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Youtube has always struck me as kind of a waste land, geared towards 14-year-olds, but I've gotten interested in a particular vlogger and watch the channel as a sort of seven-minute daily dose of reality tv. So now I'm curious--what do you watch on youtube on a recurring basis that is interesting and intelligent?
posted by craniac at 7:45 PM PST - 53 comments

I am currently posting this question while lying on crispy, smooth sheets at a Comfort Inn in anywhere USA. When I get home tomorrow, my Egyptian cotton sheets will feel much softer and "fuzzier." Are there crispy "civilian" sheets like those at this Comfort Inn? If so, where can I buy them?
posted by Elsie at 4:54 PM PST - 29 comments

I'm still recovering from a break up from October. It wasn't long but I fell hard for her, hard enough that I saw myself settling down with her and having a family. I didn't date anyone since my last ex, so about 3.5 years since my last real relationship. I know I probably shouldn't have started anything with my ex because I know she was going to move to New Orleans for her medical residency (I'm still in San Francisco.) [more inside]
posted by kser333 at 4:08 PM PST - 13 comments

Hello all, Yet another therapist recommendation question. This time my own! [more inside]
posted by gehenna_lion at 3:57 PM PST - 10 comments

My wife has an iPhone 6 running 8.1.1 When she receives a hangout request, her phone will do one small vibrate and show a banner, but it will not ring. If she's not paying attention, she doesn't realize she's being called. [more inside]
posted by HuronBob at 3:56 PM PST - 4 comments

I've got a quart of skimmed oil from pepperoni simmering in tomato sauce-what can I do with it? [more inside]
posted by JennyJupiter at 3:36 PM PST - 11 comments

For a project I'm doing, I'd like an illustrated book with lots of information on the physical world of the Bible - particularly animals, plants, and insects. I can look up what's mentioned in the Bible on Wikipedia, but I want more than that. I want to be able to page through an illustrated work (color) - bonus points if there are commentaries from scholars - and to learn a lot about all of the creatures mentioned without having to turn to my computer for complete information. More below. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 3:23 PM PST - 9 comments

I'd like an online calorie diary that is simple, let's me just add the calorie numbers that I already know for a meal instead of making me search for each item. And then keep track of how I am meeting pre-determined goals. [more inside]
posted by cda at 2:18 PM PST - 9 comments

I've seen Swappa recommended here and am just sort of asking if people have had good results. Anecdata, I know, but the local buy/fix/sell iPhone store's prices are about double what I see on the site. On the other hand, a relative bought a phone from Swappa and had bad results and filled my ear with it, so I'm having a moment of hesitation. Still, I am strongly leaning towards buying from Swappa (frankly couldn't afford to buy at the store's prices) but if people routinely get bum phones from them, I'll look into other options.
posted by PussKillian at 1:01 PM PST - 15 comments

Where should I start with Walter Benjamin (and Hannah Arendt and Foucault and bell hooks and...?) (Non-academic but well-read lay person perspective.) [more inside]
posted by latkes at 12:52 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a late-2008 MacBook running Yosemite with 2GB of RAM. For years I have had two external hard drives, one for my Surface Pro 2, and one for this Mac, or so I thought. But after plugging my Mac hard drive into my PC to look at the file list, I found that I could no longer mount the hard drive on my Mac (?!). All the files are still there, accessible and editable on my PC. This seems like witchcraft, but I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation. [more inside]
posted by ananci at 12:30 PM PST - 4 comments

What can I substitute in place of pearled sorghum? [more inside]
posted by J. Wilson at 12:04 PM PST - 7 comments

Is there a non-tech "Ask" site as high-quality and high-readership as AskMetafilter, but where there's a place for responding with throwaway usernames? (Reddit isn't it.) [more inside]
posted by Baeria at 10:59 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a Venmo account and have only ever used it once ( to receive one large payment from a trusted friend a few months back). Today the app popped up a notification saying that "Person X has sent you $1". I don't know Person X (nor does my spouse). Is there a scam involved somehow, or is it more likely an honest mistake? [more inside]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 10:49 AM PST - 7 comments

You are not my accountant, but I'm trying to figure out whether I need a tax preparer, or whether software based services like turbo tax can help me navigate the rough and choppy seas of my tax nightmare. [more inside]
posted by dis_integration at 10:24 AM PST - 8 comments

My dear friend, who is 15 years sober, received a bottle of Palmes d'Or 2002 Champagne from her new boss for Christmas. She graciously accepted it, but would like to sell/trade it for something more...useful. It's worth about $100. She really has no one to regift it to. We're in Los Angeles, if that matters. Any suggestions?
posted by Sophie1 at 9:51 AM PST - 13 comments

For my 30th birthday, I'm planning a week-long trip to Mexico City with my partner. We both have some concerns about physical/emotional safety, especially for her as a trans WOC. I'm looking for advice and anecdotes from people with experience being brown (as a tourist/non-native) and/or queer in Mexico City. [more inside]
posted by (Over) Thinking at 8:59 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a big fat annoying anxiety-inducing, sleep-disrupting phobia of bedbugs. I'm already doing CBT to limited success; what other avenues should I explore? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:50 AM PST - 18 comments

I want to simply make CDs from iTunes, and I would like a very easy (and free!) way to do it. [more inside]
posted by foxhat10 at 8:39 AM PST - 9 comments

I need to buy a new car. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by btkuhn at 8:13 AM PST - 15 comments

I live in a very diverse neighborhood - it’s probably 1/3 N-th generation white, 1/3 Chinese*, and 1/3 other recent immigrants. It’s working class, with a lot of large, packed together houses, and multi-generational housing arrangements. My husband and I (Nth-generation whites) have been having trouble interacting with our Chinese neighbors, and it’s making my husband want to move out of our neighborhood. I love our neighborhood, and would like to keep the option open to stay long term. [more inside]
posted by fermezporte at 8:10 AM PST - 26 comments

I'm a 29 year old female and *very* petite. I need to find a pair of pants that won't make me look like stick straight. [more inside]
posted by a knot unknown at 7:59 AM PST - 18 comments

Does anyone know the original source of this quote that is often attributed to Plato: "Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it." [more inside]
posted by tmharris65 at 7:55 AM PST - 2 comments

After years of close but not right and almost-good-enough-coffee-beans, I've discovered my holy grail of flavor, Deathwish coffee. Slightly cherrylike, a little chocolatey and OH SO MILD yet with a bit of a bite. Problem? I don't love the supercharged caffeine level. [more inside]
posted by sweetie_darling at 7:20 AM PST - 17 comments

We haven't been out on New Year's Eve in the six years we've had this big baby, Clyde Drexler (obligatory photo - we like to call this his OK Cupid profile pic). This year, we have an offer we can't refuse. [more inside]
posted by Sweetie Darling at 7:06 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm trying to remember a parable about a man who invents a religion (as a bet or as an experiment), then after he has built up a following, he reveals that it is false. However, his followers are so bought into the story that they call him out as an infidel, and kill him for blasphemy. I can't remember the origin, but it sounds like something from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Does anyone else remember this, and know where it's from?
posted by ccalgreen at 5:55 AM PST - 22 comments

Somewhere along the line, I've stopped listening to music altogether, and now have no idea what music I like, or even what music exists. I'd like to fix that - please help? [more inside]
posted by starcrust at 5:02 AM PST - 27 comments

A good friend runs a business which is very different to mine, but with probably 80% customer overlap. She sends out a very popular e-newsletter once a fortnight. For a long while I've wanted to send an e-newsletter too, and it would be useful if the people on my friend's mailing list could be offered the opportunity to easily join mine. [more inside]
posted by dance at 2:52 AM PST - 5 comments

Hi. I'm Hanov3r and, for the last 18 years, I've been a dirty LARPer. Earlier this year, while participating in my sport of choice, I injured my knee, pretty badly. Took a lot of time away from doing physical things to give it time to heal, the knee didn't really get any better, and I finally saw a doctor about it. One MRI later, and I'm looking at probable surgery to repair multiple tears of the medial and lateral meniscuses (meniscii?) of my left knee. So... how's that going to affect me? [more inside]
posted by hanov3r at 12:58 AM PST - 7 comments

I would really like to practice drawing portraits, or at least do figure drawing from life. However, I'm afraid that my subjects might want to see or keep the drawing in the end, and I am afraid of giving them a totally disappointing, bizarrely unrealistic rendition of themselves, because I'm not very good. Has anybody navigated this smoothly before? [more inside]
posted by gemutlichkeit at 11:33 PM PST - 20 comments

What's the best airline-regulation size carryon? I currently have a soft-sided roller bag that I tend to overpack, so looking for something hard sided that fits in a sizer and can't be overpacked. NO duffels please--I have one already but strongly prefer wheels.
posted by serelliya at 9:24 PM PST - 13 comments

Can the hive elves help me identify information about this Santa Claus blow mold? I have eight matching versions of these, each 10" high. Photo in the extended explanation... [more inside]
posted by Unsomnambulist at 7:23 PM PST - 1 comment

My Christmas present to myself is six months of a health coach who is also a registered dietitian. I recently fell in love with The Power of Habit. I would like suggestions on how to maximize the next six months to build healthy habits that will net real health and fitness changes now and stick with me over the years. [more inside]
posted by instamatic at 7:11 PM PST - 4 comments

Is there a 'yes/no' goal tracker app you'd recommend? [more inside]
posted by ian1977 at 6:10 PM PST - 9 comments

I had a killer headache today and broke down and took 400 mg of ibuprofen and it seems to work. But, it also has the side effect of making it pretty likely for me not to go number 2 tomorrow. I pretty much swore the stuff off but, keep it in my medicine cabinet for stuff that is worse than the constipation. I would obviously prefer something that doesn't do that. Acetimophen is nowhere near as good. Any other options I can get without a prescription?
posted by mamamia88 at 4:45 PM PST - 29 comments

My daughter goes to a homeschooling co-op. I'm looking for activities for my volunteer hour where I keep eleven kids, ages six to sixteen, entertained/learning in a quiet environment. [more inside]
posted by orsonet at 3:32 PM PST - 16 comments

Recommendations for a super-cheap, portable PC that can run Rhino (3D modeling graphics software)? [more inside]
posted by taltalim at 3:22 PM PST - 12 comments

How can I get better at talking about technical subjects on the fly in high-pressure situations? [more inside]
posted by unannihilated at 3:15 PM PST - 19 comments

Can you identify this interesting orange and black lichen? Is it a lichen? Is it two? [more inside]
posted by theodolite at 3:07 PM PST - 4 comments

Since late October/early November, my iPhone 6s (128 GB Verizon, not jailbroken) has been ruthlessly leaking cellular data for no obvious reason. After many days of troubleshooting, I narrowed the culprit down to the infuriatingly unspecific "Documents & Data" category in the iOS 9 “Settings/Cellular/System Services” settings. How can I determine specifically what “documents” and/or “data” is causing the data leak? [more inside]
posted by melorama at 2:16 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm staying in an AirBNB place in a Eurpean city well known for it's rennaissance art and not in a hot-climate place where these thing are unavoidable. Today there was a life cockroach on the kitchen counter (when the light was on). We did not get a picture. Now there's another one. I got a video with a wide view so it's clear this is in the apartment not some random cockroach video. Questions are 1. What, if anything do I do with regards to my host and airbnb.com and 2. What do I do to make sure I don't take cockroaches home with me? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:45 PM PST - 43 comments

Best security software for my new Windows 10 laptop? Any other advice to ensure my computer's life gets off to a good start? [more inside]
posted by quinoa at 1:41 PM PST - 7 comments

Our apartment's old dishwasher, a GE Americana model, is no longer manufactured. Any idea how to figure out when it stopped being produced? I'd like to know what's the youngest possible age for the washer. GE was unresponsive to my queries. [more inside]
posted by HeroZero at 1:25 PM PST - 4 comments

Yesterday I stood up too quickly, got a bit lightheaded and had to sit down again. My Mexican hosts were concerned and I tried to explain. At this point that I realized that "got up too quickly" is really not that descriptive and in fact borders on idiom. So now I'm curious what the Mexican Spanish idiom would be for that particular event (technically orthostatic hypotension). And while I'm at it I'm kind of curious about other cultures as well. Please help me sate my cultural curiosity.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 1:16 PM PST - 8 comments

How can I best prepare for my appointment with a sleep specialist? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:07 PM PST - 5 comments

Having a brainfart about bare optical fiber that is really bothering me. Tried to google this and while I think the answer is yes my google-fu is failing in a big way. [more inside]
posted by Slackermagee at 1:06 PM PST - 5 comments

I was given an Amazon Echo for Christmas. I'm trying to decide whether it makes sense to keep it or return it (for something as-yet-undetermined). Those of you with Echos: what am I missing? Is there some great application of it that I don't yet realize? [more inside]
posted by Betelgeuse at 12:59 PM PST - 14 comments

So, thanks partially to the response I received from a previous question, I've begun a sidebusiness organizing people's email inboxes: basically, helping people handle their email without getting overwhelmed, while also more generally helping with personal email/digital workflow. As this is somewhat of a unique project, I have two questions with not-entirely-obvious answers. [more inside]
posted by (The Rt Hon.) MP at 12:53 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm hoping to build a game prototype in Twine (or a similar friendly-to-non-programmers tool) but I'm not sure if it supports what I want to do. The snag is the game is designed around two concurrent dialogue trees that the player can hop between at any point. [more inside]
posted by churl at 12:40 PM PST - 4 comments

I have been working for about a year on a project that I expect will lead to a book about the public radio fund drive. I've asked a lot of questions here about it as I've tried to figure out how to approach the topic. Along with focus groups (I've done two, planning a third) and a literature review I'm finishing, I need to conduct a survey of public radio stations. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 12:29 PM PST - 4 comments

My nephew is not interested in college, but is very interested in pursuing vocational education and becoming an electrician, carpenter, or other trade profession. For various reasons his parents are not going to be helpful with this, so I'm looking into options for him. [more inside]
posted by megancita at 10:27 AM PST - 32 comments

Hi, I want to come up with some sort of building, construction toy or activity for my son who is 7 years old. He loves building legos and sits down with the books intensely to build them. The thing is that he doesn't actually like to play with them later. We have many legos for this reason but it is getting out of hand since the only part he likes is the building! [more inside]
posted by BigBrownBear at 10:07 AM PST - 22 comments

Yesterday a dear friend had a come to Jesus talk with me and encouraged me to make an appointment with my doctor about going on an antidepressant. I have been advised to go on antidepressants in the past by therapists and other doctors, but have never taken the next steps because my family views being on medication as a personal failure/huge dangerous risk. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by Hermione Granger at 8:42 AM PST - 68 comments

I am moving from near Blacksburg, VA to Chapel Hill, NC. I don’t have a certain timeframe, but sooner is better. I have asked questions about moving in the past when I was still figuring out a city, and I have similar questions now pertinent to Chapel Hill. I am especially seeking insight into housing, mental health services, and walkability. More inside. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 8:14 AM PST - 6 comments

In one of my classes for my Master's degree we did a short, team centered, role playing exercise that was pen and paper based. It involved crash landing in a jungle, and then making a series of choices to escape to civilization. I'm not looking for that specific exercise, but I'd like to find a similar print-n-play scenario that could be used with undergraduates. Free is definitely a plus. Playing in around 45 minutes would be necessary. Each packet would ideally accommodate between 5 to 8 players.
posted by codacorolla at 7:50 AM PST - 3 comments

I want a small file cabinet with a numeric keypad or fingerprint lock rather than a key. [more inside]
posted by neat graffitist at 7:47 AM PST - 10 comments

I stumbled into a new bottle of 15 year old Pappy Van Winkle, and hope to sell for a reasonably maximal price. I think eBay discourages alcohol, Craigs List seems ill-suited, retailers will want a bargain, and I’d like to avoid scams. Is there an established, reasonably self-screened forum or listing service for this sort of thing?
posted by Quisp Lover at 7:47 AM PST - 13 comments

I have found myself watching EPL the last few weekends, cumulating last Saturday with three straight games. I think its time to admit I'm a fan. So I'm looking for a few blogs, email newsletters, etc. to follow to stay up on the league. Suggestions? There is a lot out there and I don't have time to filter through it all to find the few good sources. [more inside]
posted by COD at 7:31 AM PST - 22 comments

I work in 100% travel IT consulting job. Moving soon so I can find local IT consulting (or else) jobs with my wife. Ideal world would to stay at current company, which doesn't have clients in new city, but is expanding there and current client has office there. While I am networking and will start applying for new jobs, I'd like to keep the option to stay. Do you have any thoughts or experiences in how to discuss this and navigate these waters? Some details below fold: [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 7:28 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm going back to work after having my second child. This time I have a back prone to injury. I'm looking for stylish, comfortable footwear suitable for dropping the kids off at school and daycare during the winter, and also wearing with work clothes in a professional environment. [more inside]
posted by semacd at 7:02 AM PST - 12 comments

I don't need to actual celebrate/acknowledge New Year's Eve/Day in NYC, but I will happen to be in the city for the holiday and am looking for calm, interesting possibilities that don't involve locking yourself into an apartment against the hordes (the entire time). Looking for your suggestions on how to spend a few days in NYC over the holiday that don't necessarily involve celebrating the holiday (but do avoid crowd crush to the greatest extent possible.) [more inside]
posted by these are my travel socks at 6:47 AM PST - 1 comment

Should we ask our bank for a consolidated loan after they turned us down once before and now hold our mortgage? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:47 AM PST - 4 comments

Finally signed up for iTunes Match, enabled it on my 32gb phone and now music is downloading to my phone. It's eaten all my remaining space and when I deleted 2 gbs, MORE music started downloading to my phone to fill up the remaining space. How do I get this to stop and make the music (via song or album)available for download, without actually downloading it? NOTE: I do not have Apple music, just iTunes Match. [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:03 AM PST - 16 comments

We'd like to video record interviews of our kids (currently 5 and 3) at the end of each year and would like suggested questions to ask them. Ideally, these same questions can be asked each year. So far we've come up with questions like, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" and "who is your best friend?" We're not as interested in "Kids Say the Darndest Things" style questions. In addition to suggested questions, if you've done this sort of thing before, we'd appreciate any advice on executing this effectively.
posted by i love cheese at 5:31 AM PST - 20 comments

In the past when I've had big long-term goals (study a language for 300 hours, bike 2,000 miles this summer, etc.) it's been motivating for me to make a big grid on a wall to represent the goal. The grid is divided into however many units of goal I want to accomplish and I color in each unit as I put in the work. It's similar to the fundraising thermometer way to visually represent progress. Is there an iphone app (preferably something attractive with minimal text) that is good for this kind of goal tracking? Most goal tracking apps I've found so far are way too complicated and not what I'm looking for.
posted by horizons at 4:54 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm looking for a really great bookkeeper/accounting firm for a small but growing business using Quickbooks. Snowflake: MUST BE AMAZING. [more inside]
posted by 3491again at 1:29 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm rich. Am I rich enough to live in the Bay Area? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:06 PM PST - 32 comments

My 18-year-old nephew tried to commit suicide two months ago, right before his birthday. At that time, and a couple times a couple years ago, my husband and I offered to let him come live with us. His mom wouldn't let him before he turned 18, and, after his suicide attempt, he chose to continue living with his mom. His mom just quit her job to move out of state, and the consensus has been that he'll come live with me and my husband. I've been open to it, until this past week or so. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:06 PM PST - 91 comments

I keep getting blisters with sandals (every time) other than sneakers I guess its the socks and softer shoe. And I've tried different types of sandals. Have you ever dealt with this? I maybe have sensitive skin on my feet. Would like to hear from people who have dealt with this . Thanks!
posted by re at 9:53 PM PST - 24 comments

Seeking fiction and non-fiction accounts, as well as real-life anecdotes, of buying a mansion and renting out the rooms to friends and/or strangers (or, otherwise, of living in such an arrangement) [more inside]
posted by sevenofspades at 8:41 PM PST - 16 comments

We have friends getting married who live in Santa Clara. We generally like to give gift cards to a nicer-but-not-super-expensive/more-special-than-normal/delicious restaurant as gifts, and we are having a hard time figuring out good options nearby. Only other items of note include price range of $100-$150 and must be gluten-free friendly. That's it!
posted by robot vacuum at 8:39 PM PST - 8 comments

My girlfriend and I celebrate our anniversary on NYE, and last year we spent the night playing Hatoful Boyfriend. It was ridiculous and fun, and we want to play something that will be as much fun this year. [more inside]
posted by restless_nomad at 8:23 PM PST - 18 comments

How can my 26-year old Second-Life-design-genius-and-little-sister get an invite for Sansar? [more inside]
posted by Mike Mongo at 8:08 PM PST - 2 comments

I think I’m losing it. I got hit by a stroke of good luck and a stroke of bad recently. I've recently made some career strides but they were accompanied by what appears to be a mental health crisis that jeopardizes my career. My family and S.O. are against me getting the treatment I feel I need to function – treatment that may be out of reach if I lose my job based on erratic behavior and a significant shift in impulse control and propriety. I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:55 PM PST - 19 comments

I think I come across, unintentionally, as a lackluster mentee. I want to be a rock star mentee. Maybe I am just being too hard on myself, but... I also think that my and my mentor's personalities may be ever so slightly incongruous. Not to mention I have a very stressful current-work situation I'm trying to navigate in an effort to make more time for me mentorship. It all makes me feel awkward and insecure. [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 6:07 PM PST - 12 comments

I bought an external battery (20800 mAh) for my oldish Macbook Air. But there is one thing I didn't think of: How do I plug my Macbook into an external battery that only has USB outputs?
posted by Triumphant Muzak at 5:34 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm looking for a $0 - $100 or so techy gift for a friend. Amazon links are fabulous. Something you would give to someone that would make them say "Ooooh!" If there is something you got for Christmas that you give rave reviews, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks!
posted by cashman at 4:35 PM PST - 17 comments

How do you collect property/funds from a will you are suggestively entitled to? How do you concretely find out you are entitled to these funds? [more inside]
posted by thewolfandewe at 4:22 PM PST - 11 comments

I've been invited to spend Mardi Gras with family friends in New Orleans. I'll be there for an extended visit, from Feb. 5th through the 10th, but I've never even been to NO, let alone experienced Mardi Gras, and it sounds kind of...intense. [more inside]
posted by merriment at 4:02 PM PST - 15 comments

My daughter checked her bags at the front counter for a United flight to Quito via Houston. Was told at the gate that the flight was overbooked and that she was involuntarily bumped. She was there well ahead of time. The next flight out (to Quito) that they were able to scrounge was on 1/1/16, rather than her scheduled 12/29/15. As compensation for this complete foul-up, they offered her $200, with some sort of claim that they were treating her first leg to Texas as her destination for the day. What should she do?
posted by bullatony at 3:57 PM PST - 15 comments

My SO & I are planning to (eventually) move in together. One of his "must haves" is separate bedrooms, and I admit I find the idea appealing - although I have some concerns (mostly around logistics, less around maintaining intimacy). As such, I'm looking for ways people have used to successfully navigate having separate bedrooms. [more inside]
posted by dotgirl at 3:54 PM PST - 26 comments

I was given an iPhone for Christmas this year. Until now, my entire smartphone experience has been with Android phones that work seamlessly with google voice. Using the gv number on my new phone feels pretty clunky. Should I just port my number to my carrier? [more inside]
posted by ocherdraco at 3:27 PM PST - 3 comments

Looking for progressive glasses (ideally sunglasses) online [more inside]
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 3:17 PM PST - 6 comments

I know NOTHING about the Philippines and next to nothing about international travel. But my friends and I want to spend 2-3 weeks there. [more inside]
posted by jander03 at 3:10 PM PST - 5 comments

Let's say you want to make your New Year's Eve and New Year's Day a celebration of your newfound health habits, getting in better shape and eating better over the past year, etc. What are your non-typical, health-oriented traditions for ringing in the new year? I welcome ideas both cheap and expensive, and those that involve going elsewhere or making a night in feel 'special'. ..... [more inside]
posted by ArgyleMarionette at 2:22 PM PST - 17 comments

Personal upheaval has affected my work performance in the past few months, both my day job and freelancing gig. No major screw-ups, but some missed days, missed deadlines, and overall reduction in my quality of work. I've been thinking about saying something to my direct supervisors, just a "hey, I know I've been off my game lately and I'm sorry. Thank you for your patience, and please know that I'm committed to improving my performance." Is this appropriate, or am I being overly anxious/contrite? Some contextual details below. [more inside]
posted by adastra at 1:36 PM PST - 12 comments

This is a narrower question than the title might suggest. A search for books about taking responsibility on Amazon returns the following relevant results: [more inside]
posted by ionnin at 12:17 PM PST - 4 comments

When I learned to program computers years ago the only real option was a book and a compiler. Now it seems that a number of websites improve on that with better interactive feedback and assistance when one is stuck. Is that true? Which sources are best for teenagers and pre-teens who have little experience? I'm thinking that Java, Objective-C or a similar language might be best. Is getting an app on an Iphone possible for novices? Thanks.
posted by Space Dog at 11:35 AM PST - 10 comments

If a road has a 7.5 tonne weight limit, what does that mean? What if the vehicle is longer or shorter than usual? What if it has twice as many wheels as normal? What if another heavy vehicle drives along the road (say from the other direction) at the same time?
posted by gorcha at 11:25 AM PST - 10 comments

I am about to launch a James Perse-like, California casual men's fashion line in Southern California and am looking for ways to... 1) Sell the line 2) Market the line 3) Find local brands that sell men's clothing, accessories, etc to share space at trade shows and events [more inside]
posted by goalyeehah at 11:14 AM PST - 3 comments

For the past two years in a row, I've gotten sick exactly on Dec 30th. I feel it coming on again. Is there anything I can do to curb it? [more inside]
posted by Zosia Blue at 9:56 AM PST - 17 comments

After her pink fairy phase, my four year old has started wanting to play pirates. Are there any books (movies, games, pictures, other inspiration) about female pirates? Suitable for 4-6 year olds? Thank you!
posted by Omnomnom at 9:37 AM PST - 28 comments

