoma. Which pretty well sucks. The good news is, they were able to excise the entire tumor, plus a bit extra since it's location (right temporal lobe) lent itself to that surgery. [more inside]
posted by PlantGoddess at 11:09 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by PlantGoddess at 11:09 AM PST - 14 comments
Calculated field on LibreOffice database form?
Since Bento for the Mac is no longer supported, I converted a Bento database I use for keeping track of beer brewing to a LibreOffice database. The only thing that didn't work was a calculated field I had that used the Original Gravity and Final Gravity fields to come up with the ABV. How can I do this in LibreOffice? [more inside]
Customising SuiteCRM by the customer?
New job is going swimmingly except that the CRM I am working with is fast being shown by its own abilities to be a dud. It is called SuiteCRM. I am done with the official customer support and looking for a book that will show me how to do all the things our IT consultant either can't be bothered to do or doesn't know how to do. Particularly, set up functionality to receive email in the CRM and install email templates. Can you signpost me?
How do I go about finding a good private music composition teacher?
I've been out of college for about 15 years, where I minored in music composition, but I wouldn't say it was a complete education, although I'm pretty good on basic theory, counterpoint, modulating, etc. In the meantime I've done a bit of film and video game music on the side, but I really want to have a rigorous education in modern composition. [more inside]
Songs like this
I absolutely love the vibe of the song "I'm Not the Only One" by Sam Smith. Would like more songs like this, please. [more inside]
posted by yawper at 7:17 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by yawper at 7:17 AM PST - 5 comments
Searching for the "repeat a story from different perspective" meme
There's a particular meme that I remember seeing a while back, probably on Reddit, and I'm wondering if (a) it has a name and (b) if anyone has curated examples of it. [more inside]
Love-Hate Letters to a genre / trope /idea?
Can you recommend shows or books that act as great "love-hate" letters deconstructing and showing off the flaws in a particular idea or genre while also being loving examples of the genre? [more inside]
posted by Another Fine Product From The Nonsense Factory at 3:17 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by Another Fine Product From The Nonsense Factory at 3:17 AM PST - 23 comments
Another "data management & research database for dummies" question
I'm undertaking a research project in which I'm evaluating several different organizations based on specific yet qualitative criteria, e.g. "promotes outreach", "reports on progress", etc. I need to able to capture the information and then display the results in some sort of meaningful way so that it can be incorporated into a report. [more inside]
posted by ladybird at 12:42 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by ladybird at 12:42 AM PST - 5 comments
November 26
TV, movie, and book suggestions for a Daria fan.
TV, movie, and book suggestions for a Daria fan [more inside]
Love for body after trauma
How did you learn to feel comfortable in your body after trauma? (Possible trigger warning) [more inside]
Need help figuring out child custody logistics across the border
Long story short, my wife and I are separating and I may try to find work and live in the US (I'm currently in Canada and a Canadian citizen). I'm trying to hear from others who have shared custody of their children where their ex- lives in another country. My situation is across the US/Canada border but I'm interesting in hearing other experiences as well. [more inside]
Help me have a conversation through books with my little girl
I'd like some recommendations for books to get my 6 year old girl who has a vast interior life I only rarely get glimpses of. [more inside]
Is there a loving but persuasive way to tell dad he's a bigot?
My father is, and always has been, a loving, decent, supportive, honorable person. He's also always been crotchety, unworldly, domineering, and set in his ways. Is there a way to encourage him--without preaching and without being strident--to reflect on the ways his attitudes sometimes cross the border from "Sh*t My Dad Says" into less defensibly hateful/ignorant territory? [more inside]
Seeking advice about teaching maths
I'm interested in teaching high school students mathematics through a tutoring agency. I have the required experience in mathematics, but very little in teaching. This doesn't seem to be a massive problem for many tutoring agencies, but I want to know: do you have any specific tips/advice about teaching mathematics? And more broadly, any advice about applying for and going to work for a tutoring agency? [more inside]
posted by Quilford at 8:56 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Quilford at 8:56 PM PST - 4 comments
What are the most complicated recipes you know?
What are your favorite super-involved, day-long recipes? [more inside]
posted by Itaxpica at 8:26 PM PST - 38 comments
posted by Itaxpica at 8:26 PM PST - 38 comments
Gettin' it on
How have you reconciled differing sex drives? [more inside]
Can you help me fix my sourdough dressing?
I am doing some pre-cooking for tomorrow, and hit a snag.
The recipe I used for dressing was one loaf of cubed sourdough bread, some sauteed-in-butter celery/onion/green apple, fresh parsley, thyme, salt and pepper, and baked with turkey broth and eggs.
The result is a dressing slightly too tangy and without much interest. Hoping you can help. [more inside]
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 8:15 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 8:15 PM PST - 8 comments
Using in-ear monitors as the frontman/person for an indie band
I'm the frontman for a band and I recently had a come-to-Jesus moment using in-ear monitors for the first time, as opposed to monitor wedges. But some of the pitfalls scare me and I'm interested in your experiences. [more inside]
How do you deal with monogamy?
I find it very hard to cope with extramarital attractions that are cropping up several years into my marriage. What gives? [more inside]
Peace with Two Male Kitties
MeFi Kitty Experts . . . I come to you: I have extensively googled and asked friends and family, but I want to hear your own stories and experiences.
Today, at the local animal shelter, I met the most amazing 3 yr old male (neutered) kitty. I want to know if he is a good match for my 10 year old (also neutered) male kitty. This is a ten-year commitment and I want to get it right. [more inside]
posted by ainsley at 6:58 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by ainsley at 6:58 PM PST - 23 comments
I was raped 18 years ago by a famous guy- feeling like a jerk now.
Is there something I can do to help any future victims of a rapist I failed to accuse in my youth? I'm haunted. [more inside]
Song-filter: 90s-00s high pitched male, break and minimalist ending
Some problems with Safari for iPhone
I have a 15 gig iPhone of the previous generation, and the Safari web browser has had some interesting quirks of late. When I've left websites with logins unattended for more than, say, thirty seconds, I automatically get logged out (even when I've clicked the "keep me logged in" box on the login page). More recently, the cache has "forgotten" the URLs for websites I frequent. I've set "never" to the Block Cookies option in settings. What can I do to get Safari to keep me logged in and to cache/remember the sites I visit?
posted by pxe2000 at 6:22 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by pxe2000 at 6:22 PM PST - 1 comment
Ways to keep my feet and knees comfortable?
Next weekend I'll be performing in a holiday concert with my chorus. This will involve, including rehearsal and performance time, roughly 11-12 hours (over the course of two days) of standing almost completely still, with my hands at my sides, on a very hard marble church floor. [more inside]
Give me your best cookie recipes (pretty please)!
I need elegant but relatively uncomplicated cookie recipes (yes, just cookies: I don't have any cupcake tins at present; not inspired right now to bake a pie or cake, either - however I am open to sweet bread loaves like chocolate pumpkin bread*) that I can make with what I *already* have in the pantry/fridge, and can whip up either tonight or tomorrow morning before Thanksgiving festivities. Pantry contents inside. [more inside]
In search of a mystery series on DVD...
I am trying to remember the name of a mystery series I ran across recently and my google-fu is failing. All I can remember about it is that it was a mystery series, it was available on DVD in the U.S. (my local library has copies), and there were multiple seasons. Can you help me figure out what it might be? [more inside]
posted by Janta at 5:11 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Janta at 5:11 PM PST - 11 comments
Free on wifi, paid otherwise?
Is there any way to get free calling and texting on wifi but through a carrier when wifi isn't available (using the same number)? [more inside]
Visually Creative Videos? For a Toddler.
Our almost-three-year-old loves Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" video (AKA "the fruit video"). Any suggestions for fun visually-creative videos? [more inside]
Looking for some doomsday disco
My workout music is centered around Public Image Limited's Metal Box ("Poptones," "Swan Lake," "Memories") and the first four tracks on The Walker Brothers' Nite Flights ("Shutout," "Fat Mama Kick," "Nite Flights," "The Electrician" ) What else am I missing when it comes to intense, propulsive jams?
posted by porn in the woods at 2:11 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by porn in the woods at 2:11 PM PST - 2 comments
Cat feeder for EXTREMELY food motivated cat
Does anyone have recommendations for a cat feeder for a very, very food motivated and intelligent cat? It needs to be basically impossible for her to break into. Ideally this cat feeder would also be able to dispense canned food. It's fine if it only dispenses 1-2 meals. This needs to be available in Canada. [more inside]
posted by sea change at 2:10 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by sea change at 2:10 PM PST - 8 comments
Help me improve the portfolio of my small company's 401(k)
I'd like for my company to offer smarter options like Vanguard Funds, but Vanguard doesn't seem to be one of the easy options. [more inside]
Getting deep clean and scaling with my dental hygienist vs periodontist.
I went to the periodontist and was told I needed deep cleaning and scaling (4 quadrants). I got the perio charting done and had it sent to my dentist. The dental office said they can do that procedure, which I am happy about. My question: is the dental hygienist (who apparently does 90% of the cleanings there) skilled enough to do this procedure, as good as a periodontist? I have the option of requesting my dentist to do it if I am uncomfortable with her. [more inside]
Anyone used GPS trackers on outdoor cats? How well do they work?
I recently bought one of those Tile things to find your lost keys, things, etc, and they do mention putting one on your pet's collar as a use-case. It's all bluetooth, so I assume it's only good for ~30ft or so away, but I can't find any reviews of it (or similar things) online. Has anyone ever used one with an outdoor cat? Does it work reliably? [more inside]
Ear blocked, vertigo, help me stand back up!
YANMD (but maybe you can help me find a D?) A blocked ear has turned into super-vertigo, and ain't nobody got time for that. Advice and recommendations needed for the immediate and near-future term, please! [more inside]
What car, and from where - East Bay edition
In January we (family of 3) are moving to the East Bay area and need to buy a car. Our budget is ideally around $10,000 but we could stretch. What cars should we be focussing our search on? Should we be buying new (obviously more than $10,000 - is the expense justified?), a manufacturer certified second hand vehicle, second hand on Craigslist, or ...? Is having a warranty important? [more inside]
posted by ogorki at 12:32 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by ogorki at 12:32 PM PST - 20 comments
Looking for a therapist with a master's? PhD?
Does it make much difference whether my therapist has a PhD or just a master's? [more inside]
Raspberry Pi as a gift for a 13 year old
I was considering getting a Raspberry Pi or a similar computer for my 13 year old nephew, and then taking time to set it up with him. I was thinking we could turn it into an emulator platform for a variety of 16 bit systems. What are your experiences with similar gifts, are there better options than the Pi, and what would be good applications for a kid who likes technology, math, making music and games (including Minecraft)? [more inside]
Good Copy/Print places in NYC?
I run a city-wide trivia company that's been growing pretty quickly in the last few months. It's a business that requires a lot of printed materials (answer sheets, handout rounds, prize certificates, promotional posters, that sort of thing), and we could use a regular, friendly place that won't gouge us. [more inside]
Help me understand the concept of "85th Percentile."
I am part of a group working on a policy document for the mitigation of traffic issues (e.g. speeding). Stakeholders are having a hard time with a particular criteria which reads as follows: "85th percentile speed is in excess of the signed speed limit by 5 mph or more." [more inside]
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 10:51 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 10:51 AM PST - 22 comments
What should I spike my cider with?
I plan on serving spiced cider this Thanksgiving, and I'd like recommendations for a brown liquor to spike it with. [more inside]
posted by TungstenChef at 10:47 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by TungstenChef at 10:47 AM PST - 29 comments
New "dream" job is anything but. Now I'm pregnant. What do I do?
My new job is not the dream job I thought it would be. It's been 2 months and I'm miserable with the workload and how I'm being treated. Am I being unrealistic? Do I tough it out or look for a new job and claim bad fit? Complications: suddenly pregnant. [more inside]
posted by fanta_orange at 10:39 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by fanta_orange at 10:39 AM PST - 13 comments
Recommend a climbing plant that will cover a brick wall.
I'm doing some pre-planning for a landscaping project next year. I have a brick wall that I would like to cover with some form of climbing ivy or the like. It is an eastern facing wall (4'w x 8'h), gets plenty of morning sunlight, located in the New York City area and would have to be planted in limited soil depth (6" or so) or a planter. I would like something that grows fast, has a long season and is a perennial. Not sure if Boston Ivy meets these goals but that look would be the ideal. Would appreciate your advice.
The Case For Or Against "The Case For God"
Two points in the early chapters of Karen Armstrong's "The Case for God" are really bothering me, almost to the point of putting the book down in frustration; can the hivemind put my doubts to rest by answering two questions about religious history: First about the validity of Armstrong's "logos/mythos" distinction, and second, about the current thinking on the documentary hypothesis? [more inside]
Looking for resources on teaching consent
I'm looking for resources, not just articles, about teaching "consent" and body awareness and boundaries for kids at all ages and stages. [more inside]
Carpentry in miniature - what to do with a dollhouse?
For reasons I can't possibly explain, I have always wanted to build and decorate a dollhouse. The problem is that I don't actually want a dollhouse. What I'm trying to figure out is whether I could find a good home for one if I do this. [more inside]
posted by scrute at 8:28 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by scrute at 8:28 AM PST - 21 comments
How do I jean?
No matter what size I am, or brand I try, I can never get jeans to fit. My shape just doesn't seem to fit anything - size A isn;t just tight but won't allow me to do them up, size B does do up but is so baggy that I can take them off without undoing them. I have an hourglass figure and I think it's the combination of large thighs and hips and a comparatively small waist that's the issue. Do I just give up? [more inside]
Are you a chemist? Do you work out? Will the sauna ruin my lotion?
Gym-going chemists and civilians: do you take your products into the sauna and/or steam room with you? Is it safe to expose your lotions to the heat and the steam? [more inside]
posted by rada at 7:35 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by rada at 7:35 AM PST - 7 comments
Why is this site in English and Dutch?
In the past, I've seen that sometimes English is interspersed with another language on certain websites. This site, however, has English titles to their posts, but most everything else is in Dutch. Why? [more inside]
posted by dozo at 7:33 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by dozo at 7:33 AM PST - 8 comments
How xenophobic is Basel, Switzerland?
I'm considering a job offer from a Big Pharma corporation in Basel, Switzerland. I'm Filipino-American, currently based in DC, and am concerned about xenophobia and racism in Swiss society.* If you know of any blogs, articles, etc., that touch on this subject on a more personal level, please point me in their direction. I'm especially interested in reading first-person accounts.
Thanksgiving dinner or bust
What are Thanksgiving sides that travel well? [more inside]
November 25
What's the etiquette for catching up with "exes"?
Specifically if you are in a serious relationship with someone else. I'm sure this varies among couples and the best thing is probably just to talk to each other openly...but before I bring it up with my boyfriend, I wanted to get some unbiased advice to make sure I'm not stepping across a line because I do feel weird about it. [more inside]
Un-supersize me. Difficulty: mental health
With anxiety, chronic depression and ADHD (I'm being treated for all), I struggle sometimes to get out of bed and go to work, let alone exercising and making healthy food (I know, I know, 30 minutes daily exercise is the single biggest thing for health). Where do I start? It seems huge and impossible. I have some spare cash to throw at this, but I’m reluctant to buy expensive clothes racks that take up space in my tiny flat and accuse me silently. If you have any ideas/tips/links for an old (50ish) seriously unmotivated introvert with a BMI of 40 and the attention span of a lizard, that’d be good. If you see a (solvable) obstacle that I'm obviously missing, I'd appreciate your insight. [more inside]
Do sex drives ever INCREASE after 3+ years in a relationship?
My SO and I have been growing together more and more in the last three years. However, one thing seems to grow less and less, and as we move closer to thinking about marriage, I am a little concerned that our sex drives are mismatched for a very long term relationship. I am 23 and she is 21. I've heard a ton of anecdotes about women "waking up" sexually around 25. Is it realistic for me to think that that could be a possibility? [more inside]
Help identify this funk tune
My SO heard this song on a DJ mix years ago and has been trying to find out the title/artist ever since. We’ve Googled the lyrics and tried to identify it using Shazam, but have had no luck. He’s uploaded a clip of it here. Since this was taken from a mix, it might be played back at a different pitch than it was recorded at. Can anyone identify it?
Book recommendation for a first time home buyer in Canada
Can anyone suggest a good book for a first time home buyer in Canada? My wife and I are hoping to purchase our first home in the coming months and we're a bit intimidated at the process. I've seen similar questions before, but the books seemed to be directed at people located in America and I don't know if those would be as applicable or not.
Why does our dog scrape and bow at drawers?
Our dog (part pomeranian, part pekinese, ~6 years old) has a behavior where she’ll bow and scrape at bottom drawers, focusing on the handles. She does this in our bedroom, in the living room, and in our previous house she did it at a kitchen drawer that had no visible handle. Sometimes she’ll whine, groan, and act worried while she does it. Sometimes she scratches although not so much these days. Usually she has her head down, in a sort of submissive pose. What’s going through her head? [more inside]
posted by migurski at 7:55 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by migurski at 7:55 PM PST - 18 comments
Ice, Ice, Baby (and her klutzy parents)
I want -- nay, NEED an icy sidewalk to be clean and bone-dry. What are your best, most hardcore ice melting and sidewalk clearing solutions, particularly those requiring less specialized equipment and/or money? [more inside]
Need to make a 3d mask of someone specific – fast
I have one week to create a wearable mask for a client. Ideally, it would be something like this but open to other techniques. I have photos and my client has deep pockets.
Oil-based facial moisturizer that won't cause breakouts?
I'd like to switch from creme/lotion facial moisturizers to something oil-based. Any recommendations? [more inside]
What to tell interviewers about why I'm leaving my job?
I've received a "Performance Improvement Plan" due to poor output and communication problems. This is almost entirely due to issues in my personal life that are resolving themselves. However, at most companies (probably including mine), a PIP is basically a way to build a paper trail before firing someone. While I'm going to work as hard as I can to improve performance, this is probably the time to start looking for other jobs. What is ethical for me to tell interviewers about why I'm leaving my current position? There are plenty of things I can cite that I don't like about this job, but none of them would normally be enough for me to quit. [more inside]
Sites that are similar to Fleshbot circa 2007 (NSFWish)
Ye olde Fleshbot was really cool because it was well curated and included all types of sexy media including videos, links, industry news, pop culture, reviews. It even had options for both queer and straight focused content. The last few years I've found that it's really gone downhill and gotten pretty mainstream and generic. [more inside]
How to Play SimCity Really Without Any Goals?
Can I play SimCity really without any goals at all, or is there another game that is even more free-form than SimCity? [more inside]
posted by applesurf at 6:02 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by applesurf at 6:02 PM PST - 13 comments
Curata alternatives for content curation?
I'm evaluating Curata for my company, but wanted to know if there are other options I should be looking at, as well as whether it is a good fit for us. Any experienced users have any advice? [more inside]
How do I clean this vintage beaded purse?
Looking for advice on how, if possible, I might clean a vintage beaded purse. The beadwork was done on a loom; it's not beaded to the fabric underneath. I'm wondering if there's a safe way to clean the beadwork, and am finding contradictory and possibly specious advice online. [more inside]
posted by Mothlight at 5:05 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Mothlight at 5:05 PM PST - 8 comments
Is 'Planet Earth' still the ultimate Blu-ray nature program?
My parents have recently joined the Blu-ray generation, looking for something amazing for them to watch. [more inside]
posted by madajb at 4:38 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by madajb at 4:38 PM PST - 8 comments
Help me find a snazzy new jacket for winter
I'd like to buy a new parka. Criteria: It must be warm enough for Toronto's winters; it should be available in Toronto or ship there; it shouldn't be too bulky; it should be under $200; and I'd like it to be aqua/turquoise/robin's egg blue with little to no second/other colours. This one would do but it's both too expensive and out of stock. Suggestions?
Cool books for a cool kid
My friend's 5 yo daughter and I have become bffs and I want to get her a bunch of cool books. I would really appreciate some awesome book suggestions for a smart perceptive young lady.
Thanks!
Anyone speak Icelandic?
What is the word or words in Icelandic for 'the redeemer' or 'redeemer'? [more inside]
Help me identify song by lyric.
"Climb the walls like Peter Parker, now." what downtempo, Funky Lowlives-esque song from about 10-15 years ago does that line come from? [more inside]
Help me find a handwriting machine?
Help me generate real-looking fake handwriting?
I know that the Autopen has been used for a long time to help presidents and celebrities churn out thousands of signatures that look and feel like the real deal (it physically moves a pen and varies the pressure to get that true handwritten look).
I'm looking for a machine that could "hand"write a multi-line card (e.g. 3x5 inches). Ideally it would be computer programmable (I believe traditional Autopen templates are physical plates). [more inside]
{Los Angeles / OC} Shopping on Saturday after Black Friday?
So, how crazy is it to go shopping at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa CA on the SATURDAY after Black Friday? Will it be as crowded as the day before? [more inside]
Defining custom keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Word 2010
I recently migrated from Word 2003 to Word 2010, and love it. However, I'm wondering if there's a way I can easily define custom keyboard shortcuts in Word 2010. [more inside]
posted by Schadenfreudian at 2:57 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Schadenfreudian at 2:57 PM PST - 4 comments
Sending an email from an address that is only forwarding to my current?
I have one address, 123@..., that is forwarding to another address, abc@.... Having lost access to the 123... address is there a way to still reply to mail sent to 123... as if it is coming from the 123... address not the abc... that I currently use?
This is all in gmail too. Thanks!
Non-touristy Honeymoon spots in Asia.
Our honeymoon is going to be next August, we want to go someplace in Asia, but we'd like to go a bit off the beaten track -- here's our criteria: [more inside]
Original in the streets/in the sheets shirt?
So there are a bajillion shirts with variations of "X in the streets/Y in the sheets" where X and Y might rhyme and are related and it's funny. What was the original one? Where did this start?
What's that scene where he calls a guy "Slumdog Millionaire"?
Trying to remember this scene: There's some TV show or movie where a white person says, "Hey, you, Slumdog Millionaire!" to address an Indian man whose name he should know but can't remember. Or maybe he's talking to his colleague and says, "Ugh, you know, Slumdog Millionaire in the accounting department." Does anyone remember what this is from?
posted by lizzicide at 2:10 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by lizzicide at 2:10 PM PST - 19 comments
Calling all festive illumination fanatics--which lights should I buy?
After lots of burnt out strings and fadded bulbs last year, the time has come to replace the Christmas lights for my tree; which ones should I buy?
I am CRAZY about lights. It's my family's tradition to put so many on, the tree glows like a small star. Think 4000 bulbs on a 5 1/2' tree. This is serious business. Requirements inside. [more inside]
I want to believe.
Please recommend me works based on the lives and works of stage magicians. I want to learn about how they started their careers and how they changed as it went on. [more inside]
Best configuration of names for small memorial
I want to purchase a small memorial at Pike Place Market for two relatives who have died recently but I'm severely limited in character space. Please help me choose a message. [more inside]
What does this sudden, unexplained user profile on Windows 7 mean?
An unexplained user profile called 'matt' showed up in C:\Users on my Windows 7 laptop today. What does this mean and should I be worried? [more inside]
posted by Vrai at 1:42 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Vrai at 1:42 PM PST - 2 comments
Patreon Best Practices for Writers
I'm wondering if Patreon is suitable for writers. If it is, what are some technical best practices to maximize engagement (and not fail miserably)?
Or maybe there is a better platform than Patreon. Either way, besides creating good content in the first place, how can a writer "optimize" Patreon? [more inside]
Turn on your lovelight! Headlight problem
I have a 2006 Honda Pilot with 150,000 miles. I have a problem with the headlights. [more inside]
Names on remarried mother's headstone
I am trying to figure out the best way to name my recently deceased mother on her gravestone.
I would like my father's name to be included but I would also like to be respectful of my step-father and of my mother's marriage to him. [more inside]
posted by fries at 1:11 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by fries at 1:11 PM PST - 24 comments
How to address mail to South Korea?
I (in the US) am going to mail a small gift to a friend of mine currently residing in South Korea. Having already unsuccessfully attempted to mail her a postcard a couple of months ago, I want to make sure my package doesn't vanish in the postal abyss since it is going to cost a double-digit number of dollars to mail. How do I properly address it and fill out the address on the customs form properly? [more inside]
posted by zztzed at 1:03 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by zztzed at 1:03 PM PST - 7 comments
Adding an end peg to an acoustic guitar
Where can I get an endpeg to put on a kit-built Martin guitar that currently has none? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 12:29 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by wenestvedt at 12:29 PM PST - 5 comments
Trees: How Do They Work?
Tell me about the energy dynamics of non-deciduous alpine trees. How do saplings stay alive when continuously covered by snow all winter? [more inside]
posted by deludingmyself at 12:19 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by deludingmyself at 12:19 PM PST - 8 comments
Dentist in Sydney in or near CBD?
I am traveling for work. Just lost a filling. Suspect I need at least a temp to get me through as I don't get home til next Tuesday. Anyone got a rec for a dentist who will take a helpless American and hopefully not charge in the thousands? And if there's anyt unique about the process of going to a dentist in Australua that would help too.
posted by rednikki at 12:03 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by rednikki at 12:03 PM PST - 9 comments
How do I get used to being single?
I've been out of a relationship for over a month and I'm running into trouble reconciling with the single status. It doesn't help that the ex seems to be moving along well. How do I reconcile with the feeling that I'm completely isolated? [more inside]
Twitter used to shorten URLs, but now it doesn't?
Sometimes, mostly due to work circumstances, I'm using Twitter via their website rather than an app on my phone. But when I try to post a link to a news article or blog post, I find that Twitter isn't automatically shortening the URL. Do they not do this any more? [more inside]
Tamer games for the PS3
My nephews, 8 and 11, have fallen in love with Call of Duty. Their mother isn't happy with their new love affair, but their neighborhood friends have an older brother so, what's done is done. I would like to get them one or two games for Christmas that are not quite so violent, or at least not so much realistic violence. [more inside]
posted by gladly at 11:51 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by gladly at 11:51 AM PST - 21 comments
Recommendations for a remote car starter and a place to get it installed.
We want a remote starter for a 2009 Honda Civic. I feel completely out of my element, and frankly don't care to learn all about them. I just want someone to tell me what to get. So which one should I get, and where in the Cleveland, OH area can we get it installed? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 11:20 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Tehhund at 11:20 AM PST - 6 comments
Awful alternatives to procrastination! It's for a friend of mine
I need some "punishments" to help a friend beat procrastination. Some snowflakes below. [more inside]
posted by andycyca at 10:46 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by andycyca at 10:46 AM PST - 21 comments
Thanksgiving Day in New York City
What should a couple in their early 30s do in New York City on Thanksgiving Day? [more inside]
Help me hate my commute less
I changed jobs last month and my commute (on the subway) has doubled. I'm finding it hard to deal with the packed subway cars and could do with some help. [more inside]
posted by ellieBOA at 10:19 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by ellieBOA at 10:19 AM PST - 26 comments
Online Teaching Ideas and Resources
I teach English and Humanities classes at a community college. Because of scheduling issues, half of my course load has moved to online classes. I am seeking recommendations for activities, assignments, best practices, and resources that people have either a) used in their own online teaching or b) experienced as a student in an online class. What worked for you? What kept the students engaged and learning? What kept you from wanting to gnaw off your own leg to escape the tedium? [more inside]
posted by bibliowench at 10:17 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by bibliowench at 10:17 AM PST - 5 comments
Self-destructive perfectionism keeping me from passing in schoolwork?
I'm doing poorly in one of my classes because I've turned in very little homework even though I'm doing really well otherwise. Most of the missing work is actually done, but I can't pass it in because it isn't 100% perfect. Please help me understand this behavior and suggest things that have helped you in the past. [more inside]
Winter shoe recommendation for urban commuter?
I'm looking for a warm shoe that I can wear to the office and handles the gross curb slush in NYC. so far I'm considering Merrell's jungle moc. I am a dude.
Thanks for your help!
Inspirational literature, circa 1998?
I'm looking for a book of non-cheesy inspirational literature from around 1998...details inside. [more inside]
How to Familiarize Myself With Words I Already Know
I have a list of several hundred words which I often forget to use in conversation or in writing (I compiled it by jotting down words I've found myself fishing for). I know their definitions, but I'd like to better familiarize myself with them, so they're more in the "front of my mind" and I don't have to eternally fish for them (e.g. astringent, banal, lascivious, subsume, criteria, duress, affectation). [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 8:59 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by Quisp Lover at 8:59 AM PST - 16 comments
What am I, and where should I go?
I write documents and flowcharts, create training programs, conduct training sessions, oversee employee development, manage the intranet, maintain shared documentation, conduct process analysis, administrate process improvement, and do some project management on the side. Now it's time to move on and I'm sitting staring blankly at indeed.com, not quite sure what jobs to search for; knowledge management, technical communicator, training, process improvement? Is there a job which encapsulates these all? Or am I barking up the wrong tree - maybe these skills are pre-requisites for a position I haven't yet considered? [more inside]
Suggestions needed for reducing severe muscle tension.
I suffer from what I call background anxiety that manifests as extreme muscle tension. Has anyone successfully dealt with this? Is there hope for me? [more inside]
posted by miaou at 8:42 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by miaou at 8:42 AM PST - 31 comments
East of Eden filter: Help me solve a literary medical mystery
One of the characters in East of Eden dies under circumstances that have always baffled me. I turn to the Steinbeck scholars and armchair physicians of Metafilter to help me figure out what happened. (Steinbeck spoilers below). [more inside]
Long-ish non-fiction reads that will make me smarter and more empathetic
I'm looking for articles that take anywhere from half an hour to one hour to read. Specifically, I'm looking for 1) in-depth, meaty reads in any field; 2) (auto)biographical reads about ordinary people. [more inside]
posted by rebooter at 8:24 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by rebooter at 8:24 AM PST - 9 comments
Let Her Sweat and Smell Nice While Doing It
Asking for my wife: Are there any deodorants for women that are NOT also antiperspirants? Looking for a recommendation for just deodorant for women. Why is it that men get this option and women don't?
Question About William Gibson's The Peripheral
I have some questions about William Gibson's new novel, The Peripheral. Be warned, these questions the answers will involve spoilers. [more inside]
Don't be a Jive Turkey
We have lots of family over and this year my dad won an electric roasting oven (like these) and two turkeys. Recipe needed! [more inside]
Child-safe messaging device
I'd like to give my 2 nieces and 1 nephew a shared device this Christmas, with which they can send and receive SMS and MMS messages (or similar) to and from an explicit whitelist of contacts. Apple iMessage is not an option. Is it possible? [more inside]
Ditmas Park for a couple/family?
Tell me about Ditmas Park, and what is has (or has not) to offer a married couple/family. [more inside]
Puzzles with only "yes" or "no" questions
I'm not sure what these types of puzzles are called, but I want to build the canonical list of them. They are usually vague, open-ended descriptions of a situation, and the other players have to figure out what's going on. Players can only ask questions that can be answered by either "yes" or "no," they cannot ask anything else. [more inside]
posted by jbickers at 5:26 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by jbickers at 5:26 AM PST - 30 comments
Need an easy-to-use quiz/ questionnaire generator
Hi Mefites:
I'm looking for a free/cheap web service that allows me to ask someone a few multiple choice questions via a survey and then be able to give them a text-based diagnostic (not a numerical score). Something similar to this, via Buzzfeed, where they ask a few multiple choice questions and at the end, they give you a pre-written response to how you've answered. [more inside]
Should I stay or should I go.......again?
My on and off love affair is off again.....I think.
We had a row.....made up.....next day she cancelled forthcoming date....not heard from her since.
Why do I care what happens next? [more inside]
posted by blokefromipanema at 2:13 AM PST - 38 comments
posted by blokefromipanema at 2:13 AM PST - 38 comments
Where can I buy gold-plated cutlery?
A recent episode of Gastropod convinced me that I should get some gold-plated cutlery as a present for a friend (it supposedly makes certain foods taste nicer). I haven't had any luck finding cutlery in the UK from the usual trustworthy department stores, so now I'm willing to widen the search to other UK stores and also online stores in the US.
posted by adrianhon at 1:53 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by adrianhon at 1:53 AM PST - 5 comments
November 24
Support servces for an isolated woman with family violence New York
Asking for a family member:
I'm a distressed brother living in Australia with no experience of US family violence, health systems, judiciary, police or addiction services. Please help.
My sister "Pas" lives in Wood Side Queens, New York.
She is a single woman and works as a nanny for the moment. She speaks very good English and is independent. Yesterday, whilst visiting an aunt who is very sick with cancer in New York, she was attacked by the aunt's son without any provocation. (Under influence? not sure). [more inside]
Stopped drinking - when does sleep return to normal?
For 15+ years I've been a daily drinker. I quit several days ago, and my sleep has been horrendous. When, if ever, does it return to normal? [more inside]
Book recommendations on how the brain impacts the body
I'm interested in learning more about the science of mind-body connections, especially in the mind-impacts-body direction. For example, I'm curious about how mental exertion can lead to physical fatigue, or how an emotion can trigger physical symptoms in the body (such as indigestion from stress). I'm looking for an interesting and accessible book on this topic, if one exists. [more inside]
How to know if your dandruff shampoo is effective?
If your scalp flakes after using a dandruff shampoo does that mean the shampoo is effective? [more inside]
Anyone fluent in Seven-Year-Old who can translate?
A seven-year-old has asked for "bumblebee drumsticks and cymbals" as a gift. No idea what this may mean and we can't ask for clarification. Any ideas?
What did I do to my roast??
I ruined my pot roast last night! What happened? [more inside]
Hotels in San Diego over Thanksgiving weekend?
Please share your good experiences with hotels in San Diego!! I'm looking for recommendations for family (two adults and a three and half year old) that will likely be visiting this weekend. [more inside]
PDX Bound Next Week. Suggestions Suggestions Suggestions
Have not been to PDX in 5-6 years. Will be there next week from Wednesday 12/3 through Saturday 12/6. I'll be staying in DT Portland. Restaurants are covered. Looking for a bike rental shops, coffeehouse's with awesome pastries and pies, and other random cool places. My hangout spots are Hawthorne District and (of course) Powell's. I am also a Farmer's Market junky and would appreciate suggestion on local markets that will be taking place during that time.
Thanks in advance...
posted by goalyeehah at 6:30 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by goalyeehah at 6:30 PM PST - 7 comments
Best pro-tips for managing a five day drink-a-thon
I'm home for the holidays and seeing many friends after years apart. I have five days, each consisting of brunch, lunch and dinner with others, and am looking forward to unimaginable quantities of free alcohol. I am a seasoned (pickled?) drinker that does not normally get hangovers but never have I been on such a social whirlwind with so many opportunities to celebrate. Does anyone have advice for overcoming the potential weaknesses of the flesh to rise to this challenge? Or, how to pace myself when offered so much free deliciousness? Details below [more inside]
posted by partly squamous and partly rugose at 5:41 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by partly squamous and partly rugose at 5:41 PM PST - 24 comments
A well-dressed man?
How to work out what to do with too many "eggs"?
I applied for a scholarship to do a Masters program starting next April, but I might also be offered an internship that starts then. If offered the scholarship, I'm 90% sure that I would be able to start the Masters in October instead, but I'm not certain. Can you help me decide what to do? Details within. [more inside]
Help me create a movie title that is (a) intriguing and (b) open-ended.
Now that my wife's been bitten by the radio bug, the desire to do a show/podcast is starting to sink its teeth into me as well. The high-concept idea that I'm working with is to do a 16-part series that are all the soundtrack to a forgotten movie -- the title of the movie is the same every week, but the movie itself changes. [more inside]
Is getting a MPA/MPP degree in Europe useless for work in the US?
I'm considering pursuing a degree to further my career in child welfare, educational and cultural non-profits. As I'd love to spend time living abroad and I wouldn't get into a especially impressive school here in the US, I'm wondering if it would be useless to get my degree from a university in Europe (most likely in the UK).
If it is worth doing, what schools should I be looking at? Would I be eligible for any sort of financial aid?
posted by youcancallmeal at 4:49 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by youcancallmeal at 4:49 PM PST - 6 comments
Please recommend fiction that exemplifies "a life well lived"
Which books explore the question "What does it mean to have lived well"? [more inside]
Please help me replace aim.
Basically, our company would like to replace aim for our office instant messaging solution. After much googling and some testing, the top two currently on my list are hipchat and slack. [more inside]
posted by JackT at 3:40 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by JackT at 3:40 PM PST - 19 comments
The Heaviest Heavy Metal?
What are the loudest, shrillest, most brutal metal albums of all time? I want cacophonous, demonic noise. The hardest of the hard stuff. It doesn't have to come from any particular metal subgenre, and it doesn't even have to be stuff you've liked. As long as it is being as extreme as possible.
Oldish dog seeks new interview questions.
Software testing job interviews: help me ask the important questions. [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 2:50 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Sheydem-tants at 2:50 PM PST - 8 comments
How does Thanksgiving affect Manhattan parking and travel to Upstate NY?
I'm visiting New York for Thanksgiving. I'm driving from Pittsburgh to Manhattan and I arrive late tomorrow. I'm staying in the Upper West Side through Saturday, but I'm spending Thanksgiving with family in Monroe, NY. I have one night booked at a hotel in that area. Where can I conveniently and cheaply park my car in Manhattan for 5 days? How can I get from Manhattan to Monroe, NY, reliably and cheaply? I'm currently planning to park on the street and take the Port Jervis line. [more inside]
posted by stuart_s at 2:10 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by stuart_s at 2:10 PM PST - 12 comments
I need help finding an old New Yorker Talk of the Town story
You'd think this would be an easy thing to Google, but it's not. [more inside]
posted by AAAA at 1:58 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by AAAA at 1:58 PM PST - 4 comments
Makeover montage, part ten thousand—accessorize me!
Please help me select, buy, and actually wear accessories/jewelry that look great and make me happy—from scratch. I need best practices, inspiration photos, or just that One Weird Trick that makes you look great and put-together every day. Go! [more inside]
Help me with a creative Santa costume/outfit!
I am attending a social event in a few weeks where everyone is attending dressed as a version of Santa Claus. I have no problem with dressing as a normal Santa -- but that is too easy!
Any ideas for a (more) creative Santa costume/outfit? [more inside]
posted by knockoutking at 1:51 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by knockoutking at 1:51 PM PST - 28 comments
Need recommendations for a Bird Identification book.
I am hoping to find the US equivalent to the Australian "What Bird is That?" book and my google fu is failing me. [more inside]
posted by wwax at 12:50 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by wwax at 12:50 PM PST - 11 comments
How to pick a therapist to help my anxiety (before pregnancy/parenting)
How do I pick the right therapist to help with my anxiety, stress, indecisiveness, and perfectionist tendencies? What kinds of therapy/techniques/approaches might be most helpful? How do I quickly assess whether to stick with someone or look elsewhere? What are reasonable expectations of how much I can improve in therapy and how quickly? I'm terrible at making decisions-- I need help!
(Especially since we want to start trying for kids in a few months so I feel real urgency to make progress quickly to feel comfortable going ahead, for both my and the kid's sake.) DC-area, FYI. [more inside]
India Filter: Wedding Guest 11th Hour Freak-Out Edition
I'm attending a wedding in Mumbai this upcoming weekend and am having a crisis of apparel. [more inside]
posted by melissasaurus at 12:02 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by melissasaurus at 12:02 PM PST - 14 comments
Protected text messages randomly disappeared from my RAZR droid
I regularly delete my messages from my droid. I have a bunch of protected messages that I have locked and they always stay there when I delete all of the thread. I just went to look for one of those messages and they are all gone!!!!!!!!!!
Is there any way to retrieve these?
I see a bunch of threads on the net, but can't find anything that works
HELP!!!!!!!!
How can there be better songs about being 17 than 18?
So last year's mix CD was quite a hit. Now the baby's turning 18. Got any ideas about songs that reference being/turning 18? Especially for a girl? [more inside]
posted by readery at 11:40 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by readery at 11:40 AM PST - 21 comments
Counting rows in Excel that match condition?
Can an Excel expert help me with counting rows in a spreadsheet that can match one of 15 possible combinations? [more inside]
Needles, yarn ... ??
My wife wants to learn to knit. What do I buy? [more inside]
posted by ohsnapdragon at 11:21 AM PST - 33 comments
posted by ohsnapdragon at 11:21 AM PST - 33 comments
Ye ol' question: gas or electric?
Help me figure out whether I should be heating my small house with the gas furnace or an electric space heater... [more inside]
Receiving my text messages abroad
I am rather experienced with handling my communication with my international traveling as I have been doing it for some time. However my current job relies very strongly on text messaging and I haven't come up with a bulletproof solution as to how to receive and respond to text messages seamlessly. [more inside]
Sending funds to Brazil, is there a good way I have missed?
My son is caught up in a medical crisis in Brazil and needs funds sent. What is the best bank to bank option or is there a way other than Moneygram services? Not to crowd this post with details but if anyone wants more details or to assist in our funding please MeFi mail me.
Gobble, gobble
Okay, having a problem with dry brining my turkey. Help? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:40 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:40 AM PST - 9 comments
Comparing Similar 7 inch tablets
Hi - I'm hoping for a bit of help comparing two similar 7 inch tablets that are on sale this Black Friday. [more inside]
posted by stewieandthedude at 9:51 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by stewieandthedude at 9:51 AM PST - 7 comments
Why does my car not give me heat at idle?
My 2003 VW GTI VR6 warms up fine and gives heat while driving, but at idle it immediately blows cold air. [more inside]
posted by fritley at 9:40 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by fritley at 9:40 AM PST - 11 comments
Where can I read about tech that's not gadgets and apps?
I love reading about tech innovations and businesses in areas like energy, materials, farming, transport, construction etc. but the main tech blogs and websites are overwhelmed by IT--consumer electronics, software, apps etc.--which leaves me cold. Any tips much appreciated!
I can't start writing anything. Why is so, and how do I change this ?
I have a lot of trouble writing stuff. I feel it's getting worse, to a point where it's problematic in my worklife. I don't understand why it is so, but I'd love to change this. Pointers, methods, experiences are all welcome, as I can't help but feel more than a bit weird about this. [more inside]
posted by motdiem2 at 9:29 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by motdiem2 at 9:29 AM PST - 16 comments
personal mini-retreat near Boston
I'm looking to take a personal mini-retreat December 31-January 2, somewhere within 2 hours of Boston (including Boston proper) by train. I'd like it to be more on the luxury end than the rustic end (e.g., no yoga camps). [more inside]
posted by spindrifter at 9:24 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by spindrifter at 9:24 AM PST - 9 comments
Your favorite zombie fails?
What movie clips demonstrate what NOT to do in a zombie apocalypse/natural disaster/etc? [more inside]
posted by sleepingcbw at 9:21 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by sleepingcbw at 9:21 AM PST - 9 comments
NYC Jeweler Recommendation for Custom, Art-Deco Style Work?
My fiancee found a wedding band at an estate jewelry store that specializes in Art Deco-style pieces. The band can't be sized due to the design, so I'm hoping to find someone in New York to make the ring as a custom job. Does anyone have recommendations for someone in New York who can do this type of work reasonably quickly--within, say, a month? [more inside]
Learning to sew on a vintage sewing machine
This recent post about picking a sewing machine has inspired me: I followed advice similar to this answer and bought a newly reconditioned sturdy metal Singer 301A a couple of years ago. I acquired a buttonholer and zigzag attachment, as well as a box of other theoretically useful sewing feet (I will be able to sew ruffles just like in Dick and Jane readers!). [more inside]
posted by instamatic at 9:17 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by instamatic at 9:17 AM PST - 9 comments
Is it R&B? Is it Funk? It is certainly some sorta Soul!
I just heard this song for the first time this morning and it is blowing me away. Can you recommend more like it: Curtis Harding - Heaven's on the Other Side [more inside]
posted by zyxwvut at 9:02 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by zyxwvut at 9:02 AM PST - 7 comments
I hesitate to condemn it as wholly a bad novel...
I purchased an Olympia Press first edition of Beckett's Molloy a while back. Tucked inside was a four page handwritten review (scans). In the back of the book is written "Reviewed NSN Dec. 3 1955." I've poked around but I can't find anything. Is this a published review or draft of one? [more inside]
posted by vathek at 8:51 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by vathek at 8:51 AM PST - 2 comments
Talk to me about chipolatas
I need to serve chipolatas at my Christmas dinner this year, but I only vaguely know what they are. [more inside]
Free calendaring software for the office
Our office has outgrown our ad-hoc personal calendars and we are looking for a calendar tool. The biggest need for us is to see when others are available for meetings and make meeting requests. We're not an Exchange shop, so Outlook/Exchange compatibility is not important. Most of us are accessing our email over POP3 in our favorite client, so something that can send/confirm meeting requests via email without preference for a specific client is helpful.
Help me find stories of epiphanies.
Help me find stories of epiphanies, particularly striking moments of self-awareness. Fictional, non-fictional, any kind of medium (books, articles, video, etc...). [more inside]
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 6:54 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 6:54 AM PST - 18 comments
Nonfiction Podcast Series for Road Tripping
ISO: Nonfiction podcasts, spread over multiple episodes, not Serial but in that vein of long-form audio storytelling. Help! [more inside]
Snow and my garden
First winter in our new house, and the first real (but probably short lived) snow will come Wednesday (USDA Hardiness Zone 6A). We won't have to to prep for this snowfall, but what should we be doing longer term for the plants in our garden during the winter? [more inside]
The Princess And The Pea
Is it possible to make a mattress firmer, or am I better off buying a new mattress? [more inside]
Podcast Management and Downcast App
After posting my last question, I have purchased Downcast and am ready to use it as my main podcast organization method/app. [more inside]
posted by dbirchum at 6:00 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by dbirchum at 6:00 AM PST - 5 comments
Home Alone pup - how to keep him occupied?
We have unexpectedly been assigned as foster parents to this little guy. I'm looking for advice about how best to take care of him as he has to be left alone during the working day. Is this bad for him? What can we do to make sure he's not distressed and also stop him chewing All The Things? [more inside]
How to VPN while traveling
I'm going to be traveling a fair amount over the holidays which means I'll likely be on public WiFi a lot more than usual, and with all of the various security and privacy issues that have popped up in the news recently, I figure the time is ripe to figure out a VPN strategy (since not everything I do is over SSL/HTTPS). [more inside]
posted by Aleyn at 2:10 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Aleyn at 2:10 AM PST - 11 comments
DIY Illegal Drug Making - WHAT WERE THEY DOING??
