March 2016 Archives
March 31
OK to exercise on an empty stomach?
I have never been able to eat in the mornings. 5 days a week I do an hour of some form of exercise on an empty stomach and do not eat until a few hours afterwards. Is this unhealthy? Should I be forcing myself to eat before and/or after working out, and if so, what should I eat? [more inside]
Err, was the pepper pot the Indifferent Mage or the Chaotic Numbat?
Two 11 year olds, one adult, lots of imagination on tap with a fair degree of story telling ability. What's the best primer on trying out a table-top role playing adventure game that has either/or dungeons and dragons with much (any?) up front cost? [more inside]
posted by antipodes at 10:09 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by antipodes at 10:09 PM PST - 22 comments
How to deal with unwanted gifts that have great value to the gifter?
What do you do when Aunt Beatrice insists on giving you "heirlooms" that you really, really, do not want or like or care about. Without making her cry. [more inside]
posted by sarahnicolesays at 8:01 PM PST - 40 comments
posted by sarahnicolesays at 8:01 PM PST - 40 comments
Can't hear anything on Google Hangouts
I'm using a new MacBook Air. Audio works fine on every other app, but when I try to use Hangouts I can not hear anything. Other side can hear me. I've gone through the troubleshooting checklist. I've shut down Skype. I've tried Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. I can pick up my phone and join the same call and hear just fine, so it's not a firewall issue.
"Don't use Hangouts" is not an option as I have a weekly call with a bunch of partner and the call is via Hangouts. Any Mac experts have an idea of what else I can try?
Good Places to submit my mystery short stories to
So I've got a half a dozen mystery/crime short stories written and I'd like to start submitting them for publication. I know of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen and Thuglit. What other reputable magazines/e-zines are out there that you would recommend? My stories are about 3000 words long, and they've done well in local short story contests.
I know nothing about audio editing and need to clean up a file
Ok, I have a 50 minute audio file, MP3 format, of one of a talk. Here's a short clip. It was recorded with an iPhone 5s in a hall, so the audio sounds distant and small. I'ld like to make this sound better, but have no idea how to do it.
I've downloaded Audacity, any pointers on what I should do? Is there a particular effect I can apply to the entire file to make it better or is more involved work needed and if so, what?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:13 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:13 PM PST - 4 comments
Another help me remember this movie question
It was the early 80s and I remember watching a fascinating kids adventure movie. But then I got scared from one scene and turned it off. I've never been able to find the movie since or learn how it ended. The scene I remember is of one character running up the stairs of the magical castle/dungeon to escape something terrible and the stairs disappearing as he tried to outrun them. Other things I remember: [more inside]
How is global warming measured?
1. Not all points can be measured. 2.Which points are measured affect the result. 3. So how is the global temperature determined? [more inside]
Floating audio widget for recording comments in OS X
I'm responding to student papers that are stuck inside our school's LMS. The software has a recording feature, but it is clunky and sluggish.
What I would like to do is leave audio comments as a read the paper, hitting record and pause until I reach the end, then save the recording as an mp3.
Quicktime would work perfectly for this if I could get the recording window to stay in the foreground. [more inside]
Help me exume the Outlook crypt
What's the best way to view a dozen old Outlook data files? [more inside]
Should I, a 46 year old woman, get a blue tattoo?
I never loved tattoos until I looked at some done with all blue ink. I think they are beautiful and I've always liked blue against my skin tone (pale and cool pinkish.) I have some slight scarring on my right forearm that bothers me and I think a band of tattoo around that part might look nice. I'm 46 years old and have a head of longish mostly grey hair. What should I consider before I take this impulse any further than a sketch and some googling? [more inside]
Floor lamp + iPad Pro?
I'm loving creating art with my iPad Pro, but I need better lighting. Do you know your way around the light-o-sphere? What floor lamp should I purchase? [more inside]
Is this even a thing, landscaping edition
Having purchased a house on a sizable plot of land (0.6 acres), we find ourselves in a pickle -- we'd like to fix up the yard, currently best described as "woefully neglected", but we'd like to do the work ourselves. The problem being, while we have a good idea of what we want, we don't know how to do it. We want some sort of mentor, somebody to review ideas, tell us broadly how to go about doing the work, give us feedback after we're done, and so forth. [more inside]
posted by genehack at 4:35 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by genehack at 4:35 PM PST - 8 comments
Working hard is its own reward.. oh, wait. That's virtue.
I am in need of some working hard/work motivation phrases. Quotes, platitudes you learned in kindergarten, something your dad used to say, anything goes. Bonus imaginary metapoints for anything that includes reasons or motivations to enjoy work (even if it's not very enjoyable).
posted by atinna at 4:32 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by atinna at 4:32 PM PST - 27 comments
Making a one-time payment over phone channel that might not be secure
Is there a way to make a one-time payment over the phone without compromising your account, if it turned out to be unsafe? [more inside]
posted by Baeria at 3:57 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Baeria at 3:57 PM PST - 3 comments
Growth of User Efficiency Over Time
We recently measured user efficiency with a few custom web-based search tools. So that we can level set performance against our existing tools, with which the users have significantly more experience, we'd like to understand how search efficiency may be expected to improve over time as users become accustomed to a particular tool. Are there any studies or stats related to that I may be able to reference?
Name change question
Is a minor marriage related name change discrepancy between state driver's license and social security card going to be a problem? [more inside]
Not-My-Fault Accident. Other driver wants to settle without insurance
Yesterday I was rear ended by a young woman driving a scooter. She apologized and admitted fault. I took her contact information and insurance information, but did not file a police report. I thought the proper thing to do was to call my insurer, tell them what happened, and give them the other driver's insurance information, and I did so. I assumed that I should let them handle the claim. Now I'm wondering if I made a mistake. Your help would be appreciated. [more inside]
Re-occurring Water Blister in My Mouth
Started happening December of last year and hasn't stopped. Is this something I should be concerned about? [more inside]
[Travelfilter] Three days in Victoria BC/Friday Harbor WA/somewhere?
Ms. look busy and I are getting a break from the kiddos to travel to Seattle for three days to visit friends and three days somewhere nearby to unwind. Mid-July, height of tourist season. We want to stay somewhere walkable with good coffee/beer/museum-y options, and a bike ride and/or car ride away from good hiking and hopefully whale watching or whatever is in season. We would like the trip to be as quick/convenient as possible from Seattle and back to catch our flight home. [more inside]
What to wear when you can't suck it in anymore?
Nearing the end of my first trimester, gained some weight on top of the belly I already had and I can't suck it in anymore. What the hell to wear? [more inside]
Font similar to mechanical engineering handwriting
Not Graphite. I am creating a visual presentation about engineers and am trying to find a font that mirrors what would be written on a blue-print or design. My father was a mechanical engineer and I would love to replicate how he would write. It is very similar to Graphite but the horizontal strokes must be horizontal and not going up to the right. I've googled font descriptions but am having no luck, so I thought I would try the hive mind. It seems very specific to engineers and not architects.
posted by turtlefu at 1:44 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by turtlefu at 1:44 PM PST - 12 comments
Brand new puppy - must I let her cry it out?
I just got this 9-week old puppy. It's her second day with us. She cried at night and she cries any time she's left on her own. I'm told the only way to teach her to be alone is to let her cry it out. I didn't do it with my (human) babies and I'd rather not do it with the puppy either. Surely there is a more humane way?
Which is easier, changing roles within a company or externally?
A few weeks ago my group was affected in a round of layoffs at a big video game corp and soon will be starting the process of finding a new job. I'm considering two changes to my career but i'm not sure what the best attack plan should be. I'd like to change job roles AND change industries, and I think there may be a best way of doing both but I'd like the hive mind's input. [more inside]
posted by escher at 10:59 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by escher at 10:59 AM PST - 6 comments
Sally Hemings
What is the best, most comprehensive nonfiction book on the life of Sally Hemings?
'Cause everything is rent
Trying to find an apartment in the Boston area is pretty tough. I search Craigslist and PadMapper for rental listings once a day at least. Then, yesterday, I had the thought of asking a local parenting listserve and received some great responses. What are some other unusual or alternative ways to search for (no broker fee) apartments in Cambridge, MA? [more inside]
posted by woodvine at 8:54 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by woodvine at 8:54 AM PST - 15 comments
Balance lost as my body pulls to the right
This is while walking. I don't know if the body-drag can be a symptom of BPPV, or Benign Positional Vertigo -- does anyone know if it can be? [more inside]
posted by noelpratt2nd at 8:39 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by noelpratt2nd at 8:39 AM PST - 15 comments
PAYG sims for both Ireland and UK
Which pay as you go SIMs should we buy in Ireland that will allow us to access data in the UK as well? We are spending time in both Ireland and the UK (flying into Shannon), so we would like one service that will work in both countries. [more inside]
Which neighborhood?
I am buying a house and trying to decide between two neighborhoods. Help me decide! [more inside]
posted by trixie119 at 7:53 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by trixie119 at 7:53 AM PST - 25 comments
Have money, want to donate: How best to achieve our goals?
Some family members and I have money that we would like to pool together to support a shared, lifelong value: the promotion of animal welfare. At least for the near-future, we have ruled out starting our own charity and are, thus, more interested in giving sizeable financial support to existing charities. But what is the best means of doing this that would also achieve some of our other aims? [more inside]
I need help describing this Southwestern shape/pattern
I need to describe the pattern running along the wall in Bashas' Diné Market and I'm having trouble coming up with the words. Help? [more inside]
posted by colfax at 7:25 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by colfax at 7:25 AM PST - 12 comments
♫ A nuclear submarine sinks off the coast of Sweden ♫
On somewhat short notice, my wife and I are going to Stockholm for several days. I know next to nothing about Sweden. Tourism tips, please! [more inside]
posted by Chrysostom at 7:20 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Chrysostom at 7:20 AM PST - 7 comments
I did a dumb thing. I need to save some underpants. Pls help.
I have some expensive underwear that got really smelly. Gross I know. I really want to salvage them. I desperately need your magic odour-destroying solutions! [more inside]
posted by beccyjoe at 12:45 AM PST - 64 comments
posted by beccyjoe at 12:45 AM PST - 64 comments
March 30
We're moving to Chicago! How do we figure out where do we move?
My fiancee just got accepted to medical school at UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago), so we're moving there in the next few months. Chicago's a big city, and we need to figure out how to start the apartment search. So...how do we do this? Are there standard questions about our priorities that we can answer in order to narrow down which neighborhood would suit us best? [more inside]
Abuse from a Job Application
I applied for a job advertised on Craigslist. The amount offered was substantially below what I'd normally work for but I thought I might give it a try....then it got weird. [more inside]
posted by alltomorrowsparties at 9:46 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by alltomorrowsparties at 9:46 PM PST - 20 comments
Is my counter top all right?
I had a granite counter installed in my kitchen last week. It is white with black and gray and brownish streaks, but on the lighter side overall. OMG, it is so pretty, and I feel incredibly classy now. But it keep changing color. [more inside]
Is it legal to show web-based art on a screen in a corporate classroom?
My employer is serious about not using copyrighted materials unless you have the copyright holder's permission. But in a classroom situation, might there be "one weird trick" to get around it? [more inside]
Dealing with self-obsessed roommate
I have a roommate who talks about herself until blue in the face. As a polite human, I will listen to her and interact. She will occasionally ask me how I am, and then will stick her nose in her phone and not show the slightest interest in my answer. I have 6 more months with her, and would like to have a non-insulting conversation with her about this pattern. How do I do that?
posted by Kombucha3452 at 6:10 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by Kombucha3452 at 6:10 PM PST - 23 comments
Free (?) Coworking Space in Vancouver for a day or so
I'll be in Vancouver for a couple of days later in April. Where is a good place where I can get free WiFi so I can work? I'm staying at Pender and Richards.
Save my Window Treatments from Cat attack!!
seeking best options for replacing broken blinds.... [more inside]
Fun wedding readings that deal with adoption?
My fiance and I are getting married, and he'll be officially adopting my 6-year-old son immediately afterwards. We'd like to incorporate the (impending) adoption into the wedding ceremony. The officiant will adjust the language, but we're also hoping to find a great reading that addresses parent-child relationships or adoption in some way. Ideas? [more inside]
Very slow Wordpress site
My travel blog is loading very slowly, especially the photo galleries. I'm using Wordpress, Nextgen Gallery, and Foobox. I'm into photography, so I want to have lots of high quality images (Retina, when possible). But I don't know how to optimize them to load reasonably fast. Or it could be something else causing the slow load times. I really don't know. [more inside]
posted by mkuhnell at 5:16 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by mkuhnell at 5:16 PM PST - 22 comments
What are your best and most popular ideas for bookmobiles?
I'm interviewing for a supervisor position with the bookmobile in a nearby city. It's been re-launched in the last year or so, and they have a staff of 5. I love bookmobiles but I haven't worked on one. What are your best ideas for programming and outreach? What are the coolest things you've seen bookmobiles do? [more inside]
How can my son get his ADHD meds in California?
My son is moving to San Francisco for 6 months. He needs to be able to get his ADHD meds while he is there. I'm looking for recommendations. [more inside]
posted by Biblio at 5:00 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by Biblio at 5:00 PM PST - 19 comments
Front-end web developer career for person with a disability?
I am disabled and can only work remotely, part-time. I'd like to become a front-end web developer. I've heard that after your education (in an online bootcamp or whatever) a lot of the actual learning for this career happens your first few years when you're working as a junior developer full-time in an office. Is that true? Have you encountered many part-time jobs in this field? [more inside]
Ongoing workshop decluttering
I tend to accumulate surplus hardware (brackets, hinges, etc) in the workshop. Lately I've been thinking of timing things out: if some random part been idle for X months then dispose of it. I'm wondering if anyone has used a scheme like this and what the pros and cons might be. Logistically I was just going to date-stamp things on the day they get added to the random collection of parts, and make a periodic pass to weed out unused items.
Visiting China without knowing the language
I want to go China towards the end of the year. How far can I get without knowing any Chinese languages? [more inside]
Getting voicemails automatically sent to email (in Canada)
For years I used Google Voice to have all my voicemail forwarded to my email inbox. It was great. Then I moved to Canada, and Google Voice will not connect to Canadian numbers. I have spent many hours trying to figure out a workable solution that will do the same thing (forward voicemails to email as .mp3s) in Canada and have not yet found anything. [more inside]
posted by lotf629 at 3:40 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by lotf629 at 3:40 PM PST - 8 comments
Family filter: the logistics of moving cross-country!
What factors might I consider and questions need I answer in planning a cross-country move for my family from San Diego to the east coast? Looking primarily for advice on logistics, practical considerations on the most economically feasible ways to do this, and personal anecdotes from those of you that have done a long distance, city to city move successfully with a family. [more inside]
Did I push away my soulmate?
I ended it with a man I loved, he hates me. Do I leave him to cool off and try again in a few months? I want to make him understand the reasons why I ended it. [more inside]
posted by newthirdworld at 3:33 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by newthirdworld at 3:33 PM PST - 22 comments
Please help me find a (horror?) movie from the 1970's or 1980's
I barely recall it, but the ending haunts me: There is a guy sitting in a small cabin in the woods. There is a body on a rough table in the middle of the cabin. It is night. The man falls asleep, and when he awakens, it's morning, I think the cabin door is now open, and if my memory serves me, the body (a woman?) had been defiled in some way. The man screams, the scream echoes through the woods, the movie ends I think. I cannot recall what movie this was...any ideas? [more inside]
Could I have been a better advocate for my son in the emergency room?
This past week, my 4 yr old son had an accident and tore his ear lobe. The ER didn't do a great job on the stitches. Could I have insisted they call a plastic surgeon, in that moment? [more inside]
posted by cgs at 2:54 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by cgs at 2:54 PM PST - 18 comments
Help me become my company's scheduling expert!
I work for a general contracting company and I'd like to learn more about scheduling construction projects. Can you recommend any resources? Books, online resources, webinars, classes, anything. [more inside]
Novels about betrayal, but not romantic/sexual affairs
Can you recommend novels in which one character betraying another is a significant plot point but that betrayal is not an affair? We are so used to thinking of betrayal in that particular setting, but I'd like to read stories about other types of betrayals.
How do you make a splendid cup of tea?
As an Englishman, I am familiar with how some of my fellow Anglo-Saxon brethren make a cup of tea. Some make a pot of tea and decant when appropriate, and the rest, for speed, laziness or an unappreciation of our noble drink, use a teabag in a mug. But, apart from a few of our distant cousins, I remain ignorant as to how Americans, Canadians and others across the waters typically make tea (as in the hot drink made from the conjunction of tea leaves and hot water). If applicable, how do you? Are there unique variations in procedure pertaining to your locale? [more inside]
posted by Wordshore at 1:49 PM PST - 92 comments
posted by Wordshore at 1:49 PM PST - 92 comments
What don't I understand about Apple Airport?
So, a while back we got an Apple Airport to try to extend Wifi in our apartment. It doesn't really work and I think perhaps I've misunderstood something fundamental about the airport. Help. [more inside]
posted by Gray Skies at 12:29 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by Gray Skies at 12:29 PM PST - 18 comments
Idiomatic use of "I can still speak English"
In the first chapter of Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep, Marlowe says "I'm thirty-three years old, went to college once and can still speak English if there's any demand for it. There isn't much in my trade." What does he mean by that? [more inside]
posted by 256 at 12:17 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by 256 at 12:17 PM PST - 14 comments
Why is my Android phone so slow?
I have an HTC One M8 (on Verizon), and it's exhibiting a number of strange problems. Over time, my phone has gotten slower and slower, to the point of occasionally becoming completely unresponsive. It's also developed a habit of spontaneously rebooting itself. Performing a factory reset or upgrading the OS seems to fix both of these problems for about a month, before they start creeping back.
More details inside. I'm primarily interested in tracking down why this is happening, and identifying the root cause so I can make it stop forever. Technical answers/explanations are welcome. [more inside]
~8 months of Breast cancer remission - WBC count low.
My Mom's in remission from stage two breast cancer (had mastectomy). All has gone well, and she's in good health/spirits. Thing is, she got a call from the office asking her to come in for a recheck/bone marrow scan as her WBC count was low. The doctor isn't in until Monday and she gets pretty stressed. Has anyone been in a similar situation? I'm looking more for reassuring words - from those who have dealt with the stress of constant remission health scares (particularly involving WBC's) or doctors - to show her than anything. [more inside]
Car rental in Maui?
I've just booked a trip for three to Maui. We're staying near the Kaanapali Beach, but would like to explore the forests and volcanoes and all the groovy nature stuff. Should I rent a small car to get around, or is there fairly reliable public transport? Renting a car isn't that expensive, but hotel does have parking fees, and I'm not sure how hard it is to find parking around the island.
Took a xanax without thinking while pregnant - what to do?
I am 9 weeks pregnant. I started having some bleeding and cramping, and it freaked me out entirely because I had a miscarriage before. I took a xanax (that I have in reserve for anxiety attacks, and almost never take). Then I found out that xanax is a schedule D drug for pregnancy (not recommended). Should I tell my doctor? Can I get it out of my system? I took it about an hour ago. [more inside]
posted by sockpuppetofexistentialconfusion at 11:26 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by sockpuppetofexistentialconfusion at 11:26 AM PST - 24 comments
Landlord questions (is craigslist just tindr for rentals?)
I've been a live-in landlord in a two family house for years, but for the first time I'm facing renting to absolute strangers. What's the best way to screen tenants? [more inside]
posted by rmd1023 at 11:24 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by rmd1023 at 11:24 AM PST - 13 comments
Tagging software for mixed data
I'm looking for recommendations for tagging software that will let me streamline my file system and quickly search through it. I'm running Windows 7 and have about a terabyte of images, mp3s, text files, and odds and ends that I'd like to go through. Ideally I'm looking for an offline solution that doesn't store the tag data in the filename. I don't want to have to use multiple different programs and I don't want to have to do this again from scratch in a few years.
What happened to my knee? What now?
I fell 2 1/2 months ago, badly hitting my shin, just below the knee. It left me unable to kneel or crawl on it, due to a very sore tender spot there, which can be felt when the knee is bent. Once she saw there was no fracture on an x-ray, my doctor (GP) was uninterested. By sheer bad luck, I fell again a fortnight ago and hit the same spot. What has happened? Why does it take so long to heal? Is it worth paying to go to a physiotherapist? [more inside]
posted by Flitcraft at 10:06 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Flitcraft at 10:06 AM PST - 15 comments
What Netflix region switcher do you recommend?
I currently have (and have until recently really loved) AdFreeTime to allow me to switch Netflix regions. It doesn't seem to work anymore and I'm interested in hearing about alternatives. My requirements inside. [more inside]
A Week in Okoboji
We are set to spend a week in July at Lake Okoboji with my in-laws. We have a toddler. Any tips? [more inside]
How do I stop regretting a 'wrong' decision (when it was really right)?
A few months ago I turned down the opportunity to attend Air Force Officer Training School, a dream I've been pursuing for years. This was probably the right decision, but not the one I wanted to make. Now I'm struggling with regret. [more inside]
Contraception while breastfeeding, PCOS, hypothyroid, overweight
Looking for contraception that works while breastfeeding and could even help PCOS or at least not make it worse. Other possibly relevant info: on levotheroxine for underactive thyroid, overweight, irregular periods, might be treated with metformin in the future. My healthcare provider for this proposes cerazette, mirena, or a copper coil. I'll meet her tomorrow to discuss. Any advice, experience or questions I should ask?
posted by meijusa at 7:13 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by meijusa at 7:13 AM PST - 12 comments
Getting up to date on dog care.
It has been a while since I've owned a dog and I am overwhelmed by the choices in food, collars and toys that I am seeing at the pet stores. I'd really appreciate some guidance. [more inside]
"Ratio" style barbecue sauce guide?
Can anyone help me find an article that laid out a sort of generic/mother recipe for how to develop your own barbecue sauce/marinade? [more inside]
Getaway weekend with dogs starting in Maryland
We have until May 4 to take a 4 day weekend getaway. We live in MD and are thinking about heading South to warmer weather. We want to take out 2 dogs. They are well trained. We like places to swim with our boys. We enjoy a hike of not more than 6-8 miles. We enjoy walking places and eating at dog friendly out door cafes. Bonus points if there are doggy spas or gyms. Dog lovers please tell me about your city and why we should visit? I know about bring fido.com, but want first hand experience.
Email etiquette and expectations for night owls?
After reading this WSJ article about two types of responders to the work-life balance (the "integrators" who mix up work time and home time, and the "separators" who try to draw a line between the two), I realize that I fall firmly into the first camp. I often write emails at midnight or later, after the kids are asleep and the house is quiet. But is this unfair to the recipients of my late-night messages? [more inside]
posted by math at 5:26 AM PST - 69 comments
posted by math at 5:26 AM PST - 69 comments
Is it possible get a "future proof" budget desktop PC?
I want to join the modern world and upgrade from my Windows XP laptop to a reasonably priced Windows 10 desktop. Seems like most everything you can get in the $500 range will be plenty fast enough and have plenty of storage for the basic tasks I do. Only feature I know I'll want to add is ability to drive a 4K monitor down the road. Wondering how to be sure that'll be possible and whether there is anything else I don't know I need?
Wop-wop-wop laser sound effect?
Laser rifles in the game Helldivers have a distinctive 'wop-wop-wop-wop' sound that's very familiar, but I can't place it. I thought it might be from Dune or Terminator, but no luck. Anybody recognise it?