I'm looking for an internationally recognised ISO or IEC style standard or certification, against which I can have an electronic device tested and cleared for use. The temperatures involved are high, but not extreme. The device will be used within a metal enclosure in the Middle East. [more inside]
posted by MintSauce at 8:46 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm not really sure what I'm looking for, precisely, but a book of not more than 1000 or so pages that will grab me within about 30-50 pages. Non-fiction readable typically means published in the last 50 years or so, though I am flexible on this. Must be available in ebook format.
posted by jeather at 8:35 AM PST - 16 comments

So after 3.5 years, I finally broke down and got a new cell phone. Verizon is giving me a $200 credit to return my old phone. Normally I would just keep it but… that’s a lot of money. My question is, how do I save all my txts somewhere like dropbox? I really, really don’t want to lose over three years of txts, particularly ones from a friend who recently passed away. [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 8:08 AM PST - 14 comments

How can I stop my iPhone from saving .aae files along with .jpg photos? [more inside]
posted by amicamentis at 7:43 AM PST - 2 comments

Men with medium (ear to chin) length hair - how do you get your locks looking so luxurious? Basically, how do you go from this to this?
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:38 AM PST - 23 comments

I've had a crown on one of my molars for a couple years now, and it's never felt right. On my last visit to the dentist, they essentially told me I was SOL. Is this true? [more inside]
posted by whistle pig at 7:36 AM PST - 15 comments

My birthday gift from my wife this year is a new DSLR! Hell yeah! But I have to pick it out. Oh no! Please help me figure out which of the entry-level Nikon DSLRs is for me. [more inside]
posted by the phlegmatic king at 7:35 AM PST - 18 comments

Writing is my job. And when I am writing, I am smoking like it’s my job. And since circumstances allow, the smoking includes more than tobacco. I think I really really want to stop both for 2016 but I don’t know how I will write without my ‘muses’. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:30 AM PST - 29 comments

Wondering if anyone has any experience curing a DOB violation on a building in Brooklyn. The catch: The violation is still listed in the previous owner's name. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:29 AM PST - 3 comments

He's proposed marriage before, and did again in a very serious way and context last night. I've always said no, but this time I told him I'll think about it. I can't tell if this resistance I'm feeling is real objection or a function of my pride. There's certainly a case for us getting married, but there's also a case against marriage being right for me. [more inside]
posted by dee lee at 7:07 AM PST - 50 comments

How to sit with discomfort (and you know... get some sleep) after making decisions that put my financial needs first? [more inside]
posted by lifethatihavenotlivedyet at 6:44 AM PST - 12 comments

Please recommend recently published short books on geopolitics that were pleasant, easy to read, and really smart. [more inside]
posted by OlivesAndTurkishCoffee at 6:15 AM PST - 2 comments

It looks like the responsibilities of my job are about to expand to take on managing a (currently extremely small) library. I'm thrilled by the opportunity, but a bit daunted. I'm looking for advice on: a) Building a functioning catalogue/borrowing system (e.g. I've looked at Evergreen and Koha, are they good? Pros/cons?). b) How-to-be-an-awesome-librarian-despite-lack-of-formal-training-as-such (I've seen Jessamyn's work on here and its an inspiration that I'm looking to, but top tips'd also be great). [more inside]
posted by threecheesetrees at 6:12 AM PST - 8 comments

My wife is tired of coming home to a dark house, and I want something to fiddle with. I'm thinking about getting a "smart" setup of some sort to control the lights (details inside). What's the best overall solution? We're exclusively a Mac/iOS household. [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 5:56 AM PST - 5 comments

How can I protect me from myself during a time of emotional upheaval, in terms of access to my own past journal entries? [more inside]
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 4:59 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm a dependent on my husband's health care (Blue Cross). I'm also covered at work (Kaiser). Should I cancel my work coverage to avoid paperwork nightmares? [more inside]
posted by slidell at 2:24 AM PST - 19 comments

I"m looking for an introductory historico-philosophical text on religion and politics, political-theology, or secularism and anti-secularism philosophically? Specifically, I'm interested in understanding, the context and surrounding works which would situate Carl Schmitt's claims regarding the persistence of theological concepts in 20thC political philosophy. [more inside]
posted by mary8nne at 1:39 AM PST - 6 comments

I've had this song stuck in my head for at least a week, and it's driving me up the wall. The chorus (?) is "can you hear me" repeated 4 times, and the rest of the details are as follows... [more inside]
posted by zinful at 12:04 AM PST - 18 comments

I have a question about how much to borrow for federal direct loans/financial aid. Not sure whether or not I have enough for living expenses and college. [more inside]
posted by chrono_rabbit at 9:36 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm halfway done with an intense 1 yr biology MS intended to get people into med/dental school. There are less than 20 people in the program, making me feel like I'm existing in some bizarre microcosm where everything I do (particularly grades/academics-wise) is under scrutiny. My classmates are competitive in a way that I'm not used to and don't like. I'm dreading my second semester. Help me make it through successfully. [more inside]
posted by DayTripper at 9:34 PM PST - 10 comments

So, I'm looking to lose a little weight, get healthier and tone up. I'd also like to do it in the comfort of my own home. What's the one item of equipment most likely to achieve this? It has to be one only, I don't have space, money nor the inclination for an entire home gym. The plan is to set it up in the open living area of the home where I can squeeze some workout time in whilst I watch my two young kids. (For time and convenience reasons, I won't be joining a gym. Also, I hate gyms.) Ideally, I will be hiring the equipment initially. What are your thoughts?
posted by Jubey at 9:33 PM PST - 22 comments

How do I hang a suzani (embroidered textile) on the wall? [more inside]
posted by pravit at 7:52 PM PST - 12 comments

I have hit the point where I need reading glasses. I have one pair I like a lot. I want to buy a bunch more similar pairs from Zenni and I'm not totally sure how to make sense of conflicting information. Could you give me advice? [more inside]
posted by jessamyn at 7:01 PM PST - 20 comments

I find myself with access to an Xbox One, but not a single game is jumping out at me. Can you make a recommendation based on previous console and PC games that I've enjoyed? [more inside]
posted by jimmereeno at 6:56 PM PST - 11 comments

I really really really really want this exact hat, which is only available in the UK. Do I have options? [more inside]
posted by easter queen at 5:32 PM PST - 5 comments

Looking for an awesome thank you gift for a coworker. [more inside]
posted by mismatchedsock at 5:19 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm talking to someone on craigslist about a really sketchy dog adoption. What's the ethical thing to do to ensure the best outcome for me and for the dog? [more inside]
posted by R a c h e l at 4:40 PM PST - 31 comments

I need a decent amount of cash, but I don't live near my bank. [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 4:40 PM PST - 9 comments

Kid Gyre came back from the ex's parents with an expensive, elephant hide wallet as a Christmas gift. My initial thought were a mix of squick, and oh my goodness-is-this-a-crime?!? Googling showed me that elephant hide is a thing, and there are tons of websites claiming "ethically sourced blah, blah ...." [more inside]
posted by Gyre,Gimble,Wabe, Esq. at 4:02 PM PST - 12 comments

Our 10-month-old son's bedtime recently changed from 6pm to 8pm, and it has really changed our dynamic at home. Instead of hanging out and catching up (which we were able to do before), my wife and I are spending most of our evenings trading off on watching him while one of us cooks or catches up on other house chores. Any ideas or tips on ways we can spend time with him and keep him occupied and still be adults spending time together in the evenings? [more inside]
posted by lukez at 4:02 PM PST - 14 comments

So, I'm on my Southwest USA spiritual journey/roadtrip after my recent separation to divorce incident. I have zero ties to my 'home city' and no responsibilities right now. However... A very interesting lady appeared from nowhere, and I am thinking I would like to date her, and I believe she would like to date me. I'm scared this is a rebound, and thus, a bad idea. How do I make that judgment call? More inside! [more inside]
posted by Jacen at 3:53 PM PST - 19 comments

Anyone had any good experiences with an optometrist in Seattle that accepts Washington Apple Health? [more inside]
posted by kittensofthenight at 3:52 PM PST - 4 comments

Many different types of people might visit, and I'd like to have some good options available for everyone, to keep folks entertained on rainy days in the absence of TV/video games/internet. [more inside]
posted by bobafet at 3:07 PM PST - 45 comments

Yeah, I know, in-law problems are so common as to be a cliche. But I don't want my family to be a cliche! The resources I've found on in-law relationships have typically been super conservative/religious, or deal with highly toxic and dramatic situations (which ours isn't), or are mostly parenting-focused (we don't have kids). Surely someone has written a book or a blog about in-law issues that are mostly about clashing personalities and priorities? [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 3:00 PM PST - 23 comments

I'm spending tomorrow in Los Angeles with some family and friends. We usually park the car in a couple different places in some adjacent neighborhoods and explore denser neighborhoods on foot. We'd like suggestions for places to visit and things to do in Koreatown, Hollywood, and the surrounding areas (but not DTLA). [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana at 2:45 PM PST - 7 comments

Question for the bakers of AskMefi: I'd like to tinker with the recipe for Venetians, the layered cookies, swapping out almond for peanut, but I have nowhere near the experience needed to know how to make this work. [more inside]
posted by wanderingmind at 2:30 PM PST - 4 comments

What were the food/drink trends of 1915? Seeking both recipes and reading. [more inside]
posted by everybody had matching towels at 2:03 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm moving with a relatively small amount of stuff (probably 15-20 boxes, either no furniture or only small pieces) across the US (DC to Seattle) next month. I've done this before via USPS, but I'm wondering if there are other options I haven't thought of. Would like to keep this under $1,000. [more inside]
posted by lunasol at 2:02 PM PST - 18 comments

I need to share my computer with someone for a few weeks while we work together on a pair project in excel. But I want to lock everything else down on my computer so they can't open/copy/email my other files if I step out of the room; or so they can't open my browser and read my email / see my history, etc. [more inside]
posted by tangyraspberry at 1:57 PM PST - 10 comments

What special considerations should I be thinking about in leaving electronic equipment in temperatures that range from 40s in the winter to 115 and above in the summer in a garage home gym? [more inside]
posted by nubianinthedesert at 1:44 PM PST - 1 comment

I would like to create five copies of a keepsake/memory book with text and photos of our daughter's first year. What are my best options - quality, price, design options, interface - for creating such a thing here in Canada, what are the pros and cons of various service providers?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 12:59 PM PST - 3 comments

Help me think about the best way to manage my kid's new Kindle that he was gifted for the holidays? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:55 PM PST - 8 comments

My father just had a new baby today, and while it wasn't a surprise to him, it was to me. How do I start to cope with unexpected feelings of rejection, jealousy, and anger in the wake of my father's new family? Outside of myself, how do I help my youngest sister deal with it as well? [more inside]
posted by Marinara at 12:10 PM PST - 30 comments

Where should we take introductory Hindi in NYC or is there an iOs app or other resource we should start with first? [more inside]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:08 PM PST - 8 comments

** Asking for a friend ** I have been dating someone for three weeks and it has become serious very quickly. Is this a bad sign? [more inside]
posted by akita at 11:45 AM PST - 10 comments

I want to buy a cheap notebook/netbook. It seems like (maybe?) buying it this week will get me a cheaper price? What should I be doing in order to find the best piece of hardware I can get for ~$300 CAD. [more inside]
posted by 256 at 11:28 AM PST - 1 comment

My mom has many, many opinions on how we are caring for our son (from what we give him for breakfast to the chores he should have, ugh), and she loves to share them. All the time. Especially in emails (joy). Here's the situation: I am considering going back to work full time but I am sure my mom will voice her displeasure. [more inside]
posted by trillian at 11:00 AM PST - 18 comments

I would like to produce a 3D printed relief map of a mountain valley. I would like to automate this process as much as possible as I have little experience producing anything for a 3D printer. [more inside]
posted by furnace.heart at 10:34 AM PST - 12 comments

So, the experts say the reason the typical Big Box drip coffeemaker makes, at least in their opinions, mediocre coffee is that they don't get the water hot enough. That's my opinion, too. You can spend $300-$400 and get a drip coffeemaker that gets the water hot enough. But, why isn't anyone selling a $50 coffeemaker that gets the water just as hot? Does it really cost a couple of hundred more dollars to bump the temp up 10 degrees? My $20 electric kettle gets all kind of hot. Is keeping the water at the right temperature after heating the tricky part?
posted by justcorbly at 10:19 AM PST - 8 comments

I have a strange sense of humor and if something strikes me as oddly funny, I have a belly laugh that sounds like an orc battle cry followed by incessant giggling. In a discussion about dog poop yesterday, I had the giggle thing and sadly hurt my SO's feelings. I would like to find tricks to manage my giggling. Thinking about maggots and soggy diapers doesn't work, because I get to the point where it's like think about genocide and then I will feel horrible and sad--but I'll still be giggling. [more inside]
posted by angrycat at 10:01 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm looking for recommendations for cool fun indie games that are available through the Nintendo eShop (got a gift card for Christmas!). [more inside]
posted by stennieville at 9:17 AM PST - 3 comments

Hi, all. Mr. Verdandi and I have an adorable 1940s cape which came with a milk door that leads to the kitchen. We'd like to seal it up, mostly for heat-retention reasons. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Verdandi at 8:58 AM PST - 4 comments

Hi, everyone. Last year I asked a question about moving back to my home state or keeping my cushy job. You encouraged me to move home and I'm so glad I did. I find myself both engaged and pregnant! We are thrilled. It all happened fast and we need your help planning a dream honeymoon/babymoon to Hawaii. Our timing is mid-March 2016! [more inside]
posted by curtains at 6:56 AM PST - 12 comments

What can I do about an $800 hospital bill? And can an ultrasound really be $1700? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:22 AM PST - 22 comments

I'd love to improve my range of salads (or other things involving vegetables) to bring to work, but I'm finding just searching for recipes tricky because of a combination of foods I don't eat, a nut-free workplace, and the fact I live alone (so don't necessarily go through more delicate ingredients before they go bad.) I'd love your suggestions for things to try: special snowflake details inside. Recommendations for cookbooks, websites, etc. to mine also very welcome. [more inside]
posted by modernhypatia at 6:22 AM PST - 20 comments

What non-English-speaking bands would a fan of so-called "zolo" music enjoy? I'm looking specifically for energetic, rhythmically/melodically complex music that's still emotionally open enough to be cathartic (i.e. nothing too cerebral or insincere—math rock is out, Mr. Bungle/Ween-type bands get in their own way). Examples of what I'm looking for inside! [more inside]
posted by rorgy at 6:18 AM PST - 13 comments

Is there something like a call-for-help necklace that isn't tied to a specific location? If not, what are some ways to ensure the safety of skiers? [more inside]
posted by zenja72 at 6:05 AM PST - 11 comments

The two best cups of coffee of my life were brewed in percolators. One came from a new-ish Farberware percolator like this one, and the other was a long time ago from an unknown brand. I must have a coffee percolator. [more inside]
posted by Kangaroo at 5:45 AM PST - 8 comments

We are visiting family members that I have not seen as a kid, what conversation starters can I have in my back pocket to avoid any awkward lulls in conversation? [more inside]
posted by heavyp08 at 5:38 AM PST - 5 comments

Is it ok to substitute grapefruit juice for lemon juice in throat soothing warm drink with honey? [more inside]
posted by BillyAnne at 5:34 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm single at 40 after being coupled for my entire adult life. One of the things I'm missing the most is not having anyone reach for me (literally or figuratively!) because they want or need me. How can I stop letting this bother me? [more inside]
posted by metasarah at 5:33 AM PST - 9 comments

Matthew 5:13: "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men." (New American Standard Bible) Wait, what? [more inside]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 4:57 AM PST - 17 comments

I made a bet and lost... My boyfriend IS working New Year's Eve and New Year's Day (in a restaurant) and now I'm planless and looking for something to do in London, UK or beyond. Caveats: Most of my friends are still out of town, I'm a non drinker, and I have a dog (although she could be happily left alone for the evening/sent to dog sitters). What would you do in my situation?
posted by teststrip at 12:44 AM PST - 5 comments

I am having a NuvaRing issue that is really annoying. Hoping you guys can help me figure out how to deal with it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:25 PM PST - 8 comments

I have managed to fail at all societal goal-posts as a single late thirty-something woman with no husband, children, job, money or property in Asia, what do I do next? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:25 PM PST - 19 comments

What are some high quality men's pajamas? Which are the most comfortable, luxurious, or stylish? Compatibility with a washing machine / dryer is a big plus.
posted by jtothes at 11:12 PM PST - 7 comments

I stupidly said I'd go to South SF during the lunch hour on a couple of weekdays this week. I forgot that means I'm gonna have to use BART on a weekday and everything will be much more buggered than I'm used to on weekend travel. [more inside]
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:31 PM PST - 6 comments

Employment history section of an online job application states: You must complete all sections and answer all questions as they pertain to you, even if you are attaching a resume. Misrepresentation or omission of facts called for may be grounds for not employing you, or dismissing you after employment. But not every field in the form is required. Do I need to fill out each field despite this? [more inside]
posted by tastycracker at 9:53 PM PST - 10 comments

Trying raw oysters here and there during different times of my life living on the east coast and never cared for them unless they were fried. So large and salty and meh. Then, THEN i went to Vancouver and Seattle and fell in love with: Chefs Creek oysters, Kumamotos, and Kusshis. [more inside]
posted by TestamentToGrace at 9:47 PM PST - 9 comments

Help me figure out if this explanation makes sense. [more inside]
posted by sucre at 8:59 PM PST - 57 comments

Is there historical fiction set in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica? If so, where do I find it? [more inside]
posted by sibilatorix at 7:39 PM PST - 8 comments

Who's the guy on the right? With the glasses? He looks SO familiar!
posted by DMelanogaster at 6:59 PM PST - 14 comments

Because I'm an awesome mom, I'm driving from RI to Syracuse in March so my daughter can go to a concert. We're going up the day before the show, and I've never been to Syracuse, so I don't know how to spend our free time. [more inside]
posted by Ruki at 6:43 PM PST - 7 comments

I need help figuring out how to spend New Year's Eve. Not only am I a single 41 year old in NYC, there are some other "fun" complications that make this challenging. [more inside]
posted by miss-lapin at 5:47 PM PST - 13 comments

Short Version: I got a raise and my coworkers will find out. This makes me feel uncomfortable and I want to know the best way to handle the situation. Has anyone been through something like this before? Long Version below. [more inside]
posted by Girl from Ipanema at 5:29 PM PST - 15 comments

Live in a Brooklyn apartment and have been considering a Murphy bed (wall bed). Looking to get the best bang for buck (hopefully under 2k). Should I be looking for a carpenter or can I get something sturdy that can be assembled? Is there a semi-custom option? We don't want something that will break in 6 months to a year. Any thoughts or suggestions on pitfalls? Where or how should we look? [more inside]
posted by demonstartivepapadonous at 4:23 PM PST - 9 comments

After asking some friends and family, I'm realizing that I may be spending way too much on groceries every week. [more inside]
posted by figaro at 4:11 PM PST - 30 comments

For the past 2 to 3 years I have had the most difficult time holding a job. [more inside]
posted by stepup at 4:06 PM PST - 11 comments

We recently bought udon with a "use by" date of "May 12 16," except one has some weird orange spots (looks like colorful flavoring accidentally included from something else, and the second instance of weird purple-like tint and possibly a bit of slimy consistency. Here's a photo, with the areas in question circled for emphasis. Can we eat it, eat around it, or should we chuck it? [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief at 3:11 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm looking for a home dehumidifier in the 30-70 pint range. Please suggest me a brand made in the USA, or Gemany, etc that I can buy (like from a chain store) or order? [more inside]
posted by atinna at 3:11 PM PST - 2 comments

Back in the early days of Australian television — back before I was born — there was a show on the ABC called "Lens on Lilliput". It was a show of its time where basically they showed the view from a microscope. My wife's uncle wants to hear the theme again and although all the family of his age remember the show, they can't remember the theme. Google has been of almost no use to me here and I'm hoping that maybe someone might be able to help.
posted by antipodes at 2:44 PM PST - 3 comments

It was Christmas dinner at the loft; there were about 25 people there. I was in the crowded kitchen when a very casual acquaintance grabbed me from behind, startling me. His hand clamped on my hip, kneading, pinching. This covert violation was not completely unexpected; he’d done the same thing at Thanksgiving and I let it go by without direct comment, not wanting to make a scene. (I’d been sick about it ever since, and discussed it with several people, including one of my hosts.) [more inside]
posted by ljshapiro at 2:41 PM PST - 69 comments

I am a 45 year old man who needs to lose 60 pounds. I have come to terms with this. I need to quit drinking, eat less processed food (I'm a vegetarian, but still), and exercise. I used to be an athlete. I was a distance runner a decade ago before letting myself go. I have a game plan for diet and exercise, but I need advice on one aspect of the process. [more inside]
posted by 4ster at 2:26 PM PST - 17 comments

We've got two photos, a first name and potential surname, rough year and known location at that time, distinguishing marks and military rank. What are our options for finding out more about someone from the past with this amount of information? [more inside]
posted by terretu at 2:19 PM PST - 5 comments

I have recently gotten back into cardio and have signed up for a Spartan a Race in April...yeah me! Now the problem...I think I have extensor tendinitis in my left foot. About a mile into a run/walk, the top of my foot up into my ankle starts to burn. It doesn't stop me, but damn it hurts. I have tried loosening my laces, ice, pain killers...no help. Is there anything other than stopping the cardio? Thanks hive!
posted by keep it tight at 2:18 PM PST - 5 comments

Does anyone know how Reminova's Electrically Accelerated and Enhanced Remineralisation works, in the details? Is there a patent application somewhere I could read? Is there a forum somewhere where people are trying to recreate it, or talking about how it works in a lot more detail than the news articles? Basically, I want to know how it works. :)
posted by freyley at 1:28 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm nearly 40 and have only had a few short-term relationships. For a long time I believed I was content to be single and not have kids, but I recently met someone and wound up liking him a lot, and then it quite suddenly wasn't working and was over. [more inside]
posted by bunderful at 1:17 PM PST - 37 comments

I've started to work on doing a better job of managing my social media presence, mainly to promote myself professionally. One of my first discoveries is that when I Google myself, the first Twitter result that comes up is for a person who shares my (unusual) name and whose username is my name, reversed. They've been tweeting pornography. How should I deal with it? [more inside]
posted by Beverley Westwood at 1:15 PM PST - 6 comments

What products do I not need? For example, I've found that regular soap works as well as shaving cream when shaving in the shower, and that shampoo can be replaced with water and a small amount of vinegar and baking soda. How do I best live frugally and simply?
posted by xammerboy at 12:28 PM PST - 26 comments

The short version of the story is that I am married but kissed a colleague at a work Christmas party after several drinks and a lot of flirty dancing. The long version of the story is that this seems to be the culmination of a couple of years of emotional uncertainty and I think I might be having some kind of mid-life / life stage crisis and I'm struggling to figure out how I can get through it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:43 AM PST - 24 comments

Why does my iPhone require carrier-based voicemail service? Why can't it handle voicemail entirely on the phone itself? [more inside]
posted by fatbird at 11:23 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm looking for historical overviews and more specific personal accounts, with an emphasis on readability. [more inside]
posted by penguin pie at 9:52 AM PST - 7 comments

What's the joke behind Peter Pan trying unsuccessfully to reattach his shadow with soap? [more inside]
posted by unsupervised at 9:28 AM PST - 7 comments

You'd think Google would be best for this, but help me out: I have pieces of writing that I would like to share online (non fiction, poetry, short stories, etc.). I have joined various post-your-stuff sites, but I find most of them to be full of teens (which is great! Seems like the kids these days are just cranking stuff out...) posting teen type writing or fan fiction. I'm talking about Wattpad and similar sites. Do you know of any good writer's sites with a social/interactive element (ratings, following, etc.) that have a more mature/literary bent? Thanks! Happy new Year
posted by bobbyno at 8:55 AM PST - 9 comments

I recently read The Monk and the Philosopher and enjoyed it. Any other recommendations for serious books comparing, contrasting, or describing encounters between eastern philosophy and spiritual practices and the western intellectual tradition? [more inside]
posted by vecchio at 8:22 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for desk objets d'art of a particular kind - beautiful, highly complex mechanical objects. One great example would be a Curta mechanical calculator. Another would be [more inside]
posted by dmd at 7:08 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm living in Europe right now, and I need ideas for activity-based weekend travel. Where can I go? [more inside]
posted by aaanastasia at 4:55 AM PST - 14 comments

If any Francophones are up for a challenge: can you tell this monoglot what is being sung in The Go! Team's song Ye Ye Yamaha? (YouTube link but should also be on all the streaming services.) He wants to sing along but has to resort to garbled nonsense words. It's a fuzzy pop song with a killer catchy chorus, if that entices anyone!
posted by Quilford at 4:41 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm one of those people who thought major depression was a thing I was over and done with years ago. I am recently experiencing a STRONG relapse (nothing self harm related) with a bunch of physical symptoms ( bad sleep, panic attacks, memory gaps, excessive crying, Ill advised text arguments with an ex boyfriend (in which he has been patient and kind but I can't retread that for so many reasons . [more inside]
posted by sweetkid at 4:30 AM PST - 40 comments

On Wednesday 12/23, I assembled but did not bake this delicious pumpkin baked ziti from Veganomicon. Too late to bake and eat? [more inside]
posted by dywypi at 3:31 AM PST - 5 comments

We're in Paris and my 8-year old would really like to climb trees. We're staying at Le Marais. Anyone have ideas?
posted by Dragonness at 1:29 AM PST - 5 comments

I've been in the service industry for about six years now. I'm very knowledgeable and skilled, but not always the best at positioning myself well. TLDR: What do I do about an arrogant twit? [more inside]
posted by nob'dy at 1:16 AM PST - 11 comments