My neighbors are being evicted after doing something dodgey that caused an explosion and involved (supposedly) a pressure cooker, and definitely a list of OTC pharmaceuticals, one ingredient was Baby Aspirin. I was told, anyway.
What were they making? [more inside]
posted by jbenben at 1:15 AM PST - 33 comments
posted by jbenben at 1:15 AM PST - 33 comments
How do I go about getting an IT job with little experience?
My question is, how do I go about marketing myself and finding jobs that need level 1 tech support or very Jr system admin jobs? Any help would be great. Thanks guys :) (more info inside) [more inside]
posted by DatAznGuy at 1:12 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by DatAznGuy at 1:12 AM PST - 8 comments
Help with fire ceremony for wedding!
At our wedding, we want to light a fire in one location (the ceremony site) and after a brief period, say 10 minutes, transport it to another location. Ideally, we would light a fire in a ceremonial bowl with handles that do not transmit heat, then have our two "attendants" use those handles to carry that whole bowl to the real fire pit as part of the procession out. Does such a thing exist? If not, how could we pull this off? [more inside]
posted by slidell at 1:11 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by slidell at 1:11 AM PST - 19 comments
November 23
Why was the US Army base Fort Worden named after a Navy Rear Admiral?
Fort Worden is apparently the only US Army base to ever be named after a Navy officer, one John Lorimer Worden, commander of the Monitor in the US Civil War. The reasons why are possibly lost to history. Any military history buffs out there who might possibly know why? [more inside]
Buying a mattress- Is it possible to do cheaply?
Our 15 year old starter mattress is in a bad way. We have very little funds to spend on a mattress. We've found some in our price range, but also found there is a whole cottage industry of used, refurbished and slightly-bed bug infested mattresses. Is it possible to find something inexpensive but not one of the above? [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 11:06 PM PST - 45 comments
posted by [insert clever name here] at 11:06 PM PST - 45 comments
Sources for quality lesbian erotica
Where is all the lesbian/queer erotica that doesn't suck? (NSFW, naturally) [more inside]
More game recommendations
Looking for more iOS game recommendations according to specific requirements. "Games that are more like toys" might be one place to put it. Update on this question. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 8:50 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by bleep at 8:50 PM PST - 11 comments
How do I make copies of my acrylic paintings?
A few friends have asked about buying these two paintings. They're are a bit precious to me because, not counting a still life of balls and cones They made me do, they're my first two paintings.
I thought maybe I could print these on canvas and give copies. How?
I just started painting so I don't know anything and googling is just confusing me. Talk to me like I know nothing. [more inside]
posted by stellathon at 8:14 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by stellathon at 8:14 PM PST - 5 comments
gift (?) for a NICU nurse
Our daughters just got out of the NICU after a long stay. Our primary nurse was really wonderful and I'd love some advice about how to thank her. [more inside]
Configuring a whitebox laptop to be future-proof, but not OTT ridiculous
I have a high budget for this particular purchase-- as much as I need to spend, I can spend. I'm sure I want a small laptop, about 13", and I'm 85% sure about the builder I've chosen, Mythlogic. I'll be using the machine for gaming and programming/computer science applications for certain. I have some ideas about how to do this the ideal way, and some specific questions about those ideas. [more inside]
Fashion bloggers with an edge, career edition
I'm looking for fashion blogs for inspiration as I'm trying to "dress for the job I want" in a creative field. Think tough but a hint of feminine. O Mefites, who's on your edgy creative fashion blogroll? [more inside]
posted by airguitar2 at 5:39 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by airguitar2 at 5:39 PM PST - 9 comments
Innocuous parts of the dark web?
The illicit parts of the dark web like Agora and Silk Road 2.0 have been pretty well-covered by the media. What's out there that's pretty vanilla but for whatever reason is a .onion site? [more inside]
posted by joechip at 5:30 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by joechip at 5:30 PM PST - 3 comments
Credit card advice
I live in Toronto I recently started a full-time job (two weeks ago) and I've been using a debit card (with RBC) for the past five years. I didn't want to get a credit card because I didn't want to get sucked into the system. But yesterday changed my outlook on things, so I decided to apply for a low interest card. Question is, what options do I have and would I get accepted? [more inside]
Alls you can eat sushi in Chicago
Several years ago I went to an all you can eat sushi restaurant on Chicago's north side. You could order as many rolls as you wanted as long as you finished one before you asked for the next. What is the name of this restaurant? (Or failing that, what is a similar delicious sushi restaurant in Chicago?)
MP3 Player for Toddlers
I'd like to get my soon-to-be 3-yr-old nephew an mp3 player, preferably with external speakers, and external SD card slot. A previous thread here suggested the SweetPea, but there seems to be a lot of debate about the quality of the current model. The Sansa Shake was also mentioned, but seems to be out of production. The others I've looked at seem to be less than impressive. Any current suggestions?
Surprise trip to Charleston SC...
I have booked flights to Charleston SC, now I just need...everything else... [more inside]
Can I eat it? (Thanksgiving edition)
My mom is coming down from Boston to NYC for Thanksgiving. Her current plan is to cook the turkey, wrap it in aluminum foil, put it in a polystyrene cooler and then drive it down to NYC on Thursday. This is setting off my warning bells about food safety. [more inside]
posted by Hactar at 3:32 PM PST - 41 comments
posted by Hactar at 3:32 PM PST - 41 comments
What is your experience with Renaissance Weekends?
If you (or someone you know) attended a Renaissance Weekend, what was it like? [more inside]
Help me spend too much on a bar of soap
In the spirit of self-care in the dead of winter, I want to treat myself to some fancy soap. I am not really aware of high-quality hip-or-classic skincare brands that might have a bar soap (not liquid!) that fits what I'm looking for:
a unisex scent palette (I like savory, spicy, vanilla-y scents more than florals),
moisturizing properties,
natural ingredients,
a bit of exfoliant [more inside]
posted by thirdletter at 2:39 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by thirdletter at 2:39 PM PST - 31 comments
Recommendation for Middle-School Science Fair Gauss Meter?
My middle-schooler is working on a science project involving the strength of magnets under different conditions. We are talking about using a Gauss meter to measure the strength of a magnet, but we are not sure what type of Gauss meter would be right for the project. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Slap Factory at 2:35 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Slap Factory at 2:35 PM PST - 5 comments
Korean and Japanese Philosophy
I love reading Chinese philosophy, and I'm looking to get into some Korean philosophy, just to see what their take is. But I'm having trouble figuring out where to start. I'd like to read uniquely Korean things, or takes on confucianism and taoism, from any time period, or just interesting thoughts posed by Korean philosophers. I'd also like to read some Japanese texts in the same vein, and once again don't really know where to start. I'm looking for the best English translations. Any suggestions?
posted by Gargantuantoe at 2:27 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Gargantuantoe at 2:27 PM PST - 8 comments
What's wrong with this plant?
(Asking for my sister) My sister has this houseplant (pics inside) which is not doing too well. She'd like ideas on what the problem is. [more inside]
How do I become more comfortable with being single?
I would like to shake off the discomfort that sometimes comes with being single and learn to develop myself more. [more inside]
I want to have sex.
My ex of three years and I broke up a few days ago. Initially he told me that the main reason was our different feelings about marriage (see previous posts), but upon further discussion, he said the biggest issue was our lack of intimacy. [more inside]
Missing Thanksgiving
I have to be on call with work on Thanksgiving, and I have a good reason to believe I'm going to have to do several hours of work that day (via VPN). Assuming this means I have to skip the family Thanksgiving dinner, what can I do to sort of celebrate the holiday at home? [more inside]
Making the best of a bad boss. Coping strategies?
What strategies have you used to cope with a bad boss/supervisor? [more inside]
posted by pennypiper at 1:20 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by pennypiper at 1:20 PM PST - 5 comments
is it reasonable to suspect my boyfriend of underhanded deeds?
Cheating or runaway imagination? [more inside]
Help needed with Google docs
I LOVE google drive, and google docs. However, I have a pdf file that I want to convert to a word/google doc, and I want to write inside of it. It would be great if I could save teh image to teh background to write on top of it, but I can not figure it out. Any ideas? thanks! I included the link below. link
What film gear do we need for a short film production?
I just got a call to DP a short film next summer. I've been a videographer for about 18 months, so most of my gear is oriented towards promotional video and documentary work. I use a Canon DSLR. We want the quality of the film to be high enough for festival submissions. What gear do we need to budget for? [more inside]
posted by mtphoto at 12:23 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by mtphoto at 12:23 PM PST - 8 comments
Parenting Book Club
What books would you recommend for new parents who want to read parenting books and talk about them together? [more inside]
Books about living in weird places
I'm looking for happy books (fiction or non-) about traveling and living in new or weird places. [more inside]
How Do I Get DSLR Video on Instagram?
I just made an Instagram, and want to post some of my previously non-smartphone-shot-video on Instagram. I tried many different things and followed a bunch of guides on how to do this, but nothing worked. How do I do this? [Technical Details Inside] [more inside]
posted by gregr at 10:15 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by gregr at 10:15 AM PST - 14 comments
What high-end alcohol is worth every penny?
I recently tried some decent single malt scotch for the first time, and was blown away by how much more complex and smooth it was compared to cheaper whiskies I had tried before. What other alcohol is worth spending extra money to get The Good Stuff?
Overcoat filter
Where can I get a decent quality men's double breasted full length overcoat? [more inside]
posted by damayanti at 9:54 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by damayanti at 9:54 AM PST - 6 comments
Best Sci-Fi/Supernatural Shows I've Never Heard Of?
There are a million of these questions, but none with my particular set of preferences, so here goes. I'm looking for great sci-fi/supernatural TV shows (e.g. Star Trek/Buffy), weird comedies, or violent dude soap operas (e.g. Sons of Anarchy). Many more details within! [more inside]
posted by snaw at 9:26 AM PST - 55 comments
posted by snaw at 9:26 AM PST - 55 comments
How to decorate a home in the short term, before a remodel
My sweetie and I own a small, fixer-upper home. We have many, many home projects coming up, including a big kitchen remodel that will probably be completed in six months. What can we do to make the place look nice until then? [more inside]
posted by Ideal Impulse at 8:09 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Ideal Impulse at 8:09 AM PST - 13 comments
Winter is coming
Can a battery-powered snowblower handle the challenge of a Boston winter? [more inside]
Fashion Trends Explained
What blogs or other resources track the development of fashion trends, from the runways to widespread use? [more inside]
Type of therapy/therapist for dealing with a horrible experience
A family member has been through a nearly unimaginably terrible saga over the past four years and has just been released from prison after a conviction related to it. What type of therapist and what type of therapy would be best to help him cope and to get back on his feet again? [more inside]
How to say no even though I can say yes?
I have a troubled half brother who has recently come into my life. He was just released from prison, there on possession charges. He lives across the country, is jobless, homeless, and without family (aside from my mother and me). Yesterday he asked if I could wire him money. Just enough to buy some food. I can easily do this, so without thinking, I said I would. [more inside]
posted by hippychick at 5:08 AM PST - 58 comments
posted by hippychick at 5:08 AM PST - 58 comments
Need info about donating plasma with a hole in the tubing/air exposure?
I was donating plasma and the machine apparently ate a hole in the tubing and my blood was exposed to the air or "contaminated." Obviously they can't use the plasma sample they got and didn't want me to get that blood back once they realized what happened, but I had already received some of it (whole blood) back before they shut it down. I could not find much info about this happening during plasma donation but I'm wondering what are the risks/what are the chances I might get sick from having received blood that was exposed to the environment.
posted by atinna at 12:13 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by atinna at 12:13 AM PST - 9 comments
November 22
Help us find this for new parents, by new parents!
Mrs. Pairofshades and I are expecting a baby and would like to read up on parenthood. I came across one book in paticular, in about 2005, that I would love to find and read again. It was from a series based on personal anecdotes from parents who had just gone through the stage the book focused on: in this case it was the first year of parenthood. Some details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by pairofshades at 11:52 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by pairofshades at 11:52 PM PST - 2 comments
Is it blood?
One of my cats has either sprayed or sneezed something on my wall... Is there a product or test that might determine whether the 'something' is blood? [more inside]
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 11:01 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 11:01 PM PST - 13 comments
How do we holiday?
Boyfriend and I are at a crossroads after 6 years. He's in Chicago and I just left to move to San Francisco. After several months apart not speaking much, we plan to spend our December holiday making some big together-or-not decisions. He'll fly to SF and after that we have 10 days and around $2000 between us for a trip. Where would you suggest we focus our resources for a holiday? Tahoe? Yoga retreat? Bicycle trip? Surf School? Bit of a wide open question but all suggestions and specific recommendations welcome! [more inside]
posted by gillianr at 10:36 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by gillianr at 10:36 PM PST - 17 comments
Help me quit you, internet
How might a Luddite live without a home internet connection, but still have access to email and basic surfing for occasional practical needs? (Specific smart phone recommendations?) [more inside]
posted by hoist with his own pet aardvark at 10:35 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by hoist with his own pet aardvark at 10:35 PM PST - 20 comments
Multi-Lingual Accounts
Do you know of any works that include an account of what it was like to grow up using at least three languages, and also shows the difficulties and confusion of having that experience?
Satisfying late evening cravings for something tasty
Of late I have a hunger for something tasty and perhaps sweet an hour or 2 after dinner and nearing the time I all go to bed.
Tell me some of your favorite ways to satisfy that in a healthy way please. I can't eat chocolate.
The world is that which is the straight face
It was said by Wittgenstein that a perfectly good work of philosophy could be written which was entirely composed of jokes. Has anyone done it, in analytical or continental philosophy? [more inside]
posted by curuinor at 9:18 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by curuinor at 9:18 PM PST - 14 comments
Toni Morrison essay in NY Time Magazine about children
Does anyone know the date, title of the article written by or about Toni Morrison many years ago in which she speaks at length about the U.S. treatment of children? It appeared in the New York Times Magazine.
"Hey, this is terrible... want some?" (Book recommendations wanted.)
My wife and I were talking the other night, and we were wondering about how human beings figured out what food is edible and what isn't - what possessed folks to figure out if they ate this part of the fish, but not that part, then they wouldn't die, or if they could just get past the prickly parts of this plant, the innards were good? [more inside]
What does MRROW MMROOW MROOOOW *stuffed cow* mean from a cat?
Any theories as to what my cat thinks she's doing when she meows loudly and brings me her stuffed toys? [more inside]
posted by microcarpetus at 8:38 PM PST - 35 comments
posted by microcarpetus at 8:38 PM PST - 35 comments
Can anyone help me identify this television play from the 70s?
There was a play I saw on TV in the '70s. I don't remember a title, or any character's name, but it was about a faculty at a British school of some sort, and an amiable professor of some unimportant english course, who was always there to help other faculty members with whatever came up. [more inside]
Applied too much diatomaceous earth to carpet. Now what?
I am trying to determine the best way to clean up some DE that I applied too liberally to the carpet in my apartment, and I'm trying to decide how I can do so without a.) killing the vacuum and b.) killing my brother's lungs (or my own!). Anxiety inside. [more inside]
Mariachi inflected pop
I'm looking for indie pop with mariachi elements, specifically the soaring trumpet fills, but jangly acoustic guitar is cool too. Something in the vein of Calexico, but less folk-y more pop-y. Barring actual good music I'd gladly take recommendations for mariachi style covers. You know how there's albums of Bossa Nova style covers and reggae style? Someone must make mariachi style covers?
Okay, screw it, I want cheesy pop hits of yesteryear transcribed into a mariachi idiom.
posted by Keith Talent at 6:19 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by Keith Talent at 6:19 PM PST - 22 comments
Have I managed to brick my elderly new to me iMac by updating Avira?
My brother gave me his 2008 27" iMac. I tried to update Avira on it and now I can't turn it on. Help! I don't know from Macs - I have always had PCs. [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry at 5:39 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by mygothlaundry at 5:39 PM PST - 15 comments
Vacation in nature--without a car to get there?
I am taking a much-needed vacation in December before the holiday season. I would LOVE to get out of the city for a week and just wander around in nature, but I don't know where to start given the potential obstacles. I grew up going to Acadia National Park in Maine...so I'm basically looking for the same thing somewhere warmer. [more inside]
If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes
I'm looking for all the places that claim to have the weather change every 5 minutes. [more inside]
posted by olya at 4:46 PM PST - 85 comments
posted by olya at 4:46 PM PST - 85 comments
Help us help him
Resources for a 14 year old boy who is gay? [more inside]
What career would be best suited for me?
Now that I have worked full-time for a year I have discovered what I really want in a career – limited to no human contact. [more inside]
Where to get a good copy of a famous painting?
There is a 19th century portrait of a somewhat famous distant ancestor that I'd like to get my own version of. The portrait is held by a museum but not at all a famous piece of artwork, it is noteworthy because of its subject. Where (or who) can I pay an appropriate amount of money to get a very good copy of a 19th century oil painting? [more inside]
Why did pioneers think it was a good idea to settle in Buffalo?
Not meant to be snarky on Buffalo per se-I wonder this about most cold places- but why did the people who settled Buffalo think it would be a good idea to live there permanently? [more inside]
posted by the foreground at 3:10 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by the foreground at 3:10 PM PST - 28 comments
Why is our baby monitor like a terrible theremin, and is it common?
For the last three+ years, we've used this Graco baby monitor to hear our little guy during naps and at night, but since moving to our new home (built in 2007), it's been like a terrible theremin, with interference noise increasing as you move away from it, or towards it, or turn off a light, or plug in another device in the same room. What might be causing this, can we fix it ourselves, and is this issue present in video models? More thoughts inside. [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief at 2:57 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by filthy light thief at 2:57 PM PST - 10 comments
Show me the greatest esports matches of all time
I would like to learn how to appreciate esports as a spectator. I have a hard time getting into random Twitch matches. Please link me to your favorite YouTube videos of classic or important or especially cool matches! I'm mostly interested in MOBAs (LoL, DOTA), not so much Starcraft/CoD/etc. Thanks!
posted by prize bull octorok at 2:32 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by prize bull octorok at 2:32 PM PST - 4 comments
must-see bands in Austin right now... and great venues
I am interested in going out to see live music in Austin but I'm not plugged into any groups who seem up on the scene right now. Who are the good bands? what is interesting in Austin music right now? what are the best venues and why? I'm open to any kind of good music. This is free-form, go nuts. Thanks.
Need Book Suggestions Please
Our recent cold, drizzly weather has me wanting to to curl up with a good book, but not just ANY good book, really specific specifics inside. [more inside]
Red and yellow peppers froze on the vine
I thought that we had harvested all the peppers that were going to ripen. I was wrong. [more inside]
I drove away before the tow truck came! What does the law say?
I ran a few luggage bags into the airport terminal for my aging grandmother and ran back out to the curb. Must have been 2 minutes. Airport security waved me away from my car and told me my car was being towed. I just stepped in my car and drove away while security insisted my car was being towed. What does the law say? Will I get a ticket if they've pulled my plates? Am I legally obligated to wait for a tow truck? Am I a fugitive of airport security?
Two parts woo, one part science.
Crunchy parents and their untraditional opinions make me worry for the safety of my kid and theirs. Could my kid's health be in danger? How do I let go of my judgement and make friends? [more inside]
posted by peasandcarrots at 1:30 PM PST - 38 comments
posted by peasandcarrots at 1:30 PM PST - 38 comments
fiction books on Medicine Women and/or female Acupuncturists
I am looking for fiction books on Medicine Women and Acupuncturists. I know that I was at a library a while ago and there was a fiction book on a woman who was an acupuncturist. Do you have any ideas? I can't recall the title. Also, I would like to see if there are any books on medicine women fiction or nonfiction that you could personally recommend, not just a google search, what do you know is good? thanks
Cold snap, paint stinks
We bought some lovely new radiator covers. But they took a little longer than expected, and there was a cold snap as soon as they were delivered, so the radiators have been on and the windows have been closed...and the air stinks of hot paint.
Short of leaving the windows open (and freezing) or leaving the radiator covers outside for a while, any tips for counteracting the paint smell?
posted by chimpsonfilm at 12:09 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by chimpsonfilm at 12:09 PM PST - 4 comments
Fixed Layout epub to amazon kindle format
I have a fixed layout book in Indesign that I want to publish as an ebook on amazon. I need to export it as a fixed layout epbub and then amazon converts it to their format. It looks fine in indesign and when I export and view on my ipad as an epub, it looks fine, but something in the conversion to kindle format is screwing everything up. [more inside]
Help me host a fabulous brunchluck!
I'm hosting a brunchluck (brunch potluck, for my birthday) and want it to be festive, warm, etc. I'm not sure how to decorate/theme/make it really warm and welcoming given that it's going to be rainy and grey outside. Difficulty level: grad student brokeness and I'm *really* not a decorator, plus additional logistics questions. [more inside]
how do I report cheating/bribery if it hasn't happened yet?
I go to a large public university in Canada and it has come to my attention that people are bribing their way into the university and/or paying people to write their personal statements. There's also rampant cheating - people paying to have their essays written or having people sit in on tests for them. Most of these are international students and they are a valuable resource at my school so I do not know if anyone will listen to me or who I should even tell. [more inside]
Which competitive family games are fun to play noncompetively?
My favorite games are competitive games (boardgames, card games, etc.) with the scoring removed. I'm wondering what other games I might enjoy within those constraints, and other ideas for altering gameplay to make more games fun. [more inside]
posted by Margalo Epps at 10:04 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by Margalo Epps at 10:04 AM PST - 23 comments
Jobs For Introverted But Friendly One-On-One Types? Help!
I'm looking for a career change. I am a very focused, caring introvert, part creative and part analytical. But I'm really poor in an office environment. I hate meetings with more than 3-4 people and it's very stressful for me. I like people but I just feel that I thrive more in a one-on-one or small group setting. I work in online advertising for my company right now, and while I don't hate it and it sort of fits my personality type, the money isn't that great and I don't see myself as the "climb the corporate ladder" type.
I am trying to find a career outside of the corporate office world where I may not sit at a desk all day and then have large meetings. I was looking into physical therapy assistant, massage therapist, maybe an allied health profession, or something else that is more one-on-one in nature. Any other suggestions? [more inside]
How do I handle grad school "mean girls"?
I feel like I'm being picked on and somewhat bullied from two girls in my program. It feels like middle school all over again. How can I handle this? Blubbering details inside. [more inside]
posted by buttonedup at 9:38 AM PST - 57 comments
posted by buttonedup at 9:38 AM PST - 57 comments
intra EU travel as an American
I will be taking a flight from Barcelona to Lyon, and I am an American. I plan to buy the ticket on easyJet (I have a separate set of tickets for US to Barcelona and Lyon to US). I have always used trains for intra European travel up to now. What should I know ahead of time? [more inside]
posted by Tandem Affinity at 9:00 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by Tandem Affinity at 9:00 AM PST - 14 comments
What's that darn river called?
I read a while ago about a stretch in a particular river that's very dangerous because it's very narrow and looks calm, while in actuality it's extremely fast and deep. People try to cross it, or they get in, and boom. That's it. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I've utterly failed at googling, and for some reason it's really bothering me. [more inside]
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 8:20 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 8:20 AM PST - 3 comments
Pedometer for kids?
My seven year old daughter wants a pedometer for christmas. Does anyone have any favorite pedometers that are kid-friendly? [more inside]
November 21
Watermelon in the NE in winter?
Where / how do I buy whole watermelons during the fall/winter (i.e. now?) Am located in a major metropolis in the NE USA. Thanks! [more inside]
¿How to repair a friendship?
Almost 6 months ago I screwed up a newish friend by vanishing and leaving them in the lurch with a job for a client (anxiety and depression problems, etc). I know the work relationship is absolutely destroyed but, is there any chance of repairing the friendship? I have no idea how to even try to fix this or if it's possible. [more inside]
Good book on school segregation and busing debate in Seattle?
Super specific question here: What's the 'definitive' book on school desegregation in Seattle? I'm googling around and finding a bunch of older books, some from university presses, etc, but it's difficult to see which of these are considered credible by people who know this topic. Any help?
Why is getting support over the phone so excruciatingly painful?
In my experience, any time I have tried to have gotten help over the phone or the live chat many companies seem to have nowadays, it has been excruciatingly painful. [more inside]
Chico/Paradise/Lake Oroville: off-the-grid camping spots to recommend?
Hi folks, we have a tradition (this is year six!) that every Thanksgiving we take our boys camping (and cooking) over the holiday break. It's been an awesome tradition, and we've recently relocated to the Bay Area from SoCal and are looking forward to the first year of a new range for our Thankscamping. Your insight about the area would be very helpful! [more inside]
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 9:10 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 9:10 PM PST - 3 comments
Knitting? I can do that?
Can I learn to knit or crochet with fine motor deficits? [more inside]
There's marketing consultant in my career coach!
Finally able to describe what I do in a way; now I need to sell it. What person do I hire in order to create a message that makes sense to people who hire people with weird yet valuable talent? [more inside]
posted by jet_silver at 7:38 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by jet_silver at 7:38 PM PST - 6 comments
How and where to get special training for a dog?
Is it possible to get a dog trained to help someone who suffers from episodes of dementia? Specifically, could a dog be trained to help someone who will go for walks without their shoes, keys etc., ending up lost and unsure of how they got there? [more inside]
posted by keeo at 6:18 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by keeo at 6:18 PM PST - 2 comments
Suggestions wanted for short winter getaway in the Northeast
A close friend and I want to celebrate our birthdays together this winter and are looking for suggestions for a short getaway somewhere near New York City, Boston, or in between. Any recommendations, hivemind? [more inside]
posted by galaxy rise at 4:52 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by galaxy rise at 4:52 PM PST - 10 comments
My kingdom for a to do list/random stuff/calendar/etc app
I've been reading about various to do/calendar apps, as well as checking older questions on AskMetafilter and have gotten myself thoroughly confusaled and frustrated. [more inside]
My uncle's dying. What can I do for him and his family?
My uncle (by marriage) has terminal cancer. His doctors have just recommended hospice care. We're medium-close; I see him and his family every couple of years. I live about 300 miles away. What can I do for him? For his wife (my mom's sister) and his grown kids? What can I say? Thank you.
posted by The Minotaur at 4:12 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by The Minotaur at 4:12 PM PST - 10 comments
Tryptophan Filter: Traditional Christmas Eve Dinners in NYC?
Back in NYC for Christmas and need a good Xmas-dinner restaurant pick. Help? [more inside]
Who might learn from my parents’ medial insurance woes?
I’m wondering if there’s any academic or research value in the papers my mom kept, documenting her struggles to get a long-term care insurance provider to honour their contract. [more inside]
posted by Banknote of the year at 3:42 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Banknote of the year at 3:42 PM PST - 9 comments
Exercising 'High'
Will I ever get an endorphin rush?
I started an incremental exercise program, a couple of weeks doing a basic routine (24 mins a day) and then adding to it, and adding again (finally just under an hour a day). There were resistance bands and lots of sweating, I put a lot of effort in but got no endorphin rush. [more inside]
Help me explain to my boyfriend that I want to walk home alone at night
My bf doesn't like it when I walk home from my job alone, at night. I am a woman. It's not that he won't allow me to, he just thinks it's a bad idea and urges me not to or to carry pepper spray if I do. I had been doing this for over a year before I met him, and want to explain to him why these warnings against it (which I get from others as well) are patronizing and annoying. Or maybe I really am being irresponsible? [more inside]
How do I stop the pain and do what is best?
A little over two years ago I posted a question regarding a very difficult situation I was in. The result is - eventually after much trauma we got divorced. Two years have passed and whilst in some respects I have made progress, a terrible situation has now occured and I am weighed down with the weight of the world. Desperately need some hivemind perspective if possible. [more inside]
Gmail Joe-Jobbed, spam sent to all contacts, no sign of forced entry.
This morning, a relative called saying I had sent them spam from my Gmail account. I ran to the computer, checked Gmail's login history, but found nothing suspicious. I checked the spam folder, and sure enough, two pieces of spam with a link to a phishing site which Safari immediately picked up as such (I know, bad idea to click it at all) had been sent to every one of my contacts. I know anyone can spoof anyone else's email, despite the best attempts at protection by Gmail and such. My question is: how did they get my contacts? How can I make this spoofing harder, or at least prevent access to my contacts in the future?
(Further details inside.) [more inside]
Does anyone know a good aerospace headhunting/job placement firm?
I have a non-American friend who has an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering from a highly acclaimed non-American university and a couple of years of work experience in his home country as a mechanical engineer working on helicopters, airplanes and drones. He now wants to come to the US (any city) for a couple of years (at least) to work as a mechanical engineer in aerospace, preferably on drones. Does anyone know of any specific headhunting firms that specialize in placing aerospace engineers?
How can I best administer a very large collective gift?
Each year, my office (~1500 people) pools together to give our building support staff (cafeteria workers, cleaners, mail room) a holiday gift. It's a tradition that's been going on for as long as I've worked in this office, and this year it's my turn to collect the gift. I'm looking for the best method of collecting the gift. [more inside]
Weather Shall I Wander: Seattle's 100% Chance of Rain edition
What the hell do we do for all-day in the rain on Saturday. Difficulty level: 2 bum knees, not really a SAM crowd, and sadly, sushi is out (low experimental eaters) [more inside]
posted by Mysterious Trousers at 1:59 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Mysterious Trousers at 1:59 PM PST - 10 comments
Looking for the highest quality folding utility knife for under $35
I would like to give a few members of my firehouse each a small, folding utility knife, engraved with their name, as a gift. Because I'm getting several of them, I'd like to keep costs under $35 or so. I've looked at Benchmade and Buck, as I have each of those brands and have found their quality to be good, but I'd like to find the absolute best knife I can for the price. Extreme durability under conditions of brutal misuse is a plus. [more inside]
How to relocate with less-than-sexy skills?
I want to move from the South to the Bay Area, but I'm an administrative assistant. Is anyone going to hire someone like me who has to relocate? [more inside]
What is this contraption attached to the ceiling of our balcony?
That's it really... New apartment + unknown object. Picture here.
Can we take it down and put up a hanging chair/potted plants/hammock or something?
Thanks!
posted by jrobin276 at 12:21 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by jrobin276 at 12:21 PM PST - 5 comments
San Fransisco Corgi.
My girlfriend's birthday is next weekend, and I'd love to surprise her with an hour or two or seven of playing with a corgi in a park, somewhere in SF. [more inside]
posted by So You're Saying These Are Pants? at 12:13 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by So You're Saying These Are Pants? at 12:13 PM PST - 11 comments
Best place to purchase antique maps of Massachusetts?
I'd like to purchase an antique map (or a good reproduction) as a Christmas present, and I'm having trouble figuring out where to shop. [more inside]
posted by rainbowbrite at 11:56 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by rainbowbrite at 11:56 AM PST - 13 comments
Pls help this new mama transition back to work after first baby
Just had my first baby, in my very late 30s...yay! I took four months off once the baby came. Before the baby came, some major things happened - i got promoted to supervise my team at work -- and my mom passed away suddenly. Additionally, I had a complication with the pregnancy and ended up going on maternity leave a month early. So, before I left for maternity leave, I was not exactly 100% at work and while my boss was understanding, I may have not made the best first impression in this new position. (questions inside) [more inside]
posted by SanSebastien at 11:38 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by SanSebastien at 11:38 AM PST - 15 comments
Help me be myself in the world of dating.
How do I feel more confident about myself? [more inside]
posted by morning_television at 11:34 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by morning_television at 11:34 AM PST - 12 comments
For varying definitons of "upset" and "piano"
My favorite musical genre boils down to "upset women with pianos." Where can I find more of it? [more inside]
posted by thesmallmachine at 11:30 AM PST - 46 comments
posted by thesmallmachine at 11:30 AM PST - 46 comments
I don't speak German!
I'm looking for a copy of Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations that isn't in the en face format (German on one page, English translation on the other). I had a straight Anscombe translation in college but have since lost it.
Any ideas? Everything I've seen on Amazon is the en face. Thanks for your help!
posted by stinkfoot at 10:55 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by stinkfoot at 10:55 AM PST - 3 comments
What to do for 4 hours on Thanksgiving in NYC?
I have about four hours in between morning/afternoon plans and dinner plans on Thanksgiving in NYC. What should we do with them? [more inside]
posted by houseofdanie at 10:53 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by houseofdanie at 10:53 AM PST - 8 comments
Starting sewing (for $200 and under).
My wife wants to start sewing and was wanting to get a Brother HC1850 sewing machine.
Supposedly it's one of the best computerized sewing machines for $200 and under. I tried to buy one and it's really hard to find right now. I bought one online and almost instantly the seller refunded my money and told me there's a quality issue and Brother has asked sellers to not sell it until that's sorted out.
Which other makes and models compare favorably and should be considered instead?
I'm looking for all thing unusual, little known and also ATOMIC
The other day I read this thing about ATOMIC GARDENING
And apparently this controlled mutation is the reason we have ruby red grapefruits. So my question is what ELSE is atomic that I didn't know about? Is there anything else using radiation unconventionally or atomic technology in novel places I didn't suspect?
Best time of year to hike the Lake District?
My husband and I are thinking of taking an anniversary/delayed honeymoon trip to the UK, and going on one of the semi-packaged Lake District hikes (where you hike from inn to inn and they trundle your baggage to the next inn for you). I'm getting conflicting information about the best month to do this. Data points inside. [more inside]
posted by missrachael at 9:03 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by missrachael at 9:03 AM PST - 9 comments
Best way to sort PDFs
I have about 14 PDF Files with about 400 pages. Each page is an invoice with a number from 1 to 400. Unfortunately, they aren't all in the right sequence. What is the best way to sort them? Is there a way to do this automatically? If not, what other options do I have. The thumbnail view in MAC OS to small to see the invoice number.
Pro/Con: Tankless Water Heater. Is it worth it?
We have a storage tank water heater from the mid-90s, meaning that it could go at any time. I'd like to have a plan in place for when it does.
I've read a little about tankless water heating and it sounds great environmentally, but maybe not so great on the wallet (at least initially). I've got some questions for those better-educated on subject than I. [more inside]
How can I maximize my online Black Thursday experience?
I want to do Black Friday online this year and I'm looking for tips on how to make my experience as successful as possible since the last time I did Black Friday in general was when I was 8 and going from toy store to toy store looking for a goddamn Furby. [more inside]
Swinging 60s London and... swinging Viking York?
I'm heading to London (and for a two day trip outside) a week from today and need a few more ideas.
I have two days unbooked in which I'd like to get out of London (Monday and Tuesday Dec 1 & 2). I'm thinking maybe one or more of :
- Glasgow
- York
- Durham
- Bath
- Cambridge
Help deciphering old-timey coroner's inquest?
I'm trying to transcribe an old-time coroner's inquest and, between the cursive script and the medical terms, I'm having difficulty with some words. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by entropicamericana at 8:11 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by entropicamericana at 8:11 AM PST - 8 comments
Ideas for Thanksgiving-themed cocktail party food?
I am hosting a Thanksgiving cocktail/housewarming party on Wednesday evening, and I need ideas for festive, on-theme recipes that can stand up to sitting out for a few hours while people graze. [more inside]
posted by slenderloris at 7:53 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by slenderloris at 7:53 AM PST - 10 comments
Public meeting in Boston with parking?
Where can I hold a public meeting for about 25-35 attendees in Greater Boston, with parking? Our group sometimes has attendees drive in from other states, so the usual suspects of city library branches or community centers are often a big pain for folks that need to find parking. Are there free meeting spaces that are near the T for transit users, but with easy-ish parking for car users? This is not for government or political organizing use, rather a meetup around a shared interest. Thank you!
A book that's also a game?
There's several people I know that are big into gaming, (The Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, etc). They also like to read. In the interest of getting them something gaming related, is there a book or several books that function both as a piece of fiction and as a game?Not sure this sort of thing even exists, but figured if it does that would be pretty awesome as Christmas gift. Anyone?
I'm looking for a very particular type of A5 notebook
Does anyone make my ideal notebook? A5 in size, any colour you like, with covers that flex but aren't too flimsy (not stiff boards) and with a mix (alternating pages if possible) of both lined and plain pages? The mix is important - I like drawing and writing - but I'm not really sure what to search for to find what I want. I'd take a mix of squared and plain at a stretch. All suggestions and pointers welcome.
How can I get rid of UKIP?
How can one individual most effectively combat UKIP? (UK politics filter) [more inside]
people expect more of you when you have naturally curly hair
Curly-haired denizens of Metafilter, share with me your tips for achieving low-maintenance hair that is not an angry pile of frizz. [more inside]
What is Thanksgiving in Los Angeles like?
My wife and I (from Toronto) will be in Los Angeles all next week. Being Canadian, we only realized yesterday that this means we'll be there on Thanksgiving weekend. [more inside]
posted by renderthis at 5:54 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by renderthis at 5:54 AM PST - 17 comments
How do I cite this semi-published curriculum?
I'm doing final edits to my thesis and can't figure out how to cite a certain document. It is a Bible study curriculum intended for family use, but with no evident publisher. Thesis format: Turabian. [more inside]
posted by Pater Aletheias at 5:33 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Pater Aletheias at 5:33 AM PST - 4 comments
Please help me convert a NAS into a hdd
The 3TB ex-NAS has been mounted as a new drive., but I only see ~350GB of that drive in windows. How do I convert/allocate/merge/discover the rest and make myself a big fat new hdd?? I've got EaseUS Partition Manager to help. [more inside]
posted by peacay at 5:09 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by peacay at 5:09 AM PST - 10 comments
Medical provider used same tool in my ears and nostrils
I had a physical exam yesterday during which an assistant (not the doctor, but I'm unsure of this person's credentials) stuck a tool inside my ears to look around (the tool very solidly contacted my ear canal), and then immediately after without sanitizing it or using a different tip, placed the tool in each of my nostrils (and again, the tool touched the inside of my nostrils). [more inside]
Advice on fresh vs. frozen turkeys, please
Trader Joe's near me is selling fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving, both regular and (hey!) pre-brined at a good price. But no reservations and when they're gone, they're gone.
Is it too early to buy a fresh turkey? Any reason not to get the pre-brined one? (same price, $1.99 a pound). Are there any advantages to thawing a frozen turkey? Would I get a better bird going to the old school meat shop (Gartner's in Portland)?
Thanks!
posted by msalt at 1:56 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by msalt at 1:56 AM PST - 14 comments
Feasible to recover from chest tightness/dry cough with a dog around?
I currently have chest tightness since this past July. I used to have asthma as a kid. I've gone to my primary care doctor about 3-4 times already. The following tests were performed: [more inside]
Why are the ages of cars always mentioned in Parker novels?
I've started reading the the entirety of Richard Stark's Parker series, and I can't help noticing that the ages of cars are always mentioned. It's never just a Pontiac, it's a "two year old Pontiac." Or, "The Cadillac was four years old." Did cars in the '60s have ridiculously short life spans? What's the deal?
posted by cthuljew at 1:32 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by cthuljew at 1:32 AM PST - 16 comments
November 20
Black Friday approaches, sales abound. Time for Xmas nerdling dreams!
I have a cramped S.F. bedroom, with enough room for a king-sized bed, but little else. I would like for my partner and I to be able to watch torrented and streamed programming in comfort whilst on the bed, ideally on something more robust than a Roku.
Like a real PC... preferably Windows-based. A reasonably sized display. 12" or larger. Swivel-mounted to the wall (recommend hardware for this please!) Perhaps a touch interface. Ideally with a real wireless keyboard / mouse solution. Possibly even something a graphics tablet can be hooked up to. The ability to be hooked up to the network and store away a ton of shows. Hardware that is off the floor, and not overheating and gathering dust under the bed. The ability to handle some relatively undemanding gaming. Low power usage.
Can any of you recommend the best hardware to make this happen? Extra points if you can point to parts of the solution that are either advertised or likely to be advertised as on sale for Black Friday.
Getting "you" back after a relationship ends
I've recently ended a very intense emotional relationship with someone and now I've lost my sense of identity. So much of who I was was tied up in her, I don't seem to know how to be me now she's gone. Has anything helped you, in a similar position? [more inside]
Font ID question
Can anyone identify this font?
It's for a tattoo so it needs to be exact, thanks! [more inside]
posted by Room 641-A at 9:49 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Room 641-A at 9:49 PM PST - 11 comments
Blood Test for Lactose Intolerance?
Can a blood test be used to test for lactose intolerance when not combined with drinking a lactose solution? [more inside]
posted by entropyiswinning at 9:39 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by entropyiswinning at 9:39 PM PST - 8 comments
Revolutionary reading needed!
I'd like to read some great non-fiction books about political revolutions, both successful and failed. I'm particularly interested in the past couple hundred years of history, and in revolutions involving (former?) colonies. [more inside]
Can you identify this prehistoric insect?
I have a large piece of amber with a couple of tiny insects embedded in it. Can anyone identify this one? It's tiny--probably less than 2mm long.
I need a new robe
I need a comfortable robe where I can successfully push up my sleeves. I am short and have toothpicks for arms and I've never been able to successfully push up my robe sleeves and have them stay up. [more inside]
Are academics more happily married with each other?
Looking for studies with data. [more inside]
Help me get my wife into fungus farming
My wife is interested in a grow your own mushroom kit and can you help guide me turn this gift up to 11? [more inside]
PhD programs in Philosophy of Biology/Biosemiotics?
I'm looking for PhD programs with a philosophy of science track, where I would be able to focus on biology; in particular, biosemiotics. [more inside]
Help me reverse engineer this allergy
Repeated allergic reaction to vegan restaurant's food items, please help me figure out what it was from. (snowflake details inside) [more inside]
posted by SassHat at 6:46 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by SassHat at 6:46 PM PST - 18 comments
Song ID
ahhh, ooo oo aHH! ahhh, ooo oo aHH! There's a song that starts this way! I thought it was an M83 song but that doesn't seem to be the case. Any ideas?
posted by curious nu at 6:21 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by curious nu at 6:21 PM PST - 26 comments
Ammanfilter. Life in Amman, Jordan?
Hi, I may have a chance to work in Amman, struggle to get a decent sense of the cost of living, what sort of monthly salary it would take to live without scraping by and living in a place that's dire or dangerous, etc.
I'd be okay with sharing a half-way decent place, eating street food and cooking, not going drinking at the Hilton, etc.
Thank you for any thoughts and general Jordan insights you might be able to share.
Mysterious pill
Found a white capsule-shaped (but tablet form) pill on the floor, with M on one side of the score and AO on the other. We have various human and veterinary meds at our house, but this one didn't come up on any "pill finder" internet searches. I threw it out, and this is sheer curiosity: can anyone identify it?
Archery buffs: How do I purchase my first ever Archery Equipment/Bow?
Adult female standing at 5'2 seeks a badass olympic recurve bow for her new archery hobby. [more inside]
Does my mouth look weird?
How do you combat self-consciousness that translates into shifty eyes, strange expressions, stiff demeanor, etc? [more inside]
No really, what does umbers mean?
Basically Nora Reed's unanswered question in this comment from two years ago: what is the etymology of 'umbers', in the New Mexican idiolect? Will also accept explanations of 'a la v[e|ay]'. At some point I was told it was a not super minced version of something really profane, and I've never been able to work out what.
posted by PMdixon at 3:36 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by PMdixon at 3:36 PM PST - 8 comments
Who will buy these fun, obscure essays?
What are some magazines or online publications that publish popular -- but not dumbed-down or gimmicky -- history writing? Difficulty level: must pay writers. [more inside]
How can I give up on this business pursuit?
I met a visual artist two years ago whose work is very, very important to me. I set up a meeting with him because I work in the arts and my skills are complimentary to his. We planned to do a project together, so we spent a lovely day meeting and doing a bit of work together. But he immediately stopped communicating with me as soon as we parted ways. [more inside]
posted by BestCoaster at 3:03 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by BestCoaster at 3:03 PM PST - 14 comments
Looking for a coat to protect me against special snowflakes
I'm looking for a women's down coat that's longer than my hips but not down to my knees. Ideally it has a hood without a fur (fake or otherwise) trim. And it needs to be available in size 18ish. Where should I look that I haven't already? [more inside]
posted by lunasol at 2:46 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by lunasol at 2:46 PM PST - 16 comments
How can I mount an index card to a business phone as a tiny sign?
I'd like to non-permanently mount a 3x5 index card onto a business-phone so that it faces the person using it. [more inside]
posted by alice_curiouse at 2:40 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by alice_curiouse at 2:40 PM PST - 10 comments
Holiday Gift for Traveling Brother
I need to figure out a delightful holiday gift for my travelling brother (and perhaps his girlfriend as well). Help me earn Awesome Big Sister Points! [more inside]
How do I not get the Smuggler's Blues?
I have four or five items that belong to me (worth a few hundred dollars each) that I'll be taking with me to Mexico. On my return, I want to leave them with my Mexican colleagues. How does this work with things like 'duty' and 'import' and all that? [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 1:55 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by j_curiouser at 1:55 PM PST - 6 comments
What bug is this?
I've seen them all summer this Seattle (eastside), in large quantities. [more inside]
posted by jeffamaphone at 1:40 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by jeffamaphone at 1:40 PM PST - 6 comments
Help me discover Brazilian or French station online
My kid has discovered she likes to do homework while listening to Brazilian music on Pandora but she is getting sick of the endless versions of The Girl from Ipanema. Where else can she listen to Brazilian music online? [more inside]
posted by biscuits at 1:36 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by biscuits at 1:36 PM PST - 9 comments
Good Simple Subscription/Installment Payments System
My club is looking for an inexpensive way to automate monthly dues payments by credit/debit card. [more inside]
Explain dilution to my boss
I'm preparing a report on a proposed open ocean fish farm, and am having trouble explaining particulate dilution rates to my boss. [more inside]
posted by kanewai at 1:17 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by kanewai at 1:17 PM PST - 10 comments
Boyfriend doesn't want to live together. Am I deluding myself?
