March 2014 Archives
March 31
Looking for exercise legging suggestions
I feel self-conscious in tight legging pants but I think they are my best bet for comfort while working out and hiking. Can you help me find a pair I'll like? [more inside]
How to be a kickass nonprofit executive director
JobbyJobFilter: Of the highly effective, strategic and thoughtful nonprofit Executive Directors you know, what in particular did they do that made you think they were so good? [more inside]
How do I prepare myself to resolve this toxic situation with my boss?
My boss and I got along fairly well before I got promoted to a full-time position. She was clear about priorities but fairly hands-off, which I liked, and open to questions (of which I had many, since I'm just starting out). At the time of the promotion, I was given many, many additional responsibilities and started to run into a micromanaging side of her I hadn't seen before. And a weird, contradictory expectation. If I asked her things, she started to tell me to figure them out myself. She wanted me to take initiative. Great, I thought. I'm fine with that. Except that when I started taking initiative, she was then critical if I didn't do things in exactly the way she would have done them.... [more inside]
To comment or not to comment on my performance warning
This afternoon, I received a call from my supervisor and the HR director informing me of a written warning regarding my performance. I must sign and return it by the close of business tomorrow. [more inside]
Need Excellent Host Gift for Party/Mini-Film Fest
A couple we really like is hosting a mini film festival at their place celebrating the films of Paul Bartel. I always like to bring a host/hostess gift and I'd like to bring something thematically appropriate, but I mostly only know Bartel from his acting. These are great people I don't see much anymore and I'd like to come correct, ya know? $30-ish budget or less.
Any ideas?
The girls are unhappy.
Apparently I can no longer tolerate wearing a bra. [more inside]
How To Deal With Smug People In Your Life
How can I better deal with people who think they know it all? What I'm doing now is not working. [more inside]
can I eat this, special lame-o edition
Made white bean and kale soup (vegetarian broth) with small chunk of parmesan cheese rind. Left out on stove overnight and didn't see it before running to work this morning (as I said, special lame-o edition). Now need dinner. Should I risk the soup?
posted by chicainthecity at 7:20 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by chicainthecity at 7:20 PM PST - 19 comments
Keep the Pollen off My Porch, Please
I have, on the second floor of my home in Texas, a screened-in porch with chairs, a massage table, and a sauna. Every few months, everything is coated in a fine yellow mist, and (ignoring what havoc it wrecks with my sinuses) the whole place is a two-hour pain to clean.
Hive Mind: Suggestions for keeping the pollen out? Alternatively, suggestions for cleaning that are more effective (I always end up with some on the roof of the sauna, some in the structural whatsits in the roof, all over the floor, chairs, table, etc) than going through with a 36 pack of bar rags and crazily-diluted bleach?
Catastrophic Health Insurance for Californians?
Given my ADHD, there is nothing more fun than filling out any kind of form. I have gone through the Covered California website and at the point where I am supposed to choose a health plan. Only I can't. I can't find any catastrophic health insurance plans on Covered California or on eHealth.com. [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 6:36 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by Bella Donna at 6:36 PM PST - 13 comments
Pharrell's Hat
What kind of hat is Pharrell wearing at 14s in the Happy video?
Quid legam?
Please recommend some Classical Latin prose works that are fun to read. [more inside]
Is there a way to hide a specific emoticon in a web forum?
I read a forum that uses emoticons a lot, and there is a specific one I'd like to hide. I don't mind the rest, so a solution that excludes/disables that single file would be preferred. However if there are only ways to hide them all, I'm open to that, too. I'd prefer solutions compatible with Chrome and OSX 10.9.2, but I use other browsers and operating systems as well, so all suggestions are helpful. [more inside]
What's a word that describes synonyms and antonyms together?
Asking for a friend. Said friend is:
A) Tired of writing "synonyms and antonyms" over and over
B) Trying to shorten the paper she's writing that contains this phrase. [more inside]
I can't believe I'm wasting an Ask on a computer problem
Why am I getting an error for certain secure sites, only from my home router? [more inside]
posted by masquesoporfavor at 4:35 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by masquesoporfavor at 4:35 PM PST - 10 comments
Salaried Employee, question about working after hours.
Im in IT, paid a salary for 40 Hours a week. On a on-call rotation. Anyways my questions is this. I am occasionally asked to do a server room clean up. These are usually done around 7PM and last until any where from 3AM to 7AM in the morning. This is also asked of us if after we have worked a 8 hour day. Sorry beating around the bush, but I want to give details. I have chronic insomnia and take something every night to help me sleep. Have done so for many years. Can I get a doctors note that says I cant work these night shifts cause it messes my schedule up just to bad? If I do get a doctors note for this, can my employer fire me? If fired do I have recourse or unemployment? Thanks in advance. FYI..In Texas.
Is a second dog such a big deal?
My wife and I have a dog. She wants to adopt another one, I'm being very resistant. Are my reasons completely ridiculous? Are two dogs really better than one? [more inside]
New sources of music for a male/female vocal duet
My singing partner and I like adventurous music with tricky harmonies. She sings soprano and plays mandolin, I sing alto and play guitar/banjo. We can harmonize by ear, create harmonies as needed, play with arrangements. We like traditional musics, though not exclusively. What music can you suggest for us to try? (Some examples below the fold.) [more inside]
posted by argybarg at 4:13 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by argybarg at 4:13 PM PST - 14 comments
seeking books that defend our current U.S. educational system
Public librarian here... my lack of knowledge on educational theory is making me think that I should crowdsource this question for a meticulous patron. He's been reading books about educational philosophy that critique our current system and provide alternative educational strategies, such as titles by John Caldwell Holt or Paolo Freire, and he's looking for what he phrased as "the best book" to read in defense of the way our current system is structured (utilizing standardized tests, etc.). He's looking for something that's pretty authoritative but also accessible for a layperson. Most of what I'm finding in our library critiques the current system. Any ideas?
posted by agathafrye at 4:10 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by agathafrye at 4:10 PM PST - 9 comments
Coping strategies for dealing with the public, please!
Do you have a job where you deal with the public? If so, how do you deal? [more inside]
Why are sedating products instead giving me insomnia?
After repeated use, some sedating products are suddenly having the reverse effect on me. [more inside]
Switching MA programs
I'm finishing my second semester of a MA program, and am realizing that I am not happy in this program and (most importantly) it isn't fulfilling my academic and professional needs. I have identified another MA program which I know would be a good fit for me, and am considering switching. Assuming money is no object here, would I be crazy to make the switch? [more inside]
posted by schroedingersgirl at 3:59 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by schroedingersgirl at 3:59 PM PST - 7 comments
Best packaged gnocchi
What's your favorite brand of packaged gnocchi? Looking for something tasty without a lot of preservatives or weird ingredients. I live in Seattle so I have access to Fred Meyer/Kroger, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, etc. Thanks!
posted by skycrashesdown at 3:15 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by skycrashesdown at 3:15 PM PST - 11 comments
Intern needs safe apartment in Herndon, VA
Where can an intern rent a safe and decent apartment for 3 months over the Summer? She will be working in Herndon, VA. She needs to keep it under $1000 per month. Everything in that area looks like it rents for well over $1000 per month. My head is spinning!
Best way to deposit Australian check in USA
I have a check in Australian dollars that I need to deposit here in NYC. Citibank says it will take 4 to 6 weeks to process and they also have a $30 fee. Is there a better option?
posted by bhnyc at 2:30 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by bhnyc at 2:30 PM PST - 6 comments
Rent or sell my condo at a loss?
Should I sell my condo at a loss to make a fresh start on a new place with my partner? (I am using a sockpuppet, because this question contains personal financial info that I don’t want linked to my primary --and identifiable -- account and I may need to answer follow-up questions.) [more inside]
Again with the OKCupid nonsense
I'm back on OKCupid after some time spent getting my head on straight (well, bi I guess). I'd like some third party advice on my profile. Friends are ok, but they're too nice to be really helpful. [more inside]
posted by showbiz_liz at 1:54 PM PST - 54 comments
posted by showbiz_liz at 1:54 PM PST - 54 comments
Are there any media archives in the UK open to the general public?
I think it would be really cool if I could get access to any recordings of TV programmes or copies of magazines from the last decade or so. [more inside]
I want the mayor to send my group a letter congratulating us
I have been tasked by a chorus I'm a member of to get our mayor, U.S. Senator, and others to write us a letter to be published in our program book celebrating our Tenth Anniversary. I have no idea what to do next... [more inside]
posted by Prayless at 1:41 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Prayless at 1:41 PM PST - 8 comments
I want to sing!
I'm desperately shy about my singing. I really want to be able to sing in front of other people. When I'm alone, I have a versatile, powerful, emotive voice. In front of humans, or even when I hit the record button, my voice breaks up, drops to a whisper and becomes atonal. I hate this. Even singing happy birthday with other people makes me crazy. I love to sing, and I'm envious of people who can do it so comfortable in front of others. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Must we acknowledge emails?
Am I out of bounds here or is it an accepted email etiquette norm now that acknowledging an email is optional? [more inside]
Carseat-free Travel in Europe?
In about a month my wife, one-year-old, and I are moving to Italy. We plan to be there a year. As we finish up our plans for the move, we keep wondering if we really need a carseat… [more inside]
posted by jacob at 1:33 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by jacob at 1:33 PM PST - 11 comments
Adobe Air Removal
Using Revo Uninstaller, I have tried to uninstall Adobe Air from My Think Pad E545 running Windows 7 pro. Unfortunately, it left behind its ugly icon on the taskbar that I can’t seem to eliminate. The control panel section for modifying the taskbar doesn’t even list it for hiding or modification. Any ideas how to kill this unwanted intrusion would be appreciated. Thanks.
Help locate the painting in the background of an image.
Here is the image. It's 100% safe for work, as it's a cute dog. We're trying to find out a little more about the painting in the background. A reddit thread had a comment from the purported OP saying "The title is Eve. Bought at an art show in Bellingham, WA. Can't remember the artist's name, and can't decipher from the signature, sorry"
Does it look familiar to anyone at all? The colors would be great in the living room.
Could my necklace have been taken by customs
I recently made an online purchase for a necklace made with a bird skull, shipped from the UK to the U.S. Seller said it shipped on March 17, and general guidelines seem to be 5-7 days for items to arrive here from the UK (which has been my experience with other mailed items in the past). However the package hasn't arrived yet and I'm wondering if it was delayed by customs. [more inside]
What to do near Puyallup WA today/tomorrow?
I've got about 24 hours to kill, starting now, in or around Puyallup, WA. I have no desire to drive into Seattle and would like to minimize time spent driving overall. Interests include delicious food, places to take a long walk with a dog, little museums or local points of interest. What do you suggest?
Nutrition questions for a fitness newbie
So I started working out for real this year as part of my New Year's Resolution. I'm currently doing a version of crossfit, mixed with occasional rock climbing, and I'm seeing good results (Stats below). The problem is that most dieting and training advice I can find for guys is geared towards those who are starting out skinny. I started out overweight and out of shape. I'm currently at what would be a good weight if my BF was lower. What are some good diet resources for someone in my situation? (I like my training regimen and I'm not looking for a new one) [more inside]
Sumac spelled backwards is Camus, and it's the plague
I need a sure fire method for getting rid of an acre of sumac plants once and for all. [more inside]
What can be done for situational depression that won't go away?
How do I get Google off of my Twitter account's trail?
At some point in the past 9 months Google results for my full name started including my mostly pseudonymous Twitter account as a top result. I discovered this a couple months ago and fixed the two things that might have caused Google to make the connection [details inside], but so far it's had no effect. Is changing the Twitter account's ID the only/best way to release it from Google's clutches? [more inside]
Ecommerce solution for one-time payments to a website?
I'm one of the owners of a site with job postings, and we need an easy payment solution to let users pay us to post. [more inside]
posted by unreason at 10:53 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by unreason at 10:53 AM PST - 3 comments
How to form Wheat Gluten in to a more appitizing shape?
I've started eating vegetarian, but I've really been missing meat. Recently I ate mock duck at a chinese resturant and it was delicious. I looked up it's ingredients and found out it is made of wheat gluten. I looked up how to make wheat gluten at home and came across this article. I tried using this to make wheat gluten, but the end result looks unappitizing. Without being too crude, it looks like excriment. I attempted a couple of times to shape the gluten to be more like that of a strip of chicken or similar meat, but the shape would't hold and no matter how I shaped it the gluten ended up lumpy and slightly tubular.
I assume there must be a way to form wheat gluten I make into a more appealing shape. How do I go about doing this?
posted by ArthurBarnhouse at 10:26 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by ArthurBarnhouse at 10:26 AM PST - 17 comments
Online Printing Service for Personal Documents
I have some important (personal) documents that need to be printed (Tax Return, Auto Insurance Cards), and I would rather not drive all the way to Kinkos. Are there any online services that will print relatively small documents (1-8 pages) and mail them to me? [more inside]
posted by AfterAlbuquerque at 10:10 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by AfterAlbuquerque at 10:10 AM PST - 9 comments
Do we have a treasure tree?
What are these little seeds or pits that I found in the yard today? We moved here in the wintertime, so we have yet to see what treasures our yard has waiting for us! [more inside]
Live from New York, It's one person talking!
Apropos of Louis C.K.'s low key no-frills "just a standup set" Saturday Night Live monologue, I'm curious. Are there other examples of SNL opening monologues that deviate from the expected pattern? [more inside]
Galaxy vs iPhone
Help me decide between a Samsung Galaxy S4 and an iPhone 4S. [more inside]
Investments for babies
Thanks to well-meaning family, I have owned a number of stocks and other assets since my birth. The net worth of these assets is very modest, but if I sold them it would offset some ongoing financial stressors. Yet it seems prudent to keep them for a while longer. But why? What if everything crashes next week? What if [the specific stocks I own] crash next week? How do people predict this and stay on top of their assets without spending an inordinate amount of time on them? [more inside]
Neighborhoods near Cambridge?
I am considering moving for a job in Cambridge MA. I know nothing about the neighborhoods, and need help. [more inside]
I'm about to miss a deadline. What is the best way to handle this?
I've taken on a freelance project which was due today. It isn't finished. What next? [more inside]
Advice for hotel/resort booking with AmEx rewards?
I have a zillion AmEx rewards points on a card I use for work, and my wife and I would like to use them to stay in a resort/hotel in Hawaii this summer (Kona/Waikoloa area), also booking a (possibly adjoining, but that's not a big deal) room for my mother to join us. I've never done that before (the points part - I totally know how to go on vacation), and I'm looking for advice on getting it right. [more inside]
Can't I just rent forever?
I rent a flat with my SO in London. We've finally saved enough to be in a position to buy a home but the insanity of the market is making me hesitate. What to do? [more inside]
Why couldn't I get decent seats at Wolf Trap?
Mme Naberius and I have long wanted to see a broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion (I drive a Volvo too!) and since we now live near Wolf Trap Farm, where they traditionally do a show each year, we decided now was the time. We know it's a popular show and figured tickets would go fast. But, despite checking to see when tickets would go on sale, and jumping in literally the moment they became available, we could still only get seats way the hell back in the back of the Filene Center, practically out on the lawn. What gives? [more inside]
posted by Naberius at 7:03 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by Naberius at 7:03 AM PST - 12 comments
Help inprove my RPG tactics
Nethack, Baulders Gate, Never Winter Nights, Arcanum: I play hack/slash style (fighter, buff out the strength, biggest sword, best armor, run in and bash enemies). Help me to play other classes. [more inside]
How to prevent party guests from losing track of which glass is theirs?
I have parties at my home frequently (dinner parties and otherwise). Depending on what we are drinking, our glasses are either regular drinking glasses (tumblers) or wine glasses. The problem is that people easily lose track of which glass is theirs, especially if they move around. What's a nice elegant way to prevent this problem? [more inside]
posted by ElEmigrante at 6:14 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by ElEmigrante at 6:14 AM PST - 26 comments
Job offer and no contract yet...not sure what to do
I received a job offer after a very formal panel interview in a large company. I haven't heard anything since. [more inside]
How unusual is the recent pattern of earthquakes in California?
Within the last month there's been a 6.9 off the Northern California coast which I did not feel, a 4.4 near Westwood which I felt, a 5.1 near La Habra which I felt, and a swarm of aftershocks (?) of the La Habra earthquake which I haven't felt. That seems like an unusually large number of earthquakes to me. Has anyone crunched the numbers to find out if the earth has been shaking in California more than usual?
posted by rdr at 4:02 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by rdr at 4:02 AM PST - 7 comments
March 30
Tagine vs slow cooker
I have one of these that I use for tagine recipes (with a diffuser on my gas range, usually for around 2 hours). I've been looking at slow cooker recipes, and notice that the ingredients are very similar. What I assume is different is that a slow cooker cooks for longer with lower heat. What is the essential difference between tagine and slow-cooker cooking, and how can I adapt slow cooker recipes for cooking in my pot?
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 11:54 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 11:54 PM PST - 7 comments
Should I have a roommate if I'm bad at having one?
Should I have a roommate if most of my experiences with roommates have been bad? / How can I be better at living with others? [more inside]
Is it a bad idea to buy two houses at the same time?
My fiancé and I have been planning to buy a home this year. This will be the first home purchase for both of us. We currently live two hours apart, and I'm trying to move closer to him, which is where the house will be. However, there's a chance I'll be stuck where I am for another year due to job-hunting difficulties. I recently learned that the condo across the hall from me (where I rent at my current location) is up for a sale. I think it would make a great investment as a rental property down the line. Is it crazy to buy this condo as well as a house with my fiancé in the same year? [more inside]
How to study in Canada with an arrest on your record?
My partner and I are moving to Canada to get our PhDs and so we have to apply for study permits (we're US citizens). The application asks if you've been arrested, and my partner has been once. How do we explain the arrest on the application, how do we ensure his study permit isn't denied because of this? Is there anything special we should include? [more inside]
posted by jardinier at 10:44 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by jardinier at 10:44 PM PST - 9 comments
Cant. Seem. To. Move. On.
I'm 30 and female. A year and a half ago I broke up with this guy who I had been with for just as long. I didn't want to break up with him, because I loved him dearly, but I had to because he was treating me so poorly near the end. Ever since we broke up, I've been a semi wreck when it comes to anything romantic. I had an ill-advised rebound with a secret alcoholic followed by a guy who took me for a three month long ride. Meanwhile my ex got back in touch from afar (he lived in another state) this summer and started calling me every night, telling me he loved me and was open to us being together again when I moved to where he lived. But when I actually did move to NY (where he lives) not for him but to start my career in earnest, he abruptly changed his tune. Suddenly he didn't even want to be my friend and couldn't stay in touch. We last spoke a month and a half ago (we've been in very sporadic contact since I moved) and I haven't heard from him since. [more inside]
Where do I buy topo maps in SLC or Moab on a weekend?
Is there a store in Salt Lake City that sells Utahn USGS 7.5 minute topo maps that's open on Saturday? Or, alternatively, a place in Moab that's open on Sunday? For instance, does REI sell topo maps? We're visiting Utah from Vancouver Canada and we don't have enough time to have maps shipped from the USGS, but unfortunately the way things are timed we're going to be passing through SLC and Moab on the weekend. We'll need the maps by Monday morning, otherwise we'd hang around. Any help would be appreciated.
Help planning route from Boston to Vegas
I'm leaving at 10am tomorrow from Waltham, MA and driving to Las Vegas. Stressing over the weather. I plan on taking it slow...driving maybe 8-9 hours a day and not at all after dark. I've never driven in bad weather so I'm really nervous. If I take Northern route I'll be in snow in Denver and if I take Southern route there are severe thunderstorms (and poss tornadoes?) in OK and TX by Wed. and Thurs. I'm driving alone and this is my first road trip. BTW I have a Nissan Rogue that will be packed full. Looking for advice planning route home...details appreciated! Thanks!
posted by camfys at 8:49 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by camfys at 8:49 PM PST - 6 comments
Alarming discoveries...
Thinking about going down the route of cancelling my home (security and fire) alarm service, and doing ... something homebrewed or similar. Questions abound. Have you done this, or something similar, or do you have useful advice for me? Specific questions and thoughts lie within. [more inside]
Maybe we're kind of lower-middle-class now?
Is 30% of gross income a good guideline for semi-recent-graduates paying rent in Chicago? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 7:37 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by stoneandstar at 7:37 PM PST - 26 comments
Lower Maintenance Highlights
I currently have full blonde highlights, but I've had it with the cost and upkeep. I'm looking for a lower maintenance option. [more inside]
Athletic performance enhancement through ...science?
What are some peer reviewed, field tested (and legal) methods of improving performance in the gym and on the field, that do not involve transfusing blood or hiring Lance Armstrong's support team? [more inside]
posted by rippersid at 7:19 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by rippersid at 7:19 PM PST - 13 comments
Does anyone remember this discount store in NYC?
Apropos of absolutely nothing, I was recently struck with a childhood memory of visiting a store, several times, in NYC called "The Pushcart". I'd like to see if I can find more about it, but that's proving... hard. Help? [more inside]
posted by hanov3r at 7:19 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by hanov3r at 7:19 PM PST - 5 comments
What is the name of this font?? I must know.
Typographers of mefi, what is the name of this awesome font? You're my only hope. Thanks!
posted by lettuce dance at 6:06 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by lettuce dance at 6:06 PM PST - 10 comments
Can I report a Jehovah's Witness for tresspassing on home property?
Jehovah's witness have targeted our family home based on our ethnicity. They have sent several people to our home who can speak in our ethnic tongue. This morning, when it was raining and I was trying to pack the trunk of my car, a woman with her young son came by and started talking in our cultural language. I was extremely irritated as I had many things to do and was already late. On top that nuisance, and going back to retrieve things from our home to place in the car she stayed in the drive way. Previously, it was a young gentleman of the same looking cultural background who came by; and another occasion it was older women.
I want to find out if there is some protection or action against this as the women seemed to follow me almost to the front door of my house as I was retrieving things as if she would just follow me in. They seem to target our home, and come every several weeks. Is there any advice on what to do? Can I report this?
How does deleading work when you're already in the apartment?
We live in an apartment in Massachusetts and are expecting a baby four months in the future. We think the apartment may not be deleaded. I know that a landlord is legally obligated to delead an apartment that a child will live in, and I assume that covers the case in which a child appears after the lease has started. If that's the case, how does deleading work when tenants are already living in the apartment, and is it logistically feasible for us to go through that process? [more inside]
posted by ignignokt at 5:01 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by ignignokt at 5:01 PM PST - 12 comments
Installing Mavericks without a working OSX computer
How do I create an OS X Mavericks bootable key *from within windows*? [more inside]
posted by Popular Ethics at 4:43 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Popular Ethics at 4:43 PM PST - 6 comments
Eau de Litter Pan
How can we solve our older cat's sudden obsession with urinating all over the house? [more inside]
Apartment-hunting in San Francisco: Impossible?
My partner and I are moving to San Francisco (preferably Inner Sunset) from New York. We need to be settled in by mid-June, and we’d like to sign a lease for June 1st. We've read a lot about the crazy SF housing market right now, but still have a few questions about when we should go out there to apartment hunt, living with a car in SF, and general apartment hunting strategies. [more inside]
baaaaaags
I need to buy myself a bag for carry-on and every-day stuff. What do I want? [more inside]
What does a good career counselor do?
I have felt stuck in my career for a long time. Disregarding my better judgment, I took the advice of someone I trust and decided to see a career counselor. The experience went very poorly in my opinion and served only to reinforce my disbelief in the value of career counselors. But, I'm still feeling stuck, so I want to see what the hivemind's collective experience has been. [more inside]
Wedding outfit? Difficulty level: gender neutral plus sized female
I am actually incapable of dressing up and not feeling like a ridiculous fraud. I have to attend a relative's wedding this summer. I cannot figure out what on earth I can wear. I'm in my late 20s so I'm running out of time in the "I'm young and can only dress semi-appropriately please don't kick me out of your event" department. Snowflakes below the fold. [more inside]
posted by neurotic narwhal at 2:30 PM PST - 42 comments
posted by neurotic narwhal at 2:30 PM PST - 42 comments
Fix existing phone, or buy a new one?
My wife's Android phone is unreliable. Can it be fixed, or should we just buy a new one? [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 2:14 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by alex1965 at 2:14 PM PST - 7 comments
Home-buying filter: How do we determine a fair share of equity?
How do you split equity in a new home between friends when one is contributing cash and the other grants? [more inside]
Real Estate Law: Any Benefits To Us Getting Married Early?
YANL, YANML. I presently am on the deed to a house with a family member. We are joint tenants with full rights of survivorship. My family member holds the mortgage note entirely in his name. Other members of my family are becoming increasingly more aggressive in regards to me moving the mortgage into my name (which may not financially/credit wise be feasible).
My question is that I'm planning to get married later next month. Is there any benefit to me - to protect my interests in the property - to get married sooner? [more inside]
posted by splitinfinitive at 1:25 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by splitinfinitive at 1:25 PM PST - 9 comments
Are there any first-person feature-length POV movies?
Are there any first-person feature-length POV movies? Where you never see the protagonist because the camera sees through their eyes? I'm aware of the music videos that do this. And of course, all the videogames (Like Call of Duty, etc) that do this. But I'm curious if there was ever a feature-length movie that did this for the entire movie. Where you never knew what the "star" looked like unless s/he happened to look in a reflective surface. Thanks!
posted by Sully at 1:13 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by Sully at 1:13 PM PST - 26 comments
Any female performers who share a last name with their husband?
I've noticed that female performers tend to keep the surname they were born with, if they don't come up with a whole new artist name entirely. They hardly ever take their husband's name. Please help me find a decent list of exceptions. I am looking for answers in two categories:
1. Women who started as performers, then changed their last names when they got married.
2. Women who got married and took their husbands' last names, then embarked on successful performance careers.
Bonus points for women from the above cases whose husbands aren't famous themselves.
Important: I am not interested in cases where the actress creates a hyphenation of her maiden name and her husband's name, like Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Jada Pinkett Smith, or Pamela Anderson Lee. Unfortunately those are the only ones I can think of!
posted by oxisos at 1:04 PM PST - 53 comments
posted by oxisos at 1:04 PM PST - 53 comments
Accomodations in Toronto and Stratford
Family members and I are planning a quick trip to Toronto and Stratford in June. We expect to meet in Toronto, travel to Stratford to catch some plays, then return to Toronto for a couple days of sight-seeing. [more inside]
posted by GenjiandProust at 1:02 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by GenjiandProust at 1:02 PM PST - 8 comments
Practically speaking, how will Windows XP end of life affect me?
I run some really old voice recognition software that will not run on newer versions of Windows, and have resisted upgrading all this time because the newer versions don't work as well for my various disabilities. Is there anything I should be doing now to prepare for Windows XP end of life? Unlike previous questions here on the green, I want to continue connecting to the Internet.
Good Examples of Collected Journalism
Can people recommend good examples of the collected works of an individual journalist, collected and published as a book? I want to see how great journalists arrange and contextualize distinct pieces that also contain larger narrative arcs. Thanks.
Help me find more shirts like this
The style of blouse that the woman is wearing in this stock photo looks very flattering on me. I have one blouse like that, but I'd like to buy more. What search terms can I use to find them, or what stores should I check out?
How do we contractor?
We are buying a house -yay! But the house needs renovation work done - eek! While we have previously owned a house, it was 10 years ago, in another state, and never had any major renovations. We are scheduled to close on April 30, so we are trying to figure out what kinds of professionals we need and how to find/hire them. [more inside]
DIY Carousel: Design Schematics
Where might one find a relatively modern build plan for a traditional carousel (a merry-go-round with galloping up-and-down action)?
How do I talk to my girlfriend about occasional crossdressing?
I'm a 30-ish heterosexual cis-male in a long-term relationship with an awesome woman. We've been together for about four years, have lived together for about three of those and I think we're both pretty happy with it. I want to talk to her about the fact that I sometimes like to dress in women's clothing and would like to get your opinions on how to approach that conversation. Snowflakey details inside. [more inside]
Name that children's picture book - a tailor traveled the world.
After reading a recommendation here for the utterly delightful Ms. Rumphius, I started thinking about kids books about travel that I used to enjoy. When I was a kid I loved a picture book about a kingdom where everyone had to wear black all the time because the prince or princess had died and the kingdom was in mourning, and an apprentice tailor traveled the world by boat and learned about clothing in different cultures and eventually came home and made beautiful colorful clothing for everyone in the kingdom and the sadness over the kingdom was lifted. I have searched and searched and can't remember anything more about it. Can anyone remember? It was a lovely book and I would like to share it with my daughter.
Lift me up!
I want to get my full size mattress up off the floor-- what is the best way to accomplish this given my space constraints? [more inside]
Help a lady put here chain saw back together
I have a Poulan 14" electric chain saw that I needed the chain replaced. In doing so I ended up practically taking the whole thing apart. I did find an exploded diagram and got it back together - however, the 2 long bolts that you loosen before you tighten the chain do not seem long enough for the nuts to screw on to. [more inside]
Should my parents pursue this matter of mistreatment by police?
Should my parents pursue this matter of civil rights, social justice, and mistreatment by police? [more inside]
posted by 1270AEH at 8:11 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by 1270AEH at 8:11 AM PST - 26 comments
Possessed mircowave
So my microwave makes a click noise (kinda like a Geiger counter) when plugged in but not running. It sounds evil. [more inside]
Followed Ask Metafilter advice, asked a girl out, now what's going on?
Hi everyone, about a month ago, I asked metafilter whether this girls likes me and whether we were going on a date. I followed everyone's advice and straight up asked her on a date, but now I'm not sure what's going on.
Sorry for the wall of text, but I'd like to give you all the details of what happened. Please be aware that this is from my perspective. [more inside]
posted by Thisispiggy at 7:14 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by Thisispiggy at 7:14 AM PST - 26 comments
I'm burning up, thanks for asking.
In the past few months I've gone from healthy, active 49 year old woman to sweat-dripping, unable-to-sleep menopausal woman.
I need help with hot flashes that are happening up to 20 times daily, each lasting anywhere from one to ten minutes, and the night sweats that are waking me up pretty much hourly with a damp-to-soaking-wet bed. They're uncomfortable, they're gross, I stink to high heaven, and I need help managing them.
What menopause hacks can you share? [more inside]
posted by kinetic at 6:44 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by kinetic at 6:44 AM PST - 15 comments
books with realistic female characters?
I am tired of novels that have an enigmatic woman at the center of the novel. Can you recommend some books to me where all of the female characters actually act like real people? [more inside]
This ball of twine is your life.
I remember reading a short story or folk tale about a man who had a ball of string. Whenever something boring was happening, he could just pull out some of the string and fast forward to the more interesting parts of his life. I read it around 1991, and it may have been Isaac Singer. Does anyone have a source for this tale?
posted by mecran01 at 3:45 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by mecran01 at 3:45 AM PST - 5 comments
Shipping a set of china to internationally
My mother is giving me her china. She and the china are in the US. The destination is Australia. Can you recommend a shipping company that specializes in international shipping of fragile items like this who will come pack it all up for her? If you don't have specific recommendations, are there things to look for/ask about when I talk to shipping companies? Are there other issues I should consider?
posted by olinerd at 3:22 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by olinerd at 3:22 AM PST - 8 comments
Retro educational short about bees made by a Christian college.
On late night tv earlier this month I saw a 50s or 60s educational documentary about bees that was made in affiliation with a christian college in America. And it was hilarious. The first half was sort of straight-forward science about how bees work, and then toward the end it takes this turn about how we should all follow the old testament which would make us happy and productive like bees. And now I can't remember the name of the film company (which was named after the college) which apparently did many such educational shorts in that time (either 50s or 60s I don't remember which). Does this ring any bells with anyone?
Need help defeating wire fraud.
My company and industry is under widespread and sophisticated B2B wire fraud attack. Help me locate the vector or mechanism, please. [more inside]
posted by Hosiery Exegesis Association at 1:21 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Hosiery Exegesis Association at 1:21 AM PST - 15 comments
March 29
everyday carry, but actually interesting?
I like reading about people's everyday carry, but a lot of everyday carry posts seem to be written by office workers excessively concerned with close-quarters combat and losing their Metrocards. (At least, that's how I interpret the people who carry two pistols, no spare magazines, and a hand-tooled full-grain leather wallet from some artisan in Brooklyn.) I'd like to read the everyday carry of interesting people. I want a new parent to inventory his diaper bag. I want a firefighter to strip from full bunker gear and breathing apparatus, ready to make entry, down to his boxers. I want a stage manager to turn out his mysterious pockets. Where do those everyday carry posts get written up? [more inside]
posted by d. z. wang at 11:30 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by d. z. wang at 11:30 PM PST - 22 comments
NYC Weekend Getaway - Consideration for mobility impared husband!
My husband and I have a rare free weekend coming up. We'd love to go away for that weekend. The problem we are finding is that the conventional recommendations don't work for us! Hoping someone can help us find a stress-free getaway. [more inside]
posted by carmenghia at 9:11 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by carmenghia at 9:11 PM PST - 6 comments
Help me decide which martial art to pursue.
I think I'd like to take up some kind of martial art for both self-defense and exercise reasons. There are some quizzes online, but I don't really know how to answer a lot of the questions, given that I have never done this kind of thing before. I'm located in Houston, TX so I imagine I have a lot of options. More details on me and my preferences inside. [more inside]
posted by jorlyfish at 9:00 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by jorlyfish at 9:00 PM PST - 18 comments
Best Online Printable Big Maps of Central Paris
Where can i find the best free printable maps of Central Paris? Something big I can print out multi-page. (I can find plenty of tiny print maps which aren't for me). I'm thinking it would fit on 25 sheets of 8 x 11. I'd fold it and carry it with me. A good map that shows the relative widths of streets. Labels the main sights, shows tube stations. Google Maps doesn't fill the bill.
If you have a really really good memory, I asked this question about London last year :) and
I found Hotelmaps.com. Perfect!
I had a blast using the large map. Planning my trip, I spread it out on my kitchen table and plotted my motley movements. When I got there, i folded it to the right page to bail myself out when i bumbled my bearings. And afterwards I had a keepsake with angsty autographs of the people I met.
So is there a website that has these kind of maps for Paris?
Please melt my face off with some choice licks.
What are the best live guitar videos on youtube I should know about but probably don't? [more inside]
indie rock pop with a male vocalist-shouldn't be that hard
Help me ID this indie-ish song that I heard on the radio this morning. I remember nearly nothing, though. [more inside]
What kind of dog is this?
Are you a dog breed expert? Help me! [more inside]
Von Neumann I am not
I’ve spent my 20s building a BS “identity” as an “analytical type of person". Help me grow up. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
What Did I Smell?
I opened a package of Nabisco Nilla Wafers and they smelled strongly of paint. What caused that? [more inside]
posted by COD at 6:14 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by COD at 6:14 PM PST - 4 comments
Apparently, I'm going to New York
My dad and I are spending two and a half days in New York City. I have essentially never been to New York. What do I want to see? (Specific desires and some background below.) [more inside]
Help me remember the name of this short story.
I read a short story a few years ago that involved a white couple living in post-colonial Africa. I think it might have been Rhodesia, but I'm not positive about that. The couple lived in a once-grand, now decaying estate and had to deal with an act of violence. I remember reading it on my commute to work, so it was likely in a magazine. I've searched the New Yorker archives and can't seem to find it there, but the Atlantic is another possibility. Does this ring any bells?
Scanning transparencies
This seems to be a harder problem to solve than I expected. My venerable Umax Astra 4450 scanner has a transparency cover -- it has a large area which lights up to scan transparencies and such -- but it doesn't have drivers newer than Windows XP. Running XP is less and less of an option these days. So, I'm shopping for a new scanner with a transparency cover...and I'm not having much luck. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by AzraelBrown at 3:30 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by AzraelBrown at 3:30 PM PST - 8 comments
Has the popularity of microwaves resulted in a decrease in home fires?
Microwaves generally shut themselves off and are sealed, unlike stovetop elements or ovens. Has this resulted in an overall increase in home safety?
I need to learn to be a bartender very quickly.
I just got hired as a bartender. Yay! I know nothing about being a bartender. Uh-oh. I need to learn about making drinks as fast as possible. How do I best do that? [more inside]
posted by ratherbethedevil at 3:09 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by ratherbethedevil at 3:09 PM PST - 18 comments
Tell me everything about turning breech babies.
I'm nearly 34 weeks pregnant with my second baby. Baby is currently breech. I need some advice on methods for turning a breech baby based on what seemed most effective for you. [more inside]
posted by meggan at 2:32 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by meggan at 2:32 PM PST - 24 comments
[sh*tstorm filter] I don't know how (or if) I can/should help a friend
I am unsure on how to advise a friend on a complicated interpersonal matter despite making promises on looking into possible solutions. [more inside]
Fussy person seeks labeling solution for tiny physical objects
I carry around a lot of small expensive/annoying-to-replace objects, like my phone, tablet, battery packs, earbuds, eyeglasses and wallet. I'd love your help in figuring out how to label them all neatly, permanently and unobtrusively. Difficulty level: I am absurdly fussy and precise, including about aesthetics. [more inside]
Fitbit snowflake: which one will work for me?
It's that time of year again when the REI dividend is in the air, and I am thinking about a Fitbit (though if a Jawbone is really what I want, persuade me). Criteria that are making this difficult inside. [more inside]
posted by fiercecupcake at 2:08 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by fiercecupcake at 2:08 PM PST - 13 comments
Problems discovered after due diligence but before closing. What now?
First-time home buyer here. We're about two weeks past having had a home inspection and our due diligence period. In moving furniture in the basement, the seller has discovered a water leak, effervescence and mold. See pictures below: [more inside]
posted by rbf1138 at 2:04 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by rbf1138 at 2:04 PM PST - 36 comments
Earthquakefilter: How to "cover" with nothing to cover under?
I am a California transplant. Our decorating sensibilities plus the configuration of our apartment mean that we have nothing to take cover under in an earthquake. We've got one tiny coffee table and that's it. What should we do during an earthquake? In yesterday's, we tried the "hold hands on the couch and say 'holy shit'" method, but it seems there must be something more proactive we can do.
posted by rednikki at 1:09 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by rednikki at 1:09 PM PST - 19 comments
What is this charm on my necklace?
I've worn this necklace every day for nearly 10 years now, but I don't know what it is. [more inside]
1493, but on Spanish California?
Recommendations for a recent popular history of Alta California before the American annexation? [more inside]
posted by crazy with stars at 12:54 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by crazy with stars at 12:54 PM PST - 6 comments
Best timer app for "reps" -- Android
I am doing physical therapy exercises at home and need to time reps -- like 10 seconds to hold a stretch, then relax for 5 seconds, repeat 10 times. Another stretch: hold for 30 seconds, relax for 5 seconds, repeat 10 times. What's the best Android app for this? (by "best" I am including simple. I don't need a complicated app for weightlifters that's going to confuse me with all kinds of other information)
Cheap = Best
How do you negotiate for influence?
It is likely that soon I will be in a possession of a job offer from one of my company's competitors. As sometimes happens, my job search started out of frustration with certain issues in my current workplace rather than a true incompatibility. Ideally, I would love to stay where I am, but in an improved situation; the problem is that that things I want are not concrete things like a promotion or a raise, but rather vague like a greater influence on design and planning, and greater opportunities for leadership roles. How to translate these "wants" into specific, measurable goals? [more inside]
How do I embed a Facebook video into a webpage?
I'm hoping there's a really simple answer to this, but I'm stumped. I can't seem create the right HTML code to embed Facebook video from 2012 into a blog post. [more inside]
Seeking music recommendations!
I tend to love specific songs rather than whole albums. My taste isn't hugely eclectic— I guess I lean towards melodic music, mostly folksy, some classical. I'm partial to hamonies, to the violin, to women's voices, and perhaps to melancholy music! I'm looking for new music and it's been a while since I found anything new I loved. Help me with recommendations—more details inside. I'd be absolutely thrilled with recommendations of specific songs from unexplored genres that I might enjoy. I'd also love any insights on the sort of music I seem to enjoy. [more inside]
How do I get fit while I get sick?
I want to get fit because it would help my health long-term, but exercising more than a gentle walk makes me sick short-term, so I am stuck. I have specific restrictions on what I can do because of stroke risks, and expect to continue to frequently fall ill. I would like new ideas and especially advice from others with chronic illnesses that fluctuate on how they handle exercise. [more inside]
posted by viggorlijah at 4:00 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by viggorlijah at 4:00 AM PST - 22 comments
Help me build a fitness routine/ Vex my current one!
Since the New Years I have been consistently running 2-3 miles a day, six days a week, at about 5-5.5 mph pace on average (I'm short at 5'2" and my strides are small!). I can feel that my body is getting acclimated, so I'd like to throw in strength training and HIIT in there. I'd like to lose 10 pounds of fat. I'd also like to keep my gym time to 30-45 min if possible. Help me build a plan? [more inside]
March 28
Drop the dropbars!
How to replace the hated handlebars on my bicycle? [more inside]
wanted: el erhabi
Recently I watched the comedy "Terrorism and Kebab" (Al-irhab wal kabab) on YouTube and fell in love with Adel Imam's acting.
I desperately want to watch "The Terrorist" (El Irhabi) but I can't find it with English subtitles. Where can I find it? (I'd be happy to buy it).
Also, I'd love to hear recommendations on other Adel Imam movies (or similar comedy films) that are readily available with subtitles.
Thanks!
posted by koakuma at 9:12 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by koakuma at 9:12 PM PST - 1 comment
Favorite political candidate signs/logos?
Trying to get inspired here. What are your favorite political candidate signs/logos that you have remembered or noticed? Can you link me or describe them? Democrat/Libertarian/Republican... color scheme doesn't matter here, just looking for a clean, solid "political" feel.
Best data plan provider for use with Square Up underground?
I want to use wifi for credit card transactions as much as I can. How are 4G, 3G, WiMAX, LTE and cellular connectivity different? [more inside]
What motivates electric companies to repair the power lines?
I don't really understand the utility industry very much but I've noticed some electric companies are very responsive to getting lines up from damage and have crews out at 2 a.m., and others don't even start work until the next day. What motivates them? Is it primarily loss of earnings from all the meters not running? Are there regulatory performance expectations? Or is there some sort of precedent in litigation that would put them at fault for underperforming? [more inside]
Van warranty dilemma
On march 11, about two and a half weeks ago, I bought my dad's van. 2008 town and country. Thursday morning, it wouldn't start. It might be dead. The mechanic is still working on diagnosing the problem, but he's not getting compression on two cylinders. Anyway, the van had a lifetime non-transferable power train warranty, so if had broken on march 10th, Chrysler would have covered it. Is there any way to void the sale and get the warranty back? [more inside]
Looking for good relationship movies
What movies should I watch to learn what healthy intimate relationships look like? [more inside]
Relative Pirate Populations
A friend told me that there are more pirates now then there were during the Golden Age of Piracy. But the population back then was like 600 million people, so that doesn't surprise me. But are there more pirates now than there were then as a percent of the population?
Like running, but interesting.
I'd like to take up trail running, or in my case, probably trail-light jogging. I am not a runner, I have never been a runner, I have always hated running and avoided it. What do I need to know? [more inside]
posted by HMSSM at 5:21 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by HMSSM at 5:21 PM PST - 25 comments
What kind of Instagram app makes this effect and is an iPhone required?
What kind of Instagram app produces this effect and is an iPhone required? [more inside]
Help identifying a children's book:There's No Accounting For Taste?
My wife's family is trying to remember the full title of an illustrated children's book. They are insisting it's called "There's no Accounting For Taste". It's about a brother and a sister on a walking journey where they observe animals eating various things (like a robin eating a worm, or a panda eating bamboo) and they end up saying "There's no Accounting For Taste!". So far google has been no help.
posted by splatta at 4:24 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by splatta at 4:24 PM PST - 3 comments
How to explain rental history?
I am looking to rent a house, but my rental history is a bit spotty: I moved every six months for the last 1.5 years due to life circumstances, and one of my past landlords will probably not give me a good reference through no fault of my own. How do I deal with this? [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 4:02 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by sockermom at 4:02 PM PST - 9 comments
Scam, Quick Ripoff, or Just Kids at the Mall?
So I was sitting in a common area at our local mall while my wife was shopping. I was checking mail on my phone, and a couple of young men, somewhere between 18 and 22, I would say, came up to me. One of them had an old-looking iPhone in his hand. He asked if he could use my phone to "call his mom," since his phone had no SIM card in it. He offered to let me hold this phone as "security" while he made the call.
I just waved them off with a shake of my head and they sorta stomped/wandered off. I have been debriefing this with myself for the last hour or so. [more inside]
Your tips and tricks for driving alone as a new driver, please?
I'm almost 30 and I just got my driver's license. Yay! But I feel much more comfortable driving with my S.O. in the car, to the point that I get really nervous and make mistakes when I'm alone (city driving + non grid system). Can you spare any tips on getting comfortable with driving alone, especially in a high traffic city? The thought of lone highway driving, especially, is terrifying.
Should I go to this party or not?
My roommate and good friend invited me to her bday party. But this out of town visitor I really don't like is also coming. Now I am debating if I want to go. [more inside]
Zombies, Fail
The app Zombies, Run is no longer supported for my phone (Android 2.3.6), but I would really like something similar in the way of a fiction fitness game. Assume getting a new phone is not an option. Any suggestions?
Are Gray Market Cars in the US still a thing?
Back in the 1980s, I remember a lot of older (richer) friends in Southern California were obsessed with gray market cars, importing special German versions of BMW and Porsche cars to the US and driving them. I haven't heard the term used in ages and there are TONS of Euro-spec cars I wish I could get in the US. Does this still happen? Or is it prohibitively expensive on both ends these days? Or is there some other reason? [more inside]
posted by mathowie at 3:18 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by mathowie at 3:18 PM PST - 15 comments
Group Work in Math "Lab" + Introvert = I'm Freaking Out
I'm taking Calculus this term and have just found out the second half of each class will be group work and I'm freaking out. I'm an introvert and the thought of working in a group - especially where I don't feel confident about the subject matter - is making me anxious before the class even starts! Can anyone tell me what to expect and/or offer suggestions on how to make it less awful? [more inside]
posted by Beti at 2:53 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Beti at 2:53 PM PST - 14 comments
Help me make an office look like NYC streets on the cheap.
Normally I'd just go do it. But, two hours ago I was asked to help turn an office into NYC streets in the 80s, for an office party that's happening on Wednesday (in London). Yeah, I know, but it might actually get me a job if I do it well. I've got two large spaces to work with and terrible overhead office lighting. I need cheap suggestions to give it an NYC flair! More info in the extended explanation. [more inside]
When and for how much did OSU football season tickets sell last year?
I am looking to buy and re-sell some Ohio State University football Season tickets in order to make a profit. (This is legal for me to do, see more inside.) To not get screwed over, I'd like to find some data showing 1: What price were season tickets selling for in 2013 or previous years, (the more specific data the better). 2: What time of year (specific date) is the most profitable time to sell season tickets? (I imagine very early or very late in the season would result in lower selling price, but there is probably a peak window for highest selling price, e.g. x weeks before opening game) [more inside]
New OSX on an old Mac Mini?
My mother has an early-2010 Mac Mini. Apple says she can upgrade to 10.9.2 for free, but she's not sure if it's a good idea, so she asked me.
Her model is on the official compatibility list, but is it a good idea to upgrade? Is there likely to be a noticeable performance hit, or stability issues? Have you personally had a good experience with OSX Mavericks on older Intel macs?
posted by 4th number at 2:00 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by 4th number at 2:00 PM PST - 13 comments
Finding the best doctor
What are your strategies for finding the best doctor (or at least a very good doctor) for a particular procedure? [more inside]
posted by MsMolly at 1:19 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by MsMolly at 1:19 PM PST - 11 comments
The Thin Line Between Preference and Prejudice
I think I don't like performing oral sex on my girlfriend anymore because she's gained a bit of weight. What do I do here? [more inside]
How can I gently encourage a new friend to give me space?
I recently relocated, and then recently met someone else who had recently moved to town as well. We became friends. I really like her, but she has been continually asking to do things together to the point where that it feels clingy. Even after I turn down multiple invitations because I'm busy, etc., the invites just keep coming without waiting for me to reciprocate. Hints about how busy I am, etc., haven't helped. [more inside]
Sock it to me, also.
Second sock question in under an hour! This one is about ladies' socks though. [more inside]
Toddler birthday - who to invite?
My daughter is almost three. For her birthday, I'd like to invite three or four kids. We are planning two organised activities (involving balloons and street crayons), but leaving it mostly unstructured for one or two hours, and with plenty of afternoon snacks. [more inside]
New vacuum cleaner causes a slight burning smell. Defective or not?
I received a new vacuum cleaner a few weeks ago. When it ran I noticed a slight burning smell so I exchanged it for a different one (same model: Eureka Boss SmartVac 4870 series). I've run this one for perhaps 15 seconds and again, I notice a slight burning smell. Maybe there's some dust on the motor coils that will burn off after some initial use? [more inside]
posted by metadave at 12:52 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by metadave at 12:52 PM PST - 7 comments
Does blowing in a video game cartridge actually do anything?
Since the first Nintendo game console came out in the 80's, I can recall everyone I know (myself included) blowing into the game cartridge and/or the Nintendo itself when something went wrong (freezing, etc.). What is the premise for doing this (I saw other people do it, and sometimes it seemed to work, so that's why I did, thinking maybe dustiness/debris was the issue...), and is there any legit evidence that this really fixes things?
Sock it to me! Seeking good quality men's socks
I'm looking for good quality men's dress socks. I want socks that are mid-calf and either solid brown or solid black. SmartWool's nice, but they are quite expensive and I also find their wide range of options baffling, so I'd like something cheaper and simpler. Would prefer someplace I can order from online (I'm in the U.S.). Thanks!
Examples of dead/dying characters listing all the things they'll miss
I'm trying to think of more examples of this particular moment: a character who is dying, or thinking of death, or speaking from beyond the grave, gives a list or inventory of the everyday things they remember and appreciate about being alive. A few examples inside. [more inside]
posted by Beardman at 12:30 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by Beardman at 12:30 PM PST - 23 comments
Already Ate It Filter: Undercooked chicken edition
For lunch (30 min ago) I accidentally ate a couple bites of very undercooked (if not raw) chicken for lunch. It's my own fault -- I rather absentmindedly baked some pre-marinated but possibly partially frozen chicken breast last night for lunch today, nuked it this afternoon to reheat, and was a couple bites in before I realized it was definitely not cooked. I tossed it as soon as I realized it, but I'm a little worried. Any idea how long it would take before I know if I have salmonella or whatever the dangers are? Is there anything I can do now? I feel ok right now, but maybe a little queasy... is this the beginning of things to come? Thanks!
But those who never win and never quit are idiots.
Long-time listener, first-time caller. I've been in my current job just over nine months and it's been a slow-moving disaster. I've decided it's time to call it quits, my boss agrees - now how to spin this? [more inside]
Looking for a five day resort trip with interesting things to do nearby
Hello,
My partner and I would like to get away in May for 5 days. We differ a bit in what we like. He'd prefer an all-inclusive relaxing beach and I'd prefer some sort of adventure. [more inside]
posted by Raichle at 11:40 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by Raichle at 11:40 AM PST - 12 comments
20 attendee weekend event / Non-Profit Membership woes questions
The Non-Profit I volunteer at has serious membership woes. Right now there's just a couple members left, and for this reason and life reasons, we are stepping down, but we don't want to just give up our cause. As such, we are trying to set up a 2 night, 2 day weekend getaway (tentative dates: May 16-May 18) in South Florida for 20 adults to hopefully get new board members and officers. Difficulty level: $5,000 budget.
Also, I'm starting to think that perhaps this isn't the way to go?
Advice anyone? [more inside]
posted by Debaser626 at 11:31 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Debaser626 at 11:31 AM PST - 9 comments
Do I need to sign up for ACA for a few weeks to avoid penalty?
ACA penalty question. There is a 99% likelihood that I am about to be hired by a company that will provide me health coverage beginning on April 7th. I have not been given a formal offer, but I have been given verbal assurance, and I have every reason to believe I will receive an offer next week. The ACA deadline is March 31st. Do I need to sign up for ACA to cover the week between March 31 and April 7 in order to avoid paying a penalty? [more inside]
posted by scarylarry at 11:15 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by scarylarry at 11:15 AM PST - 5 comments
Passing the baton so we don't drop the ball
My coworkers and I are being spread thinner across the 24-hour day, to the point that we will no longer see one another all together here in the same hour.
We need to find a tool, preferably free, so we can get information to one another from shift to shift. [more inside]
posted by Sunburnt at 11:10 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Sunburnt at 11:10 AM PST - 7 comments
Best practices for keeping on top of concert/show announcements in NYC?
How can I best become aware of concerts or similar events happening in NYC as they are announced? [more inside]
What to do with my old XP system?
My XP system is going off-line in April. It will stay in operation, running in tandem with a new W8.1 system, that will be its conduit onto the web. I need to keep XP running because some of my $$$$$ drafting software will not run on 8.1.
8.1 is also, IMHO, irritating.
Can my Dell T3400 workstation, 4 GB, be used as a music center with a sound card upgrade? I have tried the system, as it is configured, with Sennheiser TR220 headphones. The sound is horrible. The CD player in my truck sounds better.
Part of the sound problems are caused by background processes that interrupt the sound output. Clearing most of the Start Menu and everything concerned with internet operation should stop this part of the problem.
I am considering an ASUS Xonar Essence ST Headphone sound card.
Would this card in my XP system with the Sennheiser TR220 headphones be reasonably equivalent to a good stand alone sound system?
Might another card be better than the Asus?
I am avoiding a separate player due to limited space in my office.
Tumblrs of Ice and Fire
What are your favorite tumblrs related to A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones? I am looking for (in this order) high quality analysis, gifsets, and fan art. I am already familiar with ALL LEATHER MUST BE BOILED and Comics of Ice and Fire.
Please help me get dressed for my interview!
I am going in for an interview at the place I am currently temping. What should I wear? [more inside]
posted by anthropophagous at 9:48 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by anthropophagous at 9:48 AM PST - 12 comments
Identify old guitar
Hello
, can you please help me finding out more about this old guitar.
I think it might be a Jazz guitar, my grandpa bought it second hand around 1958.
If you read closely on the neck it says "Trademark Clove" and something else unreadable.
Here is a couple of images:
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Guitar 3
Guitar 4
It is still playable and sounds good to.
Streaming podcasts, minus downloads?
Asking for my company: Is there a mobile podcasting service which allows one to disable downloads? [more inside]
Help me understand this American Civil War-era reference
More than once I have come across this image: Jeff. Davis' Coat of "Alms.", typically on an envelope. I am insufficiently knowledgeable about the American Civil War to understand the reference. [more inside]
posted by komara at 9:26 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by komara at 9:26 AM PST - 5 comments
I need help buying a new bed
I have never in my life bought a bed. I have never in my adult life owned a new mattress. I have always slept on hand-me-downs or give-aways. I am ready to invest in a new, top-quality mattress and box springs but I don't have the first idea of how or where to start. [more inside]
Creating simple bar graph in Excel 2007
Hey guys, what I'm trying to do is very simple I just never really use Excel. I have two unrelated fields, categories, or columns, that I'd like to depict in a bar graph showing the amount of records that have been completed out of the total. The data are values, in my case "Yes", not numbers. I used the countif() formula to count every cell that has "yes". But I'm not really sure what I have to do next. Do I need to create another row showing what percentage this number is from the total amount of records, 136/633? And then create a bar graph from just that cell? When I just highlight all the cells for both columns and click bar graph it doesn't even fully show me a graph so I'm obviously not doing it right. Ideally, I'd like the y-axis to just show 0-100% and the total number of records(633) with marks maybe at 25% intervals. The x-axis to have my two column names and then the bars showing the percentage of records that have "yes" for these columns out of the total with a count included also.
If anyone could help me out that would be great. Thanks a ton in advance.
posted by mr.coffee at 9:05 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by mr.coffee at 9:05 AM PST - 6 comments
(Europe?) Vacation with two young kids
Where in the world should we take a two week vacation in late May with a toddler and an infant? We'll be traveling from southeast Asia to the US and can basically fly anywhere on the way back at no charge. (We'll still have to pay for lodging, food, entertainment, etc.). We're leaning towards somewhere in Europe, but are open to other ideas. Suggestions? [more inside]
Music Video Copyright
Question about copyright as it pertains to a music video, a videographer, a musician, and video streaming sites. [more inside]
State ID/Passport Catch 22. Complicating factor: DUI
My boyfriend needs a passport and a state ID. This is in Louisiana. Due to a recent DUI he does not have in his possession a valid (unexpired) LA driver's license. What we have are his original birth certificate, expired Tennessee license, photocopy of valid LA license (with documentation of why he doesn't have the actual card), and current photo student ID, but it's complicated. [more inside]
posted by CheeseLouise at 8:54 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by CheeseLouise at 8:54 AM PST - 10 comments
Will I be able to enter the USA?
I'm a British citizen planning to travel to the USA soon. Last time I left the USA, my green I-94W visa waiver card wasn't removed from my passport. That was in 2002. I threw it away maybe 5 years later, thinking it was silly to keep it. I have since found that the US likes to cancel them anyway. I've have got an ESTA preclearance, which I assume looks up as much information as the immigration officers would have to hand at the airport. [more inside]
Need a goofy/ironic variation on a "China" gift for our 20th anniversary
4 years ago, I posted this question, about coming up with weird interpretations of "traditional" anniversary gifts, and y'all came up with some brilliant answers. I ended up going with the "periodic table" idea, which we continued through our 17th, 18th, and 19th anniversaries.
Our 20th anniversary is May 1, and now I need a twist on the theme of "China." [more inside]
Should we seek additional help?
My 8 year old is showing some odd behavior - is this a phase, personality, or something that needs professional attention? [more inside]
posted by H. Roark at 8:24 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by H. Roark at 8:24 AM PST - 24 comments
Physical Switches, Knobs or Buttons for controlling Apps on my Mac?
So, I run everything in my life through my mac computer. My television programming, my music, et cetera. I listen to a lot of online radio throughout the day. I would really like to "flip on" a program (or set of programs) with a single analog switch. [more inside]
posted by amoeba at 8:10 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by amoeba at 8:10 AM PST - 7 comments
Is your credit card cool?
I'm shopping around for a credit card for the first time in ages - I've decided airline miles are a sucker's game, and just want something more straightforward. I'd like to know if there's anything really forward-thinking going on in the credit card world, because it all looks like "fees versus rates versus weird points schemes".
If you have a credit card that you love (or hate) can you tell me why? FWIW, good credit, revolve occasionally (once a year or so?), and willing to pay a fee for something truly good. I've looked at previous questions but it feels like the landscape changes so quickly!
Is it depression if I'm legit sad?
My life overall is good. I want for very little in the way of material things, I have friends and lovers who are wonderful, I have fulfilling hobbies, I do meaningful volunteer and professional work, I live in my favorite place on earth, and I generally try to enjoy life to the fullest extent possible. But I also have a relationship that is secretly falling apart, body image issues directly related to the relationship problems, trouble finding enough work to be comfortably financially independent, parents on the other side of the country who are suffering in ways I cant do anything to help with, and a few other things going on that are legitimately upsetting. So when I have bouts of crushing sadness and feelings of hopelessness, I'm not surprised. But the bouts have been lasting longer and coming more frequently, and things feel more and more hopeless (not to the point of wanting to self-harm, but to the point of feeling like my only options are resign myself to this forever or leave everything I know and love and start over alone). Recently a friend asked me if I was depressed, and I had to stop and wonder. Could I be? Can depression co-exist with legitimate sources of sadness and despair? Should I consider seeking treatment for depression as well as figuring out how to resolve all this other crap?
How to work with a headhunter?
I was contacted on LinkedIn by a headhunter because of my unusual combination of skills. We had a phone interview and the headhunter submitted my resume to the company. [more inside]
Physical security measure to prevent book theft
I'm going to be stocking a small bookcase with 5 to 10 books, and placing it in a room inside a college. I need a way to prevent the books from being stolen. Options seem surprisingly limited. Any help? [more inside]
posted by ajp at 7:15 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by ajp at 7:15 AM PST - 27 comments
Websites to buy boys' plus size clothes
I'm looking for recommendations for websites to buy boys' plus size clothes. Yes, we will work with my son on lifestyle changes but in the meantime I want stuff that fits him. Purchases would be shipped to the continental US. Thanks.
Help me develop a sense of ambition.
I have a good job and feel like I am on par with most of my peers in terms of current seniority and wage-level, but I don't feel the burning passion to progress much further in my career. How can I change this? [more inside]
Where to live in West Lafayette, IN?
My friend is moving with her family to West Lafayette, Indiana to take a position at Purdue, and has asked me to consult the Hive Mind for advice. They're coming from a big city, so small town living will be new to them, and they're looking to buy a house. What neighborhoods should they be looking at? [more inside]
Help, I've got an Amazon credit burning a hole in my pocket!
My wife and kids are leaving town for five days. I have to stay home because of work. However, I will have some free time this weekend and in the evenings early next week. I also have a nice credit in my Amazon account. So, this seems like the perfect time to read a big science fiction or fantasy novel. I'm looking for a single long novel or maybe a trilogy. Something to fill the lonely hours. I'd like interesting characters, an exciting plot, and writing that's not too clunky (better writing is preferred, but I'm more interested in character and plotting than MFA literary styling). I want to read the sort of book (or series) that will keep me up late into the night. A page turner. I usually have to read things in small chunks in the evening and on the bus, but this is my chance to indulge in some obsessive reading.
How can I move the Google search options back to the left side?
The Google search options bar used to be on the left. I could for example restrict a search to a date range with a single click.
Google moved them to show across the top, which is much less convenient. I was able to move them in a prior Google version, but with the current version they're back across the top.
Is there a way to fix the current Google version?
Stutter filter: what can I do to best set a stutterer at ease?
I have a phone screen later this morning. The recruiter just emailed me "I thought to make you aware he has a slight stutter however he is still perfectly understandable." My understanding is that stuttering has in part something to do with confidence and comfort. How can help the candidate here? [more inside]
posted by colin_l at 6:03 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by colin_l at 6:03 AM PST - 13 comments
Getting a programming job for non-CS majors
If you work in some area of computer programming, but didn't have a degree in the field, how did you get your start?
Travel Advice: Bergen and Oslo Norway!
Six of us are spending 8 days in Norway in August. Oslo and Bergen. Any advice on renting houses vs. hotel rooms? Places/sites that shouldn't be missed? [more inside]
posted by meta x zen at 5:43 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by meta x zen at 5:43 AM PST - 4 comments
USB stopped working on asus laptop
The usb just stopped working on my Asus zenbook UX32VD laptop, running windows 8.1. Device manager shows no problems with usb (or any devices), and I have tried plugging in several different usb devices (my mouse, flash drives) to check. The built-in touchpad still works.
Can anyone suggest how I might fix it, or what has happened? Thanks. [more inside]
posted by theyexpectresults at 5:36 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by theyexpectresults at 5:36 AM PST - 4 comments
stress free NYC psychiatrist recommendations
Looking for a recommendation for a decent psychiatrist or psychopharmacologists in NYC. [more inside]
VMWare: When using VPN my keyboard pretends I'm crazy
New laptop, windows 8.1. No issues. Except when I use my company's VPN through VMWare (Windows 7). Unpredictably, but often, it acts like I'm pressing the C button. But I'm not! [more inside]
Ex-XP? What should I do with my old XP running laptop?