I live/work in Toronto as a permanent resident. My queer SO is a US citizen through and through, and lives in Maryland. Long distance sucks, and we are hoping to move her here next academic year...but logistics are complicated. I need your ideas, expertise, experiences etc of moving North across the border! [more inside]
posted by atetrachordofthree at 8:10 PM PST - 11 comments

I am looking for a guide to focused-attention, aka concentrative, aka concentration, meditation. This guide should be practical with no mumbo-jumbo, and this guide should be effective and efficient. I don't trust any random person on the internet, I want someone who is a researcher and has fine-tuned their system over the years (like Jon Kabat-Zin except for FA meditation). [more inside]
posted by TheOptimizer at 7:01 PM PST - 6 comments

Be glad you are not me. :) I just landed at JFK without my apt keys. I'm going to stay with a friend or get a hotel tonight. There has GOT to be a service that can deliver the keys same-day Sunday, right? FedEx says no dice. (Courier service?) The keys are in Hilton Head, SC. Thank you! Worse things have happened to people, but goddamn I am an idiot.
posted by jessca84 at 6:40 PM PST - 24 comments

I really need some help picking out a new car, that I would like to buy pretty soon. Details within. [more inside]
posted by raztaj at 6:35 PM PST - 15 comments

Have you transitioned from working an outdoors, hands-on job to a desk job successfully/happily? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:51 PM PST - 7 comments

Form fitting sweater dress + leggings. Is there a way to do this that doesn't result in visible lumpiness around the midriff/hips where the leggings end? [more inside]
posted by a strong female character at 5:16 PM PST - 29 comments

I placed a load of laundry in the washing machine and poured some detergent onto it, only to discover that the machine had broken and wouldn't start. Is it ok to wait a day or two for the machine to be fixed, while some of the (still dry) clothes have been splashed with detergent? Or should I rush out to a laundromat? [more inside]
posted by kickingtheground at 5:05 PM PST - 11 comments

Sometime in late March/Early April 2015, the NYT Now App ran a story that linked to a very long article on the definitive bolognese sauce. The story followed a reporter as he went from town to town in Italy in search of the true version of this delicious sauce. The story disappeared from NYT Now before I got to finish it, and my google searches return recipe after recipe, but not that story. Did anyone out here happy to read it and remember the source? (My efforts to contact the Times through customer service also led to dead ends, hence this post.)
posted by teddyb109 at 4:52 PM PST - 5 comments

Rainy Pacific Northwest winter woes! I got my 2006 2-door Jeep Wrangler 4 x 4 soft-top convertible last year from a used-car place...it was completely water-tight & cozy all winter, then a dream with top down in the summer sunshine. This year, different story. All the taking the top off/on means some seams have frayed, and the bits that tuck in don't fit as well into their little grooves, and there are physical gaps where water is coming in. What's worse is the huge puddle that gathers on the fabric roof when it rains. The water sinks through, beads up all along the inside ceiling (not just weak zones...the whole thing) and then *rains down* on hapless passengers within. [more inside]
posted by red_rabbit at 4:29 PM PST - 11 comments

I quite fancy a denon m40 but I'm not sure if I can connect a chroecast audio to it. Can it be done? [more inside]
posted by aqueousdan at 3:37 PM PST - 4 comments

I just learned that some kids I was visiting over the holiday have head lice. I have a beard that goes down basically nipple length. I'm going to get The Shampoo Of Shame for my head, but do I need to use it on my face hair also?
posted by hippybear at 2:58 PM PST - 14 comments

Wanted: petite focused lingerie lines and brands for naughty/sexy lingerie. [more inside]
posted by driedmango at 2:15 PM PST - 10 comments

Please help identify this short book (that I can only vaguely describe): The characters were nonhuman—if I recall correctly, they were different shapes and their bodies were comprised of things like springs—and a gas can, maybe?—and other stuff like that. I think they all had one word names that we associate with people (something like Bob). I don't know if I'm remembering any of this correctly, though. They lived on a planet or somewhere where only so many of them could exist, or do a certain thing at the same time, or something like that. There may have been a ring or a circle or something I think there was a society with hierarchy and maybe a king or ruler or something, and it was in upheaval. It was a short book that I read in a sitting. The vague nature of the characters and the world made it a very interesting read, but very hard to google. I also don't remember a lot of specifics to be honest, which makes it even harder. The book may have won an award if I recall. I think it was from the 1970's at the oldest, but I think it may have been from the 1990's. I know this is all very vague, but maybe someone remembers! I really liked it and would like to read it again.
posted by defenestration at 12:23 PM PST - 9 comments

In the 60's and 70's my dad saved money by getting slides instead of pictures. I would like to get them onto a computer. Given the number, I am ruling out DIY. [more inside]
posted by Hactar at 11:22 AM PST - 11 comments

Looking for recommendations of films or programs traditionally watched on New Year's, in different countries around the globe [more inside]
posted by scrambles at 10:18 AM PST - 13 comments

My partner often comes up to me and starts talking no matter what I'm doing - reading a book, writing, working on a drawing. He doesn't wait until I make eye contact or acknowledge him - he just starts talking. This means that when I'm concentrating on something I'm frequently interrupted. Is there a way for me to remain physically present and available for occasional conversation while signalling that I am busy and don't wish to be constantly interrupted? [more inside]
posted by sleepy psychonaut at 9:20 AM PST - 31 comments

I'm stricken by overwhelming concern about the world (environment, hunger, refugees, corrupt corporations) coupled with guilt that I'm not doing anything to improve things. What can I do with the tools available to me? [more inside]
posted by lizifer at 6:06 AM PST - 23 comments

How do you deal with new partners with adult kids - and more importantly, the ex partners! Asking for my MIL (I haven't told her I'm doing this, I just want to be a good DIL and want some good advice to give her - whether she accepts it or not is another matter, that will probably be down to how I present it...) [more inside]
posted by finding.perdita at 5:25 AM PST - 21 comments

We moved to a new city a few months ago. The move itself went fine, but I miss the feeling of belonging to a place I know well. How can I get that feeling here? [more inside]
posted by Catseye at 5:07 AM PST - 25 comments

I would like my medical records held by a private general practice destroyed. I am in Queensland, Australia. How can I do this? Is it possible? There are no insurance issues and I am in complete charge of my own legal affairs and a private citizen.
posted by esto-again at 9:50 PM PST - 9 comments

I have spent five years 2,000 miles from home getting a graduate degree. I thought I would do a PhD, but I just got a master's in liberal arts. Thankfully, I have no debt. [more inside]
posted by uncannyslacks at 6:45 PM PST - 10 comments

I have an old, old iPhone 4s (bought used about 2 years ago, it was probably one of the first 4s's manufactured!) which has been great and very reliable. It's doing some things that worry me, though, and I was wondering if I really must get a new phone soon or can I put it off longer. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 5:49 PM PST - 20 comments

I have 2000 photos which I'd like to organize, and have 2 specific requirements - I'd like to: (1) select photos in one album and add them to another, & (2) access a list view of each album - i.e. see the file names of the photos in an album, listed by their order in the album. Currently I have MS Photo and Google Photos - looks like I can only do #1 in Google Photos, and can't do #2 in either. Am I missing something, or is there a suitable alternative - web, Win 8.1 or Win 10?
posted by forallmankind at 5:30 PM PST - 1 comment

What are your best recipes or suggestions for things to do with a large amount of cashews? [more inside]
posted by Ndwright at 4:29 PM PST - 35 comments

Google Chrome version 47.0.2526.106. Windows 10. You open Chrome, and you see the Google logo. Below it is the search box. Below that are 6 thumbnails. How do I put what I want in those 6 spaces? Please explain as though I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, and you're not even sure I understand English.
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 4:14 PM PST - 13 comments

So I just found out that this is a thing and I really want to participate. The contact info for the Portland meet-up is all outdated! I'd anyone here involved in this event or knows where their web presence is?
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 3:04 PM PST - 6 comments

who is the man on this pumpkin? [more inside]
posted by changeling at 2:20 PM PST - 16 comments

My sister had her first baby a few months ago. She stressed the importance of getting vaccinated before meeting him, but between various obligations I completely forgot about getting a flu shot. I'm supposed to meet him tomorrow, and I have no idea what to do. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:20 PM PST - 40 comments

I got a Kindle as a Christmas gift, but I can't seem to upload photos and videos to Youtube and Instagram. Before I return this, is there a way I can make these work?
posted by pxe2000 at 7:53 AM PST - 10 comments

Those of you who have been divorced, where your spouse wanted to keep trying to save the marriage, but you did not. What was the emotional fallout like, and how did you cope with it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:38 AM PST - 25 comments

So i have a milestone birthday coming up in less than 2 weeks and this morning I accidentally saw a locked screen group message notification on my partner's phone that unfortunately had a group name of "surprise party for MyName." They don't know I saw it. I need your help and tips on keeping a poker face in general (because my face is an open book WITH ALL CAPS) and for this specific circumstance. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:37 AM PST - 13 comments

Will anyone want to date and have a long term relationship with a former escort/full service sex worker? Should I disclose my occupation? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:37 AM PST - 26 comments

I've recently gotten involved with some people who like to play jigs, reels, and sometimes strathspeys. It's made me want to learn an instrument. But what instrument? I'd like something cheap enough that I can try it a few months on a whim (which this basically is), small enough to carry in my lap (I often have to beg rides), and easy enough that within a few months I'll feel more like I'm playing music than practicing an instrument. Instructor recommendations in NYC would also be appreciated. [more inside]
posted by d. z. wang at 11:48 PM PST - 51 comments

I'm finding gamification working on my exercise. But what about my diet? [more inside]
posted by garlic at 9:33 PM PST - 2 comments

My hubs and I were talking earlier about the character "Flo" in the the Progressive commercials and got to wondering... who was the first Flo-like character? I'm thinking Mr. Whipple of "Please don't squeeze the Charmin" fame, I'm sure there must have been someone earlier than that. [more inside]
posted by patheral at 7:46 PM PST - 22 comments

Before my wife and I leave for Australia on Jan 2... [more inside]
posted by BadgerDoctor at 3:39 PM PST - 22 comments

In the course of doing genealogical research, we found a death certificate for a male ancestor in Massachusetts from 1922. The cause of death is "Over stimulation alcoholic resulting heart failure." How do we interpret this? What would this have meant in 1922?
posted by mingshan at 3:26 PM PST - 21 comments

Hi, I used to use a program called ViJournal Lite on my Mac, which was a pretty simple password-protected text program that I used as a diary. With it I could create a new page for each day. Does anyone know of a similar such program that I can download? It seems like the ViJournal website is gone. [more inside]
posted by poilkj at 2:40 PM PST - 6 comments

I heard a song in a store. Could you help me identify it in lieu of my phone? [more inside]
posted by Zelos at 1:39 PM PST - 5 comments

My nephew sent me this picture of an autographed baseball. He says he got it from his grandfather, but neither of them has any idea who it is or where it came from. Any help?
posted by griseus at 12:34 PM PST - 5 comments

How, exactly and in simple words, does one score Go? [more inside]
posted by Scattercat at 12:33 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm getting laid off in February, and after that I'd like to give myself a month to reset by spending most of it on a beach with books and fruity drinks. I can fly to Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, or Cancun for free, so I'm looking for places that are within an hour or two of those airports. Where should I go? [more inside]
posted by spindrifter at 12:25 PM PST - 9 comments

I was accompanying a friend who was picking up a prescription for nitroglycerin pills at a supermarket pharmacy and was surprised to see that the price was $30 for around 20 pills (he doesn't have insurance so this was retail price, not a copay). I was curious so I checked Walmart's list of $4 drugs and found nitroglycerin is not on the list. I checked a drug price comparison website and it also listed prices in the $20-30 range. Nitroglycerin has been used medically for 130 years (no patent) and seems like it can't be expensive to make, I thought for sure it would be dirt cheap like generic prozac, amoxicillin, etc. Anyone have an idea/theory why it's so expensive?
posted by duoshao at 11:10 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a great IBM keyboard that I assume is irreplaceable at this point. My cat likes the attention of plopping herself down on it. (I now move the keyboard to underneath my desk on a tray when she comes around, but she sheds a lot, and the hair still eventually gets into the keys.) [more inside]
posted by Jon44 at 11:01 AM PST - 22 comments

What talented showmen/women should I be listening to/watching for inspiration as I attempt to relearn piano after decades away? [more inside]
posted by headnsouth at 9:59 AM PST - 24 comments

I'm looking for a (cheap) tracking device that is independent of cellphone signals, and preferably allows for contact. The device should work in Mexico. [more inside]
posted by dhruva at 9:05 AM PST - 10 comments

I have a Koi pocket watercolour set and the brush reservoir is reverse-threaded. Why? Is this normal for water brushes? Some Japanese quirk?
posted by andrewcooke at 8:20 AM PST - 2 comments

Ok, this has been traumatizing me since childhood. Well, not really, but you know how it is. What the HECK does my true love give to to me on the twelfth day of Christmas in this recording?! Can't understand the lyrics. [more inside]
posted by Melismata at 8:10 AM PST - 7 comments

Can anyone help me find a video of this Hanukkah commercial or at least identify the song? [more inside]
posted by Hanuman1960 at 7:31 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm planning to give all of my teaching assistants a present for Christmas. Would it be rude to not give a present to the managerial staff? I've also heard that it's rude to give people higher up the same present. Please help me understand appropriate gifting. [more inside]
posted by Trifling at 5:30 AM PST - 5 comments

Pretty stressed about Christmas lunch with my in-laws. We have a 21-month-old awho is even worse at sitting still than most toddlers, the meal is apparently four courses (!), and the dining room is tiny and packed full of antiques so there's nowhere for her to get down and play. Help! [more inside]
posted by raspberry-ripple at 4:50 AM PST - 65 comments

My partner has had this cold for a month and their frequent snorting of snot and hocking of loogies into their mouth is driving me batty; I think it's really gross. Every time they make that noise or a see them holding a loogie in their mouth I have a moment of being squicked out. Due to circumstances, we're spending a lot of time together right now. Please please please teach me a mental hack for dealing with this. It's distracting! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:38 AM PST - 12 comments

Need help on moving on from a relationship with someone who has acted toward me with what feels like overwhelming condescension and anger. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:38 AM PST - 17 comments

People are coming over on Christmas and our carpets are pretty embarrassing. I remember seeing them in Safeway and Albertsons but I don't see them anymore. Does anyone know of a place to rent one for a few hours tomorrow in Portland?
posted by johnpowell at 12:27 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm managing an organization's Twitter account (and other social media efforts). I want to follow back accounts that follow me, but only the ones who are active and have followers of their own. [more inside]
posted by itesser at 11:20 PM PST - 4 comments

An elderly relative and recent widow is moving into a small assisted living apartment after 40 years in rural, mountain top home with her retired Air-Force husband. The previous home was "The Aerie". The new one needs name. [more inside]
posted by metahawk at 11:15 PM PST - 13 comments

I spent a sizable portion of my adult life, a good 25 years, searching for a therapist who would truly understand me. In 2005, I did. After a a few years of not going, I went to see her again. As usual, she made me feel so much better that months passed before I called for another appointment. Then I learned she passed away suddenly. I honestly don't know what to do now. She had a private practice, so no colleagues, though I did reach out to a former associate of hers from a while back. I'm not sure if he's taking new clients, though. What are your suggestions? Any ideas would be much appreciated.
posted by Lillitatiana at 10:36 PM PST - 4 comments

On occasion I find myself in need of a saw. This is not for precision finish work or anything, just a need to cut wood. My upper arm strength and hand strength have proven to be lacking when I've attempted to use a hand saw or pruning saw. [more inside]
posted by cecic at 10:25 PM PST - 14 comments

A modeling agency here also has a modeling school. How do I know if it's legit when my sister has a friend who gets work with the agency yet I hear not to pay for schooling? [more inside]
posted by grablife365 at 9:27 PM PST - 4 comments

How can I charge my Luci Light without the sun? [more inside]
posted by jsslz at 9:16 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm going to a Golden State Warriors game next week. Ideally I want to stay at hotel nearby, hopefully park the rental car, and walk to the arena. Google Maps suggests this would not be a fun or plausible walk. Asking for local knowledge to confirm or deny... [more inside]
posted by dry white toast at 8:15 PM PST - 24 comments

For reference, I'm looking specifically for information about the city of Los Angeles, California. To be able to legally live in a building and call it home that building must be zoned as residential. There is a caveat to this and that is if you are considered to be a caretaker or custodian of that property. The problem is I can't seem to find where this situation is discussed in specifics in the civil code. [more inside]
posted by Socinus at 6:10 PM PST - 4 comments

I would like to donate some money to combat global warming. I'm thinking more of orgs that influence public policy than carbon offset donations, because the former seem to have greater impact, but welcome opinions to the contrary. [more inside]
posted by splitpeasoup at 5:47 PM PST - 4 comments

I attempted to make Turkish Delight at home for the first time. The first effort was a complete failure. Effort two seemed to be improved but it's not even close to set after 12 hours. Can you tell me how I might salvage it? [more inside]
posted by olinerd at 4:08 PM PST - 9 comments

A friend invited me to visit her in Abidjan in March or June of 2016. I'm excited but cautious. I'd appreciate any and all advice and anecdotes. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by smorgasbord at 3:18 PM PST - 6 comments

Let's say you wanted to buy a car for your parents. They live in the US. You live in the UK. They are both retired and have basically no income and many of their benefits are contingent on this fact. What is the best way to do this whilst not incurring unfavorable tax implications but also not being completely shady?
posted by like_neon at 2:25 PM PST - 8 comments

I want to store my 200GB of photos in the cloud. Only in the cloud. Can you please walk me through this like I'm 5? I want to STORE all my photos somewhere in the cloud - not just a backup of pix on my hard drive, but actually have them live there and only there. I'm having trouble working through the various options I might have because I have specific (maybe impossible?) things I do and do not want to do in the process. [more inside]
posted by tristeza at 1:05 PM PST - 34 comments

I'm trying to find a children's book done in very scratchy pen and ink style (with color), about an old man whose bathtub is overflowing with hot water and he keeps getting gloves and scarves and things to wrap around his hands to try to reach in and pull the drain plug. [more inside]
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 12:56 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm learning mandarin and am looking for good shows at an appropriate level... My girlfriend has a dub that she got in Flushing (Chinese name is Xiao Wanzi), and it's fine enough, but he image quality is terrible... It's clear it's just a bootleg. I'm totally happy actually paying for this, but I have no idea where to find it! Finding even the English version these days is tricky, so I have no clue how to find a Mandarin dub. Extra credit is other Mandarin shows I should check out at a sort of intermediate working on advancing level!
posted by wooh at 12:56 PM PST - 4 comments

I'd like to make interactive canvas/HTML animations, something like Google's recent Beethoven doodle. What tools should I use? [more inside]
posted by signal at 12:55 PM PST - 3 comments

Please help me understand something bad that happened to me when I was a child. I hate talking about it but I feel like I need someone's thoughts on this. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:14 PM PST - 26 comments

I am thinking about leaving my job and taking a three month totally reset before I begin the job search. I'd like to spend that later half of that time reflecting on a career change. What activities should I pursue to help me make the decision about what to do next? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:14 PM PST - 7 comments

I am thinking about starting my morning radio show with a very brief "thought for the day," as I have about 20 seconds to fill each morning. Looking for both individual ideas, and sites. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by jbickers at 12:13 PM PST - 8 comments

I was a huge fan of Rdio, and am disappointed when it is gone. I used it in part because it fit my needs so well compared to any of the other streaming services out there. Where should I go now? [more inside]
posted by synecdoche at 11:24 AM PST - 11 comments

I am having a reoccurring memory of reading about an Native American Indian creation story but I can't remember specifics or what book I read it in. I do remember the topic of the book or this specific part of the being about creation stories and liminal time and space. [more inside]
posted by slime at 9:24 AM PST - 1 comment

I am one of 3 kids, and the best off financially. Bob is disabled and on social security and both Bob and Janet have student loans. Our parents are divorced and both retired and Dad just told us all that we will get his house when he dies and that is the case with Mom as well. Everything split 3 ways seems unfair to me since they need it and I don't. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:22 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm researching how cultures sometimes hold a majority opinion or maintain a social norm and within a decade or two completely flip and go the other way. I'd love a nudge in the right direction toward resources that attempt to explain the underlying mechanisms that tend to result in that sort of culture-wide "flip" on a social issue. [more inside]
posted by Lownotes at 9:02 AM PST - 8 comments

My daughter has narrowed her overseas semester down to two cities. I need some outside opinions and considerations to help her make a decision. [more inside]
posted by fluffycreature at 8:47 AM PST - 16 comments

We're planning a honeymoon in March in Morocco. We'd like to rent a car there - are we overestimating our own abilities? [more inside]
posted by kingoftonga86 at 8:42 AM PST - 7 comments

I majored in linguistics in undergrad and I've been hankering after a reasonably accessible and entertaining linguistics-related book for personal enjoyment -- even better if it catches me up on developments in the field in the last ~15 years, but that's not a requirement. [more inside]
posted by Jeanne at 8:32 AM PST - 14 comments

I've always been a nerd/geek girl and as a result I have internalized a ton of toxic misogyny. As I get older I'm finding it difficult to accept (and god forbid love) my femininity. I know I need to learn to be OK with being a woman, but it feels shameful and gross. Help? [more inside]
posted by MetaFilter World Peace at 8:27 AM PST - 53 comments

Because of transgender reasons, I recently legally changed my name in court (and at Social Security and the DMV). I have taken care of my bank and my work accounts. Credit card companies and my ISP require me to mail the paperwork. I feel like I'm missing a lot - can you give me some examples of other stuff I will need to change? What is the most important stuff that I should do first? [more inside]
posted by desjardins at 8:24 AM PST - 16 comments

Looking for some Father Guido Sarducci albums! [more inside]
posted by Dressed to Kill at 8:17 AM PST - 3 comments

My wife and I really want to see The Hateful 8 in the 70mm "roadshow" version that opens on Christmas. Because of family obligations and traveling, we won't be able to see it until the first week of January. I haven't been able to confirm whether the 70mm roadshow version will still be playing once the film opens nationwide on January 1. I imagine this information must be readily available and easily findable, just not by me apparently.
posted by Falconetti at 7:47 AM PST - 15 comments

Ok, so I posted this question a while back. I got some great responses and insight, however, I still haven't decided if I should purchase an Apple TV. [more inside]
posted by dbirchum at 7:31 AM PST - 15 comments

I'd like to start a blog, but I haven't paid attention to any of the latest trends in the area. I have some specific questions below the fold, but my main question is: is there a current accepted style guide for blogging? Like, has anyone written an APA manual for wordpress? [more inside]
posted by Think_Long at 7:26 AM PST - 6 comments

I love large, public street parties for New Year's Eve. Where can I find one in the USA? [more inside]
posted by Seeba at 6:52 AM PST - 9 comments

We bought a 60-year old house in the Hudson Valley this summer and we're about to leave on our first vacation. The house has hydronic baseboard heating and a very old gas boiler. The forecast looks warm: If I switch off the heat at the thermostat, can I then safely turn off the main water to the house? What would happen if I left the thermostat set very, very low with the main water off? [more inside]
posted by oddovid at 6:16 AM PST - 11 comments

I am writing a business plan to start a beverage factory in Thailand, and would like some advice on how I can protect my IP (recipe and methodology). [more inside]
posted by cryptolex at 6:11 AM PST - 7 comments

I was gifted a bottle of Zubrowka (also known as Bison Grass vodka) by a coworker today. I'm not a big straight-vodka person, so what kind of drink can I make with this? A quick Google shows apple juice is the traditional mixer. Do the cocktail experts of Mefi have any other suggestions?
posted by Fig at 6:06 AM PST - 14 comments

Often when I go to urinate - whether in a public or private restroom/toilet/bathroom - if there's someone within hearing distance, I can't go (i.e. urinate) until they've left and I'm alone. I end up standing there as if I'm confused about what I'm there for, no matter how badly I needed to go only seconds earlier. How can I overcome this apparent anxiety? Any tips or tricks for uninhibiting whatever it is that's causing my body to tense up? [more inside]
posted by paleyellowwithorange at 4:48 AM PST - 28 comments

What are these bottle things? My mother bought them in Hyderabad, south India, in the 1970s. I guess the writing is probably Urdu. She thinks that the bottles are made from camel stomachs [?] and that they originally contained perfume essences.
posted by ontheradio at 1:15 AM PST - 1 comment

I have a seriously ill family member who enjoys travel. He generally has to fill 3-4 gallon size bags with his pills when he travels. He won't need them all on any trip but needs to have access to all in case he needs them. I'd like to get him a bag to make it easier to keep his pills together and organized. He needs to have roughly 40 types of pills with him at any one time - so the little pill holders won't cut it. [more inside]
posted by arnicae at 11:05 PM PST - 14 comments

What are some good <$200 experience or gastronomical gifts from Portland? [more inside]
posted by rhizome at 8:54 PM PST - 9 comments

People think I'm a big b-word. I'd like to change this recurrent situation I'm finding myself in, without pandering or being manic and fake. [more inside]
posted by Avosunspin at 8:49 PM PST - 33 comments

I go to physiotherapy every week for a minor but slow to heal injury, followed by massage therapy. [more inside]
posted by antiquated at 7:15 PM PST - 7 comments

I have a vintage Lilli Ann coat that looks like this this coat that needs to be relined. The lining has completely given out on the shoulders. I am not sure what kind of fabric I should get to reline the coat. [more inside]
posted by oneear at 6:55 PM PST - 7 comments

Need advice regarding whether elderly parents (in dire financial straits) should negotiate a settlement on their credit card debt. [more inside]
posted by the return of the thin white sock at 6:01 PM PST - 18 comments

I am working on a project where I am comparing NPR member stations to the list of stations at each state broadcasting association's website. I have found several cases where the same station call sign on the same band and at the same frequency is listed in two different communities. For example, Texas station KTTZ-FM 89.1 is shown by the NPR 2013 station list to be in Leander and Lubbock. Is this a mistake?
posted by CollectiveMind at 5:36 PM PST - 11 comments