I have a darling boyfriend who I have been dating for 1.5 years. We are generally very happy (so much fun, so much in common, and very attracted to each other), and I love him. My lease is up, and he's decided that he's not ready to live together yet. Other people (especially my family) are giving me a hard time about it. How do I know if they're right? [more inside]
posted by socktothepuppet at 12:33 PM PST - 47 comments
posted by socktothepuppet at 12:33 PM PST - 47 comments
Help me name my knitting blog
I have long wanted to start a knitting blog/website but need help naming it. [more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 12:32 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 12:32 PM PST - 23 comments
Spatchcocked turkey logistics
For Thanksgiving this year, I decided that I will spatchcock/butterfly the turkey. Problem? I've never cooked a turkey before, and I need some help thinking through specific logistics of size and scissors. Detailed questions inside! [more inside]
NY Health Exchange
Looking for information on some of the NY Exchange Plans (NYC) [more inside]
posted by AMyNameIs at 12:06 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by AMyNameIs at 12:06 PM PST - 4 comments
Biographies of interesting lives
I'm looking to read about the interesting, fascinating, and crazy lives people have lived. Any recommendations for biographies of people that have led fascinating lives?
Recommendations for online custom Christmas card printing
I'm looking to print 50 or so simple Christmas cards: Folded, regular sized, one of my photos on the front. I'd like to get these printed online (or, locally in Vancouver, Canada, if possible.) Any recommendations? Snapfish? MPIX? Quality, price and speed are my primary considerations. Thanks!
Mini meal cocktail party foods
Can anyone suggest menus of cocktail party appetizers which, when presented together, are like a mini-meal? [more inside]
posted by Elsie at 11:13 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Elsie at 11:13 AM PST - 13 comments
Paying For A Ride in Straight Ca$h
I'm curious how those with a large amount of money at their disposal could go into a dealership and say "I'll take that one...now." [more inside]
posted by kuanes at 10:56 AM PST - 51 comments
posted by kuanes at 10:56 AM PST - 51 comments
How much help will we need with C-section recovery?
Mrs. Awesome is having a baby very soon! Yay! At this point it's likely to be a C-section - not our first choice, but we'll roll with it if we have to. I understand the recovery can be a bit rough; I'll be around for a month or so after the birth, but will we need more help than just me? [more inside]
Well yes, sometimes.
There's a scene/quote, probably in a movie but maybe in a TV show, that I know I've seen a pile of times but can't place it. Guy asks a question then answers it with "the answer to that is 'yes, sometimes.'" Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 10:39 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by phunniemee at 10:39 AM PST - 3 comments
Preventing good old-fashioned crime
We live in a semi-urban, rust-belt neighborhood that has too many garage burglaries and home invasions between 2am and 5am. Our police department responds to calls but does not have the staff to frequently patrol our area. We have neighborhood communication channels to report incidents after they happen and to encourage neighbors to keep things locked up. What are some effective (and cost-effective) ways to get more people to make their homes and streets undesirable targets, and to make more burglars feel that they might be caught in the act or afterwards without having vigilantes patrol?
What's the current state of laptops through customs returning to the US?
Going on a loooong boat trip on one of the cruise lines in a few months. What's the current deal for taking my electronics through the inspections? [Previously from 2009] [more inside]
posted by Buttons Bellbottom at 9:39 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Buttons Bellbottom at 9:39 AM PST - 10 comments
Getting hold of Scandinavian almond potatoes — or a similar variety?
Scandinavia has a variety of potato called almond. It's small, extremely mealy and delicate, and has a slightly sweet, buttery flavour; it's utterly delicious. I have been looking for this variety in the US (specifically, New York), but I'm coming up short. Is there a place to find it, or is there an American variety that is comparable?
posted by gentle at 9:38 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by gentle at 9:38 AM PST - 5 comments
Help Me Pick a Travel Laptop
I will be traveling internationally for two weeks and so I need to get a laptop to work on while I am gone. Please help me pick the best option. I am struggling between getting a dedicated laptop or something like the Surface Pro. [more inside]
posted by bove at 7:50 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by bove at 7:50 AM PST - 14 comments
Need kitchen and home color scheme ideas
Are there any books, magazines, or websites that might help the design-challenged pick colors during a complete kitchen remodel or new house construction? We'd like to be able to flip through pictures of various home interiors - most importantly the kitchen but also other rooms - to help us decide on the colors of our cabinets and floors. Google images hasn't been terribly useful.
posted by exhilaration at 7:33 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by exhilaration at 7:33 AM PST - 9 comments
Wholesale hats, gloves, scarves
I need to purchase multiple sets of hats, gloves, and scarves. Not a business but this is for a volunteer effort on behalf of a business. Where do I start? [more inside]
Interviewing future housemates
When looking for a new place to live, there is a question I want to ask my potential future housemates, but I can't figure out how to phrase it. My best attempt so far is "How particular is your household about doing things a certain way?" or perhaps "How many high-maintenance things do you have in your house, and what kind of care do they need?" Basically I'm asking how nitpicky people are, but I want to ask in a neutral way. [more inside]
Vonnegut wisdom?
Help me to find more ideas in the vein of this quote by Kurt Vonnegut:
“But I have to say this in defense of humankind: In no matter what era in history, including the Garden of Eden, everybody just got here. And, except for the Garden of Eden, there were already all these games going on that could make you act crazy, even if you weren't crazy to begin with. Some of the crazymaking games going on today are love and hate, liberalism and conservatism, automobiles and credit cards, golf, and girls' basketball.” [more inside]
posted by ista at 7:06 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by ista at 7:06 AM PST - 9 comments
Good place to study in Rosslyn/Arlington, VA
We are looking for a nice place to study in the mornings. Should be within a mile of the Rosslyn metro stop. Preferably they should be open by 7:00am, reasonably quiet, have wifi, and a comfortable temperature. We like Capital City Cheesecake, if that helps. Is the Plaza Branch Library decent? [more inside]
posted by molla at 6:35 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by molla at 6:35 AM PST - 8 comments
I kill plants. I have a plant. What do I do?
Last night a neighbor very sweetly brought me this little plant - a stub of what seems to be a succulent, about 3 inches high, potted in a tiny glass pot.
I have no idea what it is or what it needs, and I'd like to keep it alive. Please help! [more inside]
Reading recommendations for someone who wants healthier relationships?
I'm a big fan of learning things by reading; reading about cognitive-behavioural therapy has been helpful in combating depression, and reading about creative conflict resolution has been helpful in relationships with family and workmates. I'd like some reading recommendations for building healthy romantic relationships, since it's something I'm ignorant about. [more inside]
posted by clawsoon at 5:30 AM PST - 47 comments
posted by clawsoon at 5:30 AM PST - 47 comments
I love that old-timey contemporary classical prog-choral rock opera
Help me buy music for my extremely eclectic dad! [more inside]
posted by lollymccatburglar at 5:05 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by lollymccatburglar at 5:05 AM PST - 27 comments
Colonial Williamsburg early next week with kids in the rain?
My wife and the kids are flying out to Virginia on Sunday as part of Thanksgiving visit with relatives. They have a couple free days to do tourist stuff and she was wondering whether it would make sense to spend one of them visiting Colonial Williamsburg. The kids are 9, 6, and 3, and they have enjoyed visits to small historical sites run by our state historical society. Has anyone taken kids to Colonial Williamsburg? Would you recommend that others do so? Is it worth visiting even on a rainy day?
Looking for an easy way to split flight costs
I travel a lot with different organizations paying for different trips. Is there a mechanism or policy I could put in place to equitably split the costs of a single multi-city trip among the different orgs? Sample trip inside. [more inside]
The teensy tiniest little bit of additional sun party
I'm looking to explore developing a no-pressure easy-going family tradition of celebrating winter solstice. The main thing I'm trying to figure out is how to do a sunny yellow/orange cake to represent the sun, but am looking for other solstice-y 'let there be [more] light' ideas as well. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 4:12 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by A Terrible Llama at 4:12 AM PST - 18 comments
low-tech mp3-playing device for people with limited use of hands?
I listen to a lot of podcasts that I know my mum would enjoy. But she can't/won't use a computer, doesn't have reliable internet, and she has arthritis that sometimes prevents her doing 'fiddly' things - e.g. scrolling a wheel on an ipod. Looking for a solution - details inside [more inside]
posted by AFII at 1:03 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by AFII at 1:03 AM PST - 14 comments
Identify this gameboy advance game for me?
A game I played something like 2 decades ago, can you identify it? [more inside]
posted by Cannon Fodder at 12:09 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Cannon Fodder at 12:09 AM PST - 4 comments
November 19
How can I change default PowerPoint bullet options?
I want to change the default bullets that are available when you go through the Bullets and Numbering menu. I've looked online and various people ask this questions in forums and they always get unhelpful answers so perhaps this can't be done! [more inside]
Tracking benefits
How do you track the benefits of multiple projects delivering over time? [more inside]
Is it really bad taste to send online wedding invitations?
We just got our wedding date and venue booked, and it's set for April, so we really need to get going on the invitations. So we were thinking of online wedding invitations. Is this even a thing? We recently got invited to a baby shower through this site where they sent us a cute e-card with an option to RSVP, enter how many guests, etc., and it just seemed pretty streamlined and neat. Just wondering if anyone has done it this way before. Thanks.
We're on a road to nowhere, come on inside
Carcassonne tournaments — how do I get in on this action? [more inside]
Best Splurges in Japan
I'll be going to Japan for 3 weeks over the Christmas/New Years holidays. What are some things to see/do/eat/buy that are expensive but worth it? These need to be things I can do in either day trips or 2-day trips from Osaka. Bonus points for things that are kid-friendly. [more inside]
He didn't even want to have sex with me
My co-worker is the first guy I have been attracted to in a year and he seemed to reciprocate but then abpruptly lost interest. I can't stop obssesing over it and feeling rejected and down. [more inside]
Best ever Mexican cookbook?
My impossible-to-buy-for boyfriend has requested a Mexican cookbook for Christmas. We've had very little experience with Mexican food (and I'm pretty sure Old El Paso doesn't count) but what we've had, we loved. [more inside]
Easy way to track page views when I can't install anything?
I write freelance. I get paid based on page views. I want to track my views on articles independently, not just rely on the numbers fed to me by clients that host the articles I write. I know I can use tracking pixels for this. I have spent hours hunting for third-party services that host the little 1x1 devils and generate usable reports. I am shocked at the lack of alternatives out there. [more inside]
posted by skypieces at 9:26 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by skypieces at 9:26 PM PST - 5 comments
70s radio mashup question
What were these called (if indeed they were called something), and where can I find out more about them? (Note that the video here has been retrofitted onto a 70s radio single.)
I loved them as a 70s kid (they were pretty popular for a couple of years), and now I find them adorably stupid and kind of fascinating for some reason. Certainly not because they are clever.
posted by Camofrog at 8:55 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Camofrog at 8:55 PM PST - 4 comments
Is my NJ jury duty over?
Received a summons for NJ jury duty, which got called off the night beforehand. Is my service over for the allotted term, or could I be called up again within the next 3 years? [more inside]
What is the best thing to say in such a situation?
A dear friend has revealed that their conception was the result of their estranged mother's rape. Help me craft a supportive, loving response, or at least caution me on what NOT to say. [more inside]
Is my boss out of line or am I?
My job has an externship program that frequently hires externs once their externship is complete and they have completed their degree. I have been mentoring an excellent externship who have out performed any other extern I have mentored. She is fantastic and I want her for our team but my department supervisor refuses to offer her an job. Complication inside. [more inside]
Seeking high quality brag book
Recently, I searched for hours online for a brag book for my grandmother as a gift. I found one that fit the bill, but stupidly did not save the page. It was leather, textured/snakeskin-like cover, a 4x6, with about 10-20 leaves, high quality - about $60 or so, and also able to be monogrammed. I cannot, for the life of me, find another that meets these specifications. It's hard to find books this small that are high quality. Can anyone help? I don't need that exact one (though that would be awesome), just a few companies that make things like this.
posted by onecircleaday at 7:30 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by onecircleaday at 7:30 PM PST - 3 comments
Where'd all the baskets go?
During the last six months or so, I've noticed that they haven't had those standard hand-held shopping baskets available in Walmart. Why not?
This is quite annoying to me personally, since I hate using a giant buggy for my typical shop, but also annoying because every other store seems to still have them. Is there any reason for them to have disappeared, and if so, why only at Walmart?
Also, any idea on an affordable and sturdy one for my own use?
posted by Trifling at 7:21 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Trifling at 7:21 PM PST - 14 comments
His and hers mystery backpacks
Can you identify this backpack model and brand I saw two people both wearing while walking down the street. I'm going crazy trying to search for it. All I have is my memory/description to go by. [more inside]
posted by c at 7:14 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by c at 7:14 PM PST - 12 comments
Care box for sinus surgery patient?
I recently had knee replacement surgery and my dear friend sent along a care package. She knew I would be in bed quite a bit and the box included a lovely, cozy, blanket and a box of herbal tea.
She is now preparing for sinus surgery in December, which I have never had. What items would be good for me to send to her? She is a blanket nut and has plenty of those already.
Thank you.
posted by harrietthespy at 6:29 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by harrietthespy at 6:29 PM PST - 10 comments
Did Purina Beneful make my dog sick?
One of our miniature dachshunds is deathly ill, vomiting and pooping blood. He's at the emergency vet overnight. My husband started feeding our dogs Purina Beneful four days ago and when I did a search to see if there has been any sort of recall I found this page full of people reporting similarly sick dogs. [more inside]
Dog got skunked, haalp
My terrierist got skunked tonight, in the face/chest. Before I realized what had happened, she ran in (very distressed), and rubbed her face on part of the couch, and probably more.. She's fine now, I'm pretty sure my house is not. Everything smells so bad I can't even tell what needs cleaning. [more inside]
Facebook only loads on one Firefox profile. Help!
For the past few weeks, I can only use Facebook on a particular Firefox profile when using my laptop. Facebook does not load (stuck on loading screen) on my other Firefox profiles even if I create a new profile, as well as in Chrome and IE. Sometimes, when I access Facebook, it takes a long time trying to load but displays only a severely broken snippet. All other Web sites load properly. Does any of you have suggestions on how I can fix this problem? [more inside]
Leggings
Looking for warm AND comfortable leggings/tights for regular sized women. [more inside]
San Francisco North beach happy hour?
Mrs. Funmonkey1 and I ar looking for a decent happy hour. Think long bar with loads of room, decent bar food and a good selection of wine and beer. Crowd over 25 and relaxed. Anything like this in North Beach?
Help me find a dumbphone!
Which dumbphone should I get? Special snowflake details inside. [more inside]
Unpopular law that becomes indispensible?
I've been searching but my searching has been for naught. Is there a term for a law or laws that are passed that are originally unpopular but then becomes indispensable or even popular? Like affirmative action or income tax or the 19th amendment? [more inside]
posted by lasamana at 3:52 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by lasamana at 3:52 PM PST - 12 comments
How to act around an abusive relative?
My grandfather, who has a history of being physically abusive, has become increasingly emotionally abusive in the past couple of years and I don't know how to handle it. [more inside]
posted by blackzinfandel at 3:34 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by blackzinfandel at 3:34 PM PST - 20 comments
Multimedia & short texts on 'effecting environmental change'
What are some short, punchy multi-media clips and articles I can share with undergraduates to provoke reflection on how to effect social and environmental change? [more inside]
Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) bunk?
Hi all. A close friend is starting therapy with a therapist "certified in Client Focused Therapy and in ACT (Acceptance and Committment Therapy)".
I'm a bit worried for her - what is the medical consensus on ACT? Is it bunk? Are there any resources I can direct her towards? [more inside]
I would like to find somebody to evaluate some antique jewelry
I've inherited some jewelry (primarily art deco) and I'd like to get a handle on what I have in front of me (well, in the safe deposit box) before I make any decisions about what to do with it. I imagine that getting an appraisal would be a good first step, but I don't know where to turn. [more inside]
Finding evidence submitted to Congressional Subcommittee
How do I find evidence submitted along with a written statement to a Congressional Subcommitee? For instance, if the Subcommitee on Oversight and Investigation held a hearing on a matter and the record reflects that outside witnesses submitted written statements with exhibits, can I find those on-line at a source other than the subcommitte's page for the hearing? [more inside]
How do you say Zbornak in French?
I've decided in my quest to learn French, I am going to alternate between watching an episode of my favorite show -- The Golden Girls -- dubbed in French and watching the same episode subtitled in French. I've found a few episodes of the subtitled version online -- where can I find more of these AND the dubbed version? Does this even exist? [more inside]
Hosting gift for Gujarati couple
What sort of "hosting" gift should I bring to an Indian (Gujarati) couple who have invited my husband and me for lunch in their new home? [more inside]
posted by angiep at 2:27 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by angiep at 2:27 PM PST - 8 comments
I want ALL the Idylls!
I want to give my husband a copy of Idylls Of The King by Tennyson for Christmas. Am I on an impossible quest? [more inside]
posted by zanybutterfly at 2:25 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by zanybutterfly at 2:25 PM PST - 5 comments
Service like Optimizely's visual editor to design site?
I've learned that Optimizely has a pretty neat editor for designing a/b tests and that you can use the editor to do lots of fast and easy re-designs without modifying a site's code. Are there any services that solely focus on the "use our editor to re-design your site and paste this javascript to implement the design" bit?
Where can i find these bins?
See in the background here, where can I find bins like these?
thanks!
posted by jonclegg at 1:57 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by jonclegg at 1:57 PM PST - 4 comments
I need to edit lot of videos quickly, how?
I have a lot of videos I need to preview, then trim based on the preview, possibly rotate, then save. What should I use? [more inside]
posted by devnull at 1:19 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by devnull at 1:19 PM PST - 5 comments
1980s Commodore edutainment title about mixing and matching monsters?
Trying to remember the name of a game we played in school. You were a scientist who could create monsters by choosing different heads, torsos, etc. Not Mail Order Monsters. I think it was based on choosing various chemicals or mutagens.
posted by johngoren at 1:02 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by johngoren at 1:02 PM PST - 4 comments
Figuring out whether my new progressive glasses are good enough
I'm getting my first pair of progressive glasses. I decided to go with Warby Parker rather than getting lenses from my local eye doctor because my doctor charged twice as much as Warby and I could not afford it. This is despite warnings from my doctor that progressive lenses must be measured in person. How will I know if the Warby Parker lenses aren't good enough? [more inside]
Best thing Bing ever did
Can someone recommend a dynamic, curated, photo desktop replacement for the amazingly great dearly departed Bing Dynamic Desktop Theme for Windows (7)? [more inside]
Do I really REALLY have the job?
I accepted an offer from the hiring manager three days ago -- but I still don't have an offer letter. When do I start to panic? [more inside]
Mystery novels with non-detective, non-legal protagonists.
I'm looking for good mystery novels with protagonists who are not cops, not PIs, not lawyers, etc., and who are not really working with those sort of professionals, and who may also be in over their heads. They may accidentally fall into the mystery, or they may bring it upon themselves. The point is that they are "civilians" who must investigate a mystery. [more inside]
Book recommendations for 3rd grader
I'd like resources on what books are available now that would spark interest for a city-dwelling 3rd grade girl. [more inside]
is this a red flag or am I too sensitive?
New guy I'm seeing came over completely wasted and seems to drink quite a bit. I have alcoholism/drug addiction in my family so I feel like sometimes I can be too judgmental about things that others deem normal. I also am petrified of vulnerability and have a tendency to push people away. How do I know what's normal and what's not when it comes to drinking and dating? [more inside]
Best history of science podcasts?
I'm looking for a really great history of science or weird science podcast(s)! [more inside]
posted by WidgetAlley at 10:04 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by WidgetAlley at 10:04 AM PST - 3 comments
How do I not deform my belt?
Every belt I wear eventually degrades into something like this on the end with the holes: http://i.imgur.com/bBttJLR.jpg (Sorry for the bad camera quality.) Should I be worried, and if so, what should I be fixing about how I wear belts?
posted by sqrtofpi at 9:53 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by sqrtofpi at 9:53 AM PST - 9 comments
Learning alphabet and numbers for a 3 year old
I'd like to find some games (or other techniques) to play with my 3 year old in order to learn alphabet and numbers. From experience, learning through fun is much better for everyone involved, but may not necessarily be the case here. Please point me in the right direction so I can try some things to see what actually works.
How to deal with memories from an animal attack?
I recently lost my pet cat to a coyote attack. I think I'm dealing with the grief of his death OK, but I'm feeling a little murkier about the trauma from the actual incident, which I was present for. [more inside]
Cat full of tubes
Has your cat ever had a food tube? Please tell me good things [more inside]
iPad app to sign forms.
What iPad app should I use for meeting sign-in sheets? [more inside]
Normal or cause for worry?
4-year-old suddenly having accidents at school, fearful, should I worry? [more inside]
posted by rabbitrabbit at 8:39 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by rabbitrabbit at 8:39 AM PST - 19 comments
Can you conjure some CanCon for my show content?
What are some great Canadian alternative bands from the 80s and early 90s? Plus: what would you name my radio show? [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 8:35 AM PST - 52 comments
posted by Kitteh at 8:35 AM PST - 52 comments
Dramatic Silence in Live Music Performance
I am looking for examples of musical performances in which the performer uses a natural break or pause in the song and stretches it out to the breaking point creating tension for dramatic effect before diving back into the song.
posted by j03 at 8:19 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by j03 at 8:19 AM PST - 11 comments
Math / probability question re: HIV
I'm trying to calculate the probability of contracting HIV for the husband of an infected woman.
Given a risk of 10-50 conversions per 10,000 exposures. And assuming an average frequency of sexual acts of 2-3 X per week. That's 100-150 sexual acts /year. That should give about a 10%-15% yearly risk of contracting HIV, right?
posted by mert at 8:08 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by mert at 8:08 AM PST - 13 comments
Need clinical work experience in San Bernardino, winter break
My connection for clinical work/experience during winter break has suddenly dropped me. I now have a 2k+ ticket to San Bernardino, California and am anxious and scared as to how I should proceed. Help! [more inside]
posted by pink tape red light purple hammer at 7:52 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by pink tape red light purple hammer at 7:52 AM PST - 7 comments
How can we ensure our families feel involved in the birth of our baby?
We've been concentrating so much on the actual physical labor part of the birth that we are now (3 weeks out!) realizing that we want to give some consideration to the emotional part, and come up with ideas to make our families feel loved and included. [more inside]
posted by coupdefoudre at 7:44 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by coupdefoudre at 7:44 AM PST - 18 comments
Liverpool UK over Christmas
I'm going to be in Liverpool over the Christmas holidays as I'm planning on going to Goodison Park on Boxing Day. Obviously, almost everything will be closed on Christmas Day but will there be anything open that isn't a hospital? I'd like to drink a lot so booze options most welcome, but really anything that isn't sitting by myself is great.
What would you do with too much bamboo?
Due to some overzealous purchasing at Ikea, I have found myself with two extra slabs of bamboo tabletop. Any creative suggestions on what I can do with them? Would these be safe to use as cutting boards? [more inside]
Help us vacation on an island (Saint Martin vs Grand Cayman)?
We're trying to plan a 1-week vacation over Christmas for the three of us (wife, college-age daughter, myself). Some friends recommended Saint Martin, other friends recommended Grand Cayman, but neither has been to both to compare between the two of them. [more inside]
posted by Runes at 7:01 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Runes at 7:01 AM PST - 10 comments
Home Bicycle Training - possible/desirable with a Dutch-style upright?
I belong to the gym next to my apartment building, which costs me $70/month. All I do there is use their stationary bicycles, and occasionally I have to wait for one to become free. I like to use it for 90 minutes per session, 4 times a week. It occurs to me that I could quit my gym if I could find a way to get that kind of - mindless, no need to pay attention to the traffic, worry about dressing for cold weather, or think about where I'm going - exercise at home using my current bicycle. [more inside]
posted by pammeke at 6:51 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by pammeke at 6:51 AM PST - 9 comments
Does Santa have a ZIP code?
I seem to remember that it used to be a thing that your kid could send their letters to Santa to a particular address and they'd get a nice reply from "Santa." Now that I'm old enough to have a kid of my own who wants to send a letter to Santa, I'm not sure where to send the thing. [more inside]
Share your pregnancy skin hacks with me!
I am 33, newly pregnant and most of my usual skin care products are not allowed (retin-a, green peels, botox etc) I am interested in purchasing one of the more expensive beauty lamps using Red LED lights (not hand held) but I would really like to hear some experiences before I shell out any big bucks. Any other pregnancy skin hacks are welcome! My budget is about $1300 a year... but I like to spend it on things that have visual longer lasting effects. Thanks in advance!
posted by catspajammies at 6:30 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by catspajammies at 6:30 AM PST - 13 comments
Help me understand Blizzard's Battletag system and disable it
World of Warcraft Battletag - since the Warlords of Draenor expansion - is now showing my unguilded alts to my Guild members...please make it stop. [more inside]
Frequent short-distance travel hacks
Due to Life Stuff, I fly frequently between the UK and mainland Europe. Does anyone have any short-range travel hacks for me? I'm a seasoned traveller, but I find air travel very time-consuming and are looking for ways of making the whole process a little easier. [more inside]
November 18
Google fail: Episode of House Hunters International about Cambodia
I can't for the life of me find a copy of this episode online anywhere. I've emailed HGTV but can't think of anything else to do to find it. It's an older episode, from a season that's not on Amazon/Hulu or anything else that I can see. Here's a link to a mini-version of it: http://www.hgtv.com/shows/house-hunters-international/episodes/young-woman-empowers-girls-of-battambang-cambodia [more inside]
Problem with my Food Stamps is very confusing. Please Help.
After three years they (or specifically one case worker) are telling me that I was not supposed to get the full benefits for the last three years like I was. She's reduced it by almost two thirds. I don't think I believe her and I want the full benefits again but don't know what to do. [more inside]
Seeking fellow victims...
Reading the news articles about the accusations of rape made against Bill Cosby has suddenly made me resolutely certain of the fact that my rapist has had other victims. My question is, how does one "find" those other victims... without going to court or being super public about having been raped? [more inside]
Please help me stop spanking my kid.
I'm having problems controlling my temper, every so often, with my child, who is increasingly pressing my buttons. I would like advice on how to not forget myself and spank this child when my temper is piqued (usually by hitting, kicking, or spitting). [more inside]
Who played Moran in BBC Sherlock?
In BBC Sherlock's, series 3 episode 1 The Empty Hearse, the character Moran is uncredited. Even in the DVD commentary, Mark Gatiss refers to him only as "that guy."
Tumblr pleading and screen grabbies here. Who is he?
I crave order!
I'm looking for ideas for "lists of things that are ordered". Can you help me think of some? Examples inside. [more inside]
posted by Dilligas at 9:39 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Dilligas at 9:39 PM PST - 14 comments
Help me name my wife's professional organizing business
My wife is starting a professional organizing business and is having trouble coming up with a name for her business that a) doesn't sound generic (i.e. "Organizing Solutions"), b) would appeal equally well to businesses and homeowners and c) would avoid her services being confused with a cleaning service. I'm wondering if anyone here might be able to offer any suggestions?
posted by Proginoskes at 8:11 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Proginoskes at 8:11 PM PST - 10 comments
Getting my hands on a Russian math book?
I'm trying to buy a copy of a famous Russian geometry textbook, Kiselev's Geometry (link to a recent English translation), in the original Russian. Any copy of any edition will do; in fact, a used copy would be mildly preferred. However, I speak no Russian whatsoever, so I'm having difficulty figuring out how to go about this, partly because I don't even know what to search for on a Russian-language site! How can I complete my task? [more inside]
posted by sappidus at 7:54 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by sappidus at 7:54 PM PST - 3 comments
Help Plan New Years Beach Vacation
I'm looking for a great spot to get away from New England for a New Year's beach vacation. I realize I'm booking last-minute so flights are expensive and lodging inventory is limited. Tulum is high on the list, but it doesn't seem possible to stay anywhere near the water for less than $500/night (which is WAY beyond my budget). Airbnb has places in town for around $1000/week which is well within reach. Would it be a fun/relaxing/rejuvenating beach vacation experience staying in town in Tulum, renting a car, and driving to the beach? if so, does the hive mind have any tips for staying in town? Also, what alternative destinations might I consider in order to get right on the water? [more inside]
Remote doorbel camera gate opener
Looking for a intercom and remote gate opener with control via the internet on a iPhone / iPad. [more inside]
What movie was this? Subtitles edition
This one's for a friend, who's being driven mildly insane by not having a title for this movie.
It's a foreign film, probably (but not definitely) Japanese, and it had subtitles. The two principal characters are two boys, one of whom goes to live with the family of the other. They're friends at first, including at school (a martial arts school?), but find themselves on opposite sides of war. One of them loses his hearing during the movie. By the end, the two characters reconcile. The final shot is of the now-deaf one on a beach.
posted by 4th number at 6:57 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by 4th number at 6:57 PM PST - 4 comments
Brinks Home Security - Stop beeping!
Just bought a house with a older Brinks Home security system. Well the previous owners had a Land-line and had the house monitored. When they moved out they disconnected the line and now the alarm is showing "CP Trouble" and beeping once every 45 seconds or so. We dont have a land-line nor plan on getting one. We also do not plan on having the alarm monitored but we like the door chime and being able to set the alarm. Even while set the CP problem is still there and beeps. I called Brinks and they said the only way to fix this was to disconnect the whole alarm system or get it monitored. I dont want to disconnect the alarm and I dont want it monitored. Does anyone know if there is a way to bypass this to stop the beeping?
posted by flipmiester99 at 6:36 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by flipmiester99 at 6:36 PM PST - 6 comments
Might take 8 years to become a senior analyst
Should I stay or look for another job? [more inside]
posted by Mountain28 at 6:14 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Mountain28 at 6:14 PM PST - 12 comments
Recommend online secret Santa facilitator
Drawing names from a hat just doesn't work for our far flung family anymore. Have you used a website or app to distribute secret Santa names. It should have some way to keep spouses from getting each others' names. It would be nice if you could post a wishlist at the same site.
posted by Kriesa at 6:08 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Kriesa at 6:08 PM PST - 9 comments
Perfect coat for a cold woman in the UK?
Er, a woman who tends to feel the cold, and who will spend falls/winters in the UK. How rainproof should it be? How warm should it be? Should it be brightly colored to avoid getting hit by a car in the fog? [more inside]
Fuel for the Fireplace?
Last year I burned "fake" logs made out of coffee grounds to great effect. This year - the company has "new and improved" logs which don't seem to throw as much heat. Any suggestions on what else I can burn in the fireplace? [more inside]
What was this MMO Space battleship PC game called?
A few months ago I read/watched youtube previews for a spaceship simulator type PC game, where you flew around in battleship/capital ship style warships, kind of like Battlestar Galactica scale, against other players in their own capital ships. What was this game? [more inside]
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:49 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:49 PM PST - 8 comments
Help me figure out what to say on my cover letter!
I'm currently applying for a non-local position, but I'm struggling with what to say on my cover letter to address that. [more inside]
Best cloud compatible printer for a Chromebook?
Hi All. I need a cloud-compatible printer (e-printer?) to buy as an X-mas gift for my daughter's Chromebook. (A Toshiba Chromebook 2, 13.3" Celeron 4GBMem -16GB Solid State Drive) Recommendations needed & greatly appreciated!
posted by Justicequartet at 5:12 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Justicequartet at 5:12 PM PST - 2 comments
Powerbank Battery Quest
I need to power an electronic gizmo through USB. The requirements for the powerbank battery are: output - 5V, 1.5 - 2amp. I'd like the max practical mAh under $100. [more inside]
Best lube?
Update on this guy: http://ask.metafilter.com/87425/best-lube 6 years later, as there may be new stuff on the market. [more inside]
how much is my Phd worth?
I have no full-time work experience outside of assistantships and internships. How much should I expect when I enter the non-academic market? [more inside]
posted by inevitability at 2:53 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by inevitability at 2:53 PM PST - 12 comments
Negotiating without experience
How can I negotiate an entry-level salary well when it already exceeds most posted ranges? [more inside]
American Beauty stereo channels.
I've discovered that my stereo receiver and CD player headphone jacks reverse the right and left channels. When I listen to the Grateful Dead track "Box of Rain" through the headphone jack of my old Sony CD player, the lead vocals (Phil Lesh - he sings the very first line) are slightly to the right in the soundstage, while listening through the headphone jack of my receiver, it's reversed (slightly left). Anyone know which is actually correct?
posted by davebush at 2:29 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by davebush at 2:29 PM PST - 4 comments
Looking for a Carlos Fuentes quote
Some years ago, I read a quote from Carlos Fuentes (in English) in some secondary source. I have no idea where I read it, but I would love to find it again! [more inside]
What is this song I heard on the radio
Name this song! It was on 9.07 WFUV in NYC at 2pm a few Sunday's back during a Gaelic music show. Pretty sure it's in Gaelic. But I can't find the playlists for that show on WFUV. It is funky .
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:04 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:04 PM PST - 21 comments
Learning to avoid temptation
I have very good willpower (I would say well above average) when it comes to enduring painful, unpleasant, or tedious experiences (long distance running, winter hiking, data entry). At the same time, I have very poor willpower (almost certainly below average) when it comes to avoiding temptation (food, drink, buying things I want but don't need). On the face of it, it seems like the two should be related. Why is it so different to push through a wall when running than to push through a wall when peckish? But for me, they seem entirely independent. What sort of techniques can I learn to specifically build the second kind of willpower?
Can these shoes be saved?
My lovely open-toed Camper shoe had an encounter with an unpaved parking lot resulting in a big gouge through the leather exposing the blue foam underneath. I took it took my local cobbler and all he could do was glue the sticking-out bit of foam down so it sticks out less. The blue gouge is still prominent. What can be done to repair/refashion these shoes? Considering DIY options but suspect I'd get better results leaving it to a professional. Pics inside. [more inside]
Good fitness blogs?
Can you recommend some good healthy living/fitness blogs, preferably ones that feel like they're written by real people who are not consumed with self-hatred? [more inside]
posted by carbide at 1:03 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by carbide at 1:03 PM PST - 9 comments
How to start talking to a guy I have a crush on?
I'm a 22 year old college student who has a crush on a classmate. I've had very little interaction with him. Last week, I got to hang out with him at a friend's birthday party, he was very nice and funny and we even exchanged phone number. I also heard from his friends that he's single. Since the party, We haven't talked to each other much because there are very few opportunities to talk when we are in school. He sits far away and we don't have mutual activities outside of class. We have only said hi to each other in the hallway.
I'm a shy person and very inexperienced when it comes to flirting or pursuing a romantic relationship. I don't know how to get to know him better without appearing desperate. I have no idea if he is interested in me more than a friend. I have never had a boyfriend so I don't know what to do. Thank you for you're advice!
How do I find out if this craigslist-posted vacation rental is a scam?
We are trying to reserve a vacation rental in Key West FL that has set off some red flags as to its legitimacy. What question can we ask the contact person to help figure out if this is a legitimate rental or a scam? [more inside]
posted by mcstayinskool at 12:39 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by mcstayinskool at 12:39 PM PST - 14 comments
Fun for kids in Tulsa, this weekend.
A family wedding will take us to Tulsa this weekend. Flight schedules imposed a Friday arrival for a Saturday evening function, so we will have much of the day Saturday with two little kids in a town we've never visited before. Saturday morning we are on our own, we'll be meeting up with cousins in the afternoon. Zoo? Aquarium? Good parks/play grounds would be good too. Kid-friendly restaurants? Lay it on me.
Please help me find earrings in this style
I'm looking for a particular style of earring. I'll post an example but I'm not necessarily looking for an exact copy of that pair -- just something that matches certain criteria, which I will list. [more inside]
posted by paperback version at 12:03 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by paperback version at 12:03 PM PST - 28 comments
How to make a time-lapse movie from lots of very boring video?
I'd like to make a time-lapse video from a bunch of very boring normal-speed video files produced by a cheap dash cam. What's the easiest way to do this? [more inside]
posted by Kadin2048 at 11:32 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Kadin2048 at 11:32 AM PST - 9 comments
Economical home printer?
It is, sadly, time to retire our dinosaur LJ4 and get a new printer. Our primary concern for the new printer is cost over the total life of the printer. We print quite a bit for home users, I'd guess about 200 pages a month. Low cost per page is important. Probably this means a black and white laser printer, but not sure. [more inside]
Home pedicure equipment
My sister has requested a pumice stone for her feet for Christmas. I'd like to go a step further and get her all the stuff she'll need to give herself a nice home pedicure. I'm not so interested in polish, I think she has that covered. But any recommendations for equipment/clippers/cleansing goo/foot baths/etc are welcome.
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:01 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:01 AM PST - 14 comments
Can't carry over an FSA. Right. So -- then what?
If I contribute $2500 to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) in 2015, and end up spending only $2000 of it on health costs -- what happens to the other $500?
I do love your head butts... but I've got stuff to do
My little kitty Binky has grown really needy over the last few days and I have no idea what's going on with her! [more inside]
Distributed proofreaders for music?
Is there such a thing? By which I mean, teams of people collaboratively transcribing public domain sheet music into some kind of open format.
Game of Drones
Christmas is coming, and I want to fly! What's the current state of drone + video? Can I get something worthwhile for $100-$500? Any specific recommendations of models/vendors? I'm not looking for anything commercial quality, just something I can play with and take some pretty videos and check out my roof, stuff like that.
Is Feedly feeding my pageview count?
A couple of my blog's readers have told me that they read my posts via Feedly without clicking through to my blog, and they're wondering if that adds to my blog's pageview counter. I haven't been able to figure out whether it does by googling, so I ask you, is my site credited with the pageviews that happen via Feedly and other similar sites or are they just stealing my content?
Ideas for a 'novelty' Christmas snack mix
I make the traditional Christmas snack mix, or 'Nuts n' Bolts' as we call it. But this year, I want to also make a different variation with a different flavor. Spicy, maybe? Sweet? Ideas and recipes are appreciated! [more inside]
ADD evaluation?
So this is actually a 2 part question.... [more inside]
Online "funny".
Where can I find the type of "funny" pics and pages that often get circulated through email or posted on fb? I don't receive any of these forwarded messages anymore, and I don't have a facebook account. I generally don't appreciate the type of humor that I am seeking-- But, someone I care about is laid up and finds [this type of thing I'm looking for] really entertaining, and neither of us know how to source it. [more inside]
Do I need a lawyer or a CPA or a ???
Last year, little baby iminurmefi was born, and while I know that there's a grace period where you can say "I just had a baby!" to excuse temporarily dropping the ball on all sorts of life stuff, it's about year past when my husband and I should have gotten our crap together and done that legal... stuff (that's the technical term)... that you're supposed to do when you have a kid and a house and assets and newly-complicated taxes. Estate planning, I guess? I know AskMe can't do this for me, but I am a bit lost as to what sort of professional(s) I need to hire here. [more inside]
posted by iminurmefi at 8:41 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by iminurmefi at 8:41 AM PST - 13 comments
Coffee, sweet elixir of life...
My most indulgent purchase to date has been a Delonghi Magnifica superautomatic espresso maker. I push a button, it grinds beans, makes me an americano with beautiful crema, and chucks a little puck of used grounds into the receptacle. Magical! Sadly, it's on its last legs. [more inside]
How to turn gmail security features off?
I live internationally, mostly in China. My IP adress changes on an hourly basis. [more inside]
Almost everything bothers me. Can I be fixed?
For most of my adulthood, I've been unable to fully deal with normal things the way most people seem to be able to. I have a decent full time job, a nice home, and a great husband... really nothing major to complain about. But many things bother me to the point that it affects my daily life, and I want it to stop but I don't know how to make it. [more inside]
Unemployment benefits after declining a forced relocation
If my employer forces me to relocate out of town and I refuse, thereby losing my job, would I qualify for unemployment benefits in Texas? [more inside]
Does Mass Health Have Consumer Offices?
Stepson now lives in Massachusetts. He needs Obamacare, but has an aversion to the phone and has not figured out the website. Is there a physical office in Boston (ideally near Cambridge) where a live human could help him sign up?
posted by musofire at 6:42 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by musofire at 6:42 AM PST - 7 comments
Library endurance
What are the best ways to keep working for more time? [more inside]
How far do I need to be from a highway/parkway to no longer hear it?
How far do I need to be from a highway/parkway to no longer hear it? I hope to use this information to look at a map and find the nearest place that will be quiet in the middle of the night, to record sound. Local road noise or the occasional passing car is not a concern, just highways and parkways that will be busy all night.
Using the Envelope Budgeting Method in a small Business?
I'd like a general sanity check on our plans for setting up multiple bank accounts in an effort to bring some organization, structure, automation and discipline to the movement of funds in the small business I'm working with. [more inside]
Hotel crafting with a toddler?
I'm leaving for 20 days in a hotel room with a three year old in tow. At home, we do a lot of crafting, and I'd like to bring something to work on in the evenings that is safe around her, bonus if she can join in.As the three year old loves to unravel my knitting and can only sort-of crochet, is there something else? [more inside]
posted by viggorlijah at 12:56 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by viggorlijah at 12:56 AM PST - 27 comments
November 17
New step-parent woes!
How do I stop/discourage my pre-teen step-daughter from leaving her bedroom light/TV on all night? [more inside]
posted by Gabriel ricci at 11:55 PM PST - 56 comments
posted by Gabriel ricci at 11:55 PM PST - 56 comments
Which movie is this that I saw?
There was a movie I saw, about an overly innocent 17 year old boy who left his home for months or years, and came back and saw his old female friend (or love interest?) and one line was he said "If you hurt someone, you say you're sorry, and that's all you can do" or something like that.. what movie was this? I think it's about 10 or 15 years old, probably rated PG, and kind of a silly romantic comedy.
A gift for a late 30s legal eagle Londoner
Hi, yes it's one of those pre-Christmas questions from a desperate gift-giver who's out of ideas. [more inside]
posted by reshet at 10:51 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by reshet at 10:51 PM PST - 7 comments
what's the deal with this octopus
What is the origin of the design of this specific octopus pendant and why is this exact design everywhere? [more inside]
posted by divabat at 10:20 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by divabat at 10:20 PM PST - 9 comments
Using a Verizon or T-Mobile iPhone 6 on LTE in the UK
My google-fu has failed me, and I sheepishly turn to you. Need help trying to figure out if the non-Sprint US iPhone 6 will work on LTE in the UK. [more inside]
posted by palionex at 10:07 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by palionex at 10:07 PM PST - 3 comments
How do I handle a potentially awkward job interview question?
I was approached by a recruiter a few weeks ago. At the time, I was somewhat unhappy at my job, but was not actively looking. I told the recruiter this. I have a follow-up interview with a manager tomorrow. Potential problem: I was laid off after the conversation with the recruiter. How do I spin this information? [more inside]
Internet spying as part of domestic abuse. How can one protect oneself?
The question pertains to the linksys smart wifi router but it could be applicable for anything comparable. My sister is in an abusive marriage and is working on figuring things out at this point. She has noticed that her husband is increasingly making it difficult for her to get online (starting with blocking websites). I know blocking websites can be done on any new router that has a companion app but is it possible to actually snoop on a computer within the home network? If so, how much data can be gathered (web history, key logs, passwords etc) ? Secondly, how can she protect herself from being spied on? Is it possible to encrypt all data leaving a computer/ipad before it hits the router?
She is not particularly computer savvy. I am a bit more advanced user than her but networking technologies aren't in my skill sets. [more inside]
Left Wallet in Cab in Chicago. Need Help Immediately.
I'm visiting Chicago for a day. Of course the first thing I did was leave my wallet in the cab I rode in on. It was some independent guy not an agency so I can't call them. I do have a charge on my debit card (still in my pocket thankfully) which was made using a Square reader. That also says the guy's name. Can I track him down this way? [more inside]
posted by Winnemac at 8:52 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Winnemac at 8:52 PM PST - 11 comments
What should we do in LA on Thanksgiving?
My girlfriend and I are going to LA for Thanksgiving week and since we're not going down to join in any particular gathering, I wanted to query the hivemind for good things to do on Thanksgiving day. Are there any cool restaurants or events we should be booking now? [more inside]
SOS emergency plumbing (frozen outside garden hose)
I delayed disconnecting my outdoor garden hose from the outside spigot before the freezer that hit us today. I went to disconnect it, and I have found that the connection is very hard (couldn't do it with gloves hand) to turn, and I guess there was some water in the hose, so it feels like solid ice inside of it for at least about a foot out. I don't know anything about any interior shutoff for the spigot or anything like that. Should I attempt to thaw the outside connection and disconnect the hose, or will that cause more potential damage? I was thinking warm water or a hair dryer and pliers. Thank you for any advice!
Nespresso range?
What's the difference between the various Nespresso machines? [more inside]
Finding toddler teacher for early edu co-op Brooklyn
I'm trying to coordinate an "on-site playgroup" for 3 hours a day (9am-12pm), five days a week for 5-6 of our local kiddos (2 years old) beginning in September 2015. The idea is that we could hire a new early education grad to come to an apartment to lead organized activities with our children with the assistance of a helper, probably our current nanny. [more inside]
if you like it then you better put a cream on it
What can I use to solve my terribly dry hand problem? I would prefer natural solutions, like oils (but coconut oil isn't working, see below the fold). I would accept unscented creams that I can buy at a drug store. I would rather not spend $45 per ounce of some lady cream at sephora. (yes, diet, water, sleep, humidifier. I'm on those things.) thanks! [more inside]
posted by andreapandrea at 7:15 PM PST - 53 comments
posted by andreapandrea at 7:15 PM PST - 53 comments
What is the name of that film I saw?
I am trying to remember the name of a film that I saw. It is Australian, made in the late 80s or early 90s, and is about the neighbour and the nurse trying to get an elderly man's family to help with his declining health. My Google- and imdb-fu are not worthy. [more inside]
Will Social Security/Medicare Eligibility Remain 40 Quarters?
Full eligibility for social security and Medicare requires a minimum 40 quarters of contributions. How worried should I be that this goalpost might be moved in the next decade or two (i.e. that more than 40 quarters might eventually be required)? I realize these programs are periodically threatened with reform, but is this particular threshold one of the facets challenged by reformers?
posted by Quisp Lover at 6:44 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Quisp Lover at 6:44 PM PST - 2 comments
Looking for a service dog, or an almost service dog.
My friend could really benefit from a service dog. Unfortunately the waitinglist in Ontario is around two years long. She doesn't need a full-service service dog, i.e. she doesn't need a fully trained seeing eye dog. Is there a breed and training school that would best help her? [more inside]
True stories of legal noir
I'm looking for stories (books, nonfiction but maybe fiction) of what you could perhaps call legal noir. Stories that have some of the trappings of noir (private eyes, plainclothes cops, grifters and crime bosses, you know the deal) but are more in the vein of legal cases rather than bodies and gunshots. Conspiracies a plus. Think in tone perhaps the movie Chinatown or the Great American Streetcar scandal.