I have an old laptop running XP. The laptop actually dates from the Vista era, but I chose to have XP installed given the lousy rep that Vista had. I have seen this question. I have a newer laptop that I use for most of my word processing and internetting needs. I can retire the old laptop, but it still works so I'd rather not ditch it. Assuming I am not going to attempt to run XP on anything connected to the outside world, what can I do with this old laptop? [more inside]
posted by pianissimo at 3:03 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by pianissimo at 3:03 AM PST - 11 comments
Help me name my kitten!
What should I name the newest and most adorable member of my family?
posted by fresh bouquets every day at 2:43 AM PST - 69 comments
posted by fresh bouquets every day at 2:43 AM PST - 69 comments
"... Mitt Romney be elected the 11th legitimate President." Meaning?
In the 7th season 4th Ep of 30 Rock, Jack Donaghey states, "...we have to spend all of our money to help Mitt Romney become the 11th legitimate President of the United States."
I paraphrased a bit, because there was a joke in there about fabulous hair, and another about women in politics, but the overall meaning of the joke about "11th legitimate President," escapes me.
This happened during the 2012 election cycle.
Please clarify.
Thanks.
posted by jbenben at 12:28 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by jbenben at 12:28 AM PST - 8 comments
March 27
Taxes and credit cards
I owe the IRS a not-insignificant chunk of change. Is there some way I could benefit from this? [more inside]
MARCfilter - level of subject? Why or why not?
Can you show me an example of a library or cataloging agency that uses the "level of subject" indicator value in the 650 field? (The first indicator, not the source indicator value.) I have literally never seen it in the wild, but maybe I've been looking in the wrong places. If your library or agency uses it, why? If you know the reason why you don't, why is that?
How to improve relationship with my partner's teenage daughter?
Ms. Tdipod wants to know:
I am having multiple challenges with Tdipod's teenage daughter. I feel intimidated by her and when I try to engage in a conversation she will not engage with me or look me in the eye. I am not sure whether or not she likes me or is it just hormones gone amok? He has offered to speak to his daughter but I don't think this is the right approach. I would like some advice with how to broach the subject with her myself.
posted by TDIpod at 9:38 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by TDIpod at 9:38 PM PST - 23 comments
Non-STD causes for unusual vaginal discharge? (TMI warning).
A few days ago, I noticed an odd odor coming from my vaginal discharge in the morning. Today, it was a greenish color (kind of like snot). Dr. Google seems to think that the only explanations are STI related. I am in a long-term monogamous relationship, and there has been no infidelity to my knowledge. I will of course seek professional medical advice, but am currently traveling alone in a remote area and will not be able to call my GYN for a week. Are there any innocent explanations, or am I looking at some heartbreak in the days to come?
Cabin in north-east Pennsylvania radius?
I am looking for a relaxing weekend by myself within a 4 hour radius of my home (Scranton, PA). I have been searching airbnb for cabins in specific towns that I know of, but I don't think I'm getting all of the areas I should.
Do you know of a cute town or specific cabin rental in the northeast PA, lower NY state, upper WV, or NJ area that I should look at for a luxurious weekend getaway by myself. My main requirements are wifi and a big tub. I can bring my own groceries so I don't care if it's remote.
Who was the guy who walked in on Obama during the "Osama" speech?
He walked in on Obama during the speech about Osama... Anyone special? Just some dude? Seen here...
posted by modbom at 7:46 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by modbom at 7:46 PM PST - 2 comments
Who is the original artist of this image if floating islands?
I can't source which artist creating this fantastic image: link to floating islands click here
Can anyone plead help? Image search engines have been useless! [more inside]
posted by flexiverse at 6:29 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by flexiverse at 6:29 PM PST - 7 comments
Tenant (probably) stuck in Toronto prison and time keeps dragging on...
How can I find someone who is currently awaiting trial or in jail in Toronto? [more inside]
Festive banana toppers?
Do you remember bunches of bananas being sold in the store with colored cellophane wrapped around the stems, 20+ years ago? I certainly do, but I can't find any proof on the Internet of it being a thing. Imagine a 4 inch square of cellophane, placed over the stem, then wrapped with a rubber band. [more inside]
Why do papers in academic journals so often have more than one author?
Why do papers in academic journals so often have more than one author? [more inside]
posted by shipbreaker at 4:20 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by shipbreaker at 4:20 PM PST - 27 comments
Using "dysfunctional family" to understand family dynamics
In reading about codependency I came upon the Wikipedia page for "dysfunctional family." Where does this term come from and who uses it? [more inside]
posted by vincele at 3:27 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by vincele at 3:27 PM PST - 13 comments
Is designer Terry Heckler Jewish?
I know this sounds strange, but I'm working on an article about Jewish logo designers, and I haven't been able to determine if Terry Heckler (responsible for the original Starbucks logo) is Jewish. Any mefites out there know him personally (or been to a seder with him?), who could answer the question for me?
Thanks!
What are your favorite 'deep thinking' blogs, websites, and resources?
What are your favorite 'deep thinking' blogs, websites, and resources?
e.g. Less Wrong (on rationality), Farnam Street (learning from what others have already figured out), Raptitude (on getting better at being human), Ribbonfarm (experiments in refactored perception), Cal Newport (study/learning techniques), etc. [more inside]
recommend me some (kind of specific) books?
Spring break is coming up, and the best part of spring break is reading all day - so I need to come up with a bunch of books to bring! I'm specifically looking for ghost stories, YA fantasy, historical romance, and travelogues, though if you know of something else fun and easy, feel free to chime in. [more inside]
posted by goodbyewaffles at 2:53 PM PST - 30 comments
posted by goodbyewaffles at 2:53 PM PST - 30 comments
My cat peed on my bike bag.
How do I get cat pee out of my bike bag, and prevent kitty from a repeat job? [more inside]
smart moves
I'm looking for songs that involve dancing or related kinds of kinesthetic learning. [more inside]
posted by nicolin at 2:27 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by nicolin at 2:27 PM PST - 6 comments
How can I use PKI encryption for personal stuff?
At work, I can digitally sign and encrypt emails using digital certificates on my ID (and a card reader attached to my laptop). It integrates decently with Outlook and Acrobat. It's 2014. What are my PKI options for personal use? [more inside]
Personal project or professional development?
You have a personal project, and you have your career and professional development goals, and the two aren't closely related. How did you decide what to spend your time on, and can you help me weigh up my particular choices? [more inside]
How do I only allow BitTorrent downloads when my Mac is at home?
I would like Transmission, my OS X BitTorrent client, to only download and upload torrents when I'm on my home Wi-Fi network, and to stop all activity automatically when I'm not on this network. How can I achieve this? I'm open to using different software if need be.
posted by Richard Holden at 1:20 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Richard Holden at 1:20 PM PST - 9 comments
Following a burst pipe, is soaked flooring salvageable?
So the hot water pipe leading to our kitchen sink in our house burst during the night and I came down to find our kitchen, bathroom & half our livng room under 2 inches of warm water. Now everything is tidied but the floor material - vinyl - is damp on the underside. What to do? Damp slushy snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by ianso at 1:13 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by ianso at 1:13 PM PST - 9 comments
Is the Peace Corps considering domestic (US) assignments?
I've heard a couple of times now that the Peace Corps may start developing programs/sending volunteers to hard-hit places in the US, that are the functional equivalent of third-world countries. There's (unsurprisingly) nothing of the sort on their website, but I think it's a great idea, if it could be done in a way that did not offend the pride of the state in question. Does anyone have information as to whether this is an actual proposal?
posted by mmiddle at 1:03 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by mmiddle at 1:03 PM PST - 11 comments
Sturdy, simple, portable trade show display?
My company does a lot of trade shows. We've had some complaints that our banner stands either are pain to put up and take down, or that they're not sturdy enough.
What they've requested is a table top display without a light or extra pieces that will travel and set up well. Anybody out there have experience with trade show displays, and have a brand or model that's held up especially well for you?
posted by TallulahBankhead at 12:19 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by TallulahBankhead at 12:19 PM PST - 6 comments
It's (Not) in the bag
Help me find a carrying case with a shoulder strap for this device. Closed dimensions are 13.4” (W) x 12.5” (D) x 2.1” (H). The closest I've found is this and based on the description it should work. However, I just received it and I though it fits, the corners of my device are sticking out just enough that I can't zip it. Everything else about the bag is perfect - the pockets, the shoulder strap, and most importantly, the price. I'm not too picky about material, but would prefer black, grey, or a solid color. Preferably under $25, but would like to look at anything under $50.
posted by ms_rasclark at 11:49 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by ms_rasclark at 11:49 AM PST - 5 comments
What's up with my dog?
What is this strange behavior of my dog? [more inside]
Alternatives to the Inca Trail
I would like to take about a week-and-a-half-long trip in late May / early June of 2014. I originally wanted to go to Machu Picchu to hike the Inca Trail. However, after some research, I'm not sure if it's the best option for me. [more inside]
posted by 3FLryan at 10:59 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by 3FLryan at 10:59 AM PST - 21 comments
Dealing with city government - getting a certificate of occupancy
Dealing with city government - getting a certificate of occupancy. I don't know where else to turn for strategies or information, so thanks for reading. I'll try to make this concise: [more inside]
Happy 40th Birthday to Me!
I'm a single woman who will be celebrating her 40th birthday this December. I've decided to go away, specifically on a scuba trip. (I plan to get certified in May.) Please help me plan a single friendly birthday scuba trip. [more inside]
posted by miss-lapin at 10:48 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by miss-lapin at 10:48 AM PST - 14 comments
how do you cut a sexy peep-toe?
Shoe fashionistas of MeFi: how do you place and shape the opening of a peep-toe shoe? [more inside]
posted by mirileh at 10:37 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by mirileh at 10:37 AM PST - 7 comments
Where to buy small pieces of art in Barcelona (under $50)?
Due to a scheduling change on a work trip, I will be spending tomorrow in Barcelona with nothing to do. I would love to buy a small piece of local art to fit into my carry-on for my SO. Nothing bigger than a single shoe (my carry-on is already pretty full) or more than $50?
Efficient Strategy for Problem Management
When I encounter a problem that I want to improve my management of, what is a better strategy than, "find book on Amazon/ order book/ never read book or only read 1st chapter? [more inside]
What's on this raspberry?
What is growing/was laid on this raspberry? [more inside]
posted by catatethebird at 10:11 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by catatethebird at 10:11 AM PST - 2 comments
What Are Some Lethal But Surmountable Diseases?
I'm trying to write a fictional character background that involves someone overcoming a generally fatal disease in childhood, and leading to a full recovery. The character must grow up to be physically fit and able to engage in a very physical job, but I'm imagining endless visits to the hospital in childhood & nobody expecting him to live long. I have a few reasons to avoid cancer as a story choice. What are other possibilities?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:43 AM PST - 36 comments
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:43 AM PST - 36 comments
Pickles -- what did I do wrong?
I made pickles recently with this recipe, which had all the ingredients I thought would go into a good kosher dill -- garlic, dill, salt -- but they came out tasting like "bread and butter" sweet pickles, even though there's nothing sweet in the recipe. The pickles are only a few days old, but I'm familiar with the taste of both "old" and "new" kosher dills, and these were neither. What's the problem with this recipe, and how can I make a real kosher dill (without setting up a home canning operation?)
posted by Ralston McTodd at 9:40 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by Ralston McTodd at 9:40 AM PST - 20 comments
Help me find a cleaning person in Atlanta, Georgia
For Atlanta-area mefites - can anyone recommend a cleaning person? I'm a messy guy looking for someone to come clean/tidy my Midtown apartment once a week. I'd like them to come while I'm at work so ideally I'm looking for a person rather than a service that would send different teams different weeks. So far I've struck out trying to find a solo practitioner on yelp. Anyone with a recommendation?
Upload tricks on a Mac
For a while, I've searched for a quirky way to handle delivery of my files online - basically one video file, between 30 - 250 MB, gets uploaded to YouTube for client preview, and to Hightail (formerly YouSendIt) for delivery to put on air. I'd love a simpler, or more automated way, to handle this process on my Mac. [more inside]
posted by shinynewnick at 8:43 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by shinynewnick at 8:43 AM PST - 5 comments
Classes or Activities in NYC to get over fear of humiliation?
I'm looking for things to do, classes to take, etc., in New York that will help conquer a fear of humiliation. Ideally this would be done gently or gradually. Improv classes come to mind, but I'm afraid that they might be too much too soon. I've also heard of dating gurus (I'm male) who help with this sort of thing, but when you search for them online most of them seem creepy or weird. Any ideas along these lines?
Slow drains - my problem, or the landlord's?
I just moved into an apartment a month ago. The bathtub, bathroom sink and kitchen sink drain slowly (but eventually). I don't remember whether they were slow when I moved in. I didn't have a hair strainer on the tub for the first few days so it's entirely possible it's my hair causing the backup (though that doesn't explain the kitchen sink). Is this my problem to fix or theirs? It's getting progressively worse. [more inside]
Where can I find bulk t-shirts with random prints?
Thirty years ago, I remember my dad buying bulk t-shirts from one of several companies advertised in the back of magazines. These shirts would have random company logos in random languages, and were clearly a way for t-shirt printers around the world to get rid of overstock. It was like a surprise box every time. [more inside]
posted by hanoixan at 8:06 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by hanoixan at 8:06 AM PST - 9 comments
Close Encounters of the panda kind
Have you seen this picture before? My 4 year old daughter just drew this picture (of a panda bear, if it wasn't immediately obvious). It is eerily familiar. I swear I have seen something just like it before, somewhere on the internet. A google image search wasn't even close. Help! This is driving me crazy.
What caused this ice formation in my mother's birdbath?
A few years ago, my mother sent me pictures of this odd ice formation that she found in her birdbath, wondering if I had any idea how it formed. I asked around on Facebook and none of my friends could identify it, but no such luck. I just occurred to me today to ask Ask. Here are the pictures: birdbath and close-up. Any thoughts on how that shape was created? This was winter 2010, in Connecticut.
posted by Neely O'Hara at 7:50 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Neely O'Hara at 7:50 AM PST - 7 comments
Name that book: a detective novel in Los Angeles
How do I power up for more After Effects?
Can I power up my macbook pro to better run After Effects? Or do I need something else? [more inside]
posted by lpsguy at 6:37 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by lpsguy at 6:37 AM PST - 3 comments
Get Refund from Contractor
I've asked pest guys to remove some animals from my house.
I want to cancel the sealing of the house and ask for a refund of the 'sealing fee', which they have not started on doing. How should I go about doing this? [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 6:18 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by sandmanwv at 6:18 AM PST - 12 comments
Strength training options
I want to improve my endurance exercise by strength training. According to research I should go for a high weight very low rep program. I know there are a few commonly recommended books for that like Starting Strength and The New Rules of Lifting (for Women). I wonder if there is a way to do this without going to a gym or buying expensive equipment, and without following a whole comprehensive program that assumes that weight lifting will be the focus of my life. [more inside]
posted by blub at 6:03 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by blub at 6:03 AM PST - 15 comments
Educational Discounts and Price Discrimination Legalities in the UK
A variety of computer and software manufacturers offer "educational discounts" to students and staff. Which is clearly price discrimination based on the status of the purchaser. I just have two questions related to the practice of providing educational discounts.
a) How is it legal for a retailer to use price discrimination (as a long-term marketing tactic) to sell to people based on educational role, when say price discrimination based on say sexual preferences would not be legal.
b) Is a customer legally required to represent themselves honestly to a retailer? [more inside]
posted by mary8nne at 2:57 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by mary8nne at 2:57 AM PST - 15 comments
Finding every comment that's ever featured on Reddit's Bestof
I like reading Reddit's /bestof comments and have been following for a while. However, the /bestof page only keeps a month or so of history.
Is there a way to find every comment that's ever been bestof'd?
posted by guy72277 at 2:23 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by guy72277 at 2:23 AM PST - 9 comments
March 26
How do I confront my therapist who is also essentially my boss?
I live in a mental health treatment center where my therapist is also my "program director". A program director here is basically someone who oversees your treatment and has say over things like when you can and cannot start working or volunteering. [more inside]
Gluttony in Sin City
Your recommendations for breakfast/brunch/dinner on/near the Las Vegas Strip? [more inside]
posted by VikingSword at 9:22 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by VikingSword at 9:22 PM PST - 14 comments
YosemiteFilter: No Reservations.
My partner and I are FINALLY planning on visiting Yosemite in June. We would be driving in from the Bay Area, and didn't make any campsite reservations. The NPS says there are very few openings at the first-come-first-served site(s) in June. Where should we stay at Yosemite to get the best experience? Sparkly nature's majesty-flakes and more questions inside. [more inside]
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 8:49 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 8:49 PM PST - 15 comments
How'd you lose those last 10 lbs?! Tell me!
Were you ever not overweight or fat, but not fit either? Have you always had a belly, extra weight in your midsection? Did you have 10 lbs to lose? Did you lose it? If so, how? [more inside]
posted by rhythm_queen at 8:48 PM PST - 48 comments
posted by rhythm_queen at 8:48 PM PST - 48 comments
What languages have more than one word for the English 'we'?
Are there any languages that have words that disambiguate the various possible meanings of the English 'we'?
In English the 1st person plural pronoun 'we' (and its object counterpart 'us') can refer to groups 1) including only the speaker and the addressed person or persons, 2) including only the speaker and some further person(s) neither speaking nor being addressed but with whom the speaker claims a sort of representative power, and *not* including the addressee(s), or 3) including the speaker, the addresse(s) and some other people too.
Are there any languages that have separate words for these distinct referential uses? [more inside]
Three weeks away for C. diff?
YANMD, but MD says that positive for C. difficile means staying isolated for at least three weeks. Is this the usual precaution? [more inside]
Hire me. I'm your man, even if you don't think so.
I'm having some struggles with my job search. Any way I can effectively market myself? [more inside]
Easter weekend getaway!
Trying to find a place to go for a long weekend, within a four hour drive of northern RI. Complication: Easter weekend in the off season. [more inside]
Help me overcome my lifelong social anxiety
I've struggled with pretty severe social anxiety most of my life, and I've now finally started to get a grip on it. Over the past year, I've gone from laying in bed thinking of reasons not to kill myself to getting a job, having a very small social life with some coworkers, and gaining some optimism finally. But I just don't know where to meet people to practice interacting with, particualarly girls. I'm a 24 year old guy and live in Nassau County, NY. I need some recommendations of places to go or groups to join. And by that I mean I really need you to hold my hand and be specific. Like not "join a yoga class" but "here's xyz yoga, join this class."
If it helps, I'm interested in reading, writing, music, nature, history, art, religion, new foods. Thanks for any help or advice.
Ibuprofen 3x day/ for 3 days?
YANMD.... As I get older my menstrual cramps seem to be getting worse. How often / how long can I take ibuprofen every month without it being an issue? [more inside]
Another OKCupid Profile Critique
I need some assistance in updating my okcupid profile. [more inside]
Basic Video Editing Software for PC
I am currently taking a basic digital editing class that uses Final Cut for Mac. I am enjoying it, but use PC at home. What is the best free or inexpensive video editing software for PC? [more inside]
How do I protect my dogs teeth from injury?
Help this first time dog owner, Amazon reviews have got me spooked! I've scoured amazon for toys for my pup, and it seems like many, if not most toys feature one or more reviewers complaining that said toy caused their dog to crack or injure their teeth. I'd like to avoid this with my dog, so what are the general guidelines for preventing cracked and injured teeth in dogs? What should I always avoid? What is generally safe? I'm really not sure what questions to ask here, so please tell me anything you know about keeping a dogs teeth free from injury. Thanks!
What to do about small scratches on car?
I recently got some very small scratches on my car. What is the best thing to do about them?? [more inside]
Films by artists?
Apologies in advance for what may be a poorly constructed question, but: I'm looking for films (preferably narrative feature films) made by artists who first established themselves in a medium other than film. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by Merzbau at 4:37 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by Merzbau at 4:37 PM PST - 27 comments
How do I get to know my parents as people?
After seeing and reading about the death of parents, one of the biggest regrets seems to be not knowing them better. I have a cordial but distance relationship from my parents and while I don't ever see us being BFFs, I would like to know them better as people and their life. How do I do this, considering I live 6 states away? [more inside]
posted by lpcxa0 at 4:07 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by lpcxa0 at 4:07 PM PST - 21 comments
I want to eat a lot. How should I work out?
What kind of exercise regimen can I get into that will allow me to/require me to eat a lot? [more inside]
Removing chewing gum from leather
So I managed to get gum on my shoe yesterday. Normally I would just scrape it off, but in this case it's on the top of the leather shoe, not on the sole. I did some googling and saw advice to freeze the item with gum on it and other advice to use a hairdryer to heat the gum. One page suggested peanut butter. Since these seem like contradictory bits of advice, I'm here asking: Have you ever tried to remove gum from leather? What worked? Since it's the top of the shoe I'd like to have it look ok when I'm done.
posted by kbuxton at 3:34 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by kbuxton at 3:34 PM PST - 6 comments
Where should I stay during a conference in Vegas?
I'll be in Las Vegas for a conference this summer, and am trying to figure out what my best options are for lodging. I'll have a fair bit of time for fun stuff, and I can't decide whether it's wiser to stay right next to the Convention Center and cab it to the strip/Fremont, or whether it makes more sense to stay on the strip and cab it to the conference (I'm also open to walking, depending on weather/exhaustion levels). I'm also not sure which way would be most beneficial traffic-wise, going into or out of the strip. If you've done this before, which option would you recommend, and are there any particular hotels I should look into?
posted by stellaluna at 3:17 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by stellaluna at 3:17 PM PST - 15 comments
Cue the montage.
Suggest films where a lead character starts out meek and overshadowed, and eventually blossoms into someone strong and empowered? Especially interested in films where empowerment develops while learning a gruelling physical skill. [more inside]
Chicken Facts
I would like to play a April Fools joke of sorts on coworkers: Someone posted these Chicken Facts to the break room fridge. I would like your help in revising them. [more inside]
posted by maryr at 3:07 PM PST - 47 comments
posted by maryr at 3:07 PM PST - 47 comments
What kind of car did I see today?
I saw a sporty compact type of car today with a logo I didn't recognize. It looked like an angular "m" inside of an oval shape. I would describe it as a cross between a batman symbol and an infinity logo. The body style was a sleek, aggressive, sporty design - not cheap, but not too high end. If I guessed, I would have thought it was a like a Scion Tc or Mazda 3. At first I thought it might be a Tesla. I can't recall if it was a coupe or sedan. Any ideas?
posted by roaring beast at 2:58 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by roaring beast at 2:58 PM PST - 20 comments
Guilt about knowingly starting at and leaving a company
Have you ever started at a company and knew you would leave after a month or two? Did you regret it? I might do this and have a guilty feeling about it, but I wanted to get the hive mind's opinion on it. [more inside]
Used baby shower items?
How acceptable it is to give baby shower gifts that are previously-used? [more inside]
posted by Liesl at 1:13 PM PST - 43 comments
posted by Liesl at 1:13 PM PST - 43 comments
Best (free?) music notation software
I am looking for intuitive, easy-to-use music notation software. I already have the sheet music and just need to input it into a program so that it will play a reasonable rendition. I see there are a few online but don't know which one is best. Thank you.
Buddy, Come On! I'll Take All of That You Got!
Future Islands' recent David Letterman appearance has me in a frenzy. I want to see more examples of dazzling showmanship and unstoppable catharsis -- raw, intimate, unfettered performances by artists at the top of their games. I'm talking pulsing veins, searching eyes, trembling throats and chest-pounding theatrics. Send me your best videos of rockers and riveters! [more inside]
posted by fritillary at 12:08 PM PST - 51 comments
posted by fritillary at 12:08 PM PST - 51 comments
Am I depressed or discontented with life in general?
Lengthy, but I would so appreciate helpful perspectives. For some time there have been certain 'unhappy' factors in my life that I have been able to manage - but almost a week ago something seemed to trigger crisis mode and I have felt very low and almost completely unable to shake the feeling since. [more inside]
UK fibre broadband availability
I'm moving flats and want to bring my fibre optic broadband service with me. The exchange is fibre-enabled, but I can't seem to find a straight answer on whether the specific flat I'm moving into is. How can I clear this up? [more inside]
Pros and Cons of retention for a 4th grader with special needs
I'm looking for research or studies that examine the pros and cons of having a child with special needs (especially Autism Spectrum Disorder) repeat a grade versus social promotion. I'd also like to hear from teachers or educators who've held kids back and any students (especially those that were receiving special education services) that were held back in the 3rd, 4th or 5th grade and how it impacted you. [more inside]
Sociological or anthropological studies on insular or peninsular cities?
I'm looking for academic-level writing on the ways that cities that are built on islands or peninsulas, or in geographically isolated areas, develop and behave differently from cities that are more easily and fully connected to other cities. This would be about the mindset and attitudes and not about urban planning or infrastructure. I'm thinking these may be anthropological or sociological studies. They may even just be a thought pieces or essays. I could swear I saw one that talked about Manhattan and Charleston, but I can't find it.
Final pre-purchase car questions!
Continuing my car questions (1, 2, 3). We’re buying a gently used Forester. Two questions I need to resolve before picking up the car: should I finance any part of the purchase (can pay all cash), and should I pay to extend the bumper-to-bumper warranty to seven years? [more inside]
Disarming things one can say when giving up a seat on the bus?
I regularly run into a semi embarrassing situation when offering my seat to someone on the bus, and I would prefer to give both myself and the stranger in question easier outs. [more inside]
posted by allkindsoftime at 10:57 AM PST - 55 comments
posted by allkindsoftime at 10:57 AM PST - 55 comments
Advice on seeking reimbursement from gas station for bad fuel?
Earlier this month, my 2007 Toyota Prius stalled right after a drive-through oil change (where you sit in your car while the work is done). I had it towed back to the oil place, and they checked and said no fluids were leaking and confirmed they'd used the right kind of oil. Then I had it towed to a Toyota body shop--it wouldn't go into neutral at that point, in case that's important--where the service dept. checked various things, drained the gasoline and refilled with new gas, then drove the car 10 miles with no problem. I have the receipt from the last place I bought gas (5 days before the oil change; a chain service station called Mapco Mart) and a receipt from the body shop saying the "fuel volatility [was] poor" which caused the stalling. I also have a receipt for the oil change showing what they did besides the change itself: they added windshield washer fluid and checked that brake lights, headlights, and wipers were working. Should I go to the gas station in person, or write to or call the company that owns it, or something else?
choosing between 2 laptops - more RAM or better processor?
I'm choosing between 2 laptops, identical except for processor & RAM. I'm unlikely to buy more RAM, and thinking the one with more RAM will be generally better than the one with the better processor, all else being equal. I tend to keep lots of stuff running, and max out RAM on my current boat anchor beat-to-death laptop. [more inside]
posted by theora55 at 10:32 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by theora55 at 10:32 AM PST - 16 comments
3d scan + 3d print = replicator?
Things I would like to reproduce:
1) A very simple place setting that's been discontinued at IKEA (2 spoon sizes, 2 fork sizes & a knife)
2) A simple ceramic bowl my other half made that I broke. :( (Replica doesn't have to be ceramic, just has to be that shape.)
Are there any services available that will scan a simple object in 3d and then print a copy of it? Is ZEUS the only way to do it?
posted by yoga at 10:24 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by yoga at 10:24 AM PST - 6 comments
History of penalties for distributing maps?
I've heard stories from time to time about stiff penalties for distributing maps of cities, because in times of war, the enemy could use them as intelligence. Obviously, not contemporary stories, now that most everything is mapped a million different ways. I've heard it was true for Japan in WW2, but don't know. [more inside]
Kitchen cabinet refacing
Does anyone have firsthand experience with kitchen cabinet refacing? [more inside]
posted by Sublimity at 9:56 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Sublimity at 9:56 AM PST - 13 comments
The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over the Setting Sun
What was the first message sent by the Soviet Union over the infamous 1960s "hotline"? [more inside]
posted by alana at 9:45 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by alana at 9:45 AM PST - 4 comments
Drawing hacks and tips for beginners?
I'm looking for simple tips and hacks that make a big difference in learning to draw - like "start your drawing at the point of focus" or "start with light colors, then add dark colors". [more inside]
posted by kristi at 9:28 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by kristi at 9:28 AM PST - 16 comments
Boston...pot.
How do I get a medical marijuana card in Massachusetts? [more inside]
Quitting when my employer has big plans for me
I'm ready to give my notice, with an end date of April 30. However, my department has some huge projects coming up that were taken on with the assumption I would be around to design them, and, well, I don't want to be. [more inside]
How to avoid embarrassment in bed?
I have a history of sexual performance issues. Part of these stem from the inability to become as erect as I would need to be to perform the function unless I am extremely attracted to the other person. This has led to limited intercourse experience. [more inside]
How do I purchase brand-name apparel at wholesale for my online store?
I am interested in starting an e-commerce business selling brand-name specialty apparel. How does a small reseller develop the relationships necessary to purchase brand-name goods at wholesale? Is this done by going directly to the designers or working with intermediaries? [more inside]
Is a double-major in Spanish and philosophy viable and fruitful?
Is a major in Spanish a good investment? If I buckle down and commit myself to daily study and practice (and spend one semester abroad), can I attain a decent fluency in the language? What kind of career paths could I expect? More details and questions follow. [more inside]
Developing career direction
Please help me figure out what direction my career could or should move in, based on my current job as Product Manager, my skills, and my strengths. [more inside]
posted by rachaelfaith at 7:43 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by rachaelfaith at 7:43 AM PST - 3 comments
How can I do something nice for my boss?
What can I do for my boss that would be nice? I am trying to get back into her good graces and a suggestion was made that I do some one nice thing for her each week. I don't know what she is into. She's not into any of the things that I am. I do know that. Although, I don't necessarily think that matters. [more inside]
posted by Jewel98 at 7:36 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by Jewel98 at 7:36 AM PST - 26 comments
Western JRPGs
So, the recent release of South Park: The Stick of Truth got me thinking about western rpgs that use JRPG style combat. I've enjoyed the South Park game, and one of my all time favorite games is Anachronox, which fused JRPG style combat with a ridiculous sci-fi storyline. Does anyone know of any games similar to South Park or Anachronox that aren't actual JRPGs (which I tend to hate for their aesthetic and narrative choices)?
Because I don't want to eat at Fort Sumter's commissary
Four+ days in Charleston and Savannah at the end of April. We've got a good list of things to see and do, now I turn to the HiveMind for food suggestions. [more inside]
posted by TravellingCari at 7:09 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by TravellingCari at 7:09 AM PST - 16 comments
You are not my HR rep but…
I’ve been signed up for classroom style skills training, held in my city. It’s mandatory for people in my salaried position to take it. The course runs 3.5 days, 12 hrs/day and is quite expensive to attend (company paid). Participants are required to stay at a hotel, and are not allowed to commute to the sessions (as they would their regular job). Location: Canada [more inside]
I don't learn/recall as well in my thirties. Strategies?
What are some strategies to keep the mind in its best condition to learn, retain, and recall as we age? Its much harder and psychologically daunting for me to keep "fresh" than it was just a few years ago. How do I halt the decline or improve the situation? [more inside]
Online DVD sellers that aren't Amazon?
Can anyone recommend a US-based online DVD store other than Amazon that ships internationally? [more inside]
posted by fearthehat at 2:55 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by fearthehat at 2:55 AM PST - 7 comments
Six weeks no-poo and I see Farrah in the distance...
I made the leap and stopped shampooing my hair six weeks ago, learned how a high pH can really mess it up and have almost found my outer Farrah. Enter the apple cider vinegar rinse. Do you do this? What is the right way? My approach needs finesse. No-poo MeFippies: help me tweak my routine. [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 1:17 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 1:17 AM PST - 30 comments
March 25
I accidentally "took" my friends job.
My good friend and I applied and were interviewed for the same job at a prestigious organization in our field. I got the job. She didn't. I start Monday. My friend is really mad at me. I haven't felt this awkward and upset about something good happening to me since high school senior year awards night. HELP. [more inside]
posted by SkylitDrawl at 11:45 PM PST - 68 comments
posted by SkylitDrawl at 11:45 PM PST - 68 comments
Was the American outlook in the early 70s really that bleak?
Was the American outlook in the early 70s really that bleak or is that just what survived culturally? [more inside]
How do I protect my assets from my brother’s bill collectors?
My brother went and got stage 4 cancer couple years ago without insurance. He’s not worked since and is now on public assistance. To maintain that assistance he will have to liquidate his shuttered small business. His sustaining chemo keeps him pretty sedate and very bored so I’d like to loan him my idle 3-D laser marker to do artsy-fartsy stuff. I’d put the marker in his house that he owns outright... do I have to worry about losing the marker to his bill collectors (health services debt accrued prior to public assistance)? If so, how do I loan him the equipment and protect my ownership? I don’t think his girlfriend is a co-owner of the house but I suspect his 4 year old son somehow is.
posted by tinker at 9:16 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by tinker at 9:16 PM PST - 6 comments
What are the most authentic Japanese restaurants in the SF Bay Area?
Especially for those of you who have traveled in or lived in Japan: What are the most authentic Japanese restaurants in the greater SF Bay Area? [more inside]
posted by Infernarl at 9:14 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by Infernarl at 9:14 PM PST - 19 comments
Refundable airline ticket, or last minute purchase for uncertain date?
My dad was diagnosed with cancer in February. He lives in a different state. On a recent visit to see him, he suggested that my husband and I buy refundable airline tickets in case my dad's condition gets unexpectedly worse and I need to travel to see him on short notice. He thinks that this might be cheaper for me than having to buy tickets on very short notice. My impression is that nonrefundable tickets are fairly expensive, and I'm not sure if I can buy one that's open-ended enough for that purpose (my dad's prognosis is 1-3 years). I'm wondering if I should just wait and either 1) look for last-minute travel on Hotwire/Expedia/whatever or 2) accept being gouged for last-minute airline tickets. I'd appreciate any advice on what the best option is here, especially if there are some that I'm not thinking of right now.
posted by SockISalmon at 8:40 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by SockISalmon at 8:40 PM PST - 17 comments
No title. Just a bunch of weird dolls in trash bags.
My late mother-in-law collected dolls of questionable value. Like 18" Kurt Cobain motion-activated figurines... and so much more. We need all 30 of them out of our basement. How, Internet? HOW? [more inside]
Another "help me ID this song based on scant detail" question
Quite some time ago on another site someone posted the lyrics to a song (so I have never heard it, just read it) that has been rattling around in bits in my head ever since. Who is it by? No idea, but I am pretty sure it is one of the proto/nouveau/modern-celtic bands like The Waterboys, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Black 47, Fiddler's Green, etc. [more inside]
You should hire me because you already know I'm cool!
A new position has popped up at a small office where I interned as a college student. How to best play this? [more inside]
posted by myntu at 7:20 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by myntu at 7:20 PM PST - 10 comments
Multiple orgasms for men, experience?
I've read The Multi-Orgasmic Man.
I find Eastern, energy-based philosophy hard to grasp, because moving energy throughout the body is very much experiential and intangible. It's not not like learning physical movements (sports, martial arts, etc.) [more inside]
My cat is clicking her jaw. Emergency vet now, or first thing in the AM?
When I came home for lunch today, I didn't notice this behavior (and I would have - we snuggled). About an hour after I came home from work, I noticed that she was clicking her jaw. She is still walking around, eating, and drinking water. Should I go to the vet now, or first thing in the morning (8am)? [more inside]
Tokyo to Nagoya for a sumo match
I'll be in Tokyo with my family in July, and I would love to check out a sumo wrestling match. I found that there will be a tournament happening in Nagoya while we are there. It looks like the Shinkansen train can make the trip in ~100min. Is this a feasible day trip for 3 ppl (2 adults + 1 6y/o)? Any insight appreciated
posted by askmehow at 6:44 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by askmehow at 6:44 PM PST - 8 comments
Help me find *English* novelizations of Korean TV shows.
Librarian here, trying to help a patron who enjoys Korean television shows find their novelized versions in English. [more inside]
Out-of-network limit for health insurance
I am trying to pick between two health plans. The higher deductible plan makes more sense for me except for one thing – there is no out-of-pocket limit for out-of-network treatment. This seems like a big flashing warning sign to me, but I’m not sure how avoidable out-of-network care is. For example, would being taken to an out-of-network hospital after a car accident start triggering unlimited expenses that I would be entirely responsible for? Is this a plan I should stay away from?
Ask MetaFilter: Going the Distance Edition
In the movie Rocky II, Rocky faces a moment of crisis and he retires to a chapel to pray. Philadelphians, fans of the Rocky movies, movie fans in general, I need your help identifying this chapel! See my pleadings inside. [more inside]
Help me sing a Dutch nursery rhyme to my daughter
My dad (who was Dutch) used to sing two nursery rhyme/children's songs to us and the grandchildren of my family. He passed away a few years ago and I'd like to sing it to my daughter but I have no idea how to spell (or even really pronouce the song title). Can you help me google it? [more inside]
posted by jojobobo at 4:58 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by jojobobo at 4:58 PM PST - 8 comments
How effective is personalization of content?
I work in advertising developing large corporate sites and the question I'm asking is very hard to Google as it is muddled in advertising speak. A big selling point in many of the large CMS systems that I work with are personalization: the idea that content can be delivered to users that meet certain criteria. I will go more into depth in what I mean inside, but the gist of my question is: is there any research that shows personalization is effective in creating "brand awareness," sales/conversions or anything else that can be tracked with a metric? I spend all day implementing these and just don't see the advantage. [more inside]
Caught a cop parked in a handicapped spot - what to do ?
I was traveling today when I pulled off the interstate into a rest stop and found a sheriff's car from another county parked in a handicapped spot. [more inside]
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 4:09 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 4:09 PM PST - 31 comments
Another "should I stay or should I go?" question
Should I move to the other side of the world? Snowflake situation inside, of course. [more inside]
Seeking your thoughts on coworking spaces - experience? interest?
We are considering setting up a coworking space in a nearby small town. It would be very helpful to hear from people who have tried working in one. What did you like or dislike? What suggestions do you have? If you haven't worked in one, why not? Does the idea appeal to you or not? [more inside]
Purchase Sloe Berries
I have a cookbook from England with a sloe gin recipe using fresh sloes, but the plant apparently does not grow in the US (Come on, ConAgra, get busy!). Also, I have learned from a grower in England that starting several years ago, fresh sloes cannot be brought into the US (Is this coincident with the Tea Party?).
Any help would be appreciated finding fresh sloes for use in California, and a toast in your name! Thanks!
How to add multiple images at a time in Excel
I unpacked a bunch of boxes, took photos of what was inside, and then packed them back up. I would like to create a simple inventory of the boxes with columns for box #, a photo of the contents, and a description of the contents. Here is sort of an idea of what I am trying to accomplish. [more inside]
Do you like internet shoe hunts?
These Indigo by Clark's Plush Sateen in Black [size 8 Medium!] are the black shoes I keep at work at all times. I have a few pairs of black and brown under my desk, but these shoes are perfect. So so comfortable. Go with skirts, skirt suits, pants, anything. Nondescript, but classy. And I've killed them. I need new ones. I have boring normal feet-this shouldn't be so hard. [more inside]
I would like to make alcoholic boba. IS THIS POSSIBLE?
Tapioca balls in drinks. Also known as boba. I recently saw a bar advertising alcoholic drinks WITH boba in them. And I said "Well that's dumb. Anyone can do that. Why not put the booze IN the boba?" To which a friend said "well that's impossible." And I said, "Oh yeah? Well I'm going to do it." And then I realized I know nothing about this.
So to you.
Can booze be injected into a tapioca ball? Can they be soaked in booze? Would that work? Would they soak it up? What would be the best way to make booze filled bobas?
Portable scanner feeder, any ideas
Does anyone have any idea for a portable scanner feeder? [more inside]
Do I need to refrigerate pickled onions?
I have a jar of homemade curried pickled onions. It has never been opened. If I eat one, do I need to refrigerate the remainder? There's a companion jar without curry, that's been opened and has been at room temperature for some months, and they are still good. Well, subject to taste.
Cute but toxic?
How safe is it for a child to have adult nail polish on her fingernails? [more inside]
help us plan a route from Vancouver to San Francisco
the other half and I are planning a road trip from Vancouver to San Francisco in early May and we're looking for some advice on route planning and potential stops (and stopovers.) [more inside]
posted by heeeraldo at 1:18 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by heeeraldo at 1:18 PM PST - 15 comments
How are The Thunderbird School of Global Management online courses?
I’m looking at several certificate programs they offer. I am considering the certificates in Global Marketing, Global Leadership, Global Management, or Global Negotiations. Each one consists of 3 courses to be completes one at a time with 2-3 hours of content per week. I’m not sure if this means just total time spent or time going over content not including assignments. 2-3 hours total seems a bit low for an executive course, plus it’s expensive, $1980 per course for only 1.5 credit each.
I also know that they have been having some financial issues and academic controversy for trying to sell their campus to a for profit education company Laureate Education Company. The deal was rejected by their accreditors, The Higher Learning Commission.
I have been contacted by a recruiter several times by phone and email. She seems a little aggressive, much like I’ve heard for profit online school recruiters can be.
Do you guys think these courses seem like they have value or not? I appreciate the input in advance.
Help me find an awesome comfortable durable supportive strapless bra!
I seem to have had bad luck in terms of finding well-fitting strapless bras. I'm looking for a comfortable strapless bra that holds everything up properly for the entire evening without requiring trips to the bathroom to tug it up (!!!). I'm around a 34/36 C/D. [more inside]
Question about dog allergies
How to communicate fabric coarseness?
Is there a specific numbering system / grading system for fabric coarseness? I am specifically working with nylon for a bag.
posted by gillianr at 12:09 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by gillianr at 12:09 PM PST - 5 comments
What is that electronic noise in my audio system?
I'm hearing some odd noise in my office audio system and I'd like an opinion on what it could be. It appeared right after I replaced three old Shure SCM810 mixers with new versions of the same model. They are usually soft, as heard in this short clip here) but the occasionally sound much louder and become quite noticeable. It reminds me of the interference from Blackberry devices but it's clearly different. Could this be interference from some other device or is something else going on here?
Thanks in advance.
posted by Jamesonian at 12:04 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Jamesonian at 12:04 PM PST - 4 comments
The Search for Delicious: SF Edition
Where should I eat and drink in San Francisco? Specific parameters inside. [more inside]
posted by mlle valentine at 12:01 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by mlle valentine at 12:01 PM PST - 33 comments
Introducing teen to sushi
We're taking my 15 year old nephew out for sushi this coming weekend. (Planning on going to Rikishi for Mefites in Toronto) He's only ever had supermarket California rolls, and I'm wondering what to start him with. Suggestions?
romantic, outdoorsy, 7 day trip to Santa Fe/New Mexico, ideas?
Wife and I are planning to visit Albuquerque, NM this May. We will rent a car, and be there for one week. Where should we go? We've never been to the region. [more inside]
posted by skewed at 10:56 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by skewed at 10:56 AM PST - 22 comments
Drinking water safe adhesive available in the UK
I need to glue a better aerator on to the old aerator in my kitchen tap. I want a glue that's safe for potable water, gluing metal to plastic, but all my searches bring up US results that I can't find in the UK. Can anyone recommend one, preferably from experience? [more inside]
posted by danteGideon at 10:44 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by danteGideon at 10:44 AM PST - 10 comments
Best Critical History of Hip Hop
Please give my your recommendations for the best book on the history of hip hop, that includes critical appraisals of the performers and groups, and a discography, and that is available in ebook format. If hip hop as a whole is too broad a topic, I'd accept a book with a narrower focus on just East Coast stuff, or just New York stuff.
posted by Ipsifendus at 10:21 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Ipsifendus at 10:21 AM PST - 10 comments
Can this relationship be saved?
He's a doll ... who mocks religion, has a lazy, entitled child and is impatient. [more inside]
posted by nubianinthedesert at 9:42 AM PST - 54 comments
posted by nubianinthedesert at 9:42 AM PST - 54 comments
Inspiring documentaries about artists and creators
I stream art documentaries on Netflix while I work. (Having something playing on the 2nd monitor is acceptable at my job.) I've watched enough that the top three recommendations at the bottom of the page are almost always films I've already seen, but I want to keep this habit up another month! [more inside]
OMG = Oh My (not God)?
I'm an atheist with a God problem. My exclamations of surprise, disgust and frustration usually take the form of "Oh my God" or "Jesus Christ!" or "Holy shit". I want to find some new - preferably safe for work and young ears - versions of my favorite exclamations that have the same import and emphasis that I so enjoy from the current ones. [more inside]
posted by tafetta, darling! at 9:30 AM PST - 132 comments
posted by tafetta, darling! at 9:30 AM PST - 132 comments
I can't quit, you're firing me
My job is trying to counsel me out for "performance" issues. I think this is unjustified, but either way, the relationship is over. How do I position myself to end my employment on the best terms for me? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:00 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by anonymous at 9:00 AM PST - 22 comments
Give me your low-carb vegetarian recipes!
I eat low-carb. No beans, no fruit, no lentils or quinoa or chickpeas. Instead, I eat LOTS of protein, fats, generally with salads. But I worry I eat too much meat, and I getting sick of salad, so I am looking for great vegetable recipes that are under 8 carbs a serving. [more inside]
posted by Viola at 8:55 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by Viola at 8:55 AM PST - 17 comments
"Guys! Check it out! The English term for it is..."
There's no shortage of articles online that take the basic form "here are awesome non-English words and phrases that are hilarious and/or that English doesn't have a direct translation for". Examples: A German slang term for low-back tattoos is "Aarsgewei", which translates to "ass antlers". Also in German, the term for eating because you are sad is "Kummerspeck", which is literally "grief bacon". The Finnish word for pedant, pilkunnussija, translates as "comma fucker". I'm curious about the flip-side, like a non-English-speaker being amused that low back tribal tattoos are called "tramp stamps" in the US. What English words or slang terms are amusing to speakers of foreign languages in the same way that I find some of their terms amusing and/or awesome?
posted by rmd1023 at 8:31 AM PST - 54 comments
posted by rmd1023 at 8:31 AM PST - 54 comments
How to paint computer cases with middle schoolers?
I work in a middle school and as a service project, my students want to build computers and paint them in the school colors to either donate to homeless shelters in town or to keep in the trophy case here at the middle school. I don't know what it takes to paint them, though, and I could use some help! [more inside]
posted by Modica at 8:08 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by Modica at 8:08 AM PST - 5 comments
Is A Masters' Degree In Professional Writing Worth It?
I've wanted to try to shift from being "secretary who writes" to "writer" for a while now, and just not really had a good plan how - nor any background in the technical writing that really would be where most of the money comes in. Would a full-on masters' degree program teach me that, but have any other benefits (i.e., networking, connections, etc. to jumpstart the career) or am I just fine with the occasional Gotham Writers' mart course and a lot of word-of-mouth? [more inside]
Healthy mashed potatoes, but not really all that healthy.
What are some vegan toppings for mashed potatoes that are fatty and delicious and not watery or fake? [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 7:18 AM PST - 38 comments
posted by A Terrible Llama at 7:18 AM PST - 38 comments
I see a pastel couch and I want to paint it black
Does upholstery paint really work? I have been offered a couch by a coworker. I really dig the shape of the couch, high back, lots of buttons, kinda swanky, retro looking. The color scheme looks like something from the Golden Girls though. [more inside]
Cutting a hole in foundation wall
Should I offer an apology at work?
I screwed up at work - which was compounded by a string of just plain bad luck. It got really ugly. Maybe could even lose my job. I'm thinking of having a heart-to-heart call with my leadership to apologize for the bits that were my responsibility...Not to grovel and save my ass, but to communicate that I know I impacted them and the team. Bad idea? Does an apology ever help in a workplace, or does it just help affix blame and make everyone uncomfortable?
How do I jump ship?
I’m a failed journalist working for a dying European newspaper. I’m female, 39, with two small children and currently on maternity leave. Help me find something else. [more inside]
Unlocking an old AT&T iPhone
The spouse and I upgraded from an iPhone4 and 4s on AT&T to newer iPhones on AT&T. Then someone mentioned we can sell the old phones on ebay, but to be sure and unlock them first, as they're worth more that way.
But the old phones are no longer are active phones and AT&T is refusing or can't unlock them. Is there any way to unlock (but not jailbreak) an old iPhone 4 and 4s on the AT&T network that are no longer active as phones?
Two drifters, off to see the world...
How to have fun with your travel buddy [more inside]
Stay unvaccinated?
Should I get immunised? [more inside]
Solve a WWII mystery!
It's a long shot, but does anyone have any ideas about this drawing from WWII? [more inside]
posted by lharmon at 4:59 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by lharmon at 4:59 AM PST - 10 comments
Android Sensors (The phone kind, not the cool robot kind)
I'm doing some experiments with sensor feeds and sensing sensor data with MQTT and in the short term, before my sensors turn up I've managed to set up a sort of trial sensor using an MQTT app on my phone to send dummy data to Xively.
This got me thinking about actual phone sensor data, so I downloaded an app called AndroSensor, which gives many and varied readings on sensors.
What I am now wondering is, is there an easy way (short of writing my own app, which I may end up doing anyway) of taking regular readings from my phone sensors and sending or storing them. Preferably I'd like to send an MQTT message very 30 seconds or so, but failing that could I sample them every 30 seconds then auto send that file somehow?
I'm a murderer... of probe thermometers
Please help me reform.
I'm notorious for killing probe thermometers - you know, the ones that go into the oven and have a readout connected by wire? I go through about 4 of them a year. I'd like to stop. Does anyone have recommendations for a good, nearly indestructible, probe thermometer? I'm less concerned about accuracy - if it's off by a degree or two here or there, that's fine. Bonus points if it can be used with a gas grill as well as an oven.
Travelling on the former MH370 flight. Help?
So I am travelling on the flight that used to be called MH370 (now MH318) in April. Apparently its number was changed to 318 because 8 is a lucky number in China. I notice however that the plane is close to empty even at this point.
Does anyone have stats or advice about why I shouldn't be worried? Does lightning ever strike twice?
posted by vizsla at 3:16 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by vizsla at 3:16 AM PST - 23 comments
March 24
Musical Seattle Wedding Gift?
My cousin is getting married in a couple of weeks on the east coast. I'm traveling there from Seattle. Both bride and groom (my cousin is the groom, if that matters) are active musicians in the Boston scene. I don't know them very well. They're in their mid 30s and were impressionable teenagers when grunge was just becoming an enormous deal. I was thinking they might appreciate a small wedding gift that had something to do with Seattle's musical history, but I myself am not very familiar with it all, with what's actually cool and what's just tourist junk. My budget is less than $50 (less would be better) and I need to be able to fit it in my suitcase and have it be modest looking at the wedding itself. My cousin plays guitar, drums, is a lead singer, and writes lyrics as well as music. His genre, as far as I can tell, goes around a central pillar of "rock". I'm looking for a token kind of gift. They have a registry but also stipulate they don't need or require gifts multiple times, it's going to be a super small wedding and I'm not sure I'm even going to be at the ceremony itself. Just something that will make them go "cool! I never would have asked for this but it's a neat thing to have!" Do you have any ideas?
Where can I find this unicorn of a bra??
I am having serious issues finding a bra that fits me. However, since I've been to multiple stores already, I've had some success defining exactly what I need. Previous Qs on bras don't address my very specific petite, plus-size situation. Metafilter, does this bra exist?? [more inside]
How to create a hard link or symbolic link from NTFS to FAT32?
How to create a hard link or symbolic link pointing from a folder on NTFS C:\ to a folder on FAT32 USB SD card? [more inside]
Safety and maintenance of basement apartment in Northern California?
I am considering living in a basement apartment near a major fault line. Is this safe? [more inside]
Finding material on a WW1-era New York murder case
What resources might be recommended for tracking down info about an NYC criminal trial from the summer of 1917? Do you think the court transcript might somehow be available?
posted by steinsaltz at 9:24 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by steinsaltz at 9:24 PM PST - 1 comment
What's the quickest/easiest way to get audiobooks from a CD to iphone 4?
I can rip the audiobooks from the compact disc to itunes quite easily, but the problem is if they are just added to my phone under the music icon, it won't save my place in the book. What is the easiest and fastest way to make this happen. I am willing to download apps that cost $ if necessary.
Car went crunch. Help me find a new one quick!
Was in awful car accident yesterday. Good news - walked away without a scratch. Bad news - car is now a paperweight. Help me find a new vehicle? Details within. [more inside]
Am I un-datable without a smart phone?
No, seriously. Should I buy an iPhone just to get on Tindr. And yes, I'm that desperate. [more inside]
Lexapro and Dextomethorphan - Am i going to die?
Fighting a cold and wasn't thinking. I am on 20mg of Lexapro and I just took some Nyquil with 30mg of dextro. Got to looking and it looks like there is a major possibility of seratonin syndrome. Should I go to the hospital now?
I'm a male, 225 pounds, mostly healthy except for this darn cold. How nervous should I be?
Seattle vacation planning - am I in the construction zone?
Will my planned Seattle vacation rental be in the construction zone for the Alaskan Way? [more inside]
My phone doesn't know me anymore.
Up until a week or two ago, my phone's predictive text function predicted not just which word I was typing, but also which word I was likely to type next. It used an algorithm which not only paired common words, but which (and this is the important bit) also learned which words I used frequently. Now that's not happening any more. Predictive text is still working, but it doesn't seem to be learning my vocabulary any more. How can I make this work again? [more inside]
Need urgent mental health care
My wife needs urgent mental health care, but we don't seem to have any good options. Can you offer some advice? [more inside]
Words On Film
I want to read more essays on individual films, along the lines of Tim Kreider's "Introducing Sociology" (on Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut.) [more inside]
Calling all cable experts
Tomorrow I'm hosting a presentation where the speaker would like to hook up a laptop to two decent-sized external speakers. All that's lacking is a cable. I'm hoping to run out to the electronics store tomorrow morning to buy a cable (or two?) to do this, but am completely baffled as to what to get. I plan to call the store in the morning, but simply because I am nervous about the presentation and would like to sleep peacefully tonight, can anyone here recommend exactly what kind of cables I should get? [more inside]
Name that trope
A conversation is in progress. Scene cuts for travel to a new location. Conversation picks right back up at the new location as if there was no time in between. Is there a name for this trope?
Bones is a show that seems to have it in every opening sequence. As travel in DC is far from instant, it is like they stop talking for 30 minutes to 2 hours sometimes. Is there a name for it?
posted by slavlin at 6:07 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by slavlin at 6:07 PM PST - 2 comments
Identify a movie quote from a movie I've never seen.
A friend of mine loves to say dramatically and hilariously, "Santa Maria, dame la paz. La paz!" He says it's a quote from a movie, but he has no idea which one and remembers nothing about it. I think the movie is most likely in English, because this phrase is the only Spanish my friend knows. Googling doesn't work because "Santa Maria de la Paz" is a thing.
posted by Bentobox Humperdinck at 6:06 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Bentobox Humperdinck at 6:06 PM PST - 5 comments
Moving cross-country, will need car--but when and where?
In a few months I will be moving across the country from Delaware to California for a year to maybe indefinitely. In which state should I buy a car and how should it be paid for?
(Snowflake details below the cut.) [more inside]
He started up his noisy computer in the middle of a reading!
I had a book release, reading, and signing party last night (it's a book I co-edited), and about halfway though the reading, one of the reader's husband pulled out his computer pad and turned it on, making all the start up noises. I find this rude and disrespectful; indeed, in the open mike culture here, people generally "respect the mike" and don't talk or take calls, but support the reader and give them energy (Energy begets energy). [more inside]
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 3:36 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 3:36 PM PST - 22 comments
Fighting back against innuendo
I'm in a work place environment, and lately some people have found out some personal details about my life, and are using these details to disparage me in the office environment. I know that they must be talking about these details openly together, but in front of me and to me, they merely make repeated allusions or oblique references, usually with a twinkle in their eye. How do you respond to an attack that is indirect? [more inside]
posted by tenlives at 3:34 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by tenlives at 3:34 PM PST - 29 comments
Family Medical Leave for Graduate Students
Does Family Medical Leave cover graduate students on .50 FTE? If so, does it still allow for tuition reimbursement or would I be on the hook for that? [more inside]
Best Practice for Prizes for Fundraisers
I work with an organisation which traditionally gives cash prizes to winners in charitable events they hold like duck races and pub quizzes. I am looking for best practice resources or studies (rather than anecdata) to show them that this is terrible development practice, if indeed it is. [more inside]
More Like InstaClose, Amiright?
Why does my iPhone keep dropping Instagram, and how do I fix it? [more inside]
posted by Parasite Unseen at 2:51 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Parasite Unseen at 2:51 PM PST - 2 comments
A first world problem if there ever was one.
How do I get my friends to be friends with each other? [more inside]
posted by quincunx at 2:10 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by quincunx at 2:10 PM PST - 27 comments
How to discourage surprise visitors?
My husband and I both work from home and need to come up with ways to discourage people from dropping by with no warning during the day. [more inside]
Peculiar smell from new central AC system?
Ever since we had our new air conditioning system installed, we get a strong chemical smell throughout the house when the furnace runs. What’s causing this? Can we do something to make it stop? If not, how long do we wait for it to go away? [more inside]
Comics for 11- and 13-year-old girls?
Taking the girls I babysit to the comic shop on Thursday. They love the Marvel movieverse (the 11-year-old adores Loki) the 13-year-old like the volume of Runaways she's read. If the John Rogers Blue Beetle run wasn't out of print I'd have already gotten it for them. Suggestions? Stuff they can't find in trade I am willing to hunt down in digital format.
posted by nonasuch at 1:42 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by nonasuch at 1:42 PM PST - 14 comments
How do they cool ready meals despite the rule of "do not reheat"?
Conventional wisdom teaches us not to re-heat food. (Many do anyway, but that's another story). Many prepared meals are cooked (i.e. heated up) and then chilled and put into packets ready to be reheated (by oven or microwave). These ready meals often also say "do not reheat" on them. Some of them go into more detail with a curiosity-inducing sentence: "This ready meal has been cooled using a specialised process and should not be re-heated after home heating". My question is... what is this specialised process - why is it OK for them to cook and cool food ready to be re-heated, but not me! Is it just a sterile environment, or something more fascinating?
Hands shaking/tingling the day after drinking: Alcohol withdrawal?
I got drunk a couple days ago. Besides my hangover being horrendous (per usual), for maybe half the day my hands were slightly trembling and I couldn't get them to stop. They're doing better now, but my hands have never shaken before, and I'm worried that my drinking is starting to catch up with me. Would this be a reason to call the doctor, and if so are there any tests/checks I should ask to have done? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by CottonCandyCapers at 1:16 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by CottonCandyCapers at 1:16 PM PST - 20 comments
Staying effective despite caregiver stress
Can any caregivers here offer tips on managing bandwidth (time and emotions)? Looking specifically for practical tricks/hacks to quickly switch mood states when time allocated to productive work is interrupted by big and small worries. [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 1:11 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by cotton dress sock at 1:11 PM PST - 13 comments
How to tackle the awkwardness of bumping into an ex?
Help me deal with the awkwardness of seeing my ex probably tomorrow. [more inside]
posted by Attozes at 1:03 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Attozes at 1:03 PM PST - 16 comments
Looking for kid-friendly videos about sleight-of-hand with cards.
My kids have become fascinated with card games lately, and more specifically, being able to handle the cards well and do stuff like shuffling, fanning them, flipping them domino-style, etc. I'd like to blow their minds with videos of people who are AMAZING with sleight of hand. But it needs to be clean and age-appropriate (ages span between 6 and 11). Basically, I'm looking for the Jackie Chan of card manipulation. [more inside]
How can alleviate this sudden back pain?
I have this really awful nerve-y kind of pain in my back right now that seems to be aggravated by sitting down too long. [more inside]
posted by ohmy at 12:47 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by ohmy at 12:47 PM PST - 14 comments
Searching for moving to Santa Barbara
How would one conduct a search for renting a place in Santa Barbara? What peculiarities of the market should I know? [more inside]
posted by cacophony at 12:41 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by cacophony at 12:41 PM PST - 3 comments
...is she dead?
How to handle insurance when your doctor/therapist goes AWOL? [more inside]
Group video conferencing from home
Hello - I am trying to figure out how to host a successful video conference from home. There will be 10-20 people at home in my living room with another ~5 dialing in remotely. [more inside]
Calculus after being away from algebra for some time. Help me.
I am going to grad school in the fall. Hooray! Problem: I have to take calculus before I start and I am kind of freaking out. [more inside]
Relocating from SF to OC, looking for cool hangouts.
I'm relocating from San Francisco to Irvine, and I'm looking for places to hang out that will ease the culture shock for me. [more inside]
The OED is on the tip of my tongue
Like many people on this site, I read a lot and have a pretty large vocabulary. But, when I speak or write, I often feel like much of that vocabulary is hiding in a part of my brain that I can't get at. Please suggest tasks that will flex my active vocabulary-retrieval muscles. [more inside]
Movies where the locals kill (or try to kill) the interlopers?
Please suggest some movies where the local residents kill (or try to kill) unwanted outsiders. If known, what motivated the locals to do so? [more inside]
Moving to Portland for my wife's career, what do I do about my career?
My SO is graduating medical school in May and just go matched at OHSU in Portland. We'll be moving in June. I'm looking for general advice about uprooting my career and life to go along. More details inside... [more inside]
Committing to a monogamous relationship when previously polyamorous
If you were previously polyamorous and committed to a monogamous relationship: how did you do it? How did you deal with those feelings that monogamy just didn't felt quite right? Were you able to replace the need outside relationships fulfilled with something else? [more inside]
Google Hangouts, you are a mess.
How do I absolutely, definitively, and completely sign myself out of Google Hangouts in every single possible location that I'm signed in? Or: how do I actually get notified when people chat me and I'm not online? [more inside]
posted by Phire at 8:53 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Phire at 8:53 AM PST - 11 comments
Did you see the Beatles at Denver's Red Rocks Amphitheatre in 1964?
OK, perhaps a longshot (but MeFi is always amazing)... my daughter is doing an article on the Beatles at Red Rocks in 1964 and would love to interview someone who was actually there. Anyone?
Bay Area location for easy mom/toddler meetup
Good SF area playground or similar for meeting up/hanging out, by BART with good parking? [more inside]
posted by The Toad at 8:39 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by The Toad at 8:39 AM PST - 6 comments
Can you help me find a therapist I remember reading about in NYC?
I was using an online "therapist finder" (Probably Psychology Today but I can't be certain) about 6 weeks ago to find myself a therapist. I had come across one in particular that I thought I saved a link to, but now can't find.