Enterprise Architecture (I think) Starting from Scratch
If you were starting a brand new small college computer infrastructure, where would you start? [more inside]
Possible causes of my outbreak of aphthous ulcers
(standard YANMD)
I've had on and off aphthous ulcers my entire life since I was very young, they are not something new to me.
But for the past 2-3 months, I've had them continuously. As soon as one starts to fade, a new one shows up. This is new, and it's driving me insane.
I cannot think of what's caused this change, and I'd appreciate help brainstorming what I could investigate. [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 12:39 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by Cozybee at 12:39 AM PST - 24 comments
March 29
Hacks to use dropbox as a local server?
Dropbox cannot be shared locally on a network, and this is a big problem for our team. We rely on external people sharing files with us, and for that Dropbox has been great, however due to file sizes, we can't sync them locally, as our tiny macbook airs can't store all the files. At the same time, we need to be able to access them constantly. Is there some sort of workaround that we can put into place? [more inside]
posted by LongDrive at 11:23 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by LongDrive at 11:23 PM PST - 15 comments
Suburbs to live in Melbourne
I'm moving to Melbourne from overseas in early May. While househunting I've been told that my list of suburbs is too long and I should choose about 4-5. Which 4-5 to choose? [more inside]
Would she look prettier if she smiled more?
At a restaurant the other night, I returned from the table to hear my brother-in-law tell my daughter that she should smile because it makes her look prettier. I turned to him, in front of his daughters and my daughter and said, "Uh...what?" [more inside]
Philly Question: Getting to and from a concert at the Wells Fargo Center
We (husband and pregnant wife) are specifically looking for recommendations on getting back to our hotel after the concert. Details within. [more inside]
posted by inviolable at 10:57 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by inviolable at 10:57 PM PST - 12 comments
Hello, severe social anxiety
Thinking about some soft skills I may be lacking in the workplace (listening, speaking up, confidence), and wondering how I can improve. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 9:39 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by stoneandstar at 9:39 PM PST - 8 comments
Overwhelmed by men's fashion
I need some help navigating the process of updating my wardrobe and learning men's fashion. [more inside]
posted by Tristram Shandy, Gentleman at 9:33 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Tristram Shandy, Gentleman at 9:33 PM PST - 10 comments
Zombies, bike!
Has anybody tried doing Zombies, Run! on a bike? I hate running but enjoy biking, so this is of interest to me.
posted by Pope Guilty at 8:48 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Pope Guilty at 8:48 PM PST - 3 comments
Is there such a thing as a legitimate credit fixer?
My Realtor steered me to a mortgage broker, who in turn steered me to a credit fixer. I am suspicious. [more inside]
Footwear for the Chic American ... in Paris
Going to Paris next month and plan on walking and standing a lot. Not planning on wearing tennis shoes and giving away immediately that I'm an American tourist. Help! [more inside]
posted by tafetta, darling! at 7:27 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by tafetta, darling! at 7:27 PM PST - 28 comments
I said I would write a letter of recommendation but now I don't want to
I said I'd write a letter of recommendation for someone who was fired from my job place. I then found out the full extent of the issue which led to the termination. I don't want to do it anymore. [more inside]
posted by teamnap at 7:21 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by teamnap at 7:21 PM PST - 9 comments
Musical interlude: Woman going off the rails.
I love songs that feature the female singers going "off the rails" in response to the pain in their lives. Drugs, sex, alcohol! Help me find more songs to rock featuring a woman letting go/losing it to music. Bonus points if they have a music video. [more inside]
posted by BusyBusyBusy at 6:56 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by BusyBusyBusy at 6:56 PM PST - 28 comments
How do I stay married to a man who is too loyal to his extended family?
This is my first time posting so I hope it's worded correctly.
My husband is Hispanic and I am not. He is the oldest boy and his family and is extremely loyal to his siblings. Sounds great, but it isn't for me. My husband's brother and his wife take as vantage of my mother-in-law by dumping their kids at her house all the time. OK, this isn't technically my problem but it affects me in a lot of ways .... Like when she has an appointment and needs to drop them off at my house Etc. [more inside]
posted by tangomija at 6:55 PM PST - 39 comments
posted by tangomija at 6:55 PM PST - 39 comments
How do you stay in touch?
I have some friends I love who live far away, like other-side-of-the-world far away. The ones who are on facebook give me a bit more to work with, I can see when their kids have a birthday or when they announce big news, but the others? Well, we're drifting apart in a bigger way than I'd like. What do you do to stay close with dear friends you can't see or talk to often? [more inside]
Twist and shout
What are some documentaries with good twists? [more inside]
Upgraded to an SSD and now games crash my computer?
I got a SSD for Christmas and finally got around to installing it a couple weeks ago. My computer seems to run great, but now certain games that used to run fine crash my computer completely. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by DynamiteToast at 6:22 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by DynamiteToast at 6:22 PM PST - 3 comments
Tiny Boats
I want a tiny boat that fits 2 people, that easily would fit in or on my sedan. Super easy transport, cheap, NOT inflatable*, not motorized, not needing a trailer, the whole deal for under $600 or so (roof rack, etc.). [more inside]
Locations in Chicago
Chicago! I need your help finding a location for a photo shoot! [more inside]
posted by triggerfinger at 5:01 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by triggerfinger at 5:01 PM PST - 8 comments
KC knowledge for an STL resident
I have lived in Saint Louis for over 10 years; my wife for 11. Neither of us are natives (so That Question has no bearing on our lives). She is in the running for a job in Independence, MO, and yes, I am gun-jumping here, but I think it's worthwhile to start gathering information about potentially living in KC. [more inside]
posted by stannate at 4:20 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by stannate at 4:20 PM PST - 12 comments
Looking for biographies (and maybe fiction) depicting loyalty to royalty
I'm interested in the historical fact that there were individuals (and families) who were fiercely loyal to a royal family and served them. In terms of suggestions from most to least ideal, I'm interested in (1) biographies that depict this loyalty, (2) fictional depictions of this loyalty, and (3) individuals who this describes. And to be a bit more clear on the situation I'm interested in: (1) the individual served the royal family in some significant capacity and perhaps ideally had a personal relationship with the royal family (they weren't just peasants who admired the royal family from afar), and (2) the individual was ideologically supportive if not passionate about the royal family and the monarch (they weren't just performing their duties to make a living). Thanks!
Short term housing help in Munich
I desperately need help finding a place to stay in Munich from April 9 - May 12. [more inside]
Best way to clean personal info off work computer?
My work computer is 5 years old and is not responding well to the latest Office upgrade. It only has 4 GB RAM and my tech guy tells me that I need a new laptop. So, yay, but I have been using this laptop for everything for 5 years and I want to make sure that all my personal info and passwords are cleared before turning it in. So, how do I do this? (oh, it's a Latitude E6510, if that matters)
posted by qldaddy at 3:11 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by qldaddy at 3:11 PM PST - 11 comments
wanting to want me ain't the real thing
Help me define and communicate my own needs with my sporadically emotionally unavailable new girlfriend. [more inside]
How can I "reserve" a name for a programming language?
I'm designing a programming language (yeah, like the world needs another pl). Though the design is in flux, I'd like to "reserve" the name of the language. I don't anticipate making any money from this exercise, so I'm not sure filing for a trademark is the right way to go, nor do I want to spend any money on this. Would creating a github repo do the job? Posting to a tech site? [more inside]
What is the cheapest way to get a prescription for Retin-A (tretinoin)?
I would like to try Retin-A on my late-thirties skin that is starting to show signs of age. How can I get a prescription as easily and inexpensively as possible? [more inside]
How to hire a support driver for a self-guided bike tour?
I've been some multi-day bike tours, some fancy & fully supported, and some self-guided, with no trip guide or SAG wagon. Both types provide accommodations and transit for your luggage. On the self-guided trips I've thought "I could figure all this out", but I'm at a loss on how to reliably organize moving luggage from A to B.
How could one hire a reliable driver just to move the luggage, and how to indemnify such a person? [more inside]
Pop songs that were big hits across Europe but not in the US?
I'm looking for a list of songs that were large hits across multiple European countries but which never made significant inroads in the US. I'm thinking of songs like Stromae's "Papoutai" or Zara Larsson's "Uncover" here - which hit the top of the charts in multiple countries and made at least a moderate cultural impact.
posted by LSK at 2:13 PM PST - 56 comments
posted by LSK at 2:13 PM PST - 56 comments
Help me identify this beer that's been haunting me.
Help me identify this beer that's been haunting me. I once drank it at the Hard Rock Cafe in Baltimore. I want it again. [more inside]
posted by moviehawk at 1:23 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by moviehawk at 1:23 PM PST - 24 comments
Cali, NYC. What to do?
I am planning a summer vacation with my son and Cali and NYC are up for consideration. I will have no transportation, staying with elderly family and it will be our first time in either places. What are some fun things -on a budget- to do there? [more inside]
I have an invisible Gimp, and I don't know why...
I installed the Gimp image program and it is sometimes see-through (like in this image.) It is running under Ubuntu 15. Anyone know the cause and a solution?
Have You Pounded Rebar J Stakes Into The Ground?
How about 32 of them?
I need to drive 32 30" long x 5/8 in diameter Rebar J stakes. Are J stakes tougher to drive than straight stakes i.e. does your hammer slip? Any tips on driving them? Assume the ground is such that pounding an equivalent straight stake is pretty tough but doable.
Laid off and a lot to think about - help me sort through this?
I recently lost my job. I have been laid off many times to be honest, but I have a lot to think about this time. I thought the Green could help because I have a lot of special snowflake questions about how to pivot my career, freelance more, signing a new apartment lease and then the usual stuff about healthcare and "omg I won't have any money." Thanks in advance! [more inside]
My mother died almost a month ago and I'm destroyed
After a losing battle with cancer, my mother died March 3rd at the age of 63. Grieving is bad enough but my situation has gotten more complicated and I am hoping you can help me. [more inside]
1631 sugar
What was sugar like in Europe in 1631? If a recipe called for a couple ounces of sugar, was it conveniently granulated like it is now? [more inside]
Moving back to Ohio: how do I find a job (and maybe a new direction)?
My partner and I have decided to move back to Ohio to be closer to family. I don't have a network related to my field in Ohio and I'm also not certain I'm applying to the right kind of jobs because of my background. Snowflakes inside! [more inside]
posted by Tevin at 11:55 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Tevin at 11:55 AM PST - 10 comments
Waxing in NYC
Looking for recommendations for places to get waxed in NYC (Manhattan preferred). I have tried Bliss and Uni K; looking for other suggestions. Thanks!
Can I eat this, garden edition
I'm actually more wondering if these plants are poisonous. Pics inside. [more inside]
Six year old with Type 1 diabetes
My niece was just diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes so her life will change a bit; I'm looking for resources to help her family manage. [more inside]
posted by caphector at 11:40 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by caphector at 11:40 AM PST - 5 comments
What's a family w/teens to do in/near Buffalo this Friday & Saturday?
We're from Rochester, NY, but we will be in Buffalo all day Friday & Saturday (April 1-2). We is me & wife & 2 boys ages 12 & 15. We all like used book stores, thrift stores, some of us like record shopping, we like weird museums, interesting outdoor things, hikes near water, etc. [more inside]
posted by chr1sb0y at 11:08 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by chr1sb0y at 11:08 AM PST - 11 comments
Central Illinois swimming lake
My wife and I are looking for a vacation home roughly between Springfield IL and St Louis MO on a lake which is clean enough for swimming.
I haven't been able to find good sources regarding which lakes in the area are safe.
We are primarily concerned about agricultural chemical run off of herbicides and pesticides.
hair club for women :(
I have always had fine hair and not enough of it. Now I seem to be balding. [more inside]
My husband won't listen to me talk about work
My husband completely shuts down when I talk to him about problems I'm having at work. This is the only topic of conversation that he automatically shuts down, in two minutes or fewer. It has been ongoing, and I feel like I have to lie and say work is "fine" when he asks, or just swallow up my negative feelings. What's going on here? [more inside]
posted by serenity_now at 10:09 AM PST - 72 comments
posted by serenity_now at 10:09 AM PST - 72 comments
How do I auto-heat my Prius?
My 2014 Prius has automatic climate control, but it seems to only work for cooling. How do I make it also work for heating? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 10:06 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by serelliya at 10:06 AM PST - 7 comments
Book recommendations for an inmate
My brother went to jail last week for a controlled substance charge (meth), though he is only in jail until a bed opens up in the county rehab program. I need recommendations for books/magazines I can mail him. [more inside]
Dead vermin, trash not getting picked up for a week?
I found a dead rat today, and the trash had literally been picked up hours before. So now I'm going to have a (double bagged, disgusting vermin) sitting in my trash can for a week while the temperatures get well into the "make dead things smell very very dead" levels. Is there anything I can do to stop my trash cans from smelling like death for weeks?
Hassle-free, petite, ethical jeans - Levi's or what?
I hate shopping. I need jeans. I do not want to buy clothes made by children. Can I buy Levi's? If not, what? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 9:09 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by kristi at 9:09 AM PST - 16 comments
Train the Trainer
I'm looking for great train-the-trainer, up-your-facilitation game workshops for professional development. What does the hive mind suggest? [more inside]
posted by brookeb at 9:01 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by brookeb at 9:01 AM PST - 2 comments
Prenups for American Expats
My soon-to-be-spouse suggested we should look into whether or not a prenup makes sense for us. Complication: we are global nomads. [more inside]
posted by oneaday at 8:38 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by oneaday at 8:38 AM PST - 8 comments
Complex, melodramatic bluegrass/Americana?
I recently came across the Bad Apple String Band, an awesome Sonoma-based bluegrass band. What I like about their particular flavour of bluegrass (if this is in fact bluegrass, I'm far from knowledgeable about this) is how complicated and frantic it is, while still being minor key and kind of melancholy. In particular, I like the song "Countin' Cards". Can you help me find similar music?
posted by superquail at 7:59 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by superquail at 7:59 AM PST - 13 comments
help explain how a plumbing snake works in terms of physics
Spouse has been using an electric eel for the past few days and is curious about the physics of how the snake travels through the pipe. He doesn't understand how the machine pushes the snake in to the pipe or how the snake travels through the pipe. We are having a hard time finding good search terms for this. It's easy to find information on how to use a machine auger, but not easy to know what to look up to understand the physics behind it. Does it have to do with springs? How things coil?
Why doesn't everyone do pre-paid?
Our AT&T smartphone bill is absurdly high for two people who never go anywhere, do anything, or talk to anyone. There are cheaper "postpaid" plans, but there are even cheaper—by a lot—prepaid plans. Why doesn't everyone have a prepaid plan, if this is the case? What's the catch? [more inside]
tiny luxurious spa bathroom: no-bathtub renter's edition
Could you give me your recommendations for the most luxurious, spa-like, and renter-friendly accoutrements for a bathroom with no bathtub? I'm moving into a new place and would like to kit it out with the finest towels, mats, robes, and accessories. [more inside]
What's a good day/half-day trip to the north-western Wienerwald?
I'm in Vienna for the week, the weather's great, and I've been to all the museums before, so I was thinking it was high time for a hike in the Vienna woods. Can anyone with first-hand experience of that area recommend a particular hike or day trip? I've done a little Googling but I'm looking to supplement it with up-to-date personal advice. [more inside]
posted by paul_smatatoes at 6:23 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by paul_smatatoes at 6:23 AM PST - 2 comments
History of practice of Quarter, Parlay, ζωγρία, "taking alive" in war.
So there is this odd little reference in Hobbes, Leviathan (1651) to the practice in defeat in war to "demand Quarter (which the Greeks called ζωγρία, taking alive)" (Pt II, Ch20). I am trying to find something (book, text etc) on the legal-philosophical origin or history of this practice. However, I"m not having much luck finding info on it at all. Any suggestions? History of rules of war perhaps? [more inside]
1/4 Sheet pans that are easy to clean
I need a quarter sheet pan (~9x13 inches) for cooking (not baking) at 350-450 F, 4-5 times a week. I have used 5 different Teflon-coated pans in the last year, and the Teflon on each has started to flake off in about 4 to 8 weeks. I don't want to eat Teflon. I'm careful with utensils and cleaning materials -- I don't use anything metal. I'm open to any type of material, non-stick or not, as long as it is easy to clean. Hit me with specific recommendations. [more inside]
posted by OrangeDisk at 6:14 AM PST - 36 comments
posted by OrangeDisk at 6:14 AM PST - 36 comments
No PCP, need STD test. Halp?
I am a guy in west Los Angeles. I would like to get a 'preventative maintenance' STD panel before embarking on a new relationship. I do not yet have a primary care physician. Hope me? [more inside]
Coping with suddenly severe anxiety
It's been a long time coming, but today my ability to cope with the pressure in my life collapsed, and now I don't know what to do. I'm looking for guidance from others who've gone through this sort of thing. [more inside]
Marriage Counseling in Albuquerque?
Can anyone recommend a great marriage counselor in Albuquerque, NM? (It would need to be in ABQ - Santa Fe is not feasible for us.) Thanks for any help!
Controlling Google Sheets using Google Now voice commands
I'd like to use Google Now voice commands to easily add household expenses to a shared spreadsheet. I can't work out if this is possible (yet). What can I do instead?
I'm constantly shocking people. But why?
I get and give little electric shocks all the time. This means I often get zapped i.e. when touching a computer or door. That's annoying but okay but it gets worse when I zap coworkers, friends or even clients. I'm not so much interested in how to cope with this but more in what causes this issue. Do you know why I fry them?
March 28
I used to be stylish. 1 injured toe and 2 years later, I'm a slob. Help!
I used to love shoes and dressing nice even on off-days with a slick pair of Stacey Adams Concordes...
Well, long story short, partially through my own clumsiness & through my work, I injured my toe and had to go through physical therapy for a long time. Funny how a really minor injury can mess your life up. [more inside]
posted by parkbench at 11:42 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by parkbench at 11:42 PM PST - 6 comments
Plus size dresses that'll knock their socks off
I'm performing in a revue at my school in a week and a half; I'm going to be singing a real knockout of a song. I want to look just as amazing as I'll sound. I'm a size 18. Where should I shop this weekend to find my drop dead gorgeous dress? Physical stores preferred. [more inside]
Cyber Security Forensic Analyst
Hi-
I have a long-term goal to achieve this certification. [more inside]
posted by past at 9:16 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by past at 9:16 PM PST - 6 comments
Bookcase in corner?
I have a bookcase in the corner of my room. I want to replace it with a taller one. Is there a safe way to anchor it given that it's not against a flat wall? Do I need to anchor it at all? [more inside]
posted by capricorn at 8:28 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by capricorn at 8:28 PM PST - 20 comments
Help me hack the beach
I plan to spend a good deal of time on the beach this summer with my two year old. What non-obvious things am I missing to make beach time fun? [more inside]
Can I fix this family "heirloom" hourglass that now fails to function?
The sand in an old-ish hourglass no longer drains from the top section to the bottom section and, thus, is failing to perform its physics-sanctioned time-counting duties and responsibilities. I suspect moisture in the glass.
Any ideas on what I can do to remove moisture from the inside of an hourglass or how I can otherwise repair this glass of the hour? [more inside]
Dear Crush: Did you notice that I initated?
"Hi! Just wanted you to know that if you ask me to coffee, I would say yes." [more inside]
posted by RaRa-SpaceRobot at 6:39 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by RaRa-SpaceRobot at 6:39 PM PST - 18 comments
WA: Why such different caucus turnout between 2008 and now?
According to Google, a total of about 26k democrats voted in this year's Washington caucuses. That seemed really small to me, so I looked at 2008 (2012 wasn't really a contest, so not a good comparison), and according to the New York Times that year the number was 20x this year's, nearly half a million.
What gives? Is there something I'm completely misreading in these sources?
posted by colin_l at 6:15 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by colin_l at 6:15 PM PST - 10 comments
Health Insurance
How do I get my spouse on Premera health insurance and drop Apple Health [more inside]
Surviving a toxic work environment
I have a friend who is having a really tough time dealing with a difficult boss. [more inside]
Pitch a tent!
I'd like to start camping again and need supplies, starting with a good tent: what specific brands and models do you recommend? [more inside]
inexpensive NOLA eats for a group
I'll be accompanying a group of college students to a conference in New Orleans later in the week, and we're looking at going out to dinner Thursday night. Where should we go? We need somewhere on the cheaper side, maybe $15 max for entrees, with cheaper options available if they just want something small. Easy access from canal or the convention center area, and easy seating for around 12. [more inside]
posted by bizzyb at 5:38 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by bizzyb at 5:38 PM PST - 10 comments
Playing Dress-Up (Startup Tech Interview Edition)
Interview tomorrow afternoon, tech role at a local startup. Worried about coming across as too frumpy, but don't want to err on the side of too casual, either. [more inside]
posted by okayokayigive at 5:35 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by okayokayigive at 5:35 PM PST - 15 comments
Mice as Fire Hazards
Our house is 150+ years old. It's porous. Ergo we have mice. Is this an actual problem?
They're not in the living areas (thank you, cats) but they are in the crawl space under the house and they are in the walls.
I've heard anecdotes, of course. And you are not my electrician or my pest control professional. But do mice really chew on wiring? (If they do, why?) If they do, will they really cause a fire in a house with updated wiring and a modern breaker box?
posted by baseballpajamas at 5:31 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by baseballpajamas at 5:31 PM PST - 15 comments
I'm a Senior In Psychology, And I Can't Figure Out What I Want To Do
I’m a psychology major, a senior, and I have two semesters left before I graduate.
I really don’t know what I want to do. And I feel scared and paralyzed because of it. I want to go to graduate school, because I enjoy studying psychology, and I am afraid that with just a bachelor’s degree I won’t be able to find a good job, but in order to chose a grad school, I feel like I need to have an idea of what career I want to achieve with grad school. [more inside]
posted by ggp88 at 3:57 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by ggp88 at 3:57 PM PST - 22 comments
Help our elementary school get gender balance in gifted math and science
Today I had to have the uncomfortable discussion with my 5th grade daughter about "why there aren't more girls on the Science Bowl team." Apparently, there are 5 girls out of 16 competitively awarded spots. A couple of years ago, we had the exact same discussion about TAG math-- she wanted to drop out because she was the only girl in her group. [more inside]
posted by instamatic at 3:23 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by instamatic at 3:23 PM PST - 25 comments
What's the professional way to say that I'm bored to tears?
I'm bored at work, to the point where I frequently cry at my desk. I want to talk to my manager about it, but I need a script. This is my first office job, and I don't have a lot of experience with this part of the whole working professional deal. Can you help me?
Scion iA: Odd Tire Size?
Is the Scion iA's tire size non-standard? [more inside]
posted by Pacrand at 3:07 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Pacrand at 3:07 PM PST - 12 comments
How do I find my mental health records if I can't find my doctors?
I found out recently that I was diagnosed with a developmental disorder when I was young, but was not told about it until I was an adult. It's still affecting my life, and I want to find my medical records from that time in order to have a better understanding of myself and the condition. I'm having some trouble there, specifically in finding the doctors. [more inside]
posted by you could feel the sky at 2:17 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by you could feel the sky at 2:17 PM PST - 6 comments
Why publish so many comics?
Why do the Big Two publish so many comics? Why not have a smaller amount of titles monthly? [more inside]
posted by kittensofthenight at 1:51 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by kittensofthenight at 1:51 PM PST - 9 comments
Help us set expectations for our cat with kidney failure
One of our cats was diagnosed with early stage IV renal failure about six weeks ago, and it's advanced very quickly. We're now weighing the decision to try to treat it further in the hopes of getting him some relief at the end of life, or to accept that this is the end. Details below. [more inside]
Any advice for family trip to D.C. in April?