Hi. A friend of mine received a gift at work and has no idea what it is. Can you help us out? [more inside]
posted by Stewriffic at 4:33 PM PST - 21 comments

I am cooking Christmas dinner and may have bought the wrong kind of ham/pork. But maybe not? Either way, I need different cooking times than I first expected. Can the meat-experts of the green help me out? [more inside]
posted by Urban Winter at 3:51 PM PST - 16 comments

I'd like to make a rich, creamy, queso dip for a holiday party, but have never made it before. Do you have any recommendations for a tasty recipe to follow?
posted by codacorolla at 3:38 PM PST - 19 comments

The St John's Wort that I take indicates that I should divide the dose into 300mg doses, 3x a day. I also see that studies done with St John's Wort divided the doses into 2-3 per day. Is this necessary for best results or can I just take it once a day? [more inside]
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 2:50 PM PST - 13 comments

Dear MeFi mechanical engineers: In the back of my car's owners manual are the engine's HP/torque/BSFC curves (god bless those data-loving Germans). Will the overall fuel economy always be optimized at the lowest point on the BSFC curve? With the gearing and wheel diameter, this point works out to be 84mph. That can't be right, right?
posted by hwyengr at 2:33 PM PST - 9 comments

The ex and I have started hanging out frequently again after a several month period of no contact and a couple of other dates/relationships with others under our belts while maintaining a loose friendship, and I want a second chance at our relationship. What's the healthiest way to proceed without screwing this up? [more inside]
posted by Malleable at 2:27 PM PST - 15 comments

I find myself very attracted to an obese man. I'm an average-sized lady who has mostly been with more slender men, and I want more information about what it would be like to be with somebody much bigger. I'm hoping you can help me find some healthy, positive representations of sexuality featuring men of size. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:58 PM PST - 7 comments

If someone is criminally convicted because a witness perjured themselves, what recourse does the convicted person eventually have? Can they sue that witness? Would that be a civil suit? Can they sue the government? (even though it wasn't the prosecuting attorney's fault?) If neither of those are possible, then I suppose that witness could be prosecuted for perjury? [more inside]
posted by storybored at 1:53 PM PST - 11 comments

I have been treating what I thought was dermatitis with a glucocorticosteroid cream; turns out it is actually a "pre-cancerous lesion", which needs to come off. In the meantime, can I keep treating it with this steroid? [more inside]
posted by Cardinal Fang! at 1:53 PM PST - 1 comment

A spoon was broken and there was much sadness. An old stainless steel serving spoon that hangs very elegantly on a pot rim finally snapped. It had been hanging on literally and figuratively for some time but now it is no more. I cannot manage to find a similar one to replace it. [more inside]
posted by cmm at 1:18 PM PST - 10 comments

I've been told I'm introverted and people are afraid I'm judging them. [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 1:04 PM PST - 10 comments

I am responsible for managing a small, distributed, non-technical team at work. I'd like to get the team to work with some variety of issue tracking software so we can better track what is being worked on, remember tasks that aren't actively being worked on, and communicate the status of projects more effectively. I'm looking for advice on introducing non-technical folks to this software and making it part of their workflow. [more inside]
posted by philosophygeek at 12:55 PM PST - 14 comments

Please help me figure out ways to make Whole30 work for me, if at all possible. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by Tamanna at 12:51 PM PST - 6 comments

I have a several-thousand word set. I would like to check each word to see if a .com domain (or other TLD) name is available. The command-line whois binary throttles my scripted requests after about 10 searches. Is there a reasonably comprehensive whois service that is free or inexpensive, which I can query in scripted manner, via a command-line session?
posted by a lungful of dragon at 12:18 PM PST - 14 comments

My 8-year-old son received a (much-asked-for) skateboard for his birthday a few weeks ago. Yay! But neither his father nor I have ever skateboarded, nor do we know anyone who does/did. YouTube offers approximately 1 billion skateboarding videos...steer me toward age-appropriate videos/creators he could watch to learn the basics over the winter and be ready in the spring. Also any other resources would be appreciated!
posted by altopower at 11:40 AM PST - 10 comments

I saw a two-panel cartoon recently. The drawing was of a man with an ache. At 20 he thinks "Ooh, that hurts!" and at 40 he thinks "So this is how it ends!" Which crystallized a question I have about aging and self-monitoring. [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 11:05 AM PST - 15 comments

I've been selected for USAF Officer Training School, as a Nuclear and Missile Operations Officer. Should I accept the opportunity? [more inside]
posted by mannermode at 11:03 AM PST - 26 comments

Due to holiday schedules, I have one day to catch up with a close friend in Manhattan on Dec. 26. We'll be there 10 or 11am until 8 or 9pm. Any suggestions? Detail inside. [more inside]
posted by mercredi at 10:06 AM PST - 5 comments

That's to you guys we're going to Madrid for two weeks in mid Janurary. Since it's our first time we plan on doing on the standard touristy things, but what are some things we might miss out on otherwise? We enjoy fine dining, touring impressive feats of engineering, unusual or highly specific museums, the gothic or macabre, antiques, high end second hand mensware shops, and all types of ruins. Day trip advice very welcome.
posted by The Whelk at 9:15 AM PST - 17 comments

What are some works of science fiction that feature 3D printing or similar technologies? [more inside]
posted by Prunesquallor at 8:47 AM PST - 27 comments

My grandmother is in hospice and my father will be inheriting the majority of her savings after she passes. He would like to give me a large-ish amount of money from this, but how does that work? [more inside]
posted by thefang at 8:42 AM PST - 7 comments

Almost-barefoot-running-shoe help needed! I'm looking for a barefoot style running shoe that has a sole that is NOT so thin that I feel every pebble (ouch!) and DOESN'T let sand in. ANYTHING come to mind? [more inside]
posted by mirileh at 8:40 AM PST - 21 comments

An elderly relative is struggling with a sudden onset of enlarged prostate symptoms. We found him a good urologist. Currently he is wearing a catheter and taking medicine to shrink the prostate. He is terrified of possible surgery and other complications in this future. My relative does not use the internet. He's intelligent and a great reader. To know the facts helps him feel more in control. I'm seeking a book on prostate health and treatment. [more inside]
posted by valannc at 8:05 AM PST - 4 comments

. . . when meeting new people and starting up new relationships? [more inside]
posted by cielgris at 7:49 AM PST - 27 comments

I built a RetroPie system into an old Atari 2600 for my wife's Christmas Present, but I need some help deciding which ROMs to load. Snowflake details inside... [more inside]
posted by richmondparker at 7:37 AM PST - 21 comments

I have a first generation iBook G4 that I am trying to repurpose as a music player (all files stored on a portable drive). It has been off for years at this point (though has a new battery), and when I boot it up, I get the following message, accompanied by the spinning ball ... [more inside]
posted by ryanshepard at 7:35 AM PST - 4 comments

So of course I'm leaving everything until the last minute. Youngest son is a bit obsessed with Terraria and wants a shirt or something for Christmas. Obviously it's too late to order online so does anyone know of a good place to buy this kind of stuff retail in Brisbane city or near surrounds (west side, preferably). [more inside]
posted by h00py at 7:02 AM PST - 3 comments

Hooligan, shenanigans, hullabaloo... we need more words that sound silly but are real. This is surprisingly hard to google.
posted by acorncup at 6:52 AM PST - 150 comments

For the next week, my partner and I will have to sleep on queen/full sized memory foam mattresses. Both are (as far as I can tell) reasonably high quality products, but A) I'm a stomach sleeper who hates memory foam, and B) partner is a flailer who moves around a lot. We normally sleep on a latex foam king. I'd like to be decently rested so I'm not a grumpy holiday houseguest. Hope me? [more inside]
posted by deludingmyself at 4:29 AM PST - 18 comments

I'd like to hire a photographer to take some casual pictures of me to use online, and I have some questions about that. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:06 AM PST - 19 comments

I have tried London and failed. The gay part was OK, but being a foreigner was not. I'm now looking for a new European city to call home. Tell me where people care less that you're a (gay) foreigner. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:05 AM PST - 19 comments

I'm in the background check stage of a job in health care. I foolishly didn't disclose something from my medical history on my occupational health check. I would be grateful for any advice about what to do, but particularly from people based in the UK. This post discusses self-harm. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:05 AM PST - 16 comments

I recently got my annual review, and some of the helpful negative feedback I received was that I can be condescending at times. I won't dispute this. I think it's true, and I think it's something I can and should work on. However, I also know the origins of this, and I would like suggestions on how to address it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:19 PM PST - 50 comments

I have a few questions about a form of erotic bondage. Clearly NSFW after the fold. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:19 PM PST - 2 comments

It has come to my attention that a family member would like a refill of her Joop EDT for Christmas, but it is obviously now too late to purchase online. Looking at their websites, it seems like the usual suspects - Macy's, Perfumania, Kohl's, JCPenney, Sephora, do not carry Joop for women in store, neither is it on shelves in Duane Reade or Walgreens. If anyone has recently spotted this rare bird in a store (in Manhattan or near Rte 80 between the Hudson and the Delaware) please let me know... HELP ME METAFILTER YOU'RE MY ONLY HOPE.
posted by blu_stocking at 9:53 PM PST - 4 comments

I have a basically new fridge but used enough that it can't be returned. 3mos old frigidaire with ice and water in the door. I'm quite familiar with the Craigslist scene but since this appliance is so new I was wondering if there were any other options to re-sell. Everything I've researched has been about very old appliances and recycling them.
posted by boobjob at 9:37 PM PST - 7 comments

Ex cheated on me. It hurts. She's now in an abusive, controlling relationship. Where do I draw the line between helping her and helping me? Many, many snow flurries inside. [more inside]
posted by AnonymousPuppet at 9:04 PM PST - 30 comments

Meeting friends in KC for late-ish dinner. Would like to find someplace quiet, comfortable, and somewhat reasonably priced. Bonus points for ease of travel to Union Station. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by ronofthedead at 7:29 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm trying to stay off contract in order to keep my unlimited data plan, but I also want to get a new phone. I've never purchased a phone off-contract so this is kind of uncharted territory. [more inside]
posted by bookwibble at 7:21 PM PST - 12 comments

I have a scrap of a memory of a comic that I'm trying to identify. I think it might have appeared in the Chicago Reader sometime in the late 80's or 90's. I vaguely remember that I liked it a lot and that it might have been somewhat surreal. But the only actual memory that I can put my finger on is a panel where one of the character's for some reason showed up in the comic strip Blondie, and when Blondie addressed the character as Dagwood he replied "FUCK YOU BLONDIE!". [more inside]
posted by Reverend John at 7:19 PM PST - 6 comments

I asked, you answered: The lady pal and I are off to Tulum. And while it's quickly becoming the Hipster Cancun (Guilty as charged), I'm sure there's got to be some charm left. What's the best thing we can't miss? Bonus points for great meals, although all matter of ephemera and interest are appreciated.
posted by GilloD at 6:46 PM PST - 8 comments

I like to wear pants, long sleeve shirts, and hoodies. It's what I feel comfortable in. Even in the summer. Even when the heat is cranked up high during the winter. Many people feel compelled to comment on my attire. What's something I can say to brush it off? [more inside]
posted by blackzinfandel at 6:32 PM PST - 39 comments

Real life puzzle. My wife and I each have a digital alarm clock on our bedside tables. They were both accurate until we rearranged the room - now my wife's is always fast. We've switched the clock, extension cord, and outlet, but my wife's is still always fast. What's going on? Have we discovered a small rift in the time vortex? [more inside]
posted by kdern at 4:59 PM PST - 29 comments

Has anyone out there completed an online or hybrid doctoral program, and can you share your thoughts and experiences? [more inside]
posted by schooley at 4:48 PM PST - 1 comment

Looking for 1980s and 1990s baseball rosters and stats specifically for Indiana University, any suggestions? baseball-reference.com doesn't seem to have college ball info at all, although perhaps I am missing something. IU proper only provides online records that go back to 2005. One site in particular appears to focus on providing college ball stats as a differentiator, thebaseballcube.com, but they only go back to 2002. [more inside]
posted by mwhybark at 3:30 PM PST - 5 comments

You're the captain of a sailing ship (details inside) that will carry 121 passengers (117 of them in steerage) from Liverpool to New York. What size crew will you hire? [more inside]
posted by John Borrowman at 3:28 PM PST - 11 comments

My neighbor puts on a delightfully tacky Christmas light show complete with synchronized music. I heard this goofy song there a few years ago, and ever since then I've wondered what it's supposed to be. [more inside]
posted by spaet at 3:16 PM PST - 9 comments

While looking for dresses that I could wear to work paired with pretty scarves (just tied around the neck) without having to worry much about the weather or whether I'd shaved my legs or anything, I discovered this abaya and many more like it. They're perfect, except that I'm a white atheist American. Am I beanplating?
posted by hollyholly at 2:53 PM PST - 33 comments

I have one round-trip flight booked with Spirit (I know, I know) airlines to fly to Florida next week to visit my girlfriend's family. It is unlikely the trip will actually happen. Is there any way I can get the money back for my ticket? I did not get the travel insurance that they try to sell you. I purchased the ticket months ago. Any solutions appreciated. [more inside]
posted by Fister Roboto at 2:25 PM PST - 10 comments

I need to get a recording made onto a 3.5" floppy from a roughly 1995 Yamaha baby grand player piano onto a CD the normal problems with old, unfamiliar technology apply here. [more inside]
posted by theichibun at 2:20 PM PST - 6 comments

I need to buy summer-appropriate office clothing now. It also needs to be modest. [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 2:17 PM PST - 10 comments

I've been really enjoying the tv series, Deutschland 83, and would like to read a book about the Cold War in Germany & Europe at the time (i.e early 80s). Can anyone recommend one? [more inside]
posted by malpractice at 1:40 PM PST - 5 comments

I live in New York. What is the best way to deal with a car and storage locker full of stuff in Atlanta, Georiga? [more inside]
posted by davidstandaford at 1:27 PM PST - 7 comments

There are typical expressions upon entering/leaving a room w/people. What are the protocals?
posted by ebesan at 12:27 PM PST - 7 comments

what should I make for Christmas dinner (crock pot preferred)? [more inside]
posted by too bad you're not me at 12:27 PM PST - 14 comments

What audio or video recordings are available online of concerts where the lead singer/vocalist stops and the audience takes over to sing the lyrics or chorus of a song without them? Any genre. Kid-safe clips without swearing or explicit lyrics, preferred.
posted by zarq at 11:47 AM PST - 41 comments

I love my friend L. About 5 months ago she started dating this guy M. M is, on the surface, an OK guy but when we're having a party he tends to drink a lot and become a cretin. The worst was when he threatened me, the best man, with violence at a mutual friend's wedding rehearsal dinner. He was jealous because L, the maid of honor, was coming to me because she was nervous about giving her speech. [more inside]
posted by cman at 11:31 AM PST - 39 comments

For the past two years, an acquaintance has been living in my car. Originally from Japan, he came here on a student visa and then, believing his employers would help him maintain a legal status, he overstayed that visa. Eventually, he lost his job and his home - and sought my help (hating our local homeless shelter, which is admittedly dangerous). Now he believes that if he works he will be breaking the law. This matters to him as he is pursuing legal action against his former employers (a case I don't think has much merit - though I haven't really looked at it). We're meeting with a homeless services provider today, who I'm certain will want him to have some kind of income before helping him find housing. And so the main question is: is it "illegal" for him to work? Thanks for any help.
posted by punkbitch at 10:25 AM PST - 29 comments

This season my friends decided to make a fantasy basketball league for the very first time. Most everyone in the league is new to this and it's been a ton of fun so far! However, after a stressful 6 weeks and therefore not setting my lineup as often as I'd liked, I'm second-to-last and am gunning for a major comeback (I just won this week's matchup, too). [more inside]
posted by gucci mane at 10:03 AM PST - 5 comments

Help me figure out how to make Brussels sprouts as a guest at a dinner party? [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 9:56 AM PST - 30 comments

When I am shy, my mind goes blank and I can't keep asking questions forever, I'd like to learn to give my opinion, especially with guys I'm dating and their friends. [more inside]
posted by akita at 9:46 AM PST - 11 comments

How can some one with little to no voice over experience break into the commercial/narrative voice over field? [more inside]
posted by CosmicSeeker42 at 9:43 AM PST - 17 comments

The past few years I've gotten my mom books that were recommended on various askme threads that, at this point, are a few years old. I'm looking for books that aren't particularly challenging, but are higher level than mass market airplane reading. Good reads, good yarns. [more inside]
posted by Mavri at 8:28 AM PST - 24 comments

A friend beloved by Mrs. Glaucon and me had her first baby this summer - which is wonderful. We have since been drowning in baby pictures sent every 1-3 days, and it's getting to be a bit much. Have you experienced this before and how did you deal with it? [more inside]
posted by glaucon at 8:12 AM PST - 38 comments

Over the years my 6'5" dad has put on quite a bit of weight. Regular socks made for size 12-15 shoed feet are too tight around his calves and tops of his feet. Any recommendations you might have for both athletic socks and dress socks would be most appreciated.
posted by Kalatraz at 8:03 AM PST - 4 comments

Awhile ago I saw a very strange art video in which a woman is putting on lipstick, then proceeds to cover her entire face, then her entire body, in pink lipstick. [more inside]
posted by tehloki at 7:31 AM PST - 3 comments

I've started to get into food photography and am interested in finding some cool surfaces to act as backgrounds for variety. [more inside]
posted by cacofonie at 7:18 AM PST - 8 comments

Asking anonymously because my cousin could be on Metafilter and I want to give enough details to get interesting responses but don't care if he knows that one of his cousins is on Metafilter if he's here (feel free to chime in yourself, B!). Cousin gift swap. My target cousin is 21, about to graduate with a computer science degree in the urban NE U.S. I don't know what he does for fun, but he is smart, shy-ish, funny, athletic (but doesn't appear to follow the big three major league U.S. sports - MAYBE pro soccer?). His co-op job in school has to do with developing an app. He dresses fashionably. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:34 AM PST - 16 comments

My mom spends a great deal each year on a piece of jewelry for me. The jewelry is never my style and I never wear it. Seeing her is enough for me during the holidays, I don't need expensive gifts. These jewelry items are becoming a wasteful tradition. I don't know what to say. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:34 AM PST - 22 comments

My older sister, who is mid-thirties and single, has just asked me if she were to become pregnant via anonymous sperm donor, whether my husband and I would agree to be the child’s legal guardians were something to happen to her. She asked me this by text message; so far I have told her that I don’t think this is a conversation for text message and that we will see her in a few days over Christmas. She said she agrees and says she just wanted to give us a ‘heads-up’. As always, there are complicating factors (see below). Please help me line up some phrases and good things to ask/say for the inevitable conservation we are going to have this week. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:58 AM PST - 37 comments

My neighbour is exhibiting strange behaviour towards their dog but as a non-pet owner, I am unaware of how unruly dogs are 'handled'. Advice? [more inside]
posted by ihaveyourfoot at 5:07 AM PST - 26 comments

I have 22 bookmarks I use on a many times every day. It was SUPER convenient for me to have all of them (Favicons only) in my bookmarks toolbar at the top of my FireFox browser. Now after Firefox updated to the latest version, they are all Favicons+Titles, and spill off the side, making me have to search for the bookmark, killing productivity. How can I restore them to their former Favicon-Only goodness? [more inside]
posted by sandra_s at 5:02 AM PST - 7 comments

Over the last few years, I've begun experiencing sleep disturbances that are pretty unpleasant. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:28 PM PST - 25 comments

I'm seeking recommendations for a great plastic surgeon in New York City. [more inside]
posted by unannihilated at 7:23 PM PST - 1 comment

The company I work for is getting bought out. The sale will be final sometime in the first quarter of 2016. I've been participating in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan since I got hired about 15 years ago, and I've never touched it, so I have a good-sized chunk of change coming (hooray). However, I am pretty much a noob when it comes to financial planning, investing, tax consequences, and how to use my money (boo). Can you help me figure out what to do next? [more inside]
posted by That's Numberwang! at 6:50 PM PST - 7 comments

This hospital was/is apparently a maternity and pediatric hospital. I've Googled this repeatedly without success. The pictures were taken in 2010, so I'm unsure if the hospital building is still standing or if a newer hospital has been built in its place. [more inside]
posted by aielen at 5:17 PM PST - 8 comments

My girlfriend is thinking of buying a hybrid car with regenerative braking. Will this be the right fit for her and her commute? [more inside]
posted by komara at 5:07 PM PST - 43 comments

If a hearing aid is going to help with tinnitus, is that likely to happen within 40 days, or would it take longer? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by metasarah at 4:55 PM PST - 12 comments

Please help me compile research resources for a project I will undertake in the year ahead. I would like to become very familiar with the following subjects: 1) New York City and Greenwich Village in the 1850s-1900. 2) The experience of Irish immigrants in that same era 3) The state of Christmas as a cultural entity and practice in that era. Special snowflake explanation inside. [more inside]
posted by EatTheWeek at 12:44 PM PST - 15 comments

Have a few days in SE before a work trip. Should I hang out in Hong Kong, Singapore, or go somewhere else? [more inside]
posted by troytroy at 12:20 PM PST - 16 comments

Brief Shakespeare quotation on the idea of desire or love as muse / as source of creative fire? [more inside]
posted by kalapierson at 11:58 AM PST - 4 comments

First world problem: Went to go pack for Holiday flight today. Opened an order I placed from Macy's.com and somebody left the hard tag sensor on it... sigh. I don't have time to take skirt and receipt into the store before flight. Can I pack this in my bag I'm checking so I can bring it into Macy's when I get there? Or do you think it will set off some kind of security thing when they scan it? I'm overthinking, as usual! Pic attached [more inside]
posted by twoforty5am at 10:48 AM PST - 10 comments

I recently ordered some tea from the Republic of Tea. I don't like it. Please help me figure out why. [more inside]
posted by Enchanting Grasshopper at 9:11 AM PST - 26 comments

After reading endless books and blogs, I'm fairly certain I'm somewhere on the autism spectrum--specifically, that I have what used to be called Asperger's syndrome. I have some questions about whether it's worth it to seek a formal diagnosis, as well as well as whether there's any worthwhile type of therapy (or anything else) that might lead to improved work prospects and social interaction. [more inside]
posted by whistle pig at 8:51 AM PST - 12 comments

I tumble air dried (no heat) my favorite merino wool sweaters in the dryer, and now they have weird little (possibly?) synthetic fibers that want to stay in the weave. Best guess is one of the other sweaters in there had a loose weave that wove itself into the wet wool. We are using a sticky clothing roller to get them out but having a devil of a time removing them. How do we get these out? Pic of the situation here.
posted by lieber hair at 8:32 AM PST - 7 comments

I am looking for the exact location of the Shenzhen landslide, ideally a google map link.
posted by cosmac at 8:27 AM PST - 2 comments

Well, maybe it wasn't annoying to you. It was popular in early 1996 (or at least I couldn't get away from it where I was) and I believed the chorus went, "Judy in the way. Judy in the way. Judy in the way-hey-hey-hey-hey-hey-hey-hey. Judy in the way . . ." I suspect there was no Judy in it at all, because I can't Google it. The song was a folk-rockish, powerpoppy blend. There was whistling in it. Do you know it? [more inside]
posted by Countess Elena at 8:12 AM PST - 11 comments

For some reason, I keep getting push notifications about one website - a website I've never visited, so far as I know, that say "this site has been updated in the background". Can you help me fix this? [more inside]
posted by to sir with millipedes at 5:36 AM PST - 5 comments

We do not have and do not want a TV in our house. Instead we want to play CDs, and stream stored digital media and other internet/app content, wirelessly to a projector. (The audio can go by wire from the player/streamer to the speakers.) Does such a player/streamer even exist, in one device? We're an Apple household, so should I be thinking an macmini or an appletv, with CD-playing somehow added to them? Or a Roku? [more inside]
posted by progosk at 5:33 AM PST - 6 comments

My tongue is white and gross. I went to the doctor and she looked at it and told me that it looked like hairy tongue, and that there wasn’t anything to do about it. But it looks gross and things taste bad and my teeth feel coated all the time, so I’m looking for some home remedies to fix it or to mitigate it. [more inside]
posted by colfax at 5:28 AM PST - 19 comments

I think I'm ready to publish some of my poems through one of two avenues, (still open to suggestions though), but I need some "what-would-you-do-in-my-shoes" type of advice about which step to take first. On the one hand, there is a great self-publishing resource offered through McNally Jackson Books' Espresso Book Machine that will print a limited run of actual books for me. On the other hand, I wonder if I can hedge my bets to get people to actually read my poems by trying to publish in a journal first. [more inside]
posted by Krazor at 5:19 AM PST - 4 comments

I am looking for a straightforward British economic business plan financials calculator for Excel so that I can look serious! I found a similar thing from startupmodels.com but it is really for the USA. Any signposting to something comprehensive with built in calculations?
posted by parmanparman at 3:27 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm trying to find a humorous commercial for Levi jean that I haven't seen for years. Difficulty: 90's Australian TV. Google is failing me and this is driving me crazy!! Details inside... [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 at 1:42 AM PST - 2 comments

I think I went by a silk tree and looked up and down and there were globs of clear gel on the ground and clusters of it above. What purpose does this serve the tree? What is it indicative of?
posted by watercarrier at 1:42 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm trying to remember the title of a movie or tv show from my childhood. This would be an 80's or early 90's thing probably. All I remember is a that its a sex/seduction scene, and that there is a black scorpion scrawling on the silk sheets next to the couple, and then on one or both of them. I want to say that one of them was trying to kill the other and released it before getting it on.
posted by Gargantuantoe at 1:10 AM PST - 2 comments

A coworker handed off a Thing that turns out to need more work. I might be asked to explain why the Thing isn't done already. How can I handle the question gracefully? To be clear, I don't mind doing the remaining work, and I don't want to get Coworker in trouble. But I also don't want to protect Coworker at my own expense. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:08 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm applying for a fellowship, and my recommender showed me the letter he sent out on my behalf. Turns out it's rather generic and, while very positive, does not give examples of my supposed awesomeness. [more inside]
posted by fernweh at 8:08 PM PST - 7 comments