I know it was a woman, and she mentioned dogs in her description/bio - both that she was a dog owner and lover, but also that her dog could sometimes be present for therapy, and/or you could bring your dog. I know that's not unheard of, but her description really resonated with me in terms of what I need right now in a therapist and I am hoping someone might recognize my description. Thank you!
posted by brbmaroon at 8:38 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by brbmaroon at 8:38 AM PST - 7 comments
looking for recommendations on slim-fit winter clothing
does anyone make high-quality cold(ish)-weather outdoor wear, such as fleeces and windbreakers, in slim-fit cuts? [more inside]
If I could just care less about my work, I'd do a better job.
I'm the kind of person who gets worried enough they'll do their work not well, or make a mistake, that they end up either not starting or working too slowly and filled with dread.
Last week, I had to work late on a project. I had two beers in the process, found I cared less about the anxiety and dread and perfectionism, and just did a better, less stressful job. I want to do this without drinking. [more inside]
What can my friend grow instead of marijuana for profit?
The legal situation surrounding my friends growing operation changed so it is looking like he can't grow marijuana this year. What (legal) alternate crop can he grow and sell that might be synergistic or an easy transition? Crops that might need a lot of care but have a high sale value. Thoughts have included specialty vegetables for Bay Area restaurants, or wormwood for absinthe makers, although we have no idea if those are viable ideas. He is based in Chico, CA.
Where to stay in Malta
Heading to Malta in a few weeks, but not very sure where to stay. Valletta or one of the tourist areas? [more inside]
posted by Jakey at 7:08 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Jakey at 7:08 AM PST - 3 comments
Should I slather WD-40 all over my Rubik's cube?
Yeah, I know you're supposed to disassemble it and lather it with petroleum jelly, but I'm too lazy. Will WD-40 have negative side effects?
What's the best way to get this sheet music?
I'm hoping to have our pianist play Modest Mussorgsky's Promenade I from Pictures at an Exhibition as a prelude for our wedding. Please help me get the right sheet music! [more inside]
posted by brilliantine at 6:09 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by brilliantine at 6:09 AM PST - 5 comments
Reccomend some games / activities I can play with my Long Distance Girl
My girlfriend is currently 3000 miles away for the next 2 months and neither of us are naturally that talkative so our skype chats tend to just peter out at the end, when we would both like to spend more time together. We are looking for suggestions for 2 player games or activities we can play/do together online or over skype while we are chatting. ios or online games only (we don't have gaming computers with fancy gfx cards). Ideally things that are easy to understand and accessible for non-gamers but deep enough they will keep our interest over several play sessions.
How do I type Japanese on this computer?
On the past 5 computers I've used, I've just added Japanese to the language bar, and then chosen the "hiragana" option and typed Japanese that way. On the work computer I'm currently using, I've added Japanese to the language bar, but there is no hiragana option. Here is a picture. There is usually an option like what is available in the first picture on this page. No amount of Googling is helping me find the solution. How do I get the "hiragana" option to show up on this computer? Thanks!
Burning Man for International Visitors (who can't drive)
My girlfriend and I will be going to Burning Man this year. It was the sort of thing we've both wanted to do forever, and finally bit the bullet to do it. I'm scared, but purely for logistical reasons. Any advice? [more inside]
posted by popagandhi at 5:36 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by popagandhi at 5:36 AM PST - 13 comments
Happy yappy or upset pet?
My next-door neighbours bought a miniature dachshund puppy a couple of months ago. It is very cute and whenever we see it out with them on walks it looks very happy. However it yaps non-stop every day when they're at work (and quite a bit at the weekend when they are around). The noise doesn't bother us (there's plenty of other street noise in our area), but we are a bit worried the dog isn't happy. It's hard to tell if this is an excited yap or a plaintive lonely yap. [more inside]
Tips for watching speed chess
I'm going to watch some chessboxing in a in a few weeks with some friends. I know the rules of chess but nothing beyond that, no strategies or anything, ways to tell a good move from a bad one or see who dominating. Are there some key things I can know/read/watch in order to have a vague understanding of what's going on? [more inside]
Can you make my CPU stop beeping in the night?
I bought a new Dell XPS 8700 last fall. Lately, the damn thing seems to work like an alarm clock ALMOST every night around three or four am. I wake up to hear three rapid beeps over and over. This lasts for about a minute. This happens even when I shut it down. [more inside]
posted by Brodiggitty at 3:09 AM PST - 37 comments
posted by Brodiggitty at 3:09 AM PST - 37 comments
If baby leaves the train station headed west at 65 mph...
Calling all parents of metafilter! You once had a baby who didn't sleep well. Let's say this baby was six months old. We will call this point A. Now you have an older toddler or a child who sleeps through the night in her own bed. Let's call this point B. How did you get from point A to point B? [more inside]
Advanced Spanish Preservation For Short Attention Spans
Hi, folks. Through work and study, I achieved fluency in Spanish. In my current job, I was hired to do bilingual work, but I have had very little opportunity to speak Spanish for about six months. I'm worried I may be forgetting Spanish, which is really very bad for me on many levels. Please help me find a few ways to keep in touch with the language. [more inside]
March 23
How many different colors does this quilt need?
My wife wants to make a 10 x 12 square quilt with a random-looking pattern. How many colors would she need for a quilt that follows these rules:
1) No two patches of the same color may touch each other, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally;
2) No pair of patches may be repeated in the same orientation (i.e., if there is a red patch above a blue patch, that combination may not be repeated, but you may have a blue patch above a red patch);
3) There are no patches of the same color that have the same vertical and horizontal offset: i.e., if there is a red patch with a second red patch that is one down and two across, there may not be a third red patch that's the same distance down and across from that second patch.
Can you help me to find an Electric Typewriter with Memory?
I'm looking for a typewriter that will store what I'm writing so that I can transfer it to a computer. I am trying to manage my internet addiction and want a machine that will allow me to write without letting me do the internet thing. Can you help?
posted by overglow at 10:22 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by overglow at 10:22 PM PST - 13 comments
Taking a cat on a vacation
It's not that I want to vacation with my cat, but he requires medication at this point twice daily and I don't want to leave him alone. [more inside]
ain't 2 proud 2 beg
I have a wonderful relationship with my boyfriend. We are both mid-thirties; have discussed marriage and kids and are on the same page;we live together; and things are great. Except for one thing - I initiate sex most of the time and want it more. I know the next part is not right, but, me initiating things all of the time makes me feel bad. I know it is a stereotype to expect men to be wanting to have sex more. [more inside]
Dentures and Buyer's Remorse
I've just purchased a set of immediate dentures that look ridiculous and don't fit. I signed my approval for the preliminary wax version- I thought the teeth looked a little small, but my denturist assured me they'd look fine. (It was difficult to tell, holding them up next to my mouth in the mirror.)
Friday I had my final real teeth removed, and tried on the denture at the end of the visit. It didn't come close to fitting. My dentist confirmed my suspicions about the size of the denture teeth, and said most denturists actually put the wax version in the patient's mouth to make sure the bite is properly aligned, as well as to make sure they look good. Not mine...
Having signed off on the wax version, do I have any legal recourse here? If so, would they have to fix the cosmetic problems (size of teeth) as well as the fit?
Help with surprise move
Our landlord has decided to give us a 60 day notice to move rather than fix the hole in the roof he's left unrepaired for three weeks. We absolutely do not have the money or credit to arrange a surprise move and I feel absolutely kicked in the teeth.
I need help coping. [more inside]
posted by Space Kitty at 7:46 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by Space Kitty at 7:46 PM PST - 24 comments
Didn't do US taxes for 2 years. What now?
Every year, I've done my taxes myself, and on time. But, I didn't do my taxes last year. Or the previous year. The reasons are personal and ones that I would imagine the gov't may not care about - a breakup with my partner of 9 years one year + the crush of a big move and job transition the next. I knew there would be complicated tax things to sort through since I was living in corporate-funded temp housing (and also, each year I get $ back, but I think I would have actually owed this time around due to the temp housing deal). I let it build up into a huge scary tower of overwhelmingness. The months ticked by, and it was easier to push to the back of my mind. Essentially - I. just. didn't. do. them.
I would imagine that I could be fucked. But I'd like to take a deep breath, take this one on the chin, pay whatever horrible fines I may owe, and get it sorted this year. Pre-April 15th.
How fucked am I? Things I should know? Will I need to tell my job about this? I've never used an accountant before - tips for finding one? I'm in Portland, OR.
posted by red_rabbit at 7:41 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by red_rabbit at 7:41 PM PST - 19 comments
Reality check on possible notebook purchase, Lenovo Idea Pad Z710
Questions on Bizarre W-2
I was filing my taxes online when I saw my W-2 was extra confusing. The online tax website even flagged the data I entered saying there were probably errors. I'll talk with my employer about this if necessary, but is it actually invalid information or just unusual circumstances? I've provided all the information I could think was relevant. [more inside]
posted by Green With You at 6:16 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Green With You at 6:16 PM PST - 3 comments
Does the American Legislative Exchange Council promote new bills yearly?
The American Legislative Exchange Council is an organization that creates "model bills" that reflect the interest of big business and encourages state legislators to adopt those bills as legislation to introduce to their legislatures. ALEC promotes these model bills to legislators who attend one or all of three annual meetings each year. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 6:14 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by CollectiveMind at 6:14 PM PST - 2 comments
Possible Wage Overpayment--Five Years Ago
My girlfriend received a lawyergram stating that a former employer overpaid her nearly five years ago, and is just now asking for the money back. She believes she was never paid for that period, and obviously doesn't want to give them money to which they are not entitled. Details below. [more inside]
posted by SobaFett at 5:58 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by SobaFett at 5:58 PM PST - 14 comments
Introduction to Heuristics.
Searching for book recommendations. [more inside]
The search for a search utility
I'm looking for a great utility that will let me search for text strings within MS Word and PDF documents. Specifics within ... [more inside]
Does TSA ever just wave people through?
I flew home through a major US airport a couple of days ago. I'd just put my carry-on stuff on the conveyor and lined up with several others for the dreaded bodyscanner when the TSA agent waved four of us around the machine and over to pick up our stuff. I was delighted not to have to go through the scanner, but I've never seen anyone just waved on through before. How often do they let people bypass the scan? [more inside]
How do I get the whole dating an old flame thing right?
Hi! After being in a really bad relationship for three years, I broke free before christmas. Over the last year I have sort of been texting with and old flame I datet 4 years ago. It was very intense for 3 months, but then it crashed and burned. She got single before christmas as well after being with a guy for three years. I`m 28. She`s 25. [more inside]
How easy/stable is a hitch-mounted bike rack for a long minivan ride?
Our family (three full sized bikes and one 20" kid bike) takes frequent road trips to discover new bike trails. We are good riders but not very clever at bike handling (i.e. taking wheels on and off, adjusting brakes, etc.) Our trips are anywhere from 25 to 500 miles away. We have a 2010 Honda Odyssey. I have a roof rack now but it is not practical for me to lift the bikes up and down every single time; it's way up there and the bikes get unwieldy. And it freaks me out to drive with the bikes on top while we are zooming down the highway. I am thinking of getting a trailer hitch installed and getting a four bike rack for that. But practical advice is difficult to find. [more inside]
posted by AgentRocket at 4:24 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by AgentRocket at 4:24 PM PST - 10 comments
Please recommend a hoodie with zip up pockets and a zip-up front.
The title pretty much says it all. I'd like to be able to order this online, from Canada. Thank you. [more inside]
The Great Outdoors: Furniture Edition
Never-ending winter be damned! I want to think about outdoor furniture, but I'm basically clueless. What holds up well? Dining set-up or lounge? Specific recommendations appreciated! [more inside]
I need TV antenna help. And a bit of wiring.
I live in a very modern highrise that has energy efficient windows. Basically, these windows reflect things like UV rays, etc, but they also kill my TV reception. My apartment has a small balcony. If I open the balcony door (which is mostly glass), I can get tons of channels with a plain old rabbit-ear antenna. When I close the door, I can barely get any reception at all, even when using a monoprice power antenna. So, the solution seems obvious: I need a small all-weather antenna I can put out on the balcony, and I need about 15 feet of flexible wire that can fit through the crease of a swinging/hinged door and then be snaked against the wall to reach the TV. Right? Recommendations? [more inside]
How do I find a new direction in my art?
I've been painting for a year now, and I'm at a phase where I hate everything I've done and feel ready to do something different. I use acrylics and do abstract paintings (I've dabbled in watercolors). I look at a lot of art, both online and in person, so I am getting plenty of inspiration, but nothing is really calling me to try it. I want to make art that at least has meaning to myself, if not for others, but I don't feel like I've done that and I don't know how to now. A short lists of artists I like includes Joan Mitchell, Zao Wou-Ki, Tracey Emin, Cy Twombly, Leonora Carrington, Dorothea Tanning, Jules Olitski, Pat Steir, Gerhard Richter.
Economy seats Virgin Atlantic 747 SFO Heathrow
I forgot to pick seats for my flight back and don't have too many options left many of which are these aisle seats. I'm short and normally wouldn't care too much but it is a 10 hour flight. Outgoing I have a window in the section with just 2 seat across but all of those are already full for my return.
I've read online reviews but was wondering if anyone could describe how much space the inflight entertainment box takes up on the aisle seats? Seatguru mentions this but I haven't found anything saying about how much space you're losing and where the box is. I've looked for photos but haven't found anything except this and I can't tell if this is actually what seating is like. I'm trying to decide if it's bad enough that I should take a middle seat.
posted by oneear at 2:53 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by oneear at 2:53 PM PST - 7 comments
tell me about your loosest lightest summeriest pants.
You are like me, a curvy woman who likes to walk a lot and is too old for shorts. You know the secret of finding light, loose, possibly cropped pants that let you walk comfortably for hours and don't chafe or give you sweaty crotch; and which look cool and casual, not completely frumptastic. You are willing to share the secret of finding these pants. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 2:50 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by fingersandtoes at 2:50 PM PST - 24 comments
Accepting a job knowing you'll leave it in a few months...
Job in question is an on-call healthcare position that's interesting, but I know I'll be relocating soon. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by pocksuppetteer at 2:41 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by pocksuppetteer at 2:41 PM PST - 12 comments
Unusual problem with burning music to CD in Windows 7
Since buying a new type of blank CD, I'm having unusual difficulties with burning music to disc using WMP in Windows 7. [more inside]
How much is too much for rent?
I've searched around, and it appears the common guideline for considering rent amounts is not to go over one-third of your monthly salary. [more inside]
posted by uncannyslacks at 2:11 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by uncannyslacks at 2:11 PM PST - 19 comments
congratulations gift for a new business owner
My sister and brother-in-law just opened up a wonderful pediatric practice. Yay! I'm looking for a "congratulations" gift to send them, besides the usual baked goods and flowers. [more inside]
What's my Job Title?
Currently, I'm the "Office Manager" for a large, family-run restaurant that employes 170+ people. I am in charge of Design (internal/external, web, print, etc - this is actually what I have my degree in), limited PR (we have an external firm that I liaise with, I do all social media and PR asset management), Bookkeeping/Payroll/Accounts Payable, Limited HR (onboarding new employees, helping to create and maintain training materials, but no hiring/firing/discipline), IT/Tech Support, Project Management, Answering Phones/Reservations, etc etc... oh, and managing the actual office, too (ordering supplies, filing, printing menus, fixing the copier, what-have-you). I need a better job title. [more inside]
What is this mystery object?
I found this in my flat and have no idea what it is or where it came from. Any ideas?
It is about 2" in diameter and has a spike that rotates out around a weighted axel that automatically rotates the spike back when let go and holds it in the retracted position with a small magnet.
Front view,
Back view,
view with spike out
posted by mairuzu at 1:47 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by mairuzu at 1:47 PM PST - 8 comments
Obsucre New Wave Music Expert: What is this song/artist?
It's the first track on this youtube mix. Shazam and SoundHound come up empty.
posted by mizrachi at 1:31 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by mizrachi at 1:31 PM PST - 4 comments
passover seder resources for interfaith families
So I'm hosting a seder! The twist: I am not Jewish. Where do I begin? [more inside]
Financial recourse options regarding a deceitful mechanic?
A mechanic who replaced my bus's radiator removed parts of the transmission's cooling system, said he replaced the parts, and got paid for the parts and the labor. After several months, I took the bus out for a trip, and the transmission overheated repeatedly and finally lost all but first gear. It turns out that the parts the mechanic said he installed are not there -- the pipe that should connect to them just connects back to itself. What steps can I take to get my money back? [more inside]
posted by Pwoink at 1:05 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Pwoink at 1:05 PM PST - 3 comments
And no, egg whites are not code for "semen"
So I stupidly had some eggs in my backpack along with some books and notebooks, and while the eggs didn't break completely, they did crack a little and leak whites on my stuff. I wiped off the residue but it did get on the covers and a little on the outer rims of the pages. Does dried egg white go bad/rancid? Am I going to have to throw my books and notebooks out?
posted by Busoni at 12:51 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Busoni at 12:51 PM PST - 6 comments
Can medical records become public record during a trial?
Help me make an informed decision about a plot point in a work of fiction: If your medical/psychiatric records are subpoenaed in a criminal court case, do they become public record? [more inside]
Ink Etchings by Famous Jewish Artist - Where to Sell?
So I've got 3 small ink Etchings by Jacob Eisenberg depicting early life in Judea - rabbis and the Western Wall that I want to sell, but haven't a clue where. I know they're relatively valuable so I'm interested in going with a reputable site/dealer. [more inside]
Guide me to some great fiddle music!
St.Patricks Day may be over, but my love of fiddle music lasts all year round. Guide me to some new fiddle music! [more inside]
Family vacation stay in Central London
My husband will be at the ICANN conference in late June of this year, which is being held at the Hilton London Metropale. I think the kids and I might join him towards the end of his time, but since we're a family of 5, we're probably going to need something other than a hotel. I've been looking at VRBO a bit, and will check out Air BnB, but could use some recommendations of specific areas to go for or avoid-leads on specific rentals would be fabulous! [more inside]
*shakes fist at Elsevier*
I'm heading into the Army for OCS in August, but I'm still very interested in keeping current on science and the current research papers. I've devised a contrivance to keep myself plugged in and reading - a personal blog where I summarize the papers that interest me, more simply to give me a place and a reason to do it. [more inside]
posted by Punkey at 10:17 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Punkey at 10:17 AM PST - 10 comments
Tips for an arts org collaboratively rewriting a mission statement?
An arts org I work with is seven years old. We've had some success, and we're revisiting our mission statement for the first time in a while. Any tips/ethods for getting a small group of people to work fruitfully on this together?
SpanishFilter - Can someone translate this recipe for me?
Can someone translate this recipe for me? [more inside]
posted by Hellafiles at 7:36 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Hellafiles at 7:36 AM PST - 9 comments
What equipment should I use to safely mix acetone and glycerin at home?
I would like to make my own nail polish remover. Where can I buy acetone-safe measuring equipment? [more inside]
I'd like to come to RuPaul's Drag Race Finale
I'm a big fan of RuPaul's Drag Race. I often watch the series online weeks or months after initially airs but this season I'm caught up and I'd really like to see the finale. They had it once or twice in L.A. but most often it is in NYC (or has been for the last few years). Other than the sweepstakes to win airfare to the finale I can't find any information about how to request or purchase tickets on the internet. I tried contacting LogoTV (no response) and tweeted at RuPaul asking her for advice - but I know she's busy. Anyone have any advice on how to find out how to purchase tickets?
The American SF "Canon"
For an upcoming project I'm putting together what's meant to be a comprehensive timeline of important (even "necessary") works of American science fiction since the late 19th century. [more inside]
posted by gerryblog at 6:53 AM PST - 68 comments
posted by gerryblog at 6:53 AM PST - 68 comments
A solvent for cling film that will not affect casting resin?
Hello. I would like a solvent that will help remove cling film from set resin. The resin is general purpose Lloyds approved stuff. It is now tangled up with annoying cling film. I have tried acetone. No joy.
Any help would be great.
posted by debord at 6:42 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by debord at 6:42 AM PST - 3 comments
Money & Anxiety
I'm 34 years old and I got lucky in my current job and have been able to generate way more income than I need. I have everything I want, am doing all that I can when it comes to retirement savings/putting money away. Two part question: 1) What else should I be doing to ensure financial stability forever? 2) Is it weird that I don't have a strong desire to go buy stuff/do stuff/spend excessively? [more inside]
Turn of the century. I mean last century. God, early 1900s, okay?
When we say "turn of the century" are we now referring to the 1900/2000 changeover? So what do say when we mean 1800s/1900s? Downton Abbey years? What is the most proper way to put it? [more inside]
posted by angrycat at 6:31 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by angrycat at 6:31 AM PST - 18 comments
Help save my tchotchke!
I have a glass snowglobe type thing that's leaking, and I would like to try to fix it. Your best ideas, please! [more inside]
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 5:57 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 5:57 AM PST - 3 comments
Commercial Lease for a Coffee Shop - what should I be asking?
So I am working on a commercial lease. Advise resources or experience? [more inside]
iOS/Android games that cultivate your happiness or lift your spirits?
A new, simple game I downloaded this morning, Personal Zen, got me thinking. What games do you play that cultivate happiness? Literally lift your spirits? It doesn't have to be a game "designed" to do so like this particular game necessarily.
posted by dep at 4:01 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by dep at 4:01 AM PST - 18 comments
March 22
Is a pre-set zoom for a pdf URL loaded in Chrome possible?
I'm hoping to find a tweak that will make a specific webpage always load at 200% in a Chrome browser, but I don't want the zoom to apply to any other webpage. [more inside]
posted by peacay at 10:38 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by peacay at 10:38 PM PST - 4 comments
And then there's the downside of assigned parking...
My apartment building has assigned parking spaces. My parking neighbor (though not my actual neighbor in the building, for weird reasons) left a large, very noticeable scratch on my front quarterpanel last night or today, complete with paint transfer matching his vehicle. How do I resolve this in a way that feels fair to me but averts major bad blood? Snowflakes on their side of the line inside. [more inside]
posted by TwoStride at 10:11 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by TwoStride at 10:11 PM PST - 28 comments
Choosing a domain name - descriptive.info or evocative.com?
I give regular classes/workshops in my specialty. When I set up my project and the related website last year, I wanted a very straight forward domain name but it wasn't available as a .com so I got .info instead. My SEO is good if you google for it but real people tend to assume that everything is .com so they have trouble remembering/typing in the url. I've picked out a more evocative name that is nicer as a business name but I'm worried that it will be harder for people to find me on the internet. What is the smart thing to do? If I do switch (or try to use both) what is the best way to do that? [more inside]
How to break the break up news?
I think my girlfriend is wonderful and funny and gorgeous and sexy and amazing and talented. But she doesn't believe that. The relationship isn't perfect, but it's fun and good.
The problem is, I've come across somebody with whom it seems like it might be great, but my girlfriend will be (in her words) destroyed if I leave her. And I don't know what to do. [more inside]
Help me sell my computer!
I'd like to sell my desktop computer. I built it in 2011, with intermittent upgrades. It was fairly powerful at the time, as I used it as an engineering student. Specs are below. I have a few questions, never having done this before. I need help setting a price, setting up the OS for sale, and safely deleting my data [more inside]
Family reunion too expensive - should we go or not?
My grandmother turns 90 years old this year. To celebrate, her daughters decided that the whole family, spread out across most of the country, should all get together in Branson, MO for a week. This is going to be a very expensive trip. [more inside]
Borderline Threatening Client - How to Defuse?
My girlfriend, Emily, and I work together occasionally on creative freelance projects. A few years ago, when we were first starting this side business, we did a project for my girlfriend's old family friend, Robert. Robert is now aggressively requesting professional, unpaid help from us in what seems to be an escalating manner. How can we calm this whole situation down? [more inside]
Looking for a walkable Philadelphia suburb with ... (details inside)
Will be moving to Philadelphia metro soon for a new job. Looking for a place to live. Currently live in the NYC boroughs. Have a difficult list of must haves. [more inside]
Omaha or Minneapolis: what to do, what to see?
For the first time ever, my partner and I will be taking a vacation together, and we're looking at either Omaha or Minneapolis. Looking for things we should see-- all suggestions welcome! [more inside]
posted by ElaineMc at 5:01 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by ElaineMc at 5:01 PM PST - 13 comments
How can I learn SPSS?
I want to learn SPSS. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by synecdoche at 4:45 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by synecdoche at 4:45 PM PST - 9 comments
Yet another laptop buying question
Should I get a 13" Macbook Air or a 14" Lenovo X1 Carbon? [more inside]
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 3:47 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 3:47 PM PST - 36 comments
Sentimental or useful wedding-day present for friend abroad
My best friend - the loveliest, dearest, most wonderful of friends - is getting married in London and I can't be there. What can I send for her to open on her wedding day to let her know that I am there with her in spirit? [more inside]
I need your secrets for Yard Sale Success
I have to have a yard sale next weekend for reasons. I need your tips to help me maximize this experience by decreasing stress and increasing income. [more inside]
How to un-yellow plastic?
The plastic frames of my favourite pair of sunglasses have turned yellow :( Looking for strategies to return them to their original colour. Google results lean towards turning yellowed plastics back to white or seem like they would be really harsh on the lenses.
Help plan my vacation to Mexico City!
What are can't-miss things in Mexico City and Puebla? [more inside]
Job search strategies: Aim high or get a foot in the door?
Soon-to-be graduate starting a job search (ugh). Should I start off aiming for the best and then adjust my expectations if that strategy doesn't seem to work, or should I also apply for lower level positions from the beginning if they seem to be in the area that I want to get into? [more inside]
Seeking hair stylist for boomer aged folks north side of Chicago?
Had a breakup with longtime stylist and 'are looking for a new one who can deal with the hair of we "over 50's."
Should be experienced in working with fine, thinning hair and, especially, covering grey by use of highlighting. No harsh chemicals please.
Thanks.
She's Sewwwww Cute!
My five-year-old has expressed interest in a kids' sewing machine to make doll clothes like her great-aunt does. She has a birthday in a few weeks. I prefer to buy something online, but the reviews of the "kids" sewing machines on Amazon are abysmal. Should I just get a small-sized "adult" machine? I don't have much sewing experience, so I need something that's super-easy to use and maintain. Experiences with little crafty kids using sewing machines, and specific product recommendations, would be very welcome.
posted by nkknkk at 12:41 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by nkknkk at 12:41 PM PST - 28 comments
Move-packing hacks
We are starting the first wave of packing to move - I call this wave "cleaning to pack", involving mostly going through closets, cabinets, drawers etc and organizing/tossing so that we don't give up and just start upending drawers into boxes. [more inside]
Help me sort through my income tax filing options
Free online tax filing that allows a Schedule K-1? [more inside]
Who is The Idiot? (A Flamenco Musician)
A thousand years ago (actually probably ..1998?), a guest speaker came to my music class to teach us about Flamenco. She played a recording of a singer/guitarist that I loved, but she said that he was called "The Idiot" and I have never been able to find his work. As I understood it at the time, this was a nickname rather than anything he'd published under, and it was probably an offensive word, because of something about his appearance? I'm probably asking for something hugely offensive, but I loved his music when I heard it.
Anybody know his real name?
Vintage tile repair
The good news is that I found white hexagonal tile under the nasty vinyl flooring. That's also the bad news. Here is the floor currently. Basically, the tiles themselves are in pretty good shape considering they are about 100 years old. There are a few cracks, but the real problem is that the glue from the floor that was above it will not come off from in between the tiles. Detail shot. This is pretty much the kind of floor we want, but the mrs. is about ready to call it and just install a new hex floor on top. I'm not quite ready to give up. [more inside]
posted by mike_bling at 10:26 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by mike_bling at 10:26 AM PST - 13 comments
Landlord wants to replace gas oven with electric. Help?
We have enjoyed 6+ years of our gas oven/stovetop, but now our NYC landlord is planning to replace all the ovens in our building with electric. This seems like it will make our (already high) electricity bill even higher. Is there anything we can do? [more inside]
posted by Zephyrial at 10:11 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Zephyrial at 10:11 AM PST - 15 comments
Instruments in "Kiss Them For Me" by Siouxsie and the Banshees
What instruments were used to create the definitive sound of "Kiss Them For Me" by Siouxsie and the Banshees? I am particularly interested in finding out what the bell-sounding instrument that starts near the beginning of the song. Below is a partial list of when particular lines starts. Please correct or elaborate my rough descriptions if you can. [more inside]
posted by grouse at 9:47 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by grouse at 9:47 AM PST - 7 comments
Canadian taxes: Do I need to keep paper receipts for all this?
Short version: As a Canadian Freelancer, if I track all my expenses carefully in mint, and pay for pretty much everything with credit/debit cards, do I still need to keep all those paper receipt? [more inside]
Installing Fedora Commons on OS X Mavericks Server
Digital librarians of Metafilter: I am looking for installation and configuration documentation to get Fedora Commons 3.7 up and running on a Mac OS X (Mavericks) server. Surprisingly, my googling has not yet yielded an up-to-date OS X-specific guide. Can anyone point me to such documentation? Or have you installed Fedora Commons on your OS X server, and have any tips? [more inside]
Veronica: Now or Later?
I love Veronica Mars. I am almost finished with the second season (I project finishing it on Monday). I have not seen any of the third season. Should I finish the 2nd season before I see the movie? Should I even have seen the 3rd season? Please bear in mind that on the one hand I really don't want the movie to give me spoilers for the show, but on the other hand I don't want to be scratching my head in the movie because of allusions to things I should have seen in the show but haven't yet. On the other, other hand, seeing it on the big screen would be very nice. Please advise.
What should I do with my house and mortgage?
I have never refinanced my house, but am weighing that vs. investing my money elsewhere. Please advise. [more inside]
What's this song?
Does anyone recognise this song added to someone's tumblr?
posted by dowcrag at 6:22 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by dowcrag at 6:22 AM PST - 2 comments
Help me ID/find this game: a portal-like with bouncing ball
Help me ID/find this game: it may have been playable in-browser. If downloadable, it was free and probably worked on winxp. It might have only been at a demo/tech demo state, but it was a 3d first person puzzler where you aim and it would show you the trajectory of where a ball would bounce and you could then teleport to the end point of the trajectory? The idea was that you'd have to figure out which surface/angle to bounce off in order to get to a goal destination. May even have been posted to mefi. [more inside]
posted by juv3nal at 6:12 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by juv3nal at 6:12 AM PST - 7 comments
We know whodunnit - but why?
I've been hugely enjoying the TV series Cracker recently, and one of the things I like about it is that we see the details of the murder/crime first, and then the rest of the story is about the police and psychologists figuring out what happened, then finally why. Are there any novels that take a similar approach? [more inside]
A senior manager keeps tabs on everything and tattles on me
How do I keep my job if a manager hates me? [more inside]
posted by Asian_Hunnie at 4:51 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by Asian_Hunnie at 4:51 AM PST - 21 comments
March 21
old short story and newer anime where soldiers "respawn"?
bookfilter: I remember reading a sci-fi (short story?) where the key element was that once a soldier died on the battlefield, they respawned into a new body and had to keep fighting. I believe it was a classic sci-fi because the enemies were russian, I believe. I was telling my friend about this and he said that there was an anime with a similar plot element, but he can't remember what it was. Can you tell me the names of these?
posted by rebent at 8:21 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by rebent at 8:21 PM PST - 12 comments
Have ceiling fan, need small CFLs!
Just purchased a ceiling fan that allows for 2 60W lightbulbs with a candelabra base in a closed glass dome. Need something brighter as this will be the only light source in the room. Having trouble finding small CFLs or LEDs with a candelabra base in 18W (equivalent 75W incandescent) or higher that will fit in the dome.
Any ideas on where to find these kind of bulbs, or if they even exist? If not, any other ideas on how to keep the fan and to safely add some wattage? [more inside]
Best iOS app to remote control PPT presentation?
I am looking for a recommendation for an iOS app that will work as a remote control for powerpoint presentations. Details follow. [more inside]
posted by cgk at 7:43 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by cgk at 7:43 PM PST - 2 comments
He ain't heavy...
How do I deal with an immediate family member with substance abuse problems at my upcoming wedding? When do I put my foot down? [more inside]
Applied for a new apartment- they claim I'm a criminal
They say their background check turned up something awful. I have never been arrested. Now what? [more inside]
Can someone help me find this song? EDM, music video has scenes from Big
I saw a youtube music video years ago that was scenes from the movie Big (starring Tom Hanks) and it was an EDM track. That's really all the info I have on it, and I can't for the life of me find it with google or on youtube no matter how many keywords I combine! Can anyone help? Thanks in advance!
What's in a name? RUB: Massage, Yoga, Wellness.
What do you think of the name "Rub" for a health spa? Is it cute or dirty and why?
ISO Road Safety Omamori/Charm in Tokyo
When I lived in Japan years ago I got my friends and family little omamori charms for their car from a local temple. Does anyone know a temple in Tokyo that would have them? [more inside]
posted by Caravantea at 6:22 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Caravantea at 6:22 PM PST - 4 comments
Help me find this news story involving a policeman and a prostitute
I am not sure I recall the details correctly, but I am amused by a news story in my memory. I think my memory is accurate, so here goes. A police officer is testifying in court about his (commercial and sexual) relationship with a prostitute, with whom he had sex in the course of an anti-prostitution sting. The officer is questioned by opposing counsel about whether he climaxed. He explains that he did, but that he didn't take any pleasure in it. Can you give me a link to this news story or tell me where I read it?
posted by Mr. Justice at 5:43 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Mr. Justice at 5:43 PM PST - 3 comments
Mr. Right- To search for him or not to search for him?
I've never been that little girl who dreams about her wedding day and I'm still not that girl 34 years later.
I've also never had a desire for children. If I'm ever financially secure enough I'd love to adopt someday, but when it comes to having my own biological children my attitude has been thought- well if my husband really wants them then I'll have kids, but otherwise I'm not hankering for them.
However now that I'm approaching 35 maybe this is something I really have to think about. I know how difficult it is for a lot of women to find spouses after age 40 so I guess if I ever want to find Mr. Right I have to start looking for him instead of just waiting it to happen on it's own. But everyone says that love happens when you're NOT looking for it. So what's better? Should I scope the subway and the streets and start striking up conversations with strangers who might be single? Or should I just let nature take it's course and see where destiny takes me?
Blogs/sites/shops for 50s-ish style? General advice on dressing well?
I'm trying to acquirerevamp my style to something a little more sophisticated. I find myself drawn to some of the stuff Elizabeth Taylor used to wear back in the 50s --- something that looks flattering and feminine on a more broad-shouldered torso. But I'm a novice at this and would welcome advice as well as recommendations on how to pick cuts as well as on shops/sites/blogs. Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by maggiepolitt at 5:00 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by maggiepolitt at 5:00 PM PST - 11 comments
Need space for new family
We have a new (4 month old) baby. Hooray! My husband and I both have wonderful parents who want to see their only granddaughter as much as they can. His parents live almost across the country so don't visit often. The problem is with my parents, and I need a reality check about what I'm asking of them- am I setting reasonable boundaries or being selfish? [more inside]
posted by chela at 4:57 PM PST - 30 comments
posted by chela at 4:57 PM PST - 30 comments
Help me choose a platform for delivering educational programs
I'm looking for the best online platform to deliver educational content. It should incorporate content delivery, goal setting and tracking, collaboration tools, and community engagement. Cost is not an issue. [more inside]
Looking for creative synonyms for baked goods
Friend challenged me to a bake-off, need help with some good natured trash talking. [more inside]
Seeking black, lace-up ankle boots that are stylish but ultra-durable
Seeking black, lace-up ankle boots that are stylish but ultra-durable [more inside]
The office next to mine is empty, and my ex wants to fill it.
My ex boyfriend, the subject of a previous askme, is applying to work in my current work group. I would rather quit than work with him, but that would be crippling to my career as well as seriously unfair considering the damage he did to me. How do I talk to my boss or HR without sounding just sounding like a crazy ex girlfriend? [more inside]
posted by cakebatter at 4:02 PM PST - 43 comments
posted by cakebatter at 4:02 PM PST - 43 comments
Dark dance music that says quarter life crisis
I am looking for modern, dark, forward thinking, dance music which preferably somehow reflects on the theme of a quarter life crisis. Overly exacting specifications inside. [more inside]
posted by Erberus at 3:31 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Erberus at 3:31 PM PST - 14 comments
LA Filter: Are there picnic tables at Placerita Canyon? If not, where?
LA Filter: Picnic Tables near Nature? 14 Corridor maybe.
I'd like to spend a chunk of Saturday or Sunday at a picnic table near nature. Somewhere within about an hour or so of West LA would be ideal. I'm thinking somewhere along the 14 corridor near Santa Clarita or Aqua Dulce. Also, somewhere with a largish natural area where I could do a short hike would be nice.
I was kind of thinking maybe Placerita Canyon, but I don't know if there are any picnic tables there. Vasquez Rocks is fun but I don't recall any shady picnick table area.
Bonus points for (a) very few or no kids running around screaming, (b) sunny with shade, (c) wildflowers currently blooming.
I definitely need a picnic table becuase of what I want to do while I'm hanging out with Nature.
posted by bluesky78987 at 2:04 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by bluesky78987 at 2:04 PM PST - 7 comments
What cool things should I do with my Chromecast?
We just got a Chromecast, and I'm interested in finding fun things to do with it. We have two Win7 computers, an Android tablet, and two Android phones. We've used Netflix and YouTube, plus tab sharing. What else would you suggest we try?
What is your favorite site for song stems?
Preferably ones that are of decent quality and available at little to no cost.
I'm not too picky about the type of song, but I'd like to avoid country music. Thanks!
Best practices for buying porn online
I would like to reform my porn consumption habits, shut down my torrent client, and start paying for what I view. However, I'm worried about getting stuck with recurring charges. Are there best practices for getting single-charge subscriptions to adult websites and ensuring that I only get charged once? [more inside]
Freedom from ink jet hell
Recommendations for laser printers that are affordable and work good? [more inside]
Places to stay & things to do in Chicago - Schamburg area
My husbands 30th birthday is coming up in April and he'd like to go away for a romantic weekend to Chicago. [more inside]
posted by wwax at 12:38 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by wwax at 12:38 PM PST - 8 comments
Kin la belle, Kin la poubelle
I'm living in Kinshasa, DRC, for a bit. Have you traveled there? What do you wish your had known? [more inside]
Help me restore app data (only) to a clean iPhone 5S running iOS 7.1
After a complicated chain of circumstances involving a SIM migration, a grandfathered prepaid data plan that transferred from an iPhone 3G to a 4 to the current 5S, and many hours (no exaggeration) at the AT&T store while their employees talked to level 2 tech support, I was left with:
- A working iPhone 5S on AT&T, now getting LTE data but restored to factory settings.
- A recent encrypted backup from the phone, just before the wipe.
How do I stop swearing at my computer at work?
I recently began working in an office after many years working from home. I'm programming at a computer and I've become aware that I tend to swear quietly at the PC when things frustrate me. It is particularly evident when stressed or under a deadline. I'd like to stop doing this. [more inside]
Travel Bucket List
Travel Filter: What would you consider to be the "MUST DO" travel spots in your city/town/state? If I had 50 days left to live, and had time to visit one thing in each state, what would it be from your region? [more inside]
Sex Visions (not an R&B album)
I'm looking for information about visions or visuals experienced during sex. Not anecdotes, but 1. rigorous scientific work that contextualizes who gets them and why, and 2. artists, writers, or poets who have used them as inspiration in any way. [more inside]
Casio Tonebank CT-670 - Midi to USB - Help?
I have a Casio Tonebank CT-670 keyboard. I bought a usb-midi cable. I've tried connecting the cable to pc. I get the red light power on for the cable. But can't get any lights to turn on for midi signaling. Is my midi cable broken, or is something wrong on the midi keyboard or pc end.
I tried all possible setting available in Fruity Loops and still no sound coming through on pc end. When I push a key on the keyboard should the midi cable light up that a key has been pressed like in this video at the 3 min mark? It doesn't does this mean the cable is broken?
Is the upgrade worth it?
I have a late 2008 15" MacBook Pro. I'd like to cram it full of RAM and upgrade to a pretty high capacity SSD - is this worth doing or will the graphics cards, monitor, other relatively unreplaceable elements fry soon? [more inside]
Team wiki tips and tricks?
We are a large team, familiar with wikis, feeling disillusioned because the wikis always end up being a giant mess. What conventions can we adopt to make our wikis better? [more inside]
How can my we get a good quality couch, faster? [Vancouver filter]
My roommate and I are looking for a decent (ie. higher quality than Ikea) loveseat (around 6 feet long) to fit in our small, currently very sparsely furnished apartment. However, all of the furniture stores that we've checked out say that delivery will take 6 weeks at the very least. Are there any stores in the Vancouver area that would be able to do this faster? [more inside]
Starting a PAC.
What information is there about how to form a political action committee? What restrictions are there as far as advertising, focus, where the funds wind up, overhead costs, salary for PAC employees, etc? What is allowed federally, and what is allowed on a per-state basis? [more inside]
Multiplayer boardgames for iPad
4 of us are going away for a few days and we have one iPad between us. What are some games we can play using the iPad instead of a boardgame, that isn't Monopoly? [more inside]
Inserted CDs loaded with images appear to be empty. Why?
The last two times I've inserted a CD with jpegs into my Mac desktop, I double click on the desktop icon for the disk and it says it's empty. I've tried the disks on someone else's Mac and it worked fine.
I've waded through all the Mac forums trying to figure out what's going on, to no avail.
I import images on a regular basis and, until recently, the process worked fine.
Any ideas? Thanks.
posted by holdenjordahl at 11:32 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by holdenjordahl at 11:32 AM PST - 8 comments
How big of a security risk is Office 2003 for my limited personal usage?
I am still using Office 2003 for personal use. It meets my limited needs perfectly well, and I want to avoid learning curves and costs associated with alternatives if at all possible.
I understand that Microsoft will no longer be issuing security patches for it soon, so there are potential risks in continuing to use it, but how serious are those risks given my actual pattern of use? And can they be easily mitigated by avoiding various features or behavior? [more inside]
posted by philipy at 11:23 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by philipy at 11:23 AM PST - 8 comments
Birthday Party Emergency
Please hope me, DC mefites! Looking for two things for a birthday party TOMORROW: the Thames and Kosmos perfume kit and Harry Potter chocolate frogs and Bertie Bots every flavor beans. [more inside]
posted by frecklefaerie at 11:16 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by frecklefaerie at 11:16 AM PST - 6 comments
Vaping with Snowflakes
73 year old mom-in-law has terrible neuropathy in her hands and feet and is finally finding that pot relieves it after trying a billion other things. Husband uses for pain for his medical condition and has a prescription, so we're quite up to date on types of strains, etc. Here's the deal. We're super-old school and have never used a vaporizer. This is basically a vape lesson for a complete newbie. [more inside]
posted by Sophie1 at 11:01 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Sophie1 at 11:01 AM PST - 9 comments
How can I get a Cabbagetown flag to NYC?
My wife adores cabbages, and we both love Toronto and Cabbagetown. Last time we were there we didn't get a chance to grab a Cabbagetown flag, but we've always wanted one. I've been calling the Cabbagetown BIA at the phone number at this blog post, but they have not yet responded to my voicemails or emails. The latter link says you can pick them up at 237 Carlton Street. But I'm in NYC, not Toronto, and cannot get back to Canada anytime soon. How can I get one and have it shipped home? I'm more than happy to pay for it, the shipping, the customs, whatever.
"Honeymoon phase" wearing off - Destiny or decision?
People keep telling me that my husband and I are still in the "honeymoon phase" and that it will wear off. I disagree, and I think that "honeymoon phase" is a bunch of crap, but maybe I am being naive? Can a couple maintain a level of romance and affection and "in love"-edness throughout their relationship, or must it inevitably fade? I'd love to hear people's experiences, and examples of where they have been able to maintain the "honeymoon" feeling, and where the honeymoon phase ended and why they think that was. [more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 10:39 AM PST - 41 comments
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 10:39 AM PST - 41 comments
Which of my cars should I put a trailer hitch on?
We have a 4x6 trailer. It's pretty light weight. We need to put a hitch on one of our two cars in order to use it. Is there any mechanical (or other) advantage to using one car over the other? [more inside]
The incredible egg?
I am trying to puzzle out why the supermarket eggs I buy in Europe are so different from the eggs available in the U.S. [more inside]
posted by ohio at 10:09 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by ohio at 10:09 AM PST - 29 comments
Should I file a complaint against Meetup?
There was a misunderstanding in a meetup group and the organizer publicly humiliated me and responded in a hostile manner. Should I file a complaint with Meetup or just forget about it? [more inside]
Do I marry/have kids with longterm love if I'm not ready due to career?
I love my partner - we have known each other for over a decade and have been together for over five years. I am in my 30s and he wants to live together/get married and/or start a family. I have insisted we wait due to my graduate school (and later) career struggles. Now we are older and our time frame for children (if not settling down with children in mind later) is diminishing. I don't know the right thing to do - specifics inside... [more inside]
posted by partly squamous and partly rugose at 9:57 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by partly squamous and partly rugose at 9:57 AM PST - 25 comments
Wireless earbud, singular
When listening to music at our office, we rock the old "one earbud in, one earbud out" look so we can hear both our music and if someone's talking to us. I'd like to find a "step up" from this arrangement, ideally a single small audio-only Bluetooth earbud that pairs with my MacBook. However, I'm having a hard time finding out if these even exist outside of those Bluetooth headsets for cell phones. [more inside]
posted by Ian A.T. at 9:40 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Ian A.T. at 9:40 AM PST - 8 comments
Songs that get you hyped up?
I'm making a playlist of music that gets my blood flowing. It currently has exactly one track: "Welcome to Jamrock" by Damien Marley (yt). Help me find more music that is similar in vibe, hardness, and in its ability to get a person hyped up! [more inside]
A minor question about transgender nomenclature and etiquette.
A former distant colleague of mine is a trans woman. I'm pretty clear on the importance of not misgendering people, but I'm running into one or two slightly awkward practical issues in making sure I don't screw that up. [more inside]
When is it safe to kiss someone after getting a cold?
I've always erred on the side of caution with colds (and flu), and waited until a few days after my symptoms have subsided before engaging in potential illness-spreading activity, e.g. kissing. It's time I found out just how little time I can get away with waiting, for the times that I'm not feeling so patient. What say you, hivemind? When can I kiss someone after getting a cold or flu without putting them at risk for getting my illness?
Should I pay off this old bill?
I have an unpaid bill from three years ago for about $200 that no one's trying to collect anymore. Doesn't seem to have shown up on my credit rating / reports. Is there any upside to paying it now? Is there any potential downside? [more inside]
Expat married to a local, really struggling, seeking help
Finally giving in and looking for a therapist, while permanently living abroad... what 'cultural combination' should one look for? Don't want my current mental state to cloud my thinking. Details inside. [more inside]
Please recommend comfortable steel-toe men's work shoes/boots.
My spouse recently got a job where he's on his feet all day, and his feet and knees are starting to hurt. He really needs more support/padding I guess. He also needs steel-toe. Shoes or boots are fine. What should he get? [more inside]
posted by rabbitrabbit at 8:33 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by rabbitrabbit at 8:33 AM PST - 17 comments
Well, for starters, they ain't real...!
Tell me everything (FACTUAL) you know about Funyuns. Truly great anecdotes, recipes (!) , etc allowed for--just not interested in creating a "Yum/Oh Gross" post; so no opinions, please. Bonus points for anyone who's ever worked on a Funyun line!
Startup Team Finder
If you have been working in a garage for the last fifteen years to develop the code base and content base of a start up. And you have no track record in the field. What is the 'best' way to find other members of a start up team, given that you have spent all your money on development? [more inside]
Are afro wigs for a funk band politically correct?
Imagine a funk/soul band made up of white people, wearing Afro wigs on stage. Would that be fine, or rather politically incorrect? [more inside]
posted by willem at 6:36 AM PST - 37 comments
posted by willem at 6:36 AM PST - 37 comments
How can I transition from dyed to gray when the gray is just emerging?
All my Google searches either tell me how to cover up the gray or go to completely white/silver. Is there any in-between? [more inside]
How to un-crate-train a puppy
~1 year old Labradoodle name of Twist. Good boy. Crate trained up to this point, house trained so long as we lock him in his crate overnight. Which is the issue.
I'd like to start weaning him off of the crate. He seems ready, he has no trouble holding it all night in the crate and it's not like he's rushing for the door in the morning; he'll happily romp around the house while we're getting breakfast etc together. But when I've tried leaving the crate door open overnight he, well, chooses not to wait until morning. Looking for strategies to let him know that that's not okay. [more inside]
posted by ook at 6:14 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by ook at 6:14 AM PST - 23 comments
Gender inequality in couples moving for work?
Anecdotally, it seems clear to me that women are far more likely to move to a new city for her husband's job than vice versa. But I'd like some hard numbers! There has to have been research on this, but I have no idea how to find it. [more inside]
posted by Narrative Priorities at 5:43 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by Narrative Priorities at 5:43 AM PST - 12 comments
Potential Paths for a 30 Year-Old Career Changer
I'm a 30 year old with a BA in psychology working at a bank and hoping to find a new career. I'm trying to find a career path that will give me a decent living without being a workaholic. I am willing to go back to school, but hopefully not for more than 2 or so years. I am willing to take on some debt, but not a ton.
I am considering
1. Human Resources
2. Accounting
3. IT / Something with computers
4. Any other good suggestions.
Are any of these a good change for someone my age? I don't want to go back to school only to find out that the field is bad for non 20-somethings. How are prospects for entry-level workers? (I have looked at "official" projections, but would welcome any insider knowledge). Is there anything else that I should consider? [more inside]
Traveling with a 4-month-old
We're planning to take our son to visit his grandparents for 4-5 days. He will be 4 months old. It's a 6 hour drive away. He's never spent the night away from home and the longest he's ever been in the car is 1 hour. What steps can we take to maximize our chances of a fun (and not especially sleepless) visit? [more inside]
Ideas for handling liver fluke medication food requirement
I have a friend who has been diagnosed with liver flukes; the protocol for medication she is taking (twice per day) suggests that the medication is made optimal if accompanied by the ingestion of 40grams of fat. Yes, that's 40 grams of fat, twice per day, at two sittings. Having to ingest this much fat at one sitting is making her nauseous. She has tried various mixes of healthy vegetable fats mixed into salads but she's pretty miserable. She has a rather sensitive stomach; she also had her gallbladder removed some years ago. She is supposed to take the medication for a few more weeks. [more inside]
March 20
Eurodiesels in the US
A while back, I was in Europe for an extended period of time, and there I ended up driving two very similar cars (what may have been a Renault Clio and a Citroën C4). They were 5-door manual diesels, and I really enjoyed driving them. What cars like this are sold in the USA?
Best Vietnam War documentaries?
I'm looking for recommendations on the best documentaries you've seen about the Vietnam War. Not just an overview of what happened, but also a documentary that is emotionally-compelling and preferably gives a balanced view of the war, including the Vietnamese perspective. Thanks!
posted by MrHalfwit at 9:48 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by MrHalfwit at 9:48 PM PST - 12 comments
How do I route everything except a few ports out a VPN?
I've got a VPS. If I set up a VPN connection from it to a VPN provider in NL, everything goes through the VPN, but that means I can't SSH to the machine anymore.
How do I set this up such that the VPS is listening at its regular IP on SSH, HTTP, and HTTPS, but everything else goes through the VPN? [more inside]
BarBri v. Kaplan - 2014 Edition
Which prep class should I take for the July Minnesota bar? [more inside]
Stock my conference room
If you were stuck in a window-less conference room for 2 days, what sort of beverages or snacks would you like? [more inside]
posted by donajo at 7:36 PM PST - 49 comments
posted by donajo at 7:36 PM PST - 49 comments
What questions should I ask an insider?
I am beginning the application process for a much-desired position. One of my good friends works in a similar position for the same company on the other coast. I will definitely have her ear during the application and interview process, and I want to make the most of being able to pump her for information.
However, I don't even know where to begin. What questions should I ask her that will give me usable insight into the company, that I can turn around and use to strengthen my resume (and hopefully land and ace an interview)?
How does QUANTUMINSERT work?
Many of the most recent NSA leaks are about a group of packet injection projects prefixed with QUANTUM. Based on the available information, how do these attacks work, and what sort of technical infrastructure is necessary to support them? [more inside]
Move my furniture
I need advice on moving some furniture across country. [more inside]
posted by jabo at 6:55 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by jabo at 6:55 PM PST - 2 comments
Roommate leaving the door open; what to do?
My roommate has, for the 3rd time, left the front door of our apartment locked but not closed. It is visibly open, and the door can be opened by pushing. He insists he didn't do this. How to handle this? [more inside]
posted by Chaussette Fantoche at 6:51 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by Chaussette Fantoche at 6:51 PM PST - 29 comments
Private Party Long Distance Vehicle purchase on ebay. Paperwork.
Private party Car sale on eBay. FL Resident Buyer. PA Resident Seller. Car to be shipped. Buyer will not be traveling to PA. Please explain the title paperwork as if you were teaching a five-year-old. Full info and more inside. [more inside]
Desert day hike near San Diego
I have a free day in San Diego and would love to go on a desert hike. Where should I go? [more inside]
posted by susanvance at 6:20 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by susanvance at 6:20 PM PST - 9 comments
Antique rifle appraisers
Does anyone know of an antique gun, specifically rifle, dealer in southeastern Mass.? I have googled and can find none in southeast ma. but I'm sure there must be a few out there. I've called several gun shops and none of them know of any people that are qualified appraisers. Any help would certainly be appreciated. Thanks.
posted by maursam at 6:14 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by maursam at 6:14 PM PST - 3 comments
Shoes as comfy as Alegrias, but prettier...what are they called?
I have developed problem feet; bunions, a chipped bone and arthritis. I tried Alegrias and woohoo, they don't hurt!! Nice styles, pretty colors, but they are just a bit...chunky. Know what I mean? I know about Dansko, Keen and Merrell, but are there other brands that combine exceptional comfort with good looks? I want a feminine effect. I like sporty, athletic, fun, colorful, girly shoes. Low heels. I am a lady, 55, petite, active and on my feet more often than off, during my work day. I have an eclectic, thrift store wardrobe, heavy on blacks, and neutrals, with colorful
accent pieces. I tend toward "costumes" rather than outfits, if that gives you a sense of my style. I want pretty feet that don't hurt!
posted by LaBellaStella at 6:13 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by LaBellaStella at 6:13 PM PST - 10 comments
Where can I buy blank plastic boxes for electronic gizmo projects?
Where can I buy blank plastic boxes for electronic gizmo projects? [more inside]
I need some interesting, relatively non-partisan books on politics
I'd like to brush up on my understanding of American politics today. Could anyone point me in the direction of an accessible, well-regarded book that approaches an interesting political phenomenon, or American politics in general, in a relatively non-partisan way? I'd prefer to stay away from highly ideological works about how either conservatives or liberals are leading America to its doom.
Normal division of labour between a programmer and business analyst?
My organization avoids drawing a line between the responsibilities of the system analyst and those of the business analyst in completing a change request. Can you tell me what's typical? [more inside]
Quieter bluetooth headsets?
I just bought a Plantronics Marque M155 Bluetooth headset for use with my cell phone. The lowest volume setting on it is too loud for my probably-overly-sensitive ears. Any suggestions for quieter headsets? [more inside]
What would you do about this advice from a neurosurgeon?
I was diagnosed with 90% stenosis of my carotid artery with dissection near the brain. The neurologist said I should immediately see a neurosurgeon to have a stent put in. The neurosurgeon had the opposite reaction and said I should just go on living my life as I always have, taking aspirin every day and if I have stroke symptoms to go directly to E.R. He also said I was high risk for stroke without the surgery, but if I would constantly worry about getting a stroke, I should just go ahead and have the surgery done.
I really don't want surgery, (does anyone) but everyone I talk to is stunned that the neurosurgeon had such a nonchalant attitude about this condition. Now I don't know what to do. Follow the neurosurgeons advice and just let it go or have the surgery?
Aluminum wiring! Asbestos! Termites! Are they a big deal? What to do?
First-time homebuyers under contract for a 60-year-old house-- how serious/expensive are these problems: aluminum wiring, friable asbestos insulation, termites, undisclosed window leak causing water damage? Along with original plumbing and an old HVAC, is this a pretty standard situation that falls under the umbrella of "all houses are going to have some problems, no house is perfect" and is this the kind of stuff they mean when they say you'll be spending 1%-ish of your home value on this kind of stuff every year? Or are these costs and issues on the high side, and this is probably on top of another 1%-ish every year on other repairs and maintenance? Help us put this in perspective!
(We need to decide whether to give the sellers' relocation company the right to cancel our contract by requesting repairs. And we need to figure out what we should fix and how much it'll cost if we go ahead and buy the house without repairs.) [more inside]
Help me locate the bathroom organizer of my dreams.
I know exactly what I want. This. Only NOT fiberboard. I want something durable and washable, and since it's for the bathroom, it would be nice if it were relatively waterproof. [more inside]
posted by janey47 at 4:21 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by janey47 at 4:21 PM PST - 14 comments
Where to find a summer sublet in sunny Montreal?
I'm thinking of visiting Montreal for a couple months this summer as a "test run" of sorts before possibly relocating there permanently next year. How realistic is the prospect of finding a sublet in Montreal for June-July, and where would one look for such a thing online? [more inside]
What to know before moving to China?
What should I know before moving to China? I'm moving to Beijing in two weeks and all housing/money/visa issues are fully taken care of but I feel like there's something I'm forgetting. What is that one thing you forgot you needed before leaving? [more inside]
Help me use my empty box!
I have a large flat box made of lightweight wood -- maybe pine -- that I have had for years. I would like to do something with it. It is about 18" square and about 1.5" tall, with the lid adding another half inch or so of headroom inside when it's closed. It is plain with a simple gold-tone hook latch.
I have considered the idea of drilling holes and using it for a charging station but would like to consider other ideas before I either commit to that or give up and keep carrying it around.
Any thoughts? Thanks so much!
Can I change my rewards program without changing my credit card?
I have a Visa credit card though an airline rewards program. I moved last year and have rarely been flying on that airline recently, since they don't have a lot of flights out of my current location. Since I'm not getting much out of the rewards, I'd like to change to another rewards program (not airline-related) that I'm sure to use more. I don't want to unnecessarily hurt my credit history by canceling the card and opening a new one. The new rewards card I'm interested in is also Visa, and offered through the same bank as my current card. Is there a way I can keep the same credit card account and simply switch reward programs?
Organizing comic strips
What are ways to organize comics clipped from the newspaper? [more inside]
Finally got an offer on Ebay. Now lost what to do next.
I got an offer on Ebay for something I listed months ago. I accepted the offer. An email from Ebay says that as soon as I have the funds, to mail the item. But I don't have the funds yet. Am I doing something wrong? I feel like I'm missing something. [more inside]
posted by ratherbethedevil at 3:14 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by ratherbethedevil at 3:14 PM PST - 3 comments
What word-processing program should I use for this project?
I'm writing a book that will contain around 200 photographs and their captions. What program should I use to write it? Microsoft Word is annoying when it comes to photos (and everything else). I like Scrivener but am not sure it's the best for a photo-heavy, text-light project. I'm on a Mac.
Place online or in SF to make a few good quality custom shirts?
I want to make a custom t shirt (mainly as a gift). I want decent quality shirts with a simple print on the front. Very small batch, between 2-10. Any suggestions online or in SF? I want much better quality than cafe press or whatever.
What was this young adult book with a protagonist called Veronica?
I once read a book where someone tells the main character, "You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar, Veronica." I'm 99% sure the character in question was called Veronica and the line definitely included her name. (It may not have included the "than vinegar" bit.) What was this book? [more inside]
Seeking thank you gift for a stranger who did me a great kindness
What's a good thank you gift for a total stranger who did me a great kindness? He returned my lost cell phone, car keys, credit cards, wedding ring and cash - more than $1,000 in misplaced possessions - and asked for nothing in return. All I know about him: His name and mailing address from the envelope, and the fact that he lives somewhere so rural that a Starbucks card will carry no value. [more inside]
Wool socks, cold yet sweaty feet. Need help for the feet!
I probably have Raynauds although I've never gone to a doctor to verify.
I wear Merino wool socks because they seem to work best to help keep my feet warm (even though they are never really totally warm). However, my feet, even though still a bit cool, tend to sweat in wool and thus, I get athlete's foot (and I even wear mesh sneakers for better air circulation).
Any advice on keeping my feet warm yet dry? Does something wick better than wool yet insulate as good or better? Or any other ideas?
In search of sites that collect video game glitches
I am familiar with a number of tumblrs devoted to Sims glitches and have a reasonable but certainly incomplete view into sites devoted to video game glitches in general but I'd rather have redundant coverage in terms of answers so feel free to post whatever you've got in the way of sites that collect video game glitch images and videos. [more inside]
posted by safetyfork at 1:22 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by safetyfork at 1:22 PM PST - 6 comments
How can I score a Happy Easter Bilby?
I know Australia has taken the idea of the Easter Bunny and turned it on it's [feral pest] head in the form of the Easter Bilby, highlighting native species. Where can I buy one of these chocolate darlings that will ship to the US? [more inside]
Broker hunting in Seattle
I'm doing a 3-month internship in Seattle this summer and I'm looking for an apartment. My budget is $2-3k/month.
I think it would be too big a hassle to find a place myself (I'm only interested in apartments that are walking distance from the office), so I'd like to find a broker instead.
How do I go about doing this? Thanks!
Group dining near Lincoln Center?
In a few weeks, a group of undergraduate students from the university I work at will be attending a Saturday Night performance at the Met. I've been asked to research dinner options for that night, but am having some trouble finding something that fulfills all the criteria: fairly close to Lincoln Center, relatively inexpensive ($20 for entrees, tops), and can take a reservation for a group of twenty. Any suggestions?
How to detect network caching/filtering simply?
I work for a company that develops, hosts, and licenses a web-based career guidance app that breaks when it is subjected to caching/filtering. How can we detect if this is happening? [more inside]
Recipes using a julienne peeler?
I just got a hand-held julienne peeler (it's this one), and I'm looking for recipe ideas. I plan to make a huge pile of zucchini noodles, of course, but what else can I make? And what goes best with a huge pile of zucchini noodles? Recipes and ideas (especially low-carb) are welcome! [more inside]
posted by grey_sw at 12:41 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by grey_sw at 12:41 PM PST - 14 comments
Photos that have been drawn on?
Can you share with me photos that have been drawn on? Samples after the jump - [more inside]
Coming to terms with procrastination and becoming productive
How did you kick procrastination and become productive? What was your process? I've been in denial of my low productivity for years and I want to fix it. [more inside]
posted by suburbs at 11:39 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by suburbs at 11:39 AM PST - 14 comments
Après-omnivore
I'm going snowboarding and want to bring sandwiches with me on the slopes! Typical. Caveat: must be vegan, and must appeal to non-vegans. I'm also not a fan of sweet sandwiches, like PB&J. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by semaphore at 11:10 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by semaphore at 11:10 AM PST - 32 comments
Getting Over Someone And Resolving Conflict
How can I get over someone I can't seem to get away from, and resolve conflict/let them know they hurt me? [more inside]
posted by christiehawk at 11:09 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by christiehawk at 11:09 AM PST - 15 comments
Trying to fix a medical billing error: At what point do I give up?