My wife and I are driving down from New England to Washington, D.C., in later April with our four kids. We'll be staying near the Capitol. Is there anything we should especially know? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 1:39 PM PST - 38 comments
posted by wenestvedt at 1:39 PM PST - 38 comments
Is development economics my dream job?
I've read a couple of articles about development economics (randomized sample; 'the poverty lab'; data based intervention; etc), and I'm very intrigued. Caveat: I've never taken a course in economics. I'm pretty skeptical of economics as a field overall, but would be willing to slog through some coursework in order to work on this particular topic. Is it worth it, or should I keep looking for my career path? [more inside]
Is my anxiety ruining things or is something really off (dating)?
About a month ago I started seeing a guy with whom I felt an instant spark (very rare for me). Almost immediately my anxiety kicked in and I started worrying that he wouldn't like me, was taking days to return my emails, etc. Then he told me he really likes me and my anxiety switched around to maybe I don't like him and almost compulsively looking for flaws / red flags. [more inside]
Fun, street-art photo op, geeky things to see in San Diego?
Me, my elementary-age kid and spouse will be traveling to San Diego in several weeks. Things I would love to see there: fun street art (eg - a giant Mario on a brick wall, murals, pop art, etc) cool outdoor sculptures that kids are allowed to climb on, etc. [more inside]
posted by 41swans at 1:17 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by 41swans at 1:17 PM PST - 7 comments
90's commercial selling EXTREME nature/animal documentary video set?
My Googling is coming up with nothing - details I can remember below. [more inside]
posted by imabanana at 1:17 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by imabanana at 1:17 PM PST - 6 comments
Resources for dealing with the loss of an alcoholic parent
My father is in end-stage liver failure due to alcoholism, and I'm having trouble finding good books/websites/forums/etc. for dealing with the emotional component of this situation. [more inside]
Historical record of sleepiness?
Are we more tired than our ancestors? What is causing this? [more inside]
You Are Not My Therapist, but... Grief: Am I Doin' It Right?
Hey, remember me? My family is still dead! It's two months later and I'm past the dead-eyed shock, numbness, and denial, and well into the "life is not worth living and I just want to stay in bed all day" portion of the rest of my life. Is it reasonable to give in to that urge, or should I be forcing myself to write and play the autoharp and generally Give A Crap? [more inside]
How to find a roommate in Washington DC/ Maryland area- online tips
Hi HiveMind!
My landlord is moving his son into my unit (I am month to month). Now I have to quickly move.
In Boston, while in grad school, I always posted on our student page. I have posted to craig's list, but no real luck. Any tips for me?
thanks!
a kinder, gentler flamethrower
I want a flame weeder that isn't going to involve too much anxiety about, oh, I don't know, explosions. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 12:06 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by A Terrible Llama at 12:06 PM PST - 9 comments
Edible plants for bay area garden
Just moved to a place in SF south bay (mediterranean climate) with an empty raised bed garden, approx 10' x 5'. There are a couple of trees over it and fences/buildings blocking the west and east, so it only receives filtered light in the middle of the day. Any recommendations for edible plants (including herbs) that will grow well here? [more inside]
posted by ilikemefi at 11:59 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by ilikemefi at 11:59 AM PST - 5 comments
Need an endocrinologist/specialist in Manhattan
Can you recommend a smart, experienced male endocrinologist in Manhattan, preferably Flatiron area? [more inside]
Another depression question! Give me strategies to help.
I have tended toward depression for much of my life, and it’s been really bad for the past several months. What do I try next? [more inside]
SFO to Lower Haight and back. Howto?
Coming to San Francisco. Non-travelers need a reasonably affordable way to get to an apartment in the Lower Haight area. [more inside]
Gottman Institute couples' weekend workshop - worth it?
My wife and I are thinking of signing up for one of the Gottman Institute's weekend couples' workshops in Seattle. We're wondering if it's worth the $800 price tag, or if we could put the time and money to better use in terms of helping our marriage. [more inside]
Getting Around Is Hard To Do
I've written about my mobility issues before but I may possibly move back home and I'm running into issues about getting around. [more inside]
Not songs _about_ April Fools, but songs that _illustrate_ April's Fools
Working on the weekly radio show for Saturday, April 2 and looking for good songs to celebrate April Fools... not songs _about_ April 1, but songs that are themselves tricks, jokes, fake-outs and deceptions. Some examples... [more inside]
Selling a Verizon phone before having another to activate
I just sold a Verizon iPhone on Swappa much more quickly than I thought I would. I shipped it today and the buyer should receive it tomorrow (Tuesday). I have done this before, but only when I had another phone to activate in its place. However, this time, I will not have the new phone until this Thursday. My question is this: If I have not deactivated the phone I sold and activated the new one, what will happen when the buyer tries to activate the phone I just told to him, which is currently active on my account? [more inside]
posted by 4ster at 8:52 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by 4ster at 8:52 AM PST - 2 comments
Duck Duck GAAAAAAH
"Who DOES that?!"-Filter: we were given two ducklings. We do not WANT two ducklings. We cannot give them back to the (insane) duckling-giver. We have two young-ish kids who are delighted by the ducklings, so we can't just, I don't know, feed them to a local fox like fluffy little Triscuits. WHAT NOW? [more inside]
posted by julthumbscrew at 8:31 AM PST - 36 comments
posted by julthumbscrew at 8:31 AM PST - 36 comments
How to get into my dinosaur Hotmail account
I had hotmail (and only hotmail - no other accounts I would've been able to give hotmail for recovery purposes) when I was like 12 years old or something. I naturally moved on to Gmail when it came out. How on Earth can I get back into this account not knowing my password at all? Something super important I realized is most likely in that account. Thank you!
Could I ask out a girl on ride-shares like lyft without sounding weird?
I have hard time meeting people. While driving for lyft, I am very professional and have good reviews and at times I strike up a nice conversation with the riders especially women and feel like getting to know more about the girl(about 5% of time). But I chicken out in the end and just stay professional, wondering if it would be appropriate to ask a girl her number, or if she has a bf etc.
Is it okay to ask people out? If so, how you do it without sounding weird? what is a good exit strategy if it doesn't work out?
posted by daveg02 at 7:55 AM PST - 72 comments
posted by daveg02 at 7:55 AM PST - 72 comments
Is it OK to take a break from my education?
Mental health issues are derailing my education. I feel extreme pressure to stay in school. Logic is telling me I should take a break but I have no idea what to do. [more inside]
Google groups with a non gmail address?
I have been invited to join a google group for work. I do not want to join with my personal email. I have received the invitation via my university address. I cannot seem to accept the invitation. [more inside]
posted by Sophie1 at 7:34 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Sophie1 at 7:34 AM PST - 3 comments
Sexting Got Gross
I have this platonic friend, B. We’re not terribly close but hang out from time to time to talk music and stuff. Nothing at all sexual has happened between us. Yesterday, he texted me and then it suddenly turned into sexting. Except the sexting was pretty gross. I know I don’t want to hang out with him again, but I can’t decide if I should say anything about the sexting, especially since I didn’t at the time. More below. [more inside]
How to hire more women?
I have a business in the IT service industry and there’s a gender imbalance in my staff, which I want to address. [more inside]
Conservative bloggers/twitter for my elderly father?
Help me find conservative but intelligent bloggers and twitterers. The last questions on this topic are more than eight years old. [more inside]
posted by seasparrow at 6:13 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by seasparrow at 6:13 AM PST - 14 comments
GF is more successful than me, how do I deal?
My girlfriend is more successful than me. How do I keep myself from turning into a jealous weird guy? I want to celebrate and support her success, without getting bummed out and feeling emasculated. Looking for strategies (non-redpill) on how to not let this get to me, not blow my budget, and maintain my sense of masculinity. [more inside]
Help me with my diffuse dysfunction
I have problems with the way I function and I don't really know where to start because part of it is just being overwhelmed. I wish I could take a medicine that would make me feel clear about life basics, capable of executing decisions, and free from anxiety. [more inside]
March 27
Trying to find a stop animation music video
I am trying to find a dark stop animation electronic metal video of a black worm growing in an aquarium. I thought it was called "Beast".
Silent TV, quiet speakers
I want to buy I new TV and put it on the wall I share with my neighbor's bedroom. But I want to be a good neighbor, so I thought I would buy a TV and also buy wireless speakers, and then configure everything so sound only comes from the speakers (which would be close to the couch, and far from my neighbor's bedroom). So my question is, what should I buy? [more inside]
How to get perfect rice in a rice cooker?
My otherwise very dear friend keeps undermining me – what to do?
I've been friends with a wonderful person for over a decade. We've shared lots of our lives, and I consider her one of my closest friends. However, there's something about her behaviour that's been confusing and upsetting me for a long time. Whenever I discuss my romantic problems with her (and I've been through a fair bit recently – my past questions here might testify to that), I almost always end up feeling worse. We both had major self-esteem issues when we were younger, and I feel as though whenever I show that I'm feeling stronger these days, she tries to undermine me. Snowflakes below... [more inside]
posted by considerthelilies at 5:52 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by considerthelilies at 5:52 PM PST - 26 comments
How to fix a rip in the seam of a tent next to netting
We have a 6 inch rip in the seam of the roof of our tent. It is nylon attached to netting. Is this a glue fix or a sewing fix?
Google is giving me mixed results.
How do I get a shower curtain rod that will last?
I have a history of owning metal shower curtain
rods that rust away before my eyes, bit by bit.
It's depressing. I can't help but think that as
a civilization, we can do better--that we have
done better. Someone out there is enjoying their
metal shower curtain rod. Who are these
people, and how can I get a metal shower curtain rod
like theirs? [more inside]
"You look/eat fine!" ... ? Responding to body/eating-disordered talk
A close friend of mine is [in recovery/maybe teetering on the edge of relapse] from an eating disorder. He often makes remarks to me about how he eats too much, hates part of his body, is fat, et cetera. I find myself confused as to how to respond to these remarks in a kind, compassionate way that neither confirms his very negative thoughts, nor feels just completely invalidating. Is this possible? On a more serious note, would it do any good to indicate I'm concerned for him? Advice heavily desired. [more inside]
How and how much to pay the minister?
Next month, my siblings and I will have an interment ceremony when our parents' ashes will be placed in a vault. The vault is on the grounds of the Methodist church they attended and the minister of the church will preside over the ceremony. As none of us are churchgoers, we're in the dark as to the etiquette involved: whether and how much to pay the minister for his services and the mechanics of such a transaction. Cash? Check? Payable to him or the church? Amount? Any guidance appreciated.
posted by pasici at 4:45 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by pasici at 4:45 PM PST - 9 comments
Best relationship hacks for an anxious-preoccupied attachment style?
I am in a relationship that I very much enjoy, with a partner who is supportive and giving but also has external limits on how much attention he can give to the relationship. What are some ideas that have worked for people who have an anxious/preoccupied attachment style, to avoid triggering insecurity? [more inside]
posted by thelastpolarbear at 4:00 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by thelastpolarbear at 4:00 PM PST - 18 comments
Where to Visit in British Columbia in the Summer?
In mid-August this summer, my family is planning on spending a week and a half in British Columbia, driving from Seattle. We’ve been to Vancouver. Where else should we go? [more inside]
Sufi Zikr in Fiction
Which modern novel - the kind of thing written by Orhan Pamuk, for example -
describes Sufi
Zikr as shown here. [more inside]
Replacing Mint.com?
Is there something out there better than Mint.com to unify our financial account info? There's way too much crap in there. [more inside]
UK satellite archive television listings
Other than seeking out Radio Times hard copies at the local library, is there somewhere online which has archived tv listings for uk satellite television, specifically Sky Movies Premiere? [more inside]
Finding temari in Tokyo
I'll be in Tokyo for a short visit next month and would really like to buy a couple temari, I've seen pictures online of really gorgeous ones, anyone have any idea where to find them in Tokyo?
How do people avoid burnout?
I love my clients, I love my coworkers, I love the work I do, but although there are many wonderful moments of connection and times when I get to see my clients succeed, overall my work is unrelentingly enraging and grim. I want to keep doing this kind of work, but after less than two years, I already end most days feeling depleted, angry, and hopeless. Social service/healthcare/helper colleagues, how do you keep going? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 1:54 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by latkes at 1:54 PM PST - 22 comments
What is this plant in my back garden?
Can someone identify this plant? For the record, everything that looks red in the photo is actually a dead brown colour. It's looked mostly like this since I moved into this house in October, but the green bits on the ground are new. I'd like to know what it is so I know how to manage it. [more inside]
posted by Eumachia L F at 1:05 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Eumachia L F at 1:05 PM PST - 4 comments
I need an executive vp for my house.
Does this service exist -- an executive vice president for your house? Someone that you hire, and say to them, "I will give you $1000 a month, and you come in and do stuff to my house. Repairs, gardening, decorating, etc. I don't have to direct you, because you are making all of these choices yourself. Do you think the back bedroom needs to be painted? Then you do it, as long as you stay inside the monthly budget." [more inside]
Help me explore the Batman-and Superman-related DC universe.
What should I watch to learn about the Batman- and Superman-related DC universe, and in what order should I watch it? [more inside]
Help make our trip to Europe amazing, Cortona edition
Our family will be spending a few days in Cortona Italy in July. We're traveling with kids, so our plan is for a mostly low-key trip filled with swimming at the public pool, exploring the city and eating gelato in the main square. But we're also looking for other unique or special experiences we could do as a family that would really make our trip special. [more inside]
How commonplace is this Spanish pejorative term?
My wife and I are really, really hoping to name our (possible girl) baby "Zora"--as in Zora Neale Hurston. However, we recently learned that "zorra" is a slang term in Spanish roughly equivalent to b**** or c***. We live in an area with a sizable Spanish-speaking population. So, two questions: (1) Are we interpreting the term correctly? (2) How widespread is its use?
How do I get my neighbors to keep their kid quiet?
Neighbor in a condo has a child that screams at all hours of the day, randomly but consistently. Any ideas on how to diplomatically address this? [more inside]
What do album producers do?
Sometimes, when you read a record review, you'll hear references to this-and-such famous producer or the quality of production and how that's determined the album's sound. I've always read these sentences and nodded without knowing exactly what the fuck it is that a producer does. So what does an album producer do? [more inside]
posted by the hot hot side of randy at 9:10 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by the hot hot side of randy at 9:10 AM PST - 23 comments
Okay, this isn't funny anymore.
I'm still here and here. I just don't have it in me to keep throwing pebbles at a brick wall. Hope me. Golf-ball sized snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by marsbar77 at 8:49 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by marsbar77 at 8:49 AM PST - 13 comments
Can I salvage $50 out of this dinosaur?
I have an old laptop to get rid of. How to best get a few dollars out of this? [more inside]
Name this object: Arts & Crafts Filter
What are these called? I need to order some replacements, but I don't know what to search for. Thanks!
What was childbirth like in the 1960s/70s?
My grandmother gave birth to 4 children in NJ in the 60s and 70s. All 4 births were in a hospital with whatever recommendations her doctor gave her. I'm curious about what she experienced, and what childbirth was generally like in the US at that time. [more inside]
posted by srrh at 7:55 AM PST - 35 comments
posted by srrh at 7:55 AM PST - 35 comments
Where do I store whole bean coffee that will take me 4 months to consume
Should I store my whole bean coffee at room temperature, in my refrigerator or my freezer? First, I know that ideally I'd home/locally-roast in small batches. That's not an option. Assuming I have to receive 4 months of coffee at a time and do grind it daily and keep it in 1 mo sized ziplock bags in a dark place, where should it be? [more inside]
What civil wars created a lot of refugees?
I'm looking to find a list of civil wars that generated a lot of refugees that settled in Western Europe from 1980-2004. [more inside]
Do I have emit sort of personal electrical short or something?!?
This has been basically a lifelong oddity, but I can stop watches just by wearing them (or simply carrying them in my pocket). I can also hear a lot of stoplights & streetlights, although less nowadays --- although whether that's because I'm getting older (i.e., hearing loss) or the current generation of lights, I don't know. Why??? [more inside]
posted by easily confused at 5:59 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by easily confused at 5:59 AM PST - 21 comments
How long does it take to stop feeling terrorised?
I live in Brussels and was here on Tuesday and very close to the Maelbeek attack. While not directly affected it was all a bit close to home. How long does it take to get over the shock and stress from being close to but not directly affected by terrorism and get back to functioning more or less normally? [more inside]
What is this weird sensation I sometimes get?
Once in a while, I will completely suddenly start flinching at things on the computer screen or outside the car/train windows, as well as people's fingers, pens, and forks. What gives? [more inside]
posted by LoonyLovegood at 5:04 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by LoonyLovegood at 5:04 AM PST - 10 comments
My PhD supervisor is moving to a different university. Should I go with?
My PhD supervisor is getting a new job. I want to move with him, but the new university doesn’t seem as good as my current one. It is decidedly weaker in my field and much less well-known overall. I am not sure whether I should go to the new university, stay at the current one, or try to graduate from my current university while also working with my current supervisor. [more inside]
Can you help me find this "Sound of Silence" cover with a female lead?
I'm looking for a "Sound of Silence" cover I used to listen to ~7 years ago. The lead singer was female. I believe the band's name started with a W. The feel of the song was largely unchanged (not a rock/metal/etc cover if I remember correctly.) Not the Nouela version that's found on Youtube. [more inside]
posted by Autumn at 3:17 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by Autumn at 3:17 AM PST - 2 comments
March 26
Do you have to have passion for your work?
I'm in the midst of researching careers for a complete change and I'm realizing that I don't think I'm the type of person who will ever get any sort of passion out of work. Is something wrong with me? Do I need to have "passion" in a field to have a successful career? [more inside]
What's this song?
This song has been in my head since I last saw a Coyotes game a week ago... and this is the best I could record from tonight's broadcast. It's the arena's music behind the announcer so it's tough to make out, fades out for a bit, but then comes back at the end on what sounds like the hook/chorus.
Please hope. Here's the clip.
posted by disillusioned at 9:45 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by disillusioned at 9:45 PM PST - 4 comments
Don't want to eat mystery meat at restaurants; how do I not be annoying?
When I go grocery shopping I am willing to pay more for meat that is humanely raised (not factory farmed), and fish that is not overfished. I don't need it to be labeled organic. But when I eat at restaurants, this becomes difficult. I realize that restaurants operate on the thinnest of margins, and if the menu does not state something about sustainability (as a selling point), then I figure the meat is factory farmed. But how do I ask about the meat sourcing (and convey that I care about it) without being annoying to the waitstaff? [more inside]
posted by oxisos at 9:09 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by oxisos at 9:09 PM PST - 27 comments
What do I do with this smoked, but uncured, ham?
Hola MeFi!,
I have acquired a ham which is smoked but uncured. I am going to roast it in time for 6 PM tomorrow. Can I just run the usual glaze 'n baste routine? Or because this fella is un-cured, is he gonna need some special love between then and now?
Between numbness and outpatient wait times, what should I not be doing?
Having lost feeling in half my leg and with no further comments from my GP, what should i be doing, or not, while waiting for test results? [more inside]
I can't read Chinese: where are these adorable tiny clay figurines from?
Got a set of twelve very tiny, hand-painted Chinese clay figurines at a thrift store. Only word on the box in English says "Minjianniren". Am tearing my hair out trying to figure out where these came from. Can you make out this faded Chinese text inside the box? Or do you recognize these things? (Pics inside.) [more inside]
posted by sarling at 6:29 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by sarling at 6:29 PM PST - 3 comments
husband leaving after 38 years
2 weeks ago my husband quietly said that he was moving out. We met in college and have 2 grown children who moved out 2 years ago. My husband retired last March and I retired in January. His news blew me away. Finally we would be able to be with each other and do things together. He says he still loves me, but can't forgive me for having such a strong relationship to my father (who died last October)....he feels that I had always loved my father more than he and he is tired of feeling this way about me and does not believe me that I do truly still love him and always have. [more inside]
posted by milkweed1 at 6:18 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by milkweed1 at 6:18 PM PST - 12 comments
Sunshiny, peaceful holiday destination in June?
It's getting colder and darker here in Australia and in an effort to prevent the winter blues I will be taking a two week holiday in early June. Where in the world should I go that is a) sunny and b) not humid? [more inside]
Affordable, veg-friendly Vancouver restaurant
I'm looking for an affordable, vegetarian-friendly, delicious restaurant in Vancouver, BC. Hoping for entrees below $20, and a downtown location would be a bonus. Thanks!
How to get through a tough time?
I am looking for help with short-term escapism. [more inside]
What I hear you saying is (garbled subway announcement)
I have trouble understanding much of what people say, but my doctor says my hearing is perfect. It's negatively impacting my life and I'm not ready to give up and accept it. I need to know what solutions exist before I give up and put all my energy into coping; I also need to know what I can say to a doctor to get something on paper I can show when this causes problems at work. [more inside]
Looking for a miracle: very rugged lightweight hot-weather pants
Pants, I need loose jean-like pants with pockets that are both lightweight and super-durable for working on a construction job in humid hot Georgia. The cloth needs to breathe; it also needs to be strong enough to protect me when I'm crawling around under a house or carrying nasty nail-full old wood to the dumpster. Flexible. Is there such a thing? Or is there cloth that I can buy and make me such a pair of pants? In men's or women's sizes. Please do not suggest any wool as I am allergic to it.
posted by mareli at 4:01 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by mareli at 4:01 PM PST - 11 comments
How do I stop twirling synth knobs and actually start making music
I have spent a small fortune investigating and purchasing the right gear but I have a simple question. How to get started? I want to make ambient, evolving pads but I seem to spend all my time tweaking nobs and not actually knowing where to start or how to get there.
a) what are some resources for making ambient music and b) what are some concrete things I can do to get better/start now?
Rescue dog transport to Omaha
Hi. I'm losing my home and I need to rehome my adult german shepherd. Thankfully a friend in Omaha offered to take her. Does anyone know of any rescue organizations or people that might be willing to transport her from Utah or Colorado to there, preferably for $300 or less?
Como se dice "Gc"?
How does one pronounce the surname "Gc" that might originate in India? [more inside]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 3:40 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 3:40 PM PST - 6 comments
More Happy Than Not-Happy
What are some great art & photography resources? With absurdity, originality, variety, and quality? [more inside]
Restaurant gift certificate redeemed before I used it?!
My sisters got me a $100 gift certificate to a nice restaurant here a few months ago (think really nice steak and seafood, there are a couple others elsewhere in the country; I'm in California). They bought it online, emailed me the link, etc. we finally use it last, go to pay, and are told that the balance is $0 and the certificate was already used approximately 6 days after I received it!! [more inside]
Identify strange flag
I was driving home today and there is a house at the far end of our street that is only what I can call "compound-like" - trailer, lots of fencing, etc. In addition, it was flying three flags - the U.S. flag, a "Don't tread on me" flag, and a third I couldn't identify. [more inside]
Adult living question - cleaning edition
Me and baniak are moving into a really nice new apartment. With a SUPER nice new kitchen.