Need suggestions for US Chocolatiers offering Marshmallow confections.
During the Holidays, I like to order chocolate, and the choices are endless, so I need recommendations. I've read some of the earlier threads, but I'd like to narrow the field and ask for more specific suggestions.
First, I'd like to avoid nuts and initially focus on chocolates that have marshmallow centers. Second, I'd prefer companies that are located in the US in order to keep shipping cost to a somewhat sane level. Third, though not necessary, companies that offer print catalogs would also top my list. [more inside]
Out of foil cups, eyeing the liners
Can I bake my muffins using the liners that were between the foil cups? [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 5:17 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Thorzdad at 5:17 PM PST - 16 comments
Common nouns by subject area ?
[Asking for a friend] I'd like a list of common nouns associated with a range of subject areas and I'm not sure if some thing already exists . [more inside]
What hard cider were we served?
Trying to identify the dark, sweet hard cider we had with dinner. Bar led us down the wrong path. [more inside]
posted by xedrik at 4:29 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by xedrik at 4:29 PM PST - 14 comments
Best Practices - Fundraising Emails
I am looking for some current articles (blog posts are fine) that discuss the 'science' of fundraising emails. Most people are aware of the Business Week article about the science behind the Obama campaign fundraising emails -- I'm basically looking for more material that is in the same vein -- not just someone's opinion, but rather "Our organization tested A, B, and C and here are the results."
posted by anastasiav at 4:12 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by anastasiav at 4:12 PM PST - 7 comments
Insulation .. but no drywall?
What are our options for ceiling insulation for a ceiling that we can't drywall and paint? [more inside]
Does a tool exist to make conceptual maps/models on a broad topic?
I want to map (or model, or some other word, not really sure what to call this) a whole lot of things that all pertain to a broad topic. My hope is to visually represent a lot of things, such as relationships, goals, tactics, gaps/needs, strengths, etc. Is there any type of software that does this sort of thing? [more inside]
Help me negotiate!
I had phone and in-person interviews for a new job last week that went extremely well. I think odds are very good I might be hired, but I need a strategy for negotiating a salary! [more inside]
Journalist changing careers.
I have, for the past several years, worked as a journalist in a fairly niche area. I do not want to do this anymore - but I do want to put my skills to good use, and make a decent living. How do I do this? What now? [more inside]
Salt Spring Island over Christmas
We've have arranged a somewhat spur of the moment trip to B.C. at Christmas. The first leg will be Salt Spring Island, my mother is flying into Vancouver, we are are picking her up from there. Mostly, I think we will be staying at the place we have rented, which is 30 mins. out of Ganges in a more remote place, my mother is quite elderly, and will be content to look out at the ocean views and watch the deer while we cook Christmas meals. [more inside]
posted by nanook at 3:07 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by nanook at 3:07 PM PST - 4 comments
Tea people of metafilter, help! Chai concentrate, no sugar or splenda.
I need a chai concentrate that has the black tea and spices without sugar or artificial sweeteners. Liquid or powdered form is fine. Just something I can mix in, instead of worrying about brewing. All the 'sugar free' ones have not so pleasant ingredients such as splenda. If there is one with stevia, I wouldn't mind that. Extra points if it is 'spicy.' Thanks!
Nerves when speaking to Important People
I get nervous when speaking to Important Businesspeople, specifically, VPs and C-levels and the higher levels of middle management. How can I avoid this? [more inside]
posted by rebooter at 1:52 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by rebooter at 1:52 PM PST - 24 comments
Name this book filter?
Very vaguely remembered.
UK paperback. Probably in the early 1970's
London city businessman, company director living in a penthouse or private office apartment has a chinese mistress.
For some reason he ends up digging a long ditch out in the country and this becomes a self realization.
Very vague I know.
Too many chefs, how to manage them, software edition.
What success (or failure) have you had with any kind of a software architecture vetting process? [more inside]
posted by colin_l at 1:33 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by colin_l at 1:33 PM PST - 5 comments
How to batch convert FLV files to MP4?
I've got numerous video files on a network drive in FLV format that I would like to change to MP4, hopefully with free software. [more inside]
posted by werkzeuger at 1:16 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by werkzeuger at 1:16 PM PST - 10 comments
The Spice Must Flow ( and hopefully season something tasty)
I love spices. I live next to one of the best international grocery stores around. I sometimes get through a crappy day by promising myself I'll buy a bag of star anise (or whatever) when I get home. But the kitchen cabinet's getting bulgy and I don't want anything to go to waste or get stale. Spicy MeFites, help me use this stuff up! [more inside]
posted by theweasel at 12:56 PM PST - 35 comments
posted by theweasel at 12:56 PM PST - 35 comments
Smartphone durability during daily life?
Can I jam an iphone in my tight side jeans pocket, with a bunch of other crap, sit down, etc., and not have it be destroyed? [more inside]
How do I handle an emplyee who walked out, then tried to change her mind
Employee H was incommunicado over the weekend, having sold all her belongings and skipped town, leaving me with a minor mess to handle. She left her work phone and company keys on her desk for me to find today, and planned on giving me no notice, or anything. [more inside]
Finding a (Bay Area) tech job with a degree and no experience
Asking for a friend: how does one find an entry-level job as a software engineer--in supposedly the "best" market in the US, the Bay Area--without prior internship experience? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 11:35 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by serelliya at 11:35 AM PST - 15 comments
Blogs featuring elegant + utilitarian crafts?
I'm very new to crafting and DIY, and am getting overwhelmed by the amount of material online about such things. I could really use some help identifying blogs or other resources/keywords to help refine my searching; so far I'm finding lots of stuff but not much that fits my criteria. [more inside]
posted by stellaluna at 11:26 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by stellaluna at 11:26 AM PST - 15 comments
recovering from hospitalization?
It looks like I'll be discharged from my week-long stay in the hospital tomorrow. (Fingers crossed, knock on wood.) I've been treated for double pneumonia, chronic migraine, trigeminal neuralgia breakthrough pain, and severe constipation. This is the longest I've ever been hospitalized. I'm weak as a day old kitten. Still having pain from the migraine and TN. Still having difficulty pooping. Still short of breath. But they say I'm better enough to go home. Give me your best hacks, skills, and advice for transitioning home and having an easy recovery. [more inside]
Safari quits during sleep!
Safari quits during sleep! [more inside]
Need help translating into Latin
I'm writing directions and want to translate them into Latin. The directions are:
Straight 25 (meaning "walk straight forward for 25 paces")
Right 25 (meaning "turn right, then walk 25 paces")
Left 25 (meaning "turn left, then walk 25 paces")
So the directions are very abbreviated. Would I say something like:
Protenus 25
Dextra 25
Sinister 25?
posted by theelf2020 at 10:53 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by theelf2020 at 10:53 AM PST - 4 comments
Grrrl Power Playlist
Help me create a mix CD for my wife that celebrates womanhood. [more inside]
What's the job market like for software engineers in NYC?
What's the job market like for software engineers in NYC? [more inside]
Apparently I'm just the worst at interviewing.
My interview to offer (or even second interview) success is abysmal. (I think?) What can I do before an upcoming interview? [more inside]
Good video entertainment for preschoolers and adults?
I need some suggestions for videos a mix of adults and preschoolers would enjoy. The absolute gold standard is The Muppet Show, which is totally awesome and had something for everyone, but we've watched it all. What else is like it?
Best Mac Games
First world problems: I have a mid-line Mac Pro with maxed GPUs, 32GB RAM, and the 512GB drive; What are some games I can go nuts with? Difficulty level: absolutely no ongoing expenses. [more inside]
Where to donate a wedding dress in NYC?
Looking for a place where I can donate a wedding dress in NYC. Worn once (natch), was cleaned after use and has been safely kept in plastic ever since. Designer is Alvina Valenta. Size is probably a 10, 12, or 14. Also has a veil. Purchased at Kleinfeld's; total cost was probably around $3,000. Only issue is that it is from 2006 (sites like Bridal Garden say they'll only accept dresses bought in last 5 years). However, style is very classic (dress is off-white).
I need snow boot recommendations!
This week's temperatures being consistently in the single digits and below zero has made me realize that I need some snow boots. I've had my eye on the Sorel Tivoli High II's but after reading some reviews, it sounds like the quality has declined in recent years. Can you give me info on Sorel's quality of late, or alternatively, recommend some good boots? Snowflakes (heh) within! [more inside]
Intro to Astrophysics
I'm looking for resources that will give a layperson like me an interesting introduction into astrophysics, specifically how distant celestial bodies interact over vast periods of time. [more inside]
Help, I'm going through acute [a cute!] Bee and Puppycat withdrawal!
So I finally got around to watching Bee and Puppycat (previously on Metafilter) and there is NOT ENOUGH for me! What other media would you recommend that hits that spot? [more inside]
posted by fiercecupcake at 8:32 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by fiercecupcake at 8:32 AM PST - 13 comments
I Want An Encyclopedia of Demonology, Mysticism, the Occult, etc.
Let's say I wanted to see the history of the angel Uriel. Or Zoroaster. Or Astaroth. Or one of the many demon-like figures in Japanese folklore. Is there such a comprehensive work of mythological beings? Something with facts like the first historical mention of the figure, various physical descriptions throughout time with context, their backstory(ies), etc? [more inside]
Plead Guilty or Not to Inane Traffic Ticket?
So recently I was driving thru PA and a slushy rain started. Temps were in the 40s (F) and no one suspected slipperiness. Myself (and several others along that stretch) slid off the road. "Failure to drive within a single lane and or movement from lane was not made safely." [more inside]
TV shows with plots that span decades?
I'm looking for television shows that have plots that span long periods of time. Boardwalk Empire comes to mind. So does The Borgias. [more inside]
What happens to returned products that are in almost new condition?
Say I bought some fancy electronic gadget on Amazon. I took off all the fancy protective packaging, unwrapped the cables, etc. Then after using it for an hour or two, I decided it was actually a piece of junk they never should have released, and I returned it for the cost of shipping. It's virtually new, but not in factory condition. What happens to that item now?
posted by smackfu at 6:46 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by smackfu at 6:46 AM PST - 10 comments
Best affordable hands free device?
My area just began requiring the use of a hands free device while driving. I don't talk and drive very often, but am occasionally required to for work. I've never used a handsfree device before, so I'm not super sure what to even look for. Any suggestions? Bonus points if it's available on Amazon. Extra details that may or may not matter: I have an iphone 5c, and whatever I get will need to go on my left ear. I live in an area where it's often below freezing,and my car radio is not bluetooth enabled. Thanks!
posted by csox at 6:32 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by csox at 6:32 AM PST - 7 comments
Getting Podcasts on my iPhone 6 (iTunes 12). Frustrated.
Can't seem to get the podcasts that I want onto my new iPhone. [more inside]
posted by dbirchum at 5:32 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by dbirchum at 5:32 AM PST - 11 comments
Deadpan absurdist comedy wanted
Currently watching The Spoils of Babylon and really digging how it's basically cut from the same deadpan absurdist cloth as Police Squad — where can I find more like this?
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:17 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:17 AM PST - 17 comments
Adobe Acrobat XI accessibility bugs?
Any known bugs or work arounds with Acrobat XI's accessibility tagging? I'm getting inconsistent results. [more inside]
Can people recommend non-twee classical music?
I like some classical music, and I love orchestras, but to my ears the emotional palette of a lot of classical veers towards the 'twee' end of the scale. Can people recommend me some non-twee pieces to listen to? [more inside]
November 16
Ongoing medical bills, no insurance, and location complications.
Young couple living out their dream came to an abrupt halt in October. He was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of melanoma. They had not signed up for Affordable health care insurance, since they were planning on traveling and working around the country. And hey, they are young and healthy, right?? [more inside]
I feel abandoned and like my life is a lie
I consider myself a people person. I like to get to know other people of all walks of life. I make an effort to keep in touch with them, remember things that are going on in their life, and see them in person when I can. But it seems like most people don't do the same for me. How do I process these feelings and maintain realistic expectations of relationships that don't leave me hurt? [more inside]
Want Red Wing Iron Ranger boots but for less
I really love these boots, but they're a bit more than I can or want to afford to spend on them right now. Anyone have suggestions for similar style boots that aren't quite so hard on the wallet? Some loss in quality/longevity is ok, as I won't be actually working in an iron mine with them.
posted by Inkoate at 9:47 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Inkoate at 9:47 PM PST - 11 comments
Was Narcissus born Chinese ?
I was in a Xian, China picture shop recently and saw this painting. I would like to know if there is a Chinese fable or fairy tale related to this picture. Pray tell. And I would like to know what the inscription say?
I know Narcissus was not born Chinese.
Thanks in advance. Cheers.
Our son is bristling at other children, is this normal?
Our child recently is having a very hard time relating to other kids, which comes out in inappropriate and sometimes aggressive ways. [more inside]
posted by bobbyno at 9:20 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by bobbyno at 9:20 PM PST - 9 comments
Will apps still be on a phone with a different SIM card?
If I give my smart phone to my spouse, and he inserts his compatible SIM card, will the apps I have on it still be there when he inserts his SIM card? [more inside]
posted by magnoliasouth at 8:35 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by magnoliasouth at 8:35 PM PST - 8 comments
HDMI Mac Mini sound problems
Why would a Mac Mini hooked up to a TV suddenly stop working? [more inside]
Help me understand postpartum hormones
I understand that women's hormones get wonky after giving birth - some go up, some go down - and the effects are everything from gonzo baby love to night sweats to psychosis. But is there any information on how the hormones specifically change over time, over the day or even how they might vary between women? [more inside]
Looking for a (very) durable cat litter scoop
The title pretty much says it all. The last few litter box scoops we've bought have broken, which is getting a bit frustrating. Can you recommend any to us that can last? [more inside]
posted by Verdandi at 7:49 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by Verdandi at 7:49 PM PST - 20 comments
Fun desk accessories
Do you have anything on your desk that is a fun distraction? [more inside]
In search of a Blu-ray player with specific apps
Is there a Blu-ray player with HBO Go and WWE Network? [more inside]
CMSs and online web-development portfolios
I noticed that a lot of famous web development companies and professionals have listed several Drupal and Wordpress-based websites as part of their online portfolios. If a web developer set up a client's website using an already existing theme on one of these CMSs, does it still count as a portfolio piece?
DVD-ROM vs PC download
Hello--I see that the new game Civilization: Beyond Earth is available as both a DVD-ROM or PC Download. They're virtually the same price (just under $50). I'm wondering why this is--I would think that the download would be slightly cheaper since there is no physical item to ship.
posted by lirael2008 at 6:54 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by lirael2008 at 6:54 PM PST - 16 comments
Help me meet my agonizingly specific internet music needs!
I am struggling mightily to find the internet radio station and/or streaming music service that works for me. Am I just being too picky? Musical snowflakes inside. [more inside]
Help me put together a funeral for a lost sense
A family member lost her sense of smell in an accident and we would like to hold a little "memorial ceremony" to help her process it. Can you think of any songs, poems, quotations, readings, symbolic activities we could use? Serious and humorous suggestions are fine.
Software sequencer suited to limited mobility?
I've been making music with FL Studio since it was still FruityLoops. I have a progressive physical disability that now limits my mobility severely enough that FL Studio's interface is unfeasible: I can barely use my right mouse button, and moving my mouse cursor frequently from one side of the screen to the other is time-consuming. I can still use an on-screen keyboard. [more inside]
Using your own prof's research in a project for that class
Bouncy Mattress Good for Making the Whoopee?
The Mrs and I long for the give and bounce of the cheap mattress she had in college. But shopping around it seems like none of the new mattresses have that great springy coil bounce we enjoyed so much. What are we missing here? Is there something specific to ask for? Do I need to go super-cheap off-brand to get what we're looking for? [more inside]
posted by willie11 at 4:29 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by willie11 at 4:29 PM PST - 10 comments
How did I skip across the entire US in an hour?
I rarely check Google Location but it's always fascinating when I do. I just did a bit of travelling around Florida and am perplexed by the readings. Suddenly I appear to leap from the Florida Keys to California and back again in the space of a couple of hours. Obviously I didn't do this. My phone wasn't on the whole time - it died around when I got 'back' to the Everglades. I've put up a screengrab of this time-bending excursion - any insights as to how this happened are most welcome.
The selfish elf
If I recall correctly, the elves in Lord of the Rings are known for, generally, only caring about elvish things. Does anyone have a citation for where Tolkein says that? (Or failing that, where it says that in the movies?)
posted by dontjumplarry at 3:41 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by dontjumplarry at 3:41 PM PST - 2 comments
Volunteer looking for prison transition resources & needs.
I've just volunteered with a prison ministry in Tulsa, OK devoted to criminal justice reform, helping families of inmates, providing services to prisoners, etc. I'm looking for transition resources & am working on identifying the needs of transitioning prisoners. [more inside]
Managing relationship doubts while depressed
I've been with my girlfriend for 5+ years, and lived together for 4. We've moved around the country together, adopted a pet together, and spent a lot of time thinking about/planning our next move together (we've moved around a lot, most recently so she could go to school). Lately, though, I've had significant, plaguing doubts about whether we should be together, and I'm having trouble parsing what's really going on. [more inside]
posted by batscam at 2:35 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by batscam at 2:35 PM PST - 15 comments
Barely used twitter account followed a bunch of people... was it hacked?
I have a barely used twitter account. I looked at my profile for the first time this year and noticed I was following almost two thousand extra people. I changed my password (I used a password there I don't use elsewhere). As far as Spybot and Avast can tell me, I haven't gotten any unwelcome visitors. I'm more curious than worried, honestly. Was my twitter account hacked or is it possible to make a user follow someone without hacking into their account? Also, do I have to manually unfollow everyone or is there a quicker way to do it?
posted by Kattullus at 2:00 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Kattullus at 2:00 PM PST - 14 comments
Who can tell me why my gas bill is too high?
How, in a multi-apartment setup, do I determine what gas-run appliances are serviced/connected to which apartment? I strongly suspect I am paying for appliances I am not responsible for, but I need to be able to prove it to my landlords or gas company. [more inside]
Diesel fueling problem... what's the right fix?
I have a Golf TDI that I've been fueling just fine for three years. Today, I could not fill it up; diesel kept splashing back as soon as I'd start fueling and the pump would stop. I got about three gallons in by pumping extremely slowly, but that's it. I tried at a pump with the large-size truck nozzle and one with a normal car nozzle. I have an appointment to have it looked at, but I'm not sure what the ideal fix is... [more inside]
Ashford University - just how useless?
A friend of mine has been paying Ashford for over a year. I wan to hope for the best for her... [more inside]
Cheapest Cell Phone Option For People Who Don't Like Cell Phones
After holding out lo, these many years, it seems I need to get a cell phone. Browsing AskMe & the internet, it seems the best, least contracty option is 7-11's Speak Out program. But maybe there's a better option of which I am not aware, and maybe you can help! [more inside]
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 1:26 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 1:26 PM PST - 8 comments
English words of Arabic origins?
I am looking for a complete list (online) of (a) English words of Arabic origins as well as (b) English words that are specifically about Arabic things. Miscellaneous words/lists are welcome too. [more inside]
Games you can't lose (For Mac)
I'm looking for fun, easy, casual games I can play on my Mac. I've read this question, and while my requirements are similar, I really just want to play on my laptop not my phone. [more inside]
County Mental Health Center Woes
I suffer from severe anxiety and PTSD, and I have been on benzos for 10 years now (first Xanax and then clonazepam). My insurance limits me to going to the county mental health center, and my psychiatrist there sent down a mandate that I have to stop the clonazepam. I'm frustrated, especially since I was not offered anything different for anxiety. I am mostly upset about poor communication and it’s not so much that I am questioning her judgment from a medical perspective. I am not seeking advice about managing anxiety; I want advice about self-advocacy. [more inside]
UK fungus ID groups/materials?
I'm looking for a UK-oriented fungus identification online group or guide or website or book or Android app. Recommendations based on personal experience are most welcome. Poking around online has led me to a few places, like Mycokey, but either the varieties aren't listed or I'm just rubbish at describing what I've found. [more inside]
posted by Solomon at 10:22 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by Solomon at 10:22 AM PST - 1 comment
Unpretentious great restaurants in NYC
What is the best restaurant in Manhattan that my dad can wear jeans to? [more inside]
High Quality Image/Photo of Carson McCullers
I want a high quality picture of Carson McCullers looking sassy with a ciggy. [more inside]
posted by zscore at 9:01 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by zscore at 9:01 AM PST - 8 comments
Rules of Marriage and a J-2 Visa to the US
My long-term boyfriend is moving to the US for his PhD-degree in September 2015 and plans on getting a J-1 visa. I would like to join him on a J-2, but we are not married yet. Is it possible for him to apply for a visa this winter, then we get married in the spring/early summer, and then I can apply for a J-2 visa at that time? [more inside]
Help me find these retro drawer/cabinet pulls
I scored some nifty retro 60's or 70's kitchen cabinets and have been trying to find similar handles for my over sink dish drainer cabinet doors. [more inside]
Am I broken?
I used to like people, but now I don't. I fear I'm creating an irreversibly solitary life for myself. I think the problem must be me, but I'm not sure what the cure is. Looking for advice. [more inside]
Sound + image
I'd like to read stories in English with my daughter. [more inside]
posted by nicolin at 5:26 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by nicolin at 5:26 AM PST - 5 comments
No, Amazon, I did not mean "Two and a Half Men."
I'm in London and would like my father, who lives in the U.S., to see the film A Room and a Half. As far as I can determine, A Room and a Half has never been released on DVD in the U.S. The only workaround I've thought of has been to send him the British DVD and a multi-region player, but is there a more elegant solution? [more inside]
posted by Perodicticus potto at 5:05 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Perodicticus potto at 5:05 AM PST - 13 comments
Need options for short-term US cell phone for travel.
I'm traveling from the UK to the US in 2 days, and need a cell phone with a US number for roughly a week. I have an unlocked GSM smartphone with dual SIM slots. Any options to get a short-term US SIM card quickly (and, ideally, cheaply!)? [more inside]
posted by still bill at 4:18 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by still bill at 4:18 AM PST - 8 comments
November 15
It's not gonna happen, so why can't I stop thinking about it?
I have romantic feelings for a coworker. I would prefer not to. Help! (You know there'll be snowflakes.) [more inside]
How should I plan to protect my husband and his assets from myself?
To start with, I know that this is something that will need to be discussed with a lawyer when the time is right and it will vary according to our local laws. But this is a general question, I'm looking for general information and answers (not legal advice!) about what sort of things may be necessary in the future to protect my husband. [more inside]
Dentist Gave Me a Filling Instead of a crown on root canal tooth?
I went in to get a fitting for a crown today on a tooth that had a root canal 2 weeks ago and the doctor decided to do a filling instead of a crown. He said he would watch it for a year and determine if I would eventually need the crown. I didn't complain too much because well the out of pocket for the day was supposed to be $500 today and $500 at the time of the final crowning but, the filling only cost $150. I'll have dental insurance through work starting January 1st so either way I'll probably end up ahead in the financial department. Is this something dentists usually do? Is there anything I can do to prevent it from needing a crown in the future? Should I be extra paranoid about the tooth/
In Search of Fantastic TV
I'm halfway through my sophomore year of college and I feel as though I've binge-watched every good TV show in existence.
Surely this can't be true, though. This is why I need your help! [more inside]
Phones, Phones, Phones
Should I and Mr. Darling get on a smart phone plan together? [more inside]
posted by tafetta, darling! at 8:53 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by tafetta, darling! at 8:53 PM PST - 6 comments
What do I do for 10 hours in Singapore/Changi?
I have a 10 hour stop at Changi airport, Singapore. What do I do with that time? [more inside]
posted by Diag at 8:27 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Diag at 8:27 PM PST - 11 comments
Two-factor authentication for local applications: is it useful?
Google Authenticator. I see why it's useful where you're logging into a server that keeps some secrets. But why would it be useful to guard secrets that are stored on your own computer? [more inside]
Wrinkle cream advice for an ageing old bag ;-)
Ok. So I'm a 40 year old woman and use basic Nivea moisturiser every day but have some serious wrinkles around my eyes and forehead that I'd like to minimise or at least stop them getting worse. I have sensitive skin so I need to be careful with creams.
I know nothing at all about wrinkle creams and serums so I could do with some advise please!
I am looking for the best available product in the cheap to mid range end of the price spectrum. I'm sure there are some that do a good job without having to remortgage the house!
I'm in Australia, so would need to be able to buy any recommended product here.
Thanks!
Bed detectives needed!
I have been unsuccessfully searching for the perfect new bed and just saw a super good one but... on a mattress website. How can I find the bed that the mattress is on? Hope me!
posted by prefpara at 5:20 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by prefpara at 5:20 PM PST - 9 comments
Help Me Explore Chinese Traditional Music
I am looking for suggested recordings of Chinese traditional music and some help in how to contextualize and understand what I am listening to. [more inside]
posted by JimInLoganSquare at 4:12 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by JimInLoganSquare at 4:12 PM PST - 7 comments
Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That (Google Maps Edition)
Can I search for two separate stores (or whatever) on (New) Google Maps to find not only which location of each is closest to me, but also where the two stores are closest to each other? [more inside]
Help me buy an inexpensive stereo for my new used '95 Ford Ranger
I asked question on here last week, and I ended up buying a 1995 ford Ranger, but it's missing a stereo ( I guess it was stolen? ) I don't need anything fancy, just something I can put my cassette adapter into (or blue tooth? ) to play my NPR Podcasts while driving. I can get used, ebay, junk yard or whatever, but I'm overwhelmed by my options. Should I get a factory stock 95 ford ranger stereo used? How will other ones fit? (they won't fit right?) Can I install this myself? All the cables still seem to be in tact (I can supply a picture if needed. I just want to do this as inexpensively and hassle free as possible.
THanks.
Help me become an informed commuter bike consumer?
I have started biking to work with the goal of getting into better shape, and I think I want to upgrade my (old, crappy, but still functional) bike. Let's talk options! [more inside]
Is skipping oral sex ok?
A recurring situation in my life: Meet a great girl, start sexy time, feel erect from kissing and fondling (good!), the girl goes down on me and then I completely lose my erection (bad). I cannot remember a time in my life that I've enjoyed oral sex.
Is there something wrong with me? [more inside]
How can I get a dealership to pay me for a car I sold them?
I sold my car to a Nissan dealership last Monday, November 10 for $22,000. At the time I owed $15,276.47 to Nissan Finance. I checked my account there today and now I owe $15,284.80, so the loan is still not paid off and it's still accumulating interest. Also, it's been five days and I haven't gotten a check for the $6,723.53 remaining after the loan payoff. [more inside]
How to feel the holidays?
How does a happily married couple with no children and tenuous family ties enjoy the holidays? My husband and I have been married for 10 years, and we are happy with each other. It's everyone else we struggle with. [more inside]
posted by hippychick at 1:31 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by hippychick at 1:31 PM PST - 25 comments
Playlist halp: happy retro instrumental cocktail night?
Anywhere from Dixieland to Penguin Café Orchestra, via Django Reinhardt and something Latin, what musicians/tracks/albums can you suggest for a 4-hour playlist to make a happy, potentially boppable score to a cocktail party? Would be nice to divide it into intro, main and outro parts - but all suggestions are welcome for a fun, refined, vocal-less (or at least mainly so), non-pop soundtrack to a charming, light-hearted evening.
(Bonus points if sourceable via Rdio.)
Thanks!
Are there shoes that love the pool as much as I do?
I'm in the pool six-seven days a week for various aerobics, pilates, and zumba classes. As my exertion increases, my old aqua socks are starting to fall off during class. Do you have recommendations for laced wide-foot water shoes? [more inside]
That Liberal Arts Progressive College Town Coffee Shop Type Feeling
I've been craving a certain feeling, which I can only describe as a liberal arts college town coffee shop intellectual artist vibe. I'm looking for media that will let me immerse myself in it. Details inside. [more inside]
Which console should I buy during Black Friday: Xbox 360 or Xbox One?
New to the gaming world and my kids want an Xbox. Xbox 360 will be available for $100 and the Xbox One will be available for around $300. Since we have no game library, is it worth the extra money for the latest console?
posted by Bushmiller at 11:56 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by Bushmiller at 11:56 AM PST - 22 comments
Help us continue our mom & daughter bonding over great books.
Next year she's off to college, but until then, help me fill the time with great books we can share. [more inside]
posted by kbar1 at 9:59 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by kbar1 at 9:59 AM PST - 16 comments
I'm a great listener. Sound me up.
I commute 2 hours round trip, 4 days a week. Sometimes I listen to music, but mostly I like to listen to audiobooks. I'm just about out of ideas. What are some great, really long audiobooks or podcasts I might like? I'm into horror that makes me think, character-driven sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal thrillers (NOT of the vampire romance genre), paleo-lifestyle, and cool/funny non-fiction. [more inside]
Those drop-down top bar menu things... how do I make them go away?
See this New Yorker article. When I read it, the top New Yorker menu bar is hovering over the top of the page, so when I use the space bar to page down the bar blocks a part of the text. Is there some secret way to page down so that part of the text isn't hidden (I'm on a Macbook), or some way to make this type of menu bar go away? It's not just the New Yorker website--I see these many places.
The most important question ever asked on AskMe
So, a while ago, Anne Hathaway rapped on Conan. She said that it is "in the style of Lil' Wayne". Not knowing anything about Lil' Wayne, is there a particular song of his that sounds like hers? I google some of his songs, but, again, not knowing anything about him, I don't know if she's referring to a particular song. The few that I listened to briefly didn't really bear much resemblance.
Thanks for helping me answer this critical question!
posted by dfriedman at 9:25 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by dfriedman at 9:25 AM PST - 6 comments
Technologies for emulating video games inside web browsers
What are the current technologies for embedding interactive video games that accept mouse clicks and keystrokes as input for event-driven loops, inside a web browser page? I DON'T mean embedding Flash. [more inside]
What is UPS package handler training like?
I just got hired at UPS as a package handler. I'm wondering what the training is like, ie is there classroom time, will I need to bring a notebook, how long it goes on for, when we actually get to start working, etc.
Family friend's funeral tomorrow. Should I fly in?
I am remarkably conflicted on whether to buy a plane ticket to attend a family friend's funeral tomorrow. Obviously I have to make this decision soon but I'm really struggling. [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 8:46 AM PST - 39 comments
posted by Tehhund at 8:46 AM PST - 39 comments
How to quit my au pair job gracefully
There are some things that bother me about my host family and living conditions. I have started looking for a new job already (that may require me to take a day off for an interview) and would like to give proper notice without making things unbearable for everyone involved. Help, please? [more inside]
posted by LoonyLovegood at 8:11 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by LoonyLovegood at 8:11 AM PST - 19 comments
What's my name?
This young gentleman will be joining my family of two other cats later today. I'm at a loss for names. [more inside]
posted by gilsonal at 8:07 AM PST - 76 comments
posted by gilsonal at 8:07 AM PST - 76 comments
Web enabled horror fiction?
Thanks to MeFi, I recently read Benjamin Rosenbaum's short story "Feature Development for Social Networking" - please recommend me some other high quality horror / supernatural fiction in which the Web plays a central role.
Bay Area clothing store for 80-year-old mom
My mother is visiting Berkeley and would like to shop for clothing. She is 80 and her taste runs to Koret and Coldwater Creek but both of those have become online only. Can you recommend a brick and mortar clothing store where she might enjoy shopping for herself? She would be interested in a chain store or an interesting boutique.
posted by drdanger at 7:10 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by drdanger at 7:10 AM PST - 9 comments
Where in NYC should we go for Thanksgiving dim sum?
We would like to have dim sum for Thanksgiving dinner. There will be 4-8 of us. What are your favorite dim sum places in the city? Thank you! [more inside]
posted by dame at 7:08 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by dame at 7:08 AM PST - 6 comments
Book Recs for Teens Who Hate to Read and Have Emotional Disabilities
I got a lot of great ideas after this question about things to teach my high school English class, but I need more book recs.
MeFis are a literate bunch, but I have incredibly specific parameters from which I can work. [more inside]
posted by kinetic at 6:52 AM PST - 41 comments
posted by kinetic at 6:52 AM PST - 41 comments
Does this desktop fretboard mapping software exist?
I love Guitar Toolkit on my iPhone. Specifically, the scale and chord features. I want the same functionality on my desktop monitor so I can see more than 5 frets at a time. [more inside]
Cruise- and wind-friendly game suggestions needed
My partner and I are going on a 10-day cruise to the Caribbean with another couple, and we plan to spend a lot of time lounging outdoors on the pool deck playing board games. We're trying to find games without cards or crucial pieces that will blow away when the wind picks up. Want to know about our preferences? Read further! [more inside]
posted by Somnambulista at 6:09 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Somnambulista at 6:09 AM PST - 8 comments
How to help a friend who just started using meth
My friend showed up to my apartment around 2:30am this morning and admitted to my girlfriend and I that he started using meth for the first time on Thursday. I think he smoked at least two or three times between Thursday and coming to our place. He is now on our couch trying to sleep. We have no idea what to do. We are located in Portland, OR. [more inside]
What's eating my iPad storage?
My iPad insists that I'm using almost all of my available hard drive space. But I have no idea how, and the app-by-app breakdown purporting to show what's eating the storage doesn't add up to anything close to the 22+ GB it claims I'm using. Here's a screenshot. (Scrolling down shows only a couple more apps using very small amounts of storage.) What could be going on here? How can I figure out what's eating my hard drive space? I have no music or video on the device as far as I can tell.
posted by eugenen at 2:16 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by eugenen at 2:16 AM PST - 15 comments
November 14
Great industry but the people suck. Help?
I'm a university graduate with entirely separate vocational training in an industry that always interested me. I've since worked an entry-level position in said industry but I've discovered that the employers and employees alike are similar culturally in a way that I am not. If I were to draw a Venn diagram of my interests and theirs, it would look like this: O O.
I can't change everyone, so do I change myself or my job? [more inside]
posted by thethirdoption at 11:43 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by thethirdoption at 11:43 PM PST - 13 comments
Should I go to school to be a SysAdmin?
I can't find work in my field and am increasingly desperate. I need to find some kind of path to employment and have been looking at my options in my local community college. Can you all help me make sense of IT as a career option? [more inside]
Help me fix my negative feelings about sex
I feel strong negative feelings about my girlfriend's sexual past. These feelings are making me hate myself, and pull away emotionally from the relationship. More inside [more inside]
WWEMD? (What Would Errol Morris Do?)
Something that happened many years ago in my community is coming back to the fore in the form of multiple lawsuits. Many people were hurt and it turns out that a lot of people connected to my family were involved in one way or the other, on both sides: perpetrator and victim. There was a major cover-up operation back when it all went down and most of these people, perp and victim included, have moved on, in a way, from that time. I realize that I am uniquely suited to write this story , but I don't know how to go about getting people to talk to me, and talk to me on the record. [more inside]
Internships for the weary
I'll keep this one uber-short: I'm 25 years old, and 1.5 years out of college. I finished with a transcript and GPA not reflective of my abilities because I was, and still am, suffering from an anhedonic depression and what could possibly be a shade of BPD. I know I need structure and routine if I'm ever to get out of this rut. I've done a course in medical coding and found it wasn't for me. I want to go back and continue down the same path that lit a fire in my belly coming out of high school: obtaining a professional degree in either clinical psychology or neuroscience and making a concrete difference in people's lives. [more inside]
Saved a bad version of an OpenOffice/Word 97 file, can't undo it. Help?
I was working on a Word 97 doc in OpenOffice Writer, and apparently I somehow deleted a huge section and then clicked "save". As soon as I realized the mistake I started frantically clicking "undo," but apparently this mistake goes back farther than OO will let me undo. It seems like there must be some way to access my previous saved versions of this file, but I'm having zero luck. Can you really save a file wrong just ONCE and lose your work for good? [more inside]
Shoefilter: Pointy-toed low-heeled half-leopard half-black pumps
Today at work, I saw a girl with the cutest shoes. I am absolutely kicking myself for not asking her where she got them! Can you help me find them somewhere on the internet? [more inside]
posted by derogatorysphinx at 6:44 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by derogatorysphinx at 6:44 PM PST - 8 comments
Landlord question: "Service animals"...Could it be that we are exempt?
My husband owns one small rental house. He had a tenant for several years (who has recently moved). Now that we are screening for new tenants we realize that we must educate ourselves anew about laws pertaining to service animals. We are completely on board about doing things lawfully, but it hasn't been easy to determine what we can and can't do. There seem to be tons of gray areas. [more inside]
posted by naplesyellow at 6:30 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by naplesyellow at 6:30 PM PST - 22 comments
looking for low-power, low-light, long-life, warm-tone LED lamp or bulb.
I am looking for a reading lamp which closely imitates the light of a single candle. [more inside]
Special words to describe specific relationships?
English does not have words for certain kinds of specific relationships, but other languages do. I am interested in learning examples of some of these words. [more inside]
Working in Astoria on the weekend
Good places to work in Astoria/Long Island City for a few hours at a time on Sundays? [more inside]
Where to find a chain guard suitable for biking with a skirt?
I like to wear long skirts, and I like to ride my bike. Unfortunately, these two activities are appear to be incompatible -- is there a suitable chain guard I can install on my bike? [more inside]
Best pencil eraser?
Conan! What pencil eraser is best in life? [more inside]
Navigating chronic illness and work?
I have chronic, often severe stomach pain and related problems that have gotten worse over the past few years. I’m unsure how to navigate these issues at work as it seems the rules have changed or aren't really clear? [more inside]
Why isn't Mucosolvan (Ambroxol) sold in US pharmacies?
Ambroxol is an over-the-counter medicine used to thin mucus secretions, similar to the commonly sold guaifenesin. I've been able to buy it in Europe (usually under the brand name Mucosolvan) for a long time now. They even make a kids' formula! But why isn't it sold in the US? [more inside]
posted by JoeZydeco at 1:39 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by JoeZydeco at 1:39 PM PST - 8 comments
If You're Tired of Breakfast Tacos, You're Tired of Life.
I love breakfast tacos! I eat them a lot. If I eat the exact same combination of ingredients every time it gets boring; thankfully there are endless combinations. Help me think of every ingredient that would be tasty in a breakfast taco. [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana at 1:17 PM PST - 34 comments
posted by Juliet Banana at 1:17 PM PST - 34 comments
Help with bathroom fan that is driving me bonkers
The fan in one of our bathrooms has been working intermittently since I cleaned it (more inside)--most recently, it worked for a few weeks, but is having trouble again. It will start if I "jump start" it by starting it spinning, and then seems to run fine. Not sure what to do, but due to the fan's slightly odd size, I don't want to replace it (i.e., cut up my ceiling) if possible. [more inside]
Overpayment by employer - gross vs. net repayment
I just received an email from the company through whom I contract, claiming that they had paid me twice for a recent week. Obviously they now want that money back; however, they are asking for the full amount I was paid, NOT the amount I received after taxes. I am assuming I am on the hook for the whole [cursing] thing, but can someone tell me how this works? [more inside]
posted by DingoMutt at 1:09 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by DingoMutt at 1:09 PM PST - 13 comments
what style of furniture go with campaign burled wood dressers?
We just bought somevintage burled wood dressers, campaign style. Having trouble knowing what to buy for night stand for the same room.
We don't want matchy matchy 1960's revival room but something modern/contemporary. [more inside]
What are the different types of innovation?
What are the different types of innovation? [more inside]
Recommend some books! Not-for-me edition
What do horror, Louis Theroux "Weird Weekend", thrillers, the show catfish, and crime fiction have in common? That's right, stocking stuffers for Mr Moonlight. [more inside]
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 12:02 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 12:02 PM PST - 14 comments
How to keep Office 365 email logo image after multiple email replies?
Is there any way to ensure that the logo image in an email signature will remain visible even after several replies and forwards? [more inside]
Tips on planning the perfect disneyland trip on a budget
2 adults, 3 girl kids (2,4,6) want to venture to Disneyland for Christmas, because:
1. Frozen
2. No family nearby to spend the holidays with
3. One kid turns 6 on Christmas eve
4. Frozen
Please help me plan the perfect trip on a budget. [more inside]
posted by ramix at 11:47 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by ramix at 11:47 AM PST - 20 comments
How do I automate web form-entry tasks?
I have a pretty simple but repetitive task:
From a starting spreadsheet, I have to input information from each row into a web form. The web form generates .pdf files, which are downloaded and need to be renamed based on data from the spreadsheet.
What software can I use for a task like this? What approaches can I take for automating this and similar tasks in the future? [more inside]
posted by LSK at 11:44 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by LSK at 11:44 AM PST - 6 comments
Take me on a tour of words, to places you remember
Someone recently told me that Cormac McCarthy's All the Pretty Horses and Tony Hillerman's Navajo Tribal Police mystery novels evoked a significantly New Mexico/Southwestern feeling to the point that these books helped them stave off homesickness when they were living elsewhere. What other novels and authors capture and portray a sense of place that makes you feel like you're back in a place that you remember? I know some authors are known for writing about certain settings, but which works really capture the place as felt by someone who lives or lived there?
How did you stop typing two spaces after the end of a sentence?
Putting two spaces after a period/?! is out of favor now, and apparently has been for a while depending on who you ask. How did you break yourself of this habit? Even typing this I was thinking about it and still had to go back and correct each one! [more inside]
posted by SpookyFish at 11:27 AM PST - 45 comments
posted by SpookyFish at 11:27 AM PST - 45 comments
Looking for my next group of "Friends"
I recently binged season 5 of Go Girls, and it occurred to me that there's a lot of TV I'm missing out on, simply because many countries don't export their pop culture to the extent that the UK and and the US do. [more inside]
Explain VPN to me, and advise me of its worth and possible providers.
How does VPN work? How well does VPN protect me? Should I get a paid VPN account? If so, from what provider? [more inside]
If I like the Brothers Sinister series, what other books might I like?
Due to a desire to curb my spending, I've been reading a lot more public library e-books lately, and so have discovered that I actually enjoy (some) romance novels. I am way into Courtney Milan's Brothers Sinister series--what other books might I like? [more inside]
posted by leesh at 10:51 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by leesh at 10:51 AM PST - 9 comments
What pop music have I been missing?
My entire cosmology of music fell apart when I found out how much I love Taylor Swift. I grew up on cheesy 80's pop and still love it to this day. What music did I miss because I was haters gonna hating? Are there great songs by boy bands?
posted by advicepig at 10:13 AM PST - 33 comments
posted by advicepig at 10:13 AM PST - 33 comments
How can I stop making myself miserable wishing things were different
I spend soul shredding hours focused on things I lack, like good looks and social grace. I'm aware that my only real choice is to focus on the life I have and to live it with the traits I possess. I know that, but on some level I don't accept it. So how does one dispense with unnecessary suffering, accept what is, and carve out a decent life? I'm running out of time. Background below... [more inside]
Will this phone system do my laundry and shine my shoes at that price?
What and why is the difference between a $5000 PBX system for our office and one costing $1600?
We have been looking to replace our ancient PBX. We were quoted $5400 + $1700 in labor for a super slick fully featured system, The Univerge SV9100. This thing is cool and does everything. Office Depot however has this XBlue system at a significantly lower price, $1400. [more inside]
Online listings for academic education technology jobs in North America
A UK colleague, who has worked for about a decade at various management and director levels in the UK academic sector (Education technology projects and services) is starting to consider moving abroad, but continuing the same line of work. His contact network in the education/academic sector outside of the UK is weak, and he doesn't know where to start looking online for positions in USA or Canadian Universities, Colleges, and Education Technology services and businesses that serve academia. Which are the good websites, and online listings, for these kinds of positions?
How can I get in touch with the Kashkari campaign post-election?
My daughter won some scholarship money for a video she did for Neel Kashkari (California candidate for governor). She now needs to change the disbursement, but emails are going unanswered. Any ideas on how to get ahold of someone who can help? What happens after a failed campaign like this? Is there some sort of post-election team in place or does the entire organization just evaporate?
posted by doctord at 9:33 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by doctord at 9:33 AM PST - 4 comments
Need more songs like these:
Looking for more songs like these:
* Godsmack - I stand alone
* Drowning Pool - Bodies
* Rage Against the Machine - Bullets on Parade
* Powerman 5000 - When Worlds Collide
* 1000 Homo DJs - Supernaut
* Ministry - Stigmata
Trying to build a nice pregame gym mix and these songs get me going.
homemade gluten-free bread?
I'd like to make homemade gluten-free bread in a bread maker. In your experience, is this possible?Is the bread tasty? [more inside]
Upgrading my Radio Dramas
I've been writing and recording radio dramas with some friends for the past year and it's been a terrific amount of fun. But I want to take them to the next level and I'm not sure how. [more inside]
posted by Archibald Edmund Binns at 8:15 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Archibald Edmund Binns at 8:15 AM PST - 7 comments
Name this book, difficulty level: German translated into Russian.
For a coworker: I'm trying to track down a translated YA novel my co-worker remembered reading as a child in Russia. [more inside]
posted by 1f2frfbf at 8:06 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by 1f2frfbf at 8:06 AM PST - 7 comments
I want to quit my PhD but I am faced with an ethical dilemma.
I have just started the second year of my PhD in History (fully funded), and I want to quit because I don't enjoy it and it is making me miserable. However, my supervisor feels I am responsible for finishing the project, or at the very least I should stay for another year and publish two more articles. I don't think I have any legal obligations to stay / generate any more output, but do I have a moral obligation? [more inside]
How to start a conversation with a physicist
I have been invited to dinner at the home of Russian emigre's who are both physicists. I work administratively at a medical school. The context of the dinner is that the couple are clients of my partner, who is an artist. Other than Putin jokes, or asking them to explain string theory, does anybody have any suggestions for conversation starters that won't make me seem like I failed my "physics for poets" class in undergrad? [more inside]
posted by lolo341 at 7:27 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by lolo341 at 7:27 AM PST - 22 comments
Names for various 401(k) contributions ?
At my company, I have a Roth 401(k) (post-tax dollars). The plan also allows "after-tax" contributions as well. (ie beyond the 401(k) limits). What's the name for those after-tax contributions, or what are they classified as, especially when rolling over or taking disbursements ? [more inside]
You know Thai culture? Help me grok this skull sculpture.