I got a small bill for lab work done as part of a routine annual exam. The entire amount should have been covered in full. At what point do I give up and just pay the bill? [more inside]
posted by tckma at 10:57 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by tckma at 10:57 AM PST - 13 comments
Should I formally thank my boss?
I am a hostess at a small, family-owned restaurant. Yesterday, when I got my pay envelope, there was a small note inside indicating that I had gotten a raise (there were no words; it simply showed the hours I had worked multiplied by my new wage). I noted the change, and did not mention it immediately because my boss was not there at the time; I went about my day and forgot about it--until this afternoon. [more inside]
How do I talk to my daughter about pulling her out of ballet classes?
My 4 year old daughter goes to ballet lessons and really likes them. She’s looking forward to a recital in about 8 weeks. Unfortunately, we need to pull her out of classes at her current studio and enroll her some place else. How do my partner and I frame this issue with my daughter so she doesn’t feel terrible? [more inside]
posted by elmer benson at 10:54 AM PST - 50 comments
posted by elmer benson at 10:54 AM PST - 50 comments
How can I learn photography?
How can I learn photography? [more inside]
Help me identify this sci-fi short story
Some time in the mid 1990s I read a sci-fi short story about an augmented individual hired to steal a password - I'm trying to figure out the name of this story and its author. [more inside]
posted by komara at 10:33 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by komara at 10:33 AM PST - 9 comments
Restaurants in Monterey, CA
We're going to be in Monterey, CA, this afternoon, and staying overnight. Tonight is our fourth wedding anniversary - where should we go for some nice but not crazy expensive seafood tonight? And any recommendations for breakfast places? Thanks!
posted by skycrashesdown at 10:25 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by skycrashesdown at 10:25 AM PST - 11 comments
Two nights in Seville, Spain
In June I will be in Seville, Spain for 2 nights, and I'm hoping you'll have recommendations for clean, reasonably quiet, hopefully charming hotels in lively and safe but not too rambunctious neighborhoods. English speaking staff and wifi would be a plus. My budget is in the US$50 per night range. And, if you want to toss in recommendations for cafes or restaurants or places to watch Flamenco, hey, that would be terrific.
posted by Pineapplicious at 9:56 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Pineapplicious at 9:56 AM PST - 8 comments
Looking for this kind of Salt and pepper holder
I bought this Salt & Pepper set at Bed Bath & Beyond a while back. I love the metal holder they come in. I run a hot sauce company and all my bottles are 5oz woozies, and they fit perfectly into these holders. Very snug and just look great. I have looked all over the place to find them where i can buy them wholesale and in bulk. The company that makes this product has a website that hasn't been updated in ages and emails do not get returned. Plus they are based out of Italy, so that is an issue as well. I have seen similar type products with square openings, or opening that are a little too big, but none that are as perfect as this one......Any suggestions on where to look? Primary need are circular opening that will hold a 5oz. woozie bottle. Much thanks!?
Lifting + eating + cardio = ?
Trying to build muscle bulk but I feel totally confused by the advice about eating and cardio. [more inside]
Your cholesterol is high. What do you eat?
Recipe filter: My partner is sad that recent blood work indicated slightly high LDL counts. My googling has brought me to some OK recipes for healthy eating, but not much that thrills either of us. What are your favorite heart healthy meals and decadent tasting snacks/desserts? [more inside]
Best adhesive for plugging a leak in an air pillow?
My inflatable air pillow sprang a leak. What do I use to fix it? [more inside]
posted by vincele at 9:09 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by vincele at 9:09 AM PST - 15 comments
Places to stay in Naples and along the Amalfi coast (parking and view?)
My mother, two adult sisters and I are traveling mid-may to see Pompeii and the Amalfi coast and are wondering where to stay. I saw a few older threads but in the age of Airbnb I'd love some fresher recommendations... We're easy, but we do want an ocean view where possible, and preferably a place to park. Any suggestions?
Valium and Alcohol
I took one 5 mg of valium, once, to help me fall asleep. After a full 24 hours, I drank excessively the next night. How bad is this? [more inside]
Paying off a student loan - what are we forgetting?
I have a student loan with Florida Department of Education, the flakiest loan servicer in the world. We want to be sure we do everything right as we pay off this debt. [more inside]
Tips for storing meals of perishable food portably and safely
I need a way to give my girlfriend lots of good food that she can eat on the go as she travels to another state for an athletic competition. [more inside]
posted by Ephemeral10 at 8:35 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by Ephemeral10 at 8:35 AM PST - 5 comments
Name my IT sub-department
I'm in a group that has been tasked with naming a new functional area in our IT department. Looking for some suggestions. [more inside]
posted by corpse at 8:31 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by corpse at 8:31 AM PST - 8 comments
What is a "2048 Combo"?
Do they make a Furminator for humans?
I'm looking for a hairbrush that will help pull out the loose/dead hairs so I don't shed all over the place. [more inside]
Number of self-published vs. officially published books?
I need some rough data about books published by recognized publishers vs. books that are self-published. Can you help me find where to look for these numbers? [more inside]
Chance of event with small sample size, based on larger related sample?
Can/how can one improve the estimate for a chance of an event with a small historical sample size by utilizing the chance of a related event with a large historical sample size? Example and half-assed guess inside. [more inside]
Help me find some U.S. elementary school study aids from the mid '80s.
Tryin' to track down a portfolio of English reading/writing laminated bifold four page workbooks. [more inside]
posted by coolxcool=rad at 7:19 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by coolxcool=rad at 7:19 AM PST - 6 comments
Feral dog step 2?
We adopted a five or six month old dog that was born into a feral colony and rescued at 3 months old. He lived in a shelter office for several months and seems past the first stages of acclimating to people, but he's still terrified of us. [more inside]
posted by amandabee at 7:16 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by amandabee at 7:16 AM PST - 22 comments
Can animals be cruel?
As I frame the argument in my head, only humans can be cruel, since everything animals do (on their own, no training or instruction) helps them survive in some shape or form. Can you help me explain the following examples: [more inside]
posted by cgs at 6:22 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by cgs at 6:22 AM PST - 15 comments
What is the first line of 'If She Wants Me' by Belle and Sebastian?
All the lyrics sites I can find say it's 'I wrote a letter on a nothing day.' But to my ears it does not sound like 'on a nothing day' are the words being sung at all. This is the YouTube video I've been listening with. Is it a different version of the song? Am I mishearing it? What are the actual lyrics?
Warning: earworm. [more inside]
posted by Quilford at 5:14 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by Quilford at 5:14 AM PST - 2 comments
Color me Caffeinated!
Put hot water with coffee (in proportion) in a mason jar or a mug. Stir well. Immersion brew for 4 minutes (like you would in a french press). Pour the whole thing into a pourover cone lined with filter. What would/ is this style of brewing called? I can't find any info on this-- am I missing a memo somewhere? Is this too simple to be true? [more inside]
posted by redwaterman at 5:13 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by redwaterman at 5:13 AM PST - 11 comments
My neighbor's dog is barking every time I unlock my front door.
My neighbor's recently acquired tiny dog is barking every time I'm in the hall, effectively alerting the entire building to my comings and goings, particularly late at night. How do I make it stop? [more inside]
Support for Windows XP ends in 18 days - how do I best protect myself?
My laptop, running XP, has been chugging along nicely for nine years. Microsoft is "retiring" support for Windows XP. My surfing is fairly hygenic.
How soon will I be vulnerable? What do I do to protect myself? [more inside]
posted by vapidave at 1:52 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by vapidave at 1:52 AM PST - 14 comments
Oh, Hello, Therapist
I just need a quick reality check: it would be totally unprofessional for my therapist to leave a comment on my unrelated-to-therapy blog, right? [more inside]
posted by K and S at 1:28 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by K and S at 1:28 AM PST - 14 comments
March 19
Some assembly required (needed, more like)
I've just completed collecting relevant material for Marvel Phase One. I've got the films, the shorts (Marvel One-Shots), and the tie-in comics. Help me enjoy them in the proper chronological order? [more inside]
What would happen if I put my living yeast in various places?
I just started my first batch of homebrew cider using Lalvin EC-1118. I had a little yeast left over, and didn't want to throw it away, so I fed it some apple juice and honey. I started wondering about what I could do with it, but a little voice said to me "ah, better think twice about this." [more inside]
posted by brenton at 11:02 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by brenton at 11:02 PM PST - 10 comments
How is chammistry formed?
Do you have any tips on how to behave on early dates to increase romantic chemistry? [more inside]
A dove has been perched on my recycling can for hours, in the rain.
There's a dove perched on my recycling can outside my backdoor. He's been there for hours, sitting in the rain. He keeps trying to get in the house, but I have cats. It seems like it's someone's pet, he's very big and pretty, completely white. What do I do? His wet little head is breaking my heart.
posted by Katine at 7:57 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Katine at 7:57 PM PST - 16 comments
Books that fill the same niche as Project Rho/Atomic Rockets?
I really like reading Atomic Rockets at Project Rho. But I want to take it around with me in an easily digestible form. Can anybody recommend books that have the same sort of content and a similar feel? Not science fiction, but books about the science of science fiction. [more inside]
Help me figure this out: What river am I thinking of?
I remember hearing or reading something about a river in England(?) that was very narrow but incredibly deep and fast flowing. At parts it looked like a stream that you could wade across but it was actually hundreds of feet deep. It was described in a way that made it sound like a terrifying abyss masquerading as a small country stream/river. Googlefu has failed me, it thinks I'm looking for the Thames. Help me out, AskMeFi!
posted by _DB_ at 6:56 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by _DB_ at 6:56 PM PST - 6 comments
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron - alike?
I'm looking for a high quality arcade flying-around pew-pew-pew game a la the Rogue Squadron series that will actually run under Windows, unlike the latter two Rogue games (which can't be emulated). Basically, I want to fly around really fast, shoot other things that are also flying around fast, and drop bombs on other things, without buying a TV, GameCube, etc. Any ideas?
posted by BungaDunga at 5:53 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by BungaDunga at 5:53 PM PST - 8 comments
Any Left-Handed Trimmers?
We are trying to find left handed pruners or animal hoof trimmers. [more inside]
What kind of scam is this?
I received an email asking me to confirm a textie.me account that I did not create. It *appears* to be legitimate, and the confirmation link does look to actually direct to textie (I did not click on it). What kind of scam / ID theft issue do I need to be mitigating here, if any?
posted by ryanshepard at 5:10 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by ryanshepard at 5:10 PM PST - 10 comments
Identify a drawing of a fort
My late father was interested in military history and history in general. He would sometimes draw the layout of forts, and I'm wondering if anyone can identify this one. Here is a photo, as well as a close up of the key at the bottom right.
posted by ridogi at 4:30 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by ridogi at 4:30 PM PST - 7 comments
should I eat it: self-propelling anchovy paste
I just opened a brand-new tube of anchovy paste to make salad dressing, and when I punctured the seal on the tube, it started to spout anchovy paste, as if the whole thing had been under pressure. It smells and looks fine, but emerged with surprising and alarming velocity. [more inside]
Tabletop RPGs for 2 players
Do you know of any tabletop RPGs that work really well with 2 players?
I've recently started playing tabletop RPG games and I enjoy playing with my partner. Are there any games which are particularly suited to this? Either 1 player and GM or GMless games are fine and I prefer storytelling games that offer character development as well as adventure.
I am NOT thinking of Lit's "My Own Worst Enemy."
I'm trying like crazy to find the name of a song I heard playing earlier that I was unable to identify at the time. It is an indie-rock type of song with a long, slow build of an airy female voice singing in this repetitive rhythm. The voice is pretty heavily layered and processed, but it sounded like some of the lines were things like, "Parking our cars, sleeping on lawns" but the google's do nothing but bring up that damn Lit song, which is absolutely not what it was.
So now this is driving me crazy and I really want to get this song. Hope me?
posted by Navelgazer at 2:38 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Navelgazer at 2:38 PM PST - 6 comments
Can I open a bank account somewhere in Europe as a tourist?
I am an American, I was here in Finland on a visa waiver, and now on a temporary waiver extension as I am waiting for my "temporary residence permit" application to be processed. I'd like to open a bank account, but the banks here in Finland won't let me. Is there any bank in the EU that I can open a bank with, but without me having much proof of residence?(I only have a letter from my doctor saying I am here recovering from surgery and doing followups). I am subletting a room in a shared house, and have no official paperwork proving so. Ideally I could open a bank account online in Europe, but I could fly there in person if need be. Thanks.
MeFi Galaxy S3 - is there a way for it not to suck?
I love my Galaxy S3, it serves me well. Except I have never been able to find a decent browser for text entry. While this curbing of impulse is probably wise, it makes MeFi well-nigh uninteractable. Which is probably a good brake sometimes, but frustrating at others. Are there any mobile solutions (android galaxy S3)that make MeFi a little more user-friendly? I realize some amount of this is googleable, but I figure some of you smart guys and gals have already duped this out. Thank you.
posted by umberto at 1:26 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by umberto at 1:26 PM PST - 17 comments
What should I give my temporary neighbor as a going-away present?
My landlord has been subletting his apartment to an elderly Japanese woman for a couple months, and I've been acting as sort of a superintendent while the landlord's away, helping her out with navigating the language barrier, our building's eccentricities, and other issues that would normally be brought to the landlord. When she moved in she brought me a lovely gift of Japanese rice crackers, and during the time she's been here she's brought me a few other small gifts (fruits from the farmer's market, pastries from a local bakery), presumably in thanks for my help. She is incredibly sweet and I've enjoyed interacting with her, and I'd like to get her a small gift when she leaves next month. But I'm at a loss for what! I'm thinking something non-perishable she can take back with her, but alcohol doesn't seem appropriate, and I'm not sure about chocolate, either, which is my usual go-to after booze. Any ideas? We're in Berkeley, CA if that helps.
We Can't All Be Special Snowflakes
I'm a musician and sometimes when I see or hear other artists who are doing cool, innovative things that are somewhat similar to what I'm doing, I feel irritated or threatened, like my work is less important or less unique now, and it makes me bitter or less inclined to continue working on my own stuff. I hate that I feel so petty and competitive instead of just being happy for the success of others.
I really just need to get over myself and stop being a butthead, but I don't know how to deal with these feelings. I was hoping the HiveMind could give me some words of wisdom.
posted by chara at 1:13 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by chara at 1:13 PM PST - 16 comments
Where to find a licensed version of Windows 7 Professional ?
In pushing Windows 8, Microsoft is making it very difficult to find Windows 7: does anyone know a vendor for a legitimate "boxed' version of Windows 7 Professional 32-bit for a single PC? Details inside... [more inside]
posted by cool breeze at 12:57 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by cool breeze at 12:57 PM PST - 8 comments
Warsaw For Hackers
Next week (23-28 March) I will be in Warsaw, Poland.
Help me understand the Technology Scene in Warsaw! [more inside]
I need the dirty bits from popular books
I'm starting a book club among my friends where we just read the dirty bits from popular books to each other. They don't even have to be popular books - just books that I can actually find easily. And it's not exactly a book club. More like a reading-to-each-other club. Anyway, can you remember and recommend any notably hot sex scenes from books you might have read? [more inside]
posted by Sully at 11:46 AM PST - 62 comments
posted by Sully at 11:46 AM PST - 62 comments
How do I hire a good tree trimmer, plumber, electrician, etc?
Me and my partner both grew up in families that rented, and we both continued renting into our adulthood. Every time we've had a maintenance problem we've just done what our parents did and called the landlord or maintenance man. But now we own our own home, and though we're lucky that the previous owners maintained the place so well, it's going to start needing additional maintenance soon. [more inside]
My laptop's touch screen is glitchy; should I replace it?
I have a first-generation Lenovo Yoga 13" laptop that's about a year and a half old. The touch screen has an essentially permanent glitch in it. Is this likely something caused by damage to the screen itself, that would go away if the screen was replaced, and if so, what do I need to make the replacement? [more inside]
Savings vs. debt for short-term gap-stopping
If a person is flat broke for a relatively short period of time (<10 days) but some expenses are unavoidable during that time,* is it better to raid a savings account or to use a credit card to pay for the expenses? Assume that the interest rate on the credit card is shamefully high, and that the savings account is very modest (<$500) but nonetheless a good morale booster and safety blanket. [more inside]
Separate from an independent inspection, what to do/look for in used car
Our car saga continues (1, 2). We took some test drives over the weekend, and it's likely we'll make some moves in the near future to buy an Outback or Forester. As a first time buyer of a used car, what should I ask/look for personally, separate from the inspection to be performed by my independent mechanic? And how much oxidization is too much oxidization under the hood, anyway? [more inside]
But we are all X-Men!
You Are Not My Genetic Counselor, But Neither Are Any of these Self-Styled Uncertified Genetic Counselors on the Internet. The latest fad/quackwatch for desperate parents and patients dealing with autism spectrum disorders or chronic illness seems to be running raw data from consumer genetics testing through an app (or paying hundreds of dollars more for a "nutrigenomics" panel) to check for polymorphisms. Consumers get back lists (helpfully color-coded like traffic lights) of normal, heterozygous, and homozygous gene pairs, but how common are these variations to begin with (setting aside how often they are actually expressed as illness)? [more inside]
posted by blue suede stockings at 10:51 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by blue suede stockings at 10:51 AM PST - 3 comments
It's 2014. How do I decide between internet or mobile development?
It's 2014. How do I decide between internet application design and development or mobile application design and development school programs? Which has the better market? [more inside]
Generally speaking, how bad of an idea is it to go "car camping" alone?
Would it be filed under "Bad Idea", "Proceed With Caution" or "Good Idea"? [more inside]
posted by Shadow Boxer at 10:20 AM PST - 41 comments
posted by Shadow Boxer at 10:20 AM PST - 41 comments
Tips on employment "integrity" test?
I have been offered a job that is contingent on passing an "integrity test." Has anyone ever taken one of these and if so can you help me pass it? [more inside]
posted by syrenka at 10:10 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by syrenka at 10:10 AM PST - 22 comments
Can I run Adobe CS (version 1) on a Windows 7 laptop?
I have an old copy of Adobe Photoshop that I desperately want to run on my much newer laptop. Is it possible? I am a fumbling luddite - pretend I'm your 80 year-old grandparent when you explain anything techie to me. [more inside]
posted by Mael Oui at 9:43 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Mael Oui at 9:43 AM PST - 10 comments
What should I know about different oven settings?
My oven has the following settings:"Circotherm" (IE, convection); top/bottom heat; "Circotherm intensive" (which seems to be convection + bottom heat); "Circo-roasting" (convection + grill); full-surface grill; center-area grill; bottom heating; low-temperature cooking; and defrost. I know that convection cooks things faster, so I need to reduce either heat or cooking time when adapting recipes. What else should I know to take full advantage of all these different modes? [more inside]
posted by yankeefog at 9:33 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by yankeefog at 9:33 AM PST - 3 comments
help me find a forgotten music blog/journal
I am trying to find an obscure longform music journal/website I saw months ago and can't remember enough about it, help? [more inside]
What is this vintage coffee device? Can I get one?
What is the vintage kitchen device in the corner in this picture? It looks like a chrome football standing on three thin columns, with a spigot at the bottom. It appears to come apart into separate compartments, like a coffee maker. It says "Jet" near the spigot. I assume it is either a basket coffee maker or a percolator, but it doesn't appear to have an electric plug like I would expect for a stand percolator. I am unable to locate any information about this device on the internet. Is it possible to find one of my very own? [more inside]
posted by stopgap at 8:03 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by stopgap at 8:03 AM PST - 11 comments
Getting associate's after a BA?
Does it make sense to get an associate's degree after already finishing my bachelor's? [more inside]
posted by superlibby at 8:01 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by superlibby at 8:01 AM PST - 12 comments
Resources for executives learning about IT industry?
My boss has asked me to help him find some introduction-level resources to understand modern IT industry fundamentals (cloud computing, modern storage technologies, security, system architecture, etc.) from a management standpoint. I have a good handle on the technical side, but I'm not sure where to look for the basics. What resources would be a good introduction? Web sites are most helpful, free or paywalled okay.
posted by pocams at 7:50 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by pocams at 7:50 AM PST - 3 comments
Low Carb Vegan Meals
Looking for your favorite low carb vegan dinner recipes. Thanks!
posted by morganannie at 6:49 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by morganannie at 6:49 AM PST - 10 comments
Deleted scene featuring the characters playing Diablo II?
There was some movie which contained a deleted scene in which two of the characters play Diablo II. The setup as I remember it started with a frantic "You have to come over right away it's an emergency" type phone call. The call-ee arrives to see the call-er playing Diablo II (might have been the first Diablo but in context I doubt it) on a gigantic screen and the 'emergency' is something around recovering the loot from an accidental death in an inconvenient in-game location.
What movie was this?
posted by Skorgu at 6:26 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by Skorgu at 6:26 AM PST - 2 comments
Going back to school for computer programming
Barring any unexpected dream jobs arising in the meantime, I will be heading back to school in September for a 2 year college diploma program in 'computer programming'. What are the job prospects for this qualification? I am in Canada. [more inside]
need to find reasonable pricing for Business internet access in Dallas
My wife is opening up a dance/fitness studio within the next couple of weeks and my task for the past week has been to source a business internet provider for her. And I have hit a brick wall. Charter advertises their business internet as 60MB speed for $55. a month. Sounds great, right? But they don't have coverage in my wife's location (basically Addison/Carrollton 75006). TWC wants $300. a month for slightly more than half that speed (35MB). We attempted to s/w Verizon, but they were supposed to call back and have not done so...
Does the community have any helpful suggestions for other providers?
Balcony vegetable patch
I live in an apartment and am thinking about growing vegetables in containers, not sure where to start! [more inside]
posted by ellieBOA at 5:08 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by ellieBOA at 5:08 AM PST - 11 comments
Parenting books reco's needed
Looking for recommendations on parenting books dealing with tips, advice, strategies on the following topics for parenting young children (5-10): how to set different behavioral expectations for siblings of different ages (greater expectations for older children, given capacity), responsibility / accountability for ones actions and the effects of ones behavior on other people ( managing belongings, homework, punctuality, behavior management in special situations ie. there are times for wild/exuberant play and fun but the airport or funerals are are not such times)
Not interested in any books with a religious or corporal punishment bent. [more inside]
Signing and scanning electronic documents without a Printer?
I have no printer. I have some documents to be signed and scanned, preferably in the next few hours. How can I accomplish this? [more inside]
posted by Elysum at 3:22 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by Elysum at 3:22 AM PST - 21 comments
March 18
Tempted to "waste" another year of my life, will I probably regret this?
After two years of intense work and study, I would like to take (at least) a couple of months to pursue my interests. That's not very likely to result into better job offers, and at 31, it's not like I have plenty of time left to get ahead in my profession. Yet there's a field (and volunteer job) I've become quite attracted to in the last few months and would like to explore in more depth. Where do you draw the line between what you would like to do with your life and what you know is more likely to get you better paying positions? Is it a good idea to follow one's (well-intentioned, yet perhaps impractical) dream, at least for a while or is it generally wiser to suppress those desires and keep one's nose to the grindstone and on the rat race? [more inside]
posted by Basque13 at 10:46 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by Basque13 at 10:46 PM PST - 25 comments
Am I making the right decision? (Plus bonus negotiation questions)
I am an academic in Australia, in a social sciences/humanities field that I have mentioned before but would rather not repeat here for googleability reasons. I am currently employed until the middle of this year. I have a job offer in another city that I think I'm going to accept. I'm worried it might be the wrong decision. [more inside]
In search of the perfect purse-backpack
I am really getting tired of carrying a purse and am thinking a purse-backpack would vastly improve the quality of my life. [more inside]
posted by madonna of the unloved at 10:14 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by madonna of the unloved at 10:14 PM PST - 15 comments
When can I go back to my beloved boot cut jeans?
Dear mefite fashionistas, please help someone who has been in the fashion wilderness for a while. For the last three years I've either been pregnant or having children. Now I'm starting to get my body back and will have to go shopping, what's the deal with jeans now? Just by looking around it seems that unfortunately skinny jeans are still in but are bootcut or anything else coming back? (Please say yes...) I remember a comment here a while back from someone who said that they were the new mum jeans, and whilst I am one, I don't necessarily want to look like that! Is this still the case? I'm also not wanting to look like a teenager either, for what it's worth. Aim for mid 30s. What should I be buying?
posted by Jubey at 8:41 PM PST - 51 comments
posted by Jubey at 8:41 PM PST - 51 comments
Father about to be diagnosed with cancer needs help with life insurance
I'm 49 and my wife is 44. We have two small children 7 and 2 and do not own life insurance. Last Friday, we learned my wife has breast cancer, and the same day found out there is a likelihood I could be diagnosed with bladder cancer in the following weeks. Is there any kind of life insurance which I should quickly try to secure in the short time I have while I am still basically healthy? [more inside]
Navigable audio version of the Christian Bible
I'd love to have an audio version of the Christian Bible that allows you to pick a specific chapter or specific verses and listen to them -- ideally in a recorded voice, not not a text-to-speech generator. I have a Kindle version of the Bible that I really like -- it's easy to navigate to a specific chapter and verse through the Kindle table of contents and menus. It's an NRSV translation from Harper Bibles. Are there any audio versions of the Bible that have similar functionality?
posted by OrangeDisk at 7:40 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by OrangeDisk at 7:40 PM PST - 4 comments
Getting video from the TV to my computer
I like to make gifs. What kind of device and setup do I need to pull live video off of television and onto my computer?
posted by cashman at 7:21 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by cashman at 7:21 PM PST - 5 comments
The Joy of Parking, San Francisco (Overnight Edition)
Where can I park my car this weekend while housesitting in Noe Valley? I don't mind a walking distance I just need a place to park my car from Friday night to Sunday afternoon where it will be safe and not piss off the neighborhood. Does that even exist? It will be our little secret..
Garden of Earthly De-frights!!!!
Looking for analysis of Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch. And yes, I absolutely had to look up the spelling on that one. [more inside]
Student Loan default for the second time
I'm 38 and I graduated in 1997. I've defaulted on my student loans twice. Maybe three times? They're direct student loans. I consolidated my loans in circa 2001 and paid on them responsibly for maybe 10 years. I think I messed up again about a year ago and rehabilitated them and got out of default. But now I've failed on that rehabilitation and my loans have been sent to a recovery agency. [more inside]
You Can't Handle the (Next) Proof!
Working through Apostol's Calculus Volume I for personal development. Stuck on a proof, again. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by bfranklin at 5:23 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by bfranklin at 5:23 PM PST - 6 comments
Will this alternative energy idea work?
My friend theorizes that a miniaturized dam, which he calls "The Waterboy", would be a great form of alternative energy and wanted to get feedback on whether this idea would actually work.
This document he drafted up describes The Waterboy further and includes calculations.
resumation blues
Is there any way I can streamline the technical aspects of customizing my resume's content in MS Word? (Check under the fold for a description of what I'm envisioning.) [more inside]
Giving our house a facelift
Our house has ugly, dirty, dented, hole-y vinyl siding. I hate it and want to replace it.
Problems: We live in a cheap neighborhood and don't want to overdo it, and we are short on cash. [more inside]
Help: XBox 360 no longer connects to XBL via Apple Airport Extreme
I know there is a ton of links about this online, I checked many, many of them and I have exhausted everything I can think of. Most info is old or based on older Airport Utility software, or using a Windows machine with the Airport, etc. The crazy part is that until a few days ago, I was able to connect easily. In fact, the Airport connected to Xbox and XB Live right out of the box. [more inside]
Help a special snowflake sleep
I can't fall asleep comfortably unless my head is elevated above my pillow. Is there a pillow that will solve this, or another standard solution? [more inside]
What's a Good Marketing Company for a Small Business?
My dad runs a small business in the Bay Area, California, repairing laser printers and copiers and selling toner cartridge. The repairs take place on-site, and usually are for other small businesses; home printers are generally too cheap to be worth repairing, and you can't get parts. The company consists of him, a printer repair technician, the occasional contract technician, and an answering service for backup. My dad is not technologically saavy, but he can use email (Outlook, arrgh), ACT (sort of), and our user-friendly scanner. He recently got interested in DemandForce as a possible marketing company to attract new business, but the reviews I have read have made me deeply skeptical. So, does anyone know of a great marketing company for a small business providing services and supplies? What should my dad look for and look out for? Advice is welcome, but specific recommendations of marketing companies (especially that you still use) are what I'm most looking for.
once-a-week cooking ideas, vegetarian, low cal version, no freezer.
I'm looking for lunch and dinner ideas i can prepare on Sunday to eat throughout the week.
Needs to be vegetarian and low calories (max 350 cal lunch and 450 cal dinner), and be ok to eat at room temperature, after spending half the day without refrigeration. Snowflake context below. [more inside]
Seeing inspirational and mind-blowing videos for kids
What can I show children to inspire and wow them? I teach children aged between 9 and 11. I'm looking for video clips (or other) to show the children that will blow their minds - or at least, prompt discussion, broaden their horizons and take them outside of the confines of the four walls of the classroom. [more inside]
Looking for a new electronic timewaster
Looking for PC game recommendations. Something big, open-worldy or sandboxy, and non-twitchy—a virtual world that I can spend hours exploring (in terms of both discovering new places, and experimenting with different game mechanics). Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
Samples Images for Canon iPF8400
We just bought a Canon iPF8400 printer at work. Yay! We support student services and bought it for student organizations/groups/projects that need poster printing. However, now that we have it, we realize that none of our fellow IT folks have test/sample jobs to send to it. Help me find something to print... [more inside]
posted by sbutler at 1:38 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by sbutler at 1:38 PM PST - 4 comments
Question Re: Swamp Cooler Wiring
My swamp cooler is not working [previously], and after taking a closer look at the wiring, I see that one of the wires is not connected. Can anyone help me understand this situation? [more inside]
Side Sleepers of MeFi: Where do you put your hands while asleep?
I've been a lifelong sidesleeper. My preferred hand position is with my hands curled up under my chin. For a while now, I'm being woken up by the pins and needles sensation in my hand (the shoulder side down hand) as it's asleep. I'm trying to figure out where else to put my hands while I sleep. [more inside]
Retire already why don't you! OK, just help us prepare before you go.
One of our sales reps is retiring in two weeks and I am to take over his accounts and duties. The problem is he isn’t exactly helping with the transition process.
How do we motivate him to help us prepare and be ready for his exit?
Right now we might end up high and dry without access to important information we need to work after he's gone. We need to know what is going on with the accounts and everyone we should be working with. [more inside]
How to control limerence
Just started seeing a man who I'm a bit gaga about. Trouble is, we both have really important stuff coming up in the next few months and I need to find my concentration again. How do I cope with the desire to see him ALL THE TIME and to remember my other priorities in life? [more inside]
The only disability in life is a bad attitude.
Should I disclose my son's ASD and ADHD to other parents when he goes on playdates where we are not present? [more inside]
Trying to help a complete beginner get their bearings in web development
A relative is already a technical person (masters in electrical engineering) who is trying to switch careers and get into web development. I'm looking for good resources to get her up to speed on the building blocks of web dev. [more inside]
posted by tempythethird at 12:17 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by tempythethird at 12:17 PM PST - 7 comments
explain retirement to me like i'm 5.
help a girl figure some stuff out and (hopefully) not be completely SOL when she's old. [more inside]
Moving your parent to a Senior Living Home
My friend is faced with moving her mother to a 'Senior Living Home'. (Connecticut) A lot of factors led to this; tests and professional advice, safety concerns, Mom's reluctant consent etc. Daughter understands all this, and will be relieved by her Mom's move to full-time care, but at the same time feels devastated taking this action. Abandonment, loss of memory and communication...... While other family members have visited the location and are happy with it, we will be visiting soon for the first time. 1. What should we consider? Where can a consumer look for possible violations or complaints? 2. I never had to face this. How can I support her?
Help me Betty Draperize myself, sartorially speaking!
Is there a way to reduce my waist measurement temporarily, in order to wear dresses from the 1950s and early 1960s? [more inside]
Vehicle mileage vs age?
I am in the (unfortunate) position of needing to buy a Ford Econoline passenger van. I'm having trouble evaluating two options in particular: one, a 2001 vehicle with 90k miles on the engine (not the van's original engine), and two, a 2006 with 132k miles. [more inside]
Where in Europe should I check out (and dance) this summer?
I have a one-way ticket to Stockholm in June to celebrate midsommar, but want to figure out a second place to visit that I haven't been before, preferably somewhere that I would want to consider living in the future (I consider all of my travel auditions for the future, in a way.) [more inside]
Please help me organize my investments and finances! (401k Rollover!)
Need help deciding what to do with my investment finances, including rolling over my prior Co. 401k rollover. I hold 2 401ks, 1 Roth IRA and I'm planning maybe on an index Fund. Details inside! [more inside]
posted by PetiePal at 10:59 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by PetiePal at 10:59 AM PST - 8 comments
Sunday brunch venue in Austin?
I'm looking for a space in downtown-ish Austin to host a post-wedding brunch. [more inside]
Will upgrading my mid-2010 Macbook Pro solve all of my problems?
My mid-2010 Macbook Pro doesn't handle streaming video or huge Excel files well. Would a comprehensive upgrade solve my problems, or am I better off buying a new computer? [more inside]
Host Gift Help Needed
I will be staying with a friend and his family, in their mother-in-law unit. I want to give them a nice host gift, with the following stipulations: (a) I don't think they drink; (b) They have various dietary restrictions; (c) They are urbane, smart Bay Areans. I am paralyzed. Any hints or recommendations would be very welcome.
Help me Automate my new apartment/townhome
I am looking for ways to simplify/automate my apartment. Things like automatic lighting, automatic fridge contents lists, everything turning on/playing music when I enter my apartment, and any other household hacks. I don't have android OS. [more inside]
Endo vs. ovarian cysts questions to ask doctor
Doctor suspects I either have endometriosis or ovarian cyst issues. She won't do a differential dx because the treatment is the same. I am seeing her tomorrow afternoon. Just want today be able to ask good questions.
I [more inside]
posted by AlexiaSky at 10:21 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by AlexiaSky at 10:21 AM PST - 17 comments
The Odd Odd Triple
How can three guys with slightly wonky income situations get an apartment in NYC without a guarantor? [more inside]
Where do middle aged men shop for clothes?
I've reached middle age, lost a ton of weight, and need to re-do my wardrobe. Where does a middle aged man shop for clothing in America? [more inside]
Why should I shop at Costco?
What deals can I get at Costco that make it worth the hike and membership when I already have walking distance access to Trader Joe's, Walmart, Jewel and independent local grocers? [more inside]
posted by srboisvert at 9:39 AM PST - 48 comments
posted by srboisvert at 9:39 AM PST - 48 comments
Who can help me plan for my organization to scale substantially?
I work in a company that's growing about 30% a year, and plans to continue to do so for the next 20 years. Specifically, I manage the administration of one division of this company, and I've been asked by my exec to head up an effort to create a plan to allow us to scale effectively over the next 10-20 years as we go from a division of 500 people to one of 5000.
I don't really know where to start in finding people or organizations that can help me with this. What keywords are my magic search terms? Who are the people/orgs who are super awesome at creating an organizational scaling plan that I can hire to work with us on this? What should I beware of as I start us down this road?
Halp, please! and thanks.
posted by spindrifter at 9:18 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by spindrifter at 9:18 AM PST - 9 comments
Have my computer and printer broken up forever?
We have a PC (purchased within the last year) and an HP OfficeJet J6480 printer (a few years old). Last week we switched our wireless connection from an AT&T DSL to AT&T UVerse. We networked both the computer and the printer. (I networked the printer BOTH from the computer and on its own through the glass panel--there is no way the thing is NOT networked at this point.) I reinstalled the printer software with the latest download from the HP tech support site. We tried connecting the printer to the computer directly with a cable. We have turned the computer, printer, and router on and off until we're blue in the face. The printer has two full cartridges of ink. It says it's the default printer and that it's online. It even SAYS it's printing something when I send a document to it--and then two minutes later it says sorry, can't print. WHY are the computer and printer not communicating? Is their relationship doomed forever? [more inside]
Help me identify the license plate of this car that hit me
Hi everyone,
I was hit by a car a few hours ago near Grand Central in New York City, the driver then drove off. I am filing a police report and would like to include the license plate number, but the photo I got with my iPhone is largely washed out. Help? [more inside]
posted by thumpasor at 8:50 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by thumpasor at 8:50 AM PST - 21 comments
How do I realistically satisfy my bicuriousity?
I am a cis-female in my late 20s, and I've considered myself straight for most of my life. Around my mid 20s I started to realize that I had a secret desire for a woman to come on to me as a sexy fantasy, but still aligning myself as straight. However this desire slowly grew and I started to have intense dreams of having sex with women and now I really want to make this happen in reality. I have no idea how to approach this. [more inside]
Help me feel excited about getting married!
My wonderful fiancé and I getting married this August. While I'm happy at the thought of "officially" starting a life together, we've been together more than eight years, and it doesn't feel like a huge deal any more. I'm also stressed about my career, which is occupying my mind most of the time. The actual wedding is being organized entirely by my parents, and neither of us are thrilled about what the ceremony's shaping up to be. What can I/we do to make the whole getting hitched thing more meaningful for us? [more inside]
great places for dogs around Nashville?
I am looking for places that are fun, interesting, and accessible to take my 3 dogs (2 seniors, hound and std.schnauzer, and 3-year-old sheltie) off leash, or on a long nylon lead. I know the three official dog parks here in town, which are fine up to a point but a bit boring after a while. We were all spoiled when we lived on the west coast, when the seniors were young: park areas like the beach at Kelly Point, near the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette, or one federal reserve area outside of town, seem like a dream now (even Shelby Park in Memphis was great). Even after they started to regulate that beach, you could still have dogs off-leash within range of the water, and enforcement was relaxed. I understand that dogs can't be allowed to roam free in park settings, but have heard that there are locations, for instance along the Harpeth, where people and dogs go for this purpose. Any ideas? (no lectures, please - I agree that people and wildlife are more important.)
Tax me
How do relocation expenses paid directly to a 3rd party work on your taxes (US)? We received the relocation expense breakdown from employer today and there is about $15,000 listed as w-2 reportable income, that was strictly the cost paid directly to the movers. Will we be paying taxes on that? Will our total income be our regular taxable income plus this $15000? Should we start having more taxes taken out of the paycheck to avoid any yucky surprises next year at tax time?
Everything I find online talks about deductible expenses, but I don't see how that even applies to this situation because we weren't reimbursed for anything, the employer handled everything with the movers directly. We meet all the requirements for qualified moving expenses (time, distance and start of work), but again, don't know where that fits in. This will apply to the 2014 taxes, so we have plenty of time to get a better grasp of how it works.
You are not my CPA or TA (we may get one, but I would still like to understand and prepare accordingly if we will be getting pounded at tax time).
posted by MayNicholas at 7:38 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by MayNicholas at 7:38 AM PST - 16 comments
Getting your black-and-whites back to white?
I have a lot of very yellowed white clothing. Bleach does nothing, but even if it did, some of them (specifics inside) are white + colour. How do I make them white again. [more inside]
Migraine doubts
About 3 years ago, my health started falling apart. 2 and half years ago I asked this question. Some of my symptoms at that time were side effects from Wellbutrin (which resolved when I stopped taking it), and the others were diagnosed as migraines. My treatment for migraines has been less than successful and I'm beginning to doubt the diagnosis, especially since the intensity of the headaches has ramped up so severely in the last couple of weeks. [more inside]
Colourizing an old photo.
This is a two part question around colourizing this old photo of my mother who recently passed away. [more inside]
posted by Poldo at 6:41 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by Poldo at 6:41 AM PST - 5 comments
Best way to store iPhone videos on Flickr?
I need help with getting my iPhone videos (home videos, all 2 minutes or less) to upload to Flickr - ideally using their app, but open to other ways as well. Why can't I do it? [more inside]
posted by widdershins at 6:13 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by widdershins at 6:13 AM PST - 3 comments
PhD-level conservation careers for maximum real-world impact
I'm in a PhD program pursuing a degree in conservation biology. When I finish (and possibly after completing a postdoc or two) I'd like to end up in a job where I can maximize my real-world conservation impact. I'd like to hear some suggestions on how I can do that; lots more detail to be found inside, as well as my reasoning on the subject so far. [more inside]
LinkedIn spam?
What's your feeling on unsolicited recruiter spam on LinkedIn? Because now I want to spam you. [more inside]
posted by colin_l at 5:21 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by colin_l at 5:21 AM PST - 25 comments
How to take scientific notes efficiently?
What is the best way to take grad level notes that feature tons of text, math equations and diagrams, during class, while reading books, and while reading research?
Ability to search and organize a huge plus!
Digital or non-digital solutions considered. [more inside]
posted by Riton at 5:10 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Riton at 5:10 AM PST - 13 comments
Did getting a tattoo after waiting for years live up to expectations?
If you wanted a tattoo for years and then you finally got a beautiful one, did you regret it later? [more inside]
What are the possible bits of a book?
I would like a list of generic things in printed material (particularly educational material). I know about the regular types of bits: foreword, preface, tables, figures, plates, glossary, references, dot points, chapter, appendix, headers, footers, page numbers, table of contents; but I would like as big a list as possible (with links to images, if you feel like it of visual identifiers) of other types of repeat things in books, textbooks, reports, education activity books for children- basically any kind of printed material (even if it's supplied electronically). [more inside]
posted by b33j at 2:13 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by b33j at 2:13 AM PST - 6 comments
March 17
How to quell impending blog doom from Aunt Lisa
How do I ask my aunt not to write about me in her blog (specifically wondering about wording), and how do I politely stick to my guns if she pushes back? Snowflakes after the fold. [more inside]
posted by horizonseeker at 9:20 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by horizonseeker at 9:20 PM PST - 27 comments
How do I reformat my tabs in Word?
What is the quickest and most accurate way to undo manual tabbing in Word and reformat those lines with paragraph alignment? [more inside]
Wordpress install problems
I've just installed wordpress and the theme I'm using won't display the checkbox buttons on the web form I've created. It has to do with the theme I've chosen because the buttons show up fine with other themes... any idea what the problem could be? Page in question is here. All of the list items should have a checkbox button beside them. The theme's name is Hemingway.
posted by pwally at 9:12 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by pwally at 9:12 PM PST - 2 comments
Technical writing... by robots?
I saw a somewhat blogspammy news article the other day (regrettably, I cannot remember where, and google is failing me) which listed the top ten or twenty professions that would be eliminated by automation in the next twenty years. Among them were ones I would expect: telemarketing, retail sales, etc. Nothing surprising there.
And then they threw technical writing into the mix.
My question is, how could software automate technical writing? [more inside]
posted by deathpanels at 7:52 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by deathpanels at 7:52 PM PST - 12 comments
Requesting guidance re: stalkerish ex-friend
Hi all, I have a former friend with mental health issues who is somewhat obsessed with me and has been increasingly creeper-ish over the past year. I just found out today that he now lives within 1.5 miles of me and I'm a bit freaked out. Would like to request input/advice re: next steps, partially because I'm not sure how concerned I should be. More after the cut. [more inside]
posted by cardinality at 7:28 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by cardinality at 7:28 PM PST - 18 comments
How to safely dispose of pure nicotine?
My friend decided she wanted to make her own nicotine solution for her e-cigarettes, and, long story short, ended up with a glass vial of 100% pure nicotine solution from China. How can she safely dispose of this incredibly toxic substance? [more inside]
Mystery Diagnosis: Part 2
I'm getting closer to an answer (and hopefully a more normal life) but I'm a little lost at order of steps and the best way to go about seeing specialists. I feel really lost and I KNOW something is off with my body. [more inside]
Choose your own Operating Procedures?
Currently I work in an administrative clerk-type position in local government. I need to create a manual for my job, so that someone else could step in if need be to do my work. Are there any apps or programs that would walk me through this? [more inside]
Best (cheapest) place to buy PAR30 and PAR20 LED bulbs?
I'm remodeling the house and have converted everything to can lights. I have to go buy about 36 PAR30 bulbs and about 12 PAR20 bulbs. Where can I get the best deal? Difficulty: NO EBAY. [more inside]
posted by jeffamaphone at 7:00 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by jeffamaphone at 7:00 PM PST - 11 comments
Sanity check on teenagers and their whims, please!
We have a teenager that wants to visit his internet girlfriend and is being increasingly pressuring. We're resistant, feel that we are right in being resistant, but just wanted to check whether we're being reasonable or not.
So, given the details (and SO MANY DETAILS) below, should we be stopping this teenager visiting his girlfriend in another country? Or should we let him go? [more inside]
Recommendations for inexpensive dual-sim smartphone with a decent camera
It's been suggested to me that I pick up a ~$100 dual-sim smartphone for my upcoming trip to Europe, and I'm looking for recommendations. [more inside]
posted by burntflowers at 6:04 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by burntflowers at 6:04 PM PST - 5 comments
Looking for a real, dirty, hands on farm stay around Lancaster
We are spending spring break in and around Lancaster, PA. We have some plans in mind (Gettysburg, buggy tours, pretzels and chocolate and markets and a candlelight walking tour) but what would really make our kid happy is a farm stay...a muck-out-the-stalls, frolic with baby goats, pitch some hay kind of place. All we can find is the gather eggs for breakfast/petting zoo kind and while there's nothing wrong with that, we were hoping for a bit more. We've been to East Hill Farm in NH, which is more like what we're looking for--and which lets me know that these types of places do exist.
Any ideas? They would be much appreciated!
posted by aimeedee at 5:42 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by aimeedee at 5:42 PM PST - 10 comments
I don't want a mouse pad.
How can I tell if an apartment building has pests (e.g. rodents or roaches)? Am I being unrealistic to hope to find a place that doesn't? [more inside]
posted by telegraph at 5:41 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by telegraph at 5:41 PM PST - 7 comments
Should I try rooting my HTC One X?
I am a little unhappy with my two-year-old HTC One X, mainly because of HTC's irritating firmware/software "updates" that have reduced the core functionality of the phone. Should I try rooting it and installing a new custom ROM? I am not terribly tech-savvy, but can follow instructions. [more inside]
Calling all cross-stitchers of MeFi!
I am about to begin a very large, very exciting cross-stitch project! I have only done small projects in the past, and I need some guidance in several areas. [more inside]
posted by sevensnowflakes at 5:21 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by sevensnowflakes at 5:21 PM PST - 14 comments
So, uh, would you consider your organization a terrible place to work?
How do you tell whether an organization or company is functional and pleasant to work for during the job application process-- before you've committed to them? [more inside]
Simple CD player for elderly mother
Looking for recommendations for a very easy to use boombox-type CD player for my elderly mother. [more inside]
posted by soundslikeobiwan at 4:46 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by soundslikeobiwan at 4:46 PM PST - 6 comments
I need a small, great sounding and classy looking stereo!
My google fu and tag searching have failed me.
I'm getting older, and the blingy black, blue plastic and chrome shelf stereo I have from years ago has become desperately, desperately ugly to me. I want wood, neutral colors, and good sound. I want a complete unit: speakers and a reciever with at least an audio in jack. I am reaching the start of my older age techno-weenie status, so buying individual components and hooking them all in to the right pieces and parts sounds like an all day ordeal to me.
An included (and yes, I know out-dated) CD player is desired; I haven't gotten rid of them yet, and have an extensive classical music collection (sorry, MP3 quality classical music generally shreds my very soul.)
I can't say that money is no object, but if I can live with it for the next decade or so I could go as high as a thousand bux.
Please help me find a small,simple stereo that will fit on a shelf and has good sound quality, without sacrifcing my need for the pretty.
posted by k8oglyph at 4:35 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by k8oglyph at 4:35 PM PST - 12 comments
Help me find a literacy charity
I need to donate money to a charity which has improving literacy as part of its mandate, and need to choose a charity. [more inside]
posted by joannemerriam at 4:33 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by joannemerriam at 4:33 PM PST - 7 comments
I need a new drug (manager), one that won't cost too much
Do you see a great mental health professional in the Twin Cities for medication management and/or ADD treatment? Great, tell me about them! [more inside]
Concerned about an elderly neighbor
What should I do about/for my elderly, possibly senile neighbor? I am concerned for her safety. Special snowflake details inside. [more inside]
Lemi Shine alternative: citric acid? Something else for daily use?
We have hard water in our house, and our dishes are showing it something wicked. It's to the point we'll need to wash with something other than plain dish detergent every wash. Lemi Shine is great (mostly*), but it'll be expensive to run every wash with Lemi Shine. So I looked around and this house-keeping blog tried citric acid with positive results and a significant savings, while this chemistry blog thinks Lemi Shine is citric acid hemihydrate. Is there any concern to buying bulk citric acid or citric acid hemihydrate? [more inside]
What kind of car should my attorney husband buy?
Neither my husband nor I are "car people", so we have no clue what kind of cars we should be looking at for him. Details under the cut. [more inside]
Teach me to be a good ref
In a few weeks, I will be refereeing a game of [obscure sportsball] for the first time. Please give me your tips to do as good a job as possible! [more inside]
Carjacking Is Not A Viable Way To Get A Van, Right?
Small not-for-profit health care-focused agency in Ontario, Canada wants to increase their outreach program by creating a mobile service. The problem is that funds are limited and we're confused about what our next best step could be - since none of us has done this before! Apologies in advance for the wall of text that's about to hit you, but I don't want to leave out anything important. [more inside]
FlakyFilter: How To Get No-Show Volunteers To Show Up?
I recently started organizing volunteer orientations for a local charity. These orientations take place at long-time volunteers' homes over dinner and require quite a bit of prep work by the hosts. They are optional orientations - i.e., for newcomers who have expressed interest in a more active role with the nonprofit. So far, about 30% of the new people who RSVP 'yes' are complete no-shows. How can I reduce this amount, AND how can I not feel pissed off at people who cancel with no or little notice? Snowflakery inside... [more inside]
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 2:34 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 2:34 PM PST - 20 comments
What was that arty architecture/design magazine from a decade back?
This is killing me, because I used to know. Indie, quirky, much-beloved NY-based shelter and design magazine from late 90s - early 00s. Lasted maybe three years? Did fun stuff with typography. Not Domino. I keep thinking it was called Egg, but that was something else.
posted by neroli at 2:02 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by neroli at 2:02 PM PST - 2 comments
Quiet, romantic spot to propose in NYC.
I'd like your help in figuring out a quiet, private and romantic spot to propose to my girlfriend while we're on a 2-day trip in Manhattan. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:18 PM PST - 50 comments
posted by anonymous at 1:18 PM PST - 50 comments
How can I take my notetaking to the cloud? (iPad? Livescribe?)
My house is filled with small reporter notebooks filled with notes/interview records for writing projects I've worked on. I've gone electronic in all of my other paperwork, and it has changed my life. How can I do the same with my notebooks? [more inside]
How do I market my new business effectively and DOUBLE QUICK
How do I market my new business effectively and DOUBLE QUICK with the added catch on not wanting my ex stalker figuring it out? [more inside]
Why can't I stomach non-bland foods sometimes?
Every now and then, I'll reach a period where eating anything that isn't extremely bland, like buttered noodles, will make me throw up. It's happened often enough that I'm curious about what's going on with my stomach. Slightly TMI inside. [more inside]
Need help finding metal decorative objects for shelf decoration
I would like to find the metal decorative items in this picture (both the spheres in the middle and the urn things at the bottom). [more inside]
Search help for comics on newsprint
I searched but all I can find, here or Google (well, I use Startpage but whatever), is comic BOOKS. These are not books. These are huge sheets of newsprint from 1932, 1934, around there. [more inside]
posted by AllieTessKipp at 12:12 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by AllieTessKipp at 12:12 PM PST - 4 comments
Help me impress my friend by figuring out what book we're remembering
I was at lunch with a friend of mine and the conversation turned to escargot. She said, "I remember reading a book when I was a kid where the girl went out to a fancy restaurant, and she accidentally ordered escargot because she didn't know what they were." [more inside]
posted by pretentious illiterate at 12:01 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by pretentious illiterate at 12:01 PM PST - 27 comments
Name my Bible podcast
I'm thinking about starting up a podcast. It would be, for the most part, deep interpretations of Biblical texts from a critical but appreciative point of view. What should I call it? [more inside]
posted by Pater Aletheias at 11:20 AM PST - 58 comments
posted by Pater Aletheias at 11:20 AM PST - 58 comments
My mother asked me to do her a favour. I don't want to anymore...
My mother routinely asks me to 'check on' her place when she is out of town. This has become very burdensome for me. Details below. [more inside]
posted by JoannaC at 10:39 AM PST - 42 comments
posted by JoannaC at 10:39 AM PST - 42 comments
A parachute for jumping off the Ivory Tower
Another humanities-grad-student-meets-real-life question. Finishing a linguistics Ph.D., have a classics M.A.; my academic job search is drawing a blank, so I'm looking further afield. What are some specific skills I could acquire that would make me more employable, and how do I go about acquiring them? Complications: I'll need visa sponsorship for any kind of employment, and time is a factor. [more inside]
posted by zeri at 10:20 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by zeri at 10:20 AM PST - 17 comments
Last Minute Vacation filter: Hopkins area of Belize
We're trying to plan a last-minute vacation somewhere warm for the week before our daughter's second birthday, cost/availability has led us towards a condo in the Hopkins area of Belize. Snowflake details within! [more inside]
posted by Oktober at 10:02 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Oktober at 10:02 AM PST - 4 comments
Freeform Narrative Gaming Ideas
What are your favorite tabletop and board games that exist to encourage free-form narrative play with a minimum of mechanics? I know about Fate, and I like it, but I'm trying to expand a bit. I'm asking because I've become curious about narrative gaming recently, and I'm looking for inspiration from a variety of sources. Also, any books or guides to writing things like Fate scenarios (or similarly open player lead experiences) would be greatly appreciated.
DC caterers
I volunteered to plan an event for Saturday, 3/29 that will include dinner for about 40 adults. For the most part, planning is in good shape, but we still need a caterer. We're probably looking at a budget of $300-400, serving around 9pm, no booze. There may be a possibility of using the venue's caterer, but I want to get a feel for fallback options. Anyone out there have a good caterer for me, or advice around hiring caterers in general? I have never done this before.
How to add movie times so they appear in Google/Flixster search results?
We are a nonprofit film society located in Charleston, SC and are looking to have our movie times displayed in search results.
In Google, for example, a search for movies by zip code results in this. How can we be included?
My sense is that each movie listing company may require a separate arrangement so, in order of preference, we are looking to be included in:
1. Google
2. Flixster
3. Fandango
4. Yahoo
Thanks for your help!
Public places to piano in Washington, DC
I was supposed to fly out of D.C. today but due to the weather my flight's been canceled and I had to reschedule for tomorrow! I'm in dire need of a piano to practice for 1-3 hours some point today. Are there any public places, universities/libraries/lobbies etc that would offer a piano for free (or cheap) that I could practice on? Thanks for any suggestions!!
Support for activists?
What are the websites (if any) that seek to collaborate online discussion and activism into coherent steps for individuals as well as assistance collaborating on projects or areas of activism? [more inside]
Good dealer of Antique coins in Twin Cities area
Pursuant to cleaning out my parent's storage basement, I have been charged with finding the value of, and selling, a small collection of what appear to be antique coins and paper currency. Who is a good dealer to show this cache to? [more inside]
Dancing lessons
I'd like to surprise my wife with some dancing lessons, but I'm not sure which kind of partner dancing would make both her and I happy. I'd prefer if the music was upbeat (above 110bpm) and didn't take to long to not look like an amateur. She'd like there be lots of spinning, dipping and throwing her up in the air and such. We aren't a big fan of modern country music, but are open to styles like bluegrass and zydeco. If it's community centered, that'd be a plus - we'd love to meet interesting people and dance with others as well. We live in a major metroplex in the central US, if that is pertinent. [more inside]
How do I find a financial planner or retirement advisor?
We need a financial planner in Los Angeles. Or an advisor, I don't know the difference.
Difficulty level: poorly organized procrastinators.
My husband will be retiring in 3-4 years. I don't reach retirement age for several years more, though I could take "early retirement" from my company next year. Between us we have 2 pensions, 2 401Ks, 2 health insurance plans, a bit in savings bonds and a tiny IRA. We have a house that will be paid off in 3 years. And we have a lot of things we want to do in retirement. We're doing reasonably well negotiating where we'd like to live and what kind of place, but we have no idea what we can afford and/or if I can afford to retire with him. [more inside]
posted by SLC Mom at 7:14 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by SLC Mom at 7:14 AM PST - 3 comments
Historical Religious Books
I just finished reading Zealot, by Reza Aslan, and I found it to be a fascinating book. I'm looking for similar books! [more inside]
What is a good airfare from Denver to Japan?
We're planning an October trip to Japan, and having never been to that part of the world, I find I have no idea what a good fare is. I'd like to purchase well in advance and I'm finding fares in the $1300-1500 range for our time period. Is that a good fare?
posted by ecorrocio at 6:53 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by ecorrocio at 6:53 AM PST - 8 comments
Personal file backup advice should I use a cloud sevice
I want to find out what is the best cloud services for backing up laptops and pc's. Should I go with the cloud, and in addition should I save my files to external hard-drives as well.I have a lot of photos primarily that I do not want to loose, I am using windows . Thanks for the help.
A certain type of browser alert
Anyone know of a Firefox or Chrome extension/utility/plugin/script etc that can monitor webpage changes every few seconds, and doesn't need to be reset every time the alert triggers? [more inside]
Do I break up with someone while they are on a 5 week holiday?
I have been seeing someone for approx 3 months. It’s exclusive and I feel as though he’s quite into it but at the same time our relationship so far has not been intense at all, quite the opposite and we have both been taking it slowly. [more inside]
Portland snacks! And stuff!
I'm putting together some gift bags for a group trip to Portland, OR. I want to fill the bags with local goodies. Can you recommend some great Portland snacks (locally made chocolates, chips, candy, etc.), as well as any other appropriate Portland-themed items? Thanks!
CPU fan issue
The fan on my CPU cooler is blowing in the wrong direction! [more inside]
App for organizing tons of pdf and other files into a research library?
1. I don't want to have to upload anything to the web. 2. I'd like to have one and the same file show up under multiple different categories. For instance, if there's a book about the math of baseball, I'd like to be able to have it show up in a category called "math" and also show up in a category called "baseball." 3. It would be cool if it could allow for the feature of associating a given file with an image, such as a book or DVD cover (so that browsing them could be like browsing on Netflix) or a book or DVD binding (so that different collections could appear in a graphic way as looking like items on a bookshelf).
posted by Eiwalker at 5:05 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Eiwalker at 5:05 AM PST - 10 comments
How do I get useful things out of people in an audition scenario?
I'm not an actor/director/casting professional (outside of that one play I directed in college that wasn't very good), but I need to audition roughly six actors this week and I don't know how to do that in a constructive way. [more inside]
I'm moving out, living as a real adult - finally! How can I do it well?
I'm 22, graduating in a month. I'm finally moving out on my own to the big city, starting a new corporate job - starting real, adult life basically - how can I make a smooth, healthy transition into independent life? [more inside]
posted by rhythm_queen at 12:56 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by rhythm_queen at 12:56 AM PST - 19 comments
March 16
Where have all the movie plots gone?
Where are all the films which have queer characters whose sexuality is not the main point of the film? Action movies with lesbian heroes; courtroom dramas with transgender lawyers; road trip movies with gay buddies out for more than getting laid; science fiction/spooky stuff films with androgynous/intersex protagonists, I'm not fussed. Preferably ones where no one dies as a "punishment" for being queer. [more inside]
posted by Athanassiel at 10:13 PM PST - 38 comments
posted by Athanassiel at 10:13 PM PST - 38 comments
I’ve lost all my confidence and don’t know how to act around people
I've faced a lot of rejection over the past year: from jobs, men, my friends, and parents, and it's totally killed my self-esteem. I don't know how to get it back or how to act social anymore. [more inside]
posted by summertimesadness1988 at 9:07 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by summertimesadness1988 at 9:07 PM PST - 19 comments
Warm, modern, slightly epic classical music?
So there's classical music and then there's film score music, right? What I'm looking for is something in the middle that sounds modern, epic, but not overly bombastic (as cool as it can be, I'm not looking for Two Steps from Hell). Also, major bonus points if it's not actually from an existing film and not too purposely calming (by which I mean no whale sounds etc. the music I'm looking for would be calming but that shouldn't be it's reason for existing).
A good example of what I'm looking for is this track from the second Thor soundtrack after the 50 second mark.
posted by sendai sleep master at 9:03 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by sendai sleep master at 9:03 PM PST - 19 comments
Young toddler bedtime: doin' it wrong?
Bedtime has always been a production with our now 13 month old, and unfortunately I don't know many parents of similarly-aged kids to calibrate against. Does this routine seem normal/okay to you for this age? Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by annekate at 8:55 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by annekate at 8:55 PM PST - 28 comments
Want to take air purification to the next level in ~750 sq ft apartment.
I'd like to cleanse the air in my apartment of the neighbor's cigarette smoke and the exhaust particulate that comes in the windows. Already have home air purifier, looking for something more powerful. [more inside]
When is a spoon more than just a spoon?
I'm looking for some art-world advice and/or a gimmick for selling beautiful handmade spoons at extremely high prices. [more inside]
posted by aniola at 7:32 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by aniola at 7:32 PM PST - 18 comments
What's the best microscope for the least money?
Is it possible to get a decent microscope for, say, $200? If not, what's the least amount I might spend to get one?
By "decent" I mean one that might be found in a college science lab, I guess.
posted by Camofrog at 7:29 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Camofrog at 7:29 PM PST - 9 comments
Playlist help: NBD breakup songs
I'm starting to date (after only having been in Serious Big-Deal Relationships previously) and am having fun, not looking for anything serious. This entails a certain amount of rejection that I'm trying to keep in appropriate perspective. I'm looking for songs to compile into a playlist, on the theme of "oh well, it didn't work out, I'm still fabulous/will easily survive." These are not Big Heartbreak songs, just "eh, too bad, no big deal." Ingrid Michaelson's "Girls Chase Boys" is the perfect example of this. Do you have other suggestions? [more inside]
posted by c'mon sea legs at 6:54 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by c'mon sea legs at 6:54 PM PST - 14 comments
Who were these men in white robes and what exactly where they wearing?
A few weeks ago I was transiting through the airport in Istanbul, Turkey, and saw several men wearing odd robes. These were more like long towels than robes. The material seemed like white terry cloth bath towels, but could have been wool or another thicker material. They appeared to have one wrapped around their waists and another draped over one shoulder, although it could have been one long section. Each section would have been roughly 3' x 10' (1mx3m), or 3' x 20' if all in one. Now I am wondering, who were these men, what were they wearing and why were they dressed like that? [more inside]
posted by Yorrick at 6:32 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Yorrick at 6:32 PM PST - 5 comments
What to do when women simply don't find you sexy?
I've never had too much of a problem finding a date - usually online - because I look really good on paper, have my shit together, and am pretty good at being outgoing and breaking the ice and all without being a total creep like a lot of people seem to have issues with.