How do we not let it turn into a greasy trash fire? [more inside]
Australian, British, and Canadian English Grammar and Spell Checkers
I have an American English grammar and spell checker that I like, but I sometimes write for foreign markets. Do you know of any good Australian, British or Canadian English grammar and spell checkers? (Online preferred.) [more inside]
Rental Property Taxes
I have a property management company managing my rental properties. At the end of every month, they deposit a somewhat arbitrary amount into my checking account that represents some portion of the months incomes (they always hold some back and maintain a cash balance for expenses). Should my taxes/income be based on the monthly deposit or the total revenues that the property management company is receiving? [more inside]
What to expect when you're having an open cholecystectomy
My husband is having this procedure right now and I'd love to hear from anyone who has gone through it or knows someone who has. [more inside]
Quiet Space to Record between Concord and Framingham, MA
Friend and I are doing a recording and need a quiet place where we can close the door somewhere between Concord and Framingham, MA on weeknight evenings. [more inside]
GI Swan
I'm starting to transition to a low-glycemic index diet, and am trying to come up with some meal plans as well as substitutions for the kind of white flour and white sugar-based cakes and cookies I've always baked. What are your favourite low-glycemic meal and dessert ideas and recipes? It has long been my practice to batch cook just once a week, so make ahead and freeze casserole-type meal ideas are preferred. No recipes containing artificial sweeteners, please, as I don't see them as an improvement on sugar.
Help reduce our grocery budget
I want to trim our grocery budget. What are you suggestions for recipes/cookbooks/websites/tips/etc that meet my needs (inside)? [more inside]
Harry Potter trivia for treasure hunt
I want to use obscure Harry Potter trivia to make an Easter morning treasure hunt for my daughter. She has read the books so much that I say she's working on memorizing them. What difficult trivia questions could lead to answers of things that we might have around the house? [more inside]
posted by Margalo Epps at 11:25 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Margalo Epps at 11:25 AM PST - 11 comments
Suggestions for performing a space clearing
Mefites who have performed a space clearing ritual: how did you do it? [more inside]
posted by Solomon at 10:18 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by Solomon at 10:18 AM PST - 26 comments
I hate baking
Convince me to love it. [more inside]
What material should we use to cover asbestos tile on porch floor?
We need to cover the existing asbestos tiles on our porch floor. Local flooring store recommended Wicanders hydrocork, which is vinyl covering cork, and which snaps into place. It's very new and I can't find much online about it - anyone with experience? What would you recommend covering the floor with? [more inside]
posted by john_snow at 9:30 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by john_snow at 9:30 AM PST - 10 comments
Wood Inlay Wedding Ring Repair
How can I get the koa wood inlay in a titanium ring replaced? [more inside]
What is this Linux Mint Notification Icon?
I'm running Linux Mint and I have the this notification icon showing (the one in centre, left of WiFi icon). Can anyone tell me what it means and how to remove it? [more inside]
posted by DamPots at 7:57 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by DamPots at 7:57 AM PST - 5 comments
Any idea what these are?
So I was flying around in Google maps again this morning, and observed the following starburst anomalies:
1,
2,
3. (The links are at the maximum zoom level. Zoom out till the scale says 1000 or 2000 feet for the best view). [more inside]
posted by Bruce H. at 7:05 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Bruce H. at 7:05 AM PST - 7 comments
Malodorous Shea Butter on Thin Skin
My dear SO started buying raw Shea butter from a local African shop. She uses it for skin care. To me, it smells like a herd of goats which I find unremittingly repellent. I know that if I say, "Honey, your product has an unpleasant odor," she hears, "You stink."
How can I resolve this without hurting her feelings?
posted by Jode at 6:38 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by Jode at 6:38 AM PST - 24 comments
Bedbugs? Or Just Bugs in Bed?
March 25
How to run pain free
Since 2013, when I had hip arthroscopy, anytime I run I get a calf cramp. This is is either temporary that basically stops when Im done running, to basically a calf strain that will last weeks. I love doing triathlons and can overtrain the swimming and cycling to build endurance and such, but I'd love to be able to run pain free again. [more inside]
Sur la terre, les animaux. Du plus petit au plus gros.
Another geeky field recording question! I live in L.A. and would like to spend Memorial Day weekend in a "primitive camping" situation, surrounded by noisy nocturnal wildlife, to make long-form field recordings (6-10 hours). Birds and beasts are a particular interest. I'd like as little human company and contact as possible. Where would you go within, say, a six-hour drive?
posted by mykescipark at 11:29 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by mykescipark at 11:29 PM PST - 3 comments
Is a "janitor" position worth to take if want to work in a company?
Allow me not to mention what industry but this is what I am facing....
The skill set in the industry that I want to be working in doesn't require education or certification but talent and network. Unfortunately, I have none. Well, I do have the minimum skills I picked up along my journey but I know they are not enough. I searched and searched for entry position and still no luck getting one.
Some day, I came across this job listing for a "janitor" in a facility that I would dream about working at. I applied....and got accepted.
Good thing is I am "in" the industry but I won't get to touch what I want to do but cleaning up floors, toilet, kitchen....etc.. Now, my savings is almost up but janitor position seems don't earn good money either. I want to improve myself but I kept going backwards.
I told my loved ones that it's an assistant position and I don't want to bring trouble to the managing people, which I won't.
I am not sure what to do... Any suggestion?
Where to buy a house in Baltimore?
Asking for my wonderful 30-year-old lady friend. She's moving to Baltimore in a few months and would like to buy a house there. She would like to live somewhere between Hunt Valley and downtown Baltimore, she's okay with either a city or suburban feel, and her budget is $160k. Safety is her top concern, and she's having trouble getting an accurate sense of how safe particular neighborhoods are from her realtor and her research. Can you recommend specific Baltimore neighborhoods that are safe for a young female homebuyer? [more inside]
Toronto Hotel For A First Timer
We're visiting Toronto for the first time! We need a place to stay for two weeks! We don't know what to look for in a hotel aside from a nice place, but I'd like something fun and the SO would like a quiet place with lots of amenities (think wifi and breakfasts) that isn't too, in his words, "werid". All suggestions open and none of us drive, so public transit links/ access to typical tourist tat are key.
Thank you for a generous boss
My boss gave me a very (very) generous gift. What is an appropriate way to thank him?
Buying him things seems a little gauche as his price range is so far above mine. I was thinking a card but that seems like not enough for what the gift was. Hope me?
posted by platypus of the universe at 8:51 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by platypus of the universe at 8:51 PM PST - 12 comments
What did I see at the Pudong airport?
I was recently flying out of Pudong airport in Shanghai (PVG), and while taxiing down the runway I saw a series of manikins along the edge of the runway on the grass. I am dying to know what the heck these were. [more inside]
posted by blurker at 8:41 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by blurker at 8:41 PM PST - 3 comments
Dreams of Linen
I've just found out that linen sheets are a thing. It's my birthday soon, and I'm considering doing the most self-indulgent thing that I've ever done and buy a set. I've seen this previously, but was hoping that there might be more answers now, four years on. [more inside]
posted by mishafletch at 8:00 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by mishafletch at 8:00 PM PST - 12 comments
Pebble Beach and Menterey- Travel fun
I am working the Pebble Beach Food and Wine Shindig March 31-April 3. Looking for cool local fun. [more inside]
posted by metasav at 7:49 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by metasav at 7:49 PM PST - 6 comments
Moving Bit Coins
I cannot find an Exact Step by Step guid to moce bitscoins from an Exhange to my Blockchain wallet.
I'm using Quadriga and bought some bit coins, but I can't figure out to move them to my wallet. I have some "addresses" issued from Blockchain, and maybe Quadriga(?)
I guess my first question, do I "push" (sell) my coins from the exchange account to my wallet?
posted by Alt255 at 6:15 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Alt255 at 6:15 PM PST - 2 comments
Donate/sell Region 1 DVDs in the UK?
Long story short: I moved to the UK over eight years ago, and at the time it seemed vitally important that I bring my DVD collection with me. However, in all that time, I've only watched maybe two of them. I'm wanting to simplify and find the unwatched ones a good home, but almost all of them are Region 1 (and I'm in 2, obviously). Does anyone know where I can sell--or failing that, donate--a good-sized stack of Region 1 DVDs in the UK, preferably in London?
Cross cultural Engagement party
My colleague has been invited to an engagement party for his friends who are Indian-Fijian Hindu. What can he expect at the party and what would be an appropriate gift? If it matters everyone lives in Australia at present.
A quiet place to watch Lake Superior
I'm looking for a good spot to see - sit and watch quietly - Lake Superior, in Minnesota. I'm basically looking for a quiet place where I can spend the day sitting and watching very old water without much interruption or awareness of the existence of people, cities, and so on. Does anyone know the area well enough to suggest a place in northern MN where I can get my quiet view of the waters for a day or two during the coming week?
posted by Wolfdog at 4:37 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Wolfdog at 4:37 PM PST - 5 comments
I want to flirt, harmlessly, online. How do I do this, where do I go?
I have the urge to flirt online. I don't want to do this via any real social channels, because those are all real people and I don't want to hurt any of them. [more inside]
Seattle/Puget Sound Used Bookstores
While I am familiar with several used bookstores in the area, I am curious if anybody knows of any that have good trade policies as I have a LOT of books I'd like to bring somewhere for store credit. Anything within the Puget Sound or Seattle areas is good; I'd be ok with further out even if they have a good selection of books as well as a decent trade policy.
posted by Stupidratcreature at 2:58 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Stupidratcreature at 2:58 PM PST - 12 comments
How do I best navigate being edged out of a professional opportunity?
Non-profit: I found a grant and brought in two colleagues in my department to choose what we would propose for the grant, to write it and implement it. One of these colleagues who previous to this I would have described as a friend also has completely taken it over and basically pushed me out of the process. How do I get involved again? Or should I just say hindsight is 20/20 and let go of it all? [more inside]
posted by abirdinthehand at 2:24 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by abirdinthehand at 2:24 PM PST - 8 comments
Well-known novels with two authors?
A review of the recent novel War of the Encyclopaedists, by Christopher Robinson and Gavin Kovite, said "there are precedents for good, competent co-authored novels, but not many." Which got me to thinking; I came up with a few examples and googled up some more (see the "more inside"), and I'm wondering if MeFites can come up with others—examples from outside the Anglo-American literary world will be especially welcome. I'm looking for books that are well known and respected, and were published, let's say, before the turn of the century. [more inside]
I want to add surround sound using just my headphone out of my tv. Can?
I have a very new tv above my fireplace. I have speaker wires from near it to behind me so speakers behind are not a problem. The problem is I want to control the volume with the tv's remote which is why I want to use the headphone jack. SO....
How do I get surround sound or the illusion of it being to split the stereo and have it not too loud behind me?
How do you handle your couple's finances?
My SO and I are looking at moving in together when our respective leases are up in September. One of the things I want to make sure we have ironed out is finances, so I'm looking for any and all ways people have transitioned to handling finances as a couple. [more inside]
Where can I find white wool ankle/no-show socks that don't have a logo?
I'm looking for plain white wool (or mostly wool) socks that don't have any logos on them. I would like them to hit at the ankle or below, so you can see only a little or none of the socks while I'm wearing sneakers. [more inside]
What are the most interestingly designed children's books?
What are the most interestingly designed children's books? I am wanting to find ones with holes in the pages, unusual bindings, strange covers, textures inside, or simply unusual illustrations. Any advice?
Peak vs. Diminishing returns for splitting up aerobic exercise?
Spreading 60 minutes of daily aerobic exercise (for weight loss) into multiple sessions throughout the day (60 minutes x 1 session vs. 30x2, 20x3, 15x4, 10x6, 5x12, 2x30 [theoretically]) -- what is the most efficient "split" and at what point do the benefits diminish considerably? [more inside]
How can I help my wife cope with us being too old to have kids?
My wife and I met late and are now in our mid-40s. Having gone through early menopause, it's too late for us to have kids. She's very distraught about this (my feelings are more mixed) and feels like she's failed at the one thing that gives life purpose. What can I do to help? [more inside]
What are some good wool pants for men?
This has been asked before, but the responses to that inquiry seem a little dated, so I will ask again: what are some good brands for wool pants for men? [more inside]
posted by millions at 12:03 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by millions at 12:03 PM PST - 10 comments
How to fix this yard (dead grass, maple sprouts)
Misterben and I bought our first house this past summer. Over the winter, most of the grass in our small front lawn died due to grubs eating the roots. Seeds scattered from the neighbor's maple tree into the resulting mud now appear to be sprouting all over. [more inside]
Database what?
I’d like to set up an online store of information, for a bunch of people. There would be specific fields – “Name”, “Reference Number”, “Date of Birth” etc.. There would also be specific files associated with each person – CV, photo etc.. There will only be about fifteen people, so there won’t be much data in total. Certainly no more than 100mb. [more inside]
I'm looking for a daily or weekly customization math problems
I'd like to receive daily or weekly emails with a math problem. Do you know of a service like this that exists? It would be preferable if I could tweak the settings to include only problems from certain disciplines (eg Calculus). It doesn't have to be delivered via email, although that would be preferred. [more inside]
Help me plan my Pacific Northwest vacation
I want to take a two-week (or thereabouts) trip to the Pacific Northwest for an upcoming milestone birthday. On the itinerary so far are Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. I've been to Seattle and San Francisco but never Vancouver or Portland. Help me plan! [more inside]
gift for two year old and for new parents
Hi everyone. I am going to be traveling in a month and staying with close friends, whose children I am fairy godparent to. Nephew #1 is two and a half, nephew #2 is going to be less than 3 months old. I would like to get a gift for nephew #1, the two and a half year old, and perhaps something for the parents. My needs are fairly simple, but I'm not around kids much and I don't know what I'm doing. More details under the cut. [more inside]
How to break down the pedestal you created?
What's a great sentiment that someone shared with you or that you discovered on your own that really helped you break away from framing your thoughts around a relationship that ended? What helped bring your ex off the pedestal? [more inside]
Locking sliding garage doors from both sides?
My neighbor and I share a garage door that we'd like to keep secure. Without walking around the block, it's easier for me to open it from within and easier for him to open it from without. Currently, the door is locked with a latch and a padlock on the outside, but I'd like to be able to unlock it from the inside too. Is there a solution?
posted by TheNewWazoo at 8:38 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by TheNewWazoo at 8:38 AM PST - 17 comments
Overcome the mental resistance and get it done.
You managed to stop overestimating the difficulty of the tasks in your life, both large and small. How did you do that? [more inside]
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 8:20 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 8:20 AM PST - 26 comments
Vacation destination with (max) 6 hours drive of Virginia?
Vacation Filter: Help us decide where to go on vacation for a week in May within 4-6 hours drive north of the Virginia/MD state line? [more inside]
Recipe Suggestions for Dish that will travel/keep well?
We are traveling tomorrow night to my girlfriend's family relatives for Easter; although no dish has been assigned to us, I would like to prepare something to bring. Ideally this will be something that I can fully prepare and/or cook on Saturday and then re-heat or fully cook on Sunday before going to their house. The trip is only an hour away, but what type of dishes will travel and hold up well a day in advance? [more inside]
posted by andruwjones26 at 7:27 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by andruwjones26 at 7:27 AM PST - 14 comments
How do you initiate sex?
I appreciate all the advice I've received so far. It's been very helpful. I do however have another question, if you're on a date, how exactly does one initiate sex? [more inside]
Robust and safe blog for whistleblowing?
I need to find a free blogging site that I know will be at least relatively anonymous and will not easily be susceptible to legal threats / takedown notices. [more inside]
Statistical framing of the engineering and extremism article
Reading this article on the blue got me thinking about conditional probabilities, prediction and causality. I came up with an analytical framing of what I think the article is saying and would be grateful if stats/social science Mefites could tell me if it seems accurate or else set me right. [more inside]
Examples of interactive art experiences utilizing smartphones?
I'm helping out with an arts group that is thinking of doing a kind of experience that will mainly involve a user interacting with a smartphone. The experience will blend both what is provided via the phone as well as the environment the participants are in. They are still in a very early stage of conceptualization and would be keen to read more about similar things. Does anybody have pointers to such work? [more inside]
posted by destrius at 6:50 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by destrius at 6:50 AM PST - 8 comments
Let's talk MBA, old guy edition
So many MBA questions, so little room here [more inside]
mrfishit.exe on my car's computer?
An odd error message appeared on the navigation screen in my 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe yesterday that said something about not connecting to mrfish.exe. It was a small message and the systems all seemed to be working, and the message vanished when I restarted the car nor has it yet reappeared. [more inside]
Wash before wear?
Settle a debate between me and my wife. She insists EVERY new article of clothing must be washed before wearing. T-Shirts. Underwear. Socks. All washed first. Even bed-sheets and towels (a not-yet-used comforter started this debate.)
I say brand new out of package is as clean as can be.
Who's right?
Show Me The Sunny!
I just survived my first Northern European winter. I am originally from the Gulf Coast US. I need some heat. Where should I go? [more inside]
Where oh where can this picture be -- from?
OK, knowing the answer will probably not make me a better, happier, wiser person, but I've got to know: in some random Tumblr surfing I saw this picture, apparently a still from a movie... [more inside]
posted by randomkeystrike at 4:48 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by randomkeystrike at 4:48 AM PST - 5 comments
Other Rap Gods?
I'm looking for songs in the style/similar to Eminem's "Rap God". Or is he as singular as he would have us believe?
If itching is torture (it is) than my body is torturing itself.
I am itchy all over. And now, from scratching in bed, entirely covered in hives. My body is throbbing and I feel like my brain will snap if I don't scratch the incessant creeping itchiness that is simply everywhere.
YNAMD - but also, my doctor won't be in until Tuesday and I feel this issue isn't worth taking up time in urgent care or emerg. [more inside]
posted by Dressed to Kill at 3:51 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by Dressed to Kill at 3:51 AM PST - 27 comments
Desperately Need Alternative to Cone of Shame for Geriatric Dog
Biopsy of a tumor has resulted in her being extremely sore AND having to wear a cone of shame. She is way miserable, and restless. Despite being given a pain killer and sedative, she just wanders around while panting heavily. I think the cone is causing her major anxiety. Has anyone had experience with any alternatives? I desperately want to make her more comfortable.
posted by LilithSilver at 2:40 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by LilithSilver at 2:40 AM PST - 15 comments
March 24
Attach of the quarter life crisis
I'm 28 and feel completely lost. I have a bachelor's and postgraduate degree in Information Technology and work in the IT sector. I feel out of place at my job and on the path towards mediocrity. How do I break out of this and find a path towards success? [more inside]
A test question from my childhood about eyelashes still confuses me
The test was to determine whether I should be placed into a program for gifted students. I was five or six years old. One of the tasks was to identify the difference between a series of side-by-side photographs. For example, the picture on the left might be a tree with a rope swing, the picture on the right might be a tree with a tire swing. One of these side-by-sides was not like the others, and I can't figure out why it would be helpful in determining a child's aptitude. [more inside]
posted by landunderwave at 10:58 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by landunderwave at 10:58 PM PST - 10 comments
What sort-of therapist would be good for my issues?
Hello everyone,
I've been having trouble finding a therapist. I'm looking because everyone tells me I need to see a counselor, but I've had 0 luck, and I've called over a dozen so far without avail. [more inside]
posted by gehenna_lion at 10:29 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by gehenna_lion at 10:29 PM PST - 16 comments
Willamette recs for April vacation?
For our long overdue vacation, we're planning to stay in Newberg Oregon, and want to experience the most wonderful things Willamette Valley has to offer. What should we eat/drink/do? And, how long should we stay? [more inside]
posted by ellerhodes at 10:07 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by ellerhodes at 10:07 PM PST - 7 comments
Uses for a Second Car
I have a second car. I know I can donate it or sell it or gift it. But can I rent it or lend it? I wouldn't mind making money from it before I let it go, but if that's not feasible, is it more or less so to find an altruistic purpose for it? Or should I just say goodbye?
posted by CollectiveMind at 10:04 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by CollectiveMind at 10:04 PM PST - 6 comments
Entertain Academics In Atlanta
I'll be in Atlanta from April 13-17 for a conference. I am trying to come up with an interesting social activity for everyone associated with our research project - 10-15 people. In the past, this has taken place at sporting events, but we can't find anything in town! Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by ChuraChura at 7:48 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by ChuraChura at 7:48 PM PST - 15 comments
Fastest/Best Way to Get Up to Speed with Excel
TL;DR: Computer comfortable/literate, but only an excel lightweight. How do I become a guru (or at least enough to fake it till I make) and start changing my life? [more inside]
posted by VillainProtagonist at 7:35 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by VillainProtagonist at 7:35 PM PST - 11 comments
But, But, I Don't Wanna Work In Underland Full Time
I have worked for many years in a position that's located in the basement of a converted 1930's department store. I like my job and I am good at it, but I have always hated working in a cube farm with zero windows and zero cell service. To compensate for the drabness of the work environment, I have been able to telework two days per week, leaving me chained in a drab dungeon only three days per week. [more inside]
posted by Gyre,Gimble,Wabe, Esq. at 7:22 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by Gyre,Gimble,Wabe, Esq. at 7:22 PM PST - 20 comments
Looking for a new PCP in Boston.
TL;DR: I'm looking for a body-positive/HAES-friendly internist in Boston, one who is covered under Commonwealth Care. [more inside]
Drip... drip... drip drip... drip.
Our neighbour's downpipe drips most nights, even though we haven't had any rain for days, and it's kind of driving us crazy. How can we stop it? [more inside]
posted by snap, crackle and pop at 3:55 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by snap, crackle and pop at 3:55 PM PST - 19 comments
Help me dress more stylishly
I'm sick of wearing boring clothes. Please point me into a new direction. [more inside]
Tips on teaching semaphore?
I want to teach my Girl Scout troop about semaphore. I don't know it myself. Any tips? [more inside]
Ladies metal free or nickel free watch.
Hello;
I am very allergic to metals especially nickel.
I need a watch that does not contain that at all.
Any ideas out there?
Any web sites?
Thanks very much :-)
posted by LOOKING at 2:30 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by LOOKING at 2:30 PM PST - 19 comments
The biggest and best small wallet?
I just started carrying business cards, but I also carry a small, minimalist wallet, and I'd rather not change that dramatically. Help? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 1:55 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by pdb at 1:55 PM PST - 18 comments
Like a marshmallow but softer
Damn, liquor is pricey here
Is it worth making a road trip from Seattle to Oregon (or further...?) to acquire a decent quantity of alcohol? [more inside]
posted by isauteikisa at 1:41 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by isauteikisa at 1:41 PM PST - 17 comments
Help my existing computer speakers play nice with the Amazon Echo Dot
I'm going to buy an Amazon Echo and an Echo Dot. I would like the Dot to send music through two separate sets of speakers, which are both currently wired into my desktop PC. Help me make it happen. [more inside]
Non-Engineering Nonfiction Books for Engineers?
I've long held that anyone who makes things for humans should read The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman. What other books should engineer types read? [more inside]
posted by reventlov at 12:33 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by reventlov at 12:33 PM PST - 14 comments
Housing Refinancing 101- Options in NYC or NJ for a NYC home?
Am looking for loan to refinance a paid off, income generating house I have inherited with two brothers. The aim is to get 1/3 of the value to buy out brother M, so it will become co-owned with my other sibling. More inside! [more inside]
Close-up filming set-up
I'm looking for a camera that will film close-up and work with a monitor. [more inside]
Company payroll info got hacked - now what?
So my company got hacked via spoofed email, and information stolen included names, addresses, SSNs, wage info, and withholding info. On a scale of 1 to Trump/Palin Victory, how panicked should I be right now? And what should I be doing? My bank (USAA) is pretty good about monitoring fraud, and I only have one other credit card. I check my credit reports regularly. Should I be changing every password I have and requesting new credit cards automatically; not worrying about it; something in the middle? [more inside]
posted by Etrigan at 11:07 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by Etrigan at 11:07 AM PST - 14 comments
Fable about corporate secretary and slack
I'm trying to find the source of a story about the importance of slack in a system. It involved a secretary who was less efficient the more she was scheduled. [more inside]
posted by ancientgower at 10:55 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by ancientgower at 10:55 AM PST - 4 comments
Standing desk hacks
As much as I hate "hacks" (I don't care if that's the way monkeys peel a banana), I've recently converted to a standing desk and am in need of tips to keep comfortable, productive, and potentially avoid health risks from standing for long periods. [more inside]
Remove the Bite from my Crocs!