I used to have a pretty dark sense of humor, watch crime shows all the time with dead people and blood and guts and really was never bothered by any of this. I've always been a news junky, and I'd read about all sorts of crimes and murder etc. etc. and never be bothered in the least. Since having a baby, I can't even read a news headline about a person being harmed - particularly children. It seems obvious that this is baby related, but will it ever get better? And if not, can I acclimatize myself so I can exist in the world? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 7:58 PM PST - 27 comments

Oh hai. This was me. Awesome responses. Now I need some help with cryptograms. [more inside]
posted by mrfuga0 at 7:04 PM PST - 6 comments

I just suddenly lost the younger of my two cats to an aggressive cancer. (The cat who just died is on the right, the survivor is on the left.) Aside from being heartbroken myself, I'm extremely worried about the other 14 year old cat. He and she were largely inseparable, and had been together 11 years. How do I help him in the short term and what would your best advice be about the long term? [more inside]
posted by frumiousb at 6:08 PM PST - 12 comments

My son is currently using NY State health insurance on the A.C.A. (Exchange). He is now staying and working in Maryland and I just went on their Exchange website and I see that the premiums seem to be far lower than they are in New York State... [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 5:00 PM PST - 0 comments

My career has always been on the peripheral of more technical roles and I've excelled without getting to code-specific knowledge but in my job search everyone seems to want a product manager who can use code, even if it's not part of their job. What language should I learn? [more inside]
posted by toomanycurls at 4:28 PM PST - 24 comments

Howdy. The good news is that I've finally been accepted for health insurance via Covered California. The bad news is that it's for 90 days only because the program needs additional information. I can mail it (nope), fax it (prefer not to) or upload it (yay). Only problem is, the user interface is fairly sucky. I cannot find the mystery link to uploading information. Maybe it's me, maybe it's the site. Either way, would be grateful for a link or explanation if you know how to perform file uploading magic.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:34 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm overwhelmed with choices. Help me buy another car. [more inside]
posted by crazylegs at 2:06 PM PST - 27 comments

I'm using a Mac Laptop running OS X Yosemite (though this is surely moot). Whenever I visit a Newsweek article, (e.g.) I’m told that I’ve already read five articles this month - despite never having visited before. This is true if I use Safari, Tor Browser, Firefox, or Chrome. I entirely believe this could be do to a particular add-on configuration, but my Safari set up is pretty vanilla, so I’m dubious. Thanks!
posted by Going To Maine at 1:42 PM PST - 9 comments

My iPhone makes very quiet outgoing calls, but only on phone calls, not FaceTime Audio, for example. Anything I can do? [more inside]
posted by Hartster at 12:56 PM PST - 2 comments

I'll be in Miami for a long (5 day) weekend. I'd like to spend one day driving out (I can leave bright n early) then down to the keys, have a dive (or 2) and leave the following day in the early afternoon. [more inside]
posted by yonation at 12:47 PM PST - 6 comments

Fraudulent charges were made to my debit card. In the end my bank has taken the hit and refunded all the stolen money. However, I’d like to understand how it happened. [more inside]
posted by elf27 at 12:46 PM PST - 14 comments

As my Pathfinder gaming group just came to an abrupt end due to lack of time on the GM's end (an anthropologist who created a truly AWESOME world), I'm getting the itch to step up and create my own world to possibly GM through a campaign in the future. However, the spirit is willing, but the flesh (or mind?) is weak. I'd like some tips on reading material (either direct how-to stuff or fantasy stories with particularly fantastic worldbuilding) that will deepen my resources on which to draw from in creating my own worlds. A bit more detail within. [more inside]
posted by JimBJ9 at 12:44 PM PST - 10 comments

I would like to help people, maybe specifically teenagers, avoid being trapped in their lives by anxiety and save them some of the regret and difficulties I accrued. I believe if I turned my self seriously toward learning about it I could do some good. What sort of career avenues are there for someone interested in helping with this? And what sort of schooling do I need to have for them? [more inside]
posted by TheRedArmy at 11:36 AM PST - 6 comments

Hey all, I'm looking to take a short vacation with my family somewhere next year, and we're looking for places that are a good balance of relaxing but still has some great activity options. Would like to relax on the beach (or a similar alternative) and also see some culture and do some activities. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by markbao at 11:15 AM PST - 14 comments

My childhood best friend decided to marry her partner of 20 years five weeks after my former partner committed suicide. I attended the reception but it was very hard for me. I haven’t spoken to her since. Today I got a Christmas card from her mother, and it stirred up some feelings I haven't been able to reconcile yet. [more inside]
posted by cardinality at 10:11 AM PST - 29 comments

Recently two Wordpress sites of mine were merged into one, by someone else. But some of the images didn't transfer, though the posts did. So at this point, I can go into one of the moved posts with the missing images and the image is just a blank box with the URL pointing to the old website. There are about hundred+ posts like this. [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:39 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for suggestions of traditional tattoo artists in Myanmar who are hygienic and willing to work on foreigners. We'll be in the country in January (in the major tourist spots), and my SO would like to have a leg piece done. Many thanks for any help.
posted by eulily at 7:43 AM PST - 0 comments

Why does our baby cry almost immediately when dad holds her, but accept other people? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:10 AM PST - 30 comments

I recently had a 23 and Me genetic panel done. Questions about the results of things I have come back positive as... [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:10 AM PST - 8 comments

Can you provide examples of individuals who participated in mob activity and later reflected on it via writing, interview, conversation, art, or any other form of expression?
posted by Taft at 7:06 AM PST - 10 comments

My workaholic father retired recently. He was completely and passionately devoted to his profession (Medicine) for over 42 years. In all the time that he worked, 12 to 14 hours a day, he developed practically no hobbies or interests apart from his work. I hardly remember him watching a movie or reading a book (outside of work) or socialising (and on the occasion that he HAD to, it was a chore). In fact, it was hard to keep him away from the Hospital where he worked, even on Sundays. As one can imagine, retirement has been a hard transition for him, although, of course, he had been anticipating this change for a very long time. [more inside]
posted by synapse2512 at 6:05 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking for suggestions for deodorant only (ie not anti-perspirant). Because a) women's deodorants are not exactly abundant, and b) online reviews tend to leave something to be desired, I'm hoping you MeFites can help. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by atinna at 5:22 AM PST - 28 comments

Through a combination of work opportunities and family obligations, I have some really complex travel planned for next April. I am starting and ending in Stockholm, but will be in Asia, the US, and Central Europe in the middle -- in that order. My attempts to price tickets myself (on Expedia and similar sites) with the multi-city travel options have landed me prices in the $3k range, which seems pretty absurd (and also isn't even offering me good flight times/layovers). Will I have better luck with a travel agency? I've always booked all my own travel before. [more inside]
posted by byzantienne at 3:41 AM PST - 16 comments

I have an opportunity to assist on a research project, but my background isn't very data-y. [more inside]
posted by easter queen at 10:02 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm heading home to New Zealand for the holidays and would like to get a prepaid sim with some data and decent coverage. [more inside]
posted by poxandplague at 9:54 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm trying to learn the ins and outs of SVGs and animation in CSS, but I can't seem to work out how to get them to scale properly in IE. Here is an example in codepen, in firefox and chrome it all seems right, but in IE you can see how small the ghost is compared to the shadow below it (which just a non-svg div, scaled properly). Thanks! [more inside]
posted by Jezztek at 9:32 PM PST - 4 comments

While deep in a Google image search for new wall decor, I came across a painting of the sea floor that I can't find again. Details I remember: 19th century, western, realistic in style, landscape orientation, red coral (?) or sea fan-type thingy in the foreground. [more inside]
posted by fozzie_bear at 9:26 PM PST - 4 comments

Please give me suggestions for food I can take to a bedridden dialysis patient for whom food just doesn’t taste good. They are at dialysis three times a week and had a catastrophic event a few months ago. They are in a convalescent facility for the long-term. The food is ok at the best of times and too bland most of the time. I sympathize because I cannot eat food that doesn’t taste good to me either. However, they have to eat SOMETHING!! What could we take in the morning for them to eat throughout the day? We are trying to stay away from processed food and overly salted food. Some cooking the night before might be ok; some soups might be ok. I am trying to come up with a number of ideas to keep things interesting for the long-term. Their dietary restrictions are modest at this point--low-to-no salt; low potassium; low sugar. Thank you for your time!
posted by anonymous at 6:34 PM PST - 21 comments

How should I sell an open-source web application if my goal is passive income? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:34 PM PST - 9 comments

Certain Android games ignore my OS-level screen rotation settings and will, at the drop of a hat, switch to portrait mode from landscape, often only momentarily before flipping back to landscape. Fallout Shelter and Adventure Capitalist are the worst, and will do this even while the phone is completely motionless and either lying flat or propped up in landscape orientation, while Bloons TD5 will, again without any provocation, flip to portrait and then instantly back to landscape. This occurs regardless of whether screen rotation is enabled and is extremely obnoxious. What gives? Can this be prevented?
posted by Pope Guilty at 5:39 PM PST - 4 comments

Why do my Chinese cleaners move my toy snake off of my toy tiger? [more inside]
posted by lifethatihavenotlivedyet at 5:33 PM PST - 14 comments

My partner and I watched the season of the Great British Bake Off that's on Netflix right now, and then plowed through all the previous episodes, with the result that now we want to bake...constantly. We'd both like to practice and gain some solid technical experience. I want a more systematic approach than sifting through Google results to find stuff that seems authoritative. Do you know of a great book or at-home baking course that could help us level up? We're interested in all kinds of baking -- breads, cakes, pastries, etc.
posted by linettasky at 4:24 PM PST - 25 comments

In a month or two, I'll be negotiating a year-long business deal which depends on the other party assuming I have a wide following (in a narrow field). Problem: my Twitter feed, for whatever reason, is miserably unpopular. How can I shield myself from the deal-chilling effect of this, without deleting the account entirely (which would be inconvenient for me)? [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 3:14 PM PST - 16 comments

My parents love to look at and show off stuff from their 200+GB photo collection on the big TV in the living room. They currently use a last-gen AppleTV which works fairly well once you actually get into the folders list, but getting there sometimes takes 20-30 minutes with just the "Loading" spinning circle. Additionally, there is no way to zoom in and pan around on a photo, a feature they would love to have. Would the new Apple TV improve things? [more inside]
posted by SpookyFish at 2:27 PM PST - 4 comments

I have as close to $1000 as possible to spend on a 3D scanner. There are a number of choices and conflicting information. Seeking personal experience with handheld 3D scanners. [more inside]
posted by cmoj at 1:27 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for examples of well-designed scientific figures. As a materials scientist I've encountered many horrendous figures that are difficult to understand and read. I've read about collaborations between graphic design and physical science departments, which yield much more attractive and informative figures, but these examples are few and far between. I'm hoping to apply principles from good graphic design and data visualization to my own work. Are there any resources or websites where I can learn more about this?
posted by Aanidaani at 1:25 PM PST - 10 comments

How can I find numbers comparing the number of new teachers in Wisconsin to other states, or to prior years? Also, is it possible to compare the compensation packages in WI school districts? [more inside]
posted by areaperson at 12:35 PM PST - 1 comment

I have a car lease that is ending in about a month or so. I was told I might actually to get money back at the end of my lease if I sell my car. I don't understand how. I thought I just turn it in and walk away. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by AspirinPill at 12:31 PM PST - 7 comments

Last week, for the second time in the past 12 months, my 95 year old relative had a bad fall and broke several bones. She had surgery and is now recovering in hospital. She absolutely hates being there, wants to go home, and is angry at the medical team. Is there anything concrete we can do to mitigate her unhappiness and persuade her not to check herself out against medical advice, like she did last time? [more inside]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:25 PM PST - 23 comments

I've been asked to help a family find the right school for their child - he's 7, not a fan of the whole 'structured work' thing*, and gets in trouble a lot at his current school. They're also (quite rightly) worried that he'll get quite "cool" in a few years if he ends up in the wrong place. He likes art and adores football. A boarding school would be pretty much ideal, as far I can tell, but doesn't seem to be an option. [more inside]
posted by piato at 12:23 PM PST - 1 comment

I've seen a lot of similar questions, but they don't quite get at my particular issue. I got a JD in 2010 and an MS in Social Policy in 2012. If I only had the MS, I'd be able to find work. The JD is holding me back. The most common feedback I get is "you're a flight risk" or "we can't afford you." I get it, but it's not true, and I can't convince them otherwise. [more inside]
posted by timory at 12:02 PM PST - 32 comments

I need a wired USB computer mouse that is reliable, doesn't use a ball (so optical / laser) and has a scroll wheel. Bonus points if the mouse is also stylish. I'm willing to spend up to $50—(probably) not any higher.
posted by GlassHeart at 11:06 AM PST - 14 comments

What's the best Canadian-available cell phone/plan for someone who will only use the phone very, very occasionally? [more inside]
posted by Dorinda at 10:57 AM PST - 9 comments

I am trying to understand how ATMs came to be seen by consumers as a better alternative to tellers. How did people react to ATMs at first? What was the process that led to their widespread acceptance? Do you know of anyone who prefers to go to a teller for their cash and if so, why do they?
posted by Dragonness at 10:53 AM PST - 62 comments

I have recently started a relationship with a wonderful person but I realise now that I'm stifling its progress due to a fear of loss and I'd like some advice on how to stop doing this. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:44 AM PST - 15 comments

My beautiful old 6x11 Turkish rug is beginning to deteriorate in spots. It appears that the weft of one color is disintegrating in some spots, leaving some of the warp threads only. A specialty repair shop estimated a cost of $3,000 to reweave the spots, which is much more than the rug is worth. Help! [more inside]
posted by Jackson at 10:14 AM PST - 2 comments

We live in a high-rise condo in Miami with concrete ceilings/floors. We'd like to swag a pendant light to hang directly above a dining table. This would involve drilling a single hole in the concrete ceiling to install a hook for swagging the light, which weighs approximately 7 lbs. Help me decide whether or not this is a good idea and if I can do it without a hammer drill and with minimal fuss. Let's assume the landlord is ok with this. [more inside]
posted by theory at 10:11 AM PST - 19 comments

We're planning to take the night train from Sofia, Bulgaria to Istanbul, Turkey on the night of the 30th. We will be arriving in Istanbul at 8am on the 31st. We will have all day on the 31st in the city, and will return to Sofia on January 1st. We're looking for some recommendations. [more inside]
posted by jpziller at 10:06 AM PST - 4 comments

What are some good tips or processes for finding the right people to rebuild a web site. [more inside]
posted by diode at 9:07 AM PST - 7 comments

Baby Grr is soon going to be crawling (yay) and my Google-fu is failing me for door safety as I am not really sure what I am looking for. On my main floor there is a door to the basement which needs to be open at least partially for the cats to get to their litter boxes, but obviously can't be open all the way with a little mover scooting around. Is there a product that will lock the door partially open?
posted by MandaSayGrr at 8:46 AM PST - 34 comments

I was diagnosed with depression in 2012, after a really bad few months of daily crying and suicideal ideation. After several months of therapy, plus positive situational changes over the past couple of years, I am now pretty far away from those dark days. But I still get occasional episodes of inexplicable low mood when I, for example, cancel all commitments for the day and stay home in bed all day. What gives? Should I go back to therapy and/or go ask my doctor for medication and/or accept this as a dimension of who I am and manage around it? The moods feel physiological in origin, I can't put my finger on any thought or event that triggers them, and they happen about once every 2-3 months.
posted by anonymous at 8:05 AM PST - 16 comments

I stole from a daycare and am too ashamed to admit it to the carers. My kids will be going to this daycare next year. I am worried they know of my problem and will think less of me. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:04 AM PST - 37 comments

With a lot of changes happening in my life, I'd like to keep an online diary of sorts. I know nothing about blogging. But I'd like to anonymously post all kinds of things. [more inside]
posted by little_dog_laughing at 7:57 AM PST - 8 comments

I lile decorating for Halloween, but I do not like decorating for Xmas. I was at Target and saw they had giant light-up stars, presumably for outside your house. This made me think, what one large, preferably light-up Christmas decoration could I take out every year, set up in the middle of my living room, and go, "Bam. Christmas!?" Something fun but not too traditional?
posted by agregoli at 7:34 AM PST - 25 comments

In episode 1 of Season 2 of Serial, it is noted that Bowe Bergdahl left behind all his "sensitive items." Someone clarifies that sensitive items are "serial numbered gear that would be a problem. Like his weapon, the laser for his weapon, the optic, his night optics..." I understand why the Army would not want this technology to be in the hands of the enemy. But what do the serial numbers have to do with it? [more inside]
posted by OrangeDisk at 7:07 AM PST - 10 comments

The librarian at my local library just alerted me to the fact a book I have been hunting for months is available in the library's small store. What's the best way to say thank you? [more inside]
posted by Torosaurus at 6:48 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm trying to identify possible online forums where social scientists--and in particular those interested in education policy and education assessment metrics--gather together and provide a support community regarding projects, answer questions, and offer suggestions about possible research approaches to take in answering questions. It could be associated with a particular university or it could be broader in reach and scope. [more inside]
posted by caudal at 6:42 AM PST - 3 comments

I am looking for an interesting card and a little box or envelope big enough to give something the size of a silver dollar. The gift is for an illustrator so I am feeling self-conscious about getting something they will really appreciate. Handmade, beautiful, interesting, well designed would be notes I want to hit. Ideally in NYC but mail order could be OK too.
posted by the anticipation of a new lover's arrival at 6:39 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm writing a game. I'd like our characters to occasionally bust out a quote from thing I love. Under what circumstances do I need permission? [more inside]
posted by musofire at 6:21 AM PST - 8 comments

Can you recommend a reliable online business from which I can purchase a good quality/well-designed "Teach yourself to Spin with a Drop Spindle" kit preferably with instructions and all the things needed? It can be on Etsy (I have an account) or elsewhere. Sources for general spinning-related supplies and helpful websites also welcome. [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 4:53 AM PST - 11 comments

Taking my elderly mom on a driving tour of the NYC Holiday lights, I know it is better to walk but she tires easily. Can you suggest a route?
posted by drthom at 4:43 AM PST - 3 comments

So we had our second big argument. This one ended with her tears and a walkout, and my continued confusion. At issue seems to be: she might be a TERF. I never used that word, but I kept asking her to clarify what she was saying, because all I kept hearing was that hormones are bad, and therefor transitioning is bad. [more inside]
posted by special agent conrad uno at 1:22 AM PST - 52 comments

I have had two credit cards for years, but both have been with my bank (Chase). I am interested in a Citi rewards card. How does that work, payments-wise? Do I have to open up a bank account at Citi? Can I pay it via Chase bill pay? Can I do auto pay via my Chase checking account? How do I get the Citi rewards out? These are surprisingly difficult questions to google and if it will be a hassle to go outside my bank I'll just not get the new card. [more inside]
posted by vegartanipla at 12:47 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm getting my third undergraduate degree this Saturday, making my family attend the early evening commencement, and have no earthly idea what to wear. [more inside]
posted by RainyJay at 8:36 PM PST - 10 comments

I am way. over. my. head. in a musical project. I need to learn a complicated piece (piazolla) from a score and have no training at all. [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 7:34 PM PST - 18 comments

For the first time in my life I'm going to cook dinner for guests tomorrow. I tested a boneless-short-ribs-in-slow-cooker recipe a few weeks ago and it came out well. But I'm worried about the timing tomorrow. [more inside]
posted by pocketfullofrye at 7:28 PM PST - 7 comments

I remember seeing a blog post or article about a play laboratory or mad science set that someone made for their kid. It was a small piece of furniture with laboratory accessories and places to store them, just like a play kitchen set. It came with a lab coat and test tubes. Might have been BoingBoing, but I can't find it. Help?
posted by bq at 6:48 PM PST - 7 comments

A friend of mine is spinning his wheels in trying to find love in London. I've tried to help, but I'm long out of the scene and the obvious stuff isn't going well. Can London (or other) MeFites suggest some new avenues? [more inside]
posted by Devonian at 5:19 PM PST - 10 comments

Can you suggest a jigsaw puzzle for the family that is about solving a mystery? Something fun and can keep the attention of kids over 12? [more inside]
posted by stepup at 3:52 PM PST - 6 comments

I am making holiday cards and would like to include a short poem on the inside cover. I am looking for suggestions for poems about winter or the holidays. I will be handwriting the cards so I don't want something too long. [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 3:09 PM PST - 8 comments

Looking for guided meditation apps for my iPhone or downloadable MP3s. I've been doing meditation in the morning and it helps me focus my day. Usually something like 5-20 minutes, general themes like calmness, gratitude, body scan, the usual. I've read the other questions, tried a few that have been okay, and have a few picky requests... [more inside]
posted by jessamyn at 2:25 PM PST - 32 comments

I read a story recently that I've not been able to find on Hacker News or Google about behaviors that are built into websites that make them addictive. I cannot find the story--I'm creatively remembering now how it related to the bottomless feeds a la Facebook, random reinforcement, and perhaps social pressure. Does this thread ring a bell for the hive mind?
posted by teddyb109 at 2:05 PM PST - 6 comments

Hi! Can anyone recommend a holiday in mid January for two exhausted parents of a four year old and a one year old? We were thinking Centreparcs until we remembered it's based on a self-catering model and really could do with being cooked for for 5 days/a week! [more inside]
posted by dance at 1:16 PM PST - 9 comments

Curiosity question: one of my charger cables won't charge my iPad but will charge my iPhone. What could be the cause? [more inside]
posted by curagea at 1:07 PM PST - 7 comments

He's in his mid-20s. Lives with his parents. Just started his first part-time job. He likes video games, board games, sports, circuses. He's a bit of foodie. He prides himself on being up for any (small) challenge. His favorite things to read are Wikipedia, IMDB, Ripley's Believe It or Not. [more inside]
posted by bookley at 11:54 AM PST - 21 comments

I'm looking for a pretty spiral-bound wall calendar with boxes for each date and a month on each page. Help! [more inside]
posted by youcancallmeal at 11:53 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm a masters student in computer science / electrical engineering. My goal is to work as a software engineer, hopefully somewhere good, but I'm afraid I'm going to blow it. Help me put things in perspective? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:32 AM PST - 20 comments

Hi! I have spent the last two hours searching online for the perfect paper notebook/journal gift for my SO's father (a lawyer and clergyman), and all the ones I found seem to have something not-quite-right about them, even the ones found in "best! paper! notebooks!" blogs. Dear notebook lovers, help me, please. Requirements inside: [more inside]
posted by quixotictic at 11:24 AM PST - 9 comments

I usually buy office supplies from CVS or similar stores, and it feels like I'm getting overcharged. I'd like to feel like I'm getting a good price, even though I'm not buying in bulk (which I'm guessing is where most of the discounts are). The items I'm most interested in are packing tape and printer paper.
posted by danceswithlight at 11:12 AM PST - 11 comments

My husband has about eleventy-billion Magic cards in various binders and boxes. He plays at our dining room table, and the area on and around it are cluttered with them. He wants access to all cards at all times, and our old house doesn't have any downstairs closets (because it was build before MTG was invented, I assume). I would really, really like to declutter the room, as it's both the first room guests see in the house and a place I would like to eat dinner again. [more inside]
posted by bibliowench at 11:05 AM PST - 15 comments

Has anyone heard of or owned a vintage Polaroid printer that printed directly from a computer onto standard Polaroid stuff (not sure if 600 or SX-70). I'm trying to locate one for maybe experimenting with Impossible stock. Unfortunately, in the years since, Polaroid has made a ton of newer printers for smartphones etc and it's very hard to find with just the vague memory of when it came out. Any help would be appreciated.
posted by tremspeed at 10:48 AM PST - 6 comments

My relationship with my partner has become 'real' enough that I want to start the conversation about merging finances. However, I don't want us to just hack together a plan- is there a guide of any sort for how a young couple should start this process? [more inside]
posted by tumbleweedjack at 10:36 AM PST - 11 comments

About 15 minutes ago I heard a loud booming noise outside; the power in the whole house went out almost simultaneously. I reported the outage but can't get in touch with a live person. What could this be? Should I be worried? Should I try touching my fuse box? [more inside]
posted by BuddyBoo at 10:18 AM PST - 23 comments

A local informal ukulele jam group has regular jam sessions and occasional performances. They would like to share uke tablature (with lyrics) amongst the members online, as well as create songbooks for jam sessions and performances that could be accessed/used via mobile or in hard copy. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by aabbbiee at 10:13 AM PST - 2 comments

I have a mid-2010 Mac Mini that we use as our family's common desktop computer. The monitor is dying. Help me choose a replacement? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:58 AM PST - 16 comments

I'll need someone familiar with Sierra Leonean culture to answer this one. My job deals with people from lots of different countries, and it seems like almost every woman from Sierra Leone has exactly the same name: personal name Fatmata, surname Jalloh. It's not uncommon for a man to have a mother named Fatmata Jalloh, a sister named Fatmata Jalloh, and a wife named Fatmata Jalloh. How did this situation come about, what is the significance of the name, how is confusion avoided, and what is a culturally sensitive way for us to keep better track of our files?
posted by anonymous at 9:23 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking for the best knock-off Weight Watchers app that tracks PointsPlus. What is it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:23 AM PST - 3 comments

Our division recently placed an order to a new vendor for some supplies needed for a project. The vendor received the purchase order a week ago. Today we asked about the status of the order (and for a shipment tracking number); the vendor responded that they are "in the process of creating a SAP code", and that they hope to give us a delivery date next week. What is a 101-level explanation of what the vendor is doing when creating this code? [more inside]
posted by mean square error at 8:27 AM PST - 7 comments

I’m a television documentary executive/producer/writer/director. Earlier in my career, I did some some basic editing, but it was never my specialty. For the last dozen years, I have hired editors and post supervisors to handle everything, so I’m terribly out of touch with the best options out there. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by avrobie at 8:11 AM PST - 4 comments