In an Atlas Obscura article titled The Strange Specimens of a Mysterious Thai Apothecary (caution: weird dead things in jars) there's this one particular image of what appears to be a modified ram's skull. I want to know more about it. [more inside]
posted by komara at 7:26 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by komara at 7:26 AM PST - 2 comments
Bag!... Lady? : ISO Bombproof-But-Pretty Messenger Bag
I need a messenger bag that's, 1. Capable of withstanding a nuclear blast, aaaaand, 2. Somewhat feminine (in a "spunky pigtailed tomboy" way, not an "appletinis and selfies with the besties" way). Despite being REALLY GOOD at Googling, I can't find one. Rugged Cordura snowflakes within! [more inside]
posted by julthumbscrew at 6:32 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by julthumbscrew at 6:32 AM PST - 26 comments
Do compact washer and dryers work well?
I just moved into a small house and bought a frontloading washer and dryer. However when they came to install it, the appliances didn't fit. Now I am planning on buying a compact washer and dryer. However, in the past I have had problems with "mini" versions of appliances. Sometimes they are fine, but sometimes not only are they smaller, they also just simply work badly (don't clean, don't mix, don't heat etc. etc.)
Meralgia Paresthetica — Give me your experiences.
Earlier this year I was diagnosed with meralgia paresthetica in my left leg. I am currently having a flare-up. Please give me your experiences, tell me what causes your flare-ups, tell me what helps you. [more inside]
Early risers, how do you motivate yourselves to get up early?
Early risers, how do you make getting up early a regular habit? How do you overcome grogginess and laziness? How do you resist the temptation of sleeping late the night before? How do you prevent yourself from hitting the snooze button on your alarm clock?
I would ideally like to start my day at 5 am every morning.
But its hard!
I'd appreciate any suggestions and opinions.
Thanks!!
Names of characters that didn't exist, or were hidden in plain sight
I don't really know how to phrase the question, but I'm trying to remember or find examples of names of characters who were either complete fabrications or were presented under the guise of another identity all along (in fiction).
Also does this trope have a name? [more inside]
posted by man down under at 12:33 AM PST - 38 comments
posted by man down under at 12:33 AM PST - 38 comments
Finding someone with VERY limited information?
I'm looking for more information on someone I used to know and all I have to go on is their first name, the street they lived on when I knew them, an age range, and... that's about it. Oh and, this was 20+ years ago. Is this even possible? [more inside]
How do I overcome my cognitive biases to figure out what I'm good at?
The infrequently mentioned counterpoint to the Dunning-Kruger effect is that people who are better than average at something underestimate their skills. Self-evaluation is hard. I know that I personally have a hefty dose of impostor syndrome and distorted thinking to add to that cognitive bias, but how do I adjust for this? [more inside]
posted by cortisol at 12:02 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by cortisol at 12:02 AM PST - 7 comments
November 13
Scenes where people are having a hard time to have a conversation
I'm looking for movies scenes where protagonists don't understand each other, because of a lot of ambient noise or because the protagonists have to speak very low
…people saying "what?", shouting, making weird faces, having a conversation based on a misunderstanding, etc.
I'm looking for examples that happen face to face but also by telephone.
Thank you in advance!
Resources for Husbands of Rape Survivors
My wife was raped (drugged by a "friend", she doesn't remember the event). I need some help finding (online, books, etc) resources for comfort and perspective for myself. [more inside]
switching to a PC laptop and have no idea what any of the specs mean
I'm buying a new Windows laptop computer after years of using a Mac desktop and enough has changed that I have no idea what to look for these days. I'd really like to run Dragon Age Inquisition on it (here's the specs for that) and I'd really like to buy it from someone reliable. [more inside]
Phablet / Smartphone help, Holiday 2014 edition
I am contemplating replacing my flip-phone with a phablet, or even a 10-inch tablet. Fashion dorkiness aside, is this a viable phone for me? [more inside]
Looking for a nice pair of women's oxfords and/or brogues.
Help me find a pair of women's brogues or oxfords in a size 11. [more inside]
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 7:39 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 7:39 PM PST - 15 comments
I don't know what I'm doing wrong
So I think I'm going about my business normally, trying to do the best I can...then I find out I am offending people or pissing people off and I just don't get it, it is like I said one thing and they heard a totally different thing with hidden meaning that I didn't intend at all. I am starting to find this pretty distressing and I am second guessing myself all the time. Other people must go through this too and if you have...maybe you can help me? [more inside]
Laptop hard drive broke. How do I fix it?
My laptop hard drive broke. I have an idea of how to fix/replace it and recover the data but want to know if my plan makes sense. [more inside]
posted by pravit at 7:21 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by pravit at 7:21 PM PST - 12 comments
"Sorry, sir, it's hospital policy."
You know how on every single television show ever when someone is in the hospital, the nurse says they have to be wheeled out in a wheelchair upon discharge, even when they are perfectly capable of walking, because it's "hospital policy"? Is this a true thing that hospitals do? [more inside]
How does a car use gas going up and down hills???
I think about this at least once a week as I drive myself to work. On my way in, I go up a hill and on my way home, I go down it. Am I using the same amount of gas as I would if my commute were flat both ways? [more inside]
posted by eggs at 6:52 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by eggs at 6:52 PM PST - 12 comments
What is the Food Justice Movement? How do I get involved?
I've seen the Food Justice Movement referred to a lot but I don't have a clear idea of what it means. I'm also wondering what opportunities are out there. [more inside]
Can I drink it: Prohibition edition
I've been helping my mom and grandmother clean out my late great-aunt's apartment. She was a hoarder. One of the things I found today was a small bottle of Prohibition-era whiskey. [more inside]
posted by nonasuch at 6:51 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by nonasuch at 6:51 PM PST - 21 comments
The quest of finding an apartment in Minneapolis
Does anyone have tips on finding apartments beyond Padmapper? When is a good time to actually look/sign leases for apartments for next August? Apartments seem to go extremely fast here and I'm afraid I'm missing out on something by not signing a lease right now. Also, are there any neighborhoods you would recommend for a graduate student at the U? [more inside]
House Help - unique situation, trying to keep pipes from freezing
Going internet on this one, need house help:
Problem, cold temps coming, exposed pipes with water in 'em, want to avoid freezing/cracking. [more inside]
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 6:46 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 6:46 PM PST - 9 comments
Fix my morning
When I turn my coffeemaker on, it acts like it's in the final stage of brewing (the loud gurgly part when all the steam comes out) the entire time. It results in painfully slow coffee brewing. Also, the end result is much less volumetrically than it should be -- I'll put 12 cups of water into the carafe, and get maybe 8 cups of coffee. What gives? [more inside]
What's the best tech solution for me?
I'm in the market to buy some tech that allows me to tweet and do other stuff at cafes and such, but what would be the best fit for me? [more inside]
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 5:51 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 5:51 PM PST - 4 comments
Best SSRI for hot flashes with fewest side effects?
Paroxetine has recently been FDA-approved for the treatment of hot flashes, but other SSRIs have been used for this purpose for years now. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 4:50 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by DMelanogaster at 4:50 PM PST - 1 comment
Do contemporary companies use microtargeting to subliminally advertise?
Hello.
I'm having problems at the moment with feeling like I'm being microtargetted. After reading the November issue of Wired, it seems data brokers know everything about everybody. [more inside]
What is a good piece of desktop software for annotating voice memos?
iTunes and iOS are fine for occasional use, but what is a good tool for organizing extracting and useful information; e.g. manual transcription, annotation, and tagging? [more inside]
posted by Verg at 3:31 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Verg at 3:31 PM PST - 5 comments
I swore I'd never do a name that _____ question. Name this blog anyway.
I'm thinking of doing a blog of recipes found in very old public domain cookbooks. I will likely register a domain name. Can you help me come up with a good domain name/blog name? [more inside]
Should I avoid supporting my aging father?
My father is aging, with heart problems and developing dementia. I am generally a conscientious person, but I'm staring down the necessity of supporting him like the barrel of a gun. Special snowflake details inside. [more inside]
Does "You Must Bring Valentines For The Whole Class" apply at age 30?
In the past year I've become very close with two people in my book club, let's call them A and B; the other two, C and D, are great, but have not shown capacity or interest in keeping in touch between monthly meetings. It's nearing Christmastime and I want to make gifts for A and B to express my affection and gratitude for their friendship. BUT I'm worried about it coming up later ("Oh, those ___ are so cute!" "Thanks, anonymous gave them to me!") and it resulting in hurt feelings. [more inside]
Amazing Christmas present ideas for the best 12yo Nephew in the world.
My nephew has had a shitty shitty year and I want to spoil him rotten for Christmas. I want to get him the awesomest of awesome presents. The sort of present that will use often & he can show off to all his friends and have them be jealous.
Bonus points if that present is something he can't get in Australia but I can in the US. [more inside]
posted by wwax at 2:21 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by wwax at 2:21 PM PST - 17 comments
Who's the New Illuminati?
The Bavarian lodges. The Rothschilds. The Trilateral Commission. It's all so dated. Who are the new people behind the curtain running things? The gay mafia? Google? Some shadowy NSA subgroup? I'm trying to make a list.
Why are Table Legs?
At restaurants, tables often pedestal or trestle legs. At home, most dining tables have "stick legs" at the corners. Why? [more inside]
posted by gregglind at 2:14 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by gregglind at 2:14 PM PST - 15 comments
Squeezing in some good stuff between New Orleans and New York City
Please critique our itinerary, with special reference to public transport, music and baseball around Georgia and the Carolinas. [more inside]
Converting from atheism to religion
I've been basically a lifelong atheist, but a small part of me is extremely tempted by some of the more comforting aspects of various religions (such as the idea of an afterlife). But the logical part of me just can't bring myself to seriously believe in things for which there is no evidence. I am interested in hearing stories of people who have gone from being firmly atheist to accepting religion later in life, and how they were able to do so without cognitive dissonance. [more inside]
Is it possible to search for podcast episodes by topic?
One would think this exists somewhere, so maybe I just didn't do enough googling, but is there a way to search for podcasts or radio segments by topic? Say I want to find a podcast, talk radio segment or recorded lecture tagged with "Philae landing"...how would I go about doing that without googling a specific show like "Science Friday Philae landing"?
Sick of my hair being a mess
My hair is always a mess lately and I'm sick of it. I'm going to go to the salon soon but I'm running out of ideas for what to tell them to do with it so I thought maybe you might have some. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 1:38 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by bleep at 1:38 PM PST - 23 comments
Ouch! What is this skin irritation?
My poor mom has always had sensitive skin but it has gotten exponentially worse - please help? We know YANHD [more inside]
What are some exercises/games/etc that can help with brain trauma?
About a year ago, my father was in an accident and suffered significant brain trauma. Since then, he has made great physical progress, but his mental progress seems stagnant. His memories are intact, thank god, but what he has trouble with is focusing/concentrating on things. I’m looking for suggestions on exercises he can do on a computer/iPad or in his regular life that can help with his healing and growth. I would also love to hear anecdotes from people who themselves have suffered significant brain trauma and what they have done to help themselves heal. [more inside]
One night stand confusion
Does this have potential to turn into a relationship? [more inside]
I'm ready to move abroad. But how does one do that exactly?
I’m ready to make the jump. If you have looked through my past posts, you can see that I have been throwing around the idea of moving for a long time. How does one go about doing that? [more inside]
"It's a mystery wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma!"
I've realized I have a weakness for movies with "one man/woman (or at the most, a very small group) struggling against a Conspiracy That Goes All The Way To The Top" plots. From classics like The Parallax View to dreck like Extreme Measures, I'm a sucker for almost all of them. So what are your favourites in that genre that I might have missed?
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:24 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:24 PM PST - 33 comments
Godfather Metal Song
There's a beautiful (late 90s, early 00s) metal song based around the Godfather theme. There are now hundreds on youtube. Can anyone help me find the one I'm looking for? [more inside]
posted by es_de_bah at 12:22 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by es_de_bah at 12:22 PM PST - 3 comments
What are good sources for an overview of early Christianity/Gnosticism?
Help me out, Hivemind. I'm looking for respectable, scholarly books, friendly to the layman, on the early beginnings of Christianity. More specifically, I'm interested in its first few centuries. I'm also hoping to attain a better understanding of Gnosticism and its place in Christianity's history. I am NOT looking for New Age-y neognostic inculcations.
I can't drink you under the table. The table's already floating away...
I'm a super lightweight (even if I've eaten) who sometimes goes out drinking with new colleagues, in small groups, often as the only female in the group. I'm a happy melty drunk who gets dreamy and quiet rather than more social -- not the worst of all possibilities, but clearly not right for these important professional contexts. Any strategies for always being the non-drinker or less-than-one-drink-er in occasionally competitive and/or macho drinking cultures?
Recommend your favorite garlic recipes
I'm looking for a really great garlic recipe to make for the next food day at work. [more inside]
eBay seller wants me to solve a shipping problem. What do I do?
I ordered a thing off of eBay, and there is a shipping problem. The seller wants me to solve the problem. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by circular at 11:35 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by circular at 11:35 AM PST - 16 comments
How to write olde English without being annoying
In a Swords and Sorcery middle grade children's book set in the medieval times I want to give a feeling of old English without the dense cryptic reality of old English. What makes for a good balance of thee and thous, doth and dosts? [more inside]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 11:34 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 11:34 AM PST - 18 comments
Is a MPA right for me?
I am considering applying to an evening/weekend Masters in Public Administration program, but I’m not entirely sure if it’s going to help me. [more inside]
Planning day-after-wedding activities near Burlington, Vermont
First, I am looking for suggestions of daytime activities on a Sunday afternoon (of a long weekend) in or near Burlington, Vermont. Second, I am looking for those activities to be friendly for an assorted cast of family and friends to do the day after a wedding. Both Vermont-specific and general-wedding-planning answers are welcome! [more inside]
posted by likeatoaster at 10:38 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by likeatoaster at 10:38 AM PST - 13 comments
Repackaging Playmobil Advent Calendar bits
Help me source specific packaging materials so I can reuse our Playmobil Advent Calendar. Bonus points if it's attractive and looks something like an Advent Calendar when all is said and done. [more inside]
Whose life would you like to make easier?
A friend and I have been discussing creating a site wherein we interview people from various professions about how customers/clients can make their job easier, make their day a bit better, et cetera. We're in the process of seeking out folks with various jobs and we could use some advice about what kind of people we ought to seek out. [more inside]
The Anti-Paranoid Protagonist vs. the Accumulating Coincidences?
There's a particular device or pattern or plot-type that I *think* might be an actual thing, but I'm not sure. It involves a character who *ends up* entangled in Deep Weirdness of some sort, after experiencing a series of seemingly mundane coincidences, but who never really becomes paranoid about the coincidences and only starts to believe Something Is Up when things get *really* weird. I'd love to read more stories about characters like this. [more inside]
posted by aecorwin at 10:08 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by aecorwin at 10:08 AM PST - 18 comments
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) 2+, fellow sufferers hope me?
It's ruining my social life, my self image, my body, my psyche, my job. [more inside]
Looking for media with a similar vibe
What other media falls along the same lines as Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Taylor Swift's Blank Space? (more details with spoilers inside) [more inside]
Good "DIY" projects for 11-year old
This year for Christmas, my daughter has decided everyone has to do a "DIY" gift for everyone else. So I'm looking for input on some good ideas for my 11-year old son. [more inside]
Illiteracy in fantasy fiction/games?
Are there any medieval fantasy games or fiction where the illiteracy of the characters are a major plot point, or at least discussed in depth? Since most people couldn't read or do any sort of advanced math before the modern era, you would think it would come up more often, but it seems like it's barely mentioned or considered in most stories that I can recall.
Car Insurance When Leaving the Country
My wife and I are moving to another country for 9 months. We're planning on selling both of our cars. As far as insurance goes, if we cancel it when we sell the cars, will there be some kind of penalty when we come back? If so, is there some way to suspend it for nine months? We're planning on buying cars when we get back.
posted by a2a87 at 8:51 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by a2a87 at 8:51 AM PST - 14 comments
Looking for Beach Plum Jam + Delicious Shortbread on Long Island/NYC
Back in the early 2000's, I went to a bakery on Martha's Vineyard and purchased a jar of Beach Plum jam and a tin of homemade shortbread. Fell in love with the combination. Is it possible to buy Beach Plum Jam on Long Island or in Manhattan? Also, where can find delicious shortbread? [more inside]
Add a new Bamboo pen to Splash Wacom Tablet
I have a Bamboo Splash Wacom Tablet CTL571 running on Mac OS 10.6.8. I lost my pen and bought another pen, the Bamboo LP170ES which supposedly works with Splash. I reinstalled everything but the pen does not work. Is this a simple case that I got an incompatible pen? I know it is not the one that originally came with the Splash but the research I did do said it was compatible. I evend downloaded the legacy driver from Wacom for Splash to be safe, though I installed everything first (including ArtRage and Sketchbook Pro). I am off to work now but will monitor any wise input and take a crack at this later.
Any thoughts appreciated.
posted by chicaboom at 8:23 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by chicaboom at 8:23 AM PST - 4 comments
Christmas presents for those learning Spansh
My dear husband is learning Spanish via Duolingo. I'd like to get him some Christmas presents that allow him to practice and maintain these skills. What might that be? No real price point.
Everyday it's a-gettin' closer...
There's a short list of tasks that I need to do every single day, and some that I only need to do on weekdays, or only on Tuesdays, etc. How do I manage this given some constraints? [more inside]
posted by telegraph at 8:17 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by telegraph at 8:17 AM PST - 6 comments
I am about to be disowned.
Have you ever dropped a bomb on your life? Been disowned by your parents? Shunned by your extended family and community? Please tell me about it. [more inside]
Best ways to search for grants/funding for school enrichment programs?
I'm on a committee at my kid's elementary school and have been asked to start working on a spreadsheet of all possible funding opportunities that we could pursue for enrichment projects. What's my best strategy for searching for projects? [more inside]
posted by gaspode at 7:56 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by gaspode at 7:56 AM PST - 5 comments
Dinner in Lima -- Difficulty: Sunday Night
My wife and I will be in Lima in a couple of weeks for just a day, and we are trying to find somewhere for dinner on a Sunday night. We're not opposed to street food and the like, but we'd like to do something more upscale if that's an option. Any suggestions?
posted by craven_morhead at 7:49 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by craven_morhead at 7:49 AM PST - 7 comments
Which UK broadband dongle is compatible with Yosemite?
I need to buy a Pay As You Go (no contract) dongle for broadband (4G would be great but 3G is acceptable) in the UK. It seemed like Vodaphone had the best options and prices, but their forums are saying that they don't work with Macs running Yosemite. Any experience or recommendations, on both devices and networks, would be helpful. Thanks in advance!
posted by cushie at 7:22 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by cushie at 7:22 AM PST - 2 comments
Help me help my partner in grad school
My partner is struggling as a new post-grad student. I don't know how best to help them. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by mymbleth at 7:06 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by mymbleth at 7:06 AM PST - 10 comments
Where the sun don't shine.
What are some cities that are more likely than not to have weather? [more inside]
posted by zinon at 6:58 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by zinon at 6:58 AM PST - 32 comments
Advice for trainee teachers
I've been training as a teacher for the last two months and it occurred to me that there might be an Ask a Manager type resource for teachers, particularly related to issues that arise in the classroom. Some caveats: [more inside]
posted by Laura_J at 6:58 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Laura_J at 6:58 AM PST - 3 comments
Back to math school
What advice do you have for helping me go back to school in a few years? [more inside]
Yet Another Pants Me Question
As a business casual "uniform" for cooler weather I want to wear turtlenecks with slim pants. But I am not sure what kind of pants I want. Can you help me? Requirements within: [more inside]
The absolute best pizza (and poutine) in Quebec City
My husband and I will be staying in Quebec City for one evening/night in two weeks and we want to have awesome pizza delivered to our hotel room that night. I'm a non-carb eater (hurray keto!) but I have long planned to have that night be a super special carby treat night. This is my chance to get in the most delicious carbs evah. Help me make my carb binge as awesome and worth it as possible!! [more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 4:45 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 4:45 AM PST - 4 comments
ER Visit bill received 11 months later for deceased mother-in-law
Last year on 12/11/13 we had to take my mother-in-law to the closest ER which happened to be a hospital that had just opened under new company/management (had been closed for almost a year until new company took over). I provided her Medicare Part A and B card and her AARP Medicare Supplement Card at the time we took her in. The intake person made copies of both cards and said nothing about the insurance coverage what so ever. [more inside]
posted by just asking at 3:58 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by just asking at 3:58 AM PST - 16 comments
Tool for visualizing network activity over time
I'm looking for a tool to visualize activity in a network (e.g. people sending emails to each other or planes moving between airports). [more inside]
Yosemite + 2013 laptop = incredibly slow performance.
Since upgrading to Yosemite, my laptop has been behaving very... poorly. Is there some way to speed it up, should I wait for some update to it, or should I try return to Mavericks? [more inside]
posted by vernondalhart at 2:48 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by vernondalhart at 2:48 AM PST - 27 comments
November 12
Super comfortable work shoes
I just bought these Ellen Tracy wedges at Marshalls. I wore them at a conference and they are the most comfortable shoes ever! [more inside]
posted by amapolaroja at 10:15 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by amapolaroja at 10:15 PM PST - 5 comments
How do I let go?
I'm having problems letting go of control and being authentically "me" in my relationship. [more inside]
How to Aldi
Looking for an alternative to Walmart for groceries, I've discovered Aldi.
l [more inside]
How to build a certain kind of blog
I want to create a blog for my students to explore math content. [more inside]
Help me pick a cool new mailbox!
I live in a city rowhouse, and was just congratulating myself on my purchase on a new front door when I realized, d'oh! My new door doesn't have a mail slot like my old door did! [more inside]
posted by kinsey at 5:01 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by kinsey at 5:01 PM PST - 5 comments
What is the kind of armhole in a dress?
What is the kind of armhole in this dress? Does it look good on ordinary people? How do I find similar armholes on dresses/blouses?
Mr. Hammond, I should have listened.
I want to calculate a sequence. It's built on some kind of exponential magic. That is as much as I know. Please hope me. [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 3:17 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by popcassady at 3:17 PM PST - 6 comments
A Gerbil Insane
My friend is coveting this David Bowie Gerbil mug from Takkoda! I can only find that used one on Ebay, and it's no longer available from the official Pets Rock store. Can anyone point me to where I might be able to find a new one online for her? Do you know of any brick-and-mortar stores in Toronto, Canada that might carry that line of products? Or failing that, if there are any specimen left in brick-and-mortar stores in the UK, would someone be willing to pick one up and mail it to me?
posted by Phire at 3:15 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Phire at 3:15 PM PST - 4 comments
Pristiq: side effects, and staying sane whilst getting off it.
Does anyone else have experience with Pristiq, night sweats, and successfully weaning themselves off the drug? [more inside]
Safe Travel Practices - Digital Edition
I'm taking my laptop on vacation, for the first time. What do I need to do to be sure my info stays safe? [more inside]
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 12:45 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 12:45 PM PST - 10 comments
Should I take hormonal birth control if I am anxiety prone?
Help me sort out my options. [more inside]
Company not coming through on promised raise
Eight weeks ago, I was promised a substantial raise by my boss. After a couple weeks, he let me know that it wouldn't be as much as he suggested at first, but that I would still get a raise. Two times, I was promised that the raise would be on my next paycheck, but I still haven't gotten it. I've asked my boss what's up, and he's told me that it's being held up in HR, though I haven't been told why. I've asked HR for a meeting about it, but the person there just ignored my request. I'm very worried that I'm going to get screwed out of the raise because I've heard a lot of stories about this company acting less than honestly with regard to their financial promises. [more inside]
Wi-fi connection drop on iPad 3 running iOS 8.1
My iPad 3 (the first retina) running iOS 8.1 will drop the wi-fi connection fairly regularly. This often happens when streaming video via BBC iPlayer or YouTube apps. Any suggestions on how to fix it? [more inside]
posted by Stark at 12:13 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Stark at 12:13 PM PST - 2 comments
In the market for a Warm Robe. Which material is best?
Last couple of years I had a down Robe that I practically lived in. I lost it and now I have the flu. I think I'm sick partly because I was too cold some night not having a trusty robe on hand. [more inside]
Wouf wouf.
Inspired by this post on the blue, I was wondering if MeFites who have gotten their beloved French bulldogs from good breeders would care to share some info. [more inside]
See a doctor? Or overreacting?
Long shot, but can you help me find this story from a few years ago?
I think this is from a podcast, but it's possible I read it somewhere. A woman relates a story about traveling abroad with her friends. They were guided to a local bath house and had to confront the foreign norms and customs. [more inside]
posted by itesser at 11:59 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by itesser at 11:59 AM PST - 3 comments
Watching the Russians?
What's the Russian equivalent of Watching the English? What about for other nationalities too?
Collecting Unpaid Freelancer Wages in Wisconsin
I completed freelance work for a company that I used to work for. It's been three months and I haven't been paid the roughly $900 that I'm owed. I have a signed contract and the deliverable has been received and acknowledged. What can I do to get paid? [more inside]
posted by HonorShadow at 11:22 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by HonorShadow at 11:22 AM PST - 15 comments
I have money burning a hole in my pocket, help me spend it.
I want suggestions for something to buy with £30 as a treat for myself. [more inside]
posted by Ranting Prophet of DOOM! at 11:19 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Ranting Prophet of DOOM! at 11:19 AM PST - 7 comments
Can I upgrade the hard drive in my home server?
Will my older hardware accommodate a 4TB (or larger) Hard drive? [more inside]
Co-workers work through their lunch break
How can I not appear lazy to co-workers for not working during break? [more inside]
Open database of cosmetic ingredients?
Is anyone aware of a searchable open database of cosmetic products and their ingredients?
Ideally with API, though I'll accept anything at this point.
For example: say I searched on exact product name "Dr Snakeoil's Amazing Anti-Ageing Potion" to get back a list "aqua, ceateryl alcohol, unobtainium, radium, phlebotinum".
Anyone found anything like this yet?
Pantsed!
The comments in this thread have inspired me to go ahead and ask: where can I find jeans that fit and don't stretch out?
Hit me with your best pants. [more inside]
I need a quality winter boot like this one.
I spent $60 on a pair of these Bare Traps boots, which I loved for exactly five days until the heel completely fell off of the shoe. I am off to get my money back as we speak. What retailer makes boots like these that won't fall apart this winter? [more inside]
posted by theraflu at 10:15 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by theraflu at 10:15 AM PST - 8 comments
ISO: the portable Die Antwoord
My extremely recent and woefully belated introduction to Die Antwoord has been accompanied by a need to be viscerally and directly reminded of them at all times. Normally this would be a job for a record played on repeat or a poster or something, but everything about DA -- music, art, videos, their corporeal selves -- is NSFW, and I'm cubicle-bound ~50 hours/week. Can you help me find a talisman to represent these guys that's either completely SFW or small enough to be easily concealed/carried on my person? [more inside]
How do I explain sample size in layman's terms?
How do I explain the principles of minimum detectable effect, statistical power, and statistical significance to a client? [more inside]
What is the probable timeline for same-sex marriage in Georgia?
I want to be legally married to my partner in our home state. I can't figure out when that will probably be possible. [more inside]
What did I just witness in Ghent?
I'm visiting Ghent and a small, ragtag parade just went under my window. What gives? [more inside]
posted by Saminal at 8:14 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Saminal at 8:14 AM PST - 10 comments
Is this quilt crazy?
I would like to make a person a quilt for Christmas. I have basic sewing knowledge but I have not done any quilting beyond sewing squares together to make pillows. Is this a feasible project, and where do I start? [more inside]
posted by chaiminda at 8:10 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by chaiminda at 8:10 AM PST - 21 comments
A Gift for an Art Lover
I want to get my Glaswegian girlfriend a Charles Rennie Mackintosh print for Christmas. Extensive Googling keeps bringing up the same type of result: massive print-houses like AllPosters. Maybe this is the best route? I don't know, but they all seem very cheap and what I want is something well produced and worth framing. What advice can the HiveMind offer? [more inside]
posted by Evstar at 7:34 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Evstar at 7:34 AM PST - 6 comments
It's a thousand pages, give or take a few
TechWritingFilter: As a lone writer, what tools should I use to create amazing user- and developer-facing documentation? [more inside]
Can someone help me find a particular common laugh track sound effect?
I really want to find, be it on a soundboard, a youtube clip, or anywhere else online, a clip of when a studio audience would react with a collective happy-shocked "Ooooh!/Wooo!" when, for example, a couple unexpectedly kiss. My google- and youtube-fu are failing me. Help?
posted by mreleganza at 7:30 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by mreleganza at 7:30 AM PST - 7 comments
Feeding a sick elderly dog
What to do for an elderly, sick, underweight dog who won't eat his prescription food? [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 7:26 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by quiet coyote at 7:26 AM PST - 15 comments
Nutcrackers, Polichinelles, and posters
My stepdaughter is dancing The Nutcracker for the sixth or seventh time this year. She is the first Polichinelle to come out from under Mother Ginger's skirt. Post-dance every year she has a small party and receives a gift related to the ballet. [more inside]
Trying to find post about how being a rock musician is not so great
This is stuck in my head. A few years ago I read something online, the gist of which was sort of following someone who starts a band, and how their life start off seeming a lot cooler than their friends who choose more traditional lives/careers, but over time, their friends lives start to look better, and the musician's life, a bit less cool. [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 7:05 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by ManInSuit at 7:05 AM PST - 7 comments
Software tools for qualitative data organization
I'm about to start a qualitative research project that will require organizing a number of ideas from different sources. During my Ph.D. I used a variation on the index card method, but I'm curious what the state of the art is for software tools. [more inside]
Should I stay or should I go?
I've been teaching English in Korea for 2 years now, I don't know where to go from here and I'm looking for some input from people who are not my family or friends. I'm a law grad who now only has 2 years of ESL teaching to my name and I'm really unsure about where I should go from here. [more inside]
Help me find this blog entry(?) by a regretful, semitalented cartoonist.
Many years ago, I read a blog entry or the like by a person who followed his dream to be a cartoonist, despite not being very talented, and regretted his decision. Help me find it! [more inside]
Shortcuts to Dendrology?
I'm looking for shortcuts, mnemonics, hacks or cheats to become an expert at identifying trees. What helped you?
Despite having a passion for the woods, owning several great books on tree identification and even carrying an ID chart, the business of saying "Ah! An elm! Hey! A lime!" or indeed "No. 1: The Larch. The Larch" still eludes me. Please note - I'm in the UK.
posted by tzb at 5:00 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by tzb at 5:00 AM PST - 9 comments
Where can I find a good list of "feeling" adjectives?
In other words, I'm looking for a list of adjectives that could complete the sentence "I am feeling __." This is actually a fairly extensive group of adjectives, and I'm wondering whether this type of adjective is identified formally as a certain type of adjective (which would make it easier to find the set) or whether anyone has assembled such a list.
Travel advice for Raleigh please!
Work travel is picking up for me again and my next destination is Raleigh, but I'll be in Winston-Salem one afternoon as well. Help me find food please! [more inside]
posted by bile and syntax at 2:05 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by bile and syntax at 2:05 AM PST - 17 comments
November 11
Recommend some good wedding heels?
AskMetafilter has some shoe experts. I'd love your help finding comfortable, stylish heels to wear for my wedding and wedding reception. Hit me with your best bridal shoe suggestions! The wedding is a bit rustic and vintage, so if you can think of heels that are a bit different but might work for a formal ceremony, I'd love to hear! [more inside]
Home car salvage: "Totalled" old car, liability only insurance.
I was in an accident in a common mid-90s sports car. Summary: Body work, broken front axle. Because of the age and damage, the insurance will likely declare the car "totaled". My insurance will likely have to pay for repairs to the other car involved. I have liability only insurance, so they're not going to pay me anything regardless. No one was injured. Does my insurance need to care about my car, if it is liability only insurance, besides assessing for "fault"? One of my family members would like to repair the car. Assuming (he has done this kind of thing before, parts are plentiful, and time is not an issue) that he can make it safely drivable again, what do I need to do to make it legally drivable again? Is there anything I can do now to make it easier to get the car on the road in the future? I'm in northern Virginia.
Staring at the fridge shouldn't be my hobby...
I am lonely and busy-but-not-busy-enough such that basically, food has become a hobby of mine. This is bad because it makes me have semi-disordered eating habits. I need to keep myself busy enough or modify my behavior somehow so that I don't have all this extra energy to spend on thinking about food. [more inside]
What's this style of guitar playing?
What style of guitar playing would you call this? [more inside]
posted by pilibeen at 10:44 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by pilibeen at 10:44 PM PST - 19 comments
Simple songs from Angola
Can you help me find melody and text to music that would be well known in Angola? [more inside]
Tracking down a sci fi author
Awhile ago, I read about a science fiction author on Wikipedia. The series was not concluded when the author's notebook fell into a body of water. When he fished it out and saw that his notes for the stories and how they all interlinked had been obliterated, he lost the will to continue on with his stories as he didn't have the patience to try to reconstruct the contents of his notebook. Please help me ID this author as I intended to track his works down, but never got around to it. [more inside]
posted by Fukiyama at 9:08 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Fukiyama at 9:08 PM PST - 3 comments
possible kitten ringworm
I adopted a 10 week old kitten from the aspca on 10/31. He went for a booster shot today and the vet said he might have a touch of ringworm. One of his toes lost a little fur. It has been that way for two days and he was acting normally and I knew he was going to the vet so I let it go. The vet gave me a sulphur-y bath thing and clipped some of his fur to test. They explained to put the collar on him so he can't lick the solution but didn't say to do anything else. Is the bath all I need to do? [more inside]
posted by the twistinside at 9:06 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by the twistinside at 9:06 PM PST - 8 comments
How to help a conflict-avoidant, quiet, uncommunicative student
What can a teacher do to help a conflict-avoidant, quiet, uncommunicative student be successful? [more inside]
How do I weather?
I live in the Seattle area this year after spending pretty much my entire life in southern California. It's been proper chilly for the first time this week and I think I'm already feeling a bit out of my depth. Give me your Pacific Northwest winter protips! [more inside]
Have you ever "broken up" with a friend?
There's a guy I've been friends with - very close friends at one point - for over 20 years. I won't get into the details, but I've decided that because of his shoddy behavior towards myself and others I no longer want him in my life. How should I proceed? [more inside]
Getting over irrational jealousy/inferiority complex of other lady
My excellent partner was once in love for years with a lovely lady and dear friend of his who is gorgeous, elegant, accomplished, well known and admired in her line of work. It's in the past but it bothers me. This is my issue alone. Help me get past my feelings. [more inside]
Looking for age-appropriate old radio scripts
I'm looking for old radio show scripts that my students (fifth grade) can use to make CDs to be donated to our local veterans home and senior centers. See specific requirements below... [more inside]
Dog boots snow
I'm looking for dog boot recommendations.
We use mushers paw wax, but we run in the snow/ice in Minnesota. I'd like some boots
as back on I bought a of Good2go Extreme weather boots. After one 2 mile run the fabric is cracking and they stay on most of the time but not as well as hoped.
Shes a red heeler mix if that helps at all.
any recommendations for dogs+running+snow are much appreciated.
EPIC Recording Device
I'd love to find a recording device that can fit within my pocket and record words said quietly ten feet away. I am a normal/small size woman with smallish pockets. But it's WINTER! Coat pockets are large, but are padded and seem to muffle the recordings I take on my phone QUITE A BIT. Needed for non-creepy, extra moral applications only, I assure you. Triple bonus points for amazon links.
Help Me Write Well-formed URL Links on My Mac
I use basic HTML for blog posts, and I don't have a purpose-built client for my blogs. My fingers need macros to keep my code from tangling. My Applescript knowledge is zero. The search terms I'm trying are too ubiquitous. I'm hoping you can tell me how to automate well formed HTML links, in the general form of
<a href="http://ask.metafilter.com">a place with all the answers and amusing prose as well, which sometimes has quite wordy sentences which would show in this title.</a> [more inside]
posted by Jesse the K at 5:46 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Jesse the K at 5:46 PM PST - 7 comments
Are staffing agencies worth it?
I've never dealt with a staffing/temp agency before and it seems like I've mostly read negative things about them. However, I'm wondering if they'd be a good service to use while I look for a job in my "real" field. [more inside]
Where's good for "The Last Supper" analog, NYC-edition, $75/person?
My friend wants to have a meal for around fifteen people in NYC, in a setting that will feel similar to the da Vinci painting, "The Last Supper". Extra points for being in a back room. Extra, extra points for a feeling of opulence or fake opulence. Price point up to $75 per person. Any ideas on places that would fit the bill?
how to tell my new deaf cat to please not lick off my face?
I adopted 3 cats from the local shelter on Saturday. One of them is deaf, and I'm realizing that I don't really know how to express disapproval for things like determinedly trying to lick my face off.
Details (and pictures) under the cut. [more inside]
Want to find a chess club for my kids in millbrae CA
I want to join a chess club or start a chess club for children (beginning level) in the millbrae, San Bruno area of California. I appreciate any related information. Thanks
Best flour tortilla for burrito-rolling in NYC
Specifically, I'm looking for brand names of a great tasting flour tortilla that will go into making awesome burritos. [more inside]
posted by tealeaf522 at 2:52 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by tealeaf522 at 2:52 PM PST - 19 comments
How to cope physically and psychologically with a silverfish infestation
I have a severe insect phobia, and now the task of eradicating a silverfish infestation in my apartment is causing this phobia to take over my life. How can I regain a feeling of safety about sleeping in my own bed at night when I am now facing a seemingly endless stream of silverfish entering my room each day? Many more details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by datarose at 2:15 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by datarose at 2:15 PM PST - 19 comments
it's like a bookclub, but everyone has a hard time finishing sentences
My friends and I have found that we really like getting high and talking about books we've read recently, and we've decided to make it a Thing. We're having trouble finding more books to read. [more inside]
posted by you could feel the sky at 1:49 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by you could feel the sky at 1:49 PM PST - 27 comments
Local dealer owes us $20,000 but just closed this morning. What to do?
We are a well known bicycle brand, and one of our local dealers closed up shop over night with no notice to us or even their employees. They have over $20,000 in debt with us. What are our options? Our dealer owes us over $20,000 in debt for stock, with some invoices close to 4 months past due. [more inside]
posted by neillsom at 1:25 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by neillsom at 1:25 PM PST - 22 comments
How should a person be?
Describe a person that you met who made you go "I want to be like that!"
And what do you do if you have a moderately unlikable personality? (i.e. you are not like that!, and you perpetually feel like you ought to be more like that! but you just can't make it happen.) [more inside]
posted by serenity soonish at 1:16 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by serenity soonish at 1:16 PM PST - 20 comments
Calories in, calories out
Help me figure out how to think about my calorie intake. Should I view it in terms of the net or the gross? [more inside]
all the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray
Stupid question filter: there are a lot of leaves on my lawn. I've never had a lawn before. What do I do with them? [more inside]
posted by cobain_angel at 12:03 PM PST - 34 comments
posted by cobain_angel at 12:03 PM PST - 34 comments
Plus size leather blazer
I like the look of this leather blazer. I'm specifically looking for a jacket I can wear indoors as a pseudo-suit jacket in my business casual workplace. Can you suggest a leather blazer, similar to this one, or at least NOT moto or mixed media style? I am in the U.S. Size-wise, I'm right on the edge between 1x and XXL, or between a straight 16 and an 18W. [more inside]
posted by OrangeDisk at 11:28 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by OrangeDisk at 11:28 AM PST - 3 comments
Are you a snail savant? I have questions! (NON-foodie edition)
So, we seem to have many snails in our outdoor area lately, and I've been observing them and have many questions... [more inside]
How do I (safely) get candle wax out of my oven?
In the process of melting candle wax out of mason jars last night, my husband and I spilled candle wax all over the inside of our oven. Help us fix this. [more inside]
I need a small gift that screams "New Jersey"
I live in NJ and work in Manhattan. I have a coworker based in Montreal who is wonderful. Recently she gave me a great little gift: a tin box of taffy. The taffy was fine but it's the box that's great. It has a map of Canada on top, and it's a perfect bit of kitsch. I'd love to get something for her. Ideas, MeFites?
Putting a cat to sleep in Durham
Sooner than any of us would like, we're going to have to put one of our cats to sleep. I've never done this before. Looking for a Durham, NC area vet who can come to our home, and for a pet cremation service. [more inside]
Hello? Please talk to me. Let's re-frame this. Please?
How can I re-launch salary negotiations for my dream job after giving my potential future boss sticker shock? [more inside]
It's that time of year again...holiday gifting for a difficult partner
I know there are hundreds of these, but none that address my rather geeky, very special seattle snowflake of a boyfriend. Details below. [more inside]
Best way to answer the interview question, "How's your attendance?"
So I've been studying up on the interview protocol/got questions and answers from one of the leading temp companies --but I am stumped on this. I have several chronic conditions that need tricky monitoring (usually no more than every 3-6 months, and I try to get as many of them in one day as I can). Most of my docs do not grant appointments outside of business hours. I do have plenty of sick days. [more inside]
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 9:35 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 9:35 AM PST - 24 comments
How can I become a better teacher assistant?
I just started a new job working as a teacher assistant in a public school. I am working primarily in a separate classroom with a group of kids with varying disabilities, e.g. autism and down's syndrome. This is my first time working with kids who have disabilities, and I can tell that I have a lot to learn! How can I become a better, more effective, more confident and relaxed teacher assistant? [more inside]
Clothing ignoramus seeks particular leather jacket
I'm looking for a certain type of (perhaps faux) leather jacket, but, as with most clothing items I shop for, I have no idea what this kind of thing is called in the fashion world so I don't know what terms to search for. Help me out? [more inside]
Favorite iTunes playlist missing from 75% of my devices?!
I run iTunes Match on four devices: a 2010 iMac, a 2012 iMac, a 2012 Macbook, and an iPhone 5c. One of my favorite playlists has gone missing on the phone, the Macbook, and the 2012 iMac, but not from the 2010 iMac. What's gone wrong and how can I fix it? [more inside]
posted by underthehat at 8:11 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by underthehat at 8:11 AM PST - 3 comments
Looking for an old This American Life episode
I'm trying to find an old episode of this american life about an US exchange student (I think?) going back to his school in Asia to find a girl he was in love with. Music or opera was involved. [more inside]
posted by amycup at 8:09 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by amycup at 8:09 AM PST - 4 comments
The weather outside will be frightful; I need my feet to be delightful
Because soon it will snow, it will snow, it will snow!
Looking for a pair of super warm and super cute winter boots. Difficulty: vegan AND available in Canada. [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 7:23 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Kitteh at 7:23 AM PST - 6 comments
What Is This Unique Eyeglasses Bridge Called?
My favorite eyeglasses had no nose pads. Neither did they have a flap on each lens frame that sat on the sides of the nose. Instead, these wireframes had a bridge which curved to sit on the top of the nose. Nothing touched the sides of the nose at all. I can't find any glasses like that any more. Is there a name for this feature, so I can Google it?
Modern-ish animation suggestions
I'm a mid-30s guy who loved the traditional animation of my youth. I never really grew out of cartoons. Don Bluth is my spirit animal.
I just watched Over the Garden Wall and it touched on just about everything I love. I was seriously gushing after every episode. That is what I want more of. [more inside]
half finished whiskey bottle in the trunk
I am driving from Toronto to Philadelphia later this week for my brothers wedding. I have an opened bottle whiskey that I'd like to bring in the trunk of the car-- it's a bottle of great emotional significance and a family tradition. I know that in the US the open bottle is fine as long as it's in the trunk, but what about Ontario? also, where can I see these laws online?
posted by atetrachordofthree at 6:56 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by atetrachordofthree at 6:56 AM PST - 8 comments
Lego Mindstorms or something better for my nieces/nephews?
I have six nieces and nephews ranging in age from 4 to 9 spread over two households, and I am thinking of getting each household a set of Lego Mindstorms for Christmas. The cost of the sets means I would not get them any other presents, so the kids would need to share. [more inside]
posted by StephenF at 6:47 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by StephenF at 6:47 AM PST - 19 comments
Why is the Latin name for the Eurasian eagle-owl 'bubo bubo' ?
Why is the Latin name for the Eurasian eagle-owl 'bubo bubo' ?
I can't find any reference to the Eurasian Eagle Owl having buboes - as in 'a swollen inflamed lymph node in the armpit or groin' [more inside]
posted by Quillcards at 6:32 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Quillcards at 6:32 AM PST - 9 comments
How/why do you feel safe using a browser with plugins installed?
I just installed Tampermonkey in Chrome, and it alerted me that it can "see and modify" everything I do online. From a technical standpoint, how do people use plugins like this and still feel secure when, say, doing online banking? [more inside]
posted by jbickers at 6:27 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by jbickers at 6:27 AM PST - 4 comments
Could you give me tips on navigating hostilities at work?
My supervisor has TERRIBLE, life-endangering, totally illogical judgement. After serious consideration I have decided to go to her supervisor and though she has been welcoming and has taken things seriously, I feel horribly sneaky and I am having trouble being at work. Could you help me cope? [more inside]
posted by Tarumba at 6:20 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by Tarumba at 6:20 AM PST - 23 comments
Talk Show Guests: Running Away
Why do so many late-night talk show guests leave before the commercial break? [more inside]
What is this system called?
Please help me understand how to google this product because I don't know what search terms to use: I am looking to purchase a microphone/headset system where people in an audience can listen to someone on a microphone translating into another language a keynote speaker's presentation. [more inside]
posted by archimago at 5:16 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by archimago at 5:16 AM PST - 2 comments
Thought exercise: Dystopian Future Library
The scenario: access to the internet has been cut off due to (insert your worst fears here). Your only reading/reference material that you now have access to is what is on your shelves at home.
Question: what are the best books to have stocked your shelves with beforehand?
posted by anemone at 5:12 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by anemone at 5:12 AM PST - 15 comments
Chart for history of technology
I'm looking for a comprehensive chart to help me understand the history of technology. This can be either an online "chart" or a paper chart. I want a chart that covers the entire history of mankind, but given how much technology was invented in the last century or so, I would like one that covers modernity too. Does anyone have any recommendations?
Seattle Daytrips and More
Please help me find things and daytrips for my visiting parents to do the week of Thanksgiving here in Seattle and nearby. [more inside]
November 10
Escape From New Orleans
Can you please recommend to me an overnight road trip approximately 2-3 hours from New Orleans where I can do some low-key exploring (preferably outdoor), have a couple of quiet beers, eat some awesome (vegetarian) food, and mellow out? [more inside]
Is change in executive staff a red flag for business lenders?