But a disturbing trend is starting to take place. I'll be dating a girl, everything will be going good, conversations flowing, jokes hitting, etc etc... and then she'll start to yawn. The date will go on and she'll never give me that playful touch on the arm. When it's over, she'll go in for the hug instead of the kiss. And I try not to look into it, but after 2 or 3 dates pass and we've progressed normally they'll tell me that they just aren't interested. It got so frustrating I asked the last girl to not spare my feelings and let me have it - she told me I don't turn her on. The remains of my shattered ego will be regurgitated inside... [more inside]
Derail a future heartbreak or enjoy myself now?
I've been living abroad for half a year but the end of my time here is coming up, and of course, I stupidly started seeing someone who is not going to relocate for me. Is it a stupid idea to continue seeing them? I'm already stressed and saddened to an extent I've never experienced before because of my uncertain job search and this is just adding on, but I'm so happy with them that I don't know if I can bring myself to cut this off. Should I continue hoping or is that just stupid? Some more details inside. [more inside]
What to do in downtown Atlanta this week?
I'm tagging along with my wife as she goes to a conference in Atlanta this week. We'll be staying Downtown Wednesday through Saturday (leaving Saturday afternoon). What's to do? Caveat: no car. [more inside]
Need an awesome florist in New York city
My girlfriend is at Sloan Kettering in New York for some surgery and i want to send her a shitload of flowers (and for those of you familiar with Sloan Kettering/cancer in general, she is on a ward where flowers are OK) I am willing to spend a little cash to make it special since I am not with her. She has a lot of other friends wanting to do stuff as well, so I will share your recommendations with them. As always, thanks in advance for your help.
posted by TedW at 5:24 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by TedW at 5:24 PM PST - 8 comments
course planning classes?
I am looking for online classes about adult education course planning. I have been training groups in fundraising for a while and want to get more professional about it. Bonus if the courses are interactive.
posted by parmanparman at 4:54 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by parmanparman at 4:54 PM PST - 2 comments
is it possible to recover data from a locked phone?
Some weeks ago, I changed my phone's password while half asleep and haven't been able to remember it since. I've since gotten a new phone, but I really want to get the pictures and videos that were on there. Is this possible? [more inside]
Fangirls on TV
For a research project, I need to find portrayals of female media fans on television shows. Any genre, and potentially any time period, will do, although I suspect this is more likely to be a relatively recent phenomenon. [more inside]
posted by Superplin at 3:11 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by Superplin at 3:11 PM PST - 28 comments
Looking for blogs in all the wrong places
Due to some nostalgia from my high school days when it seemed like everyone had a LiveJournal, I'd love to start reading more of that type of personal blogging, but it seems a little hard to come by these days. I'm looking for suggestions for blogs (could be on any platform: Tumblr, LJ, et cet) that are regularly updated and used mainly for personal, introspective, "journal-y" writing. [more inside]
Track ALL THE THINGS
I see lots of writing submissions trackers, such as Duotrope and Assignmint, and job application trackers like Huntsy and StartWire. Is there a web app that helps me track multiple kinds of submissions? [more inside]
Help me put on a really great webinar for 2000 people.
I'm putting on a webinar for a bunch of Kickstarter backers (around 2000), which content-wise will include a 2 hour lecture and some Q&A. While I have a lot of presentation experience (I've given this particular lecture ~ 6 times as a part of a workshop series I run), I've never done anything online like this before and could use suggestions on how to do this well. I'm particularly interested in recommendations for webinar services that can handle that kind of bandwidth, whether it'd be a good idea to hire staff on that day for video/moderating questions, that kind of thing. [more inside]
Solutions for sharing contacts and postal address labels
looking for an online, cross-platform solution that will allow us ability to create both postal address labels and group email [more inside]
posted by lake59 at 2:11 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by lake59 at 2:11 PM PST - 2 comments
I have idiopathic peripheral pain, and my doctors don't know why
First, YANMD and I know this. Over the last two years, I've lost count of how many doctors and specialists I've seen to try to figure out why I have a weird chronic pain in my arms and legs. They're completely stumped, so I thought I'd query the hive-mind to see if any of you fine folk have either had or heard of a similar condition. Medical details inside. [more inside]
Moonshine from 1969 (or 1977), what will it taste like?
I have a sealed bottle straight corn whiskey from McCormick distilling company. The bottle says it was aged 8 years and it has the mark of 1977 on on the bottom. It was kept in a cold basement all this time.
Is this still drinkable? What will it taste like?
hair-no-there care
mr. mitt and i just completed our second fundraiser with st. baldricks and are the happy recipients of (electric razor) shaved heads. what sort of hair/scalp care do we need to consider while it grows back? [more inside]
posted by ovenmitt at 1:39 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by ovenmitt at 1:39 PM PST - 7 comments
Spontaneous Travel Filter: A Month in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
My partner and I would like to spend a month traveling around Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands this upcoming May. We're thinking about renting an apartment and using it as our base of operations during the month. Does anyone have any experience or tips about this? Would Quito be a good option; if so which neighborhoods? What about staying on the islands themselves? Or somewhere else in Ecuador?
posted by ageispolis at 1:38 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by ageispolis at 1:38 PM PST - 7 comments
Tea for the common man: good, better, best?
Tea: I'm trying to figure out which are the best supermarket brands, and what might be a good kind of tea to try. [more inside]
posted by SemiSalt at 1:34 PM PST - 50 comments
posted by SemiSalt at 1:34 PM PST - 50 comments
Bio Medical Engineer
My friend is in need of a recruiter that can place a Bio Medical engineer in the Central NJ area. He's looking either Medical Devices postion or something else where his skills can be utilized well. I have found lists of recruiters in that industry, but I'd be interested in hearing some personal recomendation.
Thank you!
Ubuntu on my Chromebook. I thought I knew my login but I don't.
I just installed Ubuntu using Crouton on my new Samsung Chromebook. But... [more inside]
What's great about Seattle?
Why should I move to Seattle from the east coast? [more inside]
Best REGION 2 Space DVD set??
Hi Guys,
I don't currently own any series of space 1999 and would like to purchase the series.
After a check on the usual suspects - Amazon/E bay, I notice that there are several sets to purchase.
I'm slightly confused which REGION 2 DVD set I should buy.
Which has the better Content/transfer/extra's etc.
Any advice, gratefully received.
App for adding highlights/notes to articles on my iPad/smartphone
I am looking for an app that allows me to add highlights and notes to articles I have saved to 'read later' on my iPad and/or smartphone. [more inside]
lost my wallet. what do I need to do?
I lost my wallet. Other than canceling cards, what do I need to do? [more inside]
posted by john_snow at 10:00 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by john_snow at 10:00 AM PST - 8 comments
Buying when I'm not selling?
I recently purchased a house. The deed was recorded back then and the initial flurry of "you should buy our security system, new homeowner!" junk mail has stopped. After a few weeks of quiet in my mailbox, I'm now receiving individual letters asking to buy my house. None of them has quoted a price, nor do I really want to sell. I usually just e-mail the address on the letter saying "make me an offer and maybe." Should I do anything else? [more inside]
posted by fireoyster at 9:51 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by fireoyster at 9:51 AM PST - 12 comments
Why is my sewing machine pulling loops underneath the fabric?
I've read up on how the top and bottom tensioning is supposed to work, but it hasn't helped. I've got the bobbin adjusted so it lets out about an inch when I bounce it by the thread. Adjusting the top tension from there doesn't seem to make much difference. I always get the loops. The weird thing is that the top thread seems really hard to pull out when I do it by hand. It's so hard that's it sometimes breaks. Why should tension that seems stiff to the hand pull through when the machine sews? [more inside]
posted by SirNovember at 8:55 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by SirNovember at 8:55 AM PST - 15 comments
identify this religion?
I saw about ten people in NYC on the A train this weekend who claimed to be the "true Jews." One of them told me that their beliefs include: (1) no conversion is accepted and (2) the people I'm used to thinking of as Jews are actually a Turkic tribe that tried to convert in the 8th century A.D. (but see (1) of course). Notably, all of them were extremely large black men (one of them had to duck to get off the train) wearing dark robes, headbands and head cloths, and carrying shoulder-height wooden sticks wrapped in black tape. Their shirts and headbands had hexagonal stars on them, and one of them had a few letters of Hebrew written on his head cloth. They were having this free-wheeling discussion from which I recognized several references to events in the Old Testament. Weirdly enough, the guy sitting next to me told me they were actually some kind of Muslim, although I don't know how much I trust that guy's opinion. Does anyone know what religion these people were from?
posted by d. z. wang at 8:45 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by d. z. wang at 8:45 AM PST - 18 comments
Groups that officially include a full-time dancer in the band?
Example: Bez from The Happy Mondays [more inside]
Help us budget for scouting L.A.
My wife is working on a grant application for a research trip to Los Angeles centered around getting a feel for old Hollywood and the western part of L.A. (this is working towards a novel taking place from the 50s to roughly the early 90s, FWIW). We're trying to put together a budget for the proposal, and were hoping to get some guidance. [more inside]
[Study Filter] Neck and back tension while studying
I recently started a very intense study abroad program in Beijing studying Chinese. Classes start at 8am and go until 5pm, then I come home and study until I go to sleep around 11pm. Through all this work my neck and back tend to become very tense. [more inside]
Should our website be in both European and Brazilian Portuguese?
I help manage a website for an international audience; we strive to be inclusive. We offer several different language versions; our translations are done by volunteers. Generally we add languages based on whether we have volunteers to translate.
We have been offering European Portuguese for a while. Now a new volunteer has shown up, asking to be invited to the project; s/he is offering to volunteer for a translation to Brazilian Portuguese, which we currently do not offer. [more inside]
Is it Normal To Feel Tension Around My Boyfriend's Friends?
I've a question, which is a conundrum. I'm a female newly involved with a fantastic guy I've known nine years. While generally I’m okay with my boyfriend’s friends (male and female) there are two males I’m completely uncomfortable around. The friends I’m uncomfortable around give me a strange vibe: One does not look at me at all when I’m around him, the other friend wishes to lean on my boyfriend constantly – he has made no effort to know me, does not know what I do, who I am – he will however call my boyfriend to get advice and ask for help (this friend is older as well.) I’ve listened to both of these guys but feel uneasy around them when in their company because I feel as though it is a chore to smile and act interested. I also feel they want something from my boyfriend with no regard for his relationship and time. [more inside]
posted by Fayrose at 1:26 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by Fayrose at 1:26 AM PST - 23 comments
How do I become fervently dedicated to something?
Suppose you’re a 28 year old who, after spending 18 years as a shut-in, is finally able to experience things most people experience in their early teens. How do you dedicate yourself to an idea, a cause, a company, or a domain of knowledge while being incessantly hounded by the realization that there is much more to life than the object of your obsession? [more inside]
March 15
The birthday of the Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam.
I recorded these drummers on the archipelago of Socotra last March. Unfortunately, my contact there has gone MIA, but I could use some help translating the Arabic lyrics of this Islamic Mawlid chant. Can you help?
I Don't Understand The Point Of This Autism Video by Carly Fleischmann
Let me make this very specific:
I'm an autism specialist. I have blog about autism as part of my job. I post useful information to the Montana Autism Education Project blog. But I'm having trouble understanding the usefulness of this video as a teaching tool.
The video begins by saying, "Autism has locked me in a body that I can't control." Great opening, but the video ends by saying, "Everyone has an inner voice. I found a way to let mine out."
But the video does not show Carly letting her voice out. She gets frustrated and stands up in slow motion. It's a good perspective video, kind of, but it doesn't show how she changes her response to get coffee.
There are better videos that I can use for trainings that show what interactions/coffee shopsa are like for someone with autism spectrum disorder.
Am I missing something in this video that shows a person with autism using her voice/communication?
Disclaimer stuff:
I know who Carly is.
How to add a specific type of annotation to a Youtube video?
Hi folks,
I have a video uploaded on Youtube that I'd like to add an annotation to - a link to a Google Map that I created. But for some reason Youtube only allows links to a few select destinations (e.g. another video, a personal webpage).
Is there anyway I can get around this?
URGENT: Ideas for pilling a cat with a missing lower jaw & no appetite?
I can't figure out how to get my cat to swallow his pills and normal cat-pilling methods are failing me. [more inside]
posted by Jacqueline at 7:15 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by Jacqueline at 7:15 PM PST - 29 comments
Help me grow great greens
I suck at gardening. Past gardening efforts have ended in disaster (bug infestations, groundhog eating everything, plants dying for no obvious reason that I can see). This year, though, I would like for it to be different. I would like to grow my own leafy greens--kale, spinach, lettuces, chard, collards, etc. I'm not so interested in other things like tomatoes and peppers. Do you have any advice for exactly what I need to do to grow great greens? [more inside]
Question for people with OCD
I was never diagnosed but it is pretty clear that I have OCD. I understand that irrational guilt, doubt, and anxiety are classic issues associated with OCD. Are there any tricks or ways that anyone can say has helped them to step back and evaluate circumstances somewhat objectively to decide if guilt and anxiety towards something is appropriate or irrational? I have found that explaining a set of circumstances to people whose opinion I trust and them telling me that my concern is irrational has only helped a little. Thank You.
P.S. I have already set up a first meeting with a psychologist so that base is covered.
Chronic Back Pain
Chronic back pain every night with no explanation from doctors. Looking for explanation. [more inside]
Please help me identify these gross things on my garage walls.
I need help identifying these gross things that have appeared on my garage walls in the last week or so. They are grayish-brown, each about the size of a piece of orzo, and are stuck to the walls in my garage. I can spot about a dozen of them around the garage, but I don't know how many more might be hidden behind boxes, etc. I suspect it is some sort of poop or some sort of egg sac, both things that completely gross me out. The shape is pretty unique to all of them. I live in Southern California, with temps over the last few months ranging between 55 and 85F. Anyone have an idea what these might be? Pic inside. [more inside]
Better than nothing, right?
Is there a particularly good handbook/regimen for using weight machines at a gym? Something preferably geared toward strengthening the back, improving posture, eliminating back pain (as opposed to e.g. weight loss.) [more inside]
Upward Bound
[rock climbing filter] Each year I make it a goal that this will be the year that I start climbing outdoors. It hasn't happened yet. Now that spring seems finally to be here, outdoor climbing season is upon us. How can I hook up with a group of friendly local climbers that will take me under their wing and show me the ropes (no pun intended). [more inside]
Experiences with Kluft mattresses or other advice?
We have been searching for a mattress for quite some time. The only mattress that we both unequivocally love is the St. Claire Kluft Latex mattress. It is rather firm, supportive, non-bouncy, doesn't transfer motion, and in general felt very 'solid' and comfortable. But Kluft is one of those luxury brands that doesn't seem to publish much on how the mattresses are constructed, and we can't find any reviews of this model or even any other reviews of high-end Kluft latex mattresses. After a few poor mattress choices, we're worried about divots in the bed in a short amount of time, or other general construction problems. Do you have experience with Kluft mattresses, particularly their latex models? Or have any advice on buying this brand in particular? [more inside]
ISO pocket-friendly camera
In search of a decent, relatively small camera to use for research and traveling, preferably under 500 bucks. I don't really want a DSLR, because I used to travel with an SLR and a massive lens and I don't want to deal with it now (nor do I really need it.) Is this or this enough camera? Would this be too much camera? Or this? [more inside]
Unwanted Wordpress Withdrawal
How can I easily and reliably bypass the IWF blacklist and Cleanfeed in the UK? [more inside]
How to best dig through frozen ground to put in raised flower beds?
We'd like build and replace some raised garden beds for a school in Chicago. We've had an unseasonably cold winter and the ground may still be frozen. We have the last weekend in March dedicated to this project. How much can we reasonably dig out and how? What are some rental tools to look into? How long would it take to thaw the ground with fires and heat lamps?
Pacifist achievement unlocked!
What PC games involve a lot of walking around and talking to people and not so much combat? [more inside]
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 10:37 AM PST - 46 comments
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 10:37 AM PST - 46 comments
Roommate Rules
I am getting a new roommate soon and this time, I want to do everything right. Please share your platonic cohabitation tips! [more inside]
Where can I get a soda charge holder for a seltzer bottle in Seattle?
I want to get a soda charge holder today. This place is in Seattle but not open today. I want to get it in person because I'm not sure the measurements are the same. I have an older iSi soda siphon and want to bring it in to make sure the charge holder fits. Can anyone think of a place in Seattle that sells seltzer bottle parts or even new seltzer bottles and is open today?
Technology orgasm nightmare
My friend asks: "I once saw a sci-fi film where people had worked out how to record conscious experiences and then others could experience it directly themselves. There's one bit where a guy ends up driving himself into an insane catatonic state when he loops this recording of someone having sex at the point of orgasm and plays it for 12 hours straight."
Q: what is that film?
posted by urbanwhaleshark at 10:11 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by urbanwhaleshark at 10:11 AM PST - 13 comments
What should I expect when voting in a Dutch municipal election?
I'm an American who has lived in Groningen for over 5 years. I am voting in the municipal elections this Wednesday, but I have no idea what to expect when I go to the voting location. My Dutch is not that great. If someone could fill me in on what I should expect when I go to vote, that would be great!
how to move?!?
After 17 years, I'm leaving my beloved Brooklyn apartment for my NEW beloved Brooklyn apartment. Hooray! Except - how on earth do you do this? Please share any advice, tips, motivational thoughts, etc for any and all aspects of how to undertake the process of moving. [more inside]
I just got a promotion. Should I have gotten a larger raise?
I work for a local small business. I was just promoted from Assistant Store Manager to Store Manager. The raise that was proposed to me was less than I thought it would be. Is there a standard or accepted percentage? [more inside]
Need a dinner recommendation near Town Hall, in NY
I'm meeting up with a friend to attend a concert at Town Hall in New York next month, so I need some dining suggestions. [more inside]
My company is faltering financially. Do I still ask for a raise?
I'm a mid-level thing-maker at a small company (details left intentionally vague to protect the guilty). It was recently revealed at a company meeting that we're faltering financially due to management issues. We'll weather this storm, but it'll take some belt-tightening across the board. My position is secure, but my contract is up in two months. Do I ask for a raise when my contract is renewed? Details below. [more inside]
Eradicate H Pylori in NYC?
I'm 99% sure the symptoms I've been experiencing for years are caused by a chronic H. Pylori infection. My understanding is that eradication is only 70-80% likely to actually work. I'd like to do this right. Can you recommend a doctor in NYC? [more inside]
March 14
Help me adjust to (or tolerate) the Midwest...
I grew up and attended university on the East Coast. I don't know what I was thinking when I matriculated at a graduate program in the Midwest-- perhaps I thought that having lived in diverse settings would be a good life experience or something (?) ... Well, what's done is done, and I'm here for the next three years. Please help me better deal with this culture shock! [more inside]
"I love you" 1) What does it mean? 2) When do you say it? 3) To whom?
I'm curious. What's the normal meaning? What's your meaning? Do you have expectations associated with saying it/what expectations?
My details inside. [more inside]
Load testing a website?
What's a good free or cheap service for load/stress testing a website?
County Government Application Test
I am currently scheduled to take an application test a week from tomorrow. This test is for an entry-level county government job. I REALLY want this job, but I haven't taken a test that meant anything in almost 15 years. I need help knocking off the rust! [more inside]
I want to maximize sleep and minimize wasted time in the morning.
Due to some changes in my life, I need to start getting up earlier in the morning. Problem is, I am a lazybones and I LOVE to sleep. In fact, I normally WAKE UP and start the day at 8 AM, and soon I will need to report to work at that time. I need to go to work looking very polished and feeling great. This means I need to start showering in the morning and eating breakfast before I go into work. This is going to mean a change in the way I deal with mornings. Please help me make this change as painless as possible. [more inside]
Tell me what you know about apartment swaps.
My boyfriend and I are looking to go to Paris this fall. Between the two of us, we have two San Francisco apartments to swap out. Have you done this? Please give us all the advices! Airbnb? HomeExchange? Something else?
Marital property law in Wisconsin
If anyone here is familiar with marital property laws in Wisconsin, can you tell me if my boyfriend's views are correct? [more inside]
Custom gardening calendar
I would like to create custom gardening calendar - biodynamic calendar + edible wild plants for my region + crop rotation + phenology + some other things.
And then I would like to receive email reminder for each day that would remind me what to sow when, with what and what to pick in the wild.
What would be the best software to do so?
posted by leigh1 at 4:43 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by leigh1 at 4:43 PM PST - 4 comments
Cleaning metal parts
I am beginning the manufacture of small stainless steel parts that I hope to sell. They are back from the machine shop with an oil or lubricant and grit that needs to be completely cleaned off prior to adding an injection molded santoprene (thermoplastic elastomer) part. I have an ultrasonic cleaner available - how do I get them clean before and after the injection molding?
Libido Rollercoasters Going In Different Directions...
After years of his turning me down sexually and not wanting to touch me as I enjoy, now he's interested... and I’m not. Is there anything we can do? [NSFW] [more inside]
posted by Someone Else's Story at 4:12 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by Someone Else's Story at 4:12 PM PST - 18 comments
Help me actually achieve a good chicken stock
How can I actually make a good soup/general use stock? I feel like I've tried a whole bunch of different recipes and none have ever been better than Swanson's from a box. Seriously I've made it 15+ different times, both chicken and veal. I'm pretty handy in the kitchen and can do most everything else, but not this, help me! [more inside]
Creeper, no creeping! Getting a stalker vibe from someone, what to do?
An acquaintance from years ago recently found me on facebook. I haven't spoken to him in 15-20 years. I am getting a bit of a stalker/creeper vibe off him and not sure what to do. I've read some of the other stalker threads on AskMe, and I'm still not sure what to do in my situation. The problem that is perplexing me is that he is a member of the same club I am, and I'm afraid if I too aggressively ban him from my online contacts, it will make club attendance and club related communications a problem. How do I "deal" with this person? Special snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 3:41 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by [insert clever name here] at 3:41 PM PST - 21 comments
Barcelona accommodation recommendations?
Looking for recommendations for a hotel or B&B in the Barcelona area. We are driving and arriving late May. Need a place with parking ideally north of the city but easy walking distance to the metro. €150 or less. TIA!
Is this a good time to see migrating birds in Milwaukee? If so, where?
I’m heading to the Milwaukee airport tomorrow, but my flight isn’t till the evening. Somewhere I read about a spot by Lake Michigan that was a good place to see migrating birds. Now I can’t find that article. Is this even the right time of year? If so, where should I go?
Please to Inspire and Educate a NOOB Cook!
Finally got over my aversion to cooking, and now want to make sure I'm not missing anything fun out there!
Hoping you can recommend great websites that have intrigued you, any testimonials on cutlery brands you are in love with (assume I already know what a chef's knife/paring knife is), and hopefully share some "Wish someone had told me THIS when I first started cooking!" advice.
To keep this thread more specific, I'm primarily interested in breakfast dishes and interesting dinners for two. My favorite tastes are in Thai food and hearty, rustic Italian. [more inside]
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 2:23 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 2:23 PM PST - 19 comments
Yoga (don't play with) fire?
Former exercise nut turned semi-couch-potato may or may not want to try out hot yoga after only 2 non-hot yoga classes. Good or bad idea? [more inside]
posted by Tsukushi at 2:19 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by Tsukushi at 2:19 PM PST - 17 comments
What was this amazing pie with cream and granola-like stuff?
Inspired by dotgirl's cookie question. In college (Houston, TX, 1988-1992), the cafeteria used to make a pie I loved. It must have had a crust of some sort but I don't remember what. It had a thick layer of dry, sweet, chewy, crunchy granola-like (but not granola) stuff - topped with a thick layer of whipped cream type stuff. The granola-like stuff was the key to the deliciousness - chewy yet crunchy at the same time; somewhat rice-krispy like.
I haven't run into it since, and can't find the right terms to get a hit on google. Anybody recognize it?
Thanks!
posted by bluesky78987 at 1:59 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by bluesky78987 at 1:59 PM PST - 16 comments
Simple but scalable CMS platforms?
What should I be looking at in addition to Wordpress? [more inside]
posted by Eddie Mars at 1:53 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Eddie Mars at 1:53 PM PST - 14 comments
Looking for pie in Bloomington, Indiana.
Where's the best place to get pie in Bloomington, Indiana? [more inside]
posted by ErWenn at 1:23 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by ErWenn at 1:23 PM PST - 9 comments
I don't want the funk. I don't have to have the funk.
Synthetic funk has set into my clothes. They smell even after washing. These are otherwise good quality clothes. Halp. [more inside]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 1:14 PM PST - 35 comments
posted by St. Peepsburg at 1:14 PM PST - 35 comments
Box spring or wood slats?
We just got a nice new mattress. It came with a box spring. We were using our old mattress on an IKEA bed (the Redalen, which I guess they don't sell anymore) with their cheap wooden slats, the Sultan Lade, as support. All things being equal, we'd stick with the IKEA bed and slats. But are all things equal? Are there advantages to using the box spring instead of the slats?
posted by Xalf at 1:01 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by Xalf at 1:01 PM PST - 17 comments
If you like it then you shoulda put a NuvaRing on it
What's the most efficient way to get non-condom birth control without health insurance? [more inside]
posted by Sara C. at 1:00 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by Sara C. at 1:00 PM PST - 28 comments
Hamantaschen and pasties and... what?
For Purim this year, we are sending out traditional hamantaschen (this year's fillings are blueberry, strawberry, poppyseed, and chocolate), as well as a triangular meat and potato -filed pasty. We would love to make it a trio of triangles (Hamantaschen Three Ways?), but are stumped what third thing we can make that would complement the first two. [more inside]
What sort of notice do I owe my roommates? I want to move ASAP.
How much notice should I give my roommates if I want to move out as fast as possible without being a total jerk? Would paying the rent I owe for April be acceptable instead of giving them a 30 day notice? I'm not actually on the lease, if that helps. I haven't been in a situation like this before, so I am not 100% sure what to do. Thanks.
Where can I find the best price on Advair diskus without insurance?
tl;dr: Advair is no longer covered by our insurance so we'll be paying out of pocket. If you're in the same boat, where have you found it for the best price in the US? Please don't recommend online pharmacies based simply on Google, I'm looking for personal experience.
I read this question, but it is 5 years old and a lot has changed in the US medical landscape in that time. [more inside]
posted by superna at 12:32 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by superna at 12:32 PM PST - 8 comments
To Upgrade or not to upgrade, that is the question
I've got an older MacBook Pro. I'm on 10.8.5 right now. I'm wondering if I should upgrade to 10.9 or let it be. Specs to follow... [more inside]
posted by kathrynm at 11:56 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by kathrynm at 11:56 AM PST - 15 comments
Voltron for Beginners
I want to start reading/watching Voltron. Not sure where to dive in. [more inside]
Comparing wholesale sales data across regions
I work for a company where we have some independent sales reps and some in house reps. I want to compare the sales data between the two, and account for regional differences in the economy. How can this be achieved and is this even the right path for achieve what I want? [more inside]
Where to buy a stylish but affordable trenchcoat in Vancouver BC
I'm going to be up in Vancouver this weekend and want to shop for a new spring coat. Something trenchcoat style but not in black or beige - cool colors or prints/patterns would be better. Size 12 or M/L, between $100 and $200. The style constraints are that it should not be teenagery but not dowdy either - I like classic cuts but trendy colors and patterns. I already plan to check out The Bay.
Help me clean my room - Bicycle related
I ride recumbent bicycles and I have for years. The risk with recumbents is that if you don't fall well you can break your ankle. This happened to me. I have two bikes, the one that I fell with is a Vision brand. It's much faster (and less stable) than my Sun that I'm continuing to ride. [more inside]
Where are the most interesting places in Downtown Los Angeles?
I recently moved to Downtown Los Angeles, and am getting a kick out of exploring the neighborhood--it's changed a lot since I last visited in the early 2000s, has amazing architecture, and a fascinating mix of people and different communities. But I'm new to Los Angeles and unfamiliar with the neighborhood... what are the gems of downtown that are worth checking out?
What is Steve Nash's beach exercise in this week's Grantland video story
Video is here. I'm guessing tai chi, but I have never seen that specific maneuver. If you know of any good videos or web pages with related moves that also would help. Thank you!
When do I ask for compensation for use of my work?
An advertising company contacted me about turning a comic of mine into a short animation for an awareness campaign for a non-profit client. Do I ask for compensation or an honorarium? [more inside]
Help Me Identify This Cookie
Many years ago, I had a coworker from Long Island who made these delicious cookies and brought them into the office. I've never been able to find them since, and cannot remember what she called them. [more inside]
posted by dotgirl at 10:04 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by dotgirl at 10:04 AM PST - 9 comments
Day-to-day of a tanker in WWII?
I'm looking for non-fiction books that describe the day-to-day life of an allied tanker (guy in a tank or other AFV) in World War II. [more inside]
Menses and maybe perimenopause? Question about Progesterone
I was on the Depo Provera shot for a few years and my doctor advised me that it was time to stop the injections as long term use can impact bone density. While on the shot, I did not menstruate.
For the first few months after stopping the shots, I had no menses -- but my period started again two weeks ago -- and has not stopped since. Doctor put me on a two-week course of progesterone pills to stop my period two days ago. It's really slowed down, but has not stopped yet.
How long might it take to work to stop my bleeding?
I am going to have a full workup in two weeks -- and I know this could be perimenopause, but I am not too worried about that necessarily. I am 45.
I need some small, square/rectangular, rainbow-colored candies.
I'm trying to recreate this rainbow mosaic cake (by Cakes of Our Lives in Melbourne), and need candies for the sides. The best US possibility I've found is these rainbow tropical gum tabs from Sweetworks/Oak Leaf, but they seem to be available online only in bulk quantities, for use in mall gumball machines and the like. I need suggestions for either (1) other ways to source those chiclets (for instance, anyone know a large brick-and-mortar candy emporium that might be able to do a one-off mail order?), or (2) alternative brightly-colored square/rectangular candies that I could use to create the same effect. [more inside]
posted by Bardolph at 9:49 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by Bardolph at 9:49 AM PST - 26 comments
Name My Mobile Phone (at least it's not a baby or a pet or a playlist)
I am considering one of those "design your own" mobile phones and would like to make the most of the limited line of characters that can be printed on the back. Examples and requirements within. [more inside]
Classical music filter: What famous classical piece is this?
It's one of those well known pieces that we've probably all heard many times before, but most of us probably can't name. Well, at least I can't name it and it's been stuck in my head for days! What famous classical piece is it? Thanks in advance! [more inside]
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 9:06 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 9:06 AM PST - 4 comments
Small business owners: how do you keep track of contacts,leads,etc.?
Do you have suggestions for a system that will help me track the many new contacts I'm making as I start up my business? At the moment it's a mish-mash of notebooks, my phone, email, google docs and my (increasingly full) memory of conversations and phone calls. These might be people who've contacted me for a proposal, or it could be someone who says 'You should talk to my friend who does X - I'll put you in touch' and I want to remember to follow up with them later. [more inside]
Topical connections between existing documents?
Does anybody know of any software solutions for manually capturing connections between specified regions within and between documents? [more inside]
posted by Verg at 8:31 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Verg at 8:31 AM PST - 6 comments
Is there a way to diagnose my twitter unfollowings?
I know about the sites that show who follows back and who doesn't, Etc. I am trying to find a way to know what the last tweet before people unfollowed was - like a way for me to try to figure what type of things my audience doesn't like (offensive? Boring?) Can anyone point me in the right direction?
posted by jitterbug perfume at 8:29 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by jitterbug perfume at 8:29 AM PST - 10 comments
Advocating for a child with a hearing loss.....
Need advice and tips about being the best advocate for my hearing impaired son at his upcoming SST... [more inside]
posted by pearlybob at 8:10 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by pearlybob at 8:10 AM PST - 9 comments
Sure, it's the apocalypse, but at least there's plenty of hairspray
I need more cheesy, overblown, post-apocalyptic music videos from the '80s! [more inside]
posted by Janta at 8:06 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by Janta at 8:06 AM PST - 32 comments
NSFW. My partner expressed a desire and I would like to accommodate.
How do you arrange a threesome? [more inside]
Dealing with parties when you don't like parties.
Every year, my work holds a big party to which we invite all our clients - the idea is we get to meet them and get to know them as people rather than voices on the phone. Every year, I end up having an anxiety attack and going home early, partly because I am rubbish at going out, partly because it is in an environment that I find difficult to cope with. We are expected to attend. What should I do? [more inside]
Help me use this formerly decorative coffee pot on a near-daily basis.
Here is a coffee pot I own. It's meant to hold decanted, already-made coffee, but I'm interested in brewing coffee in it. What's the best, non-pour-over way? [more inside]
posted by BostonTerrier at 6:41 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by BostonTerrier at 6:41 AM PST - 15 comments
That had a completely different ending than I was expecting...
I'm looking for examples of sentences/phrases that have a completely different meaning at the beginning of the sentence than they do by the end. The best example I can find is this example of Happy Ending's that sounds completely inappropriate until he finishes the verse. Is there a name for this? Is this a literary device? (I thought it might have been a type of irony at first, but I'm not certain.)
posted by Enchanting Grasshopper at 5:50 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by Enchanting Grasshopper at 5:50 AM PST - 19 comments
Vitamin names
How did vitamins get their names? Like, why is retinol "vitamin A," ascorbic acid "Vitamin C," etc.? Do the letters have any significance?
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:39 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:39 AM PST - 1 comment
Essential Wedgewood
So many tributes to Tony Benn have focused on his written output, many suggesting these will be his significant legacy. What are the essential books by and/or about him?
posted by monkey closet at 2:20 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by monkey closet at 2:20 AM PST - 3 comments
Can I eat newspaper?
Can I Eat This-filter, with a twist. We are doing a sort of Futurist cookbook style dinner which will feature a number of experimental, non-traditional meals. I am planning to make a Casserole of Declining Print Media, which will be a regular lentil stew with strips of various newspapers added just before serving. Will people die if they eat a few bits of newspaper? I figure its OK because don't English people wrap their chips in it?
posted by dontjumplarry at 12:33 AM PST - 42 comments
posted by dontjumplarry at 12:33 AM PST - 42 comments
March 13
In search of... the perfect rolling carry-on bag
Help me find a rolling carry-on bag that meets all of the following conditions: A) lightweight (under 8 lbs.); B) conforms to European carry-on standards (so 21" max, including wheels); C) has outside handles, so that the interior is flat, and D) is under $200, and preferably under $150. [more inside]
Two Trains Running...well two media devices...on the same Remote
I've got two media devices that both respond to the commands from either's remote; fatal (meaning return one of them for a different brand) or fixable in some other way? [more inside]
Plex + VPN = fffffffuuuuuuuu
How can I get my VPN (privateinternetaccess) to play nice with Plex? [more inside]
Will there always be a faster space ship?
My Google skills are failing me.
I remember reading something about how there is no point in building a fast spacecraft and sending it out into the universe because at some point in the future we will build a faster ship that will overtake it, so we might as well wait, and wait, and wait, until we have the better technology and we never end up building a ship.
Does anyone know what this is called or have any extra information?
posted by UltraFleece at 10:17 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by UltraFleece at 10:17 PM PST - 9 comments
Show me your teeth!
Military member; base dentist told me to come back to pick up a fluoride rinse because they were out. So I went back, and of course they were out then too. And out the next time on top of that! And so rather than waiting around, I need to find some fluoride rinse ASAP. [more inside]
No, really. I insist.
I fucked up at work. I offered a favor back to the person who had to bear the brunt of my fuckuppery. I think they are declining out of politeness. I understand that impulse, but I still want to do something to make things right, and have relatively few avenues where I can do that. Am I overlooking something? Am I overstepping (or risking overstepping) boundaries? [more inside]
posted by kagredon at 9:12 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by kagredon at 9:12 PM PST - 17 comments
Gadget review in the form of short dystopian scifi
Help me find an online review that someone wrote several years ago, reviewing a data-erasing gadget by writing a piece of dystopian fiction in which the user needs to use the device in a hurry. [more inside]
posted by brainwane at 8:35 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by brainwane at 8:35 PM PST - 1 comment
What does giving up uncountable choice get me?
Is there a book, article, or any other source that does something like run through the standard set of pathological results obtained from Axiom of Choice and discusses what happens to each if we restrict ourselves to Countable Choice?
posted by PMdixon at 8:14 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by PMdixon at 8:14 PM PST - 4 comments
Are all-but-absentee supervisors common in public service jobs?
I find myself at yet another job where the supervisor literally does not come in to work. Is this just the norm in nonprofit/public sector jobs? [more inside]
posted by ziggly at 8:05 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by ziggly at 8:05 PM PST - 27 comments
Necesito ayuda boricua
My cat-wizard pees crystals. Cheapest food to make him stop?
Alternatives to Royal Canin SO wet cat food? [more inside]
How do I find how large various files are?
I'm getting a new external hard drive to back up my desktop files. The original one I had the Apple guy configure.
Now that I don't have an Apple guy, I want to see how much of an external hard drive I need.
How do I find the size of following things?
My songs in iTunes?
My photos in iPhoto?
My stuff in DropBox?
And, if possible, the size of everything that is backupable that isn't related to apps and the OS.
Thanks.
posted by holdenjordahl at 7:09 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by holdenjordahl at 7:09 PM PST - 11 comments
Trustworthy sources to buy Frontline for dogs on the Internet?
This question is for all the great dog owners out there on metafilter. I need to buy Frontline for my dog, but I've read lots of scary stuff about people buying fake and counterfeit frontline when they try to get it through Amazon or other online sources. I know I can just get it thru my vet, but first I thought I would check and see if there -is- a trustworthy source to get it (relatively) cheap online. So, who if anyone sells the real stuff cheap on the internet? (Shipped to the US) Thanks!
posted by skjønn at 6:53 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by skjønn at 6:53 PM PST - 13 comments
Help me identify this song based on the melody
What is the 80s or 90s pop song with a similar melody to the one in Super Freak/Can't Touch This? It sounds like the same intervals, but sung with the "words" da-dee-day-doh. I want to say it could be from the UK, possibly somewhere else in Europe. I think the album cover is black and white and could be a picture of people walking. Sorry for how vague this is! Any ideas?
posted by flod logic at 6:34 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by flod logic at 6:34 PM PST - 3 comments
How can I split these pdf pages to print them as the designer intended?
I have this document to print. Most of the pdf file is in landscape oriented pages, with two of what would be the (portrait oriented) printed pages side by side on each pdf page. I assume they've done this for ease of reading on a computer screen. I want, however, to print to two 8.5x11 pages for each of their pdf pages.
Additional difficulty: Since I'm travelling, I have only access to the local public library Windows printer software, which offers 2x2 splitting, for four printed pages per one pdf page, but no 1X1 splitting.
I do have a linux laptop with me. Could I perhaps use gimp -- which I've never used before -- to produce pre-split pdf file? Or some other tool?
posted by bertran at 6:23 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by bertran at 6:23 PM PST - 5 comments
Breaking up... with dozens of people at once
I think I may need to detach from my main friend group, but I have no idea how to start over. [more inside]
A smart phone smart enough to answer incoming calls by voice.
Due to limited mobility from a disability, I'm forced to rely strictly on voice commands to control a cell phone. Over the years, trying to find a solution for reliable hands free functionality in this area has been challenging. Anyone familiar with voice recognition in the past knows the capricious, quirky nature of the beast. It can be VERY frustrating and almost comical at times. Anyway, with today's processing speeds and the advent of Siri and Google Now, I can happily say that it's almost there for me. In fact, I give a 90% approval rating for recent experiences with the latest Iphone and Android products. The biggest obstacle now has been the necessity to hit the home button to trigger the lovely Siri. This last hindrance was overcome by none other than Google with their release of the Moto X -- which waits in standby mode listening for your command. I was so excited by all the reviews that I rushed out to buy my own. It turned out fantastically, but (and there's always a butt in these things) it came with another quirky disappointment. And this one is kind of surprising: The damn thing won't answer incoming calls by voice. I've looked thru all the settings and searched high and low for an app but to no avail. The closest I've come is an app that auto answers after one ring, but who wants that? What if I'm trying to dodge the ex-gf. Lol. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
posted by dthm42 at 6:01 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by dthm42 at 6:01 PM PST - 7 comments
Tom Waits-ish pop song
There's a popular track on the radio these days that sounds a little like Tom Waits. Maybe like his tune "Clap Hands" (though not exactly). Its repeated chorus ends with a dude with a distorted voice saying something like "[word] up." [more inside]
Break my barn floor
I bought a farm. I have an outbuilding with a concrete floor. I want to make it into a barn so I need the concrete gone and 4-5 inches of crushed stone so animal waste accumulates not.
But this is the mother of all concrete. I tried an electric jackhammer and it was 4 hours before I dented six square feet to a depth of two inches.
Now I have a Skid Steer with a hydraulic breaker. I'm down 6-8 inches and no sign of dirt. I'm hitting lattices of rebar and layers of gravel. The breaker is just making holes and there are no cracks radiating from the properly spaced holes. There is no justification for this level of reinforcement.
I can't get through it. This was meant to support planets. Help!
posted by Mr. Yuck at 5:37 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Mr. Yuck at 5:37 PM PST - 15 comments
The things we should have discussed ahead of time
My 72-year-old mother has been in the ICU for a week, and it's 50-50 on whether she'll pull through or die. I'm struggling to be a responsible adult about the whole thing. [more inside]
Does Handel's Agrippina contain the theme from Rocky?
I was listening to Handel's opera Agrippina I distinctly heard the first few bars of the theme from Rocky. Google does not seem to agree. [more inside]
posted by big friendly giant at 4:23 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by big friendly giant at 4:23 PM PST - 5 comments
Is it normal for a down comforter to get really flat at the top?
Is it normal for a down comforter to get really flat at the top, up at the top of the bed by the pillows? [more inside]
Is my friend a. alive, b. dead, c. in a hospice somewhere?
How can I find my former roommate who was hospitalized last year, then moved a few times and now none of the places where he was admits to having him there? [more inside]
Yahoo calendar on Android, for the love of all that is holy
If, when, how, and if not, why not, is there not a simple way of accessing and writing to a Yahoo calendar in Android? [more inside]
posted by jonathanbell at 2:09 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by jonathanbell at 2:09 PM PST - 4 comments
Open interview this weekend but I'm clueless about what to wear.
I'll be attending an open interview at a local bar. What do I wear to an interview at a bar? Along those lines, what do I wear at most entry level jobs? [more inside]
A different side of LA?
I've been to LA probably a dozen times or so, but mostly for events or a quick trip to Disney.
My friends and I are taking a cruise that disembarks next Sunday morning, around 10am. Our flight from LAX doesn't depart until 7:50 PM, so we have a day to kill in LA proper. [more inside]
Who is this hillbilly doll character?
I would like to know who this character is and if possible what company made it and when. [more inside]
Is there another name for complex developmental/behavioural conditions?
Is CDBC used outside of BC or is there another term for complex developmental and behavioural conditions? [more inside]
"Ba da ba da ba bup"
Need some help identifying the origin of this small, common riff. [more inside]
posted by one of these days at 12:29 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by one of these days at 12:29 PM PST - 20 comments
Preserving Pretty Pastel Portrait
I have a new pastel portrait that I'd like to preserve. Advice? [more inside]
posted by Elly Vortex at 12:15 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Elly Vortex at 12:15 PM PST - 8 comments
Appreciating the Density of Shakespeare in Real Time
Shakespeare's plays are so densely rich and full of deep philosophy and wordplay (e.g. throwaway allusions which open - and, a line or two later, shut - huge worlds of insightful ideas) that I find it quite impossible to parse (much less absorb) all of what's being said and alluded to in real-time. And this is leaving completely aside the issues of outdated references and obsolete language. So: is it that people back then had nimbler minds, capable of absorbing densely-packed language in real time by rapidly spieling actors? Or.......? [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 11:39 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by Quisp Lover at 11:39 AM PST - 27 comments
Your experiences with personal development
Personal progress: What personal development changes have you made that have had a big impact on your life? [more inside]
Find me a car-finding wizard (in the UK)
Six or so years ago, I was looking for a second-hand car and stumbled across a "suggest-a-car" webpage. You could put your requirements into, it spat back a bunch of suggestions, you refined your parameters and sorted results, etc. It ended up suggesting a car I wouldn't have thought otherwise, which I bought and it was a great choice. Now, I'm looking for the next car ... [more inside]
Help me keep the cat upstairs
I need a temporary, cheap, tall, easy to move barrier at the top of my narrow stairs. [more inside]
Create Map with Numbered placemarks
I want to create an interactive (zoomable map that I can embed in website with roads, etc, but with a list located below (I can create the list in another program) and icons/labels indicating the locations of landmarks.
I would have used ESRI but my license expired.
This is an example of a map I'd like to create.
Why is Windows/Microsoft calling me about files on my computer
I have recently received a couple of calls from someone who identifies them self as a representative of Windows. They sound like they are calling from an Indian call center. They say that they have received error messages from my computer and are calling me to help me delete some bad files. They then asked me how old my computer was and to turn it on. I told them and turned my computer on. They then put me on hold and I freaked out, hung up and turned my computer off.
A friend called me yesterday and said she is getting these calls. Is this a scam?
calling all progressives! where's the next Russ Feingold?
I'm an extremely liberal Democrat who comes from a long line of extremely liberal Democrats, but I've become increasingly disillusioned with the national party apparatus over the past handful of years. Can you help me put together a list of progressive Democrat office-holders and up-and-coming candidates to buoy and inspire an otherwise devoted liberal's flagging enthusiasm? [more inside]
Morality, ethics, and right action.
It's been a long time since my philosophy courses in college, and none of the ones I took had a focus on ethics. In the back of my mind I've been wondering if anyone has explored whether there is a disconnect between morality + ethics on the one hand and right action on the other. (Right action is meant in the plain language sense--I don't recall if it's a term of the art or not, but I suspect it is.) [more inside]
where can i find the sheet music to this piano duet?
my partner and i want to actually BECOME these old people who played the piano duet at the Mayo Clinic (viral video here). we have looked for the sheet music for this song but can't seem to find it. Can you please help us, hive mind?
posted by andreapandrea at 8:29 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by andreapandrea at 8:29 AM PST - 3 comments
How can I keep my sparkling wine fizzy for multiple days?
I like sparkling white wine, but it always loses most of its fizz by the second day in the fridge. Silver spoons are bogus, champagne caps are no more useful than the metal screw caps I put on, the vacuum pump things actually make it worse (they're good for non-fizzy wine). What could I use to keep my leftovers (which vary in volume) fizzy? [more inside]
posted by arnicae at 7:41 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by arnicae at 7:41 AM PST - 12 comments
Scheduling, getting things done, motivation for trailblazing project
I am working for myself on a software project based on an idea of mine.
I have no clear estimates of how long things would take, because most steps are new concepts, and I don't know how to do them off the bat.
I have been trying out Scrum, but it seems the same item gets recycled week after week because it is not done yet. I have the problem of getting easily distracted, so this apparent lack of progress based on these metrics is making me lose confidence and procrastinate.
I need a better way to organize myself and maintain productivity. I use Trello for managing the project and it's great, but it does not help with productivity, time estimates, WHEN to do things and how long to allocate.
posted by spacefire at 7:36 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by spacefire at 7:36 AM PST - 4 comments
Parking in Newark for a trip to NYC?
Does it make sense to drive to Newark Airport and park there for a long weekend in New York? [more inside]
YANMD - Urinary Tract Infection?
Hi - late 40s male here - YANMD - here are my symptoms: [more inside]
Who lifted that balloon up into the stratosphere?
If I tie a 10N weight to a balloon and fill the balloon with helium so that the weight is lifted 100m into the air, then 1kJ of work has been done. Who did that work, and when? Who lost energy?
posted by Galaxor Nebulon at 7:09 AM PST - 34 comments
posted by Galaxor Nebulon at 7:09 AM PST - 34 comments
In Need an Nerdy T-Shirt for Tomorrow (3.141592654...)
Okay, I'm in NYC and I need a PI related T-Shirt for Pi-Daytomorrow... Anyone know of any stores where I can get one? (It's too late for an online order)
posted by Stu-Pendous at 7:08 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Stu-Pendous at 7:08 AM PST - 11 comments
Document translation in Asian characters (Kanji possibly?)
I have a document with 9 Asian characters that I found in a WWII-era world atlas that belonged to my wife's grandmother (Note: it may not be Kanji; I just gave my best guess at comparing the style to things I've found on Google). I have no context around the meaning of the message, how it got there, where it was written, why, etc. I was just curious if anyone could translate it for me. Thanks.
posted by brian4rd at 7:06 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by brian4rd at 7:06 AM PST - 5 comments
Examples of neighboring countries' involvement in domestic conflicts
I'm looking for historical cases in which a neighboring country has intervened militarily in a domestic conflict to support one side, ostensibly at its invitation. [more inside]
posted by hat_eater at 6:13 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by hat_eater at 6:13 AM PST - 18 comments
Bed bugs and OCD
I'm just back from staying over at a friend's place. I found a bed bug. My friend suffers from OCD, and they've brought up their fears about bed bugs previously. How do I break it to them without causing a flat spin?
What are the phases in website infrastructure development?
I am curious about the process of scaling a website from a small, shared hosting site all the way up to "one of the biggest 10 sites on the Internet" scale. I've heard terms like "dedicated hosting," "sharding the database" etc., but I'm sure there's a lot more that I haven't heard about. What changes on the backend through this process, and is there a typical order that those changes occur?
posted by philosophygeek at 5:04 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by philosophygeek at 5:04 AM PST - 4 comments
Piano duets like Chopsticks, but not Chopsticks
Hi mefites!
I would like to learn to play some piano duets with my almost six-year-old. Ideally they would have the same form as Chopsticks, that is, one player plays a more complicated, two-handed part while the other plays a very simple one-hand tune. Has anyone got any suggestions? Bonus if the piece is fun/silly etc. Classical/jazz/popular is fine.
Thanks!
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 4:56 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 4:56 AM PST - 8 comments
Find an illustrator?
Can you help me find an illustrator I used to love and have lost track of? I'm terrible with names but she used to draw a webcomic, and I remember other things, too... [more inside]
posted by Mizu at 4:38 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Mizu at 4:38 AM PST - 8 comments
How to teach an old baby new tricks
Our 11 month old kid loves to be helpful and tries to copy whatever we do. Unfortunately, he's about a year or two or three away from having the physical ability to do so. So what simple things can we teach him that would be sort of helpful in doing everyday things, or at least wouldn't break stuff or actively hinder us? [more inside]
Questions about building inspections
I'm renovating a multi-unit building. The occupancy permits were never revoked. Can I finish one unit and rent it out while finishing the others? How do I handle inspections? [more inside]
March 12
Ceiling crack - should I still buy the house?
We went to view a house yesterday that we would love to buy - this is in England. It's a gorgeous old Victorian house built in 1877 and it has a lot of good qualities. Not so good, however, is a crack in the ceiling that runs along the length of the living room and dining room ceilings in a straight line. And the floor upstairs is kinda bouncy and squeaky around this area. [more inside]
How can I keep my beard healthy, soft, manageable, and generally happy?
I need some advice on products I can use on my beard, because using beard oil is going to drive me to the poor house. [more inside]
I want to learn about the history of Zen.
Alan Watts, in some of his lectures, tells stories of the experiences of Zen teachers and their students- a sort of mystic, mythic history from ages past. Are there books of these sorts of legends? [more inside]
posted by drd at 9:29 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by drd at 9:29 PM PST - 9 comments
Fighting smelly bullies
What are less stench-inducing alternatives to bully sticks? [more inside]
powering video card in a new computer
I bought a new computer and realized that the power supply does not have a dedicated six pin cable for my video card. It does, however, have two sata cables coming from it (like this) that are situated in reserve for an extra bay device and also an extra hard drive. Can I use an adapter to sufficient convert them as a power source for a six pin Radeon HD 6850? If so, would it require a converter for both sata connections, or just one?
posted by SpacemanStix at 8:54 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by SpacemanStix at 8:54 PM PST - 17 comments
Quality paid mail hosting service for three (3!) IMAP inboxes
I'm looking for a new home for three IMAP inboxes. Each one should be able to handle up to 10-15 GB of stored mail. I want a reliable long-term service that is supported by fees rather than ads. [more inside]
laptop / netbook / tablet suggestion
travelling out of town in 3 weeks, want to bring something with me. i'm cheap and i'm not looking for miracles. [more inside]
Freelance writers: Should I be charging more for my work?
I'm 25 and have been in the freelance scene for about a year. I saw Igyre's question and how she was unhappy with making $25/hour. That's about what I'm making now. I'm looking for perspective and what I need to do to start charging more. [more inside]
How fast is Australia LTE, really?
This recent report from OpenSignal boasts Australia as having the fastest 4G LTE service in the world. How big of a deal is it? I'm moving to Australia and am going to sign up for a mobile plan with Telstra, living in Sydney. The report indicates that while Australia has the fastest speeds, the coverage also isn't that consistent. So how fast is it really in daily use? And how does Telstra adapting the 2600 MHz (Oct. 2014) and 700 MHz (Jan. 2015) factor into that? I presently have a smartphone capable of HSPA+ speeds in AU and I was wondering how much I'd be missing out by not having a device capable of that LTE connectivity, even if it's only a temporary thing until I upgrade my phone.
posted by signondiego at 7:01 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by signondiego at 7:01 PM PST - 3 comments
Help me design a (possibly steampunk) spaceship
I am writing a short story in which an unmanned spaceship crashes in a field, and I've gotten stuck when it comes to visualizing/describing the spaceship. I like the idea of a steampunk craft, though it will have lights. In case you are wondering, the overall tone I am going for is magic with a hint of sadness. Got any ideas for what it looks like on the outside or inside? What might my characters find when they explore?
Standard Cloth supplier/others supplied?
Among the in-house brands at Urban Outfitters, I've found that "Standard Cloth" routinely puts out the kind of simple, low-key garments I actually want to buy. Is there any way to find out (or does someone know off hand) whether this creator or house does stuff for other shops under other names, or whether they have their own storefront somewhere under another name?
What kind of fan can suck without overheating or dying?
I’d like to build an evaporative cooler for the coming summer, but I don’t want to start a fire. Will a box fan draw air through cooling pads (and possibly ducting) without overheating or worse, or should I look for any other type of fan? Squirrel-cage fan maybe? [more inside]
Making the best interview outfit from a small closet
I have a job interview that I'm very excited about and I need some help choosing from my limited clothing options. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
Help me find a camera or tool to look inside my ear
I have frequent ear problems, getting psoriasis in my ears, or impacted earwax, or sometimes a mild case of swimmers ear, or sometimes just pain due to my TMJ. My doctor and my ENT has gotten annoyed at me going in to see him so much (almost monthly) due to ear pain and usually just says my ears look fine. I need a camera to look inside my ears to see whats going on before I go to the doctor. I have watched alot of videos of peoples ear problems and done alot of research and know what what to look for and will go to the doctor if there is something wrong with my ears. I have a otoscope I bought but don't have anyone to look into it for me and I cant do it myself. Is there someway to hook it up to a camera or webcam? Or does anyone know what camera they use in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5m8XTATcus (skip to 0:42)
What do you look for in a good reference?
HR and people in charge of hiring new employees: What do you look for when checking applicants' references? [more inside]
posted by myntu at 4:45 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by myntu at 4:45 PM PST - 13 comments
Should I do online dating? (22 year-old female)
I'm 22 years old. I have never had a boyfriend and have never been on a date. Currently I'm finishing up my undergrad and will be entering a Master program in the Fall. I think I'm fairly attractive and I do not have a super high standard. At my college, I do socialize and have a lot of friends but for some reasons, I don't know many guys and the ones I know are either already in a relationship or just not interested in me. I've thought about online dating but I don't know if I'm too young for it, if my inexperience would put me in dangerous situations, etc. I've thought about joining paid sites such as match.com or eharmony.com because I thought maybe guys are more serious on those sites. However, I am still a student and my budget is limited. I'd greatly appreciate any advice anyone has for me.
Narrowing down conception date
Is it possible to narrow down conception date to less than a week based on HCG levels? [more inside]
Witty fake surname instead of "Tan" for Facebook?
I don't want my real surname, but I want something that would let people who know me make the connection. Ideas? [more inside]
Picasa is dead! Help me move the bodies!
Is there a set-and-forget G+ / Picasa image collection scrape-and-republish tool? Thanks! [more inside]
Can I negotiate this Kaiser bill?
When Obamacare happened my private pay insurance coverage changed, but I didn't really pay attention to how. After a trip to the ER last night and to the pharmacy this morning, I now know that I have a very high deductible plan. $250 ER copay (full bill to follow), $530 for two prescriptions.
Meanwhile, I'm wondering if I have any room to negotiate the bill for the ER visit, especially if I am about to go to a more costly (for me) plan.
Have you ever negotiated a Kaiser bill, or another HMO bill? Specific advice on how to pitch this or if it's even possible sought. [more inside]
How do I know if my dog is suffering?
Short of raising his paw and saying, "Yo, mom, I'm ready to die," how will my dog let me know that it's time? [more inside]
posted by ablazingsaddle at 3:45 PM PST - 44 comments
posted by ablazingsaddle at 3:45 PM PST - 44 comments
Where in the SF Bay Area can I get Pliny the Elder on tap?
Where in the SF Bay Area (including the South Bay) can I find Pliny the Elder on tap?
I know about Bobby G's in Berkeley, but they've been out of it the last few times I've gone. (Is there a particular day of the week when you have to go?)
I also know about this list, but it doesn't really help that much, since you can't tell which of those locations sells Pliny on tap.
Where are virtualBox guest data saved in the host system?
Where are virtualBox guest data saved in the host system? [more inside]
The best sewing patterns.
I'm looking for simple clothing patterns that don't scream 'homemade,' and are easily alterable. [more inside]
posted by furnace.heart at 3:12 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by furnace.heart at 3:12 PM PST - 11 comments
Any R. Browning scholars in the house?
I am struggling to understand a line from Robert Browning's poem, The Bishop Orders His Tomb at St. Praxed's. The fourth line reads "She, men would have to be your mother once." This does not make sense to me grammatically. I did find this reference to the same problem, which recommends replacing "she" with "her", which still doesn't sound correct to me. It indicates that the line is a case of bad grammar from a dying man.
Please help me understand what is being said here. TIA
posted by michellenoel at 2:24 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by michellenoel at 2:24 PM PST - 21 comments
Mobile tool storage ideas
I often work on my family's cars, however I don't have a garage and have to work in the driveway or in a rented (by the hour) garage with lift. In my workshop I have the tools organized on pegboards and in drawers. That's all fine and dandy, but I've come to realize that 90% of the time I use my tools I have to chuck them in tool bags and boxes and either bring them outside or to the aforementioned garage. I want a mobile storage system where everything has its place and I can see at a glance if something's missing. Like the pegboards, I guess, only portable. [more inside]
Help me find this funny video I saw on ebaums world Circa 2002?
I saw some funny 2 minute video basically a fake advertisement for some presumably made up company (something like rockman automatronics). The guy toured a room talking about how great the products were, but using super scientific sounding (most of probably made up) words, like "panfandeled ding alarm", and that's what made it funny, because you couldn't understand almost anything he said. At the end it said something like "you can find our rockman automatronics wherever fine electronics are sold" or something like that.
Bonus points if you can source who made the funny video and why
posted by crawltopslow at 1:17 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by crawltopslow at 1:17 PM PST - 11 comments
Please help decipher this handwritten location in Sweden
This snippet is from a petition for naturalization filed in North Dakota (USA) in 1908. It is referring to the birth place of a man born in Sweden in 1874. Anyone with more knowledge of historical Swedish parishes and/or turn-of-the-century handwriting care to help me decipher the first word? [more inside]
posted by muddgirl at 12:56 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by muddgirl at 12:56 PM PST - 9 comments
San Diego - South Park Question
I will be in San Diego for the first time since the late nineties. I don't want to do the beach scene and even getting up to La Jolla isn't a priority. I want to fly in and stay two weeks at a place near Ivy Street in South Park. Can I get by without a car in this area? Can I walk to restaurants, grocery stores, etc? I understand that North Park has more to do, but I have to stay at this place in South Park. Can I get by without a car in this area? Are there buses in South Park that could easily get me downtown if needed?
As always, thanks in advance!
posted by Gerard Sorme at 12:53 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Gerard Sorme at 12:53 PM PST - 7 comments
Ow my foot ow ow
YANMD but do you have any idea what's making my foot hurt? [more inside]
I make $25/hour and keep thinking I could do better. Can I do better?
I'm a 35 yo woman who is, IMO, very smart and capable - but I have a very insubstantial work history. What kind of options would I have if I wanted to prioritize earning more? [more inside]
posted by lgyre at 12:32 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by lgyre at 12:32 PM PST - 26 comments
Password paranoia
If one wanted to be paranoid about protecting access to critical accounts (bank accounts and the like) what are some steps that you can take short of building your own machine and never using it for any transactions at all other than those to the secure sites?
I have used lAstpass and 1 Password for years but frankly all of the recent revelations of security breaches and key loggers and the like make me wonder if I should consider other options for critical accounts (wondering out loud: is it not likely that the password app manufacturers were not NSA's first targets?)
Some accounts do not allow two step authentication.
Smart phones with a physical keyboard
What are my options for using a smart phone with a physical keyboard (whether built-in or as an attachment)? I am on Verizon and want to stay. I would prefer to stick with Android but would consider an iPhone. I used to love the Blackberry back in the day, but I don't think I can go back. I do not want a Windows phone. Thanks!
What does it mean for a union to be defunct but not decertified?
Acquaintances who are currently graduate employees at the University of Kansas are very worried about an administration proposal to cut the hours GTA's/GRA's can work. From what I am seeing on social media, these acquaintances and the GTA/GRA community are planning on making a lot of noise to the administration and the media with some help from sympathetic faculty and departments. Basically, pleading and threatening. But, KU apparently *has* a collective bargaining unit for graduate students, GTAC, which successfully negotiated a single contract in 2001 before apparently becoming completely marginalized. It seems like the GTA/GRA community are basically unaware that a union ever existed.
But, does the GTA/GRA community not still possess the protections of having formed and certified a union? It seems that the last contract expired in 2009, but I can't find anything about GTAC decertifying. Or does decertification happen automagically after some period of non-activity or lapse of contract? I have basic knowledge of labor law and NLRB rules and have done some additional research, but I can't answer these questions for myself or my acquaintances. [more inside]
Why does Mickey Doyle sound so familiar to this middle aged Brit?
Watching S4 Boardwalk Empire I’m struck by how much the imagery, characters and music recall childhood memories of American cartoons. Mickey Doyle’s way of speaking is really familiar to me, why is that? [more inside]
midsummer in scandinavia: where?
I'm planning to be in Iceland this June and would love suggestions for where else I should go in Scandinavia (or the Baltic states) to spend the midsummer weekend. I'll be traveling solo and I don't know anyone there. If it helps, I'm not so much into dancing but I really like food! [more inside]
Death-free nature documentary
We're flying with our 2.5-year old and would like to find a nature documentary or TV show for her to watch on our iPad. She doesn't watch much TV, so this is a Big Treat that will hopefully distract her for at least some of the flight. The catch: we're not ready to deal with death yet, so I'd like something without predation/disease/starvation/etc. For simplicity's sake, I'd prefer something available on iTunes, but am willing to look other places, as well. We'd also prefer to avoid mass market characters (Elmo, Mickey Mouse, etc.). Any good suggestions?
posted by griseus at 11:32 AM PST - 34 comments
posted by griseus at 11:32 AM PST - 34 comments
Stopping the blame game while trying to get pregnant
Took doctor's advice and it made me worse. How do I cope with making a mistake that may prevent me from getting pregnant? [more inside]
Last minute short road trip from Philadelphia to Boston
So I think we're going to do a last minute road trip from Philadelphia to Boston and back. Please help us plan. [more inside]
Can you help me understand my break-up?