I have sensitive feet bottoms - nubs hurt! If I buy these Crocs Freesail clogs, could I grind, cut, or melt the nubs off? Maybe with Dremel? Other than the nubs, these are perfect.
posted by bluesky78987 at 9:57 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by bluesky78987 at 9:57 AM PST - 11 comments
What should I do with this iMac?
I have a 27" iMac I bought at the beginning of 2013. It's a top of the line, 3tb hybrid drive, 16gb RAM. It has problems though that can't seem to be fixed. [more inside]
How Do I Visit London Without Paying Through the Nose?
I'm planning a three to six month stay in London, but hotel and guest house prices are heartbreaking in this city. Is there anywhere adjacent to London where I can lodge and still enjoy my visit? [more inside]
Stop these flop mops; I need a top mop!
I swear, every mop I've ever owned has turned me into a hapless klutz from the "before" section of an infomercial. There's got to be a better way! [more inside]
Sample Letter of Intent from Foreign Supplier
Has anyone ever attempted to obtain their importing/distributor license? I am in the process but hung up on this one small step of obtaining a letter of intent from the foreign supplier, I have been searching trying to find samples but am unable to, just to use as a go by. Specifically interested in wines from a different country to import into the US. Thank you!
posted by MamaBee223 at 6:26 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by MamaBee223 at 6:26 AM PST - 1 comment
which restaurants in Rome are vegetarian-friendly?
We'll be in Rome for a short break in April. My wife and 10yo daughter are both vegetarians - I & my son eat meat. Can anyone recommend restaurants? [more inside]
posted by rd45 at 6:03 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by rd45 at 6:03 AM PST - 13 comments
Navigating New York on Crutches
My wife, a friend, and I are traveling to New York in a couple of weeks. A few days ago my wife broke her ankle, and she'll be in a lower-leg cast and on crutches during the trip. Her orthopedist has approved the travel. We're looking for advice from people familiar with the places and activities we had planned, particularly people who have experience doing so with limited mobility. Details below. [more inside]
Hiring a direct report when I may be leaving soon?
I may be offered a new job soon. I am also in the final stages of hiring a long-awaited second-in-command at my current job. I did not know I would be able to hire someone when I started the interview process for my potential new job. I have no cause to stick it to my current employer by hiring a new person then scramming shortly thereafter. How do I navigate this? [more inside]
Masters dilemma: Great opportunity, not sure which path to take
I have a sizeable scholarship to get a Master’s at a school that has a great job placement rate at some pretty cool companies. However, it’s for a field that I don’t know that much about and have no professional experience with, plus I've been accepted into programs directly relevant to my current field. [more inside]
Where can I source most of these materials from in one place?
Hi there,
Creating a soft goods prototype (a backpack in case that is useful) and was wondering where I can go to find the following:
drings
grommets
rivets
buckles
from one place? I have found individually all of these things in specific specs that I want, but they are all over the place and ideally I want to keep them from one vendor.
I don't care about location, but ideally I would do this in the U.S. to keep shipping costs low.
March 23
Anyone can play guitar?
Will I be able to learn guitar on a vintage Guild acoustic guitar? [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:35 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:35 PM PST - 22 comments
Ghost Pearl My Whip
I want to strip and paint a steel bike frame. I think I have all the information I need on the process, primer, and base coat from resources such as this guide, but I’d like to go for a pearlescent, multi-hued look with a rattle can level of effort. [more inside]
posted by migurski at 9:05 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by migurski at 9:05 PM PST - 8 comments
Escapism, For One, For Two Weeks
Between 21 June and 18 July I will have finished school and not yet started work. I want to get away, outside, for some if not most of that time. I am based in Toronto. I like biking, hiking, walking, and being outside. I also like cities and reading books and sleeping in. Hope me please? [more inside]
Driving E from Rock Springs WY tomorrow: 80/25/70 or stay on 80 thru NE?
Thanks to answers to this previous question, I decided to take a direct route for my cross-country trip. And now I'm caught in a blizzard! Which is more likely to be passable tomorrow: Rock Springs WY to Burlington CO (my original plan) via 80/25/70, or Rock Springs to Ogallala NE (which maybe looks to me like it got less snow) by staying on 80, then dropping down to 70 around Lexington? [more inside]
Dealing with shifting windows on a multi-monitor setup
I have two computer monitors: a 1920x1080 144hz one that I use as my primary monitor for gaming on and a 1680x1050 60hz one that I use as a secondary for browsing/chatting/miscellaneous things on. This nearly always works well, but I've been running into an issue where if I'm running something at fullscreen at a non-native resolution on my primary monitor it shifts everything offscreen on the other -- making chat windows or Netflix unusable. Is there an easy way to fix this on a software/system level? [more inside]
Help me plan my Paris vacation
I am going to Paris for six days in early May (super-excited - I was just fondling my passport this morning) and am looking for suggestions for interesting things to see and do. [more inside]
posted by codex99 at 6:47 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by codex99 at 6:47 PM PST - 28 comments
Atypical Depression/Dysthymia = unmotivated?
Have you been diagnosed with atypical depression or dysthymia? What is it like for you? What has helped? [more inside]
Top magazine grid-design systems?
I am interested in learning more about how world-class magazines create grids that work for both print and digital platforms. Any resources that delve into how tablets changed the way magazine content is propagated and how they have affected modular systems would be great.
What is a sensible response to a difficult situation?
My ex-wife has just advised she is taking my kids on holiday in just over a weeks time but the specific accommodation seems to be totally inappropriate for a 6 and 8 year old. She is going to Aya Napa in Cyprus which is renowned as a party resort. I feel very uncomfortable and nauseous. Am I overreacting? [more inside]
What is a reliable, standardized brand of glucosamine and chondroitin?
What is a reliable, standardized brand of glucosamine and chondroitin for humans? In dogs, Nutramax Dasuquin is the one overwhelmingly recommended by orthopedists and used in animal studies because the company is reliable and the tablets contain what they say they contain. Is there an equivalent product for humans? Can you point me to evidence that it's a reliable product?
posted by HotToddy at 4:53 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by HotToddy at 4:53 PM PST - 5 comments
Seeking Grandmother's Secret "Molasses Beer" Recipe
I'm searching for a recipe for a drink my Danish grandmother used to make. Alas, her recipe was a tightly held secret and she passed away without sharing it. I don't have a ton to go on and my googles aren't coming up with anything. [more inside]
posted by Sauce Trough at 4:24 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by Sauce Trough at 4:24 PM PST - 13 comments
Rugs for sale - How can I sell my son and daughter's beautiful rugs?
My son and daughter-in-law have 3 high-quality new silk Persian rugs in great condition that each cost multiple tens of thousands of dollars. Photos here. They have asked me to help them sell them where they might be valued. Hence my appeal to the hive-mind for suggestions? [more inside]
Help me find a Business/Bankruptcy lawyer in MD
I am in the middle of a divorce, and there are shared businesses owned jointly that I need help with. I'm looking for a lawyer in Maryland who works with small businesses (valued under 200K), can do bankruptcy and can provide guidance about personal debt guarantees. [more inside]
How to feel more positive more often?
So this last year has been quite tough. And I find that often in the evenings all I want to do is sit at a computer and consume news/videos/blogs. Well, that's not quite true. Actually I'd rather be creating. But I can't find the energy to lift myself up and turn from consumer to creator. I'm just too tired. [more inside]
Good Veterinarian in Shanghai?
I will be moving to Shanghai with my dog in two months. Does anyone know a good veterinarian in the city? Puxi area preferred. Thanks!
What's it like to work at Costco?
If you've worked at Costco in the past, or are currently a Costco employee: what's it like to work there? [more inside]
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 2:42 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 2:42 PM PST - 8 comments
How to prepare myself for potential future cheating?
My spouse confessed to me that she had an emotional affair. It hurts really bad and I want to figure out how to learn and prepare in case it happens again. [more inside]
How is property tax assessed in Minneapolis, MN?
We were told that the taxes are based on the assessed value of the home, and that it didn't vary by neighborhood-- i.e. a $300k-valued home would pay the same property taxes whether it was in ritzy mc-ritzville or the wrong side of the tracks. But when we looked at property taxes, they seem to vary wildly by neighborhood. What gives? [more inside]
Where can I rent a wifi device for an event in San Francisco?
I'm hosting a two day event in SF next week. Oddly, the venue we've rented has no wifi. Where can I rent a mifi type device for two days that can provide high speed internet for up to 60 people? [more inside]
Fair-trade, Hyperbole-free Chocolate Information
Seeking books and articles (journalistic or scholarly) on chocolate, slavery, and child labor that focus on the facts of the matter, rather than on advancing a cause. [more inside]
How to make a perl script work for me
For a long time I used an online cutup algorithm to help me with my writing. This one to be specific. The way it was programmed totally hit the sweet spot for me but now it no longer works. At some point I had it up and running on my own computer using Filezilla server to run it as a localhost installation but now that doesn't work either. I've tried contacting the person who made it with no response. I've tried setting it up on my dreamhost space following tutorials but I know nothing about perl and I'm out of my depth. Anyone able to help me get it up and running in some way or tell me what's wrong with it? Thanks!
Made to measure men's suit - what do recommend?
Hi, I'm interested in getting a made-to-measure suit. However, I'm a little leery of paying hundreds of dollars for something I haven't seen yet from a company from whom I've never purchased a suit. Can you recommend any of the online providers of made-to-measure suits? Do you have any advice on what I should be considering when I shop for such a suit?
Who owns materials I created as part of a grant?
I created a brand new program with grant money. I am leaving my employer and my boss says I don't own any of the materials. Is this true? [more inside]
Leather care for printed leather
I've just bought a lovely pair of Doc Martens which have an all-over print on them. I want to keep the print (and the leather) in as good a condition as possible. I have the end of a tube of Kiwi Sport Dubbin gel which I've used with much success on other (though plainer) Docs, but it seems like they don't make this any more. What's the best stuff to use? [more inside]
posted by Vortisaur at 11:31 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Vortisaur at 11:31 AM PST - 3 comments
Good Sites that Review Hair Color
I've started coloring my hair at home. I have found many sites that offer reviews for these products, but they are organized by product, not by color. For example, on Amazon, all reviews for L'Oreal Preference are all in a clump. What I'd like to find is a site where people have commented on specific colors. For example, I'd like a set of reviews for L'Oreal Preference Medium Ash Blonde (8A). I realize I can search Amazon by keyword, but I feel like there must be something out there that does a better job of organizing this. [more inside]
posted by abbyladybug at 11:02 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by abbyladybug at 11:02 AM PST - 5 comments
Educational podcasts and Youtube channels with readings and/or slides.
I'm interested in subscribing to some more educational Youtube channels and podcasts that link to background reading material, slides or other forms of media. [more inside]
Looking for Info on Secession and Inspiration from Literature, Film, TV
Hey Brilliants,
I hope you are all enjoying the beginning of spring!
I am researching a new project on secession and am looking for examples in literature, film, tv, etc. of stories that are about a US state or city trying to secede from the union. I'm somewhat aware of Texas' ability to secede but am wondering if anyone has written anything about what would happen if another state or city tried to secede.
Thanks so much :) [more inside]
I'm in a toxic work environment. How can I make this non-toxic?
I had a really bad morning at work, being yelled at by my supervisor/co-worker over a few small mistakes. It's been building up. Any work-related advice would be helpful. [more inside]
He stopped talking to me abruptly and with no warning, now what?
I am utterly baffled and confused by the behavior of this person I've been seeing for the past 2,5 months, who has not contacted me in a week, and I am not sure how to proceed from here. [more inside]
Seeking 1980s novel linking Chartres Cathedral labyrinth & computing
I purchased a British HC book some years ago which focused on the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral (it was on the B&W cover) - the book was structured in three parts, one dealing with the labyrinth and its meaning, the other two parts concerned a startup company developing software/computer architecture and there was a direct link to the Chartres theme. [more inside]
Gaffes and blunders from The Economist
I have received the firm impression that The Economist is better at projecting an air of confidence and balance than at actually knowing what it's talking about or refraining from blatantly ideological interpretations and representations, but have lost all grip on the examples of same that impressed me. Maybe YOU can provide me with some examples? [more inside]
Is my Dad invited to Easter dinner with the family? How to inquire?
I received a Facebook message from relatives inviting me to their Easter gathering. I assumed my dad had been invited and would be going as well, so I opted in. The thing is... he hasn't been invited yet, and is adamant that I don't check with them to see if he's allowed to come because doing so would embarrass him. How do I navigate these holiday shenanigans, and how do I phrase it if I decide to inquire into this matter? [more inside]
posted by CottonCandyCapers at 7:14 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by CottonCandyCapers at 7:14 AM PST - 22 comments
Simple automatic backup for Windows 10 laptop, have Dreamhost, ASO
My elderly Dad's laptop got infected with some ransomware and it turns out he has no backup. I'd like to set him up with something simple and automatic to back up his files periodically. I live in another country and can set things up via TeamViewer to his Windows 10 laptop and maybe get some local help. I also have accounts on Dreamhost and A Small Orange, can I make use of those? What's the state of the art for easy backup solutions? [more inside]
Is it legal to reveal the identity of child victims of sexual abuse?
I was horrified to read an article today on Buzzfeed about a 'heroic' Australian victim who raised several thousand dollars for a home for child victims of sexual abuse in Kenya. So far, so good. Except that the article included photographs of many of the young girls themselves. Those pictures are now on the internet forever. [more inside]
How to make a group signed shirt look cooler?
We have a shirt (light color men's tee shirt) that a group of us are going to sign on the back (which is currently blank). How can I make this look less...like a shirt that's been randomly scribbled on? I'm thinking maybe some kind of overall design that has spaces to sign in, but no idea what that design would be. Or some other cool idea. I have Sharpie fabric markers and I'm pretty crafty. Shirt gets here on Friday, needs to be ready to sign by Monday.
posted by anaelith at 4:24 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by anaelith at 4:24 AM PST - 14 comments
What's reasonable to expect men to understand about women's experiences?
Specifically if a man identifies as feminist, should he then understand why a woman would take stories of sexism against other women personally?
An ongoing source of conflict with a man in my life is that we'll discuss something sexist happening in the world and when I want a moment of commiseration about it like "man, that sucks, what a shitty world, I'm sorry" he won't give it and doesn't understand why I take it personally unless it is something that personally happens to me. [more inside]
posted by pocketfullofrye at 3:44 AM PST - 52 comments
posted by pocketfullofrye at 3:44 AM PST - 52 comments
Examples of Misunderstood Historical Events
Which events from the last 30 years have been mis-interpreted in the popular consciousness? [more inside]
TL;DR I offended a guy at a party in a reallly... bad way, I guess?
TL;DR I offended a guy at a party in a reallly... bad way, I guess? [more inside]
What is "bafs"?
From Chapter 2. of The Third Man. Lime could also, he said, keep him supplied with paper bafs — the only currency in use from a penny upwards in British hotels and clubs.
I'd like to know about bafs more than it's the currency in use from a penny upwards. I can't google it. No word in my dictionary.Please give me some tips on it.Thank you.
posted by mizukko at 1:54 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by mizukko at 1:54 AM PST - 4 comments
App for graphing a phylogenetic tree?
What's the best app for graphing out a phylogenetic tree, including pictures, for a fantasy taxonomy? (OSX or iOS, please.) [more inside]
posted by progosk at 12:25 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by progosk at 12:25 AM PST - 7 comments
March 22
Best restaurant in Los Angeles
What do you consider the best restaurant in LA and why? I'm willing to spend money on this, it's for a special occasion.
Impostor Syndrome: The Job Interview version
I recently got invited to interview for what appears to be a dream job a couple of days after applying. Intellectually, I know that they've seen my resume and liked it enough to invite me in. In my heart, I'm feeling ridiculously intimidated and anxious about it being a job I'm underqualified for. [more inside]
Thrown under the bus. What to do with feelings?
My graduate advisor/mentor short-changed me two years in a row to keep other people happy when distributing resources-- not out of malice (I think) just chronic thoughtlessness. In trying to justify what he did, he dredged up things like my progress (which he's been telling me is great until now). I've made my case to the department re: resources, and am waiting for them to deliberate. Meanwhile, I'm overwhelmed with feelings-- disillusioned, hurt, anger, feeling mistreated and taken-advantage of, etc., and I don't know what to do with them. I need some outside perspectives! [more inside]
Teacher for advanced management skills in the workplace?
Do you know anyone who can teach advanced people and management skills in the workplace?
I'm looking for an experienced, scientifically-minded manager who can teach first principle people skills, walk through handling specific personnel cases, and instruct on useful responses for common (and not so common) workplace problems. [more inside]
How to get away from Dropbox.
I'm trying to not use that terrible service. I dislike it's clunky interface, it's pricing structure, and it's lack of transparency. What I really want is a Samba server that requires authentication that I can just, like, rent monthly. We all use laptops, and often work off-site, so we need a central file repository that seamless integrates with Mac OS. Hence my thoughts on SMB. I'm also open to other solutions. Our needs are simply: off-site file rw access, Mac compatible. I'm also open to an on-site fileserver, but that might require some re-working of the (shitty comcast modem's) firewall. [more inside]
MS Access SQL question
I think this should be simple, but I don't use Access very often and my brain isn't working tonight. [more inside]
posted by ctmf at 8:54 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by ctmf at 8:54 PM PST - 14 comments
Help me find easy-to-use graphic design software for my Mac
Please point me to Mac software that can be used to make these adorable graphic design items. [more inside]
how to give someone a month's rent non-awkwardly?
I want to tell an ex-roommate to keep my part of the security deposit as a gift. I want to do this as non-awkwardly as possible, but even to make the offer would force us to acknowledge what we have never discussed, that our finances are very different. Is this possible? How? [more inside]
Research an abandoned burial ground
We may have found an abandoned "cemetery" just off our property in a rural area. Possibly from homesteaders or maybe earlier. How do we research this? [more inside]
Trying to figure out software used to create the DIC logo in 80s cartoon
I know somewhere in the past I had seen a story about the devices/programs used to create video logos like the DIC outro seen here. Any idea what it was?
posted by Ferreous at 7:17 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Ferreous at 7:17 PM PST - 6 comments
Please help this chump quiet his sump pump.
Noise from our sump pump is keeping us up at night. What can I do to get things quieter? [more inside]
posted by VTX at 7:06 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by VTX at 7:06 PM PST - 9 comments
"How to Eat Like a Child" - recording, video, anything?
I'm trying to find a professional recording, cast album, or even the original video from the 1981 NBC special "How to Eat Like a Child". [more inside]
Women's underwear built in liner
My 6 year old asked me a question that I honestly don't know the answer to. Maybe Metafilter does.
Why do women's and girl's underwear only have the built-in shield/liner sewn in on three sides? And why isn't it sewn down in the front? Is this for faster manufacturing or something I haven't considered?
posted by wildeepdotorg at 6:06 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by wildeepdotorg at 6:06 PM PST - 24 comments
Genetic testing options BEFORE becoming pregnant?
Given my family history and recent miscarriages, how can I be proactive about ensuring that my future child will be born healthy? [more inside]
posted by differently at 4:51 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by differently at 4:51 PM PST - 17 comments
What happened to my kid's iPhone?
Vacationing in Mexico. Kid BlahLaLa has misplaced his phone. When I go to Apple's "Find My Phone" I'm not even seeing his phone on the list of our devices. Halp? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 4:30 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by BlahLaLa at 4:30 PM PST - 16 comments
Children's Books on Disabilities
I am vice president of the special needs parents council for my public school district. Our president was approached by our city's public library children's room director because books on special needs and/or disabilities are underepresented in our children's room. What books do you recommend our public library get to better represent this population?
posted by zizzle at 3:47 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by zizzle at 3:47 PM PST - 21 comments
How/if to explain getting kicked out of housing to potential roommates
I've been asked to leave my current living situation because we have "different living styles." Was told I would get a good reference. Still, how do I communicate about this with potential new roommates? [more inside]
posted by cielgris at 3:40 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by cielgris at 3:40 PM PST - 18 comments
Selling/Shipping Large Lots of Items on eBay
Due to some unforeseen expenses, it looks like I may need to liquidate some of my larger collections (dolls, toys, etc). Theoretically I'd like to sell them en masse (i.e. 20 dolls total in one lot) rather than individually. These aren't small or sturdy items. Is there a standard practice for shipping that many semi-fragile items (all bubble wrapped) at once to a buyer? Can you do multiple shipments through eBay, like how Amazon sometimes splits orders up? Any advice would be appreciated.
Body parts "fall asleep" in English. What about in other languages?
English also has "pins and needles" to describe the sensation. What is it called in other languages? The only things I was able to find on the web is that it is called "ant running" in Hindi and that in Italian it is called "feeling ants." I find this super interesting!
posted by LKWorking at 2:11 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by LKWorking at 2:11 PM PST - 25 comments
Do you have experience wearing a wool sports bra?
I'd like to hear about experiences with wool sports bras that aren't from gear reviewers. [more inside]
posted by barchan at 1:54 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by barchan at 1:54 PM PST - 8 comments
Hiring Help to Script HTML -> DOCX -> InDesign
We need to hire someone to help transform HTML/MARKDOWN text into DOCX, while following finicky instructions. Also: script the process (or at least a lot of it). But we're not sure exactly what type of worker to look for. [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 1:47 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Quisp Lover at 1:47 PM PST - 5 comments
Hell is other (racist xenophobic) parents
Fellow parents of MeFi, I need your tips for dealing with racist/xenophobic parents' of my kids' classmates. [more inside]
posted by romakimmy at 1:26 PM PST - 40 comments
posted by romakimmy at 1:26 PM PST - 40 comments
Amtrak with a dog
Now that Amtrak allows pets on board, my boyfriend and I will be taking our tiny dog to Boston from Penn on the Amtrak in a couple weeks! I've perused the rules and regulations on Amtrak's page, but I was wondering if any of you have taken a dog on the train yet. [more inside]
Boutique crafting duct tape
I've got a nephew who enjoys building duct tape wallets and the like. Generally we just buy him tape off the rack down at the hardware store (they have a surprisingly large selection of color and patterns) but I'm curious if there is .... I don't know, artisanal tape out there somewhere. Something to get as a special treat.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 11:30 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 11:30 AM PST - 13 comments
Identify these mystery granules / insect eggs.
I have an outdoor grill set atop a wooden cabinet. Every few months, these mysterious granules appear inside and around the cabinet. Are they insect eggs? What are they and where are they coming from? [more inside]
Why does national debt rise so sharply during a recession?
What is the relationship between the size of the national debt and GDP? Interested in the 'strength' of the variables. [more inside]
What do you know restaurant POS systems?
Researching restaurant POS systems. Have a suggestion of a product or just things to be aware of? [more inside]
posted by john m at 9:42 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by john m at 9:42 AM PST - 19 comments
Similar Criticism...
I really enjoyed Robert Sklar's Movie-Made America, but did not enjoy his other book Film. I'd like some suggestions about other cinema criticisms/histories that are similar in tone and concept to Movie-Made America. No need to be USA-centric.