I would like to know what happens when a lender finds a recent change in leadership during due diligence for a loan, such as a business loan or a real estate loan to an organization. [more inside]
Roberto Bolaño and Chilean Slang
Has Roberto Bolaño ever used Chilean slang in his writings? [more inside]
Squirrels nesting in the roof
There are squirrels inside my roof. It is basically impossible to get up there. What to do? [more inside]
Samsung Galaxy s3 won't charge anymore. Please help!
I got my samsung galaxy s3 15 months ago. My phone has been acting up lately - been very slow to charge and even after being fully charged goes down within 10 minutes. Now my phone say that it is charging but only reports 0%. I've had it plugged in for several hours with no change. I then turned off my phone and then removed the battery and put it back in again. Currently can't get to a Verizon wireless store and traveling. Was wondering any means to self diagnose the problem until I get to a real store next week.
ANY ADVICE WOULD be HELPFUL. Thanks in advance!
What're some *quiet* bars and drinking-places in SF and the East Bay?
Looking for quiet, quiet, quiet date-y bars, lounges, and other drinking-places in SF and the East Bay (specifically Oakland or Berkeley)... [more inside]
Where can I find a diary or journal like the one Anne Frank had?
My daughter would like a diary or journal like Anne Frank had. It is red plaid, with a lock and she would preferably like the pages lined. [more inside]
Kia van trouble - transmission.
2011 Kia Sedona will sometimes have this funky problem wherein there is a significant loss of power. That is, I can floor the gas pedal and it's pretty unresponsive. Oddly, the digital instrument panel indicator that usually shows what gear it is in (or D for drive) doesn't show anything at all for the gear (the panel is otherwise lit up normally) when this problem is present. [more inside]
posted by whatisish at 6:27 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by whatisish at 6:27 PM PST - 13 comments
True stories about untrue stories people tell themselves
There's a story in this week's TAL about a woman who was an alcoholic by the time she was 13, then successfully went sober and centered her life around her identity as an alcoholic, to the point of becoming a kind of AA mini-celebrity, only to realize after twenty years that the real story of her childhood had actually been completely different and she was never an alcoholic at all. I found this fascinating. Please point me to more true stories (podcasts, memoirs...) of people whose most basic beliefs about who they are turn out to be flat-out wrong.
Optimistically, a mobile device fresh start.
My iPad 2 recently bit the dust. Before then, I had been using the iPad for entertainment + school, as well as a droid smartphone for typical smartphone things. My droid is also on its last legs, and I'm considering changing my technology situation to an iPad Mini with mobile data + a dumb phone (just talk and text). Questions ensue. [more inside]
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 5:43 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 5:43 PM PST - 11 comments
These are a few of your favorite things...
I want to simplify my gift giving/selection process, try to make it a little more routine and so easier for me to cope with each year, without being boring for the recipients. I'm thinking of having a list of categories for gifts (food consumable, household/personal consumable, sentimental, kitchen gadget, interactive) like I've heard some people do with kids gifts (something to read, something to wear and something fun)... [more inside]
posted by pennypiper at 4:47 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by pennypiper at 4:47 PM PST - 24 comments
Flash, I Love You, But We Only Have Eight Hours to Clean the World!
I'm devoting tomorrow to battling entropy and getting my house back to a mostly-clean state. What's going to give me the biggest bang for my buck in that time period? [more inside]
posted by Andrhia at 4:41 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by Andrhia at 4:41 PM PST - 32 comments
Iphone 6 case
Need recommendations on a good sturdy case for Iphone 6 [more inside]
Wiring Recording Panel - need help
I am about to wire some audio cables in my wall. It's two 1/4" jacks, stereo, one is microphone and the other headphones, going to a recording computer in a different room. Need help figuring out the proper parts. [more inside]
Substituting pumpkin puree for pumpkin pie mix (recipe in progress!)
Help! I just started making a recipe for pumpkin bran muffins - I found the recipe at our grocery store, which has a samples kitchen at the back and has lots of recipe handouts. I just realized, part way through mixing the ingredients, that the recipe actually calls for one cup pumpkin pie mix. I wasn't paying attention and added one cup pumpkin puree. Can I just add pumpkin pie spice? Do I need to add more sugar? The recipe already calls for 2/3 cup packed brown sugar. Thanks for the help!
PhD application references--whom to ask?
I'm in the process of applying to a few history PhD programs. My problem is deciding who I should ask to write references. The programs, naturally, would prefer academic references. However, I finished my Masters back in 2003 and my thesis supervisor has since moved on to another university. [more inside]
Wedding gift filter
Please suggest some good generic wedding gift ideas for a couple with no registry. [more inside]
Where to find diverse blue-collar millionaires?
I need to interview presidents/CEOs/founders of companies specializing in traditionally blue-collar industries (manual labor, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure, etc.) I'm particularly looking for diversity. Any suggestions where to look?
Secret Santa for a guy who has everything.
For my Secret Santa exchange I actually know the person pretty well, as opposed to every other year. Unfortunately my person tends to buy pretty much everything they need. I would identify his primary interests as cigars, bourbon, gadgets, Baltimore history and being Irish. What are some things I could get him where it wouldn't matter if he already had one? [more inside]
posted by codacorolla at 2:18 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by codacorolla at 2:18 PM PST - 19 comments
Single working mother moving to DC: Falls Church or Silver Spring?
I am hoping to land my dream job in the heart of DC. The pay would be great for a single person, but as a working single mother, it won't be amazing. I am concerned about the usual: safety, quality of public schools, and commute times. Is Falls Church really that much better than Silver Spring? Is the red line as bad as I hear? [more inside]
posted by JanewayJunior at 2:16 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by JanewayJunior at 2:16 PM PST - 20 comments
How to get nude bras clean?
My moulded t-shirt bras are built like tanks so they last a long time. The nude ones get grubby looking long before there is any structural damage. What can I do to spruce them up? [more inside]
posted by roolya_boolya at 2:00 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by roolya_boolya at 2:00 PM PST - 7 comments
precise dwarf bravery
I have seen the phrase "dwarf bravery" on japanese shirts a lot. What the hell concept is being mistranslated here? Does whatever japanese word or words this originates from have a real english equivalent?
posted by tehloki at 1:50 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by tehloki at 1:50 PM PST - 8 comments
Like hiking the Pacific Coast trail...only not
A massive, difficult undertaking. A once-in-a-lifetime experience. A commitment to something big and challenging. What is it? [more inside]
posted by pretentious illiterate at 12:49 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by pretentious illiterate at 12:49 PM PST - 31 comments
Source of phantom wet spot on the parkway?
This weekend, a wet spot appeared on the parkway in front of my house and has persisted: it hasn't grown or shrunk in the 24 hours that I've been aware of it. The soil seems to be wet as far down as I can push a stick, so I'm afraid a pipe below it has sprung an upwards leak. Does anyone have any strategies for diagnosing what the issue is? [more inside]
Will hyphens impact SEO if I bridge two words together as one?
So it looks like hyphens in domain names do mean lower positing in Google’s SERP but does this mean the same for keywords? For example, my site contains the word 'multi media' but I would like to change that to 'multimedia' on every occurance. Is this ok? Will it impact my SEO?
posted by bostonhill at 12:35 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by bostonhill at 12:35 PM PST - 7 comments
Food gifts for friend with a newborn + gestational diabetes.
A dear friend of mine is likely to have a baby this week. She's just today been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I would love to help her and her husband out specifically by bringing them food to eat/freeze for when everyone's home from the hospital. However, I am a) clueless about baby things, b) clueless about how gestational diabetes complicates this picture. [more inside]
Go bag grab bag: SF edition
Bug out plans for San Francisco in an emergency? [more inside]
posted by allkindsoftime at 11:35 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by allkindsoftime at 11:35 AM PST - 19 comments
iOS 8 Video Editing App That Lets You Hear The Audio While Trimming?
I'm interested in making perfectly-looping Vine videos of me playing guitar riffs. I'd like to shoot and edit these videos on my phone (iPhone 5, iOS 8.1), without using a desktop editor. Is there an app that allows you to hear audio while editing?.... [more inside]
posted by kaboomer at 11:25 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by kaboomer at 11:25 AM PST - 3 comments
Group projects and sexism
There's one person in my (school) project group who seems to really not respect the ideas and skills of the women in our group. Now what? [more inside]
You rang?
Now that it's getting colder, I won't be leaving the back door open all the time for the dogs to go in and out. With my Dane, this is not such an issue, but with the Beagles it kind of is. I would like to train them to do something like ring a bell attached to the door when they need to go out. [more inside]
Life Without a Microwave
I threw out our microwave the other day in a fit of frustration over the amount of space it took up compared to how rarely we use it, and with its general unreliability. Did I make a mistake or is modern life possible without a microwave? [more inside]
posted by lovableiago at 10:42 AM PST - 57 comments
posted by lovableiago at 10:42 AM PST - 57 comments
Reasonably warm, 1 week bike trip in the U.S.?
I want to take off the first week of January to do a bike tour someplace warm in the United States (or possibly in Mexico or Latin America). Where should I go? [more inside]
Agonizing Root Canal Re-treatment Pain
In horrible pain after root canal re-treatment today. What could be the cause? [more inside]
Reduce heat and simmer for 6 months
I'm looking for a "project" that takes 5 to 6 months to complete, ideally with most of the time being waiting. This could be anything - plants, food, art, etc - but should not be something that I simply send away for and have to wait 6 months for a package. [more inside]
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 9:48 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 9:48 AM PST - 30 comments
Getting around HK this week
Going to HK on Wednesday, and wondering how much getting around is affected by the situation in Central.
More specifically, getting from the airport to hotel in Shatin, and getting from the hotel to City University (Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre).
Is there anything to be concerned about / that I should know before setting off?
Many thanks.
posted by Prof Iterole at 9:21 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Prof Iterole at 9:21 AM PST - 4 comments
I need more goofy things in my life
For a long time I assumed the Muppets were a genre unto themselves when it came to awesome, fun, un-self-conscious goofiness (e.g.). Then I found The Rhythm of Life from Sweet Charity, featuring a cast made entirely of human Muppets. Help me find more examples of people having fun because it's fun. [more inside]
posted by range at 9:14 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by range at 9:14 AM PST - 23 comments
B&W wordless superhero comic strips
I'm looking for some black and white superhero comic strips that are wordless. Wordless is the most important part, color strips would be less desirable but ok. Non-superhero comic strips might work too. Additionally, if there is a place online that has super old comic strips that would be helpful too.
posted by Brent Parker at 9:03 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Brent Parker at 9:03 AM PST - 6 comments
Looking for volunteer "proofreaders" (proof listeners?) for an audiobook
Mr. Sixswitch is an award-winning Canadian author. He's worked with a professional audiobook producer to create an audiobook version of his first book. But neither of us ever listen to audiobooks, so we're looking for test listeners. Can you suggest places to find interested people online? Or if you'd be interested, let me know in the thread or by MeMail?
posted by sixswitch at 8:58 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by sixswitch at 8:58 AM PST - 8 comments
Days gone Bye!
An impoverished friend that I haven’t seen in 5 years contacted me about lack of closure. There were a lot of bad things that happened then, that are not necessarily morally bad... I’m just not sure how to feel about it all or respond in kind? [more inside]
posted by krisb1701d at 8:32 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by krisb1701d at 8:32 AM PST - 26 comments
Group Project Workspace Midtown Weekdays NYC
NYCfilter: I have a group that just formed that’s looking for a free-ish workspace in midtown on weekday nights. [more inside]
posted by edbles at 8:20 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by edbles at 8:20 AM PST - 1 comment
Want a Blu-ray player or theater system tolerant of damaged discs
We like to watch Blu-ray discs from Netflix, but despite careful cleaning they often have small scratches that our current player does not handle well. Is there a currently-available player or theater system that does well with these issues? If you can regularly play Netflix Blu-ray discs or other rental Blu-ray discs without problems, please let me know. [more inside]
posted by exogenous at 7:46 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by exogenous at 7:46 AM PST - 9 comments
Web-based Texting Services
I'm looking for recommendations for low-cost (or no-cost) web-based texting services for relatively light use. [more inside]
Pressure Washing PSI question
I need to buy a pressure washer to clean my concrete driveway, which is somewhat blackened with mildew. I don't want to break the bank, but I'm having trouble figuring out what the minimum PSI I can use is. Does anyone have personal experience in this? [more inside]
It has the word "heat" in its name, so.
What am I not understanding about my HVAC system? [more inside]
Decoration ideas for banquet table -- Sleep themed
For the annual students' holiday banquet at my college, faculty/staff sign up for a table that they decorate and serve food for. This year a colleague and I want to do a sleep theme, but need some ideas. [more inside]
posted by bizzyb at 6:36 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by bizzyb at 6:36 AM PST - 16 comments
How can I stop fretting about standard communications with friends?
I spend way too much time worrying about the way my friends communicate with me -- specifically, I worry that any delay in response time means that they're angry or annoyed with me, or, even more dramatically, that they don't want me around anymore. I wonder if there are any good ways to talk myself out of this. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
It's Breaking, if not Broken: Can I fix it?
My partner confessed to entertaining the idea of moving out, because living with me has been difficult of late and it's starting to hurt them. Is there any way back from this? [more inside]
posted by Ashen at 6:13 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Ashen at 6:13 AM PST - 13 comments
Battery case for an Iphone 5_ what should I get?
As our Iphone ages a bit and the battery fails more and more we are looking into a battery/case combo and find that the prices are just all over the place as well as what folks recommend.I want to know, Has anyone had any good experiences with the less expensive combo case/batteries? What do you recommend?
Please help this not happen to me.
My dad passed away recently. He was not yet 70, not in great health but nothing severe that we knew of. As far as we can tell, he was probably gone for about a week before his landlord noticed his rent was late. This is literally keeping me up at night--I also live alone, and I'm pretty sure it's going to stay that way for the foreseeable future, so how do I make sure that if something like this happens to me, I'm at least discovered promptly? [more inside]
Gift idea for a colleague moving to Sri Lanka to teach
A colleague/friend has accepted a job offer to move his life to Colombo, Sri Lanka (for a couple years at least). Can you suggest a farewell gift that might be useful to him in this move? [more inside]
posted by PardonMyFrench at 4:56 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by PardonMyFrench at 4:56 AM PST - 4 comments
November 9
Learning from a hateful master?
The person I want to learn from is one of the best. The teachings will be extremely useful—they could even save my life someday. But the speaker might spend their earnings on hate. What to do? [more inside]
Should I take on a full-time job on top of my current part-time job?
Just started a great part-time job, and may have the chance at a great full-time job on top of it. Would taking the additional job be a good opportunity, or a setup for overwork and failure? I need help deciding if I can/should do both, given the chance. [more inside]
Boardgames for Android
I am looking for boardgames that have great android apps. Preferably the should be great boardgames too. [more inside]
posted by poxandplague at 8:30 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by poxandplague at 8:30 PM PST - 10 comments
All I want for christmas is my two sparkle shoes
We are looking for the best shoes ever to give to a 2 year old boy for christmas. the idea is that it's practical for the parents (no shoes to buy for this round!) but that they can be fun enough for a child (lights? other weird somethings?)
Shoes must NOT be lace up, bonus points for craziness otherwise. Money is no object, but we will probably spent around $60. Online ordering a plus. Thanks!
out of bridging visa blah, yay!
A couple of months ago I finally got out of bridging visa hell and obtained my Australian permanent residency. What can I do with it? [more inside]
Help me make my big house seem ... smaller?
Our old farmhouse was remodeled in the 50s and as a result, the living room is seriously something like 35 x 20 in some spots, while others are 'only' 15 feet wide. We moved here from a house that could fit IN our current living room. It's freaking me out. I'd really like to make the house, our living room especially, seem more cozy. What are some ideas or hacks to make this happen? I see lots of tips on how to make rooms seem bigger, but not so many to make the walls feel like they're closing in on you.
How to have a healthy relationship?
I'm 21 years old, just got out of a long term relationship 6 months ago, and started dating a new guy a month ago. I really like him, and really want this to work. I think we both have different expectations of being in a relationship, and I suspect my expectations and behaviors are unhealthy as my last relationship was basically my life and it was suffocating. How can I make this a healthy one? [more inside]
posted by anon1129 at 6:50 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by anon1129 at 6:50 PM PST - 11 comments
Baptist chaplain working at Fort Knox, KY on July 18, 1942
Please help me determine/verify the name of this person: we got to Willis H. K____y Jr. and are now stuck. [more inside]
posted by SMPA at 6:46 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by SMPA at 6:46 PM PST - 13 comments
Why would someone have several bachelor's degrees?
A certain (older) contact of mine on a certain business networking website is listed as having three bachelor's degrees. Out of curiosity, what possibly led them down this path rather than getting master's degrees in those subjects?
(I hope I don't sound creepy, but said colleague rarely discusses their education in depth.)
Extravagant gift etiquette
Some friends bought us an expensive and extravagant gift that we can't reciprocate, and it is stressing me out. How do I handle this gracefully? [more inside]
Pacific Northwest road trip
We want to drive from Contra Costa County, CA, to Anglicon 2015 in Seattle. We'd like an interesting drive up and back down that balances sights and time, and would like to hit Portland along the way (and maybe tiptoe into Canada after Seattle). We have lots of specific requests, so we'd love some help. [more inside]
posted by wintersweet at 6:05 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by wintersweet at 6:05 PM PST - 12 comments
Help Me Find a Real Estate Agent in Port Charlotte, Florida Area
I have a small undeveloped lot that I would like to sell. I am looking for a reputable agent to help me do this. [more inside]
How can I delete my voter registration?
I am a registered voter in Oregon and no longer wish to be, how can I delete my name off the rolls?
Best way to design and print a DIY cookbook?
What is the best service or method for designing and printing about a dozen copies of a cookbook? Lulu? Amazon? iPhoto? Kinkos? [more inside]
Best standing shoes for elderly mom?
My mom (she's 71) continues to work a couple of part time jobs, both out of financial need and a determination to keep working. One of them has her standing on a concrete floor for fairly long periods a few times a week. I'm looking for advice on the best shoes that will keep her as comfortable as possible, ones I can buy online (preferably in Canada) and send to her. [more inside]
What are the best textbooks on climate science?
I'm looking for climate science textbooks that take a mathematical approach: that go in-depth with the maths of modelling etc. I'd appreciate if they also had a focus on the science of anthropogenic climate change / global warming. Can you recommend any? [more inside]
Financial anxiety! I am a lucky bum, but can't stop worrying.
I'm dealing with a lot of financial anxiety, even though I'm in a place that I know many people would envy. Does anyone have concrete advice for managing illogical anxiety over money, savings and employment? [more inside]
Is there a Guitar Wolf song where Seiji sings "Killer... KILLER!"?
The last time Guitar Wolf was in Chicago, he started off a song by screaming something like "Killer... KIIILLEEERRRR!" What is the name of this song? [more inside]
posted by millions at 2:53 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by millions at 2:53 PM PST - 4 comments
Very specific furniture valuation: 1950s dressers
I have 2 dressers that were purchased by my parents from the Design Research store (an offshoot of The Architects Collaborative (TAC)) in Cambridge, MA in the 1950s. They are not in perfect shape, but I still want to sell them for a decent price - where can I turn to figure out what they are worth/and or how much I should ask for them?
Need suggestions on how to research for a paper on imperialism.
I need to write a paper for school showing that Amazon.com is an empire based on several criteria of classic empires, like the Roman empire, Portuguese empire, etc. I'm feeling overwhelmed and unfocused on how to find what I need. [more inside]
What should I do with ten 8x10" photos?
Local photo place has a pretty good deal on 8x10" prints (20x25cm) if you buy 10 of them. What should I do with this many prints? [more inside]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:17 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:17 PM PST - 7 comments
Internet mystery: what on earth is postherald.com?
post-herald.com looks sort of like a newspaper site but has only one story, about Mike Tyson. The same domain hosts thousands of thousands of stories like "Kathleen Herald misses out on Powerball prize." Change the numbers in the URL and you'll see different people's names and cities of residence. I assume these names and cities are scraped from a database somewhere. But why do this? [more inside]
And the Cry Goes On
Will sleep training ever end? [more inside]
Issues with uploading photos from Ipad to PC
My PC is not recognizing my iPad as a camera and for this reason, I cannot upload photos from this device to my PC, which is more than a bit frustrating. Details in the [more inside] [more inside]
posted by the hot hot side of randy at 1:49 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by the hot hot side of randy at 1:49 PM PST - 7 comments
How can I be a better teacher to international students?
I am an American university professor in a social science at a research 1 university. In the past decade or so, at my university (and all universities that I've worked at) there has been a huge influx of international students, especially from Asia. My current undergrad classes are between 50-75% "English language learners." There are a lot of challenges in teaching these students and I'm looking for some concrete advice. [more inside]
What to do when you're completely disinterested society?
Late 20's. I have a stable job and income. Just one problem: I'm completely disengaged and disinterested in what our society has to offer. I tried consumerism and all I got was this pile of useless shit. I rebounded by taking on extreme minimalism: I own almost nothing now. I've looked into every hobby that could possibly interest me and found none of them engaging enough to pursue. What to do when you're completely disengaged from society? [more inside]
Vending machine art
I don't appear to have the vocabulary for this question, because my Google-fu has failed utterly. I'm interested in vending machines of the 1960s (and maybe early '70s). [more inside]
posted by bryon at 1:39 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by bryon at 1:39 PM PST - 4 comments
Best Karaoke Games?
I'm looking for a great karaoke game. (Not a karaoke machine.) [more inside]
posted by musofire at 1:39 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by musofire at 1:39 PM PST - 4 comments
Rock Songs with only F-sharp & G-sharp
My son has asked me if I know of any songs like Back To The Shack that only have F-sharp and G-sharp chords.
I do not; do you?
posted by The Architect at 1:16 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by The Architect at 1:16 PM PST - 14 comments
I've been prescribed Fluoxetine (Prozac), should I take it?
To be honest, I don't know if I'm currently depressed. I do have some of the symptoms of depression but these tend to come and go: low mood, irritability, poor sleep, poor appetite, difficulty concentrating, negative thinking (I've had this one most of my life). I also suffer from anxiety and get stressed very easily - my personality is highly neurotic. Some days I feel pretty okay but my mood really goes down when I get home from work and especially on the weekends when I'm spending a lot of time alone in my room. [more inside]
Mexico Vacation Rental: please help me not get scammed
I am trying to rent an apartment for a month in Playa del Carmen through a website that I found on google. Lets say it's called rent-playa-del-carmen.com (I can name the actual website if it's relevant). So far, I have been getting very professional responses with all my questions properly answered. The issue is that the agent is now asking for the full month of rent ($2500) plus $1000 deposit 30 days before my arrival. This is raising a bunch of red flags for me. Is this common or am I being scammed? Should I refuse and only pay the deposit? Is this such a big red flag that I I should walk away?
posted by lenny70 at 12:29 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by lenny70 at 12:29 PM PST - 12 comments
Problem with Server Side Includes between a domain and its subdomain
I'm trying to use the technique outlined here to merge my css files for my sites using SSIs, but am being plagued by [an error occurred while processing this directive]. [more inside]
when does it end
My grandmother died two days ago. My three-year relationship ended a week before that. I'm still dealing with the trauma of a sexual assault that occurred last year. I just moved to another country for graduate school. I have people I'm friendly with, but my close friends and family are thousands of miles away. I'm scared, overwhelmed and lonely. How do I keep going? [more inside]
posted by quadrant seasons at 11:58 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by quadrant seasons at 11:58 AM PST - 23 comments
Looking for short videos that are intrinsically about creativity
I'm looking to compile a collection of short, entertaining, inspiring, high-energy videos about creativity, the creative process, and innovation by their very nature. Classic showing, not telling. [more inside]
Cat Aggression
My 1.5 yr old cat will escalate grooming/playing with other cats into aggressive biting. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by kittensofthenight at 11:08 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by kittensofthenight at 11:08 AM PST - 12 comments
Cover designs for book series/sets
I'm looking for striking book cover designs that work separately for each book, and as a set (when the books are assembled next to one another, to tell some sort of a visual story, or that fit together like pieces of a puzzle). Any ideas?
Foraging free/cheap scrap hardwood, leather, & bones: where to look?
I have some craft and design projects I'd like to create with *quality* scrap hardwood, *quality* scrap leather, and game animal skulls/teeth/other bones. The bigger the wood/leather scraps the better. Other than Etsy suppliers, where are the best places in my community to try to look for these things and get them for little to no cost? [more inside]
Uses for powdered lemon peel?
I picked up some powdered lemon peel from Penzeys because it looked intriguing, and I'm looking for ideas for using it! I'm thinking that things where you don't want to add moisture or texture would be good (they recommend cheesecake). Specific recipes and general ideas ("add it to sugar cookies") are welcome. Sweet or savoury is fine. Holiday baking is coming up so I'm casting about for ideas in that vein as well.
posted by quaking fajita at 10:46 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by quaking fajita at 10:46 AM PST - 12 comments
Water leak from furnance indicates possible carbon monoxide leak?
Old furnace in basement is leaking water at the rate of a few table spoons a minute; water in boiler is automatically refilled as needed. I can hear the water refill valve cycling on ~ once per hour. [more inside]
posted by Kevin S at 10:40 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Kevin S at 10:40 AM PST - 4 comments
Low carb non-smelly non-meat foods for lunch?
Reading another mefite's question, I'm concerned that the tuna salad I often take to work for lunch has been bothering colleagues. I am on a low-carb diet, don't eat meat or chicken, and often take a big salad with tuna mayo to eat at my desk. I didn't realise this might bother people as being "too smelly". [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 10:00 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by hazyjane at 10:00 AM PST - 32 comments
Paging Counselor Troi: locating telepathic protagonists in fiction
I'm interested in how telepathy has been portrayed in fiction (written form) and was wondering if anyone could point me to some examples where the protagonist struggles with the trait and has to learn how to master/control it in order to stay sane. Note: I've read The Shining and its recent sequel.
Thanks in advance!
Help me maximize a last-minute trip to Disneyland.
We're going to Disneyland tomorrow. We haven't done any advance planning. I don't have a lot of time today to devote to research, either, so I thought I'd ask if anyone can brain-dump a quick-and-dirty way to shave some time off the inevitable waiting. More detail and explicit instructions are better. [more inside]
posted by palliser at 9:02 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by palliser at 9:02 AM PST - 15 comments
Discouraging people from lying on a pre-screening survey?
How do I accurately screen people on a survey when my screening criteria seem fairly obvious. How do I prevent them from lying just to pass the screening portion? [more inside]
posted by Chicoreus at 8:56 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Chicoreus at 8:56 AM PST - 7 comments
How to re-create a poor-quality microfilm scan
Calling graphic artists: I have a microfilm-derived copy of a newspaper article from 1873. The copy is poor quality, to the point where it's hard to read. I don't think any sort of simple image processing is going to fix it. I'd like to re-create the article from scratch, but I have very little experience in this area. [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 8:21 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by alex1965 at 8:21 AM PST - 6 comments
Anna's hummingbirds vs bees on Salvia leucantha (Mexican sage)?
There are a lot of Anna's hummingbirds and a lot of bees here. They both like a big Mexican sage. Yesterday I saw several hummingbirds in series dive down near the sage then pull up sharply with a sudden 'tweet' noise like a short blast on a whistle. Why are the birds doing that? [more inside]
posted by jet_silver at 7:47 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by jet_silver at 7:47 AM PST - 7 comments
Please help me remember this game!
I woke up this morning, for some reason having vivid memories of this side-scrolling arcade-style space-ship shooter PC game I used to love, and now I want to play it again. Can you help identify the game? [more inside]
posted by SquidLips at 7:23 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by SquidLips at 7:23 AM PST - 2 comments
Spearmint and peppermint, how do they work?
Taste-wise, what's the difference between spearmint and peppermint? Especially when used as a flavour for things like chewing gum and candy. [more inside]
posted by Too-Ticky at 4:45 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by Too-Ticky at 4:45 AM PST - 28 comments
I found the fridge and freezer unplugged. Now what?
I found the fridge and freezer in my (6 person) shared house turned off at the plug socket this morning. The freezer temperature had got to -6 degrees C. I read that it should be -18 degrees C. My breakfast milk from the fridge was room temperature. I don't know when the plug had been switched off. My housemates have meat in the freezer. To avoid the risk of food poisoning, should I tell everyone to throw all their food out? If not everything, what should we prioritise getting rid of?
November 8
Terrible food phobia. Please help.
I have a terrible phobia of tuna fish, particularly when it's covered in lots of mayo. Just being around someone eating it makes me gag and want to vomit.
I work at a small company where we all eat lunch together. If I see someone is eating tuna I have to make an excuse to leave the room. My coworkers are becoming suspicious.
My question is how do I deal with this? It's seems ridiculous that I feel almost embarrassed to talk about it and have trouble just saying the words "tuna" let alone talking about with a counselor.
Yet I feel so overwhelmed sometimes, I feel like something is wrong with me. Is there a way to overcome this obstacle on my own?
I'm an otherwise healthy and mentally stable person in a long term relationship.
Really? You want to debate hipster donuts?
The guy I'm dating loves to argue and has really strong opinions about everything. I don't. Where do we go from here? [more inside]
Survival strategies for a "Black Swan" event?
My industry has just had a Black Swan event and has entered a period of systemic risk. [more inside]
Help mom live longer.
My mom just turned 50, and I want her to live to see 100. What kind of things should she be doing to keep up health-wise? What kind of things should I be reminding her about? [more inside]
Roommate help: is it snooping if i turn off the heat?
so I share an apartment with a colleague from University. It's getting cold now here in New England so obviously it's okay to turn the heat on sometimes. If youre home. Last night the roommate left and just out of curiosity, I open the door and was hit by a blast. It felt like a sauna. [more inside]
Appalachian Trail Equipment recommendations.
A friend and I are thinking of doing a portion of the Appalachian trail, from the northwest corner of NJ down to Harper's Ferry. [more inside]
How to get through a period of fruitless job hunting?
I have a degree and nine years of work experience, but I can't find any kind of job. How I can deal with my overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, and keep from losing my mind while I'm job hunting? Snowflakes inside, of course. [more inside]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 6:24 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by kinddieserzeit at 6:24 PM PST - 6 comments
What unique, high-quality, useful things should I buy in Helsinki?
When I travel, I sometimes like to pick up better-quality versions of everyday household objects that I already own -- both because sometimes the quality is much higher than what I can get in the U.S., and also because doing it feeds my desire for a souvenir without adding any clutter to my life. Soon I'll be in Helsinki for a few days, and I'd like to buy some high-quality, packable, practical, useful objects. What are the Finnish people particularly good at making? [more inside]
Is there a service that will tell me if it's going to be a nice sunset?
Or failing a service, is there a way to tell, ahead of time, whether or not a given sunset will likely be a colourful one? I have the perfect spot already, about 650' about sea level, and all of the camera equipment I'm going to get.
What I need to know is what to look for in the weather conditions that will make a difference. Which type of clouds will be the most fortuitous, are there particular weather patterns that will help, etc?
How to say "NO" diplomatically so my (ex) friends don't get offended
Hi,
I use to live in a neighborhood where a group of 10 girls used to be friends.I liked them and enjoyed their friendship for few years.I was very honest and sincere and very helpful to anyone when they need help.I am not a party type person.i couldn't join their family parties as my son has multiple allergies.They didn't like my decision not to join the family getogethers .They started making fun of my healthy life style I changed to for my son sake.I moved few miles away from that place and started feeling strange behaviors( like they didn't want me around) from few and then slowly came from each one of them.But nobody opening spoke about the problem to me directly.this continued for the last 1-1 1/2 years and I have been patiently ignoring their behavior and tried to smile when we met in girls only lunches.also,I lost my beloved Dad last year and I am still recovering from that .I am a positive person and I felt I can't take their behavior anymore and decided not to attend any of their group lunches to avoid me getting back at them if they behave like that again. [more inside]
posted by SunPower at 5:01 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by SunPower at 5:01 PM PST - 6 comments
Keeping love alive and well
What are some of the things you do, and your partner does for you, on a daily basis and perhaps as an occasional surprise that makes you feel loved and helps keep the romantic love in your relationship alive?
Anything worthwhile takes some serious effort to maintain and nourish in the long term. I am very much interested in learning about the efforts healthy adults in healthy relationships have made that took their relationship to a higher level of love, maturity and intimacy. [more inside]
posted by xm at 4:24 PM PST - 35 comments
posted by xm at 4:24 PM PST - 35 comments
Gaming without the grind?
I've got a long-running itch to play video games. They're insufficiently like work (relative to my other hobbies) that they're an appealing way to decompress, and I can do them when it's cold/wet/dark... but I am absolutely not motivated by the grind. Help me find something that will absolutely not require collecting all/some/the last/the only McGuffin(s). [more inside]
posted by TheNewWazoo at 3:49 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by TheNewWazoo at 3:49 PM PST - 25 comments
Print compnay employer is requesting my pay requirements - help
A print company owner is asking me what my pay requirements are to join his staff as an illustrator. How much do people who do this kind of thing make? [more inside]
Please save my marriage. With cheese.
We're making a sort of fancified mac and cheese dish that uses a quantity of shredded Gruyere and Gouda. So I shredded the cheese, without actually reading the recipe, and shredded all the cheese we bought. That turns out to be more or less twice the cheese we actually need. Help! [more inside]
posted by Naberius at 12:55 PM PST - 38 comments
posted by Naberius at 12:55 PM PST - 38 comments
Planning a trip to Puerto Rico
Are our Puerto Rico plans realistic? And how best to get around? [more inside]
Critique my downhill ski kit & tell me how to make the most of it.
New to Colorado, grew up skiing a couple times a year on the east coast, then stopped for a while. Now I have a local season pass. Help me acclimate to skiing out west once a week or so this winter, given my current abilities, gear, budget, and goals. [more inside]
Good-bye, supplements! Hello, dietary calcium! But when do I eat it?
Last week my family doctor told me I should limit my calcium from supplements to no more than 500 mg per day as excess calcium from supplements can cause health issues. The Canadian Osteoporosis recommendations suggest I avoid supplements entirely if possible. I can do that easily most days. But I have a question about timing: how much time do I need to leave between Glass of Milk #1 and Glass of Milk #2? [more inside]
Soundproofing costs - what's reasonable?
I'm looking into soundproofing the party wall of my 1940s semi. What is a reasonable expectation for silence and cost? [more inside]
Abscessed about whether my travel plans are going down the drain.
You are not my dentist, oral surgeon, or travel agent: can an extraction or root canal be delayed a week or two if the active infection has temporarily been resolved through a short (10 day) course of antibiotics? [more inside]
Too Many Cooks Is EXACTLY What I Need, Actually
Do you have a crowd-wowing recipe for a room-temp appetizer with citrus somewhere in the mix? [more inside]
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 9:28 AM PST - 33 comments
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 9:28 AM PST - 33 comments
Accessible, development-critical media
I'm looking for engaging videos (or websites, or accessible articles) that are critical of international development practices like voluntourism, etc. Humor is a bonus. [more inside]
GMail Reads My Mind, Filters Important Messages To Trash
I love me some Gmail, so I'm kind of peeved with its most recent shenanigans.
I rarely check my Trash, but out of curiosity I did this week and found a lot of messages that should not have been in the Trash. [more inside]
posted by John Kennedy Toole Box at 9:10 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by John Kennedy Toole Box at 9:10 AM PST - 17 comments
Thanksgiving nomnoms
Help me plan my first Thanksgiving menu! Bf & I are hosting my parents. I want to plan a delicious feast for 4! I don't need to worry about the turkey. I love experimental cooking, so no limits. Bonus: perfect pie recipes. [more inside]
posted by DoubleLune at 7:57 AM PST - 41 comments
posted by DoubleLune at 7:57 AM PST - 41 comments
What are some interesting / unusual / specialized Web search tools?
I've been playing around with the Wireless Geographic Logging Engine and Shodan, and would like to hear from other MeFites about their favorite useful / interesting specialized Web search tools. Which do you use regularly or for specific, arcane (at least to others outside your profession) tasks? The bizarre and creepy are also of interest here - I'm casting a big net.
posted by ryanshepard at 6:42 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by ryanshepard at 6:42 AM PST - 6 comments
Estate Sale, Auction
Best, most profitable way to get rid of stuff? [more inside]
Promethazine and False Positive Pregnancy Tests
Does anyone know how long Promethazine/Phenergan is thought to interfere with home pregnancy tests?
How to move past in - laws taking sides?
Husband and I have been married for many years and working through some relationship difficulties. This summer I felt things were not repairable and asked for a separation in prep for a divorce [more inside]
posted by TestamentToGrace at 3:00 AM PST - 54 comments
posted by TestamentToGrace at 3:00 AM PST - 54 comments
Finding out about a half-sibling from a parent's affair
25-year-old woman here. My father confessed I have a 21-year-old half-sister that he had from a long affair. A half-sister he is in touch with and still, in some ways, financially supporting. I'm having a hard time processing this. [more inside]
Mono? West Nile? None of the above?
I have mono-ish symptoms, but I'm not sure that it's mono. Details inside. [more inside]
November 7
How do people choose whom to ask for directions?
Why does stranger A decide to ask stranger B for directions (or other small favours, like a light, or change for a bill), and not stranger C or D? [more inside]
do you know about civil society in Nepal?
I'm very curious to learn about people and organizations who are based there are making grants or scholarships to support local communities. Any leads or thoughts? [more inside]
posted by jenbo1 at 9:19 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by jenbo1 at 9:19 PM PST - 4 comments
URGENT CAT HIDING QUESTION
I am watching my co-worker's cat because she had to move to a place where you can''t have cats. We can't find the cat and I am afraid she escaped from the house. However no one saw her run out of the door and no doors were left open. We have a resident cat who likes to run out of the house so we are extra careful when we leave. I think the cat might be hiding but my boyfriend thinks that is unlikely because he looked for her ALL day. Have you ever lost a cat inside your house?
Looking for a good PC repair service in Austin, TX
Need recommendations for a reputable and affordable PC repair service in Northwest Austin. My friend is having problems that are beyond our abilities to fix. [more inside]
How do I get colleges and universities to respond?
I am a doctoral student that needs to deploy a short survey as my research data collection instrument for my dissertation. I have passed a rigorous IRB process at my University. I am having an incredibly hard time getting college and universities to respond to my email request for permission to deploy my survey to their school student email systems. [more inside]
posted by ConnieL at 6:25 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by ConnieL at 6:25 PM PST - 28 comments
Foodie suggestions for a moderate splurge meal in Durham or DC?
I'd like to buy a gift card for a foodie in my life for either Durham, NC or Washington D.C. My foodie is a passionate advocate of the slow food movement (and is an active part of slow food in his home city). Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by arnicae at 6:17 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by arnicae at 6:17 PM PST - 9 comments
Looking for Hi-Res, Easy-Scrolling Awesome Historical Art Sites
I want to look at awesome curious art from all eras in an easy-to-scroll through format with smooth feed and, ideally, some accurate but not necessarily detailed artist, nationality, and date format. [more inside]
posted by LucretiusJones at 4:15 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by LucretiusJones at 4:15 PM PST - 6 comments
rejuvenate my brain!
I have a very mentally taxing/stimulating job. When I get home from work, I can't muster the mental energy to do anything but surf the internet. Even a supper with more steps than 2 (open and heat) seem overwhelming. Physically, I feel fine. I'm not physically tired, just completely mentally tapped out. It's starting to cause some tension in my relationship because I am no longer pulling my weight around the house. Leaving my job is not an option: it pays well and I love the work. I am looking for ways to have more mental energy at the end of the day to perform multi step tasks around the house and/or socialize. Any tips? Organization? Meditation? How do you get (more) stuff done? Thanks!
Brother in Law tried to stop my wedding. How do I deal w Thanksgiving?
My husband and I were married this past May. In mid-February, before the wedding, the husband of my sister in law called my husband to tell him that he was making a huge mistake marrying me and that it was going to ruin his life. There was a lot of classism and casual xenophobia in his reasoning. Now he and my SIL are coming in from out of state for Thanksgiving. What to do? [more inside]
posted by dysh at 3:42 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by dysh at 3:42 PM PST - 29 comments
Blue's Clueless
In light of this post, are there any programs or initiatives to offer an open, online, mainstream K-12 curriculum available to all students and school districts? [more inside]
posted by Christ, what an asshole at 3:19 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Christ, what an asshole at 3:19 PM PST - 4 comments
Retirement savings in the neocon age...
I am finally starting to plan for long term financial security and retirement. Good news, I have a pension. My question is, should I feel secure in my pension actually being there when I retire, or should have a separate, backup retirement account? [more inside]
Your Recommended Reading For Stepparents
Books, websites, message boards, pamphlets, magazines, any resources at all! [more inside]
posted by peterpete at 2:37 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by peterpete at 2:37 PM PST - 1 comment
I need help managing my medical insurance claims
I am really bad at dealing with medical bills and keeping track of when I've met my deductible, particularly with out-of-network providers. Is there an app or software that can help with the administration?
posted by Dragonness at 2:14 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Dragonness at 2:14 PM PST - 9 comments
feeling scared and small
I had a pretty terrible encounter with an incredibly aggressive person today. I feel a bit shaky and fragile. How do I cope when I deserve what happened to me? [more inside]
Small business needs conference calling capability. Hope me!
We're about to add a fourth member to our team, and will want to hold occasional staff meetings on the telephone. There are so many conference calling services out there that I'm just overwhelmed! We just need a way to talk on the phone together. This is for a backroom-type operation so 24/7 customer service, video, and other frills are irrelevant. All potential participants are US-based and the dial-in number need not be toll-free (although that would be a nice thing to have). Low cost is good; free would be better.
please recommend a therapist in Toronto to me
I'm looking for a therapist to help with my excessively self-destructive, masochistic desires and tendencies. Don't misunderstand; I don't need a "kink-aware" therapist, because these feelings do not fall within the realm of safe, sane, and consensual; they're compulsive, intrusive, and interfering with my life. They are also not exclusivly sexual or fetishistic in nature. I'm putting myself in real danger, and I need someone to help me stop wanting to.
Can an engineer escape from a black hole?
I have an engineering degree and seven years of experience working as a mechanical engineer in a niche industry. I was laid off over a year ago, and I still can't find a job. [more inside]
Disney World / Orlando Studios / Quiet-ish Beach vacation advice
I'm super bad at planning travel stuff and I'm trying to take a vacation with my girlfriend at the end of December. We'd like to do 3 nights at a quiet-ish beach within reasonable driving distance of Disney World and Universal Studios (because Harry Potter) in Orlando, and 4 nights doing both of those theme parks. First time Disney planner here, and I don't know anything about Florida beaches really. [more inside]
Best Device for Listening to Audiobooks
Challenges: Needs to be VERY easy to use. This is for a 99-year old who is forgetful, and has both hand mobility and vision issues. It needs to be something that is just very, very basic. She is hard-of-hearing, and also needs a good headset with clear audio at higher levels.
I will be loading up audiobooks, probably from my local library, so she doesn't need to learn to do that, just the playing of the book.
Activites for the mobility challenged within an hour of so of SF
I'm looking for ideas for things to do with my in-laws and my six week old baby that require basically zero walking. [more inside]
posted by tealcake at 12:57 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by tealcake at 12:57 PM PST - 10 comments
Who is the Senegalese musician in the video in the Field Museum?
When I was on vacation in Chicago last year I stopped by the Field Museum and happened to catch a video in the Senegal exhibit of a musician playing and singing a song that I thought was really beautiful. I recall that he was playing the kora and that the lyrics pertained to a shaman or similar person. I have tried looking on the Field Museum website and sending them an email but no dice so far. Does anyone know who is in the video and/or the name of the song?
posted by capricorn at 12:47 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by capricorn at 12:47 PM PST - 7 comments
How Can I "Piggyback" My Carry-On to My Rolling Suitcase?
I own a weekender bag and a rolling Eagle Creek bag (front view, rear view).
I often use the two together, but haven't figured out a way to attach the former to the latter (so I can roll both). Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 12:22 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Quisp Lover at 12:22 PM PST - 6 comments
As a bartender, how much should I be tipped out by the servers?
I am the first bartender this restaurant has hired and this is also my first bartending job, so both the owner and I are coming up with the tip out policy from scratch. This is in the US -- if you are not familiar with how US tipping culture works, please don't answer. [more inside]
How can I warm up the LED can light tone in my office?
Our office building is in the process of switching over to all-LED lighting. Our recessed can lights were recently swapped and it's causing a lot of grief- will we just get used to it over time or can I buy some warming filters that won't melt or look like yellow/orange/red dots all over our ceiling? I have only found theatrical lighting sources online so far. Help!
WANTED: Excellent, yet easy reads
I'm going to start by admitting that my interest in reading went from avid bookworm to "I don't even want to read this considerably lengthy text message."
That being said, I'm about ready to jump back into literature.
So where do I start? [more inside]
Tax implications of paying back a signing bonus
If I have to pay back a signing bonus because I didn't stay at the job for a full year, is there any way to recover the taxes I paid on the signing bonus? [more inside]
Poetry recommendations: Similar to Anne Carson?
Anne Carson is an oft-recommended poet/writer here on Ask.Mefi, but if she's your starting point, then where do you go? [more inside]
Tell me how you have evened out your biorhythms/energy swings.
I noticed something about myself yesterday that I think I need help with. Basically, no matter how happy I am at the start of the day, I am often emotionally and physically depleted by the end of it. How can I maintain my 8:30am levels of optimism, competence and energy so they're not completely gone by the afternoon? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 10:28 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by fingersandtoes at 10:28 AM PST - 10 comments
Live Music Visual Projection Software
I would like to find a software program that allows me to trigger photos/short video both live and preplanned. More explanation inside. [more inside]
posted by hiddenknives at 10:28 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by hiddenknives at 10:28 AM PST - 3 comments
Sleeping with Podcasts
For the past couple years I have gone to sleep with podcasts on (usually sports or news podcasts) and find it really difficult to go to sleep without a podcast on. I have tried sound machines and they do not help.
No matter how long I sleep, I generally wake up feeling fatigued, and can have brain fog or feel tired and am tired throughout the day. I have never been a particularly great sleeper, but I am at a place that I need to address the fatigue. I am going to go get checked by a sleep doctor in a couple months (switching insurance and travel schedule), but in the meantime I am assessing things I am doing that may cause the fatigue.
Does anyone sleep with podcasts on? Could this be an issue? My thought is maybe my brain is semi-engaged because I am listening to the conversation. Total guess, but thought I would reach out and see if anyone else has dealt with this.