Within my family, a professionally framed piece of paper, such as a diploma or an old 'artifactual' letter is sometimes given as a gift. In other words, framing a 'piece of paper' that has special meaning for the gift giver and recipient in a way that preserves it. This is straightforward for a single one-page piece of paper printed on reasonable quality paper. How can I do this with a set of really meaningful e-mails? [more inside]
posted by Doc_Sock at 7:39 AM PST - 14 comments

I love the two-figure wooden creche at the top of this column. It can't be bought, maker is unknown, all I have is this image--if I wanted one of my own, how would I go about making it, or having it made?
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:22 AM PST - 3 comments

Working on a project and I need a list of all (or a lot) of the bridges in the United States. [more inside]
posted by jschu at 7:02 AM PST - 9 comments

I work for a small, community-owned, fiber optic Internet and telephone start-up and we want to provide customers — and potential customers — with options on how to use our services to (legally) watch their favorite programming. Looking to the hive mind for suggestions. [more inside]
posted by terrapin at 6:48 AM PST - 9 comments

Where to find quirky home inspiration? [more inside]
posted by lunalaguna at 6:09 AM PST - 12 comments

A friend is (probably temporarily) moving to England from the US and I would like to get her a book. Her two favorites are One Hundred Years of Solitude and The Dispossessed. Something that is set in or otherwise features England would be a bonus. Any recommendations? Thanks!
posted by mustardayonnaise at 5:26 AM PST - 22 comments

Sudden rib pain in a PIlates class. What can I safely do? [more inside]
posted by flourpot at 5:14 AM PST - 4 comments

I would like some reading material on motherhood and/or pregnancy that goes beyond the standard "it's hard, but it's SO rewarding." [more inside]
posted by margoc19 at 4:47 AM PST - 25 comments

I'm shortly about to embark on a long distance cycle tour and I was hoping for some advice on what sports bra and underwear to get that will be good for wicking as well as durable because I will only be taking one bra and two pairs of pants with me to keep the weight down. [more inside]
posted by TheGarden at 4:27 AM PST - 13 comments

Am very excitedly planning a few weeks in California/Oregon early next year. Aware it will be cold(ish). Would love some suggestions on how to maximise seeing natural beauty, although I'll be travelling by train... [more inside]
posted by considerthelilies at 1:33 AM PST - 20 comments

In recent weeks I've started to notice that I've become ambivalent about my relationship with my GF. Recently she was away for a weekend and I realised that I didn't miss her all that much. I think that I need to talk to her about this but I don't know how to do it fairly and kindly. [more inside]
posted by six sided sock at 12:57 AM PST - 32 comments

I'm looking to invest a bit of money, and for various reasons, I will be investing in one of the big 5 Canadian Banks (RBC, TD, CIBC, BMO, or Scotia). I've been looking around on the internet, but I've been having a hard time figuring out which one of these five banks is the most ethical in terms of its investment policies. [more inside]
posted by twill at 10:06 PM PST - 7 comments

My parent is carrying the cost of my $40/mo. term life insurance because he's the one who took out the policy. Now he wants me to buy universal life insurance from a "family friend." This is stupid, right? Additional snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by ziggly at 9:40 PM PST - 25 comments

My SO and I had been sharing car expenses evenly down the middle while I was using her car for work which requires traveling approximately 2-3x/week. By car expenses, I'm referring to the car note and paying half of the insurance premium. I also recently contributed to paying for some of the car maintenance. Prior to being in a relationship with her, I never used a car and would commute via public transit. After moving in with her, the deal was to split car expenses evenly as moving in with her didn't afford me easy access to public transportation. We have since relocated and my work doesn't require me to use the car as much as I can now, once again, use public transportation. However, I still use the car with her to go grocery shopping, run errands on the weekends. My question is, since I have reduced my usage of the car to about 1 maybe 2x/week for work, should I still be paying for half of all expenses? Or what percentage of costs seem fair as far as paying for the car note and insurance?
posted by Autumn in New York at 8:19 PM PST - 25 comments

If you have personally made sauerkraut, what equipment would you recommend/not recommend? [more inside]
posted by mysterious_stranger at 8:13 PM PST - 22 comments

I'm trying to remember the name of a southwestern poet and one of his poems. Here's what I'm sure of: [more inside]
posted by thewestinggame at 7:48 PM PST - 3 comments

About ten years ago, give or take, there was a downloadable PC/Mac game that I loved playing.. now I've forgotten the name of it and would love to look it up again. [more inside]
posted by mark7570 at 7:38 PM PST - 2 comments

I am building handmade suitcases for gifts this year, and I would like to include a decent straight razor set in one of them. I have spent a lot of time searching for ones that have good reviews and they are few and far between. Hopefully there is someone out there that has experience with these and can recommend a quality set for a beginner.
posted by Mr_Zero at 7:36 PM PST - 4 comments

I don't want much out of a computer, but no one seems to make what I want. I'm looking for a laptop or tablet that can do all this: 1. Great keyboard. 2. Smallish form factor. 3. Touch screen (and stylus!) so I can mark up PDFs. 4. Ability to plug in a Blu-ray player to watch movies. I don't care about operating system. [more inside]
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 7:14 PM PST - 8 comments

Now I want to change. Help me stay on this path. [more inside]
posted by MeaninglessMisfortune at 6:56 PM PST - 10 comments

We may be losing one of our children and we're having a hard time coping. My wife and I cope in very different ways. And it seems to be pushing us apart even though we love each other very much still. I don't know what to do. I've never lost a child. I've never been divorced. Our home;life is suffering. It might be better if we didn't have to worry about paying hospital costs, but I think our coping behviors are grating on each other. And we know this. But we can't stop it. We really love each other and we go to counselors, but for the most part they're for when you're not getting along with the other person. This. This is something else. Are there grief counselors for couples who also are marriage counselors?
posted by Smedleyman at 5:53 PM PST - 14 comments

When people say that kids are sick all the time, I didn't realize that they actually meant they are sick all the time. Parents of mefi, what do you do to help the little ones feel better, sleep better, or get better sooner?
posted by pennypiper at 4:58 PM PST - 24 comments

I've never traveled alone except to destinations where I already knew someone. I've been to Europe a couple of times with friends and a few times to Canada, so there's still a lot of territory for me to explore. My friends are more and more pairing off and getting married, and the few remaining single friends I would like to travel with have not been very interested when I've brought it up. I'd like to figure out if I can learn to enjoy this alone. [more inside]
posted by bunderful at 4:14 PM PST - 28 comments

I know all the lyrics to a song, but I can't find it, or find out who performed it. Searching for "I can find a four leaf clover" gets too many results about trying to do the actual thing, and not about the song. Or about another very well-known four leaf clover song. [more inside]
posted by Mister Moofoo at 3:38 PM PST - 4 comments

It's Christmastime, which means stress and endless exposure to certain pieces of music. Consequently, I am dealing with dire earworms. What are your go-to earworm overrides, fellow earworm sufferers? [more inside]
posted by gingerest at 3:27 PM PST - 47 comments

Almost 10 year old daughter has no sense of appropriate viewing, and I'd like to get a software solution to help her stay clear of the skeevier parts of Youtube. [more inside]
posted by heathrowga at 2:55 PM PST - 7 comments

I am a board member on a outdoor nonprofit and all volunteer organization located in Alabama that recently received an email from License Compliance Services (formerly/currently known as PicScout) demanding proof of license/authorization for use or to settle online. [more inside]
posted by cinemafiend at 2:34 PM PST - 12 comments

Why wife strongly recalls having seen an edition of The Princess Bride where all the interruptions from the reader are in red, and the introduction matches the movie with a Peter Faulk type character rather than the one with William Goldman's rambling take of being at the poolside with the starlet and taking phone calls from his wife. Does such an edition exist?i can find no trace of it online.
posted by Artw at 2:18 PM PST - 15 comments

Are there any reputable sources from whom I can purchase a Mexico City SIM card while I am still in the USA? [more inside]
posted by ericthegardener at 2:09 PM PST - 7 comments

This is the weirdest, longest mental health setback I've had in years. I've been managing my ADHD, anxiety and depression 'like a pro' for quite some time until this past year. I've tried to overcome the setback using every approach in the book (so it would seem). It's not working. My hard-earned executive functioning skills have mostly disappeared. I think my brain needs a hard reset. What is going on? [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 1:13 PM PST - 16 comments

Anything we should know as my 4 unit California condo building decides whether or not to stop using our HOA manager and go the DIY route? Particulars below. [more inside]
posted by bluesky78987 at 12:52 PM PST - 5 comments

We're visiting DC over Christmas and going out to dinner with friends. None of us live there. The friends are not adventurous eaters, so we have to stick to Italian/New American type places. We'd like to find a place with great food that would also be considered "nice," but is not too expensive (say a limit of $50/head total - drinks, appetizers, entrees), which where we live generally means BYOB if we want to drink, which we do. We don't want to go out into the burbs. [more inside]
posted by palliser at 12:43 PM PST - 12 comments

So I have recently moved to the US and know nothing of the banking system here, so am finding it hard to navigate the system quickly. I just want to get a bank account that works. Help? [more inside]
posted by Brockles at 11:38 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm interested in restricting my own use of time-killing websites at home so as to increase my productivity. I see that there are a number of apps or programs that do this in different ways, and some of these techniques would be good. But I haven't found one that works in the way that I think would work best for me. Is something like that available? Details on the kind of functionality I'm looking for are below. P.S. I'm willing to pay up to maybe $50 for the right kind of software. [more inside]
posted by Mechitar at 11:29 AM PST - 6 comments

I am looking for narratives of people who turned their lives around after misspent youths. [more inside]
posted by Biblio at 11:06 AM PST - 29 comments

I have two sites. http://a.com/ and http://b.com/. Is it possible for me, without breaking a.com functionality, to have http://b.com/ display content that I have on http://a.com/foobar? [more inside]
posted by rachelpapers at 10:48 AM PST - 11 comments

What do you wish you had known or done before starting a new job? [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 10:44 AM PST - 38 comments

If one decided to publish a work of fanfiction as an original work, what sort of protections would be necessary? I'm thinking of publishing a fanfiction work by changing names and places associated with the source material to original names, but are those the only protections I should be taking? [more inside]
posted by Roentgen at 10:38 AM PST - 9 comments

I am a member, not an admin of a Facebook group for support in dealing with, and recovery from abuse. It has 1000+ members and a small team of admins. For well over a year the group has been “Secret” which means that the member list is not public. No one who is not a member of the group can see that someone is a member. The admins have announced that within a week they will change the group from Secret to Closed. With this change, anyone can see the full member list. [more inside]
posted by sentientsock at 10:11 AM PST - 8 comments

My daughter will be traveling to Nepal and southeast Asia after Christmas. I asked her if she has found out how to deal with her phone, and she said no, so I'm here (don't tell her). She's using a paid-for iphone with Koodo (in Canada). What's a good strategy for making calls, sending messages, and using data when going from country to country? Also, is it overkill to bring both an iphone and an ipad when traveling out of a backpack?
posted by morspin at 9:57 AM PST - 16 comments

I've been offered an awesome opportunity at work to help manage a large-scale statewide project. I need suggestions for resources to up my project management game. [more inside]
posted by onecircleaday at 9:36 AM PST - 4 comments

I need an NYC ID. I have a transit warrant (fare evasion). Will I be arrested if I go to the office to get an ID? [more inside]
posted by tulip-socks at 9:34 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for good sources of basic-ish information on the global financial crisis of 2008, i.e., what caused it and what the short- and long-term aftereffects were. I'm also looking for one specific video I saw around that time. [more inside]
posted by holborne at 9:30 AM PST - 16 comments

My 22-year old daughter has cerebral palsy, which affects her walking. She wants to drive, and its certainly time for that. We are just starting this process, and are looking for some guidance. [more inside]
posted by China Grover at 9:28 AM PST - 6 comments

I had such great responses and help from my previous question regarding night sleeping problems, ferber method and moving our 4 month old into her own room. Turns out all the Metas were right and I was creating a monster in my head! She cried for 6 minutes and since then doesn't cry when we put her to sleep awake in her crib and sleeps a good 12 hours with one feed! NOW, napping is a HUGE issue. [more inside]
posted by MamaBee223 at 9:17 AM PST - 6 comments

I know absolutely nothing about money (I'm talking feral-child-raised-by-wolves-level "nothing") and want to get my finances in order. I'm not saving up toward any kind of goal except eventual retirement in 40-50 years. What should my next steps be? [more inside]
posted by robot cat at 8:55 AM PST - 24 comments

I've decided that a mechanical keyboard would be much better for me, but I also prefer the "split" ergonomic-designed keyboards. I need advice and suggestions, please. A very slight flurry inside... [more inside]
posted by kuanes at 8:51 AM PST - 8 comments

Does anyone know of a *good* rum bar in or around Fort Myers Beach, FL? I'll be there for a family vacation in January, and I'm trying to find a bar with a solid selection of sipping rums (Ron Zacapa, El Dorado, etc.). Most of what I can find are "rum bars" serving frozen drinks loaded with food coloring and Malibu.
posted by moitz at 8:38 AM PST - 2 comments

Looking for Documentaries or Articles with deliberate ambiguity but where the implications are grave. [more inside]
posted by Dressed to Kill at 8:11 AM PST - 11 comments

I want to hang a projector screen from my ceiling, and I can't locate the studs. I have a magnetic stud finder, but it doesn't seem to be picking anything up. [more inside]
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:59 AM PST - 9 comments

I've just come out as trans at work (like, yesterday) and I know that people are going to struggle with my name and pronouns for awhile, especially since I don't appear super masculine. I am sure that their slip ups won't be out of hostility. I'd like some ideas for jokey corrections that are still appropriate for a white collar workplace. (If "mistakes" persist I will get more serious, and management has my back on this.) [more inside]
posted by desjardins at 7:56 AM PST - 37 comments

There's a style of painting that seems to be very au courant right now, at least in New York. The paintings look -- I'm not sure how else to say it -- very amateurish. Like someone without any training taking an earnest shot at making a painting for the first time. What's the deal with this style? Does it have a name? Where can I find out more about it? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Send at 7:28 AM PST - 10 comments

So, I've been job hunting, and working through headhunters and the like. It seems like a lot of the jobs through the headhunters are contract gigs. I'm really anxious to switch jobs, so I'm willing to accept a contract gig, but what am I actually getting into? I've only ever worked as a permanent employee!
posted by SansPoint at 6:30 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm in charge of a second grade Christmas craft and would love to have them make snow globes. One problem, how to make objects adhere to the bottom of the globe in the absence of glue. [more inside]
posted by waving at 6:20 AM PST - 15 comments

Ms. deadwax and I are taking trains through Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria in February. We would like to stop at one or two places that are not big cities, go hiking and otherwise get out of town and into nature a bit, probably with 3-5 days parked in one place at a time. If you have been through this part of the world, where would you recommend, particularly in February? [more inside]
posted by deadwax at 4:46 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a hard time making decisions or trusting my gut. I'm a big worrier and I am hard on myself. I need an objective opinion on thoughts I have been struggling with regarding my relationship. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:55 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm working in an office job at a small non-profit. As a junior member of staff, I'm repeatedly being blamed quite aggressively for things that either aren't my job or aren't anyone's fault. My concerns about this are being brushed off. The job consists of constant firefighting, there are constant non-specific threats over my future at the organisation and the stress and anxiety is making me sick. I'm planning to move on next year - but how do I make this place bearable in the interim? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:54 AM PST - 50 comments

I really need some advice on how to talk with my partner and address her questions about our sex life (or lack of it) as not only do we have a two-year old but my partner is also undergoing treatment for cancer. Help, please... [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:51 AM PST - 22 comments

Can you recommend me some podcasts/ebooks/apps/etc that are aimed for intermediately skilled people who want to learn more about the tech industry, the internet and programming? [more inside]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 1:43 AM PST - 3 comments

My mom needs a new desktop computer. She is not savvy at all with technology and seems to get viruses on her computer quite often, and her printer keeps breaking. [more inside]
posted by massofintuition at 10:55 PM PST - 31 comments

I want to make a survey to send my grown-up kids so I know what to get them for the holidays. For example, I don't know how they stand on licorice since they grew up. [more inside]
posted by cda at 9:56 PM PST - 13 comments

So in the vain of this question .... Whats is the best gift guide? New? Unique? What are you giving this year? What should I get my step mother who I have nothing in common with?
posted by ihadapony at 9:31 PM PST - 8 comments

I collect a lot of data about myself. I want to aggregate all this stuff in one place for personal use. [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 9:29 PM PST - 5 comments

My family wants to find something semi-affordable for a last minute rush to see family in Missouri. Airfare is too expensive and seats are short. Amtrak looks about as expensive, and I'm worried about the reliability of long-haul train connections. Would buses work well for our situation, or are we better off driving ourselves even though we don't usually drive more than an hour or two? Special snowflakey details inside. [more inside]
posted by mccarty.tim at 9:09 PM PST - 13 comments

I am trying to get a handle on the basic facts about software-defined networking/software-defined internet exchange. Every article I find on the internet seems choked with stupefying jargon. What I want to know: What even is SDN/SDX? How does it work? Why would you want it?
posted by zeusianfog at 9:02 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm terrified of my home burning down. What can I do to prevent or minimize this risk? [more inside]
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 7:33 PM PST - 23 comments

I want to get my weirdo niece something for Christmas that will make her snort-giggle. [more inside]
posted by pretentious illiterate at 6:24 PM PST - 38 comments

Gifted late-adolescent bookworms are devouring my personal history library. Help me keep them fed. (details inside) [more inside]
posted by absalom at 5:36 PM PST - 21 comments

I've been using Thunderbird a very long time. It's mostly great, but it's tied to my single work computer. The address book, complete with recipient photos; send messages; archived messages in a huge set of folders. What's a good web-based alternative? (Hint: not Gmail.) [more inside]
posted by 4midori at 4:34 PM PST - 15 comments

Part of a report I'm writing is meant to communicate varying levels of urgency for action based on data in the report. We've proposed using the stoplight type color metaphor (i.e., red means urgent, yellow means be watchful, green means doing well), but at least some of the people using the report won't have color printers. [more inside]
posted by jasper411 at 4:21 PM PST - 13 comments

My company is looking to deploy flat screen TVs in all our branches. We have 15 branches in 5 states with no IT staff at any but 2 of them. [more inside]
posted by lattiboy at 3:43 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm throwing an Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas viewing party this holiday season, what must have items should I have to get into the spirit of the movie? [more inside]
posted by sweetmarie at 3:38 PM PST - 13 comments

I eat a lot of fish including mostly high-mercury fish. Now I want the mercury out of my body. What's the best way to do this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:56 PM PST - 17 comments

In search of the perfect towel for a very specific purpose: keeping odor out of my apartment’s hallway. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:55 PM PST - 16 comments

I am looking for your very best liquor infusions to make a bloody mary. I'd really like to make three different ones that are out of this world as a gift. I however do not drink bloody mary's and am wondering if some of the recipes I've read online would be good or too weird (ex. Pickle or bacon infused vodka) etc! Thanks!
posted by vintagequeen at 1:53 PM PST - 17 comments

I am going to be moving to a new city and for the first time will be keeping my car parked on the street 24/7. This is unavoidable. Are there any suggestions y'all have for keeping my car safe beyond the usual (park under streetlight, keep valuables out)? Perhaps some way of making it so it can't be started if broken into?
posted by holmesian at 1:42 PM PST - 21 comments

Hi. We're a late 30s F/M couple (both straight) interested in learning more about both the group sex and BDSM scenes in New York City. Groups, websites, articles, tips for newcomers and any other advice or suggestions are all welcome. [more inside]
posted by junipacrossthestars at 12:53 PM PST - 1 comment

Please recommend a crossfit gym for me to drop in to while I'm home in NY for the holidays. Would prefer a very queer friendly, feminist, inclusive, supportive community. I'll travel anywhere for best fit, but I'll be staying in Westchester and Astoria.
posted by palegirl at 12:19 PM PST - 4 comments

Excel 2013 - I have no explanation for this chart behavior. Do you? [more inside]
posted by radiosilents at 11:52 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a chromebook, for security reasons, and an HP printer, bought new this year. I don't use wireless here, for security reasons. Shouldn't there be a way the Chromebook can print to the printer w/o using wifi? Barring that, shouldn't there be a way that the printer with USB port can print a PDF from a USB stick, that I've put the file onto? What am I doing wrong here? Please tell me there's a way to have security and at least some function, both. (p.s. my username is no longer accurate, I moved away. Any kind decent mefites in Sacramento, I'd love to meet up.)
posted by Baeria at 11:50 AM PST - 6 comments

What kind of technology can help us have more water pressure in our shower? We have the kind of shower where there's a faucet down below and a showerhead up above, and you lift a little diverter doohickey within the faucet which causes the water to come out of the showerhead instead of the faucet (looks kind of like this). [more inside]
posted by matildaben at 11:02 AM PST - 20 comments

I have recently moved and I am looking for a better method of organizing my t-shirts. I have too many of them, and I would like to rotate through them rather than wear the same things every week. [more inside]
posted by Dalton Luceria at 10:37 AM PST - 14 comments

Something - possibly mites stirred up by my home renovation - has been biting me, and sometimes my kid, while we sleep. How can I prevent it? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:55 AM PST - 19 comments

A couple nights ago, we brought home a spunky nine-week-old Pointer/Lab mix from The North Shore Animal League. We did this after the sudden passing of our beloved Westie, who died at 13 from rapidly progressing cancer. I don't know. Maybe we did this too quickly. Maybe we weren't ready for the CONSTANT chewing, peeing, biting and jumping. But the fact is he's here. The animal lover in me is telling me that his behavior isn't his fault, and bringing him back to the shelter is an absolute LAST resort, bordering on impossible, for my family and I. But we don't know how much more we can take. Help? WOT inside, sorry. [more inside]
posted by marsbar77 at 8:51 AM PST - 52 comments

Seeing Gwendoline Christie wearing this dress to the Star Wars movie premiere got me wondering: How does she sit in the theater chair in a gown like that for the multiple hours of a movie? [more inside]
posted by jillithd at 8:48 AM PST - 17 comments

My sisters and I inherited our grandmother's old china. We believe it dates to the early 1920s, and has the Fraureuth name and logo on the bottom. Sadly, while it's lovely china and a very extensive set, none of us want it. Rather, we'd prefer to sell it. It was appraised some years ago for around $4K, but we're more interested in minimizing muss and fuss than maximizing the sale price. My question is: Where do we stand the best chance of selling it? (If it matters, the china is currently in Northern Virginia.)
posted by DrGail at 8:41 AM PST - 7 comments

I would like to find new medical podcasts to listen to whilst I cycle. I would be interested in physiology, pathology, anatomy, anything similar, really! I have enjoyed Doc C on anatomy, pathology and pathophysiology and Robert Sapolsky on Human Behavioural Biology a great deal, so more excellent lecturers would be great. [more inside]
posted by fizban at 7:57 AM PST - 8 comments

I have a lot of creative interests and hobbies, and I love to collaborate with others, both virtually and in-person. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find people who are interested in collaborating and willing to follow through (perhaps the bigger problem). I feel like there must be communities, online or otherwise, that help facilitate collaboration, but I don’t know where to go. More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 7:28 AM PST - 10 comments

I want to give an ultra-thoughtful gift to a formally healthy and work-focused family member who suffered a stroke. He is only 38 but he can’t currently leave his home due to extreme vertigo. [more inside]
posted by songs_about_rainbows at 7:07 AM PST - 11 comments

Oh hai, I think I sent a potentially embarrassing and rambling email to a person I've been befriending and um, do I send an apology? Blush-faced snowflakes within. [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 7:03 AM PST - 21 comments

I'd like to put in a bit more thought present-wise this year for my friends and family, and have been scouring the net for a site that lets you personalize gifts with custom-made images (memes, cats, artwork, etc). I've found a few, but there's not many reviews so I'm not sure which are reputable. Does anyone have some gift-personalization sites that they could recommend? I'd also love to learn of any sites that personalize unique gifts other than the usual coffee mugs and t-shirts.
posted by CottonCandyCapers at 6:31 AM PST - 8 comments

My friend's rented property near Albury, Australia, has a fruit tree, and he's brought me some samples and asked me what it is and if it's edible. [more inside]
posted by xdvesper at 4:24 AM PST - 11 comments

In relation to reading a recent article on the Skydeck, I wondered if flying at 40,000 feet and thereby removing an equivalent chunk of the Earth's atmosphere, made a significant difference in how clearly one can view the stars.
posted by fairmettle at 4:14 AM PST - 5 comments

I use NoScript, running Firefox browser, WIN7 and WIN8.1. In recent months (absolutely in the last year,) the number of scripts that are built into many (most?) pages has increased dramatically. So then it's like whack-a-mole, enable this script and OH NO! that has just unleashed tons more scripts, it can take a long time to determine which script(s) need to be enabled to be able to reach the pertinent data, whether that data presents as text or video or whatever. [more inside]
posted by dancestoblue at 3:29 AM PST - 10 comments

This Christmas I'm taking part in an initiative to offer gifts to kids from poor families, that usually don't get any Christmas presents. I'm not sure who is receiving my gift, but I know it will be a boy between 12 and 17 years old. I'm going to offer a football, since it fits the age range, but I would like to include a written note to go with it, something inspirational and optimistic, relativizing the value of material stuff. Any suggestions?
posted by dfreire at 2:18 AM PST - 30 comments

I moved abroad and continued my employment remotely, with the support of my employer. Now my employer said they're paying more payroll taxes and it's a bit of a problem. But I don't understand why, since my residency status hasn't changed. [more inside]
posted by PercussivePaul at 2:08 AM PST - 8 comments

Is there any way to procure rendered bacon fat that isn't, you know, cook a bunch of bacon? I need about 2.25 cups of it to make a triple batch of these bacon fat gingersnaps and I don't particularly want to have to cook about 6 pounds of bacon to get it (1.5-2 lb for a single recipe). [more inside]
posted by Weeping_angel at 10:59 PM PST - 17 comments