This bites
Something has been sporadically biting me in my sleep since January, possibly before. No physical evidence of bed bugs has been found, though I'm fearing the worst. What should my next steps be? [more inside]
Starting from scratch on organizing a large digital music library
I have a lot of digital music files in a lot of different formats. MP3, m4a, AAC, FLAC. I currently use iTunes and I mostly dislike it. I need to start over and find a solution for organizing and playing my 500(?) GB of music. [more inside]
In search of brainbreaking episodes of Mister Rogers
Toddler WanKenobi & I have been all about Fred Rogers lately. We've seen a few episodes that have broken the fourth wall in interesting ways, and I'd like to see more. [more inside]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:03 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:03 AM PST - 12 comments
Squat Stands A Go Go
I am currently torn between three squat/bench stands for my bedroom gym. Please help me make a choice. [more inside]
Never pick a fight with a database
Have you succeeded in getting internet service at an address which doesn't exist in the provider's database? [more inside]
What eating game did parents play with their babies before airplanes?
I've been playing the "airplane game" with my son lately while feeding him. I've seen that game pop up in media from all over the world, so it seems pretty ubiquitous today. I'm curious, are there any records about baby feeding games from before there were airplanes?
Why will MLB.com only play on one of our televisions?
We ordered an MLB.com season pass on our bedroom Apple TV. Now, we can't get it to play on our second TV. What are we doing wrong? [more inside]
Burn music to USB
What program should I use to burn my mp3 music files onto a USB drive and equalize them? If I simply copy the files off my computer, the volume is variable from one song to another, so I need to have the ability to equalize. I used to have Nero, but it doesn't function on my newer Windows 7 computer. [more inside]
posted by mightshould at 4:26 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by mightshould at 4:26 AM PST - 13 comments
John Nash and the establishment of reality
In the film A Beautiful Mind, John Nash struggles with realistic hallucinations of imaginary people. At one point, a representative from the Nobel Prize approaches Nash, and Nash checks with a student familiar to him to verify that the Nobel rep is real. How would someone in Nash's position know that the student was real? How would such a person establish the reality of anything? [more inside]
March 21
What to expect and how to respond
I was a loyal employee for 10 years, one of the best in the company, but after a minor incident they treated me like a criminal and threw me under the bus. Upon departure I was required to sign a non-compete agreement stating I couldn't work in this field for 2 years. Supposedly, this was for "trade secrets" but in reality they knew all my customers loved me and they were afraid I would take them with me. My 2 years are up and I want to start my own small business in direct competition to my former employer. I plan on contacting some of my favorite customers and offering better service. [more inside]
Sick, estranged parent and toxic family
Estranged parent is ill. Toxic family member has moved in. Advice on how to convey caring while maintaining safety is needed. [more inside]
iTunes wouldn't open, deleted it, now can't reinstall
I recently noticed that iTunes on my computer was broken. I tried a couple different things, then I uninstalled it, hoping a fresh install would work. However, the installer sends up an error message, and the install doesn't work. Any ideas? [more inside]
Birthday ideas for a soccer fan in San Jose
So my husband's birthday is coming up, which is going to be his first birthday we're celebrating as a married couple. I tend to like to gift experiences rather than things, and I'm thinking of doing something soccer-themed this year, as he really loves soccer and we've never actually attended a soccer game together. [more inside]
posted by massofintuition at 10:14 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by massofintuition at 10:14 PM PST - 4 comments
Help! New ipod user can't get ripped mp3 files to show
My new ipod touch says I have over 2000 songs on it, but it won't show the mp3s that I manually ripped from my CDs. [more inside]
Buying house, how serious is soil movement issue that's been repaired?
Found a house I liked and seller accepted my offer however I just read sellers disclosure and seller indicated yes to the question "are you aware of past or present settling, soil movement or sinkhole problems on property?" And elaborated that "corner of garage wall was cracked due to mock pocket and was repaired in 1995". [more inside]
posted by CheeseAndRice at 7:42 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by CheeseAndRice at 7:42 PM PST - 15 comments
Is it possible to restore 25 photos from a time machine backup
So I've got a macbook air. There is NOT a ton of room left on it. But somehow a bunch (like 25-30) photos I took were deleted. I'm still not sure how. And I want to restore JUST those photos. But as I understand it, I need to restore the entire library. And I don't have enough room for TWO libraries on this computer. So is it possible to just go back, look for the photos I want, and restore JUST those? If so...how? Latest mac OSX.
Where should I travel in April/May?
Travelfilter - I have two to four weeks to travel somewhere in late April/May, leaving from the east coast of the USA. Can you help me choose a destination? [more inside]
Hook me back up
I'm feeling disconnected from my own body. I'd like to fix it but I'm not sure where to start. Physical, spiritual, or mental? It's like a bad game of 20 questions. [more inside]
Baby baby baby light my way
My flat has (allegedly) asbestos ceilings and we are not supposed to put new holes in the ceiling. Both fixtures in the kitchen/dining area are ugly and dim. Please hope. [more inside]
What funding sources are available to PhD students with disabilities?
What funding sources are available to PhD students with disabilities? That is, to STEM PhD students with hearing impairments. [more inside]
Help me get from Kansai Airport to Osaka Airport
Due to a SNAFU, I'm landing at Kansai Airport, but staying (very) near Osaka Airport. I arrive at 9PM on Friday, but my hotel doesn't allow check-in after midnight. I'm concerned about making it there on time. Online calculators show taxis costing around $200. Is there a better way for me to make the journey?
posted by fake at 4:45 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by fake at 4:45 PM PST - 6 comments
How to cut images into custom shapes without photoshop?
I am trying to make a collage with digital images and would like to cut images into custom shapes so that they can fit next to/into one another. How can I do this without photoshop? [more inside]
What's the best way to sell a (somewhat) rare book?
According to some internet searching, a book I have in my possession is worth a few hundred dollars. I'm wondering what the best way to go about selling it is, given that my Ebay and Amazon seller accounts haven't been the most active.
Blood Test for Testosterone - valid after a single application?
Is there a "cumulative" effect for multiple applications of a testosterone cream (applied to the skin), or would a blood test show the same testosterone values after a single application as after multiple applications in a row? [more inside]
posted by Mr. Blint at 2:32 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Mr. Blint at 2:32 PM PST - 5 comments
Getting rid of a (bird) corpse?
I just opened the attic door and discovered at least two, possibly three, dead birds - like, rural style pigeons or something - lying at the bottom of the stairs. Birds don't just lie there generally, so I assume they're dead. I am completely freaking out. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by SMPA at 2:21 PM PST - 39 comments
posted by SMPA at 2:21 PM PST - 39 comments
Ordering old software on Amazon
So my work uses an old version of Numbers. I ordered a copy off amazon and it doesn't appear to have a serial number...but am I just missing something? [more inside]
posted by zara at 2:07 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by zara at 2:07 PM PST - 2 comments
Quiet restaurant/pub with vegan options near St. Lawrence Market (TO)?
I want to have a series of conversations next week in a quiet restaurant (no loud music or background noise) which has at least a couple of decent vegan options on the menu. I'm hoping for something in the St. Lawrence area of Toronto, or, failing that, Corktown or downtown would be good. The group would be 3-5 people. Someplace with entrees under $30; $10-15 entrees best.
Any suggestions?
Tell me a story of rekindling romance in a long term relationship?
We've been together for over ten years, and we started out with the normal amount of crazy making out and new relationship energy. Our intimacy (by which I mostly mean sex and physical affection, but some in other ways, too) faded over time, though, despite some effort to beat the fade-out back. I'd really like to hear from people who have had a similar problem and have worked through it to have a close, at least moderately sexually active marriage. [more inside]
Black Lab Vs. Grey Tabby moving-in-together adventure.
My partner and I are moving across the country in a few months. We will be sharing a house and we both have beloved asshole pets we really really want to keep. I have a seven year old indoor/outdoor grey tabby and she has a 7 year old black labrador. I feel like it would be a big help to get them acquainted before the move, but I am not sure how to proceed. The time is drawing nearer and I need some help with this. Details (and picture link) on the flap! [more inside]
Business footwear for a growing boy
My feet are growing because I'm on testosterone, and I need new (men's) shoes for work. I don't want to spend a lot because they will probably grow more. My usual officewear is the standard business casual male uniform: dark khakis, button-up shirt and sweater/vest/cardigan. I won't be wearing these shoes with a suit. Size information inside. [more inside]
Moving truck parking in Brooklyn?
We're moving to Brooklyn next week, and I can't figure out where to put a moving truck. [more inside]
posted by heliostatic at 12:57 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by heliostatic at 12:57 PM PST - 11 comments
The Re-Readables
What book(s) can you read over and over and over again? [more inside]
Bicycle options for the short and picky?
I'm a relatively small person in search of a lightweight, cheap-ish bicycle for casual riding and possible occasional commuting (10 miles are less). What are my options these days? [more inside]
posted by aecorwin at 12:19 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by aecorwin at 12:19 PM PST - 9 comments
Need family lawyer for prenup in Toronto
We are very excited to be married in September! We live in downtown Toronto and would like to find a lawyer to help us make a prenuptial agreement, mainly to handle unequal assets. Can you recommend a family lawyer to help us with this? [more inside]
I want to run the world?
Global runners of MeFi - can you recommend any especially scenic races worth traveling for, to maybe make into a bit of a vacation? Probably not more (or much more) than the Half Marathon distance, but willing to travel anywhere. [more inside]
In serach of tried and true cat toys!
My lovely cat is now an only cat. What toys does she want to keep her amused during the day when I'm at work? [more inside]
Help me recapture the magic of my favorite pair of shoes.
Almost exactly 10 years ago I bought an amazing pair of shoes by Privo. This is the only pic I can find of this style. I wore them everywhere for three or four years and finally reluctantly got rid of them. Clarks bought Privo a while ago and the quality doesn't seem to be as good. Can you suggest other options? [more inside]
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 11:12 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 11:12 AM PST - 11 comments
What are the best youtube piano lessons?
I am an intermediate piano player taking weekly lessons. I was just trawling through youtube on the weekend and wow there's tons of video piano lessons. I'd like to supplement my weekly lesson with some extra sauce! Which ones would you recommend? I am interested in improvisation, jazz, blues, pop, practice tips, technique (how to play ff and fast without injury) and in particular how to reduce tension at the keyboard. [more inside]
Even if things end up a bit too heavy we'll all float on alright
Comfort music sought; minor details under the fold. [more inside]
TravelFilter: cross country trip in early summer on the cheap, with kids
We're looking to travel from New Mexico to the Baltimore area in early summer, with 4 adults and 2 kids under 5 years old. Airfare looks to be steep enough (and our schedules flexible enough) that we're thinking of road-tripping, so I'm looking for suggestions for vehicle rentals, routes, activity places and distractions along the way. Thanks! [more inside]
Is there another site like Stellar.io?
It seems like Stellar.io is down for good. Jason Kottke, its creator, has previously said it could go at any time, and I acknowledge that and respect that stance. But I miss it! It's the best way to browse Twitter. Is there another site that does the same thing? [more inside]
Letter of appreciation to teacher with late-stage cancer?
I recently discovered that my inspirational secondary school art teacher, Mr W, has lung cancer. Reports from my family suggest that it could be late-stage and not being treated, though his wife says they are 'staying positive'. Can I convey my thanks and best wishes without intruding at this time? [more inside]
posted by doornoise at 8:42 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by doornoise at 8:42 AM PST - 14 comments
Chill bar in Buffalo
My friends are getting married in Buffalo. After their reception, we'd like to find a relaxed bar/venue to have some post-party drinks/fun. Where should we consider? [more inside]
Is someone impersonating me?
Should I be concerned that I got a genius bar reservation confirmation email for an appointment I never made? [more inside]
My cat has become an indoor kitty. Help me feel better about it.
My 7 year old indoor/outdoor kitty has now become an indoor kitty. Please help me feel better about this and give me your tips for keeping him safe AND happy. [more inside]
Super basic ball skills for 5yo
Uncoordinated 5yo. Uncoordinated parent. Noodling around in the backyard with a t-ball set, a baseball glove, and a soccer ball. What are some fun games we can play that will help lay the groundwork for actual ball handling skills? [more inside]
posted by telepanda at 7:39 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by telepanda at 7:39 AM PST - 17 comments
Surviving the first trimester in an office environment
I'm having a hard first trimester, what can I do to make my work week better? What about calling off? Other HR questions inside... [more inside]
Books on reading premodern texts from a modern perspective
How literally should I be interpreting ancient and medieval stories and texts? I gather this is an open question among modern scholars, but I'm having a hard time coming up with any books that deal with it. [more inside]
posted by teponaztli at 5:39 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by teponaztli at 5:39 AM PST - 7 comments
Resources and support for partners of people with depression
What help is out there for people who are partners to people with depression? [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 4:26 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Cozybee at 4:26 AM PST - 7 comments
March 20
Whom can I trust to help me with my owing IRS?
I want to do the right thing: pay what I owe. Yet, I don't know who would be on my side! A tax preparer? An accountant, CPA, tax attorney, someone else? The years have caught up to me, true, but how will I live once I've acknowledged my debt? Can I pay my bills and the person/company helping me before the IRS freezes or sucks money out of my account? What if my "income" comes not from a job, rather a will/trust account? Add to this Obamacare and recently, a state tax. I am frightened. I figure I'll pay until the day I die. How many years will that be? [more inside]
Alternative Ways To Divide A Will?
My brother lives with my dad in the family home. My dad's will leaves everything 50/50 to my brother and me. However, the likelihood of my brother staying on in/ being unable to leave the family home is reasonably high, which in effect means that the house could not be divided. So: while 50/50 sounds good and fair, the reality is that my brother will get 100% of the house - unless I'm willing to pull ugly legal strings (I'm not). We can't be the first family to face this problem - how do other folks reach some alternative, agreeable outcome? [more inside]
I was promiscuous in high school and undergrad and can't get past it.
I am in therapy. However, I am haunted by what people think of me rather than what I've done. I'm sex-positive, but my promiscuity stemmed from extreme childhood abuse. [more inside]
What to do with voluntary obligations where your presence is important?
I'm part of a choir, and have been so for about a year. I hence signed up for this year to try and obligate myself; but a few weeks in and increasingly it feels like obligation (to parental expectations etc) is the only reason I ever went. I do not enjoy it much. Problem: I am a bass, and basses are in short supply. Another one might be leaving and if I go too this would pose problems for the viability of the choir (I am told). [more inside]
I am being gifted a new mac laptop and I need help choosing which one.
My macbook is from 2009. I haven't followed Apple news/updates for many years now so I am at a loss on how to prioritize the options available. [more inside]
Consulting on the side - dos, don'ts & protips
I'm considering doing some consulting work on the side, both to bring in additional income, and to get back into an industry I used to work in several years ago. If you've done something like this, I'd love to hear your advice. [more inside]
posted by primethyme at 5:37 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by primethyme at 5:37 PM PST - 5 comments
Help Me Help Us Dump Trump
Please help me identify groups working to stop Trump and prior examples that shed light on how to stop Trump. [more inside]
posted by sallybrown at 3:55 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by sallybrown at 3:55 PM PST - 18 comments
Help sort out dying grandma's finances and insurance
My grandma is on her death bed. Grandpa is still alive but mostly incompetent. We're trying to figure out what insurance they might have (and if it's current) and where their money is so we can pay for medical bills, impending funeral, home care, etc. Is there a way to search for this type of stuff by name or SSN? Not necessarily online, but perhaps through national databases accessible to insurance agents or bank managers or government agencies.
I've been meaning to ask this question for a couple of years:
What are these strange symbols on my drinking glasses? I bought a set of three identical glasses at a thrift store a while ago, and I've always wondered what they mean. The symbols above and below the crest in the first image look like they could MAYBE be script, but the ones around the sides of the glass look like some kind of arcane magic-type symbols, along the lines of the symbols for star signs. If anyone can explain this, I'll be super grateful!
posted by showbiz_liz at 3:28 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by showbiz_liz at 3:28 PM PST - 16 comments
ISO parent-friendly fanfic
My mom recently learned fanfic is a thing. Please recommend well-written fanfic that might be enjoyed by a 60 year-old lady who loves literary fiction, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter, and would be deeply weirded out by shipping. [more inside]
posted by esoterrica at 3:24 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by esoterrica at 3:24 PM PST - 33 comments
Making a lot of preventable mistakes at work
How likely am I going to fail probation? Is there still hope? [more inside]
Boxer Rebellion
My 14-year-old daughter wants to start wearing boxer shorts instead of panties (not all the time, I think; just when she's not feeling particularly girly). She wears size 7 panties. What is the appropriate size of boxer for her to wear? [more inside]
posted by ubiquity at 2:40 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by ubiquity at 2:40 PM PST - 22 comments
Why Does Nescafe Espresso Instant Cafe Foam?
What causes the crema on Nescafe Espresso Instant? The ingredients list only coffee.
Best Emergency Radio?
Looking for an emergency radio with all of these features:
1. SAME capability, so I can choose the county and the specific types of NOAA alerts I want to receive;
2. Adjustable volume;
3. Can be plugged into the wall 24/7 and makes a sound when alerts come in;
4. Can be grabbed in an evacuation and relied upon to receive alerts using battery power, solar power, hand cranking;
5. Can charge a cell phone. [more inside]
posted by TheOptimizer at 2:05 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by TheOptimizer at 2:05 PM PST - 5 comments
Occam’s plumber
Plumber cleared kitchen sink drain; then basement flooded. Test my theory? [more inside]
Gettin fond of fond
What are some great recipes that involve cooking with fond?
posted by Senor Cardgage at 1:37 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Senor Cardgage at 1:37 PM PST - 5 comments
What to do with an extra day in Malaga
Our flight was cancelled and my husband and I have ended up with an extra full day in Malaga. What should we do? Picky caveats inside. [more inside]
posted by shelleycat at 1:23 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by shelleycat at 1:23 PM PST - 7 comments
Should I go to India?
Should I go to India? My wife will be home alone with our 1.5 year old and I'm having a hard time deciding if it's selfish of me to go. [more inside]
Windows 7 system restore problems
I attempted to transplant my Windows 7 system drive (SSD) to a new motherboard/CPU, have failed and left the system drive in a state that Windows will not successfully start on either the old or new systems. I need help in understanding how to restore the system drive to where it will work as it did before I started. [more inside]
Halliday & Resnick Editions
I picked up the first edition of Halliday & Resnick's Physics from my local bookshop. My goal is to work through it (along with a calculus text) for fun and profit. Will I be missing out on anything important by using the original 1960's text, rather than one of the more recent ones (now titled Fundamentals of Physics)?
posted by stinkfoot at 1:00 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by stinkfoot at 1:00 PM PST - 12 comments
How to understand demographic information
Does anyone know and/or understand how demographic guidelines are created? I have been thinking a lot lately about how much every marketer and their cousin are stumbling over themselves to market to millennials. But my question could apply to any cohort.
Most data says that millennials are considered those born between 1980, or so, to 2000. Before that was Gen X and then the Boomers. I was born at the tail of the Boomers and though I always have identified a great deal more with Gen X, that particular group seems to only get about 14 years in its frame. So there appears to be some randomness to this.
I am trying to understand who or what decides where the cutoffs are for the various groups? [more inside]
ISO 'Moderate'? Political Authors, Commentators
What current books/authors critique or elucidate or political-correctness or radical-Islam that aren't promoting an anti-gay and/or Christian agenda? [more inside]
Looking for examples of "Ostranenie" -or- Defamiliarizaion
Can you share any examples of descriptions (written or visual) of art, literature, or movies that help illuminate the work by offering a perspective that is unique, but still accurate? [more inside]
posted by pjsky at 10:46 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by pjsky at 10:46 AM PST - 14 comments
Removing cable / telephone box from property
Bought a property last year and after clearing out brush, found that the old school green telephone and cable boxes were still on the property. How do I go about removing these [more inside]
Yeehaw, we are moving to Austin!
My husband and I are relocating from Philadelphia to Austin. We are headed there this weekend to scope out neighborhoods and get a handle of the city. We plan to move this summer and are interested in hearing about apartment locator services and general tidbits about the city. We are an early 30's couple, no kids, are will both be affiliated with UT Austin. We would like to live in a highrise building downtown or loft close to campus. Have you done this? Do you have building recommendations? This is what we know so far: traffic on I-35 is horrendous, summers are brutally hot, and housing prices are high... but the city is awesome! We want to get excited about the move -- tell us where to set down roots so we can explore the new city!
Mmm courgetti
I discovered the joys of courgetti and bought myself a turning slicer.
Please share with me your favourite courgetti recipes. Ideas for things to do with other spiralized veg also welcome. [more inside]
Considering buying in Toronto -- what would you do?
I’m single, in my late 20s, living in Toronto. My family thinks it’s time for me to buy property and has generously offered to give me enough money to put down a 25% down payment. I’m feeling slightly overwhelmed and hesitant, for a few reasons. I'm at the very beginning of thinking about this so I'm probably missing some fairly obvious things. Please help me think through this. [more inside]
Salary question - new position for PhD with a consulting firm
My part-time research job with a boutique consulting firm has the opportunity to become a full-time job this summer. It will be a new position with the firm, and I've been out of industry for kind of while. What in the world should I ask for in terms of salary? [more inside]
Tips on talking to the police
I am looking for anecdotal advice on how to deal with potentially harsh questioning by the police about my sexual assault. [more inside]
how to make a pallet wall without nailing?
I'm planning a recording studio on the cheap. For aesthetics, and as a way of diffusing some sound, I'm thinking about reclaimed pallet wood as a covering. Is there a glue product that would be suitable for this (it seems like pretty low grade wood is used for pallets) so that I'm not making many additional holes in the wall? [more inside]
posted by tremspeed at 1:24 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by tremspeed at 1:24 AM PST - 23 comments
Going on budget tour and wondering if there were any operators to avoid
I'm planning on traveling to India or China on a budget tour, maybe something like this. Are there any operators that people expressly recommend or advise against? Do people have any tips for traveling/booking budget tours - things that you would have done differently?
Pet options? Is a dog irresponsible?
Me previously and previously. Sadly, the surgery wasn't successful-- the cancer returned, and I'm saying my goodbyes this week. Yesterday I was asked if I could adopt two bonded senior dogs. Obviously, I can't for the foreseeable future, but now I'm thinking about possibly getting a dog as a next pet. Looking for opinions or relevant experience. [more inside]
posted by frumiousb at 12:48 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by frumiousb at 12:48 AM PST - 8 comments
Help a first grader level up his chess skills
After a challenging chess tournament, my first grader wants to improve his chess game. I'm not very good at chess. How do I help? [more inside]
posted by rouftop at 12:00 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by rouftop at 12:00 AM PST - 17 comments
March 19
Casual cuddles?
I want to find someone to cuddle with on a somewhat regular basis. I’m a straight-isn woman in my late 20’s. What’s the best way to go about this? [more inside]
posted by twill at 9:19 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by twill at 9:19 PM PST - 15 comments
Refinance or Sell? Finances + Ethics
Due to a mediated agreement in divorce proceedings, I'm faced with either refinancing or selling. I planned on selling the house soon anyway, but now my ex-partner is pushing to have it refinanced IMMEDIATELY. Looking for advice...lots more details beneath the fold. [more inside]
Am I killing my mom?
Mom has early dementia. Dad just had a stroke. I'm being the tough guy and intervening on her book hoarding. Now doubting myself... help! [more inside]
What movie is this?
Interested in adopting a dog that will be nice to my cats. Advice?