Thanks!
Aggressors, Defenders and Will & Visualization. What is this?
I found a scrap of paper and I'm very curious about it. It looks like a syllabus or course notes, and it refers to aggressors, defenders, and using will and visualization. Full text inside. [more inside]
Bollywood movies with English subtitles?
Where can I find Indian movies with decent English subtitles to stream or download? [more inside]
posted by Itaxpica at 10:01 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Itaxpica at 10:01 AM PST - 7 comments
What should I read before travelling to India?
Can you recommend a historical book to give me some background and context before I visit India? I'd like to learn more about the region's history to understand what I'm seeing. [more inside]
Tips for wintering my herbs indoors?
Three of the hardier herbs we had been growing in our back yard--sage, mint, and lavender--survived our absent-minded neglect and made it through the summer. As the temperatures drop, we've taken them indoors for the winter. We can provide either 1) warmth and artificial light, or 2) cold protection from the elements, but natural light all day long. What's better? [more inside]
Suggestions for a Minecraft/Amazing World of Gumball dual-themed party?
Myboy’s twin passions are Minecraft and The Amazing World of Gumball. We are throwing him a GumCraft/MineBall 9th birthday party and would love suggestions on decorations, food/treats, beverages, music, party favors, and activities. Either Minecraft or Gumball suggestions would be great, but suggestions that meld the two themes together would simply rock the house. [more inside]
Trauma and Language
I have observed a new phenomenon in myself this year and noticed different patterns in how my brain interacts with language in the period after trauma. I have a lot of other stress reactions going on that seem to be hypothalamus stuff (loss of circadian rhythm, weird appetite things, feeling hot and sweaty) but am not sure how any of that plays into processing language. I would love to learn more about this, either from anecdotes or from a more research-based perspective. [more inside]
Cat pees in bed while we're in it
10 y/o female cat. She's urinated on the bed twice before, but never when we were in it. Now it's happened with us IN THE BED twice in the course of three days. What the hell do we do, and what the hell does this mean? [more inside]
Should I stick with this acting teacher.. or not?
Several months back I revisited a lifelong ambition and joined (part time) acting school. I was as a high as a kite... tapping into 'that' part of myself again, feeling encouraged and 'got' by a seemingly fun/knowledgeable/encouraging and well connected teacher, classmates are nice too.. but... [more inside]
how to tell people we're getting married
We’ve decided to get married after dating for about 1.5 years because he needs a visa to stay here, and I feel weird telling my friends about it. [more inside]
posted by swamp rocket at 8:52 AM PST - 44 comments
posted by swamp rocket at 8:52 AM PST - 44 comments
Dandelion Mine
My delightful and delicious farm share provides me with a sizable bunch of dandelion greens every week. I'm looking for recipes that mask the bitterness. [more inside]
posted by carrioncomfort at 8:49 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by carrioncomfort at 8:49 AM PST - 8 comments
I need to break free of my gambling addiction.
I'm addicted to online gambling, and it's taking a toll on my social life, pocketbook, and self-esteem. I need to quit - and have tried to - but have relapsed each time within a week, give or take. The relapse usually occurs when I'm anxious/stressed (which unfortunately is quite often lately). To MeFites that have struggled with and overcome some form of addiction - how did you beat your habit? What did it take? How did you resist the temptation, even in moments of weakness? [more inside]
The best ingredients for a RaspberryPi (or Arduino, other equivalent)?
Can you explain what the differences between Raspberry Pi, Arduino or equivalent is in terms a non-techno-savvy 5 year old could understand? What do I need for the best Raspberry Pi (or equivalent) system / computer (?) for an IT developer? Difficulty - any suggestions will need to be available in Canada. [more inside]
posted by apcmwh at 8:33 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by apcmwh at 8:33 AM PST - 10 comments
Lye substitues.
Can I substitute kansui for lye or baking soda for making pretzels? [more inside]
posted by furnace.heart at 8:22 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by furnace.heart at 8:22 AM PST - 9 comments
The Pros and Cons of Marriage
Assuming we'll be together until death, I'm wondering what the reasons are for and against marrying my partner. [more inside]
How to have an adult assessed for autism for insurance purposes
What do I need to do and where do I need to go to have my adult brother receive a professional assessment stating he has autism and will need lifelong health insurance through my father? [more inside]
posted by srrh at 8:12 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by srrh at 8:12 AM PST - 8 comments
Options for Structuring a User Poll
I'm creating an online poll for work, and have two options for user responses. Will the final tally be radically different if I choose one over the other? [more inside]
posted by grateful at 7:53 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by grateful at 7:53 AM PST - 6 comments
Sim card for German iPhone while in the US for 2 weeks.
German visitor to the U.S. need a micro sim card with data for her iphone... [more inside]
Who do I need to sort out my company's website?
I work for a small non-profit organisation. Our move from a hand-coded website to a WordPress-based system has stalled, and the company who were doing the work are no longer formally involved.
Help me to understand who I'd need to engage to get the work finished. [more inside]
Wishlist Sites that have Category Subheadings (Similar to Kaboodle)?
So I used to use Kaboodle, but it's plagued with bugs lately, and I can't access my account or my wishlists-- or make a new account. Does any one know of a Wishlist website that lets you add and sort subcategories/subsections when adding items? (Bonus points: Has a bookmarklet/browswer button). [more inside]
November 6
Best way to get inaccurate information changed on Wikipedia?
The organization I work for is concerned about inaccurate information on our Wikipedia page. What's the best way to go about getting that changed? [more inside]
Are there separate fart and poop muscles?
I have an important human Kinesiology question: are there different muscles for farting and pooping? Specifically, when one has a fart feeling that might be a poop, it feels as though one has the control to selectively let out the potential fart but not the potential poop. Is this a dangerous delusion? Is it really just a "let it all out" switch?
posted by 256 at 9:24 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by 256 at 9:24 PM PST - 22 comments
Help my hunt for an animal verb
In the vein of "squirrel away" or "ferret away" (and maybe even "badger"), I'm looking for a verb from the animal kingdom that means working hard at something, persistently and continually.
It's come up a few times where I've wanted to say "Continue animaling away at the problem", but the particular beast I'm looking for eludes me.
Help?
posted by kreestar at 9:22 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by kreestar at 9:22 PM PST - 27 comments
Hope my hair, ICU bed head edition, Portland
My long hair is a casualty of a recent ICU stint. I am ok with going short and starting over. But... There are complications. 1, I am still in hosp, and when I leave will be in a skilled nursing facility. 2, I moved here two days before ending up in hosp and have no friend base. 3, I have $40. I am hoping to find someone who would be willing to work in those confines to cut and style my hair, who does have experience. The nurses have no suggestions. I don't even know where to start, and am over whether by enough life changes in the past three months to last a lifetime. I need this to be as simple as possible. Please forgive not doing all the requisite searches, limited by tablet and energy. Thanks for suggestions on who might be able to help.
posted by batikrose at 9:02 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by batikrose at 9:02 PM PST - 14 comments
Help me with a sliding scheduling problem?
Lennon manages projects. Each project takes 125 about working days to complete. Lennon must complete 39 projects in any given twelve month period. How many projects must Lennon manage simultaneously so that the boss could cut a twelve-month wide window in a piece of paper, slide it over the Gantt chart, and always see the finalisation of 39 projects? [more inside]
posted by obiwanwasabi at 8:58 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by obiwanwasabi at 8:58 PM PST - 7 comments
How can I improve my sensitivity to how I am playing piano?
I am an adult intermediate piano student. Lately I've started taping my practice sessions and I hear the musical shortcomings (rhythm, dynamics and shaping). But I find it difficult to catch these flaws while I'm playing. I have no trouble hearing wrong notes when playing, but it's the other musical dimensions that I'm not paying attention to. My rhythm is not grossly wrong but it sometimes can drift just a little. What exercises or techniques do you know that would help improve my sensitivity while I'm playing?
Fictional examples of self-deception?
My wife is working on her dissertation on the topic of self-deception and self-knowledge. She'd like to create a database of examples of self-deception from literature or film to better illustrate her work. What are some interesting or novel fictional examples of people who are (or have been) self-deceived, ignorant about themselves, or who, conversely, have unnaturally good insight into themselves?
Bay Area Patent Attorney?
Does anyone here know of a patent attorney in the Bay Area whom they like and trust? [more inside]
posted by small_ruminant at 6:09 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by small_ruminant at 6:09 PM PST - 9 comments
Best route for long-distance train travel in the US in winter
I want to take a train journey across the US, from east to west. Which route should I pick? Complication: January. [more inside]
posted by une_heure_pleine at 6:05 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by une_heure_pleine at 6:05 PM PST - 14 comments
Halp! First experience with nonmonogamy
First non monogamous relationship. First serious post-marriage relationship. Lots of feelings. Need a navigator. [more inside]
Should I go to a dermatologist or a cosmetician for my skin problem?
I'm 23 years old and I have had rough tiny bumps all over my face for a few years now. They are not really acnes because they do not go away and are skin-colored. I have a good skin care routine, which I cleanse and moisturize daily and I use a Clarisonic about 3 times a week. Nothing seems to help my skin be smooth. I'm not sure if my condition should be seen by a dermatologist or not since it's not really a major problem. Should I go to a dermatologist's office or a cosmetic skin care center that offers chemical peels and microdermabrasions?
Here's a picture of how my skin looks.
What do do with a whole picked cabbage?
I have a whole pickled cabbage sitting in my fridge and I don't want to throw it out. Help! [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 at 5:22 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by ninazer0 at 5:22 PM PST - 10 comments
jonmc and pips in charm city
This weekend me and pips (aka mrs. jonmc) will be in Baltimore. We have a wedding on Saturday to go to, but sunday and monday are more or less ours. Not to be cliched but I definitely want great crab cakes, pit beef, etc. We'll be staying by the inner harbor but we'll have a rental car. Please tell me the must-go joints. Thanks.
Converting single family to 3-family in Boston
I am thinking of buying a brownstone in Boston as an investment property. It contains three apartments, but the legal status is currently only one-family. Historically it was a legal three-family, but previous owners changed the occupancy to one family in1973. There are currently three totally separate apartments that are being rented despite it only being a one family. My question is what is the procedure and cost to get it back to legal three family status? [more inside]
posted by cmp4Meta at 4:43 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by cmp4Meta at 4:43 PM PST - 3 comments
Looking for beachy, kid-friendly sun in January
Where should we go for a vacation in mid-January with our two small children? We don't need anything complicated; we just want to play on the beach, read books, eat tasty food, and maybe see a few fun things. [more inside]
Men's hair salons in NYC
What men's hair salon in NYC (Manhattan) should I go to? [more inside]
Could I be allergic to alcohol?
I had 4 drinks on halloween night - over the course of 4 hours - which resulted in ten hours of serious vomiting the next day. This is not the first time this has happened. Why can't my body tolerate alcohol? [more inside]
How was this camerawork achieved?
Please watch the sequence running from 32:24 to 33:19 in this episode of the BBC's Human Universe (which may be available only in the UK). It appears to be one unbroken take. My question is this: where was the camera positioned at each stage throughout that sequence? [more inside]
Western Digital Black or Blue Externally for Xbox One?
I have an xbox one and space is quickly running out. I have researched harddrives and western digital seems pretty reliable. If it's going to be used externally via a usb 3.0 docking station will there be any benefit to getting a black drive over a blue drive? The difference is about $20. I don't need it right away so I'm doing my research. This is the docking station I will most likely be using seeing how I already have one. http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-SuperSpeed-Docking-Station/dp/B0099TX7O4
Old-fashioned 1950s canned chili
Mr Sally makes great chili from scratch, green or red, but he longs to create the flavor of -- yes -- the canned chili of his youth. Which we don't eat, given the high sodium, bad fat, etc. He says they all had a certain taste he has yet to replicate. What was it? [more inside]
How to advocate for my girlfriend in inpatient psychiatric care?
My girlfriend recently had an instance alone where she contemplated (but did not attempt) suicide. It was the first time she'd experienced what she now recalls as a hallucination. She saw a psychotherapist 2 days afterwards to discuss options. After talking with the therapist, she decided to check in for inpatient psychiatric care (and arranged it for the same day).
How can I be the best advocate for her health right now? [more inside]
How do I become a park ranger?
I would like to have a career in one of the federal agencies that administers our nation's (that is, America's) public and protected lands—a park ranger or similar. What are the prospects like for those types of jobs, and how do I go about getting one given where I am now and where I plan to be in a year or so's time? [more inside]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 3:26 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 3:26 PM PST - 11 comments
Best Legal Opinion You've Ever Read?
Attorneys, law students, anyone: what is the best legal opinion you've ever read? I am fascinated by legal rhetoric and I want to read the best-written, best-argued, opinions (majority or dissenting) you can come up with. Amicus briefs will also be accepted. And the case doesn't need to be historical or momentous, nor does it need to be a Supreme Court case, but cool of it is.
You all are good with cats, dogs and babies. What about women's groups?
I've discussed with some friends the possibility of starting a local group for women of color who are working to move into the upper ranks of the corporate and non-profit worlds. I have the format of the group all set up. I have a list of invitees. I have topics women would like to hear discussed. I even have potential guest speakers. What I don't have is a name. [more inside]
How do you move on after a really bad fight?
My hubby and I had an enormous blowup a few months ago and it's still bothering me. I am seeing a counselor to work through some of the residual feelings and depression that have come in the aftermath of the fight, which is helping a lot. I would like some additional insight from other MeFites about how you have dealt with difficult feelings with a partner after a really bad incident. [more inside]
posted by chatelaine at 2:28 PM PST - 124 comments
posted by chatelaine at 2:28 PM PST - 124 comments
Is there an app...
Is there an iOS app that facilitates the simple exchange of contact information (to avoid the "What's your cell/email/Facebook/Twitter?" type routine)? [more inside]
How does my office thermostat work?
Is there any guide for best practices on setting a 2-dial thermostat like the one pictured here and here? And what do the two dials represent? [more inside]
A leave of absence from a secondment?
Looking for some advice on indicating a leave of absence from a short term posting on a resume. [more inside]
Thirty Days in the Hole
Help! I am trying to find the line up from a day at Summerfest a long, long time ago. [more inside]
posted by rtimmel at 1:42 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by rtimmel at 1:42 PM PST - 8 comments
Music licensing when I have the only copy but there is no copyright?
I have an unlabeled acetate record from the early 60s that contains music and an interview with a late musician, composer and counter-cultural icon of some note. As far as I've been able to figure, I have the only copy and there is no copyright. There is a documentary about this person in the works and the director/producer is interested in using this material. Someone else, the operator of a long-running fansite, would like to release it as part of a retrospective album next year. I've already offered that it be used in the film for free. Is it possible for me to get compensation for its inclusion on any audio releases? [more inside]
posted by hydrophonic at 1:11 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by hydrophonic at 1:11 PM PST - 19 comments
Paypal displaying Kijiji homepage
When I try to go anywhere on the Paypal website, it displays the Kijiji homepage instead (or a security certificate warning). I noticed this when attempting to pay for something on eBay. Is this a problem other people are experiencing or just with my computer? If it is just my computer, WTF is happening? [more inside]
posted by vanitas at 1:05 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by vanitas at 1:05 PM PST - 2 comments
Has a major lottery ever produced a result that doesn't look random?
Every outcome in a fair lottery is equally probable, yet some results display obvious patterns and feel less likely to the statistically uninformed. Nobody would blink if a six-number lotto draw came up with (3,12,27,31,40,44), but a result of (1,2,3,4,5,6) would probably make the news. Has this ever happened in a major lottery? If yes, what was the public responce?
posted by Dr Dracator at 1:03 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Dr Dracator at 1:03 PM PST - 10 comments
Should I take this job and move home?
Should I take this job offer and move home because that's where I want to end up, or spend another year at my current company doing my dream job? Complication: I'm female, 30, single, and want to get married and have a family in my home state. [more inside]
posted by curtains at 12:59 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by curtains at 12:59 PM PST - 23 comments
Should i cut off contact, or should I continue seeing him occasionally?
I'm not getting what I want, which is to be in a relationship with him. But I would rather see him occasionally from time to time, rather than not at all. Is this a terrible idea, and if so then how come? [more inside]
posted by akita at 12:28 PM PST - 47 comments
posted by akita at 12:28 PM PST - 47 comments
The air/sea interface for a Miami/Nassau cruise ship passenger.
I'm going with some family on a 4 day 3 night cruise from Miami to Nassau and back. Yay! I've got the flying part and the sitting on a boat sipping umbrella drinks part down, but I have questions about some of the interstitial parts of the trip. [more inside]
posted by rmd1023 at 12:18 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by rmd1023 at 12:18 PM PST - 5 comments
Playing DA: Inquisition first?
I have a PS4 but haven't played it in a year! It's because there's no games I've wanted. I'm into epic 100+ hour RPGs and stuff. Dragon Age: Inquisition would be my first serious purchase for the system. But is it okay if I play the game without having played the first two titles in the series? Will I be completely lost, or have real trouble caring about characters/events/lore I should be caring about? Curious about the arguments for and against (though I understand none of us have played DA3 yet, since it's not out for another week and a half). I'm open to playing through the entire series in order, but I'm also excited to make use of the current-gen system and bask in the immersive atmosphere.
posted by naju at 11:39 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by naju at 11:39 AM PST - 25 comments
[CANADA] How to get copies of Pre-Sentence Reports & Psychologist Report
My brother is being charged with a criminal offense -- I am researching similar cases to get a general understanding.
Is it possible to somehow obtain Pre-Sentence Reports and Psychologist Reports from past-cases posted in say CanLII?
Three part question about a kitten adoption
Part one: traveling with a kitten;
Part two: your positive stories about introducing said kitten to adult cats; and
Part three: does this kitten look like a Dennis or a Bud to you? [more inside]
posted by janey47 at 11:09 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by janey47 at 11:09 AM PST - 26 comments
Kohler Elate faucet cartridge replacement help
My kitchen sink, a Kohler Elate is leaking from the handle. [more inside]
posted by ChrisHartley at 11:00 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by ChrisHartley at 11:00 AM PST - 11 comments
Best description of that-indescribable-horror
What's the best description of that-which-can-not-be-described in horror literature you've encountered? [more inside]
Being fun at parties
Scenario: college party with other folks my age, drinking and meeting folks. Problem: I'm not good at talking about light, non-intellectual topics at parties. I don't watch TV or movies or know about goings on on campus. What can I talk about (that isn't boring), or how can I improve this? [more inside]
Speech recognition software for a programmer?
Can speech recognition software be used to write code? [more inside]
Taking care after a flashback
I had a PTSD flashback today after not having issues with PTSD for a year. How do I stabilize? [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 10:41 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by sockermom at 10:41 AM PST - 8 comments
Staying dry and cool in the rain
What is the best lightweight breathable gear to wear over normal clothes that will keep me dry through long walks in the rain? [more inside]
Looking for recommendations regarding publishing a book of illustrations
I am working on sort of a nonstandard art book/book of history-related illustrations and am working on finding a way to find my book as a real thing in the real world. I would love some recommendations of publishing houses/small presses/etc. that are doing interesting things with weird works. It's such a big world out there. [more inside]
Was this a legit massage?
A few years ago, I bought a Groupon for a 45 minute massage at a day spa in the West Village in NYC. I've had professional massages before, so I knew what to expect, and for the majority of the massage nothing out of the ordinary happened. Toward the end, however, the massage therapist asked me if I wanted to extend the session longer (for an additional fee) and get a "front massage". I was enjoying the session and really liked the therapist, so I agreed. He had me flip over, and then massaged my stomach and chest, grazing the tops of my breasts (but never touching them beyond that). It felt quite intimate and almost erotic and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I'd never had a massage like that before or since. Is "front massage" a legit technique for a professional massage, or was this out of the ordinary?
Looking for knitting technique/theory blogs
Help me find knitting blogs on the more technical side of things! [more inside]
Wanted: GRATUITOUS AMOUNTS OF ENERGY
How can I make myself more energetic on any given day, without making myself more agitated or anxious in the process? [more inside]
Help a Luddite DIY a sweet Christmas present for a tech geek
This year, I'm trying to make as many of my Christmas gifts as I can. I picked my 21-year-old tech geek brother in the family's Secret Santa drawing, and I need to find a cool, useful gift to make him... [more inside]
Really simple task sharing / ticketing program
I need a dead-simple task sharing / ticketing / to do list program for a small ad agency's creative team. About seven of us will be using it. When I say "simple" I mean "so simple that what I'm looking for might not even be marketed as a project management tool." [more inside]
I need a new camera. Biggest concern: batteries.
I have need of a new, relatively inexpensive camera that will be good for outdoors use without access to power for an extended period of time. [more inside]
posted by Salieri at 8:05 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by Salieri at 8:05 AM PST - 16 comments
Recommendations for kid-friendly quick stops from Boston to DC area
Any recommendations for quick stops from Boston to DC area with a four year old? [more inside]
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 7:49 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 7:49 AM PST - 21 comments
Nice, professional looking women's watch with a stopwatch?
I'd like a watch that I can wear every day to work that looks nice and professional, but it's important to me that I be able to time things. All the watches I find with stopwatches look crummy so I just end up getting $15 digital watches from Target which are fine but I should probably upgrade. I don't want to spend ten thousand dollars or anything. What are my best options? [more inside]
How to think about housing/debt
Should I refinance my mortgage, cash out equity to pay off debt. [more inside]
Game me.
I feel like quasi-impulse buying a new board game this weekend. Which should it be? [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 7:32 AM PST - 33 comments
posted by phunniemee at 7:32 AM PST - 33 comments
Re-filling a molar
While brushing my teeth today, I realized that my one filling has started to pull away from the enamel. What should I do? [more inside]
Looking to Experience Rapid Decompression
I'm leaving a job that has me pretty burned out, and moving into a program that should be much more exciting and fulfilling, but will be pretty intense, and I want to be at my best. What do you do to destress, respoon, and generally recover from burnout when you only have a couple days to yourself? [more inside]
posted by firechicago at 6:39 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by firechicago at 6:39 AM PST - 16 comments
LinkedIn for the flinchy
Can you help me understand LinkedIn and how I use it to find a new job without it being staggeringly awkward, especially considering all of my professional connections on LinkedIn with my current coworkers? [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 6:14 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by A Terrible Llama at 6:14 AM PST - 13 comments
Need it now. Cheap.
Have never used anything but Macs, and know a bit about Macs, but now suddenly I need to order from amazon a quick, very cheap laptop for emergency use and want to spend as little $$ as possible. **This is only for writing and for writing on google docs. ** Any other feature is a benefit.
*Can you use a Chrome book for writing? At least on google docs?*
I do not want to buy a used Mac, don't want to spend time researching, and don't want to do anything but get it from amazon right now. This can be a not-great computer that will be a family backup after the repair of normal computer. The thing is, we need it delivered tomorrow for writing.
(If we order the cheapest PC will it come with microsoft word or equivalent installed for writing?)
Thanks.
Can I make my car CD player turn on and off instantly?
I often listen to audio books on CD in my 2014 Subaru Impreza. When I turn the CD player on, the volume doesn't start at full blast -- it sort of fades in. And when I turn the CD player off, the sound doesn't stop instantly -- it fades out. I find this annoying. Is there some setting that I can adjust to make the CD player come on and off instantly? I looked through the manual, but I couldn't find anything, and I'm finding it hard to Google. Thank you!
posted by cider at 5:41 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by cider at 5:41 AM PST - 6 comments
Help me Internet-kenobe! You're my only hope!
I was told that I am the finalist for a position in a school district, but that the last step would be to contact my current employer for a reference. I told them no, not until I see something in writing. But how do I handle once I do see something in writing? Help me navigate these tricky waters! [more inside]
If a guy hugs and cuddles on the first date, is it a red flag?
I'm in my early 20s and new to the dating scene, so I could use some advice. I knew this guy for a few months from class. He's a few years older than I am, and is a complete gentleman. Last week we went on a first date, where he took me to dinner, and then we just walked around town talking. On the walk, he put his arm around my shoulders, and I didn't really react. We went to a coffeeshop afterwards, and as he sat next to me, occasionally he'd brush the small of my back and my hair. At the end of the night, when it was chilly, he hugged me tightly and kissed the top of my head. We never fully "kissed". Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I've heard mixed things from people about being too affectionate on first dates. Do you think he's moving too fast for a first date with a girl? We've had conversations in class before this, so he's not a complete stranger. Still, I'm wary if this just means he wants to hook up in the future. [more inside]
posted by echoplasm at 2:14 AM PST - 50 comments
posted by echoplasm at 2:14 AM PST - 50 comments
Settling for a lateral career move to leave a failing company??
I've been working at a medical supply company since May of 2013. Since the middle of this year, the company has slowly deteriorated for the following reasons: High turnover rate as 17 people have left us within the past 2 months. HR manager and IT director were laid off. Our payroll manager and financial comptroller have left the company for greener pastures. We have lost more than 50% of the contracts with facilities that used to refer patients to us. There's lots of talk that the company may close down going into 2015. The high turnover is demoralizing thus I went job hunting everyday. I recently got a job interview at a place that is 3.3 miles away from home rather than 15 miles for my current work place. I did not get the position that I interviewed for. The vice president picked someone else despite the manager's recommendation for me. However, the manager offered me another position available and took the offer. It's an entry-level position that's only a dollar more than what I currently make. I was hoping to get the other position that paid 3-7 dollars more since I had relevant experience and a recent Bachelor's degree in Health Admin. Did I make the correct decision in accepting the first job offer after multiple applications? I really wanted to get into a hospital, but the competition is very fierce and hiring process takes awhile. I was afraid to go down with a sinking ship therefore I had to take a quick bite on the opportunity.
posted by tnar23 at 12:52 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by tnar23 at 12:52 AM PST - 13 comments
November 5
Vintage poster copyright?
I'd like to use some images from vintage communist Polish posters and am curious about copyright laws. Any advice about what's protected and what isn't? [more inside]
posted by vecchio at 10:54 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by vecchio at 10:54 PM PST - 4 comments
Something something "talk in your sleep" something...
A song came on the radio just as I was driving into an underground parking lot. I told myself I would look up the lyrics as soon as I got upstairs but of course I got distracted. I only remember snippets of the lyrics and nothing is turning up when I google them. Please help! [more inside]
posted by keep it under cover at 9:47 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by keep it under cover at 9:47 PM PST - 5 comments
Person I am close to is into a new confusing belief system
Someone I am close to is increasingly getting into the videos of a blogger who talks about an occult group as a stand in for the power elite, occult symbolism in media, the trivium, natural law, etc. My friend seems to see this person as a bringer of new truth, whereas upon my few listenings it mostly seems to be vaguely intellectual cobbling together of anti capitalism, some moral political philosophy, money is religion type stuff. My question is if there's a way for me to connect with him on these topics more generally. [more inside]
How to get over my anger about assault/street harrassment
A couple of days ago, riding my bicycle home from work, a random guy in a van who was passing me whacked me on the bum with his hand from the window of his car. I nearly fell off into traffic, and it was upsetting and rage-inducing, and I still feel really worked up about it. I'm finding myself dreading my bicycle commute now, and spending way too much mental energy on this. Has anyone got any suggestions for ways to deal with those emotions and stop letting this eat me up? [more inside]
posted by lollusc at 9:20 PM PST - 34 comments
posted by lollusc at 9:20 PM PST - 34 comments
When does the plumber stop plumbing
I did a kitchen remodel and the only person I wanted to use was my plumber rather than the contractors because my plumber knows my house and situation pretty well. [more inside]
Help me identify the origins of a weird childhood nightmare
I had a memorable nightmare when I was a child, probably around 1995. Can you identify the source in pop culture? [more inside]
posted by deathpanels at 8:01 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by deathpanels at 8:01 PM PST - 20 comments
Suspiciously LINEAR increase in electricity prices
I was reading something by someone who "did the math" for leaving a 400 Watt PC on for an entire year, and I thought his rate of 37 cents per kilowatt-hour was high. [more inside]
My poor car was the victim of a hit and run
It appears that my new car I only just got in May has it's first real injury. [more inside]
I love my hobbies / interests. But I've grown jaded.
For a while now I've wished to gain new hobbies / interests but I don't know what to look for. [more inside]
Stop reminding me!
My Google Calendar somehow defaulted to 'add reminder 10 minutes before' for entering events at some point a while ago that I did not notice. Lately, ALL THE EVENTS have been popping up reminders, and exploding my phone (and desktop). Is there a way to globally remove all the reminders everywhere on my calendar? I would love to avoid manually checking every event/appointment to reset it.
Wee wee wee, all the way home!
Why should we sign up to be a "Nielsen Family"?
Someone stopped by and wants us to sign up to be a Nielsen family. She said they would install a device that connects to the audio output of the TV. In exchange there is a $50 gift card, some potential for more.
Anyone ever do this? Seems like a hassle with little upside. Anything I'm missing?
posted by cosmac at 5:00 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by cosmac at 5:00 PM PST - 33 comments
iPad app question
I teach 5th grade and have a few student who struggle mightly with reading and writing. In order to help them with the writing process we are exploring using the ability of the ipad to take dictation and create a document. I would probably use the Pages app, but wondered if there were other apps out there other teachers have found to be useful. Caveat, we need to be able to convert the document to MS Word (which is easy to do in Pages). Suggestions? Experiences?
How to recreate the circle pattern found on Eames Storage Units?
I would like to make an Eames storage unit, but am stuck on how to reproduce the raised circles found on its wood panels. Would veneer over thin metal disks work? Other ideas? [more inside]
posted by hermanubis at 4:23 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by hermanubis at 4:23 PM PST - 9 comments
I made it past the phone interview. Help me get this job!
I recently found out about a website/editorial job at a company where one of my good friends works. I also used to do some freelance writing for them. I submitted my resume, had a phone interview with the very cool editor, and now I have a scary interview with HR and a skills test and I am a little freaked out. Please help me solve three somewhat related anxiety spirals. [more inside]
Asking for a friend... Is this relationship something that can be fixed?
"My fiancé and I started dating when we were 16. We are now 21. Our relationship started out great, and we moved in together quickly when we were 17. We lived together from that point on until he took a job out of state last October. He currently works about 12 hours from where I live. We have been having a lot of problems lately and I'm trying to figure out if it is worth saving. More details inside." [more inside]
A custom web application to self-publish and sell music
I have a friend who is trying to decide how to distribute his latest music.
As I'm a software engineer, he thought that we could build a custom app to process payments and deliver the music to the customer. I couldn't find too much info online about people who tried to do this so I'm looking for some guidance here. [more inside]
posted by instinkt at 4:02 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by instinkt at 4:02 PM PST - 14 comments
Help me experience joy again.
I have been experiencing a really limited ability to feel actual emotion, even though I'm not having a depressive episode, and I am having a lot of trouble finding a way out. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by myitkyina at 2:53 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by myitkyina at 2:53 PM PST - 11 comments
Help! My mom thinks she's me.
This is so weird I hardly know how to phrase it. My mom keeps telling anecdotes from my life as if they are things that happened to her. She doesn't seem to be aware of this behavior but it makes me feel uncomfortable and violated. How should I deal? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by hand-knit sock at 2:52 PM PST - 37 comments
posted by hand-knit sock at 2:52 PM PST - 37 comments
What makes for a superior signed book?
I have a book signing coming up for my new novella. This is not my first signing. I feel I should write something more than "good reading" or "enjoy" and my signature. Other than those authors who know you and made a personal note, have you seen good book signing quotes? I won't be signing many so length (within reason) is not an issue. [more inside]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 2:43 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 2:43 PM PST - 10 comments
PS/2 barcode scanner with USB & Windows 7
I'm trying to get some old barcode scanners with PS/2 cables to work with our Windows 7 machines, without much luck. [more inside]
posted by wintersonata9 at 2:27 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by wintersonata9 at 2:27 PM PST - 5 comments
Short turn-around canvas bag repair in Seattle?
I have a canvas purse with a 5" rip at one seam. I'm hoping to get it repaired in time for a meeting I have on Tuesday morning. What’s the best option for fast repair? Google brings up Rainy Pass Repair, but their minimum turnaround is 2 weeks. I made an abortive attempt to get a repair a year ago, and was so embarrassed by the "of COURSE we don't repair such things here" snootiness of the clothing repair place I inquired at that I'm skittish. Should I be looking at a cobbler or something? Other ideas?
posted by laeren at 1:43 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by laeren at 1:43 PM PST - 14 comments
Can I help an old, distant friend with apparent mental illness?
An old friend now living in another state looked me up. At first they seemed to have been experiencing the aftereffects of significant but ordinary traumatic events in life. I now believe they are struggling with significant mental illness that they are in denial of. I don't know how I could help them or if it's even a good idea to try. [more inside]
posted by Luke Skywalker at 1:41 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by Luke Skywalker at 1:41 PM PST - 19 comments
Help me pickout a pickup truck?
I want a pick-up truck that gets good gas mileage, preferably manual transmission, can seat at least 5 people (4 doors), and has at least dual airbags (preferably side curtain airbags?) I'd like to spend under $6,000 and I generally prefer Japanese, but I am not 100% set on that.
It seems I'll be getting a small truck with extended or "king" cab, early 2000's I guess. I have never bought a pickup truck before and I'm a little lost.
Please suggest some tools that I can get for making my own jewellery.
So I've made bits and pieces of jewellery like necklaces with clasps and such, but that's as far as I've gone. I'd like to take it a step further by making more complex bits of jewellery like bracelets and (in particular) earrings out of recycled metals; but I'm not sure what tools I would need or how to go about making the actual earrings and the metal that loops through the ear etc.
Can anyone give me some advice on this or recommend me any books or the like that will help set me off to a good start with this?
Is this just a casual relationship? or am I overanalyzing?
I am in a casual/non exclusive relationship and I wanted to know if things are progressing to be more or if he's just living in the moment and making the best out of it? Any of your own experiences would help a lot as well! [more inside]
posted by jenko at 12:22 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by jenko at 12:22 PM PST - 23 comments
Wooden salad bowls around Boston?
Where can I get a handmade wooden salad set (large bowls + smaller bowls) around the Boston area? [more inside]
Portable, packable gift of home
My partner and I have moved around a lot over the last few years. We're in one spot together, for now, but will likely have a few more bumps of not feeling settled for the next couple of years, as we'll likely be doing more cross-country and overseas moves. What gift ideas can you share, so we can take "home" with us wherever, whenever, we land? [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 11:24 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by stillmoving at 11:24 AM PST - 24 comments
What are some tips to renting a place in Brooklyn?
I'm currently in North Carolina, but want to move to Brooklyn on Jan 1st. What's the easiest way to do this? [more inside]
Cohabitation Agreement - Lawyers Disagree. I am confused by it all.
I know you are not my lawyer and this is not legal advice. I have a lawyer and my partner has a lawyer, but I am still rather confused. We are working on a cohabitation agreement and there is one outstanding issue that is seems to be holding us up -- the lawyers don't agree. I need a) help understanding the issue b) phrasing the question to my lawyer. [more inside]
T-mobile or Republic Wireless?
I am getting a smartphone for my mom this Christmas. Help me decide how to proceed. [more inside]
To fu, or not tofu?
I'm working on making a few changes to the way I cook to emphasize vegetables and grains, and minimize the animal products which I totally love but need to cut back on. However, non-dairy substitutes are not always automatically healthier than the dairy option. I need your help playing a fabulous game: whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiich ingredient is healthier? [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana at 10:19 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by Juliet Banana at 10:19 AM PST - 32 comments
Quiet Place in West London for Podcast Recording this Saturday?
Normally we record the podcast for our little indie magazine in a Board Room at our office here in West London, but we've just been told that it'll be closed this weekend. Where's a good place - be it rented meeting room or whatever - to record our podcast at short notice? [more inside]
Improve my bike commute
Should I get a different type of bike to handle more weight? Or change my current setup? [more inside]
posted by medusa at 10:01 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by medusa at 10:01 AM PST - 13 comments
What would be a good present for a gamer/coder wearer of dad jeans?
First present for significant other -- difficulty levels are a) Under $100, $150 max; b) I don't know what would be a good Christmas present for a gamer/coder and c) I know nothing about men's fashion. [more inside]
Biz lady can't finish a sentence w/o being interrupt--
I am a professional. I am a lady. Every day, in meetings, the same thing happens: the contribution I'm so excited to make to a meeting gets INTERRUPTED by a man or a woman. I am not verbose. I am succinct. I do not speak more than anyone else in the group. Yet I cannot freaking finish a thought without someone interrupting me. It is making me insane. [more inside]
Copyright violation risk? Card game fan site.
Can I make a card game database website, that reproduces card text and/or images, without running into legal trouble from the creators? [more inside]
tips for a full-contact kickboxer competing in sports karate
I'm a full contact kickboxer/MMA student looking for training tips for competing in karate point sparring in January. (Light/moderate contact, continuous and stop/start, NASKA rules.) Would love input both from other full contact fighters who've done point fighting, and from pure point fighters. [more inside]
Wanted : The Wide World of Weird-ipedia
Wee Thumbscrew, aged nine, is a weird, morbid, hilarious child. Lately, at bedtime, we've been reading "weird Wikipedia" articles together, and they have been a HUGE hit. Please provide us with some of YOUR favorite utterly deranged Wiki pages. Spooky/gory/X-Files-y stuff is a-okay, real-life serial killers or smutty stuff is not. Here are some entries we've enjoyed: [more inside]
Name my cat!
Decision to move, Milwaukee or Cincinnati?
HI, I am planning a move in a little over a month and still have trouble deciding where to go and thought some here might be able to offer some suggestions or perspectives on my two choices. Those being Cincinnati and Milwaukee. [more inside]
What is the cheapest way to get a prescription written for Lamotrigine?
I need to get a prescription for Lamotrigine. I have been on this drug for years, but my refills are about to run out. I need to find the cheapest way to go about this. I'm in the US and I have not met the deductible on my insurance. I can't go back to the last prescriber because I owe them money I don't have. [more inside]
Herpes 2 vs Shingles?
After being celibate for a couple years, I decided to get a full sexual screening before starting a relationship with a new partner, i.e. good practices. I tested negative for everything-- except Herpes 2 (HSV-2.) (I had the blood test, not a swab test, and I've never had anything remotely approaching symptoms.) I realize most people are asymptomatic, but my question is: I had a massive outbreak of what was visually diagnosed as shingle blisters on my neck last year (Shingles = Herpes Zoster.) Googling shows that sometimes Zoster can be confused with Herpes-2. Is this actually true, or just wishful thinking? What can I do to find out more or get a better test? [more inside]
I want to be linked in, just not to this extent.
I merged my e-mail account with my LinkedIn profile a few weeks ago. Now emails from my personal show up in my conversations on LinkedIn. I would like to unmerge them, but I can't figure out how to this. I can't find directions on LinkedIn or through Google either. Please help!
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
I have a song in my head from childhood. Does anybody know which audio-visual iteration of Beatrix Potter it comes from, and if it's possible to get hold of nowadays?
Here 'tis.
"How's the country? I confess I've never seen it, though I'm sure it must be absolutely fine. And I'm told you go to bed at half-past nine? You say you do?"
"Oh aye."
"Perhaps that's all there is to do, but how's the country?"
cont. [more inside]
posted by glasseyes at 4:27 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by glasseyes at 4:27 AM PST - 2 comments
Cat acting starving, but has gained weight. What ELSE can I do?
My "new" cat, Tiny, has gained weight after becoming an indoors-only cat. The vet thinks she should lose about a pound. I have cut down her food just a bit, hoping that slowly it would help take off the weight. She acts like she is miserable, to the point of trying to eat things cats don't typically eat, like saltines (caught in the act!). Help me figure out what else I can do. [more inside]
posted by Stewriffic at 4:20 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by Stewriffic at 4:20 AM PST - 31 comments
best bare-bones broadband in blighty?
I'm so sorry, "blighty" is a word that I've never, ever used before. But it begins with B, so it just kind of popped out. Anyway: my BT HomeHub 3 is shot - and they won't send me a new one unless I renew my contract. But their prices suck, so I'm looking for a different provider. Any ideas or recommendations? Thanks... [more inside]
posted by rd45 at 2:25 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by rd45 at 2:25 AM PST - 10 comments
November 4
Dad with dementia has moved aged care homes - how to help him cope?
My dad has multiple health problems and dementia, but since moving into care his mental and physical health have improved. Now we've had to move him to a new place and he's really unhappy there. How can we help him cope? Have you had similar experiences with an elderly relative? [more inside]
posted by andraste at 11:44 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by andraste at 11:44 PM PST - 12 comments
boyfriend is overly self-deprecating
I have a great, smart, sweet, wonderful new boyfriend who is incredibly self-deprecating quite a lot of the time. He apologizes for everything and has admitted that most of the time it's the self-deprecation talking. Is there anything, other than making him aware of it, that I can do to help?
posted by city_park at 9:48 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by city_park at 9:48 PM PST - 20 comments
Exploring Judaism when you weren't raised Jewish
Connecting to my Dad's past [more inside]
The Metafilter of programming discussion
Where can I go to read positive, moderated, Q&A style, general programming discussions? [more inside]
Best sources on hiring issues in tech
After attending the first-ever Staffup Weekend in San Francisco, I've got a 3000-word assignment to write the best piece ever about whether the tech hiring system is broken and if Staffup Weekend is any kind of solution. Who should I interview? [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 6:54 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Bella Donna at 6:54 PM PST - 6 comments
Let's play "name my website" again!
You guys have given some great suggestions to people for naming their websites and blogs. Can you help me? I'm putting together an online list of eco-friendly places, like permaculture farms and yoga centers, for travelers to visit. [more inside]
posted by ananci at 6:47 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by ananci at 6:47 PM PST - 10 comments
Internal professional development programs you liked or heard about?
I manage a team of software technical support staff. Lately I've been considering a departmental professional development program. Do you know of any good examples? [more inside]
What is a ket
Quantum physicists of MeFi: I want to know all the quantum mechanics I need to know to understand quantum computing. I am mathematically literate and willing to learn more math, but I want to minimize my need to study physical phenomena or experimental results. [more inside]
posted by vogon_poet at 6:41 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by vogon_poet at 6:41 PM PST - 10 comments
Can I become more mechanically inclined?
I'm looking to change career paths and I'm considering getting a technical certification, but I've never really considered myself to have "mechanical aptitude." Can I become more mechanically apt? Is this something I can gain? [more inside]
In PhD program, trying to decide next career move.
Am I competitive enough to get a job in academia? [more inside]
Cat pee on delicate hardwood floors
What is the best way to remove a dark (and hopefully pretty recent) cat urine stain from my hardwood floor? [more inside]
Costumefilter, difficulty level: Conceptual and Beanplated.
How do I design a costume that represents the Fear of Heights? [more inside]
posted by tabubilgirl at 5:20 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by tabubilgirl at 5:20 PM PST - 11 comments
Dismiss a ticket because it hasn't appeared in the system
I am a resident of Illinois. I received a routine speeding ticket in Illinois in early October. I am not eligible for supervision, so I am taking the pre-trial conference route to get supervision or amend. However, my court date is rapidly approaching and the ticket has not yet appeared in the court search and the county clerk's office doesn't know anything about it. I'm wondering whether the officer or the court system has failed to process this in a manner I can exploit to get the ticket dismissed, and how I might go about doing that. [more inside]
Mirroring your PC screen to multiple cities
I have a Windows 7 computer A in city X that I live in and have full access to. I need to set up TV screens (that could be connected to computers) in city Y and city Z, and then ensure that all of the TV screens display the same thing that's on computer A's monitor(s). The screen(s) will be active every single day (it's an informational panel). How do I best do this?
Bonus: can the solution work with multiple monitors?
posted by ajackson at 3:49 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by ajackson at 3:49 PM PST - 11 comments
Is there any way out of Will Call tickets
A friend purchase will call tickets. Something came up and she can't go. She e-mailed Warner Music and they said no cancellation. Does she have any recourse? Anything she can do to not waste the tickets AND lose the money?
Thank you
Navigating a role change at work
I've been with this smallish company for about 8 months, and was approached today about a potential role change. I'm wondering how I should navigate things. [more inside]
Resetting Yourself
What do others do to reset themselves and to bring focus and attention on the goals and objectives that they have in their lives? I do meditate, but I feel like I am all over the place and not very centered or focused on much of anything. I just feel very scattered and am not finding anything that really brings me back to a place where I know why I am doing what I am doing. Any suggestions from anyone?
Accessible Scholarly Sources on the Book of Revelation
I recently happened to sit down and read the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Wow, that is some crazy shit! I'm now fascinated to learn more... [more inside]
posted by rainbowbrite at 1:03 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by rainbowbrite at 1:03 PM PST - 19 comments
Awkward situation with guy - how can I handle and resolve this?
I slept with a guy who is now ignoring me, but we are part of the same friend group. [more inside]
posted by Kat_Dubs at 12:40 PM PST - 63 comments
posted by Kat_Dubs at 12:40 PM PST - 63 comments
What's the simplest way to create a web-based CRUD application?
Are there any software frameworks that allow non-programmers to create simple CRUD applications? [more inside]
posted by gsteff at 12:35 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by gsteff at 12:35 PM PST - 11 comments
Specifics of the California Lemon Law for new cars?
We have an unresolved issue with our one-year-old Nissan Leaf and are getting to the point of being in the territory of the California Lemon Law. I have a couple of specific questions inside, if you have answers... [more inside]
Single Candidate Elections and Write-In Candidates
Just voted. Confused about so many slots only showing one candidate, along with a "write-in" blank line candidate. [more inside]
posted by rada at 12:33 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by rada at 12:33 PM PST - 10 comments
If you do not arrive before 10pm, you will not party – Boston edition
A group of us will be in town the first weekend in December. Going out in unfamiliar cities is tricky.
Where do all the cool queer kids party the first weekend of the month? And by kids I mean 25-45 year olds, 90s hip hop / top 40 /songs with lyrics you probably know loving types, possibly but not necessarily hipsters who hate lining up and don’t love paying cover. Looking for a fun, unpretentious bar to drink and dance, with an approachable crowd. [more inside]
better internet service provider for Lake Oswego, Oregon?
We're located in zip 97035, currently get Comcast and, frankly, it's pretty slow and, worse, unstable. So spotty that I feel like I'm living in the late 90's.