I bought this sucker because it's supposed to be hearty. But lately, its leaves have been turning yellow and then shriveling up, one by one. I water it once a week or so- whenever the water doohickey said it needs it. And I'm pretty sure it gets enough sunlight. What am I doing wrong?! Poor plant. Here's a pic. Oh, also: my mom helped me repot it about a month ago, and she said some trauma is expected. But I've lost 3 big leaves so far, and I can see it happening again! Gah.
posted by jessca84 at 10:42 PM PST - 8 comments

So, like 99% of tiki drinks are made with various rums. Is there a not-terrible tropical drink that is made with whiskey? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:23 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm a film/video freelancer who uses Mandy quite a lot. Over the years, and currently now, I've seen ads from supposed companies that have no digital footprint. My question is, why? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:23 PM PST - 1 comment

I just achieved a major professional milestone, but it feels nearly totally unacknowledged at work. Formally, they gave a nominal bonus and a lunch (which ended up combined with a lunch for a departing intern...), but in reality, I have the strong sense that my director doesn't see much value in what I do. I don't know if I should just quit and move on, or try and push through. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:23 PM PST - 11 comments

Looking for good books, guides, or other resources on event sponsorships. [more inside]
posted by Unsomnambulist at 9:47 PM PST - 1 comment

My cat is very playful and meows for attention a lot. I’m wondering if maybe he would like a playmate but I'm afraid that he might hate it. [more inside]
posted by figaro at 9:38 PM PST - 26 comments

Tarkovsky's "The Mirror" is the most beautiful film I have ever seen. There don't seem to be any well-liked versions available in the U.S. on DVD or Blue-Ray. Where can I find a version that has good subtitles, is framed correctly and has good color? Does this even exist?
posted by Mei's lost sandal at 9:19 PM PST - 11 comments

I recently bought an all-in-one Lenovo C50 desktop from Microsoft. It seems to be making a whirring noise all the time. Is this normal or is it defective? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 8:34 PM PST - 12 comments

I remember going to someone's house for regular sessions of this very long game about a quest for something that had to do with aliens, spaceships and weird planets. The defining thing about the game was that your Windows PC computer kept track of what was going on, even though you spent a lot of time reading passages the computer assigned you to read, from cards or a book. So it had this hybrid aspect reminiscent of VCR games.
posted by johngoren at 8:34 PM PST - 2 comments

Posting for a friend. Had 1 marijauna brownie exactly 6 days ago and prior to that had been over a month. A saliva test was sprung on her at work. What are the odds she passed?
posted by flipmiester99 at 7:33 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm at some major crossroads and need to make a big decision. Got any decision making strategies? [more inside]
posted by mannermode at 7:17 PM PST - 24 comments

Brain failed me in middle of office conversation goof-off. Who is the critic of the Episode 1 - 2 - 3 Star Wars movies that delivers his critique in the persona of a sadistic torturer who has captives in his basement? Maybe I just dreamed this, but if anyone could help out I'd appreciate
posted by mattoxic at 6:53 PM PST - 9 comments

Bought an LED light fixture. Only now noticed the instructions say "must be mounted on ceiling". Can I mount it on a wall anyway? [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 6:44 PM PST - 7 comments

My partner and I have a one-week trip booked to Istanbul over the new year. We've been receiving a lot of flak about going from both sides of our family to the point where we are very seriously considering cancelling our trip. Our parents are worried about acts of terrorism such as bombings and shootings (things we feel could happen anywhere), as well as extremely unlikely scenarios like being kidnapped by ISIS. My partner's mother has expressly asked us not to go. [more inside]
posted by degoao at 6:40 PM PST - 45 comments

A while ago I saw a two-panel comic, probably on Tumblr (since it's a very Tumblry sentiment), which was a takeoff on the "people these days just stare at their phones" genre, but which showed that those same people were using their devices to connect to friends and loved ones. Help me find it? [more inside]
posted by mendel at 6:36 PM PST - 2 comments

My nephew (who is five months old) lives in Hong Kong. I would like to purchase Christmas gifts for him online that will be locally delivered, rather than buy presents here in the US and ship them. Can I do this? What is the best website to use?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:17 PM PST - 3 comments

Searching for new years eve frocks... [more inside]
posted by sprezzy at 5:52 PM PST - 7 comments

There are plenty of tools to help someone build and customize a website without needing to know coding; Wix, Serif, Network Solutions and Go Daddy website builders. Likewise, are there similar tools to help someone build and easily customize mobile apps without knowing code? If so, what and where are they?
posted by CollectiveMind at 5:38 PM PST - 1 comment

My girlfriend wants a smaller dog to live in our suburban house with fenced in yard, to get along with our 4 year old Border Collie, and we're not sure which breed would work best. [more inside]
posted by quickasfoxes at 5:25 PM PST - 26 comments

The accessibility bathroom at work smells absolutely vile. Please suggest to me something that will help, like a particular kind or type of scent neutralizer or diffuser. [more inside]
posted by joyceanmachine at 5:03 PM PST - 30 comments

I'm gearing up to study for the GRE, but I haven't done math in...10 years? I usually read on my Kindle on the 30 minute bus ride to and from work, so I was hoping that I could instead start using this time for math studies! [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter at 4:21 PM PST - 3 comments

Bra shopping is miserable under ordinary circumstances. Help! [more inside]
posted by chaiminda at 4:15 PM PST - 13 comments

I'd love to get a subscription gift for someone who was recently diagnosed with type II diabetes. My goal is to help them get acclimated to new foods that are better for them as easily and in as fun a way as possible. [more inside]
posted by pazazygeek at 2:47 PM PST - 18 comments

Is there a service that pulls pictures and videos from a bunch of old phones, laptops & Macbooks? [more inside]
posted by crayon at 2:42 PM PST - 4 comments

I get migraines that are interfering w/ my day-to-day functioning (first grade teacher--enough said). While they are not the kind where I need to be in a dark silent room, they are extremely persistent and only respond to the triptans (to which they respond beautifully). However, the triptans are no good when you have to take them several times a week. I was on Topamax and thought it was working at first, but then realized it totally was not working at all... [more inside]
posted by bookworm4125 at 2:37 PM PST - 15 comments

We are looking for a house. Can we use a buyer's agent? Should we? And if so, how? [more inside]
posted by enn at 2:20 PM PST - 17 comments

Friend's dog wears a Spindrift safety collar and the neoprene lining protects fur, but the buckle chafes. [more inside]
posted by morganw at 2:14 PM PST - 3 comments

Two times within a little more than a month--once in early November, and now again today, a credit card of mine has been compromised. It's the same card. I'm lucky that Chase seems to be pretty on top of fraud prevention, but this is mystifying and annoying. How do I figure out what's going on and make it stop? [more inside]
posted by millipede at 1:54 PM PST - 12 comments

I’m not a luddite, but I’ve been left in the dust by TV technology. Help us start streaming, please. [more inside]
posted by Kriesa at 1:44 PM PST - 38 comments

What are my options for low-cost static file hosting? [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 1:19 PM PST - 7 comments

I live in the US and would like to obtain 30-50 Turkish lira coins as part of a gift, especially the 1, 5 and 10s. I don't mind if they're from the current series or a little older. I'm looking on ebay and mostly seeing expensive collectibles (I expect to pay a premium on the exchange, but such a high one), and I'm guessing our local currency exchanges don't really keep them around. How can I get these coins? [more inside]
posted by michaelh at 1:05 PM PST - 3 comments

I watched Spotlight yesterday, which takes place in 2001-02. At one point in the movie, a character says "It's been six weeks since 9/11." That rang false to me, but when did "9/11" become the term for the attacks? Google has been relatively unhelpful, although I did find this nearly content-free Yahoo Answers question about it.
posted by Automocar at 1:04 PM PST - 21 comments

My insurance company totaled my car, so in a few days I'll have a check and they'll stop paying for (part of) my rental car. With my current level of car-buying sophistication, I think my strategy is to walk into a dealership and say "Can I have $13,000* worth of car, please?" What safe, high mileage, 10-15k used car should I buy? How do I know whether to finance or pay cash? And, how do I actually, you know, do it? *I don't actually have a firm budget yet, of course. [more inside]
posted by stuart_s at 1:02 PM PST - 16 comments

I posted about radical approaches in healing for IBS previously. I've been researching Neuroplasticity training, specifically DNRS (Dynamic Neural Retraining System). There is scant research on Neuroplasticity and IBS. Does anyone have experience with this? [more inside]
posted by falcon42 at 12:49 PM PST - 11 comments

I am designing a project for about 10-20 undergraduate students (mostly traditional students but some non-traditional) where each will be asked to track their movements for a couple of weeks. Is there an easy, secure, mobile app for both Android and iPhone that will provide consistent location data in a reasonable format? Preferences would be for an app that doesn't drain the battery and one that allows you to set the interval for recording points. Nice but not critical would be some kind of reminder to record what they were doing at that time. [more inside]
posted by one_bean at 12:11 PM PST - 7 comments

I currently live in the electorally-important State A, but will be moving to the less-important State B before the 2016 Presidential Election. (I am from the electorally-insignificant State C, from which my driver's license is issued, and sometimes use my parents' address there for "permanent address".) Where can I/should I register to vote? [more inside]
posted by .holmes at 12:06 PM PST - 7 comments

I'd like to learn some songs that are fairly simple to strum on the guitar and sing. Details within. [more inside]
posted by jbickers at 11:44 AM PST - 6 comments

I need to spend NYE having a sober dinner with people who have absolutely no interest in being inclusive. I can't not go. How do I survive this? [more inside]
posted by quadrant seasons at 10:44 AM PST - 97 comments

I've put together several of the do-it-yourself picture frames for flat material (diplomas, art prints, etc.) — now I wonder if I can use the same technique for piece of laser-cut plywood. [more inside]
posted by exogenous at 10:40 AM PST - 2 comments

A mysterious wet spot has appeared in my car and I don't know where it came from. [more inside]
posted by Diskeater at 10:21 AM PST - 4 comments

We have three pendant lights in our kitchen that use this bulb. I'd buy a bunch if I could find them. Any help would be much appreciated!
posted by Gusaroo at 10:17 AM PST - 2 comments

Can I get specific, heartfelt, recommendations for high quality resume writing services? Would also work with an individual (i.e. not a service) if someone has really strong personal knowledge of someone who rocks at this. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 9:54 AM PST - 4 comments

My local coffee shop has been playing archives of KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic broadcasts this morning. I heard a great band on what I believe was an archived show, but I can't find it on their site. Help? [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 9:48 AM PST - 1 comment

Google Finance stock charts have stopped refreshing for me automatically as they used to. They will only update if I reload the page. They also won't retain any of my preferences, despite cookies being allowed. I have updated Firefox, Flash, Java, etc., to the latest versions. Any ideas for a fix?
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:45 AM PST - 2 comments

Where can I get a nice dinner on Christmas Eve/brunch on Christmas Day in Victoria BC? [more inside]
posted by torisaur at 9:44 AM PST - 5 comments

My kids and I Iove "Good Mythical Morning," and watch it every night. For feminist reasons, I'd like us to additionally watch something just as funny and in the same style -- but with women hosting it. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:33 AM PST - 3 comments

My ex and I share custody of our three children. She is very lenient and doting; I encourage self-reliance and responsibility within a structured framework. She is a helicopter, I am a safety net. [more inside]
posted by Mister_A at 9:21 AM PST - 23 comments

I have been recently promoted and still want to continue looking for a new position. How should I state my latest position on the resume considering I do not have acomplishments to state yet on this position vs the position i got promoted from? Should I ignore the new position on the resume?
posted by djfreex at 9:06 AM PST - 4 comments

I am looking for winter salad recipes that keep well for a few days in the fridge. Examples of the type of salad I am thinking are this Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Salad and this Asian Slaw Recipe. We eat everything with two exceptions - I hate mayonnaise and avocado will kill me. I look forward to trying your suggestions!
posted by a22lamia at 8:54 AM PST - 12 comments

In about 1999, I came across a neat webcomic. It was in a desert/pseudo Egyptian setting and each story would be arranged in a side-scrolling manner, like a roll of papyrus. It was beautiful and extensive enough that I remember needing to read it over many days. It rearranged my thinking about what was possible on the Internet. My Googling skills are failing on this one; does anyone remember its name or (!) have a still-live link to it? [more inside]
posted by tchemgrrl at 8:42 AM PST - 2 comments

I recently had to pay a heavy early termination fee from a gym membership in New Jersey of $99.99. I noticed they charged my card $106.99. When I called the gym they said that the $7.00 is for New Jersey sales tax. I was wondering if this is legal for the business (not sure if this differs by state). More specifically - is it standard for a business to charge sales tax on a penalty fee that relates to a service?
posted by adamhenson at 8:39 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for a particular layout for a blog, preferably a WordPress theme. It's such a simple layout that I know something like it must exist out there but I can't find the right one! [more inside]
posted by bluelight at 8:34 AM PST - 3 comments

We would like to eat less Seamless. Difficulty level: vegetarian in a studio apartment with basically no prep space. [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 8:23 AM PST - 17 comments

The local Chinese place has a "closed for repairs" sign up. I want to brighten the proprietor's day by slipping an anonymous cash gift in the mail slot. But I don't want to make any cultural mis-steps. Guide me, mefites. [more inside]
posted by evilmomlady at 8:20 AM PST - 16 comments

Hi, my 10-year-old son loves to read fantasy series. He has read (or had read to him) the Hobbit, the Fellowship of the Ring, Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, and Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson books (as well as various spinoffs). We have the Harry Potter books and I'll probably encourage him to start on those next, but I'd like to get him a book or three for Christmas. Can you recommend anything?
posted by Area Man at 7:40 AM PST - 44 comments

My wife will be undergoing breast reduction surgery this week. I'd like to be a good husband and do what I can to be supportive. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:38 AM PST - 16 comments

Usually taxes make sense to me, but life is changing and I'm completely confused right now. I need to know how my (and maybe my spouse's) W-4 should be filled out. Pertinent info here, backstory below the fold... My income will be 75,000, spouse makes 63,000. One child, using dependent care FSA, last year before kid we itemized about 21,000 in deductions. How many allowances do each of us take? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:38 AM PST - 9 comments

I want to make really spacious ambient pads to score a film. Whats the best synth in the $500-700 range to do this? Preferably an actual physical keyboard.
posted by captainscared at 6:26 AM PST - 17 comments

I adopted my adorable and otherwise perfect adult cat about 6 months ago. She is a very vocal cat, and likes to meow about all kinds of stuff, which is generally pretty cute. However, she will not stop meowing at exactly 4:30 a.m. [more inside]
posted by a hat out of hell at 6:24 AM PST - 27 comments

I taught college English for years, then transitioned to technical editing, where I've been working for almost two decades. I'd love to get back to teaching, but I thought it would be impossible. Now a friend of mine thinks my experience makes me a strong candidate for an upcoming opening as a teacher in his department. More inside. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 5:50 AM PST - 3 comments

I want to host a regular karaoke night in my town, and I want to make it awesome. What are some karaoke events that you know about — either one-offs or regulars — you think are great? And what makes them good?
posted by stokast at 4:59 AM PST - 9 comments

I have an ethics question for fellow amateur radio operators who are also members of an active club. [more inside]
posted by bryon at 2:35 AM PST - 17 comments

I want to wager real money on the outcome of the US Presidential elections, but only if there's a legal way to do it. I am in the USA. YANML, etc. Thoughts?
posted by sninctown at 7:49 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm trying to put together a reading list for an introductory philosophy of feminism class, and there's a concept that I can't articulate well enough to find any readings on! Recommendations? Concept inside, of course. [more inside]
posted by zinful at 7:25 PM PST - 18 comments

Hokkaido variety kabocha squash. I cut it in chunks and steamed it -- with the intention of eating it plain. It has lovely sweet chestnut flavor. But so dry and crumbley, like stale cake. Any suggestions on how I can repurpose this steamed squash? If I make soup, will the dry crumbles melt into the broth and make a smooth soup? Or I could mix it with mashed sweet potatoes. But again, I hope for a smooth texture without dry crumbles. Tools: I have only a standard blender. And a manual potato masher.
posted by valannc at 7:03 PM PST - 14 comments

Squash bugs ate two years of cucurbits, will one year off cure us of them? [more inside]
posted by aetg at 6:57 PM PST - 8 comments

Had a blocked sewer this morning. Plumbers unblocked it, charged $900 for the unblocking and CCTV investigation. The camera showed a large hole at one section of the (clay) pipe, and tree roots at another point. The plumber says the whole pipe should be replaced, and that it can't be relined. This would involve disconnecting the bathroom plumbing, jackhammering up 2x4m of concrete, moving the hot water cylinder which is currently in the way, putting in new PVC pipes that bypass the old broken one, and repouring concrete, installing inspection hatches this time. Removal of waste included. The quote is $14,250 plus GST. Is this anywhere near what I should expect? [more inside]
posted by lollusc at 6:06 PM PST - 23 comments

So I (female, early 30's) had a little bit of an adventure last week with my superior (male, early 40's), but now it's become a bit more complicated, and I could use some advice. LONG wall of text inside, apologies! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:58 PM PST - 56 comments

A friend gave me his Moto X (with Android 5.1) to try out indefinitely. I'm glad I've made the switch (and I'm wondering why it took so long). However, there is one annoying glitch with the screen that keeps happening and is nearly a deal breaker. [more inside]
posted by lenflack at 4:33 PM PST - 11 comments

I haz a big ass bowl of apathy. I've been on anti-depressants for many years (various ones since they tend to crap out after a bit) and currently on Effexor XR 75mg. Was diagnosed with hypothyroid and was put on small dose of synthroid. [more inside]
posted by Mysticalchick at 4:22 PM PST - 8 comments

Ok, that was a very dramatic question title. But dude: I'm 32 and haven't had a relationship for 5 and 1/2 years! How do I change this and/or shake the feeling it's because I'm just not worthy? [more inside]
posted by dryersock at 3:41 PM PST - 15 comments

There's a guy in my area who isn't fully connected with consensus reality, for whom it seems my presence is a bother in ways that are upsetting for both of us, I think. What's the best way for me to a) not set him off and b) go about my business more comfortably? [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 3:30 PM PST - 27 comments

Can you recommend LED (or other sturdy, low-power bulbs) bulbs to replace our large (C9) exterior Christmas lights? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 2:59 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm looking to freelance web design for local restaurants in my area. Is there a way to sort businesses with a website from those without? Obviously you can just click through but it's not very efficient. Thanks!
posted by bigspoon at 2:51 PM PST - 6 comments

The other day I drove past a Squirrel Level Road in Virginia. Where did the name come from? [more inside]
posted by metaquarry at 2:41 PM PST - 11 comments

I've been thinking about getting a projector to hook up to my laptop to watch movies/sports sitting in bed. I'm overwhelmed by the price range-- how much money do I actually need to spend? [more inside]
posted by acidic at 2:41 PM PST - 8 comments

I have been pretty sure I like this girl for a while now, and now that the issue has been raised and left unresolved, I'm in crisis mode and don't know what I'm feeling. [more inside]
posted by myitkyina at 1:47 PM PST - 12 comments

I currently have a smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S3) on a Sprint MVNO that I use with Google Voice. I'm satisfied with the device and the data plan, but the voice call quality is really lacking. What's the best way for me to improve my voice call experience? I was thinking about trying to find a basic phone on a prepaid plan just for the voice calls, and forwarding my Google Voice number there, too.
posted by QuantumMeruit at 1:10 PM PST - 4 comments

I recently joined the board of my professional school women's organization (in a, for what it's worth, traditionally male dominated profession). Maybe I shouldn't have. [more inside]
posted by telegraph at 1:05 PM PST - 31 comments

I made a batch of maple caramels that crystallized. What can I do with this delicious failure? [more inside]
posted by maryr at 12:36 PM PST - 19 comments

Have any kinds of animals been observed to spontaneously— ie, in the wild, without the coaching of humans— create any kind of enduring external symbols, such as number markings, pictograms, ideograms, etc (visual-based or based in any other sense, such as sound, etc)? — Doubt it, but would be curious to know of any leading or controversial research on this subject
posted by cotesdurhone at 11:40 AM PST - 22 comments

My grandmother, in her late 80's, has recently and quite abruptly decided that she does not want myself, my brother, or my mother (her daughter) in her life. We suspect she is in cognitive decline but have no formal diagnosis. She has decided to cling to my unstable and very hard to deal with aunt, which is problematic for several reasons. I am not sure how to proceed here, both from a legal standpoint to ensure my grandmother is taken care of properly and from a personal standpoint to navigate any remaining hope of a relationship. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by calitocarolina at 10:29 AM PST - 7 comments

Where can I source those deliciously smooth Japanese papers? [more inside]
posted by pakoothefakoo at 10:15 AM PST - 3 comments

I know it's not safe to make a left in front of a car that has stopped for you, or in front of backed up traffic, when entering the main road from a side street or parking lot since they are blocking your view. But that made me wonder about when there is cross hatching on the road specifically indicating to keep the intersection clear, and the backed up traffic is obeying those instructions. Will you turn left in such a situation? Or is that still unsafe? I have a hard time drawing the line between safe driving and just being a timid driver sometimes.
posted by theshire at 10:11 AM PST - 5 comments

A little while ago I showed my boyfriend, who has sometimes infuriating views about women, this College Humor video about women's hymens. After watching this, he said that the video was sexist towards men. Why am I so angry, and is that a fair assessment? And how to defend feminist positions more cogently than I presently do? [more inside]
posted by starcrust at 10:04 AM PST - 54 comments

So, as posted last week, I'm taking a big trip through the southwest. I'll have a car (Jeep grand cherokee) I can sleep in, a tent, a propane cookstove of some sort (plus pots and such), a good ice chest, some money, and clothes. What do I need to know to successfully survive this trip? [more inside]
posted by Jacen at 8:10 AM PST - 35 comments

My wife is a theater major who is in an upcoming prestigious national scholarship competition and needs material to mine. [more inside]
posted by jferngler at 7:19 AM PST - 16 comments

Should a low risk Hepatitis B carrier (or anyone with a bloodborne infection) pursue first aid/CPR/AED training? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:00 AM PST - 13 comments

What do you do when people make unsolicited commentary about your appearance? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:00 AM PST - 35 comments

We are working on being a $10million company and need to get away from our creaky, disparate systems for inventory/production/etc. We're obviously not the first company to go through this - is there a company or provider that can help us through this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:00 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm trying to find a bifold wallet with just two interior pockets. The closest I can find with my poor Google-fu is this wallet by Tuffy; it's really close. But I want cards that go in horizontally, not vertically, and I don't want a money clip either. Preferably it would be made from leather and in black. And it should be able to accommodate a fair few cards.
posted by Quilford at 4:56 AM PST - 15 comments

The login screen at Microsoft Online has a picture taken in Santa Monica. I'm trying to find the original, without the Microsoft logos on it. Thanks!
posted by persona au gratin at 2:12 AM PST - 8 comments

I have looked up my own credit scores, but I'd like to hire a professional to help analyze my credit history to make a plan for improving it. I started an LLC and I really need to improve my personal credit score. Can I hire someone to help me do this? I'm in Columbus Ohio if that matters. Thanks!
posted by crawltopslow at 7:41 PM PST - 6 comments

I was dating someone that I really liked and now he just wants to be friends. Help me navigate this. I am probably way overthinking it. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by Amy93 at 6:48 PM PST - 34 comments

I screwed up at work and I'm having a hard time bouncing back. Complication factor: I'm actually leaving this job in a couple weeks. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:57 PM PST - 20 comments

I fucken love Catriona Strang's poetry. Who's like her? Or who else might I like? [more inside]
posted by Joseph Gurl at 5:22 PM PST - 8 comments

Last night at a holiday party I saw a woman wearing a gorgeous A-line sleeveless black dress with a spaced gold floral lace overlay. Help me find it (or something close)! [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 4:42 PM PST - 4 comments

We bought this 70s looking stoneware set and are kind of obsessed with it...can you help me find out more about it? [more inside]
posted by kelseyq at 4:40 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm a guy who's relatively clueless about women's footwear and I'm trying to get some nice warm socks as a Christmas present. Further requirements within. [more inside]
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 3:05 PM PST - 18 comments

I may have the opportunity to take over a non-profit in which the old ED was run out of town for essentially burning all bridges very publicly, alienating important political connections, significantly damaging the reputation of the organization, as well as losing about 50% of donors along the way. All in about 5 years. So two questions... [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 3:01 PM PST - 9 comments

My girlfriend graduated from Pharmacy school earlier this year, after investing a lot of time and effort into her education, hoping it would lead to a decent career. Doesn't seem to be the case. What can we do? [more inside]
posted by Hither at 3:00 PM PST - 15 comments

Before we met, they had a thing. He's offered her a (admittedly amazing) job, but I'm freaking out because she'll report to him. How do I deal? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:47 PM PST - 48 comments

Looking for blogs that focus on clean design, in both/either sense: aesthetically clean lined and clean in terms of low VOCs, easy to keep clean, etc. [more inside]
posted by Michele in California at 2:19 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for challenges, puzzles and "teach yourself" courses that involve maths and logic, probably related to computing. Ideally I'd like a curated source (mailing list or regularly updated website), but perhaps the best we can do is collect them here. Inside I will give examples of what I mean by "challenges, puzzles and courses". [more inside]
posted by andrewcooke at 1:58 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm choosing a drone for a Christmas present and I could use some input. Total budget is $550-600 and that is a pretty hard limit. The intended use would be aerial photography, flying for fun and just poking around looking at things from above. The recipient is a novice and does not already have a GoPro or similar camera. They would be comfortable with minor repairs (props, battery, etc) but not with a complete DIY option. [more inside]
posted by ChrisHartley at 1:38 PM PST - 5 comments

Hi! I'm MMDP! You may remember me from posts such as this one! Well, we took the advice, and waited, and looked ... [more inside]
posted by Martha My Dear Prudence at 1:03 PM PST - 36 comments