We have two awesome indoor-only cats. Both of them are rescues - one of them grew up with dogs and LOVES DOGS and the other one doesn't know what dogs are. Both are very large ragdolls (a breed that tends to like dogs). We're interested in considering adding a dog to our home and would be grateful on advice regarding breeds and the age of the incoming dog. Thanks! [more inside]
Need medical air transport from the Phoenix area to Dallas area
(Asking for a friend) We're trying to find a service that will fly my dad from the Phoenix area to the Dallas area, with a medical attendant. Uncertain of an exact diagnosis yet, but it's either complications from stage IV lung cancer or congestive heart failure. Heart and respiratory monitoring would be necessary, although he does have a DNR. (Don't know what difference that makes.) He is currently hospitalized but may be released in the next couple days. We need to find a way to get him home without the 2-1/2 day drive, and he likely cannot fly commercial. [more inside]
Commentators or thinkers who are contrarian when required to be so
Who are some people you guys read who think about the issues in an intelligent way and are unafraid to make a contrarian argument when it makes sense to do so? [more inside]
Inca Trail: How much to tip for surprise private group
My boyfriend and I signed up for a group hike of the Inca Trail (the longer 5 day version). No one else signed up, so it is functionally a private hike. All the guidelines for tipping are from a group as a whole (so, we budgeted to split with other people). Are we ethically obligated to tip the whole, normally-pooled amount? As much as if there has been another couple? Something in between?
Can you tell me what kind of trees these are?
iOS appstore accounts for children and parental controls
Hello fellow parents, I'm looking for advice on how to best set up an iOS device for a child. [more inside]
Please don't make me start at entry level
I'm 25 years old and about to graduate with a MS in engineering. I am faced with the prospect of continuing my own venture or starting somewhere in industry. My venture is challenging and fulfilling, but not very promising, whereas the prospect of starting an entry level position makes me depressed and unmotivated. How can I find something to do where I will have ownership and opportunities for growth? [more inside]
posted by AFittingTitle at 4:36 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by AFittingTitle at 4:36 PM PST - 22 comments
How is Uber at 5:30am in San Francisco?
What is the availability of Uber rides like at 5:30 am on a Sunday in San Francisco? [more inside]
Neighborhoods to Airbnb in Sydney Australia...
Will be passing through Sydney for four days in September and want to rent an apartment. What neighborhoods in or near the city should we consider? [more inside]
I feel like my abdomen has a sunburn on the inside. What next?
YANMD. I've had digestive issues for the past few months. Went to the gastro doc, and he did a CAT scan of my abdomen and an endoscopy. He said I look healthy, but my stomach is enflamed. He recommended dietary changes (which did work for a little while—I gave up coffee). So he felt that it was just a minor digestive episode. Since then things have flared up again, I've gone to a holistic health person, and they have me taking mastic gum, digestive enzymes, L-glutamine, and probiotics. [more inside]
posted by uncannyslacks at 3:20 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by uncannyslacks at 3:20 PM PST - 23 comments
How can I make these Easter eggs scary?
I'm looking for any suggestions from the crafters, artists, and haunters, on how I can make these large plastic eggs I purchased from Michaels into something scary or creepy for decorative purposed. I have a dozen, in three different sizes. Photo link attached... [more inside]
Searching for a vehicle that can handle big potholes and puddles
My lease is almost up and I'd like to replace it with a car with a high ground clearance that can handle seriously terrible city streets...but I also take the highway to work every day. I live in a city with terribly maintained streets and frequent flooding when it rains (think lots of puddles of indeterminate depth). My commute is a mix of both city streets and highway and I'm looking for a used car, automatic, probably under 20K. [more inside]
Any way to do a factory reset on a laptop that will not power up?
Is there any way to wipe a computer that cannot be booted? [more inside]
posted by tillei at 3:08 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by tillei at 3:08 PM PST - 5 comments
Can anyone help me translate a warning sign into Spanish?
I have some flowers I would like to keep the gardeners from cutting, and so far telling them in person hasn't worked consistently, either because of language or turnover. I'd like to put up some signs near them in English and Spanish to make it clearer. So can anyone translate:
"These [I plan to insert a picture or two] are flowers, please do not cut them back or spray weedkiller on them."
If someone wants to be fancy and give translations of "heritage four o'clocks' and 'heartleaf ice plant' that I can put in for 'flowers', that would be keen, but flowers is fine. [more inside]
posted by tavella at 3:06 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by tavella at 3:06 PM PST - 10 comments
Where can I find antique prints in Paris?
Off to Paris (France, not Texas) in a bit. I'm in the market for nineteenth century architectural prints. Any suggestions welcome. (Cheaper is better, of course, but will consider - not cheaper.) [more inside]
posted by BWA at 3:04 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by BWA at 3:04 PM PST - 1 comment
Customizable coaching app?
I'm looking for a highly customizable app or tool that functions like a flow chart. I use OSX and iOS. [more inside]
posted by Eolienne at 2:27 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Eolienne at 2:27 PM PST - 5 comments
Help me find more "theatrical" music.
I seem to really like music that gets described as “theatrical” or “cinematic” (at least by Pitchfork reviewers). The best examples are the Lavender Diamond and the album Challengers by The New Pornographers. Oh, also pretty much everything by The Lisps. In terms of individual songs that fit, I would also include The Bronze Beaches Boys of Summer by PAS/CAL and We Added It Up by My Brightest Diamond. [more inside]
posted by overglow at 2:19 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by overglow at 2:19 PM PST - 22 comments
Which bike for an adult learner?
I am an early-40s woman who has never learned to ride a bicycle. I want to change that but don't know where to start. [more inside]
Should I rock the boat?
I have written a letter to my mother in which I try to show her that her marriage to my father is not what it claims to be, and that the promised happy times that are always just around the corner are probably never going to come. Should I send it? [more inside]
Board game apps
Patchwork's newest update is so buggy it crashes the game. But I'm addicted! Need some other boardgame app to binge play! (On iPhone) [more inside]
What is this, hypertext for ants?
The font size of links on my Chrome browser has shrunk to teeny proportions. See here for an example. [more inside]
How to Get a Computer to Someone in Boston, with Difficulties
Someone close to me has found himself in a psych ward at Massachusetts General in Boston, without a working smart phone or computer. If they decide not to let him out soon, I may need to get him a computer, or some other way of doing his student assignments. However, apparently I can't send him anything c/o the hospital. [more inside]
Art depicting or alluding positively to sex work?
I am looking to decorate a private space with (inexpensive) artwork alluding to sex workers in a positive light. Over the past few months, I have been doing (full service) sex work, and I would like a small decoration in my personal space reflecting this side of me. I'm thinking more along the lines of empowered courtesans or oblique references; I really don't want images of semi-nude women lounging around. Suggestions?
Amazing Vegetarian Brunch Recipe Needed
I'm doing a meal swap with a bunch of moms (including one professional chef!) using big 11 cup Pyrex storage. This is my first time in the swap and I really need a good vegetarian brunch (breakfast casserole) recipe that will hold its own, and can be frozen without the taste or texture taking a hit. Help!
How to display a keffiyeh/large scarf?
I want to turn this sentimental keffiyeh into a piece of decor -- any ideas? [more inside]
Contracting after being laid off - would you do it? should I?
My CEO gave me a heads up that there's a coming crash crunch for our small company, and when it comes they won't be able to afford to keep me on staff. When I asked about the possibility of contracting, this was greeted with abundant enthusiasm, and my CEO is almost pushing me to go in this direction now. [more inside]
posted by forforf at 9:41 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by forforf at 9:41 AM PST - 13 comments
Work - should I stay or should I go?
Another MeFite here needing help deciding what career path to take. After working at the same place for almost 20 years, I'm in the process of interviewing with a new company. The new company is the polar opposite of where I am now, and I'm having a tough time making a decision. They haven't offered me the job yet but things are looking good – I want to be ready if they do. [more inside]
Help with cooking class ideas?
I'm leading a cooking class for college students this coming week. I've already have the menu planned--the theme is budget friendly and quick. Problem is that I noticed that there is going to be dead time for one group and I'm not sure what to have them do. Added notes: smaller group (about 14) and wanting to match the food. [more inside]
Help us name our new kitty, please
Hey, MeFi, it's time for another episode of everyone's favorite game show Name That Cat! [more inside]
posted by zorseshoes at 7:08 AM PST - 64 comments
posted by zorseshoes at 7:08 AM PST - 64 comments
Best tax software?
Been using Block for years but am attracted to Turbo. Any recommendations, especially if you've used both? [more inside]
Is This Your Homework, Larry?
A friend is grading a paper that is obviously plagiarized but Blackboard detects zero matches. Google is no help to us either. [more inside]
Help me get more sleep
I've had insomnia for years. Decades. I've talked to doctors, tried prescription meds, tried over the counter meds, changed my diet, changed my exercise, worked on sleep hygiene, and had a sleep study. I still need more sleep. [more inside]
Speaker for damp noisy environment
Looking for a <$100 speaker that will play music loudly in a big greenhouse with lots of noisy fans (more than twenty regular fans for air movement and three giant fans that run the heating system). I'd like to either plug in or bluetooth a music source and I'm okay with plugging in the speaker.
Do I want a portable bluetooth speaker or can I get something cheaper and better in terms of sound volume if I go the non-portable route? [more inside]
What font is this?
I found this wonderful font and I can't figure out what type it is. Can you help? [more inside]
Managing obsessive thoughts about my mind playing tricks on me
Late at night when I can't sleep, I think about whether my perceptions and memories are accurate. I become quite convinced that I am not a reliable narrator of my own life and it is very distressing. It's like I get trapped in thought loops. Do you have strategies for dealing with this? [more inside]
posted by fair isle sock at 2:10 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by fair isle sock at 2:10 AM PST - 11 comments
March 18
Recommendations for a tiny purse that will last?
I'm looking for a high quality, tiny purse that will fit my 5" phone, Kindle Paperwhite (7x5), credit cards, and possibly a pen and lip balm. Ladies of AskMe, what do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by onecircleaday at 10:26 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by onecircleaday at 10:26 PM PST - 11 comments
Should we pursue this negligence (?) at our daycare?
My son (he will be 3 next week) has a blister on his leg resulting from exposure to bleach while at daycare. Apparently, the cleaning crew left some bleach on the floor, and he knelt in it, and it ate a hole through his pants and left a blister on his leg. The daycare seems as horrified by this as we are. How should we proceed? [more inside]
Who can translate my MRI brain scan?
Hi,
I had an MRI brain scan a couple of months ago because I was feeling some odd sensations in the right side of my brain and became concerned. My doctor ordered an MRI and so I went and got the results. The problem is that there was no real followup discussion about it other than the findings were "nonspecific". Should I be concerned? What kind of doctor can interpret the results for me? [more inside]
Issues in loading app onto Android
I am loading a Square sales app into my android phone. It is in a constant state of installing. What gives? Can this be fixed?
posted by goalyeehah at 8:00 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by goalyeehah at 8:00 PM PST - 1 comment
GG Allin on the radio - fact or fiction?
Decades ago, when I was working at a college radio station in Canada, I was told that after GG Allin's death a rogue college radio broadcaster (at a station in the Maritimes?) fully devoted his drive time slot to the art of GG Allin and the Murder Junkies. The fallout was allegedly priceless. [more inside]
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 7:16 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 7:16 PM PST - 1 comment
Inside the Beltway Birthday Dinner
I need to pick a place in DC for dinner on my birthday! I'm the type that usually follows the whims of others and not the best at taking the lead on planning. Help! [more inside]
Airbnb etiquette
I'm a new host with Airbnb, and my first inquiry is a woman who started off asking for 2 nights for her and her boyfriend, then switched to one night for him only. He is not registered with ABB. [more inside]
posted by mmiddle at 5:17 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by mmiddle at 5:17 PM PST - 12 comments
To phx
I'm driving from Sacramento to Phoenix for a quasi-family emergency. I'm two hours from Bakersfield, when I will have to make a decision: Take I-40 out of Barstow, or go further south to I-10. Will stop somewhere tonight. Which is the least bad drive, given traffic, construction, etc. I'm on 99 now, North of Fresno. Thanks!
What should I give away at my special event?
I work for a community non-profit organization. A local iconic structure in our neighborhood is turning 50 years old this year. On its actual 50th birthday, the community will be invited to visit it and take part in a couple of special activities, and we’d like to have a giveaway item that will be exclusively for that day’s visitors. What should it be?? [more inside]
Can you recommend other female-led podcasts similar to #GirlBoss?
Do you have any recommendations to something similar to the #GirlBoss podcast? I'm specifically looking for a female host interviewing other women (ideally entrepreneurs or creatives) OR talking/explaining a specific subject. [more inside]
Best play surface for concrete patio?
Our large balcony patio is concrete, and I want to put something on it that my babies can crawl on without getting scraped up. I'm looking at outdoor rugs or artificial turf but I'm having a hard time choosing what to get and everything seems to have poor reviews online, and I can't tell how ugly things will be in person. [more inside]
posted by rmless at 2:12 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by rmless at 2:12 PM PST - 13 comments
Ecommerce fraud prevention for dummies
I work for a small non-profit that has a correspondingly small ecommerce website to sell our publications. It is the first ecommerce site that my company has ever had, and we're all relatively new to ecommerce in general. We recently started having fraudulent orders going through on the site, and it turns out that our PayPal PayFlow fraud filters were only set to the basic level. We've activated the advanced fraud filters, which now means that any order that meets certain characteristics (such as having mismatched billing and shipping addresses) will be held for review before letting the charge go through. This seems to be working well enough, but what I'm stumped on is what to look for in an order that is held for review. How do I determine whether an order flagged for review actually is fraudulent? [more inside]
Driving from Seattle to California
What is the best route to drive from Seattle to Walnut Creek in California on a 3 day road trip? [more inside]
To Catch A Petty Thief
I've recently had 2 items take from my desk overnight and I'd like to get some options on how to expose this petty thief. [more inside]
posted by driedmango at 12:54 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by driedmango at 12:54 PM PST - 23 comments
App about birds?
Hi friends! I like birds but know nothing about them. Is there an app that has information about birds that I might see so I can identify them, and maybe keep track of the ones I see? [more inside]
posted by leesh at 12:44 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by leesh at 12:44 PM PST - 12 comments
What Twitter feeds do you follow, and why?
I'm looking to diversify the Twitter feeds that I follow (out with sports, in with other subjects), so I'm looking for good Twitter feeds by people/publications in the humanities fields, popular science and/or the media. If you can add a bit about why a particular feed is worth following, so much the better. Thanks!
Same basket; new eggs -- PodcastFilter
Hi! As a lot of you know from one of my posts around the Blue, I'm trying to get the production of my podcast in motion. Only the format I really wanted to do it in is proving more difficult than I supposed. How do I keep the concept but rethink the way I am going about it? [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 12:21 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Kitteh at 12:21 PM PST - 8 comments
How to ship heavy stuff without bothering the shipper
My retired uncle is gifting me a virtual stockpile of power and hand tools. This is awesome. But the catch is that I have to find a way to get them shipped from his house to mine, at my expense, and with as little effort on his part as possible. [more inside]
How Can I Permanently Get Rid of Gmail's Purple Text?
If Gmail detects that you've previously sent the same text in another email, it turns the text purple and sometimes cuts it off with an ellipse as if it's an older threaded message. The problem is that I send a lot of similar emails to different people. I tailor them to the person, but that one paragraph that I copy pasted from an old email will still turn up purple and possibly be cut off with my signature. [more inside]
How to stop my narcissistic sibling from ruining holidays/reunions?
I am having a problem with a family member - my brother. When I am around my brother, he makes cynical, negative and sarcastic comments about other family members and I hate it. He is in his late fifties and is an accomplished individual with a good job, so he has no excuse for his behavior. We have a family reunion coming up, and I (and others) are worried - some don't even want to go because of him. What can we do to make sure the vacation (among other holidays) isn't sabotaged by his negativity? Details inside. [more inside]
Fish Stick... It's a very delicate state of mind.
I'm looking for recommendations for silly mods for Skyrim. Not ridiculous mods... silly mods. There's a fine line. I'll explain a little more... [more inside]
posted by patheral at 10:35 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by patheral at 10:35 AM PST - 8 comments
Quiet in the hallways sign?
We're working an event in a hotel for a couple hundred people where the late night dancing runs all night all weekend. Can you think of any amusing/witty signs that we can post to remind people to be quiet in the hallways so that we don't get noise complaints and get kicked out of the hotel?
Voting Anonymously
As an adult I've often lived with friends, family, and roommates. Many times there are extreme political differences between me and these individuals, and those differences can lead to tension and homelessness. In other words I'm too poor to afford to have opinions so I keep my politics private. I'd like to know what information about my voting is publicly available and how to limit its dissemination. I live in Wisconsin. [more inside]
D.C. public elementary schools. Lay it on me.
We have a 6-month-old and are looking to buy in the parts of D.C. where you can get a 3 bedroom row house for around $600k--think Bloomingdale, Eckington, Petworth, Brightwood Park, etc.
We're not looking at specific schools yet and aren't thinking past elementary school.
D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) do not have a particularly great reputation in the region. We both grew up going to well-funded, high-achieving, not-particularly-diverse suburban public schools and have no real starting point to assess what the public school system is offering here. [more inside]
A dog's dinner
What dog food can I use to replace Hill's Prescription I/D Gastrointestinal formula? [more inside]
Best Resources to Teach a 6 Year Old to Read?
I'm entirely new to teaching young kids to read and wondered what the best materials are to go over the basics (phonics, letter formation, etc.)? [more inside]
How to help a depressed, elderly, sick parent
My beloved dad recently got diagnosed with lung cancer and is now depressed. How to support him, when his internal world seems so bleak? I feel a little like a punching bag for all his frustration and depression, too - how to mend this? [more inside]
Big-Screen Video Games
A friend of a friend is going to have three hours in a movie theater all to themselves for a birthday party. What would be an amazing awesome local-multiplayer game to have running on a big screen? [more inside]
March 17
Movies that feature shots of satellites, preferably malfunctioning?
I'm looking for clips of satellites in movies, ideally shots of satellites visibly malfunctioning (sparks and whatnot, as impossible as that might be in space). This is for an internal not-to-be-distributed project, so there are no copyright concerns. Any ideas?
posted by Forbidden Equine Dentistry at 10:41 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Forbidden Equine Dentistry at 10:41 PM PST - 10 comments
To be young, gifted, and non-white
I'm an introvert working in a newsroom. I'm in a position that manages people, workflow, and the news. The Big Boss started out a Nice Guy but is now The Big Bad. I enjoy the work. I do not enjoy getting treated like shit. How do I keep my sanity? [more inside]
How to care for pretty new car?
I've just received a wonderful and unexpected gift in the form of a shiny red 2016 Toyota Corolla LE. I know, it's not the kind of car people usually pamper, but it's the nicest and most expensive thing I've ever owned. And frankly, I'm clumsy, messy and careless. For the first time in my life I want to try to keep something nice looking! [more inside]
posted by A hidden well at 9:21 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by A hidden well at 9:21 PM PST - 31 comments
A book I read as a kid
About 50 years ago when I was just entering grade school, my parents took us regularly to the children's room at the Portland OR Public Library main branch, and we would check out books.
That's when I learned about science fiction, among other things. More below. [more inside]
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 8:39 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 8:39 PM PST - 3 comments
Posts that completely destroy all love/respect for Xander?
As in Xander Harris on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. [more inside]
Capital gains on sale of a rental question
My mother-in-law is selling, or thinking of selling, a house she's owned forever. It's been paid off for decades. She hasn't lived in it for 5 years (has had it rented out by a property manager) and is looking at a huge capital gains tax if she sells. What alternatives does she have to reduce the tax burden? [more inside]
Help me help my Dad live in the rainforest
My father is moving to a tropical island for a year to work. What can I do to make his trip better? [more inside]
posted by slanket wizard at 6:09 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by slanket wizard at 6:09 PM PST - 23 comments
Listserv integrated with wordpress?
I have a bike club wordpress site. I want members to be able to send an email to the "rides@club.com" site and reach all members. [more inside]
posted by mtstover at 5:18 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by mtstover at 5:18 PM PST - 10 comments
Can you identify the signature on this crystal vase?
It looks like "onefoil" to me, but that's a pretty weird name. [more inside]
Information extraction service - does it exist?
We have a closet full of old paper forms at work. We'd like to convert them into a csv of 'name', 'email' to import into our email list. Is there a service that would do this for us? Or is there a certain google search term I should use? [more inside]
posted by hermanubis at 4:15 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by hermanubis at 4:15 PM PST - 5 comments
Book identification: 80s-ish YA/teen novel about crossing dimensions
Trying to identify a book I read as a young teenager in the early 80s, prominently featuring people traveling across dimensions. The thing I remember most is the striking explanation of how, e.g., a 3-dimensional body would look like to someone who can see only 2 dimensions. [more inside]
posted by leticia at 3:58 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by leticia at 3:58 PM PST - 8 comments
How do I get over an extended burnout?
After overdoing it for many (5+) years, I've learnt my lesson and am changing my work-life balance. While other aspects of my life seem to be improving, love of my field still seems non-existent. Looking for advice on how to recover this. [more inside]
Can my cats safely eat this chicken I left in the microwave overnight?
Grilled some boneless chicken breasts around 6PM last night, stored them in the microwave and forgot to refrigerate until 7AM this morning. I'm not going to chance eating it - but it it safe to feed to my cats?
posted by porn in the woods at 3:38 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by porn in the woods at 3:38 PM PST - 6 comments
Am I damaging my 10 yo son...?
I was recently called in to my son’s school by his teacher to defuse a situation. He was having exams and he had encountered a math problem that he was having a hard time solving. Instead of figuring it out his teacher said he called her and told her it was difficult and that he could not do it. [more inside]
Tweetdeck for Windows has a month to live. Where to go next?
Twitter announced today that Tweetdeck for Windows will be terminated in a month.
For those of us who strongly prefer having a separate program, rather than yet another damn Chrome tab/window (...or for those who don't use Chrome at all....), what other options still exist for Twitter on Windows? [more inside]
Recipe for self-rising flour (UK version if geography matters)
Help me make a precise substitute for self-rising flour, using weight measures for the flour(s) or all of the components. I already have various flours with the gamut of protein levels: cake, pastry, AP, bread, semolina, and I don't want to buy and store yet another variation (with lousy shelf-life, to boot). I am looking to precisely match what a random person in the UK would buy off the shelf. Help? [more inside]
posted by janell at 2:26 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by janell at 2:26 PM PST - 7 comments
How Bad Is This Do You Think?
I passed on what may have been my dream house because of some suspicious cracks in the floor. Just wondering what the rest of you think. Images inside. [more inside]
posted by WalkerWestridge at 2:08 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by WalkerWestridge at 2:08 PM PST - 23 comments
How to password protect (NOT encrypt) a portable HDD
I know there are a lot of good programs that will allow you to encrypt part or even all of the files/folders on a portable HDD. I am looking for a simple way to password protect the whole HDD so that if it is attached to any computer, a password is needed to access it. I know that is not as 'good' as encryption', but that is all I need.
TIA.
Upgrading from stick-and-poke tattooing to a machine
My wife has been making small stick and poke tattoos (mostly on me) for a while now with great results - she's getting pretty good at it. She now wants to upgrade to an actual machine. We're looking for a reputable guide on what to buy and how to learn how to use a machine for simple tattoos. Is there such a thing available on the internets? I saw a lot of dodgy-looking things so I wanted to ask the hive mind before making a bad choice. [more inside]
posted by gertzedek at 1:23 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by gertzedek at 1:23 PM PST - 5 comments
Open Source Employer Data?
What's the best source to automatically pull data specific to companies, including industry, size, location, public/private, etc.? [more inside]
Yet another PS4 game recommendation question!