The Book Doctor? The curative power of books
I was at Busboys and Poets a few months ago and I found an amazing book that "prescribed" other books for various physical and mental ailments - e.g Jane Austen for the brokenhearted, Heart of Darkness for malaria. I think the author had a blog/service all about book recommendations and was called the "book doctor." Help me find this book!
posted by facehugger at 12:20 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by facehugger at 12:20 PM PST - 2 comments
Is it worth trying dampen sound through a hollow door?
My bedroom door exits into a hallway leading to living room/kitchen, and a fair amount of sound can leak through the door. There is a 1 inch gap at the bottom of the door and a tiny air gap around the sides/top of the door. Given that it is a hollow door, is there any value in trying to "plug" those gaps or should I save up for a more solid door? [more inside]
help with Polish music
Does anyone recognize these bits of Polish music? [more inside]
Who do I call about all this old phone cabling?
My company just moved into a new space a month ago. It's a beautiful old building in San Francisco right across from Aquatic Park. With the space came a small room this is a spiders nest of old phone cabling and some T1 equipment. The building manager told me to find whoever I wanted to take care of it and they would pay for it. So my question is... who do I hire to come in and rip out the unnecessary stuff and make sure they leave the stuff we need?
posted by matt_od at 12:01 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by matt_od at 12:01 PM PST - 8 comments
Using Outlook Between PCs and Macs
I have the latest version of Outlook for Mac (the one that came out last week). Everyone in my small office uses Outlook for Windows with a Workgroup Share Add-In to share contacts and calendars. I cannot figure out how to get this to work on my Mac. Please explain this to me like I am 8. [more inside]
posted by 4ster at 11:44 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by 4ster at 11:44 AM PST - 5 comments
I'm going to be on TV! Help me look decent!
I just found out I'm going to be interviewed for a PR thing for my workplace tomorrow, and it will air on local news. Exciting! But I'm so worried I will look bloated/saggy/dull/sleepy or talk with a lisp or a weird accent or completely lose my mind and stare blankly at the camera, sweating. What are some tips to help me look, feel, and speak at my best? [more inside]
Being a Gentleman - 21st Century Edition
What is with all this misogyny and hate against women? What can I as a good male of the species do, to stop this? [more inside]
I have an extra wi-fi router now. Can I put it to use?
I recently bought a new router (Archer AC1750) to fix my crappy home wi-fi. It helped, but the second floor of the house still had some issues. Then my cable company (Time Warner) sent me a new cable modem with built-in wi-fi, rendering my new router superfluous. The new modem is also good, not quite as good as the Archer, and my second floor still has poor signal. I'm wondering, can the Archer be used somehow to improve the second floor signal, in some kind of unholy alliance between it and the Time Warner modem/router?
A year to prepare
I just finished my 9+1 to get entry to next year's NYC marathon. If I had time to do one thing in addition to my running program, what should I add to my training? [more inside]
posted by gaspode at 10:09 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by gaspode at 10:09 AM PST - 6 comments
Balanced team schedules based on seeding
I'm running a fantasy football league in which we have 10 teams. The first 9 weeks were round-robin style, with each team playing each other team exactly once. My plan was to schedule weeks 10 through 13 (four weeks) such that each team played a mix of stronger and weaker opponents based on the standings in weeks 1 through 9, then use the week 1-13 results to seed teams for the playoffs in weeks 14-16, but I'm having trouble developing an approach for generating these balanced week 10-13 matchups fairly. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by tonycpsu at 10:01 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by tonycpsu at 10:01 AM PST - 9 comments
C'mon, get happy
I am in a pretty emotionally difficult time in my life. (I'm in the midst of a season of high stakes interviews, and my finances right now are rather limited.) I've got access to professional help, so I'm all covered there, but I think it would be helpful to have a list that I can turn to on a regular basis of easy to do things that are 1) free or very low cost, 2) outside my apartment, and 3) schedule-independent* to help me keep my spirits up during this difficult time. Any suggestions? [more inside]
Message in a... cupcake...
My guy's birthday is coming up. I'd like to write a cute message on mini-cupcakes (1 letter per cupcake) but I'm having trouble coming up with the message. [more inside]
posted by lizifer at 9:25 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by lizifer at 9:25 AM PST - 9 comments
SFTP Desktop Scanner?
Is there an affordable desktop scanner than can scan to SFTP?
posted by smallerdemon at 9:19 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by smallerdemon at 9:19 AM PST - 6 comments
Hootsuite Help
A publication I have written for in the past is somehow posting onto my Facebook timeline using Hootsuite, as though I were making the post. I cannot figure out how to stop or block this from happening. [more inside]
Humorous mashup of aerobics show and electronica
Been trying to re-find this video all morning. It's a mashup of some morning aerobics show (possibly British) featuring one lady and two dudes. She's obviously the lead/instructor. [more inside]
posted by Fezboy! at 8:58 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Fezboy! at 8:58 AM PST - 6 comments
I knead help!
Using the NYT no-knead bread recipe, I started a batch last night. Only to realize today, to my embarrassment, that I don't have a 6-8 quart pot with a lid to bake it in. (Read recipes more carefully, fffm.) Can someone with experience with the NYT recipe suggest an alternative? I need to have bread in the oven within the next 2-3 hours. Thanks.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:47 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:47 AM PST - 28 comments
Swag for Mathletes?
I'm coaching a team of 3rd graders for the Math Olympiad. They're a bit young to compete, so it's all about fun this year. Every week they get a packet that is, essentially, extra homework. I want to find some small rewards to give them for finishing the packet. [more inside]
What's it like living in Tahoe?
I'm in the preliminary stage of interviewing for a job in Tahoe. I live in Manhattan. Am I insane? [more inside]
Would Like to Recall Name of Specific Arcade Game Early '90s
It was an upright arcade game, but played like a board game. You and some (allegedly) hyper intelligent extraterrestrial take turns placing tokens (colonies, energy nodes, whatever) on a series of boards that change from round to round. Tokens next to the token you place get 'flipped' to your color. There was console art depicting spacey aliens with pseudopods. [more inside]
posted by newdaddy at 8:22 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by newdaddy at 8:22 AM PST - 4 comments
Which smartphone?
Which smartphone will serve my needs best: the Samsung Galaxy S4, or the Nexus 4/5? [more inside]
Unusual circular gothic stone motif
I'm intrigued by the unsual commixtion of international gothic and arabesque-bordering-on-oriental architectural detailling I just saw in Palma de Mallorca, atop the La Seu cathedral's Mirador portal: the tear-shaped, almost paisleyform reworking of the typical gothic window tracery into a rather original stone "rose" (with a Christ Redemptor in the centre). [more inside]
posted by progosk at 7:51 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by progosk at 7:51 AM PST - 5 comments
Help me be a great Primary School substitute teacher!
How do I become a great Primary School sub? I am looking for great lesson ideas that don't take a lot of prep and can be ready on short notice, lessons that work in various age groups, ideas for activities and games, and classroom management ideas... and any other great mefite advice! [more inside]
Jeans for the short and lazy
I am looking for jeans that are similar to Top Shop Leigh jeans but are not top shop Leigh jeans. Help! [more inside]
Help me understand what happens next, green card edition
Mrs. Duoshao is a foreign national and we're both living abroad in her native land. We've just been through the process to get her an immigrant visa to the US of A and have succeeded (yay!). Her passport now has a big old CR-1 visa in it. The question is, how do we manage the next bit? [more inside]
Learning to drive without knowing anyone with car to let you practice.
My friend is learning to drive. All he needs now, his instructor says, is actual practice. He does not have anybody with a car who can let him practice. How would you work around this? [more inside]
posted by yoHighness at 4:27 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by yoHighness at 4:27 AM PST - 21 comments
What cool things are happening in Copenhagen this weekend?
Tell me your Copenhappenings! I'm going to be there Thu-Sun with a group of early-30s women, wanting a somewhat relaxing weekend. It's the first visit for all of us, looking for food, drink, fairs, special events and maybe off the beaten track stuff that may be going on at this time of year. We are still planning to see a few of the regular museums, boat trips and whatnot, but also looking for more one-off events. [more inside]
How to catch hold of a disorganised boss to resign?
I've gotten a job offer I'm happy with. My boss is the distracted, goalpost-is-always-moving kind of guy. As in, his schedule changes day to day, always last minute, even up to the hour before. How is the best way to catch him to advise of my resignation? [more inside]
What's the question about wifi security for a small adhoc network
We have a wireless network at work that is being misused by neighbours. Our IT guy and I need help with keywords to ask for security solutions as Google is giving me adware articles, and I do SOHO macs, not PC networks. [more inside]
Tell me about radical acceptance/constructive living?
Made a few bad decisions -- how do I move forward? [more inside]
November 3
How do siblings work?
As an only-child parent of two wonderful girls who are entering the Age of Sibling Interaction with a roar, quite often I find myself wondering...what the hell is going on? [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky at 11:02 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by gottabefunky at 11:02 PM PST - 16 comments
Genealogy info from a license plate?
We discovered this picture. Not even the oldest people in my family can identify the man. As the family historian, I should know who it is but i don't. As you can see from the picture, the license plate is visible. I think this is in Maryland. Has anyone ever used license plate info for genealogy? Are these records even kept?
Anyone tried a Simmons Springville or Slumberland Tempsmart mattress?
We need help choosing a mattress to buy, its between a Simmons Springville and a Slumberland Tempsmart II 3600. Difficulty level: we are in the Philippines and options are limited. [more inside]
posted by Admira at 9:29 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Admira at 9:29 PM PST - 3 comments
Adept at adaptation?
I want to request permission to stage an adaptation of an author's work...but how? [more inside]
posted by prewar lemonade at 9:07 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by prewar lemonade at 9:07 PM PST - 4 comments
In a multi-winner election, how many should I vote for?
Mathematically, in a 6-way race with 5 winners, should I vote for the 2 candidates I like, or all 5 who I don't hate? Details inside. [more inside]
How does a nomadic 1099-er pay state income tax?
Suppose someone has the ability to work 100% remotely in the US for a company as a 1099 contractor. He has a permanent residence in state A.
If he travels around the country over the course of the year, 3 months at a time in a new state, would he need to pay some state income tax for each state, or would he pay state income tax for state A only?
If my thinking is correct, that it depends on state law, then how is this enforced if he is, say, living in an RV?
Someone stole my cats. Please help.
I live in Ontario. I was being sexually harassed by my male roommate ("Come on, share my bed with me"), so I left my apartment halfway through the month of October. I hired a petsitter from Kijiji.ca at the very last minute for $50/week. Now he/she/they will not return my cats, and I am very upset. [more inside]
Please help me DIY this vague wall art quote idea!
I have a big white wall next to my stairs. I want to decorate the wall with a 10-sentence quote, like going up alongside the stairs. I am only moderately artsy but not totally hopeless. I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this myself. [more inside]
posted by ootandaboot at 7:27 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by ootandaboot at 7:27 PM PST - 5 comments
How to sell a domain name to an interested buyer without getting scammed
I've been contacted out of the blue by a total stranger who has offered me a good-sized chunk of money for a domain name I registered about 4 years ago. I'd be happy to sell it to him, but have no idea how that works. How do I avoid getting scammed, & make the transaction, if it's legit, happen? [more inside]
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:33 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:33 PM PST - 10 comments
How can I sell 100 "used" framed art photos?
The company I work for (located in New York City) owns an office building which we have recently renovated. All the art in all the hallways was replaced to match the new decor, and as a result we have approximately 100 "used" framed wall art photos - is there a way to sell these all at once to someone? [more inside]
2 Year old + Montessori
First-time parents of 13-month-old son who will be 2-years in fall of 2015. We currently have a nanny share and are looking looking into programs of daycare for social and educational enrichment. [more inside]
Which Safe to buy?
How do you go about choosing a personal Safe? [more inside]
Learning Spanish for couples?
I would like to learn Spanish with my husband, but we are looking for activities, or games, or just exercises that would be best for couple's learning. We have limited time available after work. [more inside]
Help! How can I fix my leaky chimney?
During rainstorms, water runs inside my house, down the front of the chimney. I climbed up on the roof and took some pictures of the top of the chimney - it looks like the cause of the leak is the coating of black material covering the top. It is cracked and peeling in many spots. See picture 1, picture 2, and picture 3. [more inside]
posted by steinwald at 3:15 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by steinwald at 3:15 PM PST - 11 comments
Can I get my car inspected in another state?
This question is going to reveal my lack of understanding surrounding car registration, inspection, etc... But here we go. I've moved to a different state. Can I get my car inspected here even though I have yet to register it here? [more inside]
posted by bluloo at 2:52 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by bluloo at 2:52 PM PST - 13 comments
Applying for US Biotech jobs as a foreigner
I'm an experienced postdoc in academic biology/medical research, looking to move into biotech or pharma. Most of the jobs that I'm best qualified for are in the US, but I'm not a US citizen. I'm aware that the H1B visa cap can make it difficult for employers to hire foreigners, so am I wasting my time by applying? [more inside]
posted by metaBugs at 2:29 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by metaBugs at 2:29 PM PST - 4 comments
Almost-instant meals
For a variety of stupid reasons, I'm currently in need of almost-instant, no-cleanup type "meals". Couscous is perfect for this—add boiling water and make in the bowl!—but I need more ideas for mix-ins and toppings. [more inside]
posted by peachfuzz at 2:27 PM PST - 59 comments
posted by peachfuzz at 2:27 PM PST - 59 comments
Resources for Mandarin learner?
I'm taking on the pain in the ass that is trying to get conversationally fluent in mandarin. I have a girlfriend (and her family) I can practice with, so obviously that's immensely useful. That said, I'm curious if there are any good resources people can recommend. [more inside]
Firefox won't play many videos. Help me fix it.
Firefox has stopped playing many, but not all, embedded videos for me. I just see a big blank spot where the video is supposed to be. This happens even if I load without extensions/plugins and I've already reinstalled Firefox (in fact,that's what started it). Help? [more inside]
How to become a community college instructor with an MS in Ecology
I'm working on my masters degree in ecology and I'm exploring the idea of teaching at the community college level once I graduate. What should I be doing over the next 1-2 years before graduation to keep that option open and position myself to succeed if I decide to go down that path? [more inside]
posted by dialetheia at 1:52 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by dialetheia at 1:52 PM PST - 6 comments
(Bath)robe me in silk
Many many moons ago I found the most wonderful silk bathrobe at a thrift store, I wore it till it fell apart, and I've been unable to find a replacement. [more inside]
Network wants to use a video that my boyfriend shot. How to negotiate?
My partner has been contacted by one of the major TV networks who has asked to use some historical film footage that he shot. He is getting ready to call them back. What are the issues at play here? What questions should he be asking? [more inside]
posted by kimdog at 1:20 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by kimdog at 1:20 PM PST - 6 comments
Why would I want (or not want) larger wheels on my car?
Car shopping. One of the variables is the size of the wheels. Apparently, larger wheels are considered a premium feature. What is premium about them? [more inside]
How to get Facebook to stop suggesting adult-oriented groups?
Let's say I've got a somewhat eclectic group of friends, the result of which being that I get some rather unorthodox, adults-only suggestions for Facebook groups to join. These things don't offend *me* but I'd be embarrassed if my mother or coworkers were looking at something I wanted to show them and these happened to be hanging out on the side panel. Can I turn this off within Facebook, are there any browser add-ons (Firefox and/or Chrome) I can use?
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 1:05 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 1:05 PM PST - 8 comments
Relocation Research: Tips, tricks and resources, please!
I am looking for online tools to help me profile cities to see what would be a good fit. I also welcome feedback on what is useful generally for profiling a city from afar and/or determining how good a fit it is. [more inside]
posted by Michele in California at 1:01 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Michele in California at 1:01 PM PST - 10 comments
Everything but the singer!
Where can I find some good hard rock (or hard rock-ish) background music with no vocals? [more inside]
Deciphering fuel octane at higher altitude
We just ordered a new vehicle (Volvo V60 with a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine) and I'm trying to figure out the minimum grade of fuel to use. The owner's manual says "Volvo recommends premium fuel for best performance, but using 87 octane or above will not affect engine reliability." In most places in the US, that's regular grade fuel, but we're at higher altitude in New Mexico where regular is 86. If we wanted to meet Volvo's minimum, would that be midgrade 88 to hit that minimum or would regular 86 still meet that spec since we're at higher altitude? Googling returns every answer under the sun, which may be the case here? We'll ask the dealership when it arrives. Thanks!
Camera vs. Bridal Shower. Fight to the death!
Help me clean our Canon EOS Rebel T1i camera after it came home from the wife's sister's bridal shower with more than a few buttons and dials that are sticky or mushy. For what it's worth it does not smell like vodka and seems to work fine otherwise, for now at least. [more inside]
posted by RolandOfEld at 11:28 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by RolandOfEld at 11:28 AM PST - 3 comments
Gotta prove we're married .. but license copy is delayed
I need to demonstrate our married status to an insurance company, sooner rather than later. Can't find our marriage license; I ordered a copy from the issuing authority, but it will take a couple of weeks.
The insurance company says 'Send any other documents that show you're married,' and they'll make a decision based on those.
I'm thinking IRS correspondence, mortgage papers, old insurance policy ... any other ideas?
Car insurance asking me to sign odd documents?
What are these jargony documents my car insurance company asked me to sign after I bought a policy from them? [more inside]
How to get laptop activity to show up on TV (they're VGA-cable-connected
I just successfully used a VGA to VGA cable to connect my Toshiba Satellite 4-year-old laptop to my TV. Now I see the static desktop background on the TV. But... [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 10:55 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by DMelanogaster at 10:55 AM PST - 5 comments
Phone interview brilliance!
Do you have a favorite tip for doing a fantastic job in a phone interview (a conference call with a selection panel of four people)? This is the final step for a contract gig for which I'm one of several finalists. Looking for extra input because I really care about getting this one if I can! [more inside]
How do I cash a foreign currency check?
I have a paper check in Australian dollars from the Australian tax office. I have a credit union account in the US where I could deposit it (the default route). Alternatively, I still have an Australian bank account, if that opens up a better way to transfer the money to the US. You are not my foreign exchange day trader, but maybe you have some advice for me? [more inside]
posted by RedOrGreen at 10:03 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by RedOrGreen at 10:03 AM PST - 7 comments
What does the shiny thing say
Can anybody tell me what sort of writing this is, and what (if anything) it says?
Baby, you can tow my car.
Is AAA worth the money? I recently started a new job with a significantly longer commute (~50 miles/day roundtrip, mostly freeway) and am considering joining AAA because Pittsburgh is ranked 6th in nation for "most likely to get in an accident." [more inside]
posted by deliriouscool at 9:58 AM PST - 53 comments
posted by deliriouscool at 9:58 AM PST - 53 comments
Hunger as a side effect of medication
Is there anything that is known to suppress hunger when it's a side effect of taking medication? [more inside]
How do you decide on a bank?
Now that we're married we're finally getting around to opening joint bank accounts. I figured it would be pretty simple to just pick any random local bank and open a free checking account to pay our joint bills, but there seem to be a lot of options and it's getting overwhelming. I'm also considering moving my personal accounts if we find a particularly good bank, so maybe that's a mitigating factor? [more inside]
Best way to get interviews for my blog?
I have a personal blog about my day trips to local festivals, museums, landmarks, and whatever else that I think is interesting and fun to explore on the weekends. I live in the USA if that matters. Part of why I'm writing my blog is so that I can improve my skills and confidence as a writer. I'd like to interview interesting people, mostly people affiliated with the places that I'm visiting, but don't know how to best go about this. [more inside]
posted by FelineoidEntity at 9:21 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by FelineoidEntity at 9:21 AM PST - 5 comments
"Girl Games" have got to go...
My 5 year old daughter has "screen time" when I come home from work while I'm making dinner. She used to watch sesame street or other recorded pbs shows, but isn't interested in that anymore. I provided her with some ask metafilter sourced web game options, but now she likes to play a ton of "girl games" on shady websites that involve things ranging from facepainting to baby care to dental work and plastic surgery, ick. Help me decide what to do about it. [more inside]
posted by mgogol at 9:03 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by mgogol at 9:03 AM PST - 29 comments
Knitting probably shouldn't hurt, right?
I've just taught myself how to knit. By the time I finish one row, I have also knit my shoulders and spine up into my ears. [more inside]
How strictly does Indonesia enforce passport validity rules?
So I just bought a ticket to Indonesia for a couple weeks out to discover that there's a rule saying I need six months left on my passport, an American one. State Department website says that landing with less than six months could get one sent back or that airline could refuse boarding. I have five months left on my passport as an American living in China. Does anyone have any experience with this? [more inside]
posted by chinabound at 8:44 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by chinabound at 8:44 AM PST - 9 comments
Super-Mockup My Website
I am a person with an idea for a website and zero web design expertise. The mockup tools that I've been using lack the functionality I need. [more inside]
posted by chickenandwine at 8:32 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by chickenandwine at 8:32 AM PST - 7 comments
describing your own profession
On one's U.S. tax forms, where you have to put down your occupation, can you describe your job as you please, or is one legally required to describe one's job as your employer lists it? I would like to put down "blame-taker" or "scapegoat" because, essentially, this is what my job amounts to. But obviously that's not how my employer describes it. Can I get in trouble for this?
American podcasts with Southern accents?
What podcasts feature speakers with Southern American accents? I love how these accents sound and want to listen to long stretches of people speaking with them. I'm from New England; the accents I'm thinking of are anything from the southeast US, West Virginia, Texas, and inbetween. [more inside]
How to make a fortune selling other people's junk online!
What are the very best resources for someone who wants to get started selling online for the first time? [more inside]
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 7:55 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 7:55 AM PST - 7 comments
Movie Title help
Looking for help with a couple of movies titles from the 60s or 70s [more inside]
posted by Scoops at 7:16 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Scoops at 7:16 AM PST - 6 comments
Introduction to Art - Difficulty Level: 9 yo Bilingual Boy
My oldest nephew is turning 9 in a few months' time and I want to give him a book. He's smart, introverted, sensitive, and he loves drawing. I thought he would enjoy a book about how to look at art. More info and added difficulties inside! [more inside]
posted by kariebookish at 7:10 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by kariebookish at 7:10 AM PST - 9 comments
Looking for information about a Wisconsin Ghost Town!
I'm doing NaNoWriMo this year, and I discovered that my setting of Portage County, WI happens to have a ghost town! Unfortunately, the only thing I can find about it is a stub of a
Wiki page. [more inside]
Cat trance cool down
How can I give my adult cat some payoff when he suckles fabric but never finds milk? [more inside]
Business Class- Unshared vs Consumer Cable?
Is it true that the advertised cable internet speed is just a burst and then drops and is also shared with other users on one node causing slowdowns when its busy? [more inside]
Website for ticket alerts?
Please help me find a website that notifies you when a ticket goes on sale by providing them with a link of the page you will be purchasing the ticket from.
November 2
I Need a Bitey, Feral Cat to Leave My Yard!
A feral cat got into a fight with my dog in the yard, bit me, and now--several hours later--is staring into the house with my blood dripping from its mouth. How do I get this animal to leave without hurting it? [more inside]
How much should we budget for home maintenance?
How much should we budget for home repairs? The internet gives pretty varied advice. 1% of the purchase price per year? 4.5% of the purchase price per year? [more inside]
posted by anotherpanacea at 7:00 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by anotherpanacea at 7:00 PM PST - 19 comments
Sweet Little Buttercup
What is the origin of the phrase 'Suck it up, buttercup'?
How do I find out where to get general delivery mail?
I've got a friend in Waterloo, ON, Canada that doesn't have a safe way to pick up packages. I'd like to send her something. I've used General Delivery (Poste restante) when in a rural area, but have no idea how to do it when in a city. [more inside]
posted by Canageek at 6:11 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Canageek at 6:11 PM PST - 11 comments
Do I ask my current company for a raise? Or leave all together?
Do I ask for a raise with my current company while being pursued by another company? Or do I jump ship all together? (More details after the jump) [more inside]
Alternate Hotel in Vancouver
Where to stay for one night in Vancouver - that isn't near Stanley Park? [more inside]
posted by ldthomps at 4:08 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by ldthomps at 4:08 PM PST - 5 comments
Symptoms for an obese person going without food? (fictional)
Imagine a 50-year-old, 5'4", 300-pound woman with no diabetes or other medical condition. She suddenly has no access to food, but plenty of water. What symptoms might she have after one day, two days, a week, etc.? [more inside]
posted by ErikH2000 at 3:56 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by ErikH2000 at 3:56 PM PST - 24 comments
A question about therapy
I often see recommendations on MeFi that people should seek counseling/therapy. In your direct experience, how has therapy affected you (or, less preferably, someone you know very well)? To be artless about it, therapy (I suppose) is supposed to help you change from one kind of person to another. To the extent you feel comfortable posting about it, can you explain the effect(s) on a particular person (ideally, you) that you have seen from therapy? How does it change one's personhood/capacity/inner life/ability to do stuff?
What are your best kitchen organization hacks?
What are your best hacks for repurposing items or using them in an unusual way to help organize your kitchen? [more inside]
Need help with picking out a telescope for my dad.
My 74 year old dad mentioned he always wanted a telescope, his birthday is coming up so I would like to get him one but I am clueless what to get. My price range is going to have to be below $100 but since he is a beginner I was hoping I could still get him a good one around that price range. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
posted by just asking at 3:09 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by just asking at 3:09 PM PST - 10 comments
How to un-hook podcasts between my iPad and my Mac?
I have an iPad mini (16GB, wi-fi only, running iOS 8.x) that I use mostly for reading the web--never for listening to podcasts--and want to get rid of the podcast files that are unwanted on the device and just taking up valuable space. [more inside]
posted by blueberry at 3:03 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by blueberry at 3:03 PM PST - 2 comments
Imposter syndrome on a massive scale
I'll be turning 25 in two months' time. For a variety of reasons, some of which can be teased out with a thorough reading of my ask history ( chief among them the fall-out of a cerebral palsy diagnosis, namely a llifelong sense of otherness and a lack of familiarity with what it means to be the author of one's own life), I feel like there's a huge discrepancy between that number and the ccoping skills, initative, emotional balance and vision for the future that I have to show for it ( a lack thereof, in my case). How do I adult when I feel so stunted? Vaguely Freudian wall of snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by marsbar77 at 2:54 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by marsbar77 at 2:54 PM PST - 14 comments
How does classical rhetoric relate to prose fiction?
When I think of Wilde's or Dickens' prose, I think of classical rhetorical techniques such as paraprosdokian and chiasmus--and of course countless others. I'm looking for sources that analyze prose fiction--modern or canonical--according to models of classical rhetoric. Internet sources would be excellent, but I might spring for a hard-copy text if it's not too expensive.
Thanks.
posted by jwhite1979 at 2:23 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by jwhite1979 at 2:23 PM PST - 3 comments
I need punny party food
My friends are throwing a party and they want all the food to have a pun associated with it. Can you help me think of some clever names for easy party foods?? [more inside]
posted by CathyG at 1:33 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by CathyG at 1:33 PM PST - 19 comments
Help me keep my closet baby warm at night!
It has come to pass that the best place for our 1 year old kid to sleep is in a crib in the walk-in closet in our bedroom. Now that the cold weather is upon us, I am looking for ideas for keeping him warm overnight.
We have radiator heat throughout our drafty old house, and our bedroom tends to be one of the more poorly warmed rooms. The closet has no radiator in (or near!) it, and is therefore much colder still. To complicate this issue further, we STRONGLY prefer to keep the door to the closet nearly closed while we are in the room. Baby goes to bed around 6pm, grownups are on the scene from about 10pm onwards, and everyone is awake by 7am. He already wears layered pajamas and a sleep sack.
Does anyone have any suggestions? My instinct was to find a tiny space heater that we could put in the closet, but a quick google tells me that I will kill all of my loved ones and everyone we have ever met if I do that.
posted by waterisfinite at 1:26 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by waterisfinite at 1:26 PM PST - 32 comments
Holmes! Shandy! Švejk! Can it indeed be that you are alive?
There's a long tradition of Sherlock Holmes fans and scholars affecting to believe that Holmes, Watson et al. really existed. Has this custom been observed with any other fictional characters? [more inside]
posted by Perodicticus potto at 1:08 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by Perodicticus potto at 1:08 PM PST - 13 comments
The little engine that couldn't.
I have grad school. I have lupus. The two are not friends. Help me to start asking for accommodations when needed despite resistance. [more inside]
posted by batbat at 1:00 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by batbat at 1:00 PM PST - 13 comments
Bridging the gap between existing drywall and new glass block windows
Some friends recently had their deeply recessed basement windows replaced with glass block. So far, so good. The problem is that there is now a 3-5 inch gap between the end of the drywall of the recess and the glassblock, giving a not-so-lovely cross-sectional view of their exterior wall. (If I'm not explaining it well, here are pictures.) The question is: what is the best, least time-intensive way to bridge this gap? [more inside]
Why did Xfinity/Comcast send me a $25 pre-paid card out of the blue?
I've had Comcast internet since June 2014. As far as I can remember, there was no special offer of a prepaid card when I signed up. At the end of October, they randomly sent me one (with my name/account) for $25. [more inside]
winterize my windows please!
These are my windows. What should I do to keep me and my new kitten warmer during the winter? I need to be able to open the one by the fire escape in case of emergencies, but I'm fine not being able to open the other one until next spring. I'm renting so no permanent changes. Also, it's my only window so I want to be able to let in the tiny amount of light that gets in.
posted by the twistinside at 12:35 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by the twistinside at 12:35 PM PST - 9 comments
What if he doesn't want them to pay his medical bills?
Looking for someone who's had this experience to tell me the end of your story: you injured yourself (through personal clumsiness) while at a friend's house, your health insurance paid for your ER visit. Your insurance company asks you "where did this accident occur?" and you reply... something... in the hopes that neither your friend nor your friend's property insurance is held liable. [more inside]
posted by aimedwander at 12:33 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by aimedwander at 12:33 PM PST - 12 comments
Mattress Missteps: Is Ikea the Answer?
Over the past year, my girlfriend and I have suffered through a series of mattress missteps to the tune of about $2500. Yesterday we were in Ikea and tried out the Sultan Heggedal mattress, which is $999 for a king. We were impressed both with the comfort and price of this mattress, but are trying to do some additional research so we don’t make the same mistake again. [more inside]
posted by merikus at 12:32 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by merikus at 12:32 PM PST - 16 comments
Bad breath/post-nasal drip - what's causing this?
A few months ago I had a cough, runny nose, light sore throat, and feeling like my sinuses were sending nasty stuff in to my throat. I eventually took a 5-day course of azithromycin for it (sinusitis, the doc said), and it knocked most of it down. But it seems to linger. The only real problem this causes is bad breath. Need help troubleshooting in a systematic way. [more inside]
posted by 4midori at 12:30 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by 4midori at 12:30 PM PST - 13 comments
What French movie is playing in this short?
Which French (presumably New Wave) movie is playing here? [more inside]
posted by herrdoktor at 12:20 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by herrdoktor at 12:20 PM PST - 8 comments
What did Yolo mean in 1919?
I was playing around with Google's Ngram viewer and noticed this interesting graph. Any idea what drove the two peaks around 1885 and 1919?
Why are my dogs ears floppy?
Unfortunately all the resources online are around keeping dogs at "breed standards" which isn't really our jam. She was full grown when we got her but her ears are completely different now! Why is this? [more inside]
Great works of the Web-ern Canon
A lot of ink has been spilled on the subject of whether video games are art, but rorgy's recent megapost on Homestuck reminded me that comparatively little has been written on the idea of Internet Art. Such works that leverage the internet as a unique creative medium fascinate me, and I'd love to find more. What are some other works that qualify? [more inside]
posted by Rhaomi at 11:43 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Rhaomi at 11:43 AM PST - 6 comments
Online Resoucres For rural life in 1800s New England.
I'm looking for online resources describing daily life and struggles in rural New England in the 1800s, ideally around the mid-century period and in Vermont/New Hampshire. Narratives favored over statistics but non-fiction favored over fiction.
Attaching a small pen to a small notebook.
I have a smallish pocket notebook (3.5x6), and a Lamy Pico ballpoint pen. I'd like to devise a way to attach the pen to the notebook. Help? [more inside]
posted by still bill at 11:13 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by still bill at 11:13 AM PST - 9 comments
So fresh and so clean
I'm looking for clean, pretty, visually stimulating blogs for quick study breaks. [more inside]
Can I use the XBOX ONE stereo headset for Skype on PC?
There's only one 3.8mm jack that connects the headset to the controller (which received the audio from the XBOX via bluetooth or something similar). Normally, a PC headset with chat would have connectors for both audio out and mic in on the PC. I can't find a definitive answer online anywhere.
Living in a pigsty.
Right now my tiny apartment is filled with cat hair, dust, some trash and a general mess. I spend weekends in my room lying on my bed with my laptop because that way I don't have to see how messy everything is or trip while trying to reach something and I dread getting home during the week. I have no idea how I can fix this.
Help us help our sex life
Early twenties couple fumbling through sex. Him: sometimes can't keep up an erection, or has to keep stopping and starting. Me: can't orgasm and it all feels a bit lukewarm. I'm worried that this will eventually kill our relationship. Sorry for the wall of text but I'm getting a bit desperate. [more inside]
I'm 32 and trying to rebound from depression. I need a plan.
I've had chronic depression for 15 years. It stymied my attempts to work and study. As a result I have no resume to speak of and maybe 8-10 university units I could count towards a degree. I've recently started finding my feet but I'm not sure where to begin. I'm sick of being embarrassed about my life and am looking for a direct route to a suitable* job. [more inside]
Buying front door. No idea where to start.
Our front door is letting cold air in, is ugly and is quite old (30 years+). So we are looking to buy a new one, and also have it installed. Where to start? [more inside]
Mint Linux can't see Windows 7 partition
I'm trying to copy a laptop drive to a new laptop as a starting point (drivers, obviously, will need updating), and I keep hitting snags. [more inside]
Want to split Controlled Release sleeping pills
I want to split my Ambien CR (controlled release) pills. The internet says not to, as does the insert I got with them. What Bad Thing is going to happen when I do? [more inside]
Can my employer view my chats?
My employer provides me with a blackberry, can they view my yahoo messenger chats that I have on that device. [more inside]
FMLA in Massachusetts?
I am an employee in Boston, MA who is strongly considering taking a medical leave of absence. Please help me to understand my rights. [more inside]
Help me cook for Chinese children!
After a great deal of deliberation, a thorough reading of Fosterhood, and an inconceivable amount of bureaucratic obstacle weaving, we are currently parenting two foster children.
They're Chinese. We aren't. They need to eat more soups, more vegetables. I need help figuring out how to make things they'll like. [more inside]
posted by amandabee at 8:07 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by amandabee at 8:07 AM PST - 27 comments
Help me identify this 1930's liquor.
I'm trying to make a cocktail from a 1935 recipe book, and I can't for the life of me figure out what "cesoriac" is. [more inside]
posted by Alexandra Michelle at 7:33 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by Alexandra Michelle at 7:33 AM PST - 25 comments
Alice Munro recommendations?
I'm mildly embarrassed to say I've read zero, zilch and nil A.M., but I'm ready to rectify that, welcome suggestions for what to read first. Thank you for taking a moment to help me.
posted by ambient2 at 7:03 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by ambient2 at 7:03 AM PST - 6 comments
Do shoe trees work?
Is there any real evidence that shoe trees do what they are supposed to do? [more inside]
posted by ianK at 5:15 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by ianK at 5:15 AM PST - 11 comments
Mouthwash and toothpaste at the same time.
Is it safe to brush my teeth with the addition of a small amount of mouthwash at the same time? [more inside]
posted by BillyAnne at 4:43 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by BillyAnne at 4:43 AM PST - 8 comments
Get those #)(*% babies off the #($*%&$ plane!
Would you take your 4 month old baby on an overseas flight?
We want to fly to Europe next the fall, probably an 8 hour flight from where we are. We're also having our first baby in the spring. We feel like it would be an adventure (!) that could maybe be a bad idea. Has anyone flown overseas and had it gone very well or very terribly? Anything we should know? We are trying to imagine our lives post-baby and we very much want travel to be a part of it, but is 4 months too young? [more inside]
posted by andreapandrea at 4:35 AM PST - 33 comments
posted by andreapandrea at 4:35 AM PST - 33 comments
Who were the Pre-Indo-Europeans?
What are the latest studies on Pre-Indo-European culture, and what's the current thoughts on Marija Gimbutas' work? [more inside]
There's no place like home... We just need a loan!
The issue isn't us as borrowers... It's the house.
The house is part of a coop/co-housing setting. We'd be buying the house, but the land it sits on would remain owned by the co-op. Mortgage? [more inside]
Looking for an old flash/shockwave puzzle game: directing traffic
I remember playing a game ages (ten years?) ago on (now defunct) bonus.com, which involved manipulating different-coloured cars using switches and other things. I played it on a desktop computer, and it used flash or shockwave. One needed to get a certain amount of cars into specific places to pass the level. The game was played from a top-down perspective. There were many levels. I think, though I may be mistaken, that the game had a person's name in the title. Can you help me find it? [more inside]
posted by Quilford at 12:58 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Quilford at 12:58 AM PST - 10 comments
Help me find the words
I'm exploring career possibilities and wondering if what I want to do has a name. I'll explain inside. [more inside]
posted by miaow at 12:13 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by miaow at 12:13 AM PST - 4 comments
November 1
How to start exercise when I'm so old/fat?
I'm 47, female and very overweight. I've got lower back issues and almost zero cardio strength. How to start exercise from basically zero? [more inside]
Opening a closed adoption...across oceans, language and $$$ differences
We adopted a preschool age waiting child from rural Ethiopia a few years ago who was portrayed as having "developmental and physical problems from severe malnutrition," a birth mom who had passed away and an elderly father who was sick and could no longer care for the child. We have discovered since then that there are disparities in what we were led to believe about the situation leading to our child's relinquishment and we are trying to figure out how to navigate opening up the adoption with the birth family in rural Ethiopia. And this is going to be difficult. [more inside]
I have a microbead stuck in my eye, please help me get it out.
So as it turns out, there's yet another reason to avoid plastic microbead facial scrubs aside from their environmental impact--they can cause a tiny piece of plastic to become lodged somewhere underneath your eyelid, where it's very difficult to get out. There aren't any walk-in clinics near me, so what are some things I can do to try and get it out now at home without blinding myself? [more inside]
posted by Dante Riordan at 10:42 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Dante Riordan at 10:42 PM PST - 2 comments
Where do you get a nice bathrobe?
For Christmas, I'd like to buy my close woman friend a really nice bathrobe/lounge robe, but not a super heavy terry cloth one. But where? [more inside]
Looking for name of indie action title with great soundtrack.
Longshot I know but here's the things I remember being said...
It was an indie game with a great soundtrack, played like Zelda in some form-- that was the specific thing I remember, that it played like Zelda. Seemed pretty new. Think it had two words in the title too-- wasn't Transistor.
Thanks!
posted by dr handsome at 10:07 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by dr handsome at 10:07 PM PST - 7 comments
Help me Interact with my Friends and their troubled son
I think my friends are in denial that their son may be showing signs of autism. How can I be a caring friend during this time? [more inside]
Where to find a non-sexy, non-phallic squid costume?
My girlfriend has been searching without luck for a squid costume, one that meets her requirements. How to find one? [more inside]
Honey, we destroyed the floor
Rug left terrible honeycomb residue on our hardwood floor. Help! [more inside]
Romantic yet inexpensive weekend getaway in NC
This Christmas is also my parent's 30th anniversary. I'd like to give them a gift card for a little weekend getaway. Looking for inexpensive yet romantic accommodations in NC. Help! [more inside]
I temporarily fixed a computer issue, but I don't understand how or why.
My newish home-built desktop PC stopped sleeping/hibernating and restarting/shutting down in most cases. I recently installed a program that allows it to do these things, but only while the program is running. I'm looking for a permanent fix if possible. Details within. [more inside]
posted by Woodroar at 7:34 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Woodroar at 7:34 PM PST - 8 comments
Looking for a List of the 100 Top Selling Items at Convenence Stores
We have a bit of empty commercial space so we are looking to put in a "mini convenience store." I am looking for a list of the top selling "shelf stable" convenience store items, i.e., items that don't need refrigeration. I'm looking for a list of very SPECIFIC items, not just, for example "candy." Thanks!
How to get rid of a feeling of imminent doom.
I moved back to North America after four years in Europe to start a Masters program here. The lead up to leaving was awful and now I’m here, it’s actually worse than I thought it would be. When do I know when I’ve tried hard enough? [more inside]
posted by twill at 5:45 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by twill at 5:45 PM PST - 24 comments
What is the most ridiculous thing I can buy for $10?
My friends and I are staging a white elephant style gift exchange, and the theme is the most ridiculous thing you can find for around $10. I need ideas! [more inside]
Party Down, Winter Holiday Style
I would like to host a holiday/Christmas party this year, but I have never done it before and I would like some advice on how to do it in such a way that (1) people will attend, (2) people will have a good time, and (3) it is fun for me as a host.
Lots of specific questions and info ahead. [more inside]
Which data structures changed the world?
In my last question, I asked for algorithms that changed the world. Now I'd like to know, what are the data structures that changed the world? [more inside]
posted by pwnguin at 4:30 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by pwnguin at 4:30 PM PST - 16 comments
Singaporean.. text speak? or Singlish?
On internet fora, it isn't uncommon to see people using abbreviations/textspeak. I've noticed Singaporean posters using particularly idiosyncratic versions of this: 'dun' for don't, 'den' for then, 'TT' for that. Example. What's the origin of this? [more inside]
White noise options for iOS?
I have this app but I'm curious what else is available. Bonus points if there are lots of ocean-related noises with a lot of customization.
Books on molecular biology: technical and historical
My +1 is outfitting the molecular biology and biochemistry side of a physics lab. He would like to get books (electronic and/or paper) to fulfill two needs:
1. protocols and reference - for in lab use
2. history or textbook of molecular biology - to help familiarize physics people with the field.
Looking for suggestions for solid books that are readable and have good figures. [more inside]
Blouses I can wear untucked with suits. Difficulty level: plus size.
I work in an office where the dress code is basically business formal I have been wearing dress + blazer mostly, but would like to wear some pantsuits now that it's getting colder. Problem is blouses tucked in to pants do NOT look good on me. Any advice out there on tops that would be appropriate and look good not tucked in with suits? [more inside]
Legitimate retail Windows 7 Ultimate?
This is a long shot, but where can I buy a legitimate full retail version of Windows 7 Ultimate? Everything on eBay is counterfeit. Even an extremely genuine-looking COA in a sealed box leads to counterfeit DVDs (peel-off stickers) that can only be identified in-person (yes, I ran into that), and a "working" activation code is most likely a stolen MSDN time-limited developer code. Any ideas? My last resort would be an OEM disc, since those are still being sold through legit channels, but those are essentially single-use per machine.
posted by Ky at 1:09 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by Ky at 1:09 PM PST - 17 comments
How to spend a bunch of money on my credit card to earn rewards?
I got my first rewards credit card. To get the bonus, I only have to spend $2,000 in three months, which seemed easy because my rent is $1400/month and I pay $800/month in other bills. Wrong. The problem is, I thought I'd be able to pay off rent and student loans with a credit card, but now I realize I can't. With loans, that option doesn't exist - you have to use a checking account. I can pay rent with a credit card, but there's a $70 service charge, which chips away at freeness of my free flights. [more inside]
posted by AppleTurnover at 1:08 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by AppleTurnover at 1:08 PM PST - 25 comments
A book that answers kids' questions
Please give me recommendations for books that explain how the world works to pre-schoolers. [more inside]
So long, sugar! See you in a few weeks!
Upon the recommendation of my new personal trainer, I am to go sugar-free for the next two weeks! Difficulty: vegan. [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 12:36 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by Kitteh at 12:36 PM PST - 13 comments
Dream job versus almost-dream job
Dream position X at my current job won't post for a few months. In the meantime, really good position Y has posted, also at my current job, and I've applied. I'm a favorite for both positions. Help me not shoot myself in the foot at the interview for Y. [more inside]
My boyfriend is skeptical about climate change effects...
My boyfriend, while educated, thinks climate change effects are exaggerated. Looking for your thoughts on this topic, and if the discourse about climate change is still this conflicting in the scientific community. [more inside]
How does "resistance to [psychiatric] medication" develop?
Today is the first day of National Novel Writing Month, and I've been kicking around a setting in which the regular use of all kinds of mood- and cognition-enhancing drugs is widely accepted in society and tacitly endorsed by the government (though this is neither utopic nor dystopic). I'd like my protagonist to be dealing with the fallout of developing a resistance to these mind-enhancing medications, but before I spend 50,000 words on it, I'd like to check my premises. [more inside]
Helping Airport Extreme beat my personal faraday cage with extender?
My Airport Extreme (A1143 model) is having issues in our new house. It was built in the 50's so the floor has lots of metal in it due to the plastering of the ceiling below. We get wifi in part of the finished basement but no the whole thing, and even the "good" part drop pretty frequently. [more inside]
Need to buy new (to me) car. Budget is $6,000 cash. Advice?
I know very little about cars. But now I find myself needing to buy a car to replace my decrepit 1999 Chevy Prizm. I can pay cash up to a maximum of $6,000 (including all surcharges, taxes, etc.). I'd rather not get financing, as we're still paying-off my wife's car. [more inside]
Considering Real Estate investment options, help me decide?
I'm considering buying residential property to rent out, either in Portland, ME or Orlando, FL. Quite different scenarios, so the decision isn't really apples-to-apples. [more inside]
Best Hydration System for Running
What is the best hydration system you have used for running? I would love to hear the pros and cons of whatever gear you are using so I can make an informed purchase. When I search online it seems like it is all marketing spiel. Tell me what works and what doesn't work for you, please! [more inside]
posted by Literaryhero at 6:30 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by Literaryhero at 6:30 AM PST - 12 comments
What are your favorite low(er) fat primal/ low carb meals and recipes?
It has come to my attention, via the scale, that I have been taking the "fat is good" aspect of primal eating just a little too literally. I need to reduce calories, and would like to do so as painlessly as possible. Could you please share your recipes and meal suggestions for tasty things that are on the lower end of the fat spectrum? Bonus points for anyone who has found a primal- friendly alternative to the fatty deliciousness of cheese.
posted by rpfields at 2:43 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by rpfields at 2:43 AM PST - 15 comments
Why do trombone players move the slide...
when they don't seem to be changing the note proportionally? [more inside]
posted by vapidave at 2:05 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by vapidave at 2:05 AM PST - 15 comments