Can you help me understand the dynamics of my breakup? [more inside]
How to display geographic data in an easy way?
Hi all,
I have a side project in which I want to see the places I frequent on a yearly basis. I have gotten my hands on a beautiful data sheet that logs all my movements in the past year travel wise, and now I want to display that data on a map. [more inside]
posted by pando11 at 11:04 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by pando11 at 11:04 AM PST - 9 comments
Help me not be Silda Spitzer
Met a guy, been dating him, it turns out (I think) he has a hidden life of promiscuity. Help me figure out what to do next. [more inside]
Rates for freelance medical writing?
I have been offered some freelance medical writing work, and need help to determine a reasonable hourly rate to quote. [more inside]
YANMD, But Is It Worth Finding One?
I am sick on vacation and need to decide if it's necessary to see a doctor. [more inside]
posted by charmcityblues at 9:07 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by charmcityblues at 9:07 AM PST - 25 comments
Light date ideas near grand central?
First date in NYC, near grand central and the Bryant park area, weekend afternoon.
Likes: animals, theatre, the arts, books. Fun and interactive things would be especially welcome. Suggestions?
Should I buy a non-touch-screen laptop?
I've found a brand-new, well reviewed Dell laptop that I am confident will do the basic family things I need done (email, web browsing, streaming video, photo stuff, tracking finances, etc.). With my credit card points, I can get it for $268. My husband is worried that non-touch-screen laptops will be obsolete really soon, and thinks maybe we should pay more for a touch screen. I am seeing articles saying things like "in 2 years, 1/4 of all laptops will have touch screens," which makes me think mouse/touchpad and keyboard will still be viable even 5 years from now. What do you guys think?
posted by staggering termagant at 8:25 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by staggering termagant at 8:25 AM PST - 26 comments
How do you pronounce Ouack from Make Way for Ducklings?
As in Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack. Whack or Oo-ack? Is there a definitive answer? There are many arguments for either pronunciation, but did McCloskey ever make a recording? Did anyone note the pronunciation from a reading he did?
Any tips for getting a used Outback in Massachusetts?
Our mechanic has fixed our car from last week's question, but now I think we'll probably just get another used car. The Boston winters have convinced us we'd like something with good handling in ice and snow. We're not really SUV people. Because of their reputation for reliability (and ubiquity in the region), we're leaning towards a used Outback. Do you have any recommendations or tips 1) about buying a used car in MA generally, and 2) about buying a used Outback in particular? [more inside]
Facebook strange
Why is FB showing different versions of the same post on different platforms? [more inside]
Guidelines/tips for wall picture size/placement
I have a room I'd like to hang some pictures in .
I'm interested to know if there are guidelines on what size and number of pictures would look best. [more inside]
Good forums for civil political discussion
Are there any good forums for civil political discussion? Obviously flamewars and shouting matches are bad and can ruin a forum. If half the comments are jokes (like in /r/politics) that isn't good either. Then there is the issue with posters who are strongly ideological and talk past everyone else, instead of engaging their arguments. So maintaining a forum free from all of these scourges is no easy task, but do there exist any forums that have solved this problem? Basically the only one I know of is, /r/changemyview and that's because the top-level comments are only allowed to argue against the OPs post
How to Acclimate a Cat to Bedtime Rituals
A kitty has joined my home as of 48 hours ago (photos eventually, pretty sure a coworker is on here and I need to preserve anonymity right now). She's 7 months old ish and now that she's made a fantastic turnaround from being huddled in a corner to triumphant queen of my entire apartment, I need to start getting her acclimated with some things so we set some behavior boundaries right away. Help! [more inside]
Not that I'm going to do it or anything, but...
Is it feasible to take apart, modify, and put back together again a hair dryer so that it works in reverse, that is, become a small vacuum? I assume I would have to make the blower work backwards to become a sucker, and I would have to direct debris into a little sack and away from the blower and power source. If I were going to do it, what would I do? How much work would it be? How ugly would it be, assuming rudimentary skills and a home workshop? If it's impossible-- why?
posted by blnkfrnk at 1:01 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by blnkfrnk at 1:01 AM PST - 10 comments
March 11
Virtual jobs to do while on unpaid FMLA
Where can I find some virtual office work to do while stuck at home with an injury? [more inside]
posted by amandi at 11:52 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by amandi at 11:52 PM PST - 7 comments
Trying to ID 80s or early 90s music video - hard rock/hair metal
What I remember from the video: at the end, it featured a member of the band leaving a young woman's house (as if they'd just had sex), walking or driving down the block, and women from other houses on the block would come out of their houses, smile and wave at him, like he was the neighborhood gigolo. I believe it was filmed in California.
Van Halen? Aerosmith? I'm drawing a blank.
posted by 4midori at 10:39 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by 4midori at 10:39 PM PST - 2 comments
How do I store and prepare sashimi at home?
I know it won't be top notch, but I would like to prepare sashimi at home five nights a week with only one trip to the asian market per week. How can I safely prepare one batch of raw fish for a full week? [more inside]
Books like The Game, except completely different in every way
A male friend of mine has recently learned that he's not as good at dating women as he thought he was, and wants to get better. Where can I point him for sex and relationship advice, addressed to men, but written from a feminist perspective? [more inside]
What are some fun musical activities for two adult piano students?
My friend and I are both adult intermediate piano students. Until recently we got together once a month and we would play a duet that we would learn by ourselves beforehand. But now my schedule doesn't allow me to learn duets. We'd still like to have our get-togethers though! What kind of fun musical exercises or activities could we do at the piano that doesn't require (much) prior practice?
Minecraft PE noob question
Hi, noob here. How do you pillar jump in minecraft pocket edition for iOS? I've seen lots of videos of people zipping up and zipping down, but I can't figure out yo
to do it myself.
I feel unable to participate in a normal, healthy dating relationship.
I am 34 years old, and for the first time in my life, I am embarking on a 'normal' relationship. My insecurities are causing me extreme anxiety, and I'd like your stories and insight and tips on what I might be being realistic about, and what I'm not. Apologies for a long explanation inside. [more inside]
Encountering slightly odd resume requirement, please help!
I'm currently applying for a job that specifically requires applicants to include salary history and requirements within their resume. While I'm more-or-less fine with disclosing this information, I haven't seen any company make this specification before, and I don't see a lot of consistent advice on how to best go about including this info. Does anyone here have experience with something like this, and can you recommend best practices and recommended formatting?
posted by Dante Riordan at 7:56 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Dante Riordan at 7:56 PM PST - 16 comments
How does one learn to dance like this
How would I go about achieving the ability to dance like Sam Rockwell in this audition video? Is it just a matter of imitating James Brown videos or is there a particular course of study?
This hollowed out volcano is not going to decorate itself
I am trying to get my act together. I have an average sized apartment room wall. I want to use it to plan world domination! Well really the domination of my next few years of goals and tasks. Please give me cool or creative ideas for a way to have a huge display of multiple years of calendar, lists and reminders, and events and goals. The only catch is that I cannot repaint or damage the wall in a major way. Long-winded details inside. [more inside]
Sleeping with the enemy -- should I bother switching banks?
I was recently hired at a big commercial bank, but I personally bank at another. Should I make the switch? Does it even matter? [more inside]
posted by HiphopAnonymous at 5:44 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by HiphopAnonymous at 5:44 PM PST - 24 comments
Calling all window experts for a soundproofing question
The pallet-dropping saga continues. After talking with various government employees, I finally got in touch with a person in code enforcement who stoically informed me that, since the business is zoned for agricultural, they are allowed to work 24 hours a day and do whatever they well please and there's not a thing we can do about it. [more inside]
Soliciting Opinions on Publication Methods
I spent about five years compiling a technology timeline. It started as a class project and grew into an obsession. For a while, I was making an enormous number of Wikipedia contributions. After a while, I started posting my work to my blog . Then, I started writing "This Day in History" columns for a few paying venues. It's actually grown well beyond what's currently available on my blog.
The problem is that I've grown bored of pouring time into the project. [more inside]
posted by Pipedreamergrey at 5:28 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Pipedreamergrey at 5:28 PM PST - 7 comments
Here's your work and, oh yeah, your bill ...
On Monday, I start my first non self- or under-employed job in five years. It is with a very large (4000+ employees) company that's a big player in their field, and I am very happy and grateful to have the job. But, as I'm sitting here filling out the employee paperwork I'm faced with a "New PC Employee Acceptance Form". It seems I will be issued a company laptop, but I will also be charged $70/month that "covers XXX Company's standard for PC hardware, software and maintenance". This was never discussed in my salary negotiations.
Questions: Is this normal? and, Is this an expense I will be able to write off at tax time?
posted by Benny Andajetz at 5:10 PM PST - 37 comments
posted by Benny Andajetz at 5:10 PM PST - 37 comments
Will my husband be fired for this?
Help! My husband is in deep trouble at work for meeting with me on a recent business trip. Although he had the permission of his superiors to meet me, they are still going to hold an investigative hearing, which could result in his demotion, suspension, or even termination. He has offered to provide documentation proving that our meeting was not a flagrant attempt at violating company policy, but his superiors are not interested in seeing it. In spite of his long tenure, it isn't looking too good. What can we do? [more inside]
Please play with our new friend Mac
Please help me get staff at my PC-only workplace to *voluntarily* engage with our new desktop Mac during their breaks. [more inside]
Ideas for tag cloud analysis
I have 600 images tagged with keywords. In addition to nice pictures of tag clouds and frequency calculations, what sort of smart, insightful analysis can I do with these data that could reveal relationships between the tags and other (more formal) data attached to the images? Any advice on software tools (Windows, preferably FOSS) would be appreciated. I have some training in statistics and I have actually done textual statistics before but only briefly so I'm not familiar with the current tools and methods.
What to serve for dinner for ~18 people?
More people are coming than I expected. [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 4:11 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by winterportage at 4:11 PM PST - 22 comments
Developing feelings for a 'friend' - did I do bad?
I started a postgraduate course 3 months ago and there was a girl who stood out a fair bit. There were various issues that stopped me from considering dating her so I went down the friend route. She seemed interested in me at first - we ended up being alone together twice on nights out with others from the class, walking around London and the river, but I, not interested in any kind of intimacy, kept these meetings platonic. It's only recently that I've gotten myself together mentally, gotten to know her better and decided I like what I see - am I too late? What should I do to move from a new friendship back to that stage of 'initial attraction'? [more inside]
What are your favorite book blogs?
I'm looking for some good book blogs in the style of Forever Young Adult, which I adore, but which are focused on adult literature. What I like about Forever Young Adult is the informal style and frequent reviews of new books I might not otherwise hear about - the book blogs I know of are more focused on author interviews or commentary, and tend to take themselves more seriously than I would like. [more inside]
How to seduce a wild parrot?
A feral parrot (technically, a rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), has started visiting the plumeria tree outside my front door this week. My housemate and I used to wish that some of the wild parrots that have been naturalized in Hawai`i would come and move into our yard. Now that one has, how do we seduce it to stay?
We live in the city, so any regular bird feed would be devoured in seconds by doves and pigeons.
We have a couple trees in the yard (pomegranate, palms, mango, plumeria, some Asian citrus thing), so there's nice habitat already.
Recommendations for dancing in Los Angeles
Where can I go dancing in Los Angeles? [more inside]
posted by DeltaForce at 3:18 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by DeltaForce at 3:18 PM PST - 7 comments
What movie or TV show was I watching with a character named Lisi?
I doubt it was anything very esoteric and probably streamed from Netflix or HBOGO. Thanks!
posted by travis08 at 1:33 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by travis08 at 1:33 PM PST - 5 comments
Short Term / Interim Health Insurance in New York
I've just moved back to New York from Europe. My European health plan (which covers me for emergencies while I'm in the US) is going to run out in ten days. I am starting a US job with health insurance coverage within the next month or so. Where can I buy coverage for the next month or two to bridge the gap? [more inside]
Algorithms for color balancing images?
I have a system that records transmitted light images of samples in three colors by sequential illumination with red, green, and blue LEDs. This works for acquiring color images, but the overall color balance is off. I want to write code for color balancing these images, using data acquired from a reference target (like this). I want this to be part of an open source project, so existing tools in photoshop and similar programs aren't helpful to me. So far, I haven't found a good reference for how to do this; can someone recommend one to me? [more inside]
posted by pombe at 1:28 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by pombe at 1:28 PM PST - 6 comments
Giant uploads - how, who, what, where?
How can I upload large amounts of data, like 5 to 50 GB worth of files to a specific server, such as YouTube or my own FTP server? [more inside]
Buy a condo/loft without joining a HOA in LA or San Francisco?
Is such a thing even possible? I have always rented apartments and am now looking into purchasing a loft, preferably, in either San Francisco or Los Angeles. I really have no interest in then paying for "rent" to some HOA at around $400/month. Is there a reasonable way to not do so, or does it entail looking for solo owned places which are probably really expensive?
I'm hoping to keep it around 500k total.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
How to become a better knitter in general and Knitting Socks on circular
So I have been knitting on and off for years. I took a few classes. I am in grad school now and I want to pick up the sticks again for stress relaxation. I have made a hat and I made socks for women from this DVD http://www.amazon.com/socks-circular-needles-Learn-Socks/dp/B000EW13WS. Basically knitting on two circulars.
I never did a gauge for those socks and it just worked out. When I tried to alter and make the socks for men I got the wrong fit and my stitches were not consistent. I guess because I have been on and off with my knitting.
So how do I become a better knitter??, I know the basics, but how do I make my knitting look good, "pretty", consistent and could give as a gift?Should I just start with a scarf again- sounds boring! And, for knitting on 2 circulars how do I do the gauge? do you do the gauge in the round? any links to swatching in the round is much appreciated. I want to pick up the sticks but my perfectionism is getting in the way ;(
posted by TRUELOTUS at 12:25 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by TRUELOTUS at 12:25 PM PST - 10 comments
Keeping relationship with my dad, minus one of his kids?
I think my half-sister has some sort of personality disorder, and I want to limit her involvement in my life going forward. But I still want to have a relationship with our mutual father... [more inside]
Why do we have order of operations in arithmetic?
Why do we have order of operations rules in arithmetic instead of just strictly evaluating expressions from left to right (possibly with parenthesis for grouping if we really wanted to change the order)?
posted by Reverend John at 11:49 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Reverend John at 11:49 AM PST - 9 comments
coworker's dog bit my dog, what to say?
A coworker's dog was acting incredibly viciously at the dog park and bit my dog, causing puncture wounds. What should I say to this guy about what happened, and should I offer any advice about handling his dog? [more inside]
What urban adventure should I look into?
I have been reading up on walking around Los Angeles as an "urban thru-hike." What urban thru-hike/scavenger hunt would you recommend for your city or a city you've visited? [more inside]
posted by thewestinggame at 11:45 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by thewestinggame at 11:45 AM PST - 11 comments
Resources for finding rentals in SE PA
Hi there! My fiance, stepdaughter and cat are finally ready to tangibly start looking for places to live on our own! Yay! I'm looking for websites/resources I can go to besides craigslist, the newspaper, and the regular websites that pop up on the first page when you google about renting. Does anyone know of any other places to find rental listings? Thanks in advance!
Finger Lakes Fun
We're spending three days in Watkins Glen. Yes, I know it's kind of silly to be taking a vacation in the Finger Lakes in winter. We're looking to visit wineries, breweries, distilleries, and great restaurants. In terms of wineries, it'd be best if we could find a place that didn't serve just sweet wines but some actually decent wines. If the weather allows, we'd like to do some hiking, too (we know it will be muddy). We know nothing of the area, so any advice you have would be much appreciated. Thanks.
If everything is temporary anyway, how do I keep caring?
I'm in my mid-thirties - professionally successful, non-sociopath, etc.. When I look behind me, though, my past is littered with the corpses of dead friendships. Two part question: 1. Is this normal? 2. If so, how do I maintain my optimism about current and future friendships? Details inside. [more inside]
Where should I travel in Europe?
My wife and I are planning a trip to Europe in the fall (late September-early October). The general idea is to visit half a dozen cities for three or four days each. I've never been anywhere on mainland Europe apart from Paris (twice), so I'm pretty open to suggestion in terms of which cities to visit (aside from Paris, which I think we'll skip this time). So what I want to know is, what are your favourite European cities to visit, and why?
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:02 AM PST - 35 comments
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:02 AM PST - 35 comments
Finding release dates for film automatically.
I have a list of films as a text file. Is there a website which would allow me to import the list and assign release dates probably using an IMDb api? [more inside]
Help me vanquish my green-eyed monster!
How can I stop feeling envy about my friends' successes? [more inside]
Help with career ideas
I'm a freelance translator who wants to transition into employment. How can I go about this, and what should/could I do next? [more inside]
The Case of the Disappearing Psychiatrist
I've been calling my psychiatrist since last week to attempt to set up an appointment. I haven't encountered an actual human's voice, nor have I been directed to voicemail. I've tried calling both of her offices repeatedly with no success (and with no way of leaving a message). What do I do now? [more inside]
Alternative Bar Mitzvah?
Kid BlahLaLa's getting to be around bar mitzvah age and I want to know what alternative, newfangled options there are out there. Is there any kind of modern bar mitzvah movement happening? Alternative bar mitzvahs? Hipster bar mitzvahs? [more inside]
Retroreflective motorcycle
Say I think retroreflective tape looks great and provides awesome visibility. If I were to cover a motorcycle (e.g. the flat painted surfaces) with this tape, would I need to be concerned that it would reflect too much light and blind other drivers?
I need a nice ladder. Where do I find this?
I need a nice folding ladder that can be used in a library with nine-foot ceilings. I don't think we have the room or the budget for one with rails. Everything I see is short, metal, or ugly. Where can I find a nice ladder that can fold up, doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and looks okay in a library.
Help me find a warm puffy coat for NEXT winter.
Please help me find a warm, puffy and DISCOUNTED coat for next winter! [more inside]
Can't ... Get ... Sick ...
Help me stay as healthy as I can as my life gets even crazier! [more inside]
How can I be less needy?
My about 15-year marriage is in severe difficulty. A big part of this is me being too needy. My wife and I knew I was needy before we got married, but both thought that getting married would fix it. It hasn't. I'm taking an antidepressant, and we are in therapy and both committed to staying together. I've read some other answers on AskMi, and am following up with some book recommendations, but I feel like I need more help. [more inside]
Can we have the house we want near Boston on our budget?
We like the modern amenities, but hate the lack of charm of nearby tear-downs. Could we get what we want in a custom build within our budget? [more inside]
Stumpy calves 101
How can I elongate and flatter my stumpy legs? Looking for exercise and fashion tips. [more inside]
I'm on warm milk and laxatives. Cherry-flavored antacids.
I've had health issues my entire life. I'm approaching my mid twenties and it's time to accept the fact that I'll likely never be 100% healthy. How do I do this? [more inside]
posted by Autumn at 5:50 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by Autumn at 5:50 AM PST - 21 comments
I feel like I'm stuck in a moment.
I’m currently broken up with a woman I’ve been in an on and off relationship with for the last 4 years and I want to finally close the door, let go and move on. [more inside]
posted by blokefromipanema at 5:07 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by blokefromipanema at 5:07 AM PST - 16 comments
have no seafaring experience, what to read in order to write about it?
Please help me understand seaworthiness so I can write about it. [more inside]
posted by wallawallasweet at 4:33 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by wallawallasweet at 4:33 AM PST - 22 comments
How to increase absorption of magnesium?
Is my birth control hindering magnesium absorption? [more inside]
TEFL in the UK.
I am looking for an additional income source, and understand that combining a home stay with teaching English as a second language is a possibility, because it is relatively well paid and there is a fair amount of work available where I am (Oxford, UK).
Has anyone done this? Are the above assumptions correct? What teaching qualifications are required? There is not a lot of info that I can find on the language teaching websites. Thanks.
The Big 3-0
I have a friend who is turning 30 at the end of this week. She's still quite a new friend, but I really like her and I think we'll probably have quite a long-lasting friendship, and so would like to get her a thoughtful gift. The thing is, I absolutely SUCK at choosing gifts, even for my closest friends/family, and the thought of it stresses me out. Ideas? [more inside]
March 10
Is this offensive: cover letter edition.
I want to sell my experience as a teacher in urban, diverse, low-income communities, both in terms of commitment and know-how. Is there a better of way of saying that I have taught student populations in urban, diverse, low-income communities? [more inside]
how to build a mountain bike for speed
i ride a trail in melbourne called westerfolds. it is a 5km switchy trail, short climbs, short descents.
I am riding a scott spark dual suspension carbon fibre, which is a beautiful bike.
but my feeling is that something tailored for the ride would be quicker again.
so i want to build something that will do the trick.
extra note, i love climbing so i guess focus is on getting weight down for the final product.
this is an exercise in what is possible, as well as i just want to get quick.
please give me any technical suggestions? mostly i just want a front suspension with light wheels, but is there any other trick? [more inside]
posted by edtut at 11:24 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by edtut at 11:24 PM PST - 6 comments
DIY Furniture Question
I want to paint this. For various reasons, stripping it first is out. How to get the best paint job? [more inside]
posted by jrobin276 at 11:22 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by jrobin276 at 11:22 PM PST - 17 comments
LA Rental Market - Month-to-Month normal, or strange?
West-side LA Rental question: My first year's lease is up. I asked my property manager about renewing, and the manager told me, "oh, once your 12mo is up, you just go month-to-month, no contract." What's going on here? [more inside]
posted by Alterscape at 10:42 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by Alterscape at 10:42 PM PST - 22 comments
Health insurance question
What is the difference between "Allowed Amount" and "Co-pay" on an Explanation of Benefits? [more inside]
The Santa Barbara of Florida -- does it exist?
Aside from Miami, does Florida have any place that has a culture not predominantly catering to retirees, families, or tourists? I'm an early thirties guy looking to spend a weekend somewhere in the state with a friend that's interesting, authentic, and youthful. Being near water is a nice to have, but not a requirement. [more inside]
Do grades in PhD program matter?
I got a B+ in one of my first-year statistics PhD courses last semester (measure-theoretic probability theory) thanks to botching one question on my final. I'm a bit concerned because this is in my area of interest. Now I've heard grades don't matter in PhD programs, but at the same time, I feel like I should have an A in this class if I'm doing research in the field (and if I have to teach this type of class if I become a professor).
I'm thinking about retaking this class in my fourth or fifth year when I'm done with all my other courses. Or should I not bother? If it helps, I may get an A in the 2nd semester of the course sequence and have A or A- (I know A- isn't that great in grad school) grades in everything else.
I just want to avoid getting grilled by professors in my department about grades, lol.
Things to do in Manhattan with a tiny baby
I'm on maternity leave and my baby is just over two months old. It's been such a cold winter that I haven't taken him out as much as I'd like, but now that we're heading into spring and I only have a few weeks left, I'd like to try to do one short fun thing a day. Please give me your suggestions for easy one-shot explorations in Manhattan. [more inside]
Is this what a midlife crisis looks like?
Short trips from Jakarta
I have a round-trip ticket to Jakarta for a week in early May but have no plans beyond seeing the city for a day or two. What sort of excursions to worthwhile places can I take from Jakarta as either day trips, or up to 3-4 nights? (I'd prefer not to fly anywhere as I'll only be in that region for a week, but I would be willing to take bus/boat/train rides of up to 4 or 5 hours from Jakarta.) Thanks!
posted by egeanin at 7:38 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by egeanin at 7:38 PM PST - 7 comments
Funny movies about sadness?
What are some movies that make light of sadness or hard times in a non-mean-spirited way? [more inside]
posted by ITheCosmos at 6:21 PM PST - 63 comments
posted by ITheCosmos at 6:21 PM PST - 63 comments
Five Love Langues: Legit? If so, what the heck is mine?
I have two questions about the "five love languages" paradigm (from Gary D. Chapman's books).
1. Is there any evidence backing it up (ie, academic studies)?
2. I am asking this because it doesn't "feel true" to me. That is, I can't for the life of me figure out which love language is mine; I think I have them all. I have taken quizzes, but they have been unhelpful. So, if this is a real thing, how else might I try to figure out what my love language is?
posted by hishtafel at 5:56 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by hishtafel at 5:56 PM PST - 19 comments
Motorcycles, Death and the DMV
Background: I was in the middle of doing a mild restoration on my little brother's bike two years ago (2000 ZX-7R) when he died very unexpectedly. I don't know what to do with it now and just realized that it hasn't been registered since 2008. [more inside]
How to stop these doubts about whether I am over-sensitive
Based on previous MeFi advice, I'm limiting my contact with my parents. Dad is reacting angrily. I'm fine with that and generally feel fantastic, but I have moments of wondering if I am too sensitive (as he claims) and whether I over-react in situations where everyone else would shrug it off. How to stop these doubts? [more inside]
posted by cheesecake at 5:42 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by cheesecake at 5:42 PM PST - 28 comments
What was it like going on anti-anxiety medication?
What was it like going on anti-anxiety medication? Questions about people's experiences [more inside]
posted by mermily at 5:20 PM PST - 30 comments
posted by mermily at 5:20 PM PST - 30 comments
Luggage Removal from a Commercial Aircraft--How Does It Work?
When someone checks in for a flight but doesn’t board, how do airlines locate their luggage to remove it from the aircraft? [more inside]
What do I need to be a bedroom / no plans on going public / turntablist?
I am obsessed with DJ Yoda, who is a pretty famous turntablist DJ. Example of his work In a nutshell, he takes either existing music or beats he creates on his own and mixes it with dialogue samples from other music, tv shows, movies, etc.....Add some scratching and all that type of stuff. I wanna learn how to do that. What do I need? [more inside]
posted by TwilightKid at 4:29 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by TwilightKid at 4:29 PM PST - 3 comments
How much help is too much? Student edition
At what point do I tell a student to stop asking questions? [more inside]
What does it say?
Can the hive mind take a look at the picture of this necklace and see if the back of it is calligraphy of some sort? It looks like Arabic or Persian. If so, does anyone know what it says?
Here's the picture.
High-res CCTV, viewable on an iPhone and recording on motion
I just bought a Swann system, the DVR9-4200 with PRO-642 cameras. I've been extremely disappointed with both the image quality and the system reliability, so it's going back. [more inside]
Why am I suddenly on the world's creepiest mailing list?
A couple weeks ago I randomly received an email from what appeared to be a "disposable" email address (string-of-alphanumerics@guerrillamail.com). It contained a number of "tinypic" image links, none of which I followed, along with some incredibly creepy text that compelled me to report it to the NCMEC CyberTipline. I'd assume it was a fluke, but for the fact that both my primary email addresses ended up BCCed on this nonsense. How worried should I be? How did this happen? Is this "type" of email part of a known scam? [more inside]
Someone's keen.
I almost dated someone but complicated circumstances left us with no choice but to remain friends. Despite this, she still flirts with me continuously. How do I deal with that? A slight snowstorm inside. [more inside]
Buying materials for my job through my own company?
I work for a medium size 40 employee company in a management capacity. I'm responsible for purchasing equipment and software. What sort of legal issues could arise from purchasing the equipment myself and reselling it to the company? [more inside]
posted by dozo at 2:28 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by dozo at 2:28 PM PST - 10 comments
Help me become more vegetarian without losing muscle
I am thinking of scaling back my factory farm meat intake and eating only the happy cows who are given hugs and sunshine every day. Complicating factor is I like a LOT of protein to support my lifting, and I'd never be able to afford as much $7+/lbs meat as I need to support that intake. I would like to hear the experiences of weight-lifting semi-omnivores on how they made this work for them. Bonus question: if I'm cutting out factory farmed meat, should I cut out eggs, fish, and whey protein too, or are the conditions that produce those a little less horrible? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:37 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by anonymous at 1:37 PM PST - 32 comments
· · · – – – · · · Need help de-coding American morse code
I need help translating this morse code message into English! [more inside]
Seeking stories of personal transformation
I'm seeking stories of personal transformation. Those who overcame their depression and lack of focus to become a driven and motivated person. [more inside]
I need to buy a used vehicle that can tow a boat. Suggestions?
Help me find my best options for late-model used cars that have a reasonably decent towing capacity. [more inside]
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 1:00 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 1:00 PM PST - 27 comments
Can anyone identify this knitting stitch pattern?
I saw a lightweight, open stitch sweater I'd like to reverse engineer/recreate, but I can't identify the stitch pattern. Help? [more inside]
posted by lilnublet at 12:59 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by lilnublet at 12:59 PM PST - 8 comments
Reliable information about pregnancy
I am looking for sources of reliable, science-based information about food / exercise / medication / etc during pregnancy. [more inside]
Educate me on yarn please
How the hell do people knit with/wear wool without wanting to scream from the scratchy awfulness? How can I tell from squeezing a ball of yarn whether or not it will be a good yarn to knit with in terms of comfort and longevity, etc. [more inside]
I need a "thoughtful" thank-you gift for a person that I don't know well
Last week, a friend-of-a-friend let me crash on his couch after my late-night flight home got cancelled at the last minute. I don't know him very well, but I'd like to get him a small gift as a token of my gratitude. I'd like to get something that's a bit more unique (and less "corporate") than a fruit basket, and would rather avoid cash or cash-equivalents. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by schmod at 12:32 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by schmod at 12:32 PM PST - 23 comments
How to sell a classic car?
I'm trying to help my Dad figure out what to do with a 1930 Studebaker Erskine that's been sitting in a garage since 1986. We aren't really car people and we don't know what we're doing. [more inside]
Goodbye, XP...hello photo-optimized desktop?
So. I guess they're finally going to pry XP out of my hands after all. As long as I'm updating, I'm thinking of getting a new desktop which would be used primarily for photo editing and storage. Advice? Special snowflake stuff inside. [more inside]
How to install an HP Laserjet 1012 on new Dell w/ Win 7 Professional?
Greetings:
Does anyone know a quick work-around for installing an HP Laserjet 1012 printer on a new Dell running on Windows 7 Professional?
I have the original set up disk for the printer, but that doesn't work (and I don't get an explanatory error message).
HP's website says that it is not supplying a driver for this printer for Windows 7.
I am guessing that there is a work-around for this, and that someone out on the green might know what this is. I'd be grateful!
Thanks!
Scaredypants!
My soon-to-be 3-year-old daughter is pretty timid, physically. It's nothing crippling or even worrisome, but still…c'mon kid, geez, just jump! You'll be fine! [more inside]
New Cat - Male or Female?
We are about to move into a much larger home than we currently live. We already have one amazing cat but we are 90% certain we will want to add to our brood once we are settled into our new home, but.... do we get a male cat or a female cat? [more inside]
posted by JenThePro at 11:47 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by JenThePro at 11:47 AM PST - 27 comments
Am I in danger?
Total snowstorm inside, in short my roommate for the next month has very, very different worldviews from me, does things I find offensive and might have access to a gun. He does not know that I am transgendered. [more inside]
I'm moving out, new tenants want to move in early, should they pay?
New tenants want to move in 3 days early and don't want to pay for the extra days. [more inside]
Seeking information on this hand bell made in India
Bought this bell at a flea market a few years ago. What's it used for and what's its age? Do you think it's valuable?
It's a brass casting and has a marking "MADE IN INDIA" done
with a hand punch. Also, the initials MB done in the same manner. Another picture.
Lucky shirt.
What are your favorite relatively realistic love poems? Modern poets especially appreciated. [more inside]
posted by woodvine at 10:56 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by woodvine at 10:56 AM PST - 26 comments
Opening files in an application, like Firefox, only not Firefox
I am on a mac, and reluctantly use Firefox right now for some of my work. Firefox on the mac has become so slow and boggy, it is painful to work on. However, I download a lot of jpegs from webpages, and in Firefox, you can have the file automatically open with one click in Photoshop (or any other software), without having to download, go to the finder, and so forth.
Is that feature available in either Chrome or Safari? I have done some googling, but can't seem to find anything.
posted by nanook at 10:49 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by nanook at 10:49 AM PST - 6 comments
Touring bike frame builders located in the San Francisco Bay Area?
I'm looking to buy a custom touring bike and I'd really like to buy locally. Can can anyone recommend any frame fabricators in the immediate San Francisco Bay Area that make really great/beautiful touring frames? Some builders that do work outside of SF that I really love are Vanilla, Geekhouse, Breadwinner, Icarus, All-City, Map, Cycles d’Autremont.
I just love the idea of buying locally and supporting a local frame builder and also would appreciate better being able to contact/visit the builder.
thanks!
Tiny Black Biking Backpack
I would like a black backpack, smaller than your average backpack, that's just large enough to fit my iPad, u-lock, and a few essentials while riding my bike. Something like this would work, except I would really prefer something with a squared off rolltop or flap top to the traditional rounded zipper backpack opening. To be even more picky, I would prefer it to be water-resistant, and ideally from a small messenger bag company that manufactures in the USA. If I could just buy something like this and shoot it with a shrink ray, I'd be happy. [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana at 10:00 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by Juliet Banana at 10:00 AM PST - 17 comments
Remix the 80s and 90s for me!
I'm looking for songs that mix 80s and/or 90s pop with other genres. My favorite example of this is Orbital's Halcyon - And On And On Live that samples Bon Jovi's You Give Love A Bad Name and Belinda Carlisle's Heaven Is A Place On Earth. Any other genre is fine but electronic genres are preferred. Thanks!
Match This! Skirt Edition
So, I have this skirt, which is a lime/neon green pencil skirt with a heather gray overlay that is supposed to resemble a crochet/macrame design. I'd like help finding shirts/shoes/accessories that might match it and help me put together an outfit. [more inside]
posted by PearlRose at 9:59 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by PearlRose at 9:59 AM PST - 8 comments
Looking for reference of high end / exclusive Pool Halls…
I'm looking for some examples of high end or exclusive Pool Halls or even potentially sports bars for a research project. However, as I'm based in the UK – it's quite difficult for me to research in person (not to mention knowing nothing about the sport). Any suggestions are welcomed!
Visiting Marfa, TX (via El Paso)
I'm flying into El Paso to visit a friend who just moved there. We're going to drive to Marfa, TX for a few days! What should we do there? [more inside]
posted by aaanastasia at 9:30 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by aaanastasia at 9:30 AM PST - 16 comments
Help my friend not get screwed over by lawyer in recovering bank account
Please help my friend not get screwed over by his own lawyer in recovering dormant bank acct funds.
Here was my last ask metafilter question. For my friend who had his Mexican HSBC bank account closed, and Someone me-mailed me and recommend he find a lawyer on the US Embassy site which he did. It seems HSBC closed the account because it was dormant (something similar to this situation maybe?). The lawyer said he thinks this was illegal, and that the lawyer has contacted top executives at the bank and that the lawyer can recover the funds if my friend can give 30% of said recovered funds to the lawyer as a fee (this fee seems exorbitant). Half to be paid now, and half to be paid upon obtaining the funds in the dormant account. This seems like a huge fee, for which the funds that are probably legally available to my friend by some other simpler means. My friend can't go to mexico for at least several months, and when he calls HSBC in Mexico they say they can't give him any more specific information about his account unless he comes to a branch in person, in Mexico. Any advice on how can pursue this without getting hosed for 30% of his own money?
How to commemorate reaching 100 million page views?
Sometime this year, the web sites I'm responsible for should surpass 100 million page views per month. That seems like a milestone worth acknowledging! What are some fun ways my small development team could commemorate the occasion? [more inside]
posted by scottatdrake at 8:59 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by scottatdrake at 8:59 AM PST - 9 comments
What advice can you give about wheelchair-converted minivans?
I need to acquire a minivan converted with a ramp to accommodate my father in an electric wheelchair. I know I want a side-entry ramp, and I know I want a used Chrysler Town & Country, something after model year 2008. Everything else is negotiable. I am open to buying a van and having it converted, or buying an already-converted van. I am open to doing business with any one of the many companies who do this kind of thing. Do any MeFites have personal experience with this and knowledge/advice to share? Many thanks!
How do I find a couple people to cheaply move a few pieces of furniture?
I'm planning to get some cheap/free used furniture from family/friends, thrift stores and maybe craiglist. I don't know anyone who's strong enough to carry it up to a second story apartment (no elevator). How do I find someone to do this that isn't a full-service moving company? [more inside]
Why do my Xbox 360 power supplies keep going bad?
For the third time in a row in the past few months, the power supply on my Xbox 360 has gone to the solid red light. This one was a brand new one, new in the box; the previous two were pre-owned ones from Gamestop. Of course, in each case, it happens right out of warranty, and they are not cheap ... [more inside]
Care and feeding of a turbo car
We're shopping for a gently-used Subaru Outback, and just spent the weekend looking at the 4-5 options that met our criteria within a 50-mile radius. The one that seemed to be in the best shape (not too many miles, not too old, one previous owner, well-treated, etc.) happens to be the turbo model. I've never owned a turbo car before; what are the pros and cons? [more inside]
posted by aimedwander at 8:20 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by aimedwander at 8:20 AM PST - 12 comments
What to put on St Patricks/Anniversary/Bithday Cake?
I'm having a birthday party for my mom this weekend and I don't want the cake to say "Happy Birthday, Mom". What should it say instead? [more inside]
posted by 0 at 8:00 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by 0 at 8:00 AM PST - 14 comments
Blocking traffic to my blog
Is there a way to block links from a certain referrer from viewing my Tumblr page, say through a javascript redirect to a blank page or a different page altogether? My blog has appeared on a site known for abuse and harassment and (though I have luckily not received any yet) I'd love to keep it from happening eventually. [more inside]
How to Keep the Balance-Impaired Independent ... and Safe?
My parents, who are in their early 80's, both have spinal stenosis, which means both have mobility issues. It's a bum leg that affects balance in one case; in the other, periodic bouts of numbness in one or both legs. Both parents have done stints in physical therapy, both are lax about exercising regularly and, as of the day before yesterday, both have now fallen on the brick floor of the indoor sun porch. To date, there's been no real injury, and I want to keep it that way. At the very least, I want to ensure that the risk of harm is minimized and no heads are cracked. Difficulty level: a floor that floods (and mold), a large house, and exhaustingly stubborn parents. [more inside]
Short Australian(?) horror story about... Pingles? Stay with me here.
Somewhere between 20 and 30 years ago in Australia, I read an anthology of horror stories. I'm pretty sure it was a specifically YA anthology (it wasn't very gruesome) and I think that the stories and authors were Australian. One of the stories was very elliptical, riffing on a sign that said something like "Pingles Parking", and ending with some unspecified but dreadful apocalypse at night, possibly involving parked cars and machinery actually being monsters (this being the hideous true meaning of "Pingles", or whatever the sign said). I think there was an illustration of a steam shovel silhouetted against the night sky. One of the final scenes featured the child protagonist's grandfather dying in bed, his skin "like paper" or "papery" or something. There may have been a lot of irony or misdirection that I completely failed to understand (like maybe it was all just about the horror of your grandfather dying, and there weren't any real monsters involved). MetaFilter, what was this story?
posted by No-sword at 7:01 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by No-sword at 7:01 AM PST - 7 comments
Making the bottoms of my pastries crispy with a silicon muffin tray?
My SO doesn't cook and I travel a lot for work, so before each trip I typically make a week's worth of "breakfast cupcakes" (kinda like this but vegetarian) so she can have some homemade food while I'm away. The shell is store-bought puff pastry.
I recently bought a silicone muffin tray, which I place on a cookie tray in the oven. It works wonderfully, except that even after 50 minutes at 350F bottoms of the "cupcakes" are barely cooked, certainly not puffy and not browned. The rest of the pastry is cooked to perfection.
Any suggestions on how to make the bottoms of the pastries crispier and more cooked?
Can I use these seeds?
Despite the several inches of snow still on the ground, it's time to start thinking about gardening. I have some seeds left over from last year - are they going to be any good? How do I make sure that they're still viable? [more inside]
Writing but not growing
How can you make sure that as a writer you're getting better? [more inside]
Google Drive share requests
Why do I suddenly have 4 requests to share a Google Drive folder with people whom I don't know? [more inside]
Will a bulging can of Quebec Maple Syrup attempt to kill me?
A year and a half ago my Canadian friend brought me a can of maple syrup from Quebec, which is unavailable in the place where I live. When I took it out today I saw that the unopened metal can is bulging at both ends. Can the syrup be saved? [more inside]
posted by zaelic at 5:19 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by zaelic at 5:19 AM PST - 20 comments
Best place to buy about 80-100 cubic feet of helium in London, UK?
Hi there,
Based in North London close to Victoria line and I need to buy 80-100 cubic feet of helium to inflate a very large balloon.
I want to inflate the balloon on location as it's too big to transport, so I'd rather buy a canister of helium than get it inflated at a party shop or whatever.
Thanks for any recommendations!
What exactly IS confidence?
I'm a 27 year old woman who is chronically unlucky in love. Everyone says the secret ingredient to meeting that special someone is confidence, but what exactly IS confidence in this context? Asking my girlfriends seems to have elicited two definitions, being confident enough to flirt and be 'emotionally available', and being the kind of confident where you're a fabulous conversationalist and everyone wants to talk to you. I can do the latter, but the former I have issues with... [more inside]
posted by litereally at 3:40 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by litereally at 3:40 AM PST - 24 comments
What is the smallest size drip filter coffee machine I can buy in AU?
I want a drip coffee machine that takes up the smallest amount of space possible on my bench. It only needs to make a single cup of coffee. Ideally it should be programmable, but I'll settle for plugging it into a timer outlet if necessary. Because I want it to have coffee ready at a certain time every day, it needs to be a drip machine, not a french press or aeropress or whatever, although I know they would be smaller. I don't like coffee pods. What can I get and where can I buy it (in Australia)?
March 9
Artists similar to Kasner, Hess, Bannon?
Artists similar to Kasner, Hess, Bannon? [more inside]
Safety of induction cooking
I'm considering renting an apartment with an induction stovetop. I had not been familiar with induction cooking, and in Googling it came across some sites that express concerns about the potential effects of electromagnetic fields generated by induction cooking (example: Swiss Federal Office of Public Health). I would like some more informed opinion on this subject (not "I have one and I'm fine"), specifically on the potential for harm and possible effects, either in linked readings elsewhere or from knowledgeable members of the community. Thanks in advance.
Moving out of a rented room in PA. What do I need to do?
I am moving out of a room in a single-family home in Pittsburgh. What do I need to do to make the move-out as smooth as possible, and get back as much of my deposit as possible? [more inside]
How to turn off vibrations in latest Android?
I recently got a Moto X, running the latest KitKat OS. I set up a few basic apps, turned off the sound and vibration to everything, but still every tweet reply and email I get causes the phone to do a short vibrate jolt on notification. I also get the haptic keyboard vibration feedback when typing on it. I've googled, turned every sound/vibrate option off in Settings and still can't get this phone to be quiet and vibrate-free on both counts. What am I doing wrong here?
posted by mathowie at 8:27 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by mathowie at 8:27 PM PST - 6 comments
You've critiqued my profile. Critique my messages!
I haven't had a boyfriend since I was 16 years old. I've complained about that here, there, everywhere. I truly want to change that, or at least go on meaningful, fun dates. You've critiqued my OKC profile (I thank you for this! It's improved the messages I've received.) Now I'd like you to tell me why no one will respond to me. [more inside]
posted by rhythm_queen at 8:16 PM PST - 62 comments
posted by rhythm_queen at 8:16 PM PST - 62 comments
What kind of dialogue is this?
The one where one character says something and is interrupted by another, making it look like the second person is finishing the sentence but says another word that turns the dialogue entirely? [more inside]
posted by pleasebekind at 8:09 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by pleasebekind at 8:09 PM PST - 10 comments
Cubs win World Series? ...Against Miami?
According to Back to the Future II, the Chicago Cubs will win the World Series in the distant future of 2015. If a meme started up and caused an inordinate number of people to jokingly/ironically bet on the Cubs next season, would that affect their odds? [more inside]
Who took these photos? Who owns the rights?
I am trying to identify the photographer(s) and rights holders for two images of the Zapatista leader Comandanta Ramona. [more inside]
posted by ryanshepard at 7:45 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by ryanshepard at 7:45 PM PST - 4 comments
Help me find a backpack that isn't a backpack!
I've been using this backpack for everything in my life since 2002. The backpack is finally falling apart, and honestly I'm getting too old to travel with a backpack, but I've never found a better way to carry my (large amounts of) stuff. Help a lady out! [more inside]
posted by goodbyewaffles at 7:33 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by goodbyewaffles at 7:33 PM PST - 18 comments
Paid off mortgage -- how would new house purchase financing work?
Me and my SO completely paid off our mortgage a couple years ago. So, we have full equity. That's great, we're happy w/the situation. Now, if for whatever reason we decide to uproot and move to an entirely new city and/or state, how would the financing work? [more inside]
80 Bob Dylan covers released as singles in one 1965 fortnight?
Yesterday I was reading an article written by Johnny Black about Bob Dylan in an old (November 1998) MOJO magazine, and was intrigued by the following statement: "In one fortnight at the end of 1965, 80 cover versions of Dylan songs were released as singles." Is there any way I could find out exactly what those 80 singles were, short of writing to MOJO or Johnny Black and asking for the source of an article from well over a decade ago? Have any official data been retained (by, say, recording industry bodies or Dylan's publishers) pertaining to single releases during the mid-60s? Or have any Dylanologists organized such data?
Soul in Montreal
How to get my soul music fix in Montreal? [more inside]
Production Home Help Needed
My husband and I are thinking about having a home built -- a production home -- in one of the many subdivisions in our growing area. We have purchased a home before (and sold it later; not in our current area) but it was older and had been flipped. What do we need to know about the production home process? [more inside]
posted by danielle the bee at 6:39 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by danielle the bee at 6:39 PM PST - 9 comments
Book Hunt
Hey, could anyone show me where to find the book called "How to make money in your spare time" by 673126? The case is yours Detective Hive Mind!
posted by CyborgHag at 5:43 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by CyborgHag at 5:43 PM PST - 5 comments
If not, I'm just gonna leave.
Mefites, please help. I am deeply unhappy with my life, and have been for a long time. I need help figuring out where to start/what to do about finding full-time, professional employment.I am out of ideas. I can provide background if necessary, but to keep this short and (relatively) emotion-free, I'll just list the complicating factors. [more inside]
Is it ok to resign when I've already essentially been let go?
Was told by my bosses to start finding a new job as they are not happy with my performance but don't want to screw me financially--is it a good idea to just put my two weeks in? [more inside]
posted by syrenka at 5:03 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by syrenka at 5:03 PM PST - 20 comments
Books/Articles on Handling Software Use Cases.
I work in software, and I'm looking for awesome books/articles/tools to help me collect, analyze, scope out, and pitch use cases back to a Development team. [more inside]
posted by JPowers at 4:39 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by JPowers at 4:39 PM PST - 2 comments
What not to wear to the interview
I'm a lady. I have a job interview coming up for which I was advised to wear a suit. I can't find my real suit, (may have donated it) but I doubt if it fit me anymore anyway. What I do have is a black sheath dress, a nice navy blue blazer, a nice grey blazer, a nice grey pencil skirt that is a slight mismatch with the grey blazer, and a pair of pants that's also a slight mismatch with the grey blazer, and a selection of those nice decorative shells that women wear under suits. I think I have black pumps somewhere, and I also have some nice looking oxford heels. Can I make something work with what I have or should I go try to find a suit? In addition, opaque or sheer tights? This is for a non-management web design job for which I thought suits were passe.
posted by bleep at 4:09 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by bleep at 4:09 PM PST - 26 comments
Suggestions for a subtitle for my workbook?
I have a title for a self-help workbook I'm writing, but I'm having a lot of trouble thinking of a good subtitle... [more inside]
Another "should I eat this?" question
I will preface this by saying I am extremely paranoid about food safety. I today purchased an organic whole chicken from the grocery store. The outside of the chicken smelled great; the cavity, where the giblets were just floating around loose with reckless abandon, had a very slight off-odor, like milk and maybe old blood. I rinsed it and still got a very faint whiff. The expiration isn't for 5 more days. In an effort to be brave, I have put her in the oven anyway. Shall I eat her?
How do I accessorize this dress?
I've been struggling to find something to wear to an event next week that's nicer and more fun than business professional but definitely short of black tie (it's a non-red-carpet movie premiere). I've finally settled on this dress in black, but it looks a little plain on its own. I need help accessorizing! Particularly with choosing a necklace, but also: what shoes to wear? And what sort of purse-thing to carry?? Difficulties: I can't wear pumps/heels (though shoes with a stable, platform- or wedge-like, moderate heel are okay), and I have about a day and a half to buy everything in person.
posted by rhiannonstone at 3:29 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by rhiannonstone at 3:29 PM PST - 15 comments
Information about this unique chair design
My friend bought this chair at a vintage store in town. The salesperson did not have any information about its history or style. Does anyone here know the name of this chair or know the period that is comes from? Any information about it would be much appreciated.
What are some good resources for learning CSS?
I have been out of the HTML game since CSS came on the scene, (yeah, that long.) and I need to develop it as a skill set. I could use some suggestions for reading material that'll get me there quickly. [more inside]
My friend accidentally fried my Macbook. What is her responsibility?
I'm in grad school. My friend/classmate accidentally knocked over her water bottle on Wednesday and drenched my MacBook Air (which was on the classroom table about three feet away), killing at least the motherboard (per the repair shop where I took it) and possibly other things as well. It will cost at least $520 to repair; I'm out of AppleCare coverage because I got my computer a bit over a year ago. I have two questions. [more inside]
Was sollte ich lesen, bitte?
Please help me find some interesting german-language blogs or online magazines or articles to read on my commute. [more inside]
posted by tinkletown at 2:54 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by tinkletown at 2:54 PM PST - 4 comments
How do I get non-Time-Capsule networked back-up working?
I need to back up three Macs and an external iTunes library and want to do it via a drive attached to my router. My brain doesn't understand networking. I think I have all the required parts of the puzzle, but I'm clearly not understanding something important. [more inside]
What's wrong with my Shure SCM810 mixers?!?
I have three Shure SCM810 mixers, #1 linked to #2 linked to #3, and each is about 15 years old. A few weeks ago the mics on #2 began not working until around noon when they would work just fine for the rest of the day. This seemingly random occurrence has now become predictable in that the mixer won't work in the morning but works just fine later in the day. The feed from #1, which passes thru #2, was seemingly unaffected and continued to work regardless. In addition, the mics from #3 will sometimes exhibit problems gating on in the morning, requiring a much louder speaker volume than normal, but this also seems to resolve by later in the day. Any ideas? Is this a hardware failure inside the unit? Is this something else? And why the hell does it only work later in the day?!?
posted by Jamesonian at 2:35 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Jamesonian at 2:35 PM PST - 2 comments
How to best break up with my girlfriend?
I am strongly considering breaking up with my girlfriend, but I haven't done this for a while and want to do the right thing. I value both honesty/truth and kindness. I know that sometimes the truth hurts a lot and may scar people psychologically, so I am looking for guidance on how to toe the line between being respectfully honest and condescendingly protective. [more inside]
fast input on android phone
I'm participating in a group chat on whatsapp. People are slinging the text like there's no tomorrow. How do I do this on my smart phone? [more inside]
posted by diode at 1:46 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by diode at 1:46 PM PST - 17 comments
Too many fonts, OSX Mavericks edtion
Macbook Pro, running Mavericks. I was a bad, bad girl and installed way too many fonts (4000+) by accident. [more inside]
posted by jadepearl at 1:41 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by jadepearl at 1:41 PM PST - 5 comments
A mainstream film to pair with Certified Copy for a discussion group?
I have a film discussion Meetup group, and I like pairing an artistic and/or foreign and/or independent film with a similarly themed (or connected in some way) more mainstream film to attract people who might otherwise feel by intimidated by the discussion topic. The first part of the discussion is the mainstream film and we then segue into the "less accessible" one. Here are some examples of what I mean: Alien / Cube,
Groundhog Day / Run Lola Run. Now I would really like to have a discussion of the Abbas Kiarostami film Certified Copy, but I cannot come up with a mainstream pairing for it. If you have ideas, please share them!
(Very) short plays appropriate for highschool aged students?
I'm looking to find a few very short, preferably one-act, plays that are appropriate for students 14-18. Classics are OK, but I'm definitely more interested in stuff that's more contemporary (post-45?). [more inside]
posted by munyeca at 1:35 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by munyeca at 1:35 PM PST - 16 comments
A codon pun?
I saw a license plate that said CCA TGG, and I was wondering if this is a clever pun by a geneticist. [more inside]
posted by Mayhembob at 1:33 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Mayhembob at 1:33 PM PST - 8 comments
Recipes / Meal Planning app w/shopping list
I am trying to find an app (or even a website I access via my PC) that allows me to: 1) easily schedule meals over the course of a week or month, 2) already has the recipes/ingredients/directions, and 3) allows me to create a shopping list based on ingredients. I swear, I really have looked all over the place and I think my problem is too many choices. [more inside]
Need to create a wireless hotspot.
How do I create a wireless hotspot for a 24-hour Amtrak train ride? [more inside]
posted by anthropoid at 12:47 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by anthropoid at 12:47 PM PST - 10 comments
Fastest, Low to No Cost Doctor's Visit in Chicago
I have a friend who is freelancing and without medical insurance.
He's discovered a bump in his neck, maybe in his lymph node that he wants to get checked as soon as possible.
He's going through the Medicaid application, but I'm wondering if there's a faster way for him to get in to see someone at low or better, no cost.
He lives in Chicago.
TIA for any help.
posted by patientpatient at 12:21 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by patientpatient at 12:21 PM PST - 4 comments
Why is it "der Bär" and "die Maus" and not "das Bär" and "das Maus"?
Is it acceptable, in the name of practicality, to ignore gender while speaking German? [more inside]
posted by triceryclops at 12:08 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by triceryclops at 12:08 PM PST - 23 comments
Buzz off!
My iPhone keeps buzzing with a calendar alert that does not have a reminder set. Help me turn it off! [more inside]
What makes "Ride Captain Ride" so different?
The song "Ride Captain Ride" has been in heavy rotation around my house lately. There's something about this song that seems . . . different. I can't quite put my finger on it because I'm not a musician myself. I am not fluent in the language of chords and notes and that sort of thing. That said, I can't help but notice that this seems to stand apart from traditional North American pop/rock music. What distinguishes this song, if anything? You need not explain this to me Like I'm Five (as they put it on another webiste) but please be aware that I don't have a music-theory background.
Many thanks in advance.
posted by jason's_planet at 11:39 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by jason's_planet at 11:39 AM PST - 10 comments
Irri(g)tation
Got the lawn done, now need to decide if I HAVE to buy a new irrigation timer? [more inside]
How to discourage an ill-advised marriage without alienating the person?
My partner's 18 year old sister wants to marry her boyfriend of one year. They both live at home with their respective parents, are not planning to pursue post-secondary school, and are financially insecure (she does not work, he works part time). They have recently converted to a fundamentalist version of a new faith, and their plan is to rely on her disabled mother who would lose her benefits by caring for them - the mother is against this but of course loves her daughter. Their religious community is encouraging them (but not offering financial aid). What can we do to support her but not her decision? [more inside]
To job hunt or not to job hunt?
I really dislike my work situation and I'd like to find a new one. Problem is, my husband and I are planning to start a family soon. What should I do? [more inside]
Keto-friendly pantry/emergency recipes?
I've switched over to keto (very low carb, moderate protein, high fat) eating and it's awesome, but I miss the flexibility of starches when it comes to haven't-shopped-in-two-weeks-what-are-we-going-to-eat dinners. Can you give me your ideas for keto-friendly meals that use quickly-defrostable frozen or otherwise storable ingredients? [more inside]
Prague and Belgrade travel advice needed
Hi everyone, my partner and I are heading to Belgrade for Resonate in a few weeks, and have a few days in Prague beforehand and a few extra days in Belgrade following the festival. We're looking for food/drink/art/fun recommendations, as well as some recommendations for accommodations in Prague. [more inside]
posted by avocet at 9:53 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by avocet at 9:53 AM PST - 4 comments
How can I keep bright red dyed hair looking fresh as long as possible?
I'm going to dye my hair bright, bright red. I've always wanted to do this color but have avoided it because I know that red tends to be the fastest-fading of the superbright hair colors. What can I do, beyond what I'm already planning, to make sure that it lasts as long as possible? [more inside]
How to accept submissions and present photography online for an event
A family member is involved in a "48 hours in the Life of [town name]" project through a photography club and the local historical society. They would like to have a good way to receive photos during those two days, screen them for content and other requirements and simply and easily publish them and display them. [more inside]
"Am I too wacky?" - another OkCupid profile review
Loads of "hooks", as received wisdom says is the right thing to do - but does it make me sound undateably wilfully eccentric? Profile here. Any and all feedback welcome, whether it's related to my suspected issues with the profile or not. [more inside]
How to get Google 2-step verification to work in Sony Blu-ray Player?
After turning on Google 2-step verification, I am having trouble signing into YouTube on my Sony Blu-ray player. Any work-around?
It seems like the Sony app makes no accommodation for 2-step verification.
posted by Exchequer at 8:49 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by Exchequer at 8:49 AM PST - 2 comments
Sunday Funday: Minneapolis Edition
Due to The Grand Budapest Hotel not playing in our area tonight, my husband and I have a babysitter for a few hours tonight and nothing planned. Help us devise an alternative plan. [more inside]
posted by deadcrow at 7:12 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by deadcrow at 7:12 AM PST - 3 comments
Fast food/QSR-filter: Who typically gets their meal comped? And why?
I am trying to compile a list of who typically can expect to receive a free meal at fast food, casual dining, or quick service restaurants. One example would be uniformed police officers. I'd like to hear from people who worked in such places or know about these things. [more inside]
Sexual Harassment Training: Does it work?
My workplace has never had a sexual harassment training program. Is it worth me making waves to get one implemented? I don't want to create friction for something that will just be mocked and not actually change people's behavior. Are there training programs that are better/more effective than others? [more inside]
Recipe for a supremely decadent fish dish?
My mum doesn't want to go out for Mothering Sunday, so I'm going to cook for her. I've even more reasons to be grateful to her for than usual this year, so I want to make some thing really special. I'm looking for tried and tested recipes for a supremely decadent fish or seafood dish. A couple of restrictions inside. [more inside]
Graphics driver problems
After a blue screen, Windows no longer recognises my graphics card. [more inside]
Cheer up sunshine
I've just started taking vitamin D3 on doctor's orders. So far, its seems too good to be true. If you take it, can you tell me how far to reel in my expectations? [more inside]
Is my new soccer/football broken?
I'm on vacation solo and bought my husband a really cool soccer ball, but the store did a bad job of deflating it, and cracked the outer shell. Will it be okay when I inflate it again, or should I be looking for a backup gift? [more inside]
posted by scrute at 3:16 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by scrute at 3:16 AM PST - 3 comments
Would it be crazy to skip Jerusalem for Petra?
We've got 5 days in Israel. Is it crazy to squeeze in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and a day trip to Petra? Would it be crazy to sacrifice the time in Jerusalem to go to Petra? [more inside]
posted by benbenson at 1:29 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by benbenson at 1:29 AM PST - 13 comments
March 8
Windows software to organize photos and videos by date taken
We have our windows 7 computer organized by user, and the folder system is a mess.
I want to be able to browse photos, and videos, by one simple criteria, date taken. For example, want to see every picture and video on my PC That was taken on July 19, 2013. I don't want it to be tricked by the save date, the edit date, what folder it's in, or which camera was used. Only the date I snapped the shot.
Fantastic would be some kind of timeline that you can very quickly scroll thru and it shows you some kind of date display where you're at.
posted by greptile at 10:27 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by greptile at 10:27 PM PST - 8 comments
Help Me Find this Online Service (if it still exists)
Quite a few years ago, I recall ordering a sort-of "background check" online, only it didn't just have the usual criminal background, legal stuff, etc.--it also had details about the way the person looked, their interactions with their family, personality tendencies and such. It was a little spooky, actually, all the personal details it included. [more inside]
Spring break plans cancelled - now seeking alternatives
My spring break runs effectively from March 14th to the 23rd. Originally I had plans to head to NYC for a couple of days and then to Delaware, spending the whole week with a good friend of mine. He will now be out of the country, so I'm flying solo and looking for something different. I should work two days in between, but I can make up the hours if needed. Details inside include what I [think I] am looking for ideally. [more inside]
trying to connect tv, laptop
I have a 2008 macbook pro and a sony flatscreen tv. the screen goes up to my tv, no problem. the sound, however, doesn't. [more inside]
posted by crankyrogalsky at 7:35 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by crankyrogalsky at 7:35 PM PST - 11 comments
Am I trying to do too much?
When I was younger I wanted to LOTS of things, but never ended up doing anything properly. Over the years (I'm 27 now) some things have settled down and found their places and some I no longer want to do, but I still find I'm not doing everything I want to do as much as I'd like to. Am I expecting too much of myself? Or are there ways I could make it all happen? [more inside]
posted by miaow at 6:50 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by miaow at 6:50 PM PST - 16 comments
Unknown car troubles
I bought a second-hand Mitsubishi Magna a month ago, and it's having a weird loss of power issue. I've gone to two different mechanics and spent more than I paid for it on repairs, but nothing's changed. Has anyone had this issue before? [more inside]
Best of New Orleans
A friend and I are taking a short trip (about 3 days) to New Orleans. We're staying near the French Quarter, access to buses and bikes. Where should we go, what should we do? [more inside]
I need help finding a specific type of book.
When I was a kid, there seemed to be a million of a certain type of romance novel on the market. They would be less "romantic" and more "dramatic" and "sordid", the type of books that would have, say, a pale pink cover with a picture of a tiger lily and a string of pearls, with titles like "deception" written in swooshy letters. [more inside]
Walk me through painting my balcony
My balcony is gross and I want to paint it. I know nothing about painting. Tell me what materials I need and what procedures to follow. Pics inside. [more inside]
posted by zeri at 5:29 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by zeri at 5:29 PM PST - 14 comments
80s New Wave Song With A Lyric Like "Knock Me Down Like Bowlin' Pin."
I have been trying to figure out artist and title of an 80's New Wave song that I have heard two or three times over the years. Kind of poppy, keyboard heavy with a female vocalist. I believe on of the lyrics is "Knock Me Down Like Bowlin' Pin," but there is always a possibility that I misheard the line. I have been searching google and yahoo and webcrawler, etc. off and on for years trying to figure this out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Spring and Autumn: 2 weeks each. xkcd?
I am convinced - or I've convinced myself - that there was an xkcd diagram that showed winter as unbearably cold and long, summer as unbearably hot and long, and a very short burst of spring and autumn where temperatures were just right. Does this actually exist, or is it some other cartoon, or have I imagined something as real?
See pap run. See pap on my nose. See pap on the floor when I wake up.
I have a CPAP machine that I am trying to get used to. How do I keep from taking the mask off in the middle of the night and falling back asleep? [more inside]
Help me make awesome hash browned potatoes again!