Our Northern VA household of three adults recently lost its hot water, due to a failure somewhere in the works of our natural-gas, tank-type water heater. Having wrestled this appliance a few years back to replace (what I thought to be) a faulty thermocouple, I was initially pretty confident, but that confidence has begun to ebb as the battle enters day four. [more inside]
posted by atavistech at 12:58 PM PST - 12 comments

My brother and his wife just had their second child, and as a Christmas gift I'd like to be able to help out with some of the food prep. We have some great "take and bake" options near where we live, does anything like that exist near them? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 11:40 AM PST - 4 comments

I bought this large photo years ago in Northern Worcester County MA and had it framed. [more inside]
posted by andreap at 11:01 AM PST - 5 comments

We're in the market for an elliptical and a treadmill in Atlanta. We like the sturdiness of professional gym equipment we've used in the past (most of our gyms had solid Precor machines). We'd been thinking about buying a used elliptical and treadmill on craigslist, or going to a used gym equipment store. Is this a good idea? Any other brands to recommend we consider? If we do buy used, would it be a good idea to hire a gym-machine servicing person to come with us to check them out? [more inside]
posted by arnicae at 9:14 AM PST - 11 comments

I have an older relative who enjoys gardening, but can no longer work in the yard. I would like to give him a small in-door plant that requires some amount of maintenance and care so that he can still enjoy his hobby. Difficulty level: the plant must be very allergy friendly. Bonus points if I can find this on Amazon. [more inside]
posted by helloimjohnnycash at 8:53 AM PST - 15 comments

We're going skiing at Beaver Creek, and we're probably staying at an airbnb property. We hate schlepping skis, boots, poles, etc., to and from the mountain. Do you have any tips? [more inside]
posted by starkraven at 8:40 AM PST - 2 comments

How can I integrate an elderly cat into a house that already has two cats, when she doesn't like other cats one little bit? [more inside]
posted by dilettante at 8:38 AM PST - 10 comments

My blu ray player and wireless camera almost never work on the WiFi network, but things aren't completely broken because they worked for a day last week. The setup is a Netgear R6250 in Access Point mode connected to a linux server which does NATing and DHCP for my home devices. [more inside]
posted by chndrcks at 8:25 AM PST - 8 comments

I have a DROID Mini that I need to replace. I like the back button on the left and the active display, so I am leaning towards a Motorola phone. I am on Verizon, so that limits my choices. I want a good battery, decent camera, durability and price <$400. I mostly use my phone for email, text, web surfing, photos. I am nervous about buying a used phone since I plan to keep it for 2-3 years. I do not like the huge phones, but that seems to be the only option. I definitely need to be able to use it one-handed. What do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by sulaine at 8:21 AM PST - 10 comments

I read (somewhere?) a quote by someone (an author? poet?) that when a relationship (marriage?) ends, a little language shared by the two is lost. I've googled all sorts of combinations of these words and cannot find it. Did I hallucinate this? Thanks!
posted by Brian Puccio at 8:18 AM PST - 3 comments

My stove went up in an exciting blaze of glory this morning and I have prok chops that must be cooked today. (Meat thermometer clearly says prok so prok it is) [more inside]
posted by Mr. Yuck at 7:16 AM PST - 12 comments

Trying to make a photo book using Photos 1.0.1, and cannot shift pages around the way you're supposed to be able to. Have you run into this? Details below. [more inside]
posted by miles per flower at 7:10 AM PST - 2 comments

Are there any interest bearing checking accounts one can open while in the USA on a visa for work and studying? Apparently Bank of America will allow it but I'm not a fan of their business practices. I'm trying to help a friend get an account. She has a Social Security number.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:06 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm trying to remember a poem I read in my British Authors class, which, I believe, was written in the first person (maybe even epistolary). It was about a White British hunter somewhere in Colonial East Africa (I believe it was in Kenya?), and I think he was hunting lions, but also metaphorically it was about love... [more inside]
posted by ChuraChura at 4:42 AM PST - 6 comments

Pretty self-explanatory. When home cleaning, what are some some of the things that could stand to be cleaned that might not be common knowledge or things that people might generally forget? Examples: cleaning the shower rod, dust on top of the fridge, dirt or fingerprints on light/power switches, things of that nature
posted by atinna at 3:42 AM PST - 34 comments

My brother overdosed on Tuesday. I used my 3 days of bereavement and now I'm returning to work in two hours. I can't sleep and I'm sick to my stomach with anxiety. Can I use short term disability to take time off? [more inside]
posted by blackzinfandel at 11:43 PM PST - 10 comments

We're in this cycle, where the worse he feels, the worse he acts toward me, the worse I feel, the more I need kindness, the less he is able to provide it, the angrier I get, the worse he feels, repeat ad nauseum. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:25 PM PST - 19 comments

Your positive or negative experiences? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:25 PM PST - 2 comments

My parents, senior citizens, have become convinced, after reading a study by the prestigious-seeming Cochrane Institute, and the campaigns of its leader Dr. Peter Gotzsche, that mammography causes more harm than good and should be avoided, not just for screening but for diagnosing any potential lump. It has them afraid of radiation, and convinced there is a growing realization that mammography is too dangerous. Is it right to draw this conclusion from this study, and what does it all mean?
posted by anonymous at 11:25 PM PST - 7 comments

I moved to Akron, OH, at about first grade in 1970. There was a stabbing double murder of girls at nearly my age of 8 at or shortly after the time, perhaps 1971. I remember it affecting me deeply, but I'd like to find more information about the crime, especially the convicted criminal who did it. [more inside]
posted by OneOliveShort at 9:48 PM PST - 6 comments

I have no idea how to even put one foot in front of the other. [more inside]
posted by The Noble Goofy Elk at 9:00 PM PST - 13 comments

When I was ten or so, I remember catching a TMNT-style animated show with a 50s theme. What was it? [more inside]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:39 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking for the website of an illustrator I ran across a few years ago. She is in her twenties or early thirties (I think), and draws mostly fairy tales or fantastic/surreal pieces that have vaguely sinister feel. [more inside]
posted by ananci at 8:18 PM PST - 8 comments

She is very active, quite attractive, a "health nut," in her late 70's, and, while only a widow of a few months, is lonely and would like to meet some new men friends with whom to go to dinner, the theater, opera, etc. [more inside]
posted by Tullyogallaghan at 7:48 PM PST - 2 comments

Hi all! For Christmas dinner this year, I am following through on a long-held dream to cook a Beef Wellington. Have you ever done this (successfully?) I'd love your guidance! [more inside]
posted by Miko at 5:54 PM PST - 21 comments

I bought this phone from Newegg ("Sold and Shipped by Newegg", so not a third-party seller). While I can't see anything fishy with the handset itself, the manual, box, and phone case have no Nokia or Microsoft markings, and are all clearly non-OEM. [more inside]
posted by splitpeasoup at 5:35 PM PST - 7 comments

My partner and I are divorcing after eight years, with the initial paperwork to be filed before the end of the year. However, we are still sharing a house (but not bedrooms). I am looking for a place to live, but realistically it will be mid-January, at the earliest, before I can move. We both have acknowledged this and have both expressed okay-ness with sharing the house in the interim. My question is about dating and ethics (I guess?). [more inside]
posted by mudpuppie at 5:35 PM PST - 36 comments

The blocks are pushed up every so often. The blocks are all non-descriptively gray, except some of the ones on top are colorful and have numbers. At the top, it shows what the next block dropped will be, and you can click on the column to drop it on. Then, depending on some unknown (to me) rules, the blocks will disappear, sometimes multiple groups of blocks will disappear in a chain reaction. Sometimes this will cause some previously gray and unnumbered blocks to now be colorful and numbered. [more inside]
posted by ethidda at 3:33 PM PST - 5 comments

Point me in the direction of some delicious, filling, vegetarian crock pot meals and/or breakfasts for our overly-busy family. [more inside]
posted by lab.beetle at 3:30 PM PST - 20 comments

A relative of mine is about to crash after a month-long manic episode. Our family has realized that a long-term care plan needs to manifest ASAP so our lives don't get torn apart every time said relative has an episode as bad as this. Can you recommend resources regarding rehab, disability insurance, and retirement (or lack thereof) for Bipolar I individuals in California? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:12 PM PST - 7 comments

A parent of mine was diagnosed with a hereditary cancer when I was a kid. I was forced to go through a lot of not exactly consenting invasive and embarrassing procedures as a consequence. I went on to have surgeries as an adult and all went quite well physically. We've had kids and one of them has recently been genetically tested as also having the gene. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:10 PM PST - 8 comments

MAny people here are capable but think they are not, I have failed at everything and I don't know what to do at this point. Looking for guidance on getting a job, etc. [more inside]
posted by Aranquis at 2:05 PM PST - 49 comments

I'm coming from Android. I have a new iPhone (iOS 9). I know the Apple way is different than the infinite customization of Android. That said, without jailbreaking can I ... [more inside]
posted by zippy at 1:43 PM PST - 6 comments

Sort of had to maul the question title, but it's straightforward enough... I work in a finance job with a substantial end of the year bonus. I'm also planning on quitting the second it is safe to do so... I know that merely getting the number is NOT safe, but once it is in my bank account, am I good to quit? I'm not really sure what to look for! But once the money is in my account, can they do anything?
posted by anonymous at 1:38 PM PST - 7 comments

The past several years I've really found myself drawn to rare groove music. This is fairly obscure soul/funk/r&b from the late 70s and early-mid 80s, much of which has been heavily sampled in hiphop but is less known to the general public. I'm looking for more music similar to some favorites I've found. (links below) [more inside]
posted by basehead at 1:23 PM PST - 12 comments

Non-texters of MeFi, explain yourselves [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 12:24 PM PST - 50 comments

Today, my partner left his new Muji scarf on the table for a couple of minutes. Of course, my cat Güero chose to sit on it. And now the scarf smells like cat anus. [more inside]
posted by clearlydemon at 12:07 PM PST - 7 comments

My health insurance provider wants my social security number. Do I need to give it to them? [more inside]
posted by alana at 11:51 AM PST - 5 comments

Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and the mom-and-pops in a five block radius of my house don't have glacé fruit, and I just moved to Queens and don't know where to go for it. I want cherries (ideally the green and red dyed ones), orange peel, pineapple, but NO CITRON. I don't care how much it costs or if it's fancy or not, but it needs to go in a fruitcake by Monday and I need a couple pounds of each. If they definitely have some and can sell it to me on a weekend or an evening after 7, I'll travel pretty far. Help!
posted by blnkfrnk at 11:49 AM PST - 12 comments

I want to buy a print online of a Klimt painting in the public domain (specifically, this one). Lots of places sell prints of this (and everything else under the sun), but it's impossible to tell whether there will be differences in the quality of the print from the jpeg. Are there any shops that make better prints than others, or things I should look for when choosing a print, or does it not matter?
posted by Tsuga at 11:48 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm gonna try again but it feels mighty daunting.I want to start a new therapy process and don't know what to look for, or how. [more inside]
posted by demonstartivepapadonous at 11:31 AM PST - 7 comments

If I put a few cookies in a bag, bubble wrap the hell out of it, and place it in a USPS small flat-rate box, will they emerge at their destination intact? [more inside]
posted by elisse at 11:13 AM PST - 13 comments

What games (or possibly other things) can you use to accomplish boosting your self-esteem via avatars and virtual experiences? [more inside]
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:06 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm working on creating combinations of colors. I have been able to do a simple "print" of the combinations and piped that to a text file, each entry on its own line. In order to facilitate further work with this, I want to create a CSV to import to spreadsheet. I have tried to use information online to create the CSV, however, I can't quite grok how iterators work and how to generate the CSV. HALP! [more inside]
posted by symbioid at 11:05 AM PST - 9 comments

After 2 years of asking my husband finally got around to trying to move the funds from an old 401k & rolling them over into his current 401k. Unfortunately mistakes were made & instead of simply having the money transferred from one account to another he closed the old account & withdrew all the money. Now it appears we are going to take a tax + 20% penalty hit on the amount. Is there anyway to get the money into his current 401k without losing money? [more inside]
posted by wwax at 10:54 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm going to be in Buenos Aires for one night only, and I need suggestions for where to eat. [more inside]
posted by FavourableChicken at 10:31 AM PST - 7 comments

Which is worse in my diet? I know there are volumes of material on this subject (that's part of the problem) and that managing both of these is important. But which should I pay most attention to? Does fat really not make you fat (as the low-carb people say) or are both horrible? [more inside]
posted by tunewell at 10:12 AM PST - 23 comments

The kids and I were making paper snowflakes. We watched some snowflake videos. I showed them folding steps to make classic six-pointed or twelve-pointed paper snowflakes. They in turn rediscovered four and eight-pointed paper snowflakes. They asked, "Are there any real snowflakes that don't have six points?" [more inside]
posted by gregoreo at 9:45 AM PST - 8 comments

MeFites, how do YOU maintain your mountain bikes? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 9:23 AM PST - 10 comments

We have a 10 month old pit mix, that is the sweetest best dog I've ever had. Last Thursday she had diarrhea, was straining, and having a bloody mucousy discharge. We took her to the emergency vet, they did a fecal (no parasites) and said it was likely just a bacterial colitis, and the bloody discharge was a result of her colon being so inflamed and irritated. [more inside]
posted by Quincy at 8:30 AM PST - 12 comments

Sparked by this question, I started thinking again about a sort of group of personal theories I have about some artist, works, etc. that are not generally talked about as funny, but I believe are best thought of, if not originally intended as, very dry or dark comedy. I'm curious about two things: Is there anyone else who has written or talked about these kinds of, or these specific works in this way? What other writers, artists, or specific works fit this idea? [more inside]
posted by cmoj at 8:22 AM PST - 22 comments

It's been a long year for Draccy. I've separated, started divorce proceedings, had a huge mental health scare and am currently battling loneliness, shame and desolation. My hand aches where my wedding band used to be. I used to fidget with it. I miss it. So here's the scoop. [more inside]
posted by Draccy at 8:18 AM PST - 22 comments

Looking for matching pajamas for my 6 year old daughter and 4 year old son. Between the gender difference and the age difference, I'm having trouble finding anything affordable. Anyone have any ideas? [more inside]
posted by mandlebrotz at 7:48 AM PST - 23 comments

I make inconsistent demands of my wife regarding details about cleaning and whatnot. It drives her nuts but she mostly puts up with it until she is tired of dealing with it, and we argue. It breaks my heart that I'm putting her through this but I also feel angry that she doesn't try to negotiate with me somehow. Not sure if what I'm asking for is fair or not but I'd like to resolve this so we can both feel satisfied and happy. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:31 AM PST - 56 comments

I am in a significant amount of debt. I also have a very cluttered home. How do I deal with the latter, given that the former makes me cautious about throwing things out? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:30 AM PST - 14 comments

Looking for a short story about a young girl with nuclear launch codes implanted in her chest who accompanies POTUS; the president will have to kill her and remove them if he wants to launch. [more inside]
posted by rmd1023 at 6:59 AM PST - 5 comments

I would love to build this much linked to lego Sisyphus Kinetic Sculpture. That page includes instructions and a parts list. Great! But: it uses 475 pieces. Is there any way to buy these parts as a set or some other efficient way that doesn't involve trying to track down each piece individually?
posted by gwint at 6:43 AM PST - 12 comments

I am 47 years old, and have been non-employed for several years now. I've spent some of this time involved as a concerned citizen in local land-use politics conflict. Several activists I worked with have praised my 'research' skills and writing ability. I've discovered that urbanism is a complex, fascinating and important cause, and a fertile vantage from which to look at the world. If I were to produce -- as an independent scholar -- work that was published in a peer-review journal on urbanist topics, could this result in making me more employable? [more inside]
posted by bertran at 10:28 PM PST - 14 comments

I do data entry. Lots of data entry. I use the tab key to move between fields. I do a lot of moving between fields. I am very fast, and may have a tendency to hit keys harder than I think I'm hitting them. I'm seeking advice, hacks and hardware to ease the aching in my hands generally, and my tab finger specifically. [more inside]
posted by MuChao at 10:00 PM PST - 12 comments

I just received a job offer for a very part-time position--only 16 hours a week--at an amazing organization. I need full-time, but **maybe** can cobble together full-time equivalent if I can find another part-time job. But accepting the job offer presents a conflict of interest with the really great full-time job I've applied for. [more inside]
posted by primate moon at 8:58 PM PST - 7 comments

I twitch or kick in my sleep, which wakes my wife. I continue snoozing peacefully; she can't get back to sleep. How can we improve things? [more inside]
posted by lukez at 6:29 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm four months pregnant, and trying to figure out what sort of boundaries I want to set with my father (who I think is an okay guy, but we aren't close), my stepmother (who I actively dislike and think is a bitter person), and how explicit I need to be about those boundaries - with myself, my husband (who is awesome!), and the two of them. I need help sorting out what I want and how to best communicate that, especially with a kid in the mix in the near future. Sorry for the enormous pile of snowflakes within! [more inside]
posted by Jaclyn at 5:45 PM PST - 24 comments

If I'm not at work, running an errand, or fulfilling a social commitment, I'm at home. And at home I'm not engaging in any interesting solitary hobbies. My spare time is spent mostly surfing the Web and watching Netflix. I feel very uncomfortable when asked what I do during my free time, such as when I'm asked on Monday what I did over the weekend and when I'm meeting someone new. What are some ways that I can answer this question without sounding defensive, evasive, or shameful?
posted by ionnin at 5:35 PM PST - 41 comments

This hawk was hanging out in my back yard, any idea what kind it is? Thinking it's a red shouldered hawk. He was in CA, bay area. Thanks!
posted by zeoslap at 5:17 PM PST - 13 comments

i have painted cement floors that i can't keep clean. [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 5:04 PM PST - 10 comments

My spouse's company is having their holiday party at a kind of fancy bowling alley. What on earth do I wear? [more inside]
posted by linettasky at 4:54 PM PST - 7 comments

I have a fair amount of trouble getting work done (at work and at home), especially consistently. I think having a routine would help, but I’m not sure how to create, get into, and stay in a routine. I’ve never managed to do that for more than a week before, even for very small routines. [more inside]
posted by triscuit at 4:16 PM PST - 11 comments

I've been using my headphones more lately (an old pair of AKG K-44), and the cups are not quite large enough for my ears. I'd like to buy a nice pair that's comfortable for larger ears and won't pinch/press. These are used for listening to music and playing games on my laptop, but I'm not much of an audiophile so I don't need these to be absolutely "YOU CAN HEAR THE UNIVERSE"-level quality (although I'm curious as to what that might be). Any recommendations for brands or particular models I should try?
posted by curious nu at 4:14 PM PST - 12 comments

Reading a collection of Kafka's short stories cold. Don't see the appeal. What could help me appreciate Kafka? [more inside]
posted by angrycat at 4:06 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm thinking both of naming conventions within the U.S. Department of the Interior as well as counties, cities, towns, and streets. Also, how are counties created (and named) as populations grow? Finally, what circumstances would dictate name changes? Thanks.
posted by holdenjordahl at 4:05 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm having a hard time aligning with my co-worker. I think we're incompatible. There's also been the feel of a toxic work environment. More under the fold. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 3:21 PM PST - 17 comments

My 75 year old father really enjoys looking across his fields at the wildlife with a pair of binoculars. He has one "good" eye and I have actually seen him get out a rifle with a scope on it to get a better look at what he sees across the field with the scope. My question is what would be a good instrument such as a telescope or something else to get him with his limitations with having one good eye? I did get him some Celestron SkyMaster 20x80 Binoculars for night time star gazing which he seems to enjoy. Any suggestions are welcome.
posted by just asking at 3:20 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for an album/artist. It came out about 5 to 8 years ago and was popular with the NPR-crowd (probably a "first listen"). It was a woman singer and was pretty angsty. I remember one song that had something to do with a woman in a bathtub or in the bathroom; maybe the singer referred to has her wife. Very vague. Too vague for my searching skills.
posted by CMcG at 3:11 PM PST - 7 comments

Tenancy Rights, Vancouver, BC Canada: falsely accused of smoking inside the suite. Recourse/ right to third party "testing?" [more inside]
posted by porpoise at 3:09 PM PST - 8 comments

I was recently promoted to a new position at work. That's good! With it has come a surprisingly overwhelming flood of email that I have just not been able to stay on top of. That's bad. How do I manage an incoming stream of hundreds of (substantive) emails a day, when periodically ignoring it is absolutely not an option? [more inside]
posted by bowtiesarecool at 3:08 PM PST - 8 comments

Kansas City folk: please issue your endorsements (or anti-endorsements) for community supported agriculture (CSA) farms in the Kansas City area. In particular, which farms have shares suitable for smaller households (2 people) and have pickups in convenient-but-interesting spots? [more inside]
posted by janell at 2:55 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm a software engineer who's thinking about transferring to another team at work that does way more interesting stuff, but now my current manager is trying to get me to stick around by making offers of more interesting work on this side. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by Two Stranger at 2:36 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm feeling homesick and I want to get some nature/landscape photos from my hometown. I want to find somewhere I can browse through photos, choose the ones I like and get them on a cd or email. I understand that photography is a job, and I'm willing to pay for it, but I just can't figure out how. [more inside]
posted by mikek at 2:09 PM PST - 8 comments

I have an iPhone 5s. I have the apple podcast app. How do I view podcast episode descriptions? When I am on a podcast's "page" it has a list of episodes each with a snippet of description - "What happens when you combine an ax..." But I can't figure out how to read the rest! Any insight?
posted by pintapicasso at 1:59 PM PST - 7 comments

I would like to find up-to-date information on the SAG-AFTRA interactive media strike. And not just rely on articles appearing after SAG-AFTRA press releases go out. Wait, wait... don't answer this too quickly, please read the full explanation. [more inside]
posted by ErikH2000 at 12:36 PM PST - 3 comments

I just had an email from my doctor that a Pap test was abnormal. I know that the problems are not uncommon (I tested positive for HPV for the first time, and had atypical squamous cells). They told me to schedule a colposcopy. I'm 36, and my mother had uterine cancer when she was fairly young (though unrelated to HPV or cervical cancer). I'm feeling freaked out, though I know rationally I shouldn't yet. Need some tips on how to focus on work and not stress out too much about this...I'm already anxious and having a lot of trouble sleeping for other reasons. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:17 PM PST - 32 comments

What USA cities are not being gentrified? Or is this a nationwide/worldwide thing and thus a nonsensical question? If it is nonsensical, when can we say this idea was rendered such?
posted by josher71 at 11:11 AM PST - 35 comments

I'm compiling a list of "life goals" that are framed in a specific way. Examples of what I'm looking for include:

1. "Shooting your age" (in golf, shooting a score lower than your age)
2. "Kicking your height" (As made "famous" by Karl Pilkington.)
3. Any others? I'd really like to keep them in the format of "Blanking your blank".

Thank you.
posted by jimmereeno at 11:07 AM PST - 26 comments

Does anyone know of a source for the old-style heavy diner plates? (That's diner, not dinner.) I'd prefer matching sets not singles and new/old stock if such a thing still exists. Thanks in advance.
posted by partner at 10:48 AM PST - 15 comments

Do I need to be on Instagram/Snapchat/Facebook to stay relevant? [more inside]
posted by LetticeLeaf at 10:36 AM PST - 32 comments

For work, I've been asked to call a phone hotline and navigate touch-tone menus (entering data) to get data. I'd prefer to automate the process if possible, because data entry sucks. [more inside]
posted by LSK at 9:58 AM PST - 9 comments

Seeking a recommendation for an android music player that will only look in certain folders. My current "Music Player" app looks all over my phone, and as a result it shows me a confusing mix of albums and podcasts. Doggcatcher sees only my podcasts; I want a music player that sees only my music folders.
posted by greptile at 9:41 AM PST - 8 comments

Working on a project, and I'm trying to figure out what drugs may or may not be on a formulary. [more inside]
posted by emkelley at 9:11 AM PST - 8 comments

An older relative with a daily train commute has requested a music player for the holidays - but they don't want anything with extra features, novel menus, or - if it can be helped - a shuffle feature. All they want is the ability to listen to an entire album (from a selection of about 20) with very clear and easy to understand menus and buttons. They were given a Zune for this purpose a few years ago and returned it saying it was confusing and had "too many settings". What should I buy? [more inside]
posted by The Whelk at 8:34 AM PST - 4 comments

I just moved into a new apartment, and an above neighbor yells periodically throughout the day. What is he yelling? [more inside]
posted by robertthebruce at 7:38 AM PST - 31 comments

My partner carries a lot of tension in his back and neck, so he likes to get massages from me. I'm looking for a Christmas gift for him that I can use to give better massages. Nothing too complicated--I'm very much an amateur. I don't want to give him a gift certificate for a professional massage as I've done that already and he hasn't used it yet. [more inside]
posted by tiger tiger at 7:33 AM PST - 12 comments

Pretty simple question. If I like Drambuie, what other kinds of liqueur/fortified wine/etc will I enjoy? [more inside]
posted by selfnoise at 7:29 AM PST - 31 comments

I'm trying to find an affordable, healthy couch. I'm looking for a couch without flame retardants like PBDE and without polyurethane foam. But everything I find is WAY out of my price range. [more inside]
posted by slidell at 6:41 AM PST - 9 comments

I sent an email to someone with questions about a job listing they posted. Their reply said that the position is still open, but they are on the road and would write back next week. I replied "Great – talk to you then!" It is now six days later. I want to say, hey, are you back yet? but without sounding badgering or unprofessional. What's a good way to say this? This person and business is not formal, so formality is not necessary, just politeness and professional-style respect.
posted by ignignokt at 6:38 AM PST - 21 comments

Is this a woodcut or an etching or what? [more inside]
posted by crazylegs at 5:21 AM PST - 7 comments

A company that I am interviewing with has decided that they need management types on second shift (2 pm- 10 pm). I haven't done shift work in a long time and I'm feeling a bit weird about it. The work is Sunday-Thursday. Can you tell me some advantages and disadvantages?
posted by kamikazegopher at 4:28 AM PST - 23 comments