Many years ago as a bachelor I used to make great hash browned potatoes (hash browns).
All I can remember is that I used to par-boil them first, then put them in the fridge. The next day, or several days later I would then shred them with a cheese grater, right into the cast iron skillet, which already had hot oil in it, and fry up some great eating. [more inside]
What plant is this?
This flicker is sitting on a plant. What is it? Here's where the bird may be found.
posted by Listener at 1:11 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Listener at 1:11 PM PST - 3 comments
I'm a rambling woman...
Lately I've noticed it takes me a looong time to write emails- with a lot of time spent re-reading, editing, taking words out and putting them back in. I am self-conscious that my first pass is heavy on text - not good for conveying information efficiently to coworkers and supervisors. It's really getting in the way of my ability to be efficient at work and starting to show in my performance. What can I do to work on this? [more inside]
posted by ista at 1:08 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by ista at 1:08 PM PST - 25 comments
I need a better adjective than "epic"
I really like music that combines Latin or Latin-sounding vocals/chanting with instrumentals that either sound "epic", like they're out of a Lord of the Rings movie, or "hard", in the sense of "hard rock" or industrial-ish techno. I'd like to figure out how to find more. Examples inside. [more inside]
What's the best credit card for saving for a trip to France?
In summer 2016, we'd like to take a major trip to France, probably a month to three months. We have about 2.5 years to save up. What's the best credit card for accruing miles? (and any other tips you have for saving, besides sticking $20 in a jar every week…) [more inside]
Babysitter seems to have stolen. Should we confront/report her?
The young woman who takes care of my baby nephew seems to have stolen from my mother's home. Yesterday my mother collected some money from a tenant and left it in an envelope in her bedroom, in an unlocked wardrobe. As usual, she left home to pick up her grandaughter from school and was away for around half an hour. During that time, the babysitter and my baby nephew remained in the house. When my mother got back home, the babysitter told her that she had to leave slightly earlier than usual due to some personal problems (sick relative). [more inside]
posted by Basque13 at 12:31 PM PST - 39 comments
posted by Basque13 at 12:31 PM PST - 39 comments
Help me pick a travel-friendly laptop
My 6 year old Lenovo T61 is starting to have some issues so I am on the lookout for a new budget priced laptop. In scanning through reviews The Wirecutter really liked the Lenovo IdeapPad Flex. Engadget and other review sites seemed more meh about it though. [more inside]
What is the best liquid-based foundation for combination/oily Asian skin
I'm southeast Asian (Filipino), with deep yellow undertones and a very shiny T-zone. I need help finding a liquid-based foundation that both matches my skin tone, and helps control oil. I do not like using BareMinerals, because the powder gets all over the place, and I have no patience for cleaning brushes. What are the brands that I should be looking at? [more inside]
“I’ve not” and “I’ll not” ~vs~ “I haven’t” and “I won’t” -- Why?
I’ve noticed that I’m increasingly reading “I’ve not” in place of “I haven’t” and “I’ll not” in place of “I won’t.” When I was growing up (the 70s), these expressions were exceedingly rare. I knew they existed, of course, but to me they seemed redolent of century-old books: “I’ll not brook such behavior in my classroom, Tom Sawyer!” “Fezziwig! I’ve not heard his voice since my youth.” But in the last 15 years or so, I've been seeing these phrasings more and more often in colloquial writing — other blogs, Amazon reviews, internet discussions, MeFi etc. I don’t seem to hear these forms spoken, which adds to their air of formality. [more inside]
Catch me up on post-reunion GbV & related projects
If I'm putting together a playlist to catch up on the best songs that Guided By Voices, Bob Pollard, and their various side projects have put out since their reunion, what songs need to go on it? [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:57 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:57 AM PST - 2 comments
Is it fair use?
We heard about Chef Keith earlier this year. Now the folks at Found Footage Fest wrote: "For the first time in FFF history, we've received a "cease and desist." Apparently a news station didn't think Chef Keith was funny. We think it's a clear case of fair use".
What is the correct answer? Is it fair use?
Nuts and dried fruit mixed?
Can nuts and dried fruit be mixed in a container with no decrease in quality or shelf life? [more inside]
posted by BillyAnne at 8:32 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by BillyAnne at 8:32 AM PST - 8 comments
Identifying a naive art/folk art artist
There is an artist whose paintings strongly remind me of someone else's style. Within the realm of naive/folk art, which artist had a similar style or similar paintings? Something about the spareness of the trees, the lines of the houses, remind me strongly of... someone. Someone I would have seen in a museum or book, someone well known. [more inside]
Probably not the right word, but "grace" in film and literature?
The movies and films I have in mind are: A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean, Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, and The Thin Red Line by Terrence Malick (though many of his films would count). The "technical" definition of grace is such that I'm not entirely sure that's an accurate description of what it is that I see that joins these movies together, but it is certainly something present or mentioned in all three. The things that stick out to me are things such as: forgiveness, that nature is perhaps closer to God(liness), that there is grace/beauty in life despite some of the bad things in it. Do you know of any films and books that might be considered related to my above group given what I've tried to describe?
Canadian freelancer here. What do I need to know about taxes?
I've just signed on with a couple of online firms that have a team of freelancers and then assign work to them. What do I need to know about taxes? [more inside]
posted by synecdoche at 6:03 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by synecdoche at 6:03 AM PST - 5 comments
March 7
Starting to doubt my dog will ever be potty trained
I must be doing something wrong, because I can't seem to house train my 4 month old puppy. [more inside]
Help me choose a Latin book, please.
I'm teaching Latin at a sort of community college setting. A lot of older learners, people who aren't sure why they're there, miss a lot of classes, etc. I've been using Wheelock's, which I know well, but this is only appropriate for determined learners or college students. [more inside]
posted by Opengreen at 10:40 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Opengreen at 10:40 PM PST - 16 comments
Songs to sustain my euphoric panic
Just lost my job yesterday. On the one hand I'm shitting because, now what? But on the other hand WHEE!! I don't have to deal with that anymore.
I found that turning the volume way up for Reckoner, recommended by queseyo earlier, is working well to push down the bubbles of panic.
I'll have to deal at some point, but what else can I listen to to carry this, I dont give a fuck right now, vibe?
"Is this thing I agreed to a date? And if so, can it not be?"
How do I maintain a platonic relationship with my ex when I'm not sure whether he's on that same page? [more inside]
I need to NOT like this person. Immediately.
I've started a real nice friendship with someone in a serious relationship. I can't help it but I feel like I'm starting to develop strong feelings. I need to stop and prevent these thoughts from going any further. [more inside]
Songs where he sings higher than she
I'm looking for examples of pop songs based on male/female vocal harmony, where the man is singing at a higher pitch than the woman. It sounds so fascinating to me. Every once in a while I'll hear an example on the radio, but I'm completely at a loss to recall them. Can you think of any? Bonus for songs where the man isn't employing falsetto to achieve this.
posted by oxisos at 8:51 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by oxisos at 8:51 PM PST - 31 comments
How to deal with a profound sense of not being good enough?
I've had my current job for almost 3 years. It was a dream job and I still enjoy it because the perks are great (such as working from home). However, my progress and growth in terms of skills and confidence continues to be very slow. My colleagues are wonderful and amazingly talented, but I have a very hard time keeping up with them. [more inside]
Seeking journal article to state the obvious
It seems to be common knowledge that elderly people, or others who are subject to more falls, will sustain more fractures than the rest of the population, and will have increased morbidity as a result. What I am looking for is an authoritative journal article (abstract or title is fine), preferably from an orthopaedic publication, stating the above. [more inside]
posted by HoteDoge at 7:17 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by HoteDoge at 7:17 PM PST - 6 comments
A recruiter has a job I might want, but I don't know how to do it.
An internal recruiter at Apple has contacted me about a job in an area that I am very interested in, but am not qualified to do. What do I tell him? [more inside]
Cliffs and the Cleveland Way
How close to the cliff edge does the path go along the coastal section of the Cleveland Way? [more inside]
Looking for a modern, clean, professional purse
Looking for a modern, clean, professional purse [more inside]
Footiesless in Minneapolis
I need to buy footies tonight for a friend who's in the hospital. Who sells them? [more inside]
Like Vogue, but cooler
Help me find this awesome-looking women's magazine I saw in a coffee shop in New York [more inside]
posted by spacewaitress at 5:07 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by spacewaitress at 5:07 PM PST - 10 comments
Marriage and the tax penalty.
Should we get married this year, or will that end up in a tax penalty, considering our incomes are similar and we would end up in a higher tax bracket? [more inside]
Price of Strattera with drug discount cards?
Anonymous because I don't like to talk about my flair drugs. I've just started taking Strattera and holy jeez is it expensive. And not covered by my insurance. I can afford the US$250/mo if I need to, but I'd rather put that money toward paying off debt and other useful stuff. Has anyone used any of those drug discount cards to purchase Strattera, and if so, what's the savings? Have you managed to save money in any other way (without buying from a non-VIPPS online pharmacy, or committing insurance fraud?)
I'm located in Cuyahoga County, OH, and typically use CVS, if that's helpful. And I do not qualify for NeedyMeds type programs.
YANMTA. You are not my tax accountant.
Am I saving enough for taxes from my second job? I live in the US and have no state income taxes. My main job is W2. I make around $56k and usually end up close to even on my Fed return. I now have a second job that's 1099. I get paid $150 a week and set aside $50. Is this probably enough for Fed (income/SS) taxes?
posted by 1066 at 3:41 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by 1066 at 3:41 PM PST - 5 comments
Film Suggestions About Women
Hey! I'm looking for movies about women who want to be high class and/or rich and famous. Not a "Cinderella" type story but one that is darker... Thanks!
Fun experiments with an electronics kit for a 7 year old
I would love some suggestions for science experiments with the Cambridge BrainBox electronics kit. [more inside]
What to do with hand made educational posters for primary school?
I have spent several hundred hours over the last six months creating A2 charts (420X594mm). They are about 50 in total, covering topics taught in Maths in Primary School. They are displayed in the Maths room in my school and I'm proud of the fact that the children constantly refer to them during lessons. I have been told by colleagues and visitors that they are very appealing. Unlike the laminated, commercial posters on the market which are rather tacky, these hand-made posters capture the essence of upper primary topics in very digestible chunks. I would love these posters to have a wider audience. How do I do this? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by ashawill at 2:35 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by ashawill at 2:35 PM PST - 7 comments
Wean me off of Disclosure - please recommend some house-flavored jams
I have a cursory understanding of EDM, but I'm obsessed with Disclosure... yet I've played their album to death. Please help me find something new to listen to. [more inside]
posted by blue t-shirt at 2:20 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by blue t-shirt at 2:20 PM PST - 14 comments
Getting a tattoo : how to pick a design and artist?
After years of careful consideration, I've finally decided to get a tattoo. I know what I want to get, but I don't have a specific design, and I don't know which tattoo parlor to go to. How do I find these things? I live in SF, but would be willing to travel for a really, really good artist. [more inside]
Songs for music box?
What are some original songs for music box? [more inside]
Comedian Aziz Ansari's rant on porn?
I love this guys work, the energy and mix of topics -- and the way he segues through his routine is mind-bending. But I can't locate one particular rant he did last year. [more inside]
posted by zenpop at 1:04 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by zenpop at 1:04 PM PST - 8 comments
No-Bullshit Hurricane Katrina Postmortem
I'm looking for an objective history of the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina (preferably in book form, but I'll take on-line sources where appropriate) if such a thing exists. Everything I've been able to find so far is pushing an agenda and I would like to find a source of real information that strips away all of the political baggage. [more inside]
learn and earn?
What are some situations where you can be paid--WELL--to learn a new skill? I'd like information about specific programs, not vague things like "internships" or "apprenticeships." By well-paying, I guess let's go with at least $25K/yearly.
Alternative(s) to the Tony Horton Kitchen
What mail order meals have you tried? [more inside]
Repository for literary interpretations?
Where can I go to find publicly accessible (preferably online) and well-thought-out basic interpretations and commentary on books? I don't mean reviews, and I don't mean ultra-scholarly theoretical or historical work. I mean commentary and explanation. For example, if I just read The Trial and I wanted to know what some of the standard opinions about its meaning were, where could I reliably go?
How to remove really old scotch tape?
How to remove really old scotch tape? [more inside]
Gardening for the overbooked
We've just started renting a house, so we can grow delicious things to eat! However, I need to unpack (and write, and cook, and teach, and...) rather than garden. I am willing to throw a certain amount of money at this problem. What should I look for at garden stores? [more inside]
posted by wintersweet at 12:11 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by wintersweet at 12:11 PM PST - 12 comments
What's the origin of the phrase "Christ, what an asshole"?
Wanted: A cultural history of the phrase "Christ, what an asshole." I know of some websites where the phrase is frequently used. But where did it come from?
posted by bicyclefish at 11:55 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by bicyclefish at 11:55 AM PST - 4 comments
My brother died four days ago. My father is coping by being abusive.
My brother passed away on Monday. My father is coping by lashing out. What do I do? [more inside]
How to get Zotero talking to my home Webdav server?
I've set up a webdav service on my home server and am trying to back up my Zotero files onto it. The webdav service seems to work perfectly through a browser or cadaver but Zotero just stalls -- any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by crazy with stars at 11:31 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by crazy with stars at 11:31 AM PST - 3 comments
Basic steps of trying to publish an translated English book in China
Suppose, one person thinks it will benefit Chinese people a lot by translating an American book to Chinese, then publish it in China. How to make this happen? [more inside]
How do I find cars with specific features or Do you know what I want?
I want what I want. It's sooo hard to find information on cars that fit the criteria I want. I joined Consumer Reports online, looked at Cars.com (it ends in 2013), Edmonds and general Google searches and can't find any car research tool to just plug in the features I want.
I'm looking for a small to mid-size car/SUV/whatever, AWD or 4WD, 4 cyl turbo or 6-8 cyl, plenty of front leg room with decent leg room in the rear, heated/power front seats (heated mirrors a plus), iPhone/Bluetooth media streaming, audio on the steering wheel, mpg 27 or better, preferably under $30,000 but I can be flexible on that.
My last new car was a Subaru Baja and I loved it but had to give it up when I was laid off. I'm now driving a '96 Mercury Cougar which has power galore but looks boring. I like unique looks (I was looking at the Nissan Juke, but no heated/power seats or audio on the steering wheel and a bit tight in the rear leg room dept. Does this unicorn exist?
posted by IpsoFacto at 10:52 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by IpsoFacto at 10:52 AM PST - 20 comments
Best minimal prep food at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods (one hand edition)
I'm looking for recommendations for the best/tastiest foods (frozen, packaged, prepared) from Trader Joe or Whole Foods that require minimal prep to prepare. I have a stove, oven and toaster oven, but no microwave (please don't suggest I buy or borrow one; can't happen right now.) I have no diet restrictions and will eat most things other than extra spicey.
The big factor in all this is that they need to take minimal prep to prepare. I broke 2 fingers on my right/dominant hand (broken near where they attach to the hand), and am in a hand brace that can't get wet or get food on it (though I can put plastic bags over it.) So, to work with I have my fumbley left hand, working thumb and index finger on my right hand, and occasional use of a long hours working husband to open jars and cans for me if I plan ahead.
Thanks for any help. I'm getting tired of takeout, plus it gets expensive for the month or so healing time.
posted by gudrun at 10:52 AM PST - 51 comments
posted by gudrun at 10:52 AM PST - 51 comments
ADHD time management: a bracelet that vibrates every hour?
Oh hai. I have a serious case of the ADHDs, and with that comes a very poor sense of time. Apps, timers, and calendar reminders help, but I think a physical reminder would be much more effective.
Do you know of a bracelet I can buy that will vibrate at regular time intervals? Preferably one that doesn't look like it belonged to a middle school boy in the 1980s?
(I'm pretty sure the FitBit doesn't offer this feature, and Jawbone only vibrates if you've been sedentary for a certain period of time. I do love the look of it, though.)
Thanks!!
No Gmail on iPad
After a couple years of never seeing this, I try to load Gmail on an iPad2 (with the latest, fully updated OS), the blue, site-loading bar zips from left to right very, very quickly -- twice once in a while -- and the screen below the toolbar stays blank. Reloading gets nothing done. (I can get to Gmail just fine via the app, on my laptop, etc.) I've looked around a good bit, found no helpful information. Anyone know how to sort this? Big thanks for any help you can provide.
posted by ambient2 at 9:53 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by ambient2 at 9:53 AM PST - 6 comments
Let's Travel Alone...Together
Solo traveling mefites! Have you found active travel tours that tend to learn a little to the younger crowd. I'm not trying to find a singles-ready-to-mingle tour, but would hike with folks who are more excited about the hike than the souvenirs. I'm comfortable traveling solo to most places - but, who wants to go on a safari solo? Ideas for companies or feedback from those who have taken REI-type travel tours would be great! Thanks globe-trotters,
Help a busy, middle-aged fella get in shape
You’re a guy pushing 45. You have a lovely middle-aged gut and 20 to 30 pounds you’d like to lose. You have a lack of strength and energy you’d like to remedy. [more inside]
Family word? Dialect? Regionalism? Nonsense?
If anyone besides my spouse and her family knows the word "toast-a-dies," would you please step forward? I'm trying to find out the origin of this term for French toast. [more inside]
What treats are appropriate for cats with bladder issues?
We've just adopted a 9-month-old kitten (say hi, Nigel) and he had bladder crystal problems. What treats can we feed him and our older, non-bladder-issue cats? [more inside]
Replace the furnace or fix the old one?
We had our furnace inspected yesterday. It's worked fine all winter. We were told we have a bad heat exchanger. We were encouraged to buy a whole, new furnace for $10K. Our preference is to ride it out with the old furnace for another few years and replace it when it is convenient for us. Does that make sense? [more inside]
posted by clarkstonian at 8:44 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by clarkstonian at 8:44 AM PST - 17 comments
Passion and profession
When your passion becomes your job, how do you keep the job aspects of it from draining all your passion away?
Let me listen to vikings
Does anyone know of any good podcasts or audio books covering viking history, Norse mythology or both? I'd very much like to learn about Vikings through my ears. Bonus points for series rather than one offs.
posted by merocet at 7:58 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by merocet at 7:58 AM PST - 8 comments
Will this affect my credit?
I have near perfect credit. I only use my Discover card that I have rewards on and pay off the balance every month. I do have a credit card from a credit union that I never use.
I just received a letter in the mail that stated that the credit union credit card is about to expire and won't be reissued due to inactivity.
Will this affect my credit? If I don't care about the card, should I just let it "die"?
Thanks
I won a prize! Now, how much will I pay in taxes?
I won a prize in an online drawing from a small business. (The prize is something I want, and I don't want to sell it or give it away.) The stated value of the prize is $750 (and I've confirmed that is what it would actually cost if I were paying for it—the price is not inflated for the prize). How can I determine what taxes I will need to pay on this, given that I pay taxes in NYC, New York State, and federally?
posted by ocherdraco at 7:17 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by ocherdraco at 7:17 AM PST - 3 comments
How to not freak out while waiting to see a doctor?
I have had some weird blood test results lately. My doctor is not sure what it's from, but said that worst case scenario would be leukemia. She wants me to see a hematologist but the soonest available appointment is till over a week away. I have always suffered from pretty severe hypochondria/health-anxiety/whatever, and the fact that my doctor mentioned the L word, and the uncertainty and waiting, not to mention the absolute worst timing, is killing me. I can barely work or sleep. [more inside]
posted by polywomp at 6:55 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by polywomp at 6:55 AM PST - 14 comments
Who/what is calling me from these unusual numbers?
I missed a whole bunch of phone calls from some unusual numbers that aren't in the standard North American (XXX) XXX-XXXX format. What could they be? [more inside]
Who does Mario Draghi remind me of?
Every time I see a picture of ECB president Mario Draghi in the newspaper, I feel a small flicker of recognition. It's starting to drive me bananas. Who does he look like? Google image link here.
1099 contract when I was told I'd be w2, how do I navigate this?
On Tuesday I drove across country to start a new role in the Bay Area. Prior to this I was working on a year-long contract which wasn't renewed. During the interview process I was looking for a full time role, but was convinced that this was a good opportunity, particularly to get my foot in the door back in the Bay Area where I'm originally from and still have family. During the interview I was asked specifically what type of contracting I would be open to and said that I was only interested in W2ing to a new role rather than becoming an independent contractor and billing, and I stated that I wasn't interested in 1099ing. The rate I provided reflected this as well. Turns out I've been onboarded as a 1099 and the rate that I was looking for as a W2. [more inside]
What do you do when reason fails?
(Or, How I Learned Not to Meddle With the Affairs of Others)
Someone is incredibly angry with another party, and you are caught in the middle. You may not know the entire picture, but you've seen enough to conclude that the Angry Person is letting his emotions get the best of him, even if he occasionally raises some good points. You have tried reasoning with Angry Person but he just dishes out comeback after comeback. You are exhausted with the drama and it seems like Angry Person has just begun gaining momentum. What do you do when reason fails?
Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by bigasthesky at 6:17 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by bigasthesky at 6:17 AM PST - 20 comments
Tell me about your dream cafe/coffee shop?
I have an opportunity to rent a large-ish cafe/coffee shop/restaurant a few moments walk from the local small town railway station, out the front of the tourist bus stop. What would you do to make it wonderful? [more inside]
London running
Where in the London metro area -- Tube-accessible -- would be the best place to go for a ~10 mile run on a weekend morning without having to battle too much pedestrian and vehicle traffic? Closer to central London would be better, but I am flexible. Any advice received will be employed in April and considered in booking hotel accomodations.
The terrible truth
Give me your true stories, your unhappy endings, your mysteries. I really enjoyed this question, but the answers I found the most compelling were the true stories about people. Give me links to investigative writing that I can get my teeth into.
March 6
Social Security benefits filter - next step I should take?
I worked for an year and an half, and am under California SSI. They want to meet me for a review. Problem: I'm in DC, I'm not receiving SSI. More details inside. [more inside]
How do I find a group facilitator?
How do I find a facilitator? I'm looking for someone who can help a group work through some personality conflicts and agree on some on some goals and mission. Whatever I'm searching for is not working.
Getting cold feet on refinance with unknown 3d party credit union
Does anyone know the skinny on CU Community, a credit union lender based in Springfield, MO? [more inside]
Is my friend in need of mental health treatment?
I have a good friend I've known for years. They've always been always been bohemian and eccentric, with a bit of spiritualism. Lately the spiritualism has gone up, but not drastically so ... or nowhere near to the point of people at a New Age store. This is not worrying in itself, but lately they've been acting very bizarre and alienating friends in the process. When confronted the bizarre acts are brushed off as performance arts or jokes. Not immediately, but when pressed. [more inside]
Accessing old AOL emails on a different computer
I have been an AOL user for several years. I've had several different computers during that time. Now I can't seem to find old emails. [more inside]
SciFi Books from a While Ago
I'm yet again looking for some books I read over a decade ago. Details below. Somewhere in there I swear is a link to Frank Herbert, but I don't know for sure (every time I search for his bibliography it comes up all Dune). [more inside]
posted by BenevolentActor at 6:15 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by BenevolentActor at 6:15 PM PST - 7 comments
Distributing Raised Funds
In the USA, are we required by the IRS to distribute funds raised for a non-profit's group trip equally among all participants? [more inside]
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:31 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:31 PM PST - 12 comments
Wait, did George Bernard Shaw *really* say this?
The inspirational saying on my tea today reads, "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself" and is attributed to George Bernard Shaw.
My limited knowledge of G.B. Shaw is that he was not prone to penning inspirational proverbs - did he really write this? [more inside]
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 3:51 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 3:51 PM PST - 10 comments
"Blue" Albums
I want to make an elementary school music bulletin board full of (color) images of blue albums. They should be either be predominantly blue, or should have "blue" in the name. They also need to be appropriate for an elementary school (so Nirvana is out). [more inside]
posted by rossination at 3:49 PM PST - 74 comments
posted by rossination at 3:49 PM PST - 74 comments
You have a Blog or Comic. What is your workflow?
I have two webcomics and a few assorted other sites, so I am interested in hearing from anyone who regularly updates a site they own/run. Tell me how often you update. Tell me how you file away ideas, develop ideas, whatever. Tell me what kind of site it is. Etc. What works for you? [more inside]
posted by Michele in California at 3:21 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Michele in California at 3:21 PM PST - 8 comments
Least corrupt part of a metro area in or near northern California?
Looking for a place to live that's reasonably urban, reasonably priced, reasonably egalitarian, and on the up-and-up, in that it has low to no gang trouble or backroom cigar smoking deciders or other crime, organized or not. Does this exist in the Bay Area? Sacramento? Elsewhere?
Tricky window issue
What sort of window treatment should I use for a window that is right next to the adjacent wall? Here's a picture. [more inside]
SFO - TXl via UA
Is there any way I can put 92,000 United Mileage Plus miles toward a trip from San Francisco to Germany (preferably Berlin but Frankfurt is okay)? The trip is this June. [more inside]
A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world
Crate & Barrel has this modular shelving unit/desk hybrid which would be perfect for my needs, except the shelving unit doesn't actually hold very much. I thought IKEA had something similar but they don't really (their desk sticks out at a 90 degree angle from the shelves). Do you know of anyone who sells a shelving system like this (with a desk option) that will actually hold books. Thanks!
More smart thrillers like Brilliance and Lexicon
I've recently finished Marcus Sakey's Brilliance and Max Barry's Lexicon and I'd like more thrillers like them. By "like them", I mean: fast paced, lots of twists and action, an intelligent, speculative, science-fictiony central idea, but the book is not marketed as genre science fiction, but rather as a thriller. Some literary aspiration is a plus, as is a good Bechdel test score (both of the above books kind of failed on that latter criterion). Already read: Atwood, Gibson, Stephenson. I read a lot of "literary mysteries" like Tana French and the like, but here I'm more interested in action/thrillers and not so much mysteries or procedurals.
Buying a new (old) house. It has a fuse box. Questions inside.
I'm in the due diligence period of buying a house built in 1964. It's in Atlanta. The inspection yesterday went well, but the house has a fuse box and a breaker panel (the breaker handles AC and washer/dryer only). I know absolutely nothing about electric/wiring issues or systems. [more inside]
NSFW - what was this white fluid during orgasm?
NSFW TMI: White fluid from my female nether-region accompanying orgasm. Help - Google gives myriad results. [more inside]
At least now I have a decent playlist for my funeral
Radiohead music during a wedding ceremony? It's (hopefully) more likely than you think. [more inside]
posted by Diskeater at 11:56 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by Diskeater at 11:56 AM PST - 22 comments
These projects aren't going to manage themselves
What would you recommend for project management and research-sharing among 15 people? We want to replace Redbooth fka Teambox with something that works and suits our needs better (specifics within). Thanks in advance. [more inside]
College or Google?
Can and should my talented technophile nephew get a job at a company like Google instead of going to college? [more inside]
A different sort of podcast question
This one isn't about finding podcasts with good content, it's more of a technical issue.
Is there a way to get old-time radio episodes on Archive.org to behave like podcast episodes in Downcast, the podcatcher app I use on my iPod Touch? [more inside]
Fun with Impedance
I have some fancy new stereo speakers. I'd like to be as correct as possible when wiring them up, which has led to some possibly-unusual questions about speaker impedance. Halp! (Inside: Series or parallel?) [more inside]
Business Taxes--How do they work in smaller towns?
I am self-employed in Philadelphia and will soon be moving to small-town Michigan. I grok the business taxes here. I can't figure out the taxes there. Specifics inside. [more inside]
Where to advertise a free service to filmmakers
I would like to offer a free service to filmmakers. Where should I advertise? [more inside]
What's the best way to cover my built in webcam?
In light of revelations that some folks can look at me over the internet through my webcam without me knowing, I would like to have a solution to this problem.
I was thinking that taping over the webcam would work well, but it might also look tacky, and might also add a residue to my computer that I would not like. Is there a kind of tape that would look good on a unibody macbook pro? How would I make that tape look good? What sort of tape would be suggested for its no residue, opaque characteristics? Is there a better solution than tape, like a well-thought out kickstarter project or something of that nature?
Please help me with my paranoid bougie computer problem.
posted by oceanjesse at 10:42 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by oceanjesse at 10:42 AM PST - 26 comments
How to block outgoing calls
My Grandmother has dementia. She calls her old phone number 20+ times a day to ask for a ride home.
Unfortunately, this number is now used by a business, the owner of which is not too pleased with the multiple phone calls a day. [more inside]
posted by backwords at 10:41 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by backwords at 10:41 AM PST - 31 comments
"Getting away" from New England, while staying in New England, in March
Mr. Llama's birthday is coming up and I'd like us to get away for a night or two. We're in New England, and we can't travel far. Can you recommend possible destinations that meet our criteria? [more inside]
Photo Organization with Visual Browsing Capability? Or Just Tag It All?
I want to improve my digital photo organization at work, and I don't care about anything in iPhoto except Events. Unfortunately, I really appreciate being able to visually browse Events as a central database of every photo upload ever.
It feels like there's no easy visual browsing in the Adobe suite, is this true? Should I just get better at using keywords in Bridge, or is there something magical in Lightroom that I don't know about? [more inside]
Uses for a PowerPC Mac Mini?
My mother wants to send her old Power PC Mac mini to the dump. What else could I do with it? [more inside]
How important is height disparity to short guys?
Does size---especially height---matter to guys? [more inside]
posted by 1270AEH at 9:02 AM PST - 38 comments
posted by 1270AEH at 9:02 AM PST - 38 comments
Rock Out With Your Doc Out
If you guys were my real friends, you would have told me about Heavy Metal Parking Lot before now. Back in the day, I used to hear about great documentary films through the grapevine. I guess the best example of this is the Evening with Kevin Smith series. But I never seem to hear about these any more. Heavy Metal Parking Lot looks awesome. What else am I missing?
Parameter: nothing really sad. Hands on a Hard Body was kind of a bummer to me, but it's still the sort of thing I'm looking for. Anything about, say, the Holocaust, is out of this league. Thanks, MeFites!
posted by Jane Austen at 8:37 AM PST - 109 comments
posted by Jane Austen at 8:37 AM PST - 109 comments
What's this site where you suggest a question to accompany an image?
I stumbled across a site a few weeks ago which would put up an image of some sort and ask you to write what question came to your mind. I think the point was just to collect the questions and look at them (but it asked you to make an account before you could see more than a few of the other peoples' questions, and I never did that). I've forgotten where I found it. Does anyone know what site this was? [more inside]
posted by Wolfdog at 7:53 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by Wolfdog at 7:53 AM PST - 5 comments
How can I improve my digital photo development? Complication.
I'd like to improve my skills at post-processing my digital photos, generally in Aperture. I'm colorblind. [more inside]
posted by mzurer at 7:45 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by mzurer at 7:45 AM PST - 3 comments
Need an Android ereader app
In my efforts to turn my Nexus 7 into a great ereader, I've found myself missing features in my current ereader app. Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
How do I make stuff that smells nice?
Does there exist a reference similar to The Flavour Bible, but for mixing scents instead of flavours? [more inside]
posted by torisaur at 6:56 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by torisaur at 6:56 AM PST - 5 comments
shopping for a black strapless jumpsuit?
Post-lithotripsy pain in the legs, several days after procedure?
Have you ever had a lithotripsy? I got one (torso) on Monday for kidney stones, and while things seemed fine for the 48 hours following the procedure, starting yesterday afternoon I've been experiencing intense, radiating pain in my upper legs and hips. Enough that I can't sleep, even with hydromorphone painkillers. I've left a detailed message at the urologist's, but while I wait to hear back, I'm wondering if this is something in the realm of "normal" or "super weird" or even "Emergency room stat". This is Quebec, so I'm not incredibly optimistic about the doctor getting back to me promptly, either. [more inside]
Nerdy Acoustic Love Songs
I'm a huge fan of Four Color Love Story by The Metasciences. Are there more songs like this?
The songs don't need to be about comic books, or even acoustic, really. I'd just love to find more obscure little love songs that are a little unusual. Recommendations for both specific songs and places to find songs like this would be appreciated.
posted by considerspace at 6:21 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by considerspace at 6:21 AM PST - 28 comments
Best way to sell a privately owned office building in Northern VA?
There is an 4-story commercial office building that we'd like to sell. The building's tenants are professional businesses. We'd like to sell the building as soon as possible. Teach us how? [more inside]
Is there an equivalent to a Travis Pick for piano players?
I decided to learn how to play the piano this year, but I don't have the money or time to take lessons. I try to practice (scales, mostly) about 15 min/day. I'm now familiar with most of the major and minor scales, and I bought a poster that shows all of the most common piano chords and that helps a lot. I've been musical all my life, but only read music at the kindergarten level (or musical equivalent).
I've written many songs over the past 20 years, and I now have the skills to put chords to them, YAY!!! However, I have no sense of Rhythm or style when it comes to playing piano. With guitar, there are certain types of strumming patterns and picking styles like the Travis pick which you can just repeat as you move through the chord progressions, and it makes for a pretty decent accompaniment to lots of folk and singer/songwriter style music. Is there a parallel with the piano? Are there certain patterns that one can learn to fill in the space between chords? Am I even describing this coherently?
Drug tests and background checks
I just got a great job at a federal facility as a non-federal employee. Because I'm going to be working in a federal building, I need a background check, physical, and (presumably) drug test. I've smoked pot in the last month, although not many times in the past several months – I shouldn't trigger a concentration-based drug test, but I could trace positive for trace amounts. I feel totally comfortable about the drug test, unless they disqualify me for /any/ amount of THC, I should be fine. The problem comes with the background check, which asks me if I've done any illegal drugs in the past year. [more inside]
Excel formula that hides results
I am drowning in Google results! Looking for help making a formula that will only show a value once data is entered into another cell. [more inside]
posted by ellieBOA at 4:47 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by ellieBOA at 4:47 AM PST - 10 comments
Insecurity over partner's ex-boyfriend who dumped her
I've been with my girlfriend for just over a year, and we are really in love. A few months into the relationship I discovered some diaries etc of her, which I know I should never have read, but did. I discovered how obsessed she was for years about an ex that dumped her and who she idealised, and now I really need some help to get out of this rut of insecurity and jealousy which I have created for myself. [more inside]
Tax Question: How best to split up rent/mortgage/repairs?
TaxFilter: Partner and I own multi-family home. How best to split up $$$ from rents, repair costs, mortgage, etc for taxes this year? [more inside]
How to change walking style/gait to save on laundry bills?
I 'kick up' a lot when I walk in damp conditions; when it's raining I have mud splashed up the back of my calf to my knee within five minutes. Others do not, so why? How do I stop it? [more inside]
posted by AFII at 3:09 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by AFII at 3:09 AM PST - 16 comments
Artistic, or creative approaches to guided imagery
hello
I'm looking for examples of artistic, or creative approaches to guided imagery,
or just some very good examples of guided imagery with high production values (i.e. the music isn't generic, its well read and well recorded etc)
is anyone aware of anything that might fit these descriptions?
The best instant coffee money can buy
For the time being, I am deprived of freshly brewed coffee in the work place. This gives me a sad. So please recommend me the BEST instant coffee brand you have ever tasted. It needs to be available in the UK. Thanks guys!
posted by Ziggy500 at 2:54 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by Ziggy500 at 2:54 AM PST - 25 comments
Demokratie Jetzt!
I'm a US transplant to Germany. I listen to a lot of lefty podcasts from the US: Democracy Now!, The Young Turks, Majority Report, Best of the Left, Citizen Radio, etc. My German is getting pretty good after two years, and I'd like to listen to similar issues discussed auf Deutsch. Suggestions? Vielen Dank!
"I can do anything you can do better!"
I'm looking for the original foreign inspiration films for US remakes AND foreign remakes of US films. [more inside]
What IR-capable residential security cameras are inconspicuous?
I'm interested in getting a few residential security cameras installed to cover our yard and car areas. Requirements are: ~40 feet night vision, decent motion detection, networked recording to central PC/DVR unit (either over WiFi or PoE power), no batteries, weatherproof, not easily stolen. There are plenty of cameras with good tech specs, but many of them look like warp engines. I imagine putting up giant cameras will not only piss off the neighbors, but serve as a giant ROB ME I HAVE STUFF sign. What exterior cameras are not only good but inconspicuous? [more inside]
posted by benzenedream at 12:28 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by benzenedream at 12:28 AM PST - 3 comments
March 5
How to get blood test results without seeing Dr?
I had what I thought was going to be a simple appointment with a doctor. She ended up being rude. I did get the blood tests that I wanted but I don't want to see her again. How do I get those results anyway? [more inside]
Help me identfiy this movie from the late 1960's or early 1970's.
I saw this movie on television when I was child, but can't remember much about it. As I recall, there was a dark-haired boy who had lost his mother (or parents). I'm guessing that the story is set during a war or some type of tragedy. In the story, accompanied by a woman he doesn't know, they walk amongst rubble of some desert or village. It could have been set in the Middle East, but it was an English language film.
I need help identifying this song.
There is a famous song that starts with a sultry saxophone riff I am trying to identify. Usually they play this song in a movie when they are introducing a sexy lady moving all cat-like about to seduce someone. I was able to reproduce the opening with this virtual keyboard on its saxophone setting. Forgive me I know no music. The keys I pressed were C (1 sec), G (1 sec), C1 (1 sec), D1 (1.5 sec), D#1 (2 sec), C1 (5 sec), a pause, C1 (1 sec), G (1 sec), and then the keyboard doesn't extend far enough down for me to keep going. Does anyone recognize it? Sorry this is so convoluted. Thanks!
posted by Sully at 8:39 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Sully at 8:39 PM PST - 3 comments
What jobs do these people have?
The only suits I see on my commute are very young guys, recent-grad-looking, with trying-to-look-expensive shoes. What kind of jobs do they have? Are they paralegals? Entry-level-finance? (what would that even mean?) [more inside]
posted by colin_l at 8:22 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by colin_l at 8:22 PM PST - 28 comments
Quick & fast iOS/Android custom push notifications?
I'm working on a project, and I want to be able to make a series of custom push notifications to a phone: for example: every time someone somewhere dies of a spider bite, I want to be notified. [more inside]
Child's teacher appears to be off the rails--suggestions for a parent?
I've got a third grader in public school who's having a rough year with her teacher. The teacher is out half the time, with a rotating cast of substitutes. When she's there she's explosive and calls the kids names and told them that she starved a beloved class pet to death over the holidays. What should I be doing? [more inside]
Ravens, filigree, coal smoke, pocketwatches, and lots of brass fittings
Moviefilter: I love the imagery and atmosphere of Victorian fantasy. I don't (necessarily) mean stories that were written in the Victorian era, but rather stories which are set in the Victorian era (or in an imaginary analog of it). The genre I'm thinking of tends to have a certain mythologized and aestheticized vision of the era: melancholy, mysterious, perhaps a bit of Gothic horror or the supernatural—i.e., not necessarily a realistic period piece. Wikipedia's entry on gaslamp fantasy is suggestive. (For the record, I am emphatically not talking about romance or novel-of-manners stuff.) Now: are there any movies like this? [more inside]
County recorder
Can you please explain to me what a county recorder does? What are some things normal staff people do in a county recorder office? What would a normal day be like for Joe County Recorder? [more inside]
What does "competent" in a language actually mean?
I'm trying to decide how to categorize my language skills on a job application/resume. What does "competent" in a language actually mean? [more inside]
Should I quit my job?
Overworked and about to be more so. Should I quit? [more inside]
How to feign interest in Formula 1 racing
I will be going to an upcoming Formula 1 Grand Prix but am not very interested in auto racing. Help me hide that fact from the people I'm going with. [more inside]
Economics... in space!
I am looking for resources, online or in print, for how a society spanning many planets could function economically. I have read some novels that treat this matter seriously, but rarely in the level of detail that I am looking for. [more inside]
posted by deathpanels at 5:18 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by deathpanels at 5:18 PM PST - 9 comments
Where to find frontend web development job at the lead/architect level?
I've been doing frontend web development for around 15 years and want to find a new position at the lead/architect level. I know a few sites to look at, and plenty of recruiters contact me, but what else can I do? [more inside]
Should I do work for a racist?
I have been asked to some work for a racist, and I don't want to. [more inside]
Emails to volunteers from nonprofit getting flagged as spam.
I help manage a small nonprofit that regularly sends out batches of emails notifying people of upcoming opportunities. Either we're experiencing an upward trend in flakes, or some of our messages are being flagged as spam, or banished to a gmail tab. Looking for pragmatic solutions for increasing our (suspected) delivery rate. [more inside]
posted by Jack Karaoke at 4:03 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Jack Karaoke at 4:03 PM PST - 9 comments
Suspended because of patient complaint: what now?
A young relative who recently started a job as a CNA at a nursing home has been suspended because of a patient complaint. She has no idea what the complaint was or who made it, nor can she recall any unusual incidents or patient interactions. The director of nursing told her she cannot give details at this time, but told her she is suspended and that she's to come in for a meeting on Friday at a specified time. What can she expect? (I'd like informed answers only. Please do not answer if you are merely speculating.)
Fast, custom business cards online (Moo-like) from union print shop?
I'm having business cards made, and I want them in a mini size (like 70mm X 28mm). But I can't seem to find a union print shop online that does cards with smaller dimensions like that. (Obvs I want a union bug). Thanks, hive-folk!
posted by univac at 3:32 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by univac at 3:32 PM PST - 5 comments
What is the name for this creditors' practice?
Is there a commonly used term for the practice of a creditor (particularly a landlord) applying a payment to several separate outstanding balances in such a way as to create artificial shortfalls in the balances and thus allow the charging of additional late fees? [more inside]
posted by enn at 2:41 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by enn at 2:41 PM PST - 9 comments
Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, UFOs, human pair bonding?
Is talking early on in a relationship about "not believing in monogamy" a huge red flag? [more inside]
What does the evidence say about the impact of K-12 class size?
What does current research say about the impact of class-size in K-12 education? My town is debating how to address a 35% increase in the school-age population. How much do we raise taxes and do we let class sizes increase? Lots of people are throwing around anecdotes about their own experiences. I'd like to know what the people who study this have to say. [more inside]
How should I make a large (to me) fund purchase for my IRA?
I have about US$20000 to invest in a total stock index fund in my Roth IRA. What is the best strategy for this purchase? Should I just purchase it all at once now or over some set schedule? [more inside]
Intermittent 404 errors on Wordpress
I have my own Wordpress blog (hosted on Dreamhost) that's been driving me nuts. Intermittently I get a 404 error when posting or when moving through the admin pages. Simply reloading usually brings up the page. My Wordpress is up to date and so are my plugins.
Besides the usual "disable all plugins and re-enable one-by-one" what other debug can I do? [more inside]
How to make the best videoconference presentation to a large audience?
I am delivering a PowerPoint presentation on my scientific research to undergraduates by videoconference. What special considerations should I make for the videoconference medium? Specifically, when should I switch between displaying the slides and video of my face? [more inside]
Help me find out if I can become a paramedic w/o attending fall classes?
I have things I'd like to do outside of USA every fall, so I'm wondering if I can take all the courses that I need For this 5 semester paramedic degree at Austin Community College during only spring and summer semesters. It seems that last year all required courses were offered in the 2013 summer semester But it seems that this summer they are not offered. I emailed their listed address but there was no response. Also is there any way to do it faster than 5 semesters? Can I double up the 4th and 5th semesters (since they're short)? and any tips for me doing this in my non-standard pattern of only doing summer/spring semesters and skipping fall semester? Thanks!
posted by crawltopslow at 12:23 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by crawltopslow at 12:23 PM PST - 7 comments
Our lease is up, but we paid the last months rent... what to do?
My wife and I rent a house in Seattle and our 12-month lease ended in February. We're now month to month.
The issue is, we paid the last months rent when we signed the lease... then also paid rent the last month of our lease. [more inside]
posted by lattiboy at 12:19 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by lattiboy at 12:19 PM PST - 14 comments
Laundering Knits
I have just finished knitting a bunch of synthetic yarn scarves and I need to wash them. The difficulty is that our washing machine doesn't have a delicate cycle. It has temperature settings, load size settings, and then two sections - "whites - regular" or "casual - pulsed" - the whites section has 4 settings from heavy to extra light, and the casual section has 3 settings from heavy to light. I'm putting the scarves into individual pillowcases to keep them from getting wrapped up on the agitator post and stretched around. I already know all about how to lay them to dry, just unsure what washer setting to use.
Just replace the O2 sensor?
Have an 05 Subaru Legacy. ~70k miles. The check engine light comes on reliably with wide open throttle (and considering I'm in Pittsburgh, the land of bridges and merge points...). The diagnostic code says low voltage on bank 1 sensor 1. Should I just swap the O2 sensor? I ask because I don't really understand why I'd only be getting the low voltage code with WOT.
posted by bfranklin at 11:01 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by bfranklin at 11:01 AM PST - 3 comments
How do I mark thousands of emails as read at one time?
I synced my Yahoo mail account with Gmail. Now Gmail displays thousands of unread messages. Most of them are useless notification messages but some may be emails that I want to keep. How can I mark them all as read? I would prefer not to go through the whole list 20 at a time.
posted by kittensofthenight at 10:35 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by kittensofthenight at 10:35 AM PST - 3 comments
Baking for school kids never used to be this hard!
I need some recipes/ideas for treats to make that avoid a host of allergens so that I can make treats for my kid's school as well as for my allergic friends. The problem is coming up with something that actually doesn't hit any of the many allergies. Please help! [more inside]
posted by katers890 at 10:33 AM PST - 41 comments
posted by katers890 at 10:33 AM PST - 41 comments
I need new tires for my Subaru, but am overwhelmed by the choices
I need new tires for my Subaru, but am overwhelmed by the choices, help me understand what I am looking for? [more inside]
posted by Carialle at 10:17 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Carialle at 10:17 AM PST - 11 comments
Recommend a lightweight non-silicone product for detangling my hair
I am looking for a new hair products that are very lightweight, non-silicone, and detangle. Do they exist? [more inside]
posted by mai at 10:13 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by mai at 10:13 AM PST - 17 comments
4 year old, Shared custody, Heartache
Our daughter frequently wants to go back to her moms house when we have her. How can we help/cope? Background and details inside. [more inside]
Current Job wants me to tell them if I'm looking. Weird?
Boss has asked me to let her know if I'm looking. I think it's weird. Am I right? [more inside]
How can I promote a writing workshop in NYC
I’m looking for ideas on how I might attract students for a fiction writing workshop I’d like to teach. [more inside]
Grossfilter: Why are my armpits sweating so much all of a sudden?
My armpits have been sweating WAY more than usual for the past few weeks. What could be causing this? [more inside]
Southeastern British Columbia: Reveal Your Roadtrip Gems!
We are tentatively planning a road trip this summer which would take us north to Vancouver Island, then we are thinking of working our way over to Nelson. (Then down, hopefully, to see some of the Channeled Scablands on the way back to Oregon. [more inside]
That lonesome whistle blow.
Let's say you live somewhere in the rural or suburban United States. You hear distant train horns all the time. Where are you? [more inside]
I need coffee maker recommendations
I need a new coffee maker.
Here are my requirements, in order of importance: [more inside]
Do those reverse phone number look-up websites actually work?
Do those reverse phone number look-up websites actually work? I think I have a stalker on my hands. [more inside]
Sports Medicine in NYC
Does anyone have a good Sports Medicine doctor in NYC who takes Health Republic and/or Magnacre? Also, can you explain to me how health insurance works in this case? [more inside]
The Funky Mole Panic Dance
Browsing MetaFilter the other day, like normal, when I come across a link to this. Interesting, informative read -- also: terrifying. I've got tons of funky moles, and reading this jolted me into action. Long story short: I've booked an appointment with a Dermatologist, and now I can't get out my head. Please help me get out of my head. [more inside]
posted by shiggins at 8:06 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by shiggins at 8:06 AM PST - 15 comments
Real risks of discussing illegal/illicit matters on social media
What's so wrong with posting and discussing illicit or illegal matters on social media? It seems like a bad idea in a vague sense, sure, and I'm aware of the NSA. But if one is not currently under investigation for anything, what's the worst that could realistically happen to a person and/or their interlocutors? [more inside]
Tracking someone down with very little information
I had a friend that I met periodically- a few times a month- when I used to live in another country - we kept in touch exclusively by phone, I don't know his e-mail address. I lost my phone, and then had to abruptly leave the country, and I've been wondering if there's any way to get in touch with him with the limited information I have. [more inside]
posted by Enchanting Grasshopper at 7:25 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Enchanting Grasshopper at 7:25 AM PST - 10 comments
Teach me to poem
Can anyone recommend a good poetry primer? [more inside]
posted by Nelson at 7:24 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by Nelson at 7:24 AM PST - 14 comments
Can I be successfully sued without a signed contract?
I was a vendor at local farmer's market last summer. I got screwed in terms of the fee. I paid what I thought was fair but they want it all. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
Food Delivery for Senior Citizen
I would like to start some kind of "healthy" food delivery service for my mom in NC - near Jacksonville. She is 82 and lives by herslef and doesn't always eat the best. She has some friends around that will take her to the store and she can cook for herself but she really tends to be very frugal and not spend alot on food. Because of that I don't think she really eats the best.
She was just in the hospital for a very bad bout of stomach virus (maybe complicated by food poisioning - not sure). She is coming home today and will have someone going to the grocery store for her to do the basic shopping.
I would love to find a business that I could order from - either locally or nationally that I could supplement her with some healthy pre-prepared or almost pre-prepared foods. Not worried about cost but we don't need lobster from Maine either. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
posted by MrsMGH at 7:15 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by MrsMGH at 7:15 AM PST - 7 comments
Cheap Moka Pots- any real difference?
Are all moka pots made roughly equal? Does a real Bialetti produce any discernible difference compared to a cheap knock-off? [more inside]
posted by redwaterman at 6:05 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by redwaterman at 6:05 AM PST - 15 comments
Questionable Counseling Practice?
Three months ago Dear Husband jumped through many hoops to get an appointment with the only counselor in town said to accept Medicare. I'd had a good experience with an excellent counselor in our area and was surprised when this new one made promises he did not keep before and during the appointment, including a promise to get back in touch with either a second appointment time or a referral. He made no contact at all after the appointment until yesterday, three full months later, with a bill he'd already submitted to Medicare for $225.00, which they covered, save $29. Does this sound customary to you? [more inside]
Ipad mini case with integrated plug protectors
I really enjoy my iphone case because of the integrated plug protectors (if they were separate little plastic thingees, I would lose them almost immediately. I also have a replacement iPad mini as I just used one of my AppleCare instances for "corrosion on the dock connector and headphone connector". I don't get my devices wet, but sometimes they do go through humidity swings. Thus, I am looking for a case for my iPad mini with integrated plug protectors like the iphone case I linked to. Any recommendations?
posted by cnanderson at 4:21 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by cnanderson at 4:21 AM PST - 3 comments
dealing with bereavement
I am having trouble dealing with the loss of my parent. What did you do during a period of acute loss that helped you hang in? [more inside]
posted by sockanalia at 2:59 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by sockanalia at 2:59 AM PST - 24 comments
Can you recommend any foreboding, surreal texts?
I'm looking for fiction and non-fiction texts (video, audio, and books) that take what is ostensibly a very real situation and find a surreal perspective. I'm not looking for the fantastic though, but more of a foreboding tone/atmosphere. You know, when a narrative seemingly grounded in reality has an unreal, genuinely unsettling undercurrent. Examples below. [more inside]
Movies about teams competing at "fictional" new activities
What movies feature teams competing at strange new group activities? [more inside]
March 4
Meditation/yoga music made with real sounds
Please suggest your favorite music for yoga and/or meditation that is made with real sounds or instruments (singing bowls, water, etc) instead of synthesizers. [more inside]
Going to Costa Rica in 12hrs on a whim. Where should my journey begin?
Going to Costa Rica in 7hrs for 10 days. Ive been told I need to get out of San Jose ASAP, so where should my journey begin? [more inside]
Do I ask for a raise?
Do I ask for a raise? My long-term contract is being renewed for the second time, and for the second time on the "same terms", i.e. no increase in my hourly rate. I'm torn between asking for a raise because "I should" - my role and responsibilities have expanded greatly over time - and accepting the offer because, well, I'm not going to leave over this and based on my cursory knowledge of similar positions elsewhere I'm still paid competitively. And I don't want to make a fuss. [more inside]
Columbus' letters back home
What's the best history book on the immediate aftermath of Columbus' discoveries in Europe? Looking for something that covers, say, the first 50-100 years after the discovery of the New World, and discusses what was found out & when and how people reacted. [more inside]
messed up
Hope me! How do I organize a really cluttery room, with limited space to work within? I feel like I'm just shuffling things around. [more inside]
I'm geting in the (chilli) jam
I need some chilli jam/chutney/relish/etc recipes that ACTUALLY FEATURE CHILLIES DAMNIT as I have lots and lots of chillis of varying heat (from none to lots), but most recipes seem to actually be built around other ingredients, with just a few chillis. That will not do. I need recipes that are mostly chillis. Peppers/capsicums are acceptable substitutes, too, I suppose. Thanks AskMe!
posted by smoke at 7:45 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by smoke at 7:45 PM PST - 13 comments
An Inspiring Mantra to Start My Morning?
Do you have a poem, quotation, or mantra you read each morning that puts things in perspective, and inspires you? I'm looking for one to help with motivation when waking up each morning. So far no luck. [more inside]
posted by ratherbethedevil at 7:30 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by ratherbethedevil at 7:30 PM PST - 20 comments
They're dropping like flies... first Meebo... now Imo.
Imo just announced that it's dropping support for third party networks. I need an alternative. [more inside]
Babka. Hamentaschen. Babkataschen?
Bakers! Especially, but not exclusively, bakers of babka and hamantaschen! Help me brainstorm a hamantaschen that is babka based, but still identifiably hamantaschen! [more inside]
How do I turn down a job candidate after an extended interview process?
I run a small organization, just a few employees, and I am close to filling one of our open positions. What is the etiquette for breaking the bad news to an unsuccessful job candidate who has patiently participated in a drawn-out interview process? [more inside]
posted by inatizzy at 6:36 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by inatizzy at 6:36 PM PST - 21 comments
A question about insurance.
If I go from part-time to full-time, is my employer (small business owner, <20 employees) obligated to offer me health insurance? [more inside]
What protections exist for fradulent theft of funds from real banks
Spurred by the MtGox implosion thread and by a TV episode in which "real", presumably USD funds in US banks were stolen by an evildoer who illegally transferred the money elsewhere, I am wondering: What protections do US dollars in FDIC-insured US banks have against fraudulent electronic transfers? Would a victim of such a theft be likely to see all, some, or none of the stolen money reimbursed by an insurance policy?
Car insurance estimate without having to enter SSN.. see inside
Greetings. 16 year old daughter is completing an assignment for Economics and she needs an insurance quote for a 22 year old female who lives in a smallish city (Baltimore) for a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. She was gonna enter her SSN in an insurance site and say she is 22. I told her (for obvious reasons) no... but we can't find a site which will give us a quote without one. Suggestions?
posted by brownrd at 5:55 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by brownrd at 5:55 PM PST - 6 comments
When to tell everyone that I am engaged --> quitting job --> moving?
Mr. Anonymous and I are going to tie the knot. Hooray! Ring has been purchased, plans are being quietly made, and basically I'm all sorts of excited and over the moon.
But there are some timing questions. Flurries inside. [more inside]
Identify this film please
Thriller/drama from 2000-2009-ish. Creepy guy puts hidden cameras in married couples house. Befriends wife, helps with small chores, carrying groceries etc. She may or may not be pregnant. He wants her husband to use his IT skills to help him steal a lot of money. One weird detail inside. [more inside]
Audiobook Q & A, subject matter irrelevant
I like to listen to audiobooks before I fall asleep. I would like to find audiobooks with a question and answer format. Can you help? [more inside]
Surprisingly oldies, but goodies?
I learned recently that Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline was first released back in 1969. What are other examples of old, popular songs? (Where old means more than 40 years, and popular means that a crowd of people would be capable of singing at least the chorus.)
Is there *really* no tipping with Uber?
I just signed up for Uber and I want to do right by the driver. A service charge is included, and the web site says "no need to tip." Is tipping really not expected? [more inside]
posted by Room 641-A at 5:13 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by Room 641-A at 5:13 PM PST - 23 comments
Traffic is our friend?
Afternoon commute: Headed out of town, you drive WITH traffic -- and it sux.
But if you were driving toward town, from the burbs, you'd be driving AGAINST traffic. And that's a breeze. See the paradox? [more inside]
Fish Tacos!
I need a good authentic* fish taco recipe. [more inside]
posted by whoaali at 4:42 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by whoaali at 4:42 PM PST - 10 comments
Why should I put money in an IRA?
Why should I put money in an IRA, as opposed to just investing it normally? [more inside]
Event Ticketing Plug In or Platform
I'm looking for options to bring event ticketing "in house," to avoid needing to pay a ticketing processing fee on top of the payment processing.
Ideally, this system would also allow for attendees to also register for on site events in advance, ie panels, presentations, and classes.
Suggestions? [more inside]
Does anybody ELSE manufacture an RFID tag with this spec?
I am looking for a very small, passive UHF RFID tag that works when affixed to containers of liquids.
I have spent a long time carefully researching my requirements and I am certain that:
- it has to be UHF, not HF and not NFC.
- it has to be passive.
- it has to be small (the other ones I've found are 14-20cm long which is completely unfit for my purpose).
- it HAS to be functional when affixed to containers of liquids.
I found a tag with the perfect spec: the Avery Dennison AD-110m5.
Now all I have to do is get them to sell it to me. THIS IS THE HARD PART. [more inside]
posted by tel3path at 4:20 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by tel3path at 4:20 PM PST - 6 comments
Ideas for a large-ish dinner party (10 to 15)
I'm making a birthday dinner party for my sister (early 50s). The party is also to celebrate a significant achievement of hers so will include more than the usual family members; there will be anywhere from 10 to 15 people, half of whom I don't know well or at all. I'm a good and experienced cook, and I'm very comfortable in the kitchen, but I'm used to cooking for smaller groups. I need ideas! [more inside]
posted by primate moon at 4:08 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by primate moon at 4:08 PM PST - 15 comments
Do you know of guided meditation audio that is realistic?
Hoping to find some guided meditations that are realistic. [more inside]
posted by AllieTessKipp at 4:03 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by AllieTessKipp at 4:03 PM PST - 5 comments
Can you complete this poem?
When I was a kid I had a book in which there was a poem that started 'A slug-a-bed snuggled in somnolent sloom / When a sobersides slithered right into the room'. I've searched the web for the rest of the poem and while I can find some of the verses I can't locate the whole thing. There was a substance called 'slibber sauce' involved, I remember that, but because none of the online versions mention it I know they can't be the poem in its entirety. Can anyone help? And who was the poem written by?
posted by zozimus at 3:23 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by zozimus at 3:23 PM PST - 9 comments
Help me keep from feeling like I'm on Big Brother.
I value my privacy, and knowing that people I don't really know can easily discover my current physical location makes me feel queasy inside. How can I use the internet/social without basically shouting to the rest of the internet "this is where my body is right NOW!"? Details inside. [more inside]
Skills that can be learned on the job vs Skills that come naturally
I once went to an interview and the interviewers gave everyone who had been invited a test. The reason for having the test according to the interviewer was that there were some things that she could teach us and there were others that she couldn't and she wanted to know if we possessed those skills (in this case it was reading a scenario and seeing if we could pick out the right points).
Has anyone come across this concept before? Are you able to elaborate on the concept?
posted by Metaphysics at 2:09 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Metaphysics at 2:09 PM PST - 15 comments
I have a $33,000 dream. Plus or minus 10K.
I'd like to buy a home in a very cheap place that still has culture--local, regional, and national music. Museums, public attractions, parks. Bike friendly and/or walkable and/or good public transportation system. Great natural attractions nearby--hiking, rafting, kayaking, swimming, climbing, caving, hunting, fishing. Where is this possible? [more inside]
My lack of paczki is YOUR EMERGENCY
After a week of vaguely making plans to pre-order and never getting around to it, my Polish boyfriend and I would like to get some paczki in Chicago for Fat Tuesday! However, we couldn't go early in the morning, and we are lame and didn't plan, and now I'm wondering if there are any bakeries in Chicago that will still have paczki in the late afternoon/evening? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 1:34 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by stoneandstar at 1:34 PM PST - 7 comments
Cigarette Smoke from Downstairs Neighbors Wafting In
So just moved in to a temporary living situation and found out that the downstairs neighbors are chainsmoking alcoholics. [more inside]
It is only coincidentally Pancake Day
I was disappointed in Google/YouTube and their ability to regurgitate whatever garbage my subconscious dredged up out of my childhood memories, for the first time in a long time today when I tried to find the Golden Griddle pancake syrup commercial from the late 1970's that had someone writing "oh!" in syrup on a stack of pancakes. Can you help me find it? [more inside]
posted by dirtdirt at 1:28 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by dirtdirt at 1:28 PM PST - 4 comments
Is this science or a sort of engineering? How do I learn more about it?
My ignorance of science and engineering concepts, procedures, and methods of calculation is holding me back from tackling a whole mess of fun stuff. But what fields am I even interested in, and how can I learn more? Where do I begin? [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 1:06 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by rue72 at 1:06 PM PST - 11 comments
Is a 2001 VW Turbodiesel a Bad Idea?
I might have a chance to buy one from a friend. It only has 120k on it, one owner, who has put a lot of work into and has a good maintenance history (and a reliable local mechanic who has done a lot of the work that she recommends). I need a car mostly for commuting, don't want to spend a lot of money, and in a few years, could afford to sell it and get something new. (Also: I have always loved Beetles, but I'm trying not to let that sway me). [more inside]
Fantasy Stock Software
Help me create a fantasy stock account - offline solutions preferred. [more inside]
posted by matkline at 12:54 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by matkline at 12:54 PM PST - 4 comments
here's a cute drawing of someone banging their head against the desk
I have been making greeting cards and would like to sell them. I have been doing rubber stamp and scrapbook paper stuff so far, but started looking for graphics I could print and incorporate.
My google is failing me. It looks like shutterstock has great images, but even with the enhanced license, I cannot use them on things I will sell (unless i'm misreading what i find there).
I'm getting really confused and getting a headache reading fine print everywhere and I must not be finding the right blogs or using the right words.
Where do I find images (illustrations and graphics, NOT photos) that I can download, print, and use on my stuff that I will sell? [more inside]
posted by McSockerson The Great at 12:32 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by McSockerson The Great at 12:32 PM PST - 7 comments
Keep trying or give it up?
Is this relationship viable? Should I keep trying, or is it probably not workable? [more inside]
MeFi Mechanics--Older Car Issue
My wife and I have a rather old Lexus with low miles. On each of the last two times we took it out, the car shuddered a couple of times (like driving over a bump) and then lost all engine power, conking out in the middle of the road. There was no sound involved--just that little shudder, and then no power. Each time, we had to push it to the shoulder. Each time, the car would start up again with no problem--but would not stay on. Some more details inside--any ideas what's up? [more inside]
Lower-fiber vegan foods
I just started a low-fat, vegan diet for health reasons, and I think I overdid it on the fiber. I had chickpeas for dinner last night, raisin bran with flax milk for breakfast, lentil soup for lunch... and now my tummy hurts. In a poopish sort of way, except I don't have to actually go, if that makes any sense. [more inside]
How do I stay on track with my goals after I have this kid?
How did you find ways to have a great family, and to keep trucking along with what you need to do to fulfill yourself professionally, especially when that professional work is really tough (but rewarding?) In other words, how do I keep myself from just drooling over strollers all day? [more inside]
How do I help someone Overseas build credit in the US?
How do I build someone's credit while they are overseas and not a US citizen? I am getting married to someone who is Japanese (in about 5 months) and lives in Japan right now. Because I know we will one day want to buy a house, I want to start building her credit as soon as possible because I know that it is easier to get a loan with two people signing instead of one. [more inside]
Help me i.d. these kid's books
A definite long shot, but I'm looking for the names of two of my favourite children's books from the '80's, these are picture books that were read to me about 25 years ago, and I'd love to find them for nostalgia's sake but also to read to my own children.
The first was about a little boy who follows a clown into his television, I think maybe at the boy's bedtime.
The second was about a boy and a monkey who go on adventures together, maybe to space, and I think there were trap doors or other neat ways of traveling. The illustrator of the book included these great doodles and tiny squiggles on every page (within the pictures not all over the text), and that's what I remember most, the great illustrations that were really intricate.
How can I attend the Oscars?
So after watching the Academy Awards last weekend, I'm wondering - how can I go? It's in a huge theater, surely they have some general admission options? Even better, could I be one of those seat filler people that fills the chair when a celeb goes to the bathroom? I'd prefer the Oscars, but I'm open to the Emmy or Golden Globe awards, or possibly even the Grammy awards. [more inside]
Resume/Job Search Question #1001
In May, I will be graduating with a master's degree in applied anthropology. I'll be meeting a potential employer this week (possibly tomorrow) at a 3-day long design/innovation bootcamp. How and when do I broach the subject of employment and ask to send him my resume? Bonus job search questions abound! [more inside]
Help! Recommendations for an exceptional endodontist in Seattle?
I had a failed root canal (my second!) and need an endodontist recommendation. I'm looking for a highly-meticulous specialist who will communicate thoroughly with me and won't treat me like an idiot. [more inside]
What's your favorite nonslip yoga mat that doesn't cost the earth?
Help me upgrade my yoga mat to something that is truly non slip. [more inside]
Give Me Some Ideas About Working or Active Vacations
I am looking for vacations in which somebody else is in control and I am actively taking part in it. For example, taking a trip to an archeological dig and taking part in the dig itself. Or learning how to be a crew member on a yacht. Burning Man is also an example in that I am taking part of the event. A cowboy cattle-drive. Yachting would be cool. I am also intrigued by NASA though I am not sure if they have anything like this. Creating art. Cooking vacations. Stuff like this.
Please let the ideas rip. No holding back :)
Research showing that *any* office rearrangement improves productivity?
Some years ago, I read about a study on workplace productivity, set up to test the effect of a new office layout (or perhaps some other physical feature of work environment). They changed to the new layout, and productivity jumped up. Over the following months, however, productivity tailed off to the original levels. So they changed the layout back to the original one. Again, productivity spiked suddenly and gradually declined back to the baseline. It was concluded that, whatever the relative merits of different office arrangements, the very act of making a change causes a temporary productivity increase. Does anyone know where I can find this study? [more inside]
posted by pont at 10:20 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by pont at 10:20 AM PST - 3 comments
Situational Awareness, but not the Archer kind?
I'm looking for lessons, exercises or examples of how one can learn to be more vigilant or to improve their situational awareness. I realize some people develop this trait naturally, but are there examples of such things being actively taught? Lessons of a law-enforcement/investigatory nature will be extra helpful, but I'll happily take other examples. [more inside]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:48 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:48 AM PST - 21 comments
Can an iPad that's been turned off be tracked?
My company recently issued iPads to my colleagues and me. Most of us are pretty happy about it, because, among other things, they will replace a lot of paper we had to lug around. There is a vocal minority, however, that fears the iPads will allow the company to track us, even when they're turned off. [more inside]
Do tall foundation walls need bracing?
I'm in the process of purchasing a house. In one of the many questionnaires, the seller responded "No" to the question "Are the exterior tall foundation walls braced?". Can you help me understand what this implies? and How concerned should I be?
The house was built in the late 70s, in Northern California, where earthquakes are a thing.
What vaccines / meds do I really need to go to India?
I have an appointment with a clinic to get some vaccinations before a two-week trip to India. My initial chat with the nurse made me feel like she was maybe pushing the "better safe than sorry" angle a bit, so I'm looking for some other opinions and links to good resources for making these decisions on my own. [more inside]
posted by toomuchpete at 9:34 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by toomuchpete at 9:34 AM PST - 21 comments
Can I mirror iPhone camera output - without the controls?
Hi - in a pinch, I need to use my iPhone to feed live video to a projector.
I have a VGA adapter, so I can mirror my camera, but I can't feed "clean" video without all the on-screen camera controls, etc.
I feel like the answer is easy, but I'm flummoxed. Is there an app or way to get just plain camera output without the controls?
thanks!
posted by smelvis at 9:09 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by smelvis at 9:09 AM PST - 3 comments
Student loan lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona?
I've got an unusual set of circumstances involving student loan debt... could really use the advice of a lawyer. Anyone know a good student loan lawyer in the greater PHX metro area?
posted by ph00dz at 8:57 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by ph00dz at 8:57 AM PST - 1 comment
Help me learn to play my (video game) hockey position
I'm hoping someone can direct me to an online (preferably free) resource that teach position-based hockey fundamentals. Where to be, when to crash or set up behind the net, how to adjust when your teammates go here or there, how to keep the puck moving and create a solid offense. Basically, fundamental positioning and how to run an offense. [more inside]
posted by JimBJ9 at 8:36 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by JimBJ9 at 8:36 AM PST - 5 comments
How to find cheap legal services for people who don't have good cases?
Because of the way nonprofits work, it seems most legal aid organizations receive their grant funding only for successfully defended cases - which means that some of them seem to cherrypick which cases they accept, sorting for the most winnable rather than those in the most need. Are there any that don't do this? How do I find places for people with bad or unwinnable cases, but who still need legal help? [more inside]
posted by corb at 7:47 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by corb at 7:47 AM PST - 14 comments
Too cheap for the yoga life
Looking for recommendations for DIY yoga sessions. [more inside]
posted by kidsleepy at 6:57 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by kidsleepy at 6:57 AM PST - 24 comments
Find this movie: topless woman with paper bag on her head
Trying to help a friend identify a movie he saw a few minutes of when he was a kid. How it starts: A woman drives to an artist's apartment/studio, talks about relationships, takes her shirt off, puts a paper bag on her head. The artist begins to draw. [more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak at 6:51 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by croutonsupafreak at 6:51 AM PST - 5 comments
Where can a girl get a drink in D.C.?
A friend will be travelling to D.C. on business later this week and is thinking of getting a nightcap one night at a local gay bar. She is wondering if anyone would be able to recommend a ladies friendly pub close to Union Station? She's staying at the Phoenix Park Hotel.
TIA
Maximizing Vision Insurance Benefits
Best use of vision insurance-glasses or contacts? [more inside]
posted by hollygoheavy at 5:36 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by hollygoheavy at 5:36 AM PST - 7 comments
Help me do the right thing with my best mate. (Baby sitting question)
I said I'd baby sit, then pulled out with four weeks notice. How do I make this up to her? [more inside]
posted by jujulalia at 3:55 AM PST - 34 comments
posted by jujulalia at 3:55 AM PST - 34 comments
Cloudbusting
After reading the Wikipedia entry on Wilhelm Reich, I'd like to learn more about his life. However, I don't want to start with his own work, or with people who follow his teachings now (a quick scan of Amazon suggests they're popular with the David Icke/woo crowd) - I'd prefer something objective and accessible to those who are not as familiar with the various branches of psychoanalysis. Any suggestions?
Have I been plagiarized? If so, what do I do?
I wrote a lengthy scholarly article last year, put a preprint of it on my university's institutional repository, and thought no more about it. In January this year, a British journalist published a piece of popular military history with a major British trade press that appears to contain about 6 pages of very, very close summary and paraphrase of my article. What to do? [more inside]
posted by Sonny Jim at 3:14 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Sonny Jim at 3:14 AM PST - 11 comments
Boyfriend's lack of motivation a turn off - what next?
We've been together about a year and when I first met him he was far more motivated. We are both writers and at the time I was too scared to actually starting performing my work in front of people - with his encouragement I finally overcame that hurdle. He was given an award for his writing from a well-known author and was doing well - but since we graduated (met at uni) he's more or less stopped writing altogether and is still working at the part time retail job he was at during his uni years. [more inside]
Maximum Future Vintage
What is your guess about the everyday items of today that are likely to become the collectibles of the future? To maximize ROI, what are some cheap disposable items today that may be greatly valued in the future? [more inside]
Job Interview Prep: Foreign language filter
Have an interview for a job tomorrow that looks so cool I just really want it. Thing is, they are looking for someone who is bilingual in English and French. I do speak French, but it becomes more difficult when I am nervous. Have you ever had to speak your second-language-that-you-have-studied-forever-but-are-far-from-perfect-in during a job interview? Tips for preparation and keeping cool during the interview appreciated. [more inside]
What is this one weird thing?
This is an image that has been popping up in the dodgy ad links on lots of websites for me lately, with the text "eat this and never diet again". Of course the linked page is selling some herbal diet supplement nonsense and the weird thing isn't described, explained, or otherwise mentioned. So what is it? My best guess is part of the eye of a sea creature or maybe some kind of jellyfish type creature. Any ideas? (Note- the link is to an imgur screenshot of the thing, no dodgy links, promise).
posted by cilantro at 12:39 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by cilantro at 12:39 AM PST - 9 comments
Business, Murakami, DFW, and Music
Book suggestions for a gift exchange recipient that combine business, Haruki Murakami, David Foster Wallace, and/or music? (here's hoping my recipient isn't also a Mefite!) [more inside]
posted by divabat at 12:21 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by divabat at 12:21 AM PST - 10 comments
It's my party, and I'll maul if I want to.
This is piggybacking on this question here: It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to.
I've given it a lot of thought, and I really think I need a new doctor for my ADHD. Or, at least one who I can get a second opinion with.
Because, while the Ritalin induced freakouts are less often and less severe, and take more to trigger them, they're still there, and I still consider them disabling.
So, I need recommendations for Psychiatrists who treat Adult ADHD, with co-morbid Depression and Anxiety. All three have been professionally diagnosed by my current Psychiatrist. My current Psych is great, bit he's a jack of all trades, and may not know all the subtleties of the meds out there for ADHD. And I have a feeling that I'm hitting the wall of my current doctor's knowledge.
Location: Seattle, and I'd like to stay in Seattle, please. I'm on the bus system, so transportation is hard. For medical insurance, I have CIGNA. I have no preference as to age or gender. I do want to be treated with allopathic/Western medications; I've tried alternative methods for treating my ADHD, and they don't work for me. [more inside]
posted by spinifex23 at 12:18 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by spinifex23 at 12:18 AM PST - 5 comments
I can't believe I'm wasting a question on this: HAIR, HOW DOES IT WORK?
I'm an actress who, on my own time, let's my hair do it's wild and crazy thing. That is not acceptable for ninety-nine percent of auditions. I think I've figured out the make-up thing, more or less, but I don't know what to do with my hair when there is even a hint of humidity in the air. Help me! [more inside]
posted by ablazingsaddle at 12:18 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by ablazingsaddle at 12:18 AM PST - 26 comments
March 3
Building a subtitle screening box!
I'm looking into the concept of building a machine specifically for screening subtitles in a movie theater. [more inside]
Is there grownup fun to be had in Orlando, Florida? (Or San Diego...?)
We are thinking of visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for a much-needed vacation and planning to stay there for a week (since we're flying across the country to get there), but upon cursory research, it seems that the Wizarding World is very small and will take probably half a day. [more inside]
Throat of Steel
Whenever I get the slightest bit sick, I always feel it first in my throat. Having an itchy throat where it hurts to swallow is no fun, and this extended winter we've been having has been no help! I treat it with plenty of water, honey lemon ginger tea, and cough drops, of course, but I'm wondering whether there's anything I can do preemptively to keep my throat from being less vulnerable. If you used to have a tender, wimpy throat that now weathers stress and rapid changes in temperature like a champ, I'd love to hear what you changed (be it food, vitamins, habits, or something else entirely)!
Why no alcohol content info on the wine label?
I thought that, by law, all wine bottles in the US must show their % alcohol content. But recently in California I've bought wine which doesn't display the alcohol content on either the front or back label. Am I just not looking close enough?
posted by mono blanco at 8:36 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by mono blanco at 8:36 PM PST - 11 comments
PHPBB Auto User Pruning - how do I undo it?
I run a forum where we discuss open source book scanning technology. Many users visit only occasionally. In a recent update, PHPBB enabled a feature called "Auto User Pruning", and it deleted users who had not logged in for 24 months. Two Thousand Users were deleted. It did not delete their posts, and their account names are still attached to their posts.
Please help me restore these users from my database backups or via some other method.
What was that novel that mentions grissini as a sexual metaphor?
I read a novel that has lots of sexual scenarios, one of which involves a "frigid" woman who is repeatedly offered grissini (breadsticks) by a waiter as a subliminally sexual seduction.
There was another ongoing scene in which a woman was a research subject for testing orgasm response.
Why? Because I can't remember and like the pirate with the steering wheel belt buckle, it's driving me nuts. Thanks!
Armageddon tired of messy kitchens
What are your tips and tricks for keeping your kitchen clean while preparing and cooking? [more inside]
posted by Kerasia at 7:31 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by Kerasia at 7:31 PM PST - 23 comments
Looking for Powder at Jackson Hole
A friend and I will be visiting Jackson Hole for the first time next weekend, and we're looking to get the most out of our trip. Can anyone recommend where to look for good powder stashes, even several days after the last storm? We're both experts (me on skis, him on a board) and don't mind hiking for powder. We're not equipped for the backcountry so we'll have to stay in bounds, but we'd really like to explore what the resort has to offer.
If you're a Jackson Hole pro, and happen to be in town next weekend, and wouldn't mind serving as a tour guide for some out of towners, send me a message. We're always looking to meet new friends and we'd be happy to repay you in beers at the end of the day!
Daughter involved in bullying; did I do the right thing?
A photo was taken of my 10 year old daughter doing a racist impression of an asian classmate. I found the photo on my daughter's phone and subsequently discovered that she had sent this to two of her friends. She has been duly punished and lectured on why this was wrong and my wife contacted the parents of her friends to ensure that the photo was also deleted from their phones (which it was). We had hoped this would be the last of it, however someone informed the school of this and now things have blown up into a much bigger issue; it turns out that there has been an ongoing campaign of bullying against the asian girl by all the girls in the class and this incident, combined with another far worse incident, has meant this has been dragged in front of the entire class, with my daughter now the target for abuse because other parents refuse to believe that their girls could be involved.
If we had kept our mouths shut and kept this incident entirely within the family, the chances are nobody else would have ever heard about this but my daughter would still have been punished and taught a major life lesson. Now she is learning a far more frightening life lesson (that adults can be shit too) and things are spiraling out of control. I am now suffering guilt about the pandora's box I have opened on her.
Could I have handled this better? [more inside]
Collecting bad debts in the US from abroad
We, an Australian business, have a deadbeat client from the US who has defaulted on their accounts for services already provided. We have a clear paper trail and signed agreements, and looking to take the next steps in debt recovery which would involve a third party collections agency. Here in Australia there are a few reputable companies, but it seems like the Wild West in the States. Can any one recommend any particular company who can help out? The offending company is registered and operating out of Austin, TX. I so wish I didn't have to write this question. Thank you!
If I could turn back time
What are the most awesome ideas for marking or celebrating time that you have either done or heard of? There are some criteria… [more inside]
posted by NoraCharles at 5:39 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by NoraCharles at 5:39 PM PST - 10 comments
Hair Dilemma: Chop it off or keep it? What cut?
I'm seriously considering chopping my hair short again, but it's a tough decision as my hair grows slowly. I'd love some help and opinions!! [more inside]
posted by Crystalinne at 5:38 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by Crystalinne at 5:38 PM PST - 22 comments
Where have all the patients gone...
I work at my local County Hospital and for the last two weeks we've had a very low census. I hear rumors that the local Giant HMO and local For Profit Hospital Chain are packed right now. I also know one Local For Profit but Independent and Unaffiliated Hospital is at risk of closing right now because of extremely low census. So for folks who actually work in hospitals (and clinics?) are you seeing a change in number of patients since Obamacare started? [more inside]
printer settings in MS Word 2013
Sweet mother of mercy, when did Microsoft decide it wanted me to go bald before graduating? [more inside]
Here we are now, emulators
What are some successful songs that were attempts to write a song like another band? For example, Kurt Cobain was trying to sound like Pixies with "Smells like Teen Spirit" and The Offspring's "All I Want" was an attempt at a Bad Religion song.
I don't know what I want, but it shouldn't be this hard
Dating this new guy is crazymaking. I can't figure out if there's genuine interest, if I'm being strung along, or if it's my own anxiety tying me up in knots. Please help! [more inside]
posted by cucumber patch at 3:40 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by cucumber patch at 3:40 PM PST - 26 comments
I'm a Philosopher King... only, I'm not.
What's a good title that has the same sense as Philosopher King but can be used by a woman? Don't start me on "Philosopher Queen" -- You and I both know that it's not the same thing at ALL. [more inside]
posted by janey47 at 3:30 PM PST - 45 comments
posted by janey47 at 3:30 PM PST - 45 comments
How do I ask out my wife?
My wife and I used to go out fairly frequently - not partying but dinner, museum, movie, etc. Almost two years ago we had a child, whom we both adore. However, we have not been out since. We have had offers to watch the child so we could go out and she would not take any up on it. What can I say for my wife to accept a date with me? [more inside]
CPS invovlement
A family member who lives in another state has an open child protective services case. All we know is that one parent is not allowed to be alone with the child for the next ninety days. We are aware that the social worker from CPS can't reveal any information, but we are concerned for the safety of the child (of course) but also for the well-being of the parent. The parent is not communicating with family. Now what? [more inside]
Being a real _(person's name)_
I'm looking for first names that are used to describe a kind of person or that person's actions. For example: if you are accused of being a "Pollyanna", it means you have sort of a blind optimism or more generally harbor a positivity bias (and it's not usually a compliment). What are some other names that are shorthand for character traits? [more inside]
posted by 2bucksplus at 3:04 PM PST - 82 comments
posted by 2bucksplus at 3:04 PM PST - 82 comments
Toys that go beep in the day
Our 18 month old son loves things that beep and we'd love for him to play with things that are much less expensive than our $100 dollar Harmony Remote. [more inside]
Toys for a string-obsessed cat
My cat Hopper is obsessed with chewing on string, dental floss, Rainbow Loom bracelets, loose threads, wires... which is horribly dangerous for her (and frequently horribly disgusting for me). Any suggestions for safe toys that will satisfy her linear needs? She doesn't have any teeth but magically is still capable of chewing through things. [more inside]
Template / HTML 5 web sites?
I know of Wix, Squarespace, and Barley. What are some other companies that offer template websites with WYSIWYG-like interfaces? Preferably good template options, an Android app, and e-commerce-able. Each of the above is lacking in one of those areas--for instance, Squarespace has e-commerce and good templates but the Android app blows. Thanks!
Wordpress website breaking
I have a frustrating issue with a site hosted on Wordpress. Every now and again - and seemingly at random - I will get a message saying "Resource Limit Is Reached - The website is temporarily unable to service your request as it exceeded resource limit. Please try again later" when I try and visit my site or dashboard. [more inside]
Learning to talk pretty
I'm looking for book recommendations on speaking clearly, modulating my voice, and projecting well. In particular, I'd like to find book resources on phrasing, enunciation, pronounciation, and how to emphasize words in a sentence. [more inside]
posted by flyingfork at 2:14 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by flyingfork at 2:14 PM PST - 3 comments
Because "good presentations site" on Google doesn't help
About a week ago, I saw a very nicely designed site (parallax-y scrolling, a teal color scheme) where a (famous?) Web developer or engineer had collected her/his advice on giving good presentations, including thoughts on slides, handouts, timing, dealing with nerves, the q&a, etc. It was the perfect thing to send to people gearing up for a big talk, particularly in the tech field. It was recently launched, I think just in the last month -- I'd found it because someone on Twitter or Hacker News or somewhere had just linked to it. It was great and now I can't find it again. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? (Sadly almost all the salient keywords that I can think of for searching for this page are uselessly generic.) Thanks very much.
posted by the brave tetra-pak at 2:10 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by the brave tetra-pak at 2:10 PM PST - 2 comments
Do I need to wear pantyhose to a job interview?
I have been going on a lot of interviews lately, and in order to aid in that process, I've bought a sharp new black skirt suit. Do I absolutely need to pair this suit with opaque black pantyhose, or if it is okay for me to go to a job interview with bare legs (provided that it isn't FREEZING that day)? [more inside]
posted by SkylitDrawl at 1:55 PM PST - 50 comments
posted by SkylitDrawl at 1:55 PM PST - 50 comments
Disabling certain lockscreen widgets on a Samsung Galaxy S3
I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 running Android 4.3 (mmm jelly beans). I frequently use my phone to listen to podcasts via Doggcatcher or audiobooks via Audible. Since the update to 4.3, when audio is playing, the lockscreen defaults to showing a Doggcatcher or Audible widget, meaning I have to swipe in order to get to the lockscreen proper to see e.g. the clock, which is most frequently what I'd like to see. I would like it to stop doing this. [more inside]
posted by davidjmcgee at 1:30 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by davidjmcgee at 1:30 PM PST - 4 comments
Where can I get a small industrial rice polisher for sake rice?
I am starting a craft sake brewery and I wish to make ginjo and daiginjo sakes. I need very polished rice! [more inside]
posted by Captain Shenanigan at 1:23 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Captain Shenanigan at 1:23 PM PST - 5 comments
Replacing a Verizon FIOS wireless router
A friend told me that I should ditch the FIOS router Verizon gave me a few years ago and buy an off-the-shelf router for better results. Has anyone had any luck doing this? I've searched the internet and I'm not able to find any specific details on what routers one would buy to do this.
posted by photoslob at 1:20 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by photoslob at 1:20 PM PST - 5 comments
What if we don't need to read anymore? Futurist recommendations...
What fiction, non-fiction, or academic works on a "post-literate" world can you recommend? Has anyone written about a world where the most successful and powerful don't necessarily posses the ability to read or write as we know it? [more inside]
Ultra-friendly free forum software?
We're building a website for seniors and want to make it easy for them to get into bulletin board-style discussions that you can register for with Facebook or other really easy login, similar to the forums at Gawker. Is such a thing freely available somewhere? We've been experimenting with BBPress but so far it seems a little bit hard for our audience to get into, unless maybe there is some module out there that makes it easier?
Installing Mint, Screwed Windows
I went to install Mint 16 last night (the latest version) as a dual-boot system. I have a 1.5TB disk where Windows 7 lives with Mint 12, and 2 encrypted 3TB disks. (Mint 12 is no longer bootable, BTW.) Obviously, things did not go as planned... [more inside]
posted by IAmBroom at 1:04 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by IAmBroom at 1:04 PM PST - 9 comments
Shooting iPad video in the tropics
I'm tagging along on a research trip to a biological field station in the Bahamas. While I'm there, I'd like to use my iPad to shoot some video of the researchers doing their respective things. How would you turn an iPad 2 into a lean, mean, field-video-recording machine? [more inside]
posted by ann_disaster at 12:24 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by ann_disaster at 12:24 PM PST - 7 comments
Soon-to-be homeowner. Help me choose an alarm system
My girlfriend and I have just gone under contract on a home in Atlanta, Georgia. It's in a safe neighborhood, ITP (Briarlake area) but plan on having a security system installed ASAP. [more inside]
Peace
Any suggestions for movies / television shows set in very peaceful settings? [more inside]
posted by mysticreferee at 11:54 AM PST - 48 comments
posted by mysticreferee at 11:54 AM PST - 48 comments
Dog has suddenly changed behaviors
12-year-old dog has suddenly changed behavior in the past 2 weeks - anxious, clingy, having bathroom issues, etc. Vet has found nothing. Any other suggestions on what we should do? [more inside]
posted by Zosia Blue at 11:26 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by Zosia Blue at 11:26 AM PST - 16 comments
What author referenced Katharine Briggs's An Encyclopedia of Fairies?
Several months ago, I read somewhere a mention of an author using the 1970s book An Encyclopedia of Fairies by Katharine Briggs as a main reference for a work of fiction. I thought it was C. Robert Cargill for his debut novel Dreams and Shadows, but he told me via Twitter that it wasn't him. I'm stumped. And it's bugging me now. Who mentioned this book, perhaps in their own forward or acknowledgments or something? Thanks.
Economic way to demolish concrete steps?
We have an old wooden deck at the back of our house that we want to remove and replace with a brick patio. It turns out that under the deck is a solid concrete set of steps. We need to get ride of them. How can we do that economically? [more inside]
posted by starkraven at 11:23 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by starkraven at 11:23 AM PST - 15 comments
House cleaners in Albuquerque?
I'm interested in hiring a house cleaner for my Albuquerque home. I'd like bi-weekly or monthly cleanings of the public spaces and both bathrooms (around 2,00 sq. ft.), as well as those "major cleaning" things, such as windows, on a schedule. I'd like them to use effective cleaners that are also somewhat green-ish (clean trumps green). Because I do animal rescue, I do have cats/dogs in the house (most foster dogs are crated when I'm not home). Any recommendations?
Managing and backing up files across several home computers
What are your tools and best practices for managing your digital stuff across several computers at home? [more inside]
Positive symbols/reminders of death?
Lately I have been catching myself remembering that I am going to die one day. I think, like like Steve Jobs that remembering this fact is important.
I'd like to get a tattoo on my hand, or somewhere visible as a daily reminder, "you are going to die one day". However I would like to find a symbol that represents the opportunity and responsibility of that fact, not the fear of it (like a skull). Any help?
posted by ejfox at 10:36 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by ejfox at 10:36 AM PST - 31 comments
Giving the gift of mail-order fruit.
I want to ship some fruit as a gift to a friend (within the US). I know that apples and pears from Harry and David are tasty, but I'm interested in other options. [more inside]
posted by cushie at 10:19 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by cushie at 10:19 AM PST - 7 comments
What is the best C++ Integrated Development Environment for a noobie?
I'm not a complete noob when it comes to programming. I started off in TRS-80 basic and progressed to Pascal, Visual Basic, Matlab, and a bit of assembly language and HDL. [more inside]
men's wedding band that is not so.... expensive
After going to a few brick and mortar shops in NYC, we have a bit of sticker shock over how much a simple men's wedding band can cost. We're looking for a 4mm 14k yellow gold half round band size 10. We're hoping to spend under $300. Does anyone know any brick and mortar stores in NYC where we could could find a ring for under this price? Reputable website recommendations are also welcome, but we would prefer to see the ring in person before buying it, if possible. [more inside]
I want to hack the (currently non-existent) vegetable part of my diet.
I have a question regarding nutrition and vegetable intake that the internet has so far been unable to answer. I need an Idiot's Guide to eating the fewest amount of vegetables possible while still getting what vegetables have to offer. Are you willing and able to guide this idiot? [more inside]
Getting my work and personal schedules in sync, with technology.
How can I better organize my schedule through better use of my work and personal calendars across platforms? My primary calendar at work is through Outlook/Exchange, but for personal correspondence I use gmail/google calendar, mostly accessed through my iphone or a browser on my mac. Right now I am just inviting Work Email Address Me and Personal Email Address Me to events (like meeting invitees) but perhaps there is a better way. Suggestions of articles/resources to help me figure this out also welcome! [more inside]
posted by NikitaNikita at 9:50 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by NikitaNikita at 9:50 AM PST - 4 comments
Best time for a first time visit to NYC
A close family member will be turning 21 next January (toward the end of the month). I'd like to surprise her with a weekend trip to NYC in honor of her birthday. She has never been before and loves to travel, and I think it will make a great memory.
Here's the rub: I can't decide whether to 1) go on her actual birthday (pro: we'll be there on her actual birthday and con: January is kinda dreary), 2) celebrate her birthday early and go during the Christmas season (pro: Christmastime in NYC is so special), or 3) celebrate her birthday at home and go when it warms up, possibly late May (pro: it will be nice to stroll the neighborhoods and not shiver). What do you guys think?
Job title for CEOs right-hand man
Please help come up with a job title for a new position. This is a small company (~25) focused on marketing and associated software development. The person in this position is tasked with working directly with the CEO to extract his visions of new ideas, then creating mock-ups or final graphic designs as needed. [more inside]
1099s sent off to IRS, 1096 left behind. Now what?
Theoretically, say you are a small business/non-profit and you mailed off ~150 1099 forms to the IRS last week (deadline was 2/28). Say you came into work this morning and the 1096 summary form that is supposed to accompany the 1099s was found to have fallen out of the envelope and onto the floor before sealing. How would one go about resolving this?
Where should I go in Croatia for a low-intensity, beach-centric break?
I'm going to Croatia this summer (mid-June) for a friend's wedding, and I have about a week before the wedding to see the sites. I need to end up in Varazdin, Croatia for the wedding, but I'm interested in the beaches. What should my itinerary be? [more inside]
Why does Russia want Crimea?
Beyond affinity with Crimea's Russian-speaking majority, what does Russia stand to gain, strategically speaking, from control in the region? Succinct explanation or links to good explanatory articles are much appreciated. [more inside]
Update Garmin Nuvi 50
I have a Garmin Nuvi 50. It has free updates. The memory is full. My google-fu needs help, all that I could find was information about deleting extra voices. That's not enough.
It seems to me that the proper step would be to delete the old maps and then upload the new maps but I don't find anything that describes that. Please help.
What should I eat to sustain me through a 4.5 hour computerized test?
I am taking the GRE on Saturday and I have issues with low blood pressure and mild hypoglycemia. What should I eat the morning of? What should I bring to the test to sustain me for the full 4.5 hours? [more inside]
posted by Alison at 8:35 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by Alison at 8:35 AM PST - 18 comments
How do you stay calm in your stressful job?
Looking for: Ideas of how to deal with stress while at the job (counting, reading, taking my lunch time alone) and ideas on how to deal with the stress once the job is technically over (running, skating, reading, gardening, going to church, etc.) [more inside]
What novels have news clippings and press releases in them?
I'm writing the Great American Novel (isn't everyone?). I want to intersperse press releases and newspaper clippings throughout the book, but I'm not sure about formatting (and e-book format raises yet another question). [more inside]
posted by adverb at 7:17 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by adverb at 7:17 AM PST - 13 comments
I caught my therapist in a lie; am I overreacting?
I've been seeing my psychologist for about 18 months. Overall, she's great: upbeat, insightful and easy to talk to. But on a couple of occasions I've left therapy with a distinct feeling that she wasn't being entirely forthright with me, or like she actively tried to make me feel insecure during a session. Are these red flags real? [more inside]
How would you explain why WWI started to an eight-year-old?
My son has recently gotten interested in history. He's been asking a lot of questions. I paid attention in high school, took some history classes in college, and read some history in spare time. So, I can often provide a halfway decent answer to his questions. However, I really didn't know what to say when he asked me this weekend why WWI started and what the war was "about". I said some vauge things about Archiduke Ferdinand and pre-exsiting tensions and alliances. I am sure, based on his past behavior, he wasn't satisfied and will ask again. I'd like to do better next time. I've read books on this topic, but don't know how to distill them into an answer. What would you recommend saying? I want to help him understand what happened, at least to the level he can appreciate at this age, while avoiding the sort of pat explanations that might make the war seem sensible or noble.
posted by Area Man at 7:08 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by Area Man at 7:08 AM PST - 16 comments
Help me help somebody else learn Office 2013.
My church is upgrading its computers and the old copies of Office are long since vanished, evidently. (If they ever existed; I kind of suspect the last person who did IT stuff may have pirated it.) So, we're buying new versions. But our office manager is... well, she's not at all computer literate. She's kind of continuing to be employed more on a charity basis than because she's actually very capable. But I need to get her able to actually use the basic features of Word, Excel, and Publisher on the new versions, in the simplest way possible that does not involve my personally sitting with her for days at a time. Help? [more inside]
posted by Sequence at 7:05 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by Sequence at 7:05 AM PST - 17 comments
Are the Ukraine protestors really right wing?
I'm looking for some in depth analysis of the Ukraine protest movement. Specifically, the degree to which the nationalist right wing are involved and where they fit into the new government. [more inside]
posted by MuffinMan at 7:02 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by MuffinMan at 7:02 AM PST - 5 comments
Best Blog Platform?
I'm thinking of starting an anonymous blog just to play with. I just want to try it out and have some fun while not limiting my future prospects. What are your recommendations and why? [more inside]
Paper or short excerpt of a book on early modern/victorian novels
I've been trying to find this paper I remember reading once (it was probably on Metafilter) but I can't seem to find it in the search. It was about a thoroughly mediocre early modern or victorian novel which was interesting because it taught readers the conventions of novel reading. It was full of scenes that showed characters reading novels and having emotional reactions. [more inside]
How can I not mess this up?
How do you have a platonic relationship with someone who has expressed non-platonic interest in you? Is this possible? [more inside]
posted by outoftime at 5:17 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by outoftime at 5:17 AM PST - 22 comments
What is the most you can do in a private home for bdsm education?
BDSM filter: A friend in Northern England wants to use a private home full of kinky equipment to do stuff like rope workshops, hire for small private parties, a venue for munches, and couples hire. What's the most that is possible within the law, without requiring a license? I'm aware of groups such as bdsm and the law on fetlife but am having trouble sifting signal from noise. [more inside]
posted by Mistress at 5:13 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Mistress at 5:13 AM PST - 7 comments
Scrap happy
What can I do with a ton of dressmaking scraps? [more inside]
posted by lollymccatburglar at 5:00 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by lollymccatburglar at 5:00 AM PST - 10 comments
Kids' upcoming attitudes toward surveillance - any research or similar?
Is there a book or a research article (or high quality speculation) to be found, which would ponder how frequent bombarding with "surveillance is a good thing" comments (appearing in media and made by some kind of authority) and "yet another security flaw appeared in a mobile application, in a web service or in a department of a company" news (which would happen to some high profile and well known company) affects kids and youngsters? I mean their mind is still shaping, so it would be interesting to know in advance, what kind of adults will they become? Naturally the mind of an individual is shaping throughout the whole lifetime, but it could be said that there are lots of people, who aren't or will not be very good at getting rid of their "old programming".
How are cool kids job searching / cool companies talent hunting?
After LinkedIn and CL, what job search / personal promotion boards / apps etc are used by a (say) 28 year old with a good few years of experience who is NOT a programmer or licensed professional (doctor, lawyer, etc). Same question for quality employers looking for that kind of applicant?
Should I go to professional graduate school?
I got into graduate school! But without funding. But it's for a professional degree, a master's in speech pathology. How can I decide? [more inside]
posted by Aranquis at 4:37 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by Aranquis at 4:37 AM PST - 22 comments
where should I look to find a programmer to help me with amazon s3?
I tried setting up my own vpn for my personal use via amazon s3. there are youtube tutorials on the web but I realized I'm out of my depth and I would like to hire someone to help me. only where should I go? is stackoverflow a good place to post such a request? or where do you go to find capable freelancers who can do a job like this?
March 2
Ok 2 ask friends to invite their friends to like your website's FB page?
Social Media / General Etiquette: Acceptable to ask a friend to invite some of their Facebook friends to follow your artistic website’s Facebook page? [more inside]
posted by cotesdurhone at 11:31 PM PST - 45 comments
posted by cotesdurhone at 11:31 PM PST - 45 comments
cleaned brick planters with muriatic acid, got white film
I cleaned my brick planters with a strong solution of muriatic acid, parts worked will, but one major section turned white with a film. How do I remove the film? The advice I read is to use muriatic acid to remove the film, but that seems to be causing the film on this one section.
Software or program to help me rank things.
Can you please help me find a computer program that will help me create lists of items in a ranked order? [more inside]
posted by wats at 9:20 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by wats at 9:20 PM PST - 7 comments
What are the lyrics to Lorn's Diamond
The lyrics in Lorn's Diamond go from :15 to 1:10. What are they? I can kind of make out a few phrases. "So I stay in this...", "But the space I keep...just won't be there long" and "but the best advice", "to pave the road that's of stone". Can anybody tell what all the full lyrics are? I even took the song and sped it up in audacity and that is still all I could make out.
ANCHORMAN 2 vs. ANCHORMAN 2
For those who have seen both the PG-13 version of ANCHORMAN 2 as well as the R-rated version: I'm not usually a big Will Ferrell fan, and haven't seen either the original ANCHORMAN or the original ANCHORMAN 2, but I went to the new 2.5 hour ANCHORMAN 2 attracted to the concept of a movie that had had a total joke implant. I ended up enjoying the very high joke density, surreal non sequiturs and strange tangents of this "super-size" version of ANCHORMAN 2 released this week.
Does the joke density of the standard PG-13 ANCHORMAN 2 come close to the 2.5 hour version, or is the pace closer to a conventional modern film comedy? [more inside]
What is the Style of this Necklace?
I was watching the US version of Antiques Roadshow the other week and during one of the appraisals, I was way more interested in the necklace worn by one of the experts. It seems like this type of design is specific style, but random Googling and looking through the gift shop websites for museums like the Met hasn't yielded an answer. I'd love to figure if this is a specific style and potentially keep an eye out for other versions of it. Here's a screenshot... [more inside]
posted by gov_moonbeam at 6:04 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by gov_moonbeam at 6:04 PM PST - 9 comments
Dinner plans: Lots of restrictions - please help
I'll be in Azerbaijan this summer with my 5 year old. Last summer we were there and I found that we were eating the same thing over and over again. Here are the issues:
- 5-year-old is picky - when in the U.S. he likes pasta, pizza, chick'n nuggets, smart dogs, mac and cheese, burgers, fries. Veggies I sneak into other things. Fruits he eats a lot of.
- I don't eat meat except for chicken and occasionally fish
- While lots of yummy fresh veggies are available, much of my favorite stuff isn't available easily and this is especially true of cheeses and spices
- I am a pretty lazy cook
- Processed food (like my kid likes, like nuggets) is almost impossible to get [more inside]
Help me stay warm!
In 4 months, I'm starting a new phase of my life where sweatshirts are no longer acceptable. Recommend things to keep me warm! [more inside]
Journals of Autocorrection
Can you point me to resources that deal with the thresholds that computers use to overwrite authorial intent? I'm interested in the boundaries between automatic correction and untrammeled thumbs.
posted by Bistle at 5:08 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Bistle at 5:08 PM PST - 2 comments
How to darken a reddish-colored moustache?
My husband has recently grown a beautiful reddish-colored mustache. I think it looks awesome. He, however, is unhappy with the color and would like it to be less red (he has dark-blonde hair). [more inside]
posted by ezrainch at 4:12 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by ezrainch at 4:12 PM PST - 11 comments
How can I snag the Afghan Whigs setlist from an upcoming show?
This is for a birthday gift and I'm really pining for it. The obvious answer would be to grab it at the show, but this is their first album in 16 years and at a small venue, it's sure to be a sold out show. My chances of actually grabbing it in a crowd of people is minimal (plus, what about security?). I'm wondering if it's too much to ask if someone backstage can grab it, but that would involve calling the venue's box office and asking a favor which I'm not sure would work. I thought of sending a letter with a self-addressed stamped envelope to their fan site but I realize those letters probably never reach the band. Has anyone successfully done this, or have any ideas that might work? [more inside]
Why is the official bird of Arkansas the Northern Mockingbird?
Why do states have official things? [more inside]
Bob Dylan - live performance - awards show - early-mid 2000s
I'm looking for audio-visual footage of a live performance by Bob Dylan and his band, at an awards show in the early-mid 2000s. [more inside]
posted by paleyellowwithorange at 3:30 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by paleyellowwithorange at 3:30 PM PST - 18 comments
How do I deal with profound emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion?
Whenever I have a particularly stressful or taxing day, I end up being profoundly exhausted for 2-3 days after. We're talking sleeping for 16 hours each day, walking around in a daze, feeling sick after eating, and just feeling unable to do anything I want or need to do. It's like I'm dealing with trauma, but surely this isn't a normal or even reasonable response to trauma, right? If you've dealt with this in the past or are dealing with it now, could you please share any solutions you've found that have worked for you? This has been going on since 2008 for me.
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 2:58 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 2:58 PM PST - 18 comments
Why does the road salt (in the Northeast, anyway) come from far away?
With all these winter storms here in the Northeast (and Midwest and South), I've been hearing a lot about salt supply issues. Supposedly much of it has to come from Chile...but there are plenty of salt mines in North America, aren't there? What about solar evaporation from the ocean right here? Wouldn't such sources save on the costs and environmental impact of shipping long distances? Are domestic sources just exhausted by demand in the Midwest and parts of the South far from ports?
Arrowhead wall fixture in 70's house?
We had a home inspected today that included two of these fixtures (below cut). They say "Arrowhead" on them but even our inspector had no idea what they were. Home was built in 1972. Any ideas, old home lovers? [more inside]
Romantic restaurant in Paris for less than 100 euros (give or take)?
We'll be in Paris on March 13th and 14th. We're staying very close to the Musée d'Orsay but we're willing to travel off the beaten path. Currently we've found Les Climats which seems highly regarded and right up our alley in terms of menu. However... [more inside]
Is (Telus) HSPA+ GSM compatible?
I'm dealing with a quad band device for a customer that works with a standard GSM SIM card. They are trying to use a SIM from Telus in Canada. They have a SIM from Telus inside the device, but it's not working. [more inside]
Archduke Ferdinand and his LOVELY wife Sofie -- Origin, please?
The phrase "Archduke Ferdinand and his Lovely Wife Sofie" is a thing, somehow. Where did this originate? [more inside]
posted by symbioid at 12:48 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by symbioid at 12:48 PM PST - 26 comments
Installing a grounded outlet: Is this procedure and price reasonable?
Is running wiring outside reasonable or should we get a second opinion? [more inside]
posted by rawralphadawg at 12:43 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by rawralphadawg at 12:43 PM PST - 16 comments
Creative solutions for tiny bedroom. Halp!
My guy and I live in a lovely apartment with a very small bedroom. We're able to fit a queen-sized bed and a dresser, but not much else. One problem we're facing is a lack of space for nightstands. We both would like some space to keep our phones (mostly because of our alarms), reading materials and maaaybe a tiny lamp. I have a small amount of space on my side of the bed and could potentially fit a small tripod-style stand. (any suggestions on where to find one of those are welcome!) He has no space. He has under the bed space. There is also an unused door that always stays shut on his side, so we were thinking possibly of getting some sort of hanging shelf that can be hung on the doorknob. Do those even exist?
Any ideas? Thanks creative hivemind!
posted by blackcatcuriouser at 12:39 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by blackcatcuriouser at 12:39 PM PST - 18 comments
I want to get this album, but I can't remember the artist or title.
I saw the cover and lyrics previewed on a review site a while ago, for a metal album, I believe it was a concept album, about the girls tried in the Salem trials actually being witches. [more inside]
posted by cake vandal at 12:28 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by cake vandal at 12:28 PM PST - 2 comments
Children's story about the entire world being quiet
Help me find the name of this story I remember about a moment when everyone stops making noise at once. [more inside]
posted by grog at 11:39 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by grog at 11:39 AM PST - 4 comments
African languages among enslaved people in the USA.
When did enslaved Africans in the US stop speaking African languages? [more inside]
posted by jason's_planet at 11:06 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by jason's_planet at 11:06 AM PST - 22 comments
Tips for a Hawaii vacation on a budget
Looking for tips on how to do Hawaii affordably. My GF and I would like to go for about 5-7 days and if we can keep air, lodging and car rental to $1000 each we'd be happy. We realize that may not be possible. Since many aspects of a trip to Hawaii seem to be more expensive than other sunny getaways we're researching any ways to keep costs lower. [more inside]
posted by fx3000 at 11:03 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by fx3000 at 11:03 AM PST - 19 comments
Where to get feedback on a French play?
My friend is a French expat living in the USA and is almost finished writing a play--in French. She is looking for some feedback on her work from people who are decent speakers of French and know enough about writing for theater, or fiction in general, but it's been surprisingly difficult to find such people. Do you have any ideas for helping her find such people? [more inside]
posted by ropeladder at 10:45 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by ropeladder at 10:45 AM PST - 4 comments
Can you help me figure out how to revise my novel after rejection?
I wrote a novel (hooray!). I got an agent (hooray!) The book went out to lots of great publishers (hooray!) who all rejected it (tears, sobbing, and gnashing of teeth).
And now I'm flailing.
Can you help me get my head straight and figure out a plan? [more inside]
Great psychiatrist in Manhattan, NYC?
I am looking for recommendations for a good psychiatrist in Manhattan. It would be superb if this doctor was in-network for Oxford, but it's not absolutely necessary (and seems very hard to find). [more inside]
Abbie Hoffman's cryptic "fly free" techniques
In Steal This Book, Abbie Hoffman states:
posted by Mayor Curley at 10:34 AM PST - 16 comments
We know two foolproof methods to fly free, but unfortunately we feel publishing them would cause the airlines to change their policy.Ever since I read the book as a kid, I've wondered what those methods were. Presumably, they're antiquated and safe to discuss. Anyone have any ideas?
posted by Mayor Curley at 10:34 AM PST - 16 comments
How can we soothe our fretful new puppy?
A week ago we adopted a four-month old puppy. She is currently teething and clearly in an adjustment period in her new environment, but she is terribly antsy and fretful. Is this just normal teething / settling in to new home behavior and is there is anything I can do to help her? [more inside]
posted by ladybird at 9:33 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by ladybird at 9:33 AM PST - 24 comments
Looking for some sad acoustic folk songs that suit my singing voice.
I can sing in an alto or soprano range and I love to sing with my NOSE [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 9:31 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by winterportage at 9:31 AM PST - 22 comments
Engaging books on stories from labor history
Could anyone recommend engaging, story-driven books on moments from American labor history? [more inside]
How Can I Put A Sofa Under My Murphy Bed?
I have a very tiny new apartment, and the best place for a sofa also happens to be the wall where there is a Murphy bed. I'm considering a couple of options.
I could put casters on my small loveseat so it's easier to push out of the way when the bed is down. But if I move the loveseat every day over a thick rug, will it damage the rug? (There's also isn't really a great place to move it to when the bed is down, because the space is so small).
The other option I was considering was some type of floor seating that can fit under the bed, which has about 8" of space when it's down. Has anyone ever tried a sofa like this? Can floor seating be comfortable?
posted by three_red_balloons at 9:08 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by three_red_balloons at 9:08 AM PST - 14 comments
Best succulents and exotic houseplants nursery on my route?
I'm driving roundtrip next week from KS to TX, and along the way I'll be passing through these cities: Oklahoma City, OK and Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and Medina, TX. In or nearby any of these cities, do you know about a fabulously awesome and dirt cheap nursery, open on Saturdays, that sells succulents/cacti and potentially other houseplants/exotics as well? I'm not interested in outdoor stock (trees/grasses/annuals/etc). [more inside]
posted by vegartanipla at 9:03 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by vegartanipla at 9:03 AM PST - 7 comments
How to take online dating slowly?
I'm a bisexual woman in my 20s, and I started online dating in January.
I moved to a new country so I am totally content with meeting new people and learning more about the city through them. I also really enjoy just talking to new people in general without any expectations, but I wonder if can do something better so I can actually have something romantic? [more inside]
Help me kiss my crush!
I'm female, 23, and have virtually no romantic experience (limited to a couple kisses when I was younger). I have a new crush and really want to kiss him! But I have no idea how to get from where we are now (just barely friends) to kissing, or even how to convey my romantic interest to Boy without explicitly telling him that I like him. [more inside]
posted by tango! at 7:21 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by tango! at 7:21 AM PST - 17 comments
Future Shock 2014 Edition
As an over 50 being, I am feeling daunted by the pace of change. In this weeks encounters with the future were my android which is smarter than I am, the cloning of the wooly mammoth, three parent birth families, and a friend said "that very soon the entire world will be eating gluten free, to which I replied "only when you pry the pasta out of my cold dead hands." I don't want to become a Luddite but the rapidity of change feels like too much. I need suggestions for coping and adjusting to change as I age.
posted by Xurando at 6:23 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by Xurando at 6:23 AM PST - 28 comments
Requirements for open job advertisement by universities in the UK?
I have been told that publicly funded Universities in the UK are bound by certain requirements when they want to hire for a position: for instance, that the job be advertised for a certain amount of time, and the competition be open and on the merits of the candidates. What *exactly* are these requirements, and where can I read about them? I'm thinking specifically of Lecturer-type posts, if that makes any difference.
How long should I dry out a Mac Mini after a coffee spill?
I am trying to determine how long to air dry a computer that suffered a liquid spill. [more inside]
posted by thelonius at 4:36 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by thelonius at 4:36 AM PST - 20 comments
First-time PC laptop... halp!
So: junior has saved up to buy his own computer. Since we're, by habit, a Mac family since forever, but he's opting for a PC, I'm finding the thicket of options a little overwhelming. The main issue is to reconcile requirements for gaming, durability (and potential futureablility) and price. (Also: we're in Europe, so some models/options don't seem as readily available as in the US.) The other main piece of information I'm missing is the reliability - in terms of build quality and service - of PC brands. Is there a good place to find some guidance - or is it really a lot easier than it seems? [more inside]
March 1
What were people paranoid about before modern technology?
Due to some personal motivations, I've been reading a lot about paranoia lately and most of the delusions I hear about involve modern technology, ie. wire taps, hidden cameras, etc. What are some examples of paranoid delusions before that technology existed?
posted by shesdeadimalive at 11:21 PM PST - 35 comments
posted by shesdeadimalive at 11:21 PM PST - 35 comments
Love songs with dark, disturbing music and lyrics
I am looking for songs about love and/or obsession that feature a creepy / dark / disturbing aesthetic. [more inside]
Dumpster diving in my own apartment
Nearby dumpster smell is invading my apartment. How do I get rid of it? [more inside]
How to endure a physically exhausting and mentally draining job?
So, being the unemployable liberal arts grad that I am, I’ve started cashiering / waiting tables to make ends meet, while looking for internships in my desired field (which are often unpaid anyway). I hate this job, dread going to work, but cannot quit yet. How do I cope? [more inside]
posted by shadowy_world at 8:10 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by shadowy_world at 8:10 PM PST - 21 comments
Finding a housecleaner in Phoenix
I want to find a housecleaner for Mr. Nat, who lives across the country from me, in Tempe, AZ. I have never hired a housecleaner of any sort myself, and don't really know how to find/evaluate people, especially at a distance. I'm interested in both general advice and specific Pheonix recommendations. [more inside]
posted by nat at 7:46 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by nat at 7:46 PM PST - 6 comments
Cute Top
Women's fashion question: is there a name for this style of neckline? [more inside]
posted by Ideal Impulse at 7:16 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Ideal Impulse at 7:16 PM PST - 5 comments
Would you go ahead with a trip to DC this coming week given the weather?
My family and I are set to travel by train to DC for a week of enrichment during our Mardi Gras break. The weather looks like it has the potential to close museums etc. and make us fairly uncomfortable for the significant walking from place to place. We could cancel it all and set out for something warmer tomorrow, but is my concern overblown? We're going tomorrow through Friday. The potential for closures and outages is the biggest factor, I guess.
posted by zangpo at 5:24 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by zangpo at 5:24 PM PST - 13 comments
Help me buy a Wi-Fi Cable Modem Router
Currently use TW cable with one of their rental modems. Would like to buy my own and add wifi to my home. I use an iMac, a couple of iPhones and will possibly add a tablet soon. No gaming. Home is under 2000sq ft. Use is mostly casual internet, work related. Occasionally download movies. Stream from my mac to my stereo would be nice.
Can anyone make any recommendations?
I don't need anything top end but would care to avoid too rapid obsolescence.
TIA
How do I become a better photograper?
I know, I know a generic question .. but I recently purchased a Nikon D5200. I understand the basics but I am trying to get to the "next level". Any tips? [more inside]
Fiction: A pdf/txt file about how to recruit for terrorist organizations
About five years ago, I remember skimming through what purported to be an internal document for how to recruit for an unnamed/generic terrorist organization. It was very fanciful/dime-novel-like in nature. Does this sound familiar? [more inside]
Old internet/academic humor archive?
I'm looking for an old website, maintained by a college professor, with computer, physics, and grad-school related humor colelcted from around the Internet. [more inside]
posted by thegears at 2:45 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by thegears at 2:45 PM PST - 4 comments
What shoes to wear with blue knee-length dresses?
Paging metafilter fashionistas! I have purchased two blue, knee-length dresses and I need suggestions for stylish and comfortable footwear. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by tuesdayschild at 2:13 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by tuesdayschild at 2:13 PM PST - 26 comments
"Weiner Spook" isn't cutting it
Help me name my web series! I need a name that communicates some/all of the following:
Dramedy/Comedy
Private eye/detective
Street meat/food cart vendor/hotdog vendor
Peril
Shorter is better, ideally one to three words.
Pun it up, Internet!
posted by lizifer at 2:03 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by lizifer at 2:03 PM PST - 24 comments
Can you give me any helpful info about events in LA and California?
Can you give me any helpful info about music festivals, outdoorsy-motorcycle gatherings, hippie get togethers, nerd conventions, and areas where friendly people commune to hang and be merry, centering around a certain activity in Los Angeles and California (maybe even neighboring states). [more inside]
My coffee and water would taste better without chemicals and plastic...
I want to:
1) Try to cut plastic out of my life, at least in coming into contact with beverages I consume.
2) Get my own coffeemaker for my house that doesn't have plastic.
3) Find a solution for drinking water that a) doesn't come in plastic or b) is filtered properly. My city has elevated levels of hexavalent chromium (or chromium 6, the stuff from Erin Brockovich) and Pur faucet filters or even Brita pitchers can't filter that out. [more inside]
Help me decipher this handwritten Norwegian postcard from an ancestor
My dad found this postcard that was sent in 1910 from my great-great-grandmother to her son and his wife. I've taken a stab at translating it from Norwegian to English using Google Translate, but I've only been able to figure out a few words due to the handwriting. There might also be some characters that I'm not familiar with. Can anyone decipher more of it? [more inside]
posted by theory at 1:15 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by theory at 1:15 PM PST - 13 comments
Researching family UK WWII history
I've been looking into certain aspects of my family history and I'd like to learn more about one particular person, who I'm told left Poland in about 1941, after members of his family were sent to Theresienstadt, and went on to serve in the British army as a cryptographer. [more inside]
Pointing my domain to a github page
I need help pointing a custom domain at my github page. [more inside]
posted by ludwig_van at 1:09 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by ludwig_van at 1:09 PM PST - 5 comments
How do I make Homegroup work with a VPN?
Two laptops can see each other but not the desktop; the desktop cannot see or connect to the homegroup, or start a new one. One laptop and the desktop connect to the internet through a VPN. [more inside]
Remaining "flush" during the Zombie Apocalypse
Not that I'm writing a Walking Dead fan fiction or anything, but if I was I have a few hypothetical questions about water towers, wells and human waste disposal during an extended power outage. [more inside]
posted by Oriole Adams at 12:03 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Oriole Adams at 12:03 PM PST - 10 comments
Help me not get swindled by car mechanics
New (6 month old) car battery has died twice in the past month. From the pattern it's been showing, can you help me figure out what the issue might be, and help me avoid getting swindled in my attempt to get it fixed? [more inside]
Give me the lingo to un ring my bell
I got a bad hair cut today. I need the words when I go to get it fixed to make sure it doesn't happen again. [more inside]
Laparoscopic gastric bypass: realistic healing time?
My question is for people who've had the laparoscopic gastric bypass in particular: were you able to get up and move around with relative ease within two weeks? [more inside]
Armored Leisure Bra in Odd Size?
I want a bra I can lounge in without worrying about underwire or having straps dig into my shoulders when I'm lying on my side. I'd also like to be able to answer the door or go on a short walk without my nipples saluting everybody around. There seem to be options until I look for my unusual size (32DD). Is there such a thing as a padded sports bra that will fit the smaller band size without causing boob overflow? Are there other/better options? This is probably impossible, but I'd like to be able to solve this problem on the cheap. [more inside]
Anhedonia and creativity
I am a writer and visual artist, mostly a writer. I have been through a grueling bout with severe depression. Now the agonizing emotional pain is lessened, but I have been blank, apathetic, and anhedonic for a couple weeks. I started on Zoloft a couple days ago and also had my lithium increased, and I also recently started a prescription dose of vitamin D because my levels were low. I'm throwing all those things plus therapy, exercise,omega 3's, and light therapy at the problem, but there is little help right now. My big question has to do with the fact that I am seemingly unable to be creative right now. I try to write and nothing comes out,or it comes out awkward and flat. I've tried writing about the flatness,but even that trick doesn't work. The visual side hasn't fared much better. Does anyone have suggestions for how I can keep my creative side alive while I wait for all the treatments to help?
Books about Norfolk?
Are there any books or films you know of that are set in or around Norwich &/or Norfolk? Fiction or non-fiction, it's all good.
Years I did not file taxes
There were a few years when I did not pay state or federal taxes. I'm not sure exactly which years, but probably 2001-04 is the window of time I'm looking at. I put it off until the last minute, then got overwhelmed by the paperwork and the forms and just gave up. I didn't make much money any of those years. I'm not even sure I owed taxes - in most cases I probably was due for a (tiny) refund.
For the past several years I have worked on becoming more financially responsible and have regularly paid my taxes on time. I tend to forget about those years but when I do think about them I'm concerned. I'm just not sure what steps to take to resolve this. I'm not even sure which years I did not file. [more inside]
You're my only hopes.
I heard a snippet of a song this morning on the radio. It was an awesome Star Wars theme mix and included a snippet of the Cantina Band song and later, R2D2 noises. I must have! [more inside]
posted by mibo at 9:54 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by mibo at 9:54 AM PST - 5 comments
Is the ongoing California drought a reason not to visit this summer?
Is the ongoing drought a good reason to postpone a planned summer trip to Northern California to another year? We were thinking of spending a week around SF/Napa/Sonoma in August. Interested in things like parks/hiking, wineries, farmers markets.
Start-Up Advice for a Photography Firm
What are some of the most important lessons you have learnt from trying to start a photography startup? Experiences will help. I want to know what tools you used, the challenges that you faced and how you overcame them. Specifically for a one or two-person run people & travel photography startup.
How do you decide where to live?
My wife is finishing up her MFA this year, and our lease is up in August. We have to decide where to live next, and it's giving us some headaches. Special snowflake inside. [more inside]
Building better judgment
I lack good judgment, common sense, and impulse control. Is there a way to improve any of these things? [more inside]
Should I tag along for a trip to Long Beach?
Hubby is going to a conference March 30th - April 3rd at the Westin Long Beach. Should I tag along? We'd just have to pay for my airfare and petsitting, so maybe $500 which is definitely affordable for us.
It seems like a good opportunity to get some west coast time (we live in Philly), but any place with Beach in the name sounds good right now...I'm afraid this cold, snowy winter will never end!
Is there enough to do while Mr. jshort is at the conference all day?
If I go, what should I do?
Where should I/we eat?
What will the weather be like? [more inside]
posted by jshort at 8:42 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by jshort at 8:42 AM PST - 17 comments
How to deal with difficult co-workers?
In December I started working for a mill that manufactures flour, and although most employees there are excellent and fun to work with, I am discovering that many of my immediate co-workers appear to sabotage others for their own benefit. [more inside]
Writing for computer games?
I'm a fiction writing and I've always wanted to be involved in the storytelling aspect of a computer game. Can I make this happen without a career change or having to take on technical or design stuff? If so, how? [more inside]
Head vs. Heart debate: can it work if I am not 'in love' with him?
For just over a year I have been with a guy who is perfect for me on paper. He is sweet, kind, intelligent, hardworking, loves me and would do anything for me... we get on with each other’s families. We share values, interests, friends, ideas about where to go on holiday. But although I care about him a lot I’m not 'in love' with him, and I’m not sure I will ever be. [more inside]
Be my Techie? Tablet Edition
I'm an HR manager in a company and am looking to buy a PERSONAL tablet to use in meetings for taking notes, keeping to-do lists and storing/viewing notes. I'd love to be able to handwrite into the notes, but that's not a deal-breaker as long as the tablet is functional. I have some flexibility on price, but would really like to stay under $400. Bonus points for internet functionality without wifi. [more inside]
posted by Draccy at 7:43 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Draccy at 7:43 AM PST - 15 comments
How can I find cheap flights from Turku Finland to any other EU country?
I'm in Turku Finland with my SO and we would like to visit other countries in the EU. The things is we don't mind which country, just whichever is cheap/convenient. We'd just like to find cheap and direct flights from Turku Airport to other countries in the shengen area (that's where my visa is valid). We don't want to take a boat or bus. Thanks!
What are these white things on the stems of my blueberry plants?
These white growths were on the stems of one of my blueberry plants here in Washington, DC. I guessed they weren't anything beneficial and they popped off pretty easily in the cold. The inside/undersides are sort of pinkish red. What are they?
posted by exogenous at 6:21 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by exogenous at 6:21 AM PST - 3 comments
10 Disc Kingston Trio Album
When I was a kid my parents had a 10 disc (or maybe five disc, 10 sides) album of the Kingston Trio that I'd love to find but I don't know the name of it. I tried to Google it, checked Amazon and iTunes, searched Craigslist, even went through the Spotify Kingston Trio discography and can't find it.
Anyone else know what it was? [more inside]
posted by nathanrudy at 5:34 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by nathanrudy at 5:34 AM PST - 7 comments
Where to go to Dinner in Portland Oregon?
My husband and I will be in Portland, Oregon for a Saturday night in about 6 weeks - I'd like some help narrowing down a restaurant choice... [more inside]
posted by hilaryjade at 5:07 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by hilaryjade at 5:07 AM PST - 21 comments
(Bleeping) Jobs, how do they work?
I have a history of fairly short stints at jobs. 6 months, 9 months, a year, 18 months... this has been going on since I finished professional school over a decade ago. I know that this isn't typical and is standing in the way of me having a real "career." I'm curious how the people out there with more solid track records than mine experience their work. What makes you able to stay with companies for years at a time? Are you just lucky or is there a secret sauce? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:49 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:49 AM PST - 19 comments
The "Going to ????" Problem
Have you ever heard of a problem in economics called something like "Going to Cleveland"? I read about it years ago, maybe even here, but I can't find it anywhere now. As I remember it, it involves a group of people who are making plans to drive somewhere, but each of those people would secretly prefer not to go. Since they don't reveal their preferences to each other, though, they each assume that the others would rather go, and so they agree that they will too. The result is a suboptimal outcome for everybody. Am I making this up? Or does this really have a name and a full explanation?
posted by derrinyet at 2:27 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by derrinyet at 2:27 AM PST - 4 comments