I'm looking for recommendations for games for the PS4, particularly in the RPG and puzzle genres. [more inside]
posted by Janta at 12:35 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Janta at 12:35 PM PST - 15 comments
Contractor without Mandatory Binding Arbitration?
Is it even possible to find a contractor that will do home repairs without having a mandatory binding arbitration clause in the contract?
posted by slavlin at 11:53 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by slavlin at 11:53 AM PST - 3 comments
Northern California coast road trip with young kids
We're planning a last-minute road trip down to the northern California coast for Spring Break (next week), leaving from Portland this weekend. Looking for cool stuff to do with 2 active girls, ages 3 and 7. [more inside]
Can you find these Cold War matryoshka?
In 2006 or so I bought a set of nesting dolls at a Salvation Army store in San Francisco. There were 5-6 dolls and they were all Cold War leaders: Gorbachev, Thatcher, Reagan, etc. I thought they were the coolest thing on earth, but gave them to someone as a gift. I'd love to find the same set again and buy them again. There's no chance of contacting the person I gave them to. I keep searching eBay and googling but can't find them. Can you help?
posted by bendy at 11:42 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by bendy at 11:42 AM PST - 10 comments
Poetry and Philosophy Recommendations
I'm looking for collection of poems, or non-fiction, or philosophy books about stars, universe, astronomy. The more literary, the better, but not fiction. [more inside]
Mixed-Meowdia Art
What is a great website for teaching how-to-write kanji, with animations? [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 11:20 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by j_curiouser at 11:20 AM PST - 4 comments
Is this a breach of journalistic ethics?
A few months ago an online article by an experienced journalist got some facts wrong about a project I'm working on. My client asked me to contact him and provide the pertinent facts, and offer an interview with the client. I am not an approved spokesperson for the company, and I made that clear to the journalist. [more inside]
posted by ljshapiro at 11:13 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by ljshapiro at 11:13 AM PST - 17 comments
Japanese Shopping Spree
What should I buy while I'm in Japan that are not available in or better than the U.S.? [more inside]
posted by Bunglegirl at 10:50 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by Bunglegirl at 10:50 AM PST - 32 comments
Writing lyrics to Whiskey in the Jar: harder than it looks
Way back in 2013 I inadvertently managed to win a Best Comment contest here on MetaFilter, with the prize being a custom recorded song, courtesy of greenish. I knew immediately what I wanted it to be: I've long thought there needed to be a version of the traditional Irish song Whiskey in the Jar told from the woman's (Molly or Jenny, depending on the version) point of view. So I've been trying to come up with some lyrics for it, but hate everything I've written and have now taken entirely too long. Perhaps we can have a St. Patrick's Day miracle here? [more inside]
Missing hunger!
Help a small girl out by suggesting ways to stimulate her appetite. [more inside]
What about the post-wedding, YOU'RE MARRIED NOW checklist?
All the marriage-related "to do" lists I've found online are aimed at wedding-related activities. What about all the stuff that has to do with designating each other one's chief emergency contact, legal financial partner, etc.? I mean, I told my car insurance company that I'd gotten married and they were like, "GOOD THING YOU TOLD US. THAT CHANGES THINGS." So....yikes. I know I probably should be declaring my husband my emergency contact and heir and whatever, but I'm just not sure what TO do, exactly, and I can't find a good list to guide me. In short, I am soliciting all your "don't forget to do this now you've got a spouse" tips, no matter how big or how small.
posted by mylittlepoppet at 10:25 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by mylittlepoppet at 10:25 AM PST - 12 comments
How do I get my child to practice her piano without strife?
How do I get my five-year-old to put some effort into her piano practicing, stop her whining and help her with her frustration? [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 9:59 AM PST - 48 comments
posted by kitcat at 9:59 AM PST - 48 comments
Front-loading washer fills up with water overnight
Any idea why our front-loading washer fills up with water overnight? If you do a load of wash the standing water drains. The drum then fills overnight, but never overflows over the open door (we leave the door open to air out the washer).
I suspect there is a leak from the water supply but I want to get all my ducks in a row before I yank the washing machine out to attempt a fix.
So what am I supposed to do about these tainted ads?
Please explain to me what I should be doing regarding the tainted ads mentioned in this thread from yesterday. [more inside]
posted by Hey Dean Yeager! at 9:53 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Hey Dean Yeager! at 9:53 AM PST - 6 comments
Skill of the month
I'm thinking of introducing a 'skill of the month' for my family of 3 kids and 2 adults. I'd love some more ideas - criteria within... [more inside]
Name my app
I'm developing a vocabulary learning/practicing app for iOS. Please help me come up with a kick-ass name. [more inside]
roof regrets?
I'm shopping for a new roof. Can you tell me what you DON'T like about your roof? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:00 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:00 AM PST - 19 comments
NewParentFilter: Timing of a housecleaning gift
I would like to give a friend a housecleaning service somewhere around her due date -- when is best? [more inside]
Marriage Filter: How do you handle an inheritance?
Please help me navigate the waters of handling an inheritance. Question inside. [more inside]
Weird display name on Line2
So, when using the Line2 app, why did my colleague's name show up as a Harry Potter character instead of her real name? [more inside]
posted by Zosia Blue at 8:38 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Zosia Blue at 8:38 AM PST - 4 comments
Psy trance dance videos and principles?
I'm trying to find good (or mindblowing) examples of individual and "couple" freestyle(?) psy trance dancing... on youtube? [more inside]
How can I get my blackberry curve 9310 to stop auto deleting my texts?
The phone automatically deletes messages over 30 days old and it's driving me nuts. [more inside]
What can I do to make my community more interesting for $5,000?
I'm putting aside $5,000 to spend on something community focused. I'd like to find a way to do some good or, at least, do something amusing, for my neighborhood. [more inside]
Outdoor cold hardy plants: safe to plant before a freeze?
I ordered some cold hardy ferns (ostrich and ghost) and wintergreen to install in a shady area in my yard. They arrived today, just before my area (Boston, zone 5b/6a depending on your map preference) is due for a mild cold snap with temps in the 20s over the weekend and a possible snowstorm. [more inside]
posted by hilatron at 7:30 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by hilatron at 7:30 AM PST - 4 comments
What New Tricks Should This Old Dog Learn?
I'm an early middle-aged creative professional who's feeling like I've reached a sort of professional plateau, and looking to learn some new things (skills, activities, etc.) that would be a.) engaging, mentally or otherwise and b.) not too costly or time-consuming — I don't have 10,000 hours to become expert in anything besides what I already am and c.) might even open new perspectives on life, my job, etc. Although professional development per se is not the goal.
I've thought about another language, but I'm not feeling the particular pull of any *one* in particular. I did guitar a while back and, while I enjoyed it enough, I never felt I wanted to go further. Some kind or art or craft — but which? Or should I try to 'go back' and conquer some academic subject I was always bad at/afraid of (math in general).
What new things have people learned that they found particularly rewarding? What sorts of skills might not only be fun to learn but provide some kind of hidden, ancillary benefits? Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
What are the retrofitted outriggers hanging over the wheels of this car?
My friend snapped this picture of a strangely modified sedan. Does anyone know what the devices on the wheels are? [more inside]
posted by qbject at 7:02 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by qbject at 7:02 AM PST - 9 comments
Can you recommend a dishwasher that will actually get dishes clean?
It's time for us to get a new dishwasher, and all we care about is one feature: can the dishwasher get dishes really clean? [more inside]
posted by cider at 6:56 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by cider at 6:56 AM PST - 26 comments
What is the best way to sell a house in poor condition?
My wife and her siblings inherited a house that is in bad condition and full of dirt and clutter. They don't have the time or money to fix it up to the point where it would sell as a regular real estate sale on the market. The real estate market where the house is located is not great. [more inside]
posted by jefeweiss at 5:30 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by jefeweiss at 5:30 AM PST - 23 comments
Stylish, ultra warm ladies gloves - recommendations please
A simple one - looking for personal recommendations to cut through the chaff of a million online options. I'm after some very high performance ladies gloves. A couple of pointers inside. [more inside]
Ideas for a sensory input wall
Brainstormia: what are some good materials and elements to include when making tiles for a sensory input wall in a classroom? [more inside]
Resources and suggestions for a low-carb diet
I'm a late-30s female interested in trying a low-carb diet. I'm kind of intimidated by the wealth of information out there, some of it contradictory, and I don't know what to trust. Looking for suggestions of best practices. [more inside]
posted by fluffysocksarenice at 4:34 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by fluffysocksarenice at 4:34 AM PST - 21 comments
Book recommendation on funerary and memorial practices
I'm interested in learning more about funerary rituals and memorials for the dead in different cultures. Can anyone recommend any good texts? This is a wide-ranging inquiry, so all cultures and historical periods are welcome.
Looking for a recliner to deal with lower back pain and spasms
I think I need a recliner ASAP. Hope me. [more inside]
Do you have any staple rice and/or beans recipes?
Please share them with me! I don't care what type of rice and beans are used (includes lentils, garbanzo beans, whatever, as well as red/black/white/pinto beans), everything works. (In fact, I would love any lentil recipes as I have very few of those!) More inside. [more inside]
posted by atinna at 12:35 AM PST - 35 comments
posted by atinna at 12:35 AM PST - 35 comments
so s-rank, so s-rank, damn, your ken's so s-rank
Where did "S" as the grade above "A" come from as a phenomenon? I am 99% sure that it began with video games (though I've seen it used in show seating assignments in Japan), but where?
posted by DoctorFedora at 12:01 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by DoctorFedora at 12:01 AM PST - 7 comments
March 16
Changing Japanese Yen to U.S. Dollars in large amounts at the best rate
I am an American working in Tokyo and get paid in Yen. I have way too much Yen now, and I want to change to USD, especially because the rate is relatively good at the moment.
I would like to hear any anecdotal evidence about the cheapest way to change JPY to USD. [more inside]
Are the NSA and friends slowing my browser?
Bandwidth is good yet browsing is laggy.
How do I test DNS lookup lag, http lag?
With a fresh phone things get slow as soon as I browse a xkeyscore site like gmail or click a muslim related link in Facebook. Am I being paranoid - can that really slow down browsing somehow? How do I test for this to see if I'm imagining it or not?
Many times when I visit a new place I connect to a new network and people start complaining how their internet has started running slow... but I have my phone in offline mode and sometimes no other changes have happened to the network. It happens as soon as I arrive anywhere. It's like it's following me around. At first I ignored it but now it's annoying. I travel a lot so I can say I've seen it happen 20-30 times - of these at least 5-10 times there was no other variable involved. [more inside]
posted by jago25_98 at 8:54 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by jago25_98 at 8:54 PM PST - 6 comments
I loved my mahjong. I hate Windows 10. Looking for a specific game
Can you help me find my mahjong game? (American style, AKA mahjong solitaire) [more inside]
Chronic pain, unsympathetic job, still need to work. What can be done?
Asking for a friend filter: Friend is in their 20s. Just got halfway decent health insurance. Working at a retail store since summer of last year, job involves a lot of physical labor along with sales desk. They've been commended for good work a few times and have been told they've been doing well enough to be a keyholder soon, which would involve more hours and a raise, Recently got a merit raise.
They've had chronic pain for a while, and circumstances are... [more inside]
What professions are valuable in both nonprofit and private sectors?
Careers in social services are rewarding and valuable to nonprofit organizations, but those professions typically would not translate well into the private sector. This Forbes article showed that mostly healthcare and executive jobs are financially secure for both nonprofit and private sectors. [more inside]
posted by Become A Silhouette at 8:00 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by Become A Silhouette at 8:00 PM PST - 13 comments
Once upon a time...
What are some good books/resources on the craft of oral storytelling? [more inside]
How can I get a handle on this bike?
I want to change the handlebars on my bike. Google tells me this is potentially expensive and more difficult than I imagine, but I think my bike might be an exception. Am I fooling myself? Or can I ignore the warnings? Bonus: Can I do it myself? [more inside]
posted by circle at 5:55 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by circle at 5:55 PM PST - 15 comments
Can "for fun" coders weigh in on the What Now stage of learning to code?
You all know what this is - the brief high of learning the basic concepts of data structures, objects, etc, is followed by a devastating realization that you have no idea how to put these concepts together to do anything useful. Can someone who doesn't take this too seriously recommend a next step after the infancy stage? [more inside]
How can I keep conversations fun/ stop being so serious all the time?
For awhile now I've noticed that I have a hard time having fun, light conversation when in one-on-one conversations. When in a small group (3-4) of people joking around, I can contribute. (In a large group I mostly just stay quiet and I'm fine with that.) But when hanging out with people one-on-one, even with people who seem to be naturally jovial, the conversation tends to get really seriously and sometimes depressing. [more inside]
My Questions are Always About Dessert
What ice cream would you pair with this cake? [more inside]
posted by hilaryjade at 5:21 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by hilaryjade at 5:21 PM PST - 14 comments
What happens when you quit exercising, or 'detrain'?
I have been a daily exerciser (30-90 minutes on average, mixed cardio/strength/yoga) for a decade. I'm currently recovering from a month-long exercise rut/detraining - in other words, very little exercise due to a number of issues I'm already working to overcome - and am now curious: other than the infamous muscle loss and fat gain, what other major physiological changes start to take place after a few weeks without regular exercise? [more inside]
Copywriter brainstorm: victory & legacy, but in mythology/cosmos/nature?
I'm trying to find one or two words to name a product collection that has been created to tell a story.
The story is about moments that have changed women and sport, forever. Lots of different sports.
The obvious words are things like legacy and legend and transcendence, victory and breakthroughs and limitless.
I'm looking for one step more abstract: things like steel or supernova or phoenix or Atalanta (the Greek goddess who could outwrestle & outrun men). It could be a plant or an animal or an element or an industrial thing or a star, I'm seeking some words that convey badassery.
Full disclosure: this might get made into an actual thing. I can't give you royalties or any credit. But I will give you my undying thanks and if I can manage it, I will mail you one of the things once it is made!
Navigating family expectations about wedding surprises
We're introverts who don't like the spotlight or surprises, and our family wanted to throw a surprise performance at our wedding reception. The discussion around this isn't going well. How do we communicate more effectively about this, both re: this specific reception and introversion in general? [more inside]
posted by orbit-3 at 3:38 PM PST - 34 comments
posted by orbit-3 at 3:38 PM PST - 34 comments
Come up with weeknight meals that fit my family's incompatible criteria!
I don't think there are a lot of weeknight dinner options out there for my picky, picky family, and I suspect that for a long time to come I'll be cobbling dinners together from Munchery, frozen meals, takeout, snacks, etc. But I would really welcome a few new ideas for quick meals that we might all eat. [more inside]
posted by town of cats at 3:35 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by town of cats at 3:35 PM PST - 19 comments
Sim card or whatever for iPhone while travelling in US
This seems like an obvious question but the internet is being surprisingly non-informative and what information I can find seems to be several years old. I will be travelling for about 1 month. I have a totally unlocked iPhone 6s purchased in the UK. Can I walk into a store in the US when I arrive, buy a pre-paid nano sim with a data allowance, and stick it in my phone and use it? [more inside]
posted by cilantro at 3:18 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by cilantro at 3:18 PM PST - 8 comments
Seeking biological weapons science info
(asking for a friend) I'm writing a novel - a thriller - set principally in the Antarctic in WWII which takes the idea of the development of a biological weapon as its premise. What I need is an insight into a suitably nasty bacteria or virus that could have been developed into a weaponisable form; something that the British might have been working on towards the end of WWI; and something that could have been resurrected again in 1943 as a back-stop to deal with two possible scenarios. [more inside]
Neuropsych Testing for ADHD
Is it standard practice to do neuropsychological testing for ADHD evaluation? Have you done this before? [more inside]
posted by gumtree at 3:01 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by gumtree at 3:01 PM PST - 16 comments
How do Canadian cooks measure?
How do Canadian home cooks measure in the kitchen and at the grocery store, with respect to metric vs. imperial units? [more inside]
posted by andrewesque at 2:14 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by andrewesque at 2:14 PM PST - 36 comments
Doula for a Medically-Required Induction?
Should my husband and I get a doula to assist at my labor, which will be a medically-required induction at 39 weeks? [more inside]
posted by Jaclyn at 1:45 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by Jaclyn at 1:45 PM PST - 28 comments
About those 10,000 steps....
As a dog walker, I easily log 14,000 steps Monday through Friday. I make sure I hit that minimum, so I can slack on the weekends and not mess up my weekly average of 10,000 that the health pundits say we need to walk for weight maintenance. [more inside]
posted by BostonTerrier at 1:25 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by BostonTerrier at 1:25 PM PST - 18 comments
Am I not cut out for computer science?
I'm not sure if I'm lazy or if things will never "click" for me. So, how do I stop comparing myself to Joel freakin' Spolsky? [more inside]
Why is Gmail refusing to quote the text of the email I'm replying to?
Weird problem started showing up recently. I'm using Gmail on Android and it isn't including (quoting) the text of the email that I'm replying to. I've checked the box to do so, and the quoted text even shows when I'm composing the email, but then it isn't actually included when the email gets sent (only what I wrote is sent). What the heck?
Help me list all the companies in this zip? This radius?
Is there a site that gives me a list of businesses/offices in a specific area? [more inside]
can anyone suggest a portable recharger for a Microsoft Surface tablet?
can anyone suggest a portable recharger for a Microsoft Surface tablet?
What are some interesting plants I can grow in my office?
Looking for suggestions for uncommon plants that will do well in the specific environment of my very dry, well-lit, well-ventilated, cool office. Specifications within. [more inside]
posted by epanalepsis at 12:11 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by epanalepsis at 12:11 PM PST - 7 comments
Best outside OTA antenna for Boston Ma.
Looking to become a "cord cutter" and drop satellite TV from my monthly bills. I live in Boston and am looking for the best outdoor OTA I can mount on my house.
posted by BillyAnne at 11:59 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by BillyAnne at 11:59 AM PST - 7 comments
Contemplating doing an M.A. Communication & Cultural studies part time
Looking for feedback about the upsides and downsides of doing an M.A. part time [more inside]
Many, many, manifestos.
I love manifestos of all type. Feminist manifestos. Communist manifestos. Murder manifestos. The more the merrier. Send me your most interesting manifestos. [more inside]
posted by Dressed to Kill at 10:33 AM PST - 59 comments
posted by Dressed to Kill at 10:33 AM PST - 59 comments
Screaming in Religion or Philosophy
I'm reading about different manifestations of screaming. I'm familiar with Janov and the primal scream, and I'm familiar with speaking in tongues as well as keening. I would like to find examples in religion or philosophy of screaming, either as spiritual practice/theology or metaphor. Both "religion" and "philosophy" can be interpreted with some leeway.
posted by mermaidcafe at 10:11 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by mermaidcafe at 10:11 AM PST - 7 comments
Life after Lands End - plus-size skirts with pockets edition
Lands End used to carry great cotton jersey plus-size skirts with pockets. I lived in these skirts eight months of the year. Their quality has gone way downhill, and they rarely put pockets in plus-size skirts now, except on skirts that are shorter than I would like. I can't find anything like the skirts I used to buy. Very picky details inside. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 10:09 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by FencingGal at 10:09 AM PST - 9 comments
What's the best Raspberry Pi starter kit for a 10 year old these days?
I want to gift a Raspberry Pi to my 10 year old nephew- he loves computers and Minecraft, and I think it would be a great way for him to learn more and have fun, rather than just use his iPad and apps. BUT THERE'S SO MANY OPTIONS TO CONSIDER. [more inside]
Wagner's Ring Cycle: Which one for the uninitiated?
I have never been a huge fan of Wagner (I can only stomach Dutchman), but a friend of mine will be visiting soon and wants me to take him to the opera. I am a massive opera fan but don't want to spoil his introduction to the art form with something as arcane as Wagner. Alas, the Ring is all that's on offer for the weekend of his visit.
With this in mind, what do you think would be the most "accessible" of the Ring operas (Das Rheingold, Die Walker, Siegfried, Götterdämmerung)? I'm asking for his sake as much as my own!
Cat Pee in Dryer
I left a cat-pee soaked (but washed) rug in the dryer. The smell is mostly gone, except when I shut the door. Is there any hope to banish the last tiny remaining smell? [more inside]
What should my friend do if he's erroneously claimed tax credits?
UK tax filter. My artist friend has been claiming working tax credits for his art business for 35 hours a week, but has been working for less time than that. What should he do? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
Diesel v. Bamboo (and Environmental Health/Safety)?
My neighbor revealed that within the past couple of days he had killed the clump of bamboo that sits between our yards by pouring "a few gallons" of diesel fuel on the area where the roots were. I was mortified. The neighbor did acknowledge it was illegal. What are the ramifications of pouring oil into soil? [more inside]
posted by theefixedstars at 9:15 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by theefixedstars at 9:15 AM PST - 9 comments
What is the best plus size sports bra available in my price range?
Is there a worthwhile plus size sports bra available in a 3X/4X (clothing size 22/24) for under $30? I tried every one at my local Walmart, to no avail. The two that fit over my head were completely unsupportive and more like something you'd wear to bed. I don't care about uniboob or looking too flat, just being supported when I work out. [more inside]
Public-radio item on business, power, & speaking up
I'm looking for a story (roughly 5 minutes) that I heard on the NPR One app a few days ago: It was about how perceived power imbalances between people at the same managerial level in an office will lead to people participating in group problem-solving to different degrees, and how to "fix" it. My googling is just turning up stories about power companies & how awful meetings are. Help? [more inside]
posted by psoas at 7:19 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by psoas at 7:19 AM PST - 3 comments
Wizard World Comic Con tips?
I'm going to a Wizard World event this spring, and I've never been to any kind of con before. I'm really excited. I've read the FAQ on the Wizard World site, but I have a bunch of other questions for WW veterans. [more inside]
posted by trillian at 6:51 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by trillian at 6:51 AM PST - 5 comments
Asperger's and Race
My elementary school student is on the autism spectrum, high functioning. He has just "noticed" different skin colors (and his school has just done Black History Month), so it's on top of his mind. We are a different race from the vast majority of his schoolmates, so it's particularly interesting to him. He does not pick up on social cues. We're having a problem with how he talks about race (this is in the USA). We need some resources for parents of autistic children in addressing this issue. [more inside]
Are people really being mean to me? Or is this just in my head?
Lately I've not been wanting to deal with humans due to experiencing one too many situations lately where strangers I've had to deal with—in most cases cashiers—have talked to me like I'm some kind of laughing stock schmuck.
I often tell myself that I don't care what people think of me, but when a string of people have seemingly mocked me in a very short amount of time, it really can do much to make me start thinking that, hey, maybe I am a shmuck after all. And the main reason it bothers me is because, well, I wouldn't mind making friends. And I worry that with so many people thinking I suck that this will prove to be difficult. [more inside]
Getting rid of a work crush
I have a crush on my boss, but I love my work and want to stay. What are some strategies I can use to get over this crush? [more inside]
High protein, high fat, infrequent effort cooking
Help me grow my repertoire of high protein, high fat, and relatively inexpensive meals to freeze in large batches. Examples inside, this got long. [more inside]
posted by mireille at 6:23 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by mireille at 6:23 AM PST - 16 comments
What should I do in greater Boston for the next 48 hours?
I came back to take care of some personal stuff in New England this week, but it's all already done! So outside of a couple evenings and dinners with family and friends, I have the next few days free. I have some money and some time and a rental car - what adventures do you recommend?
How to cheer up a friend who made a big mistake?
Someone close to me just made a HUGE mistake at work. How can I cheer them up without minimizing the situation or being preachy? [more inside]
posted by Tarumba at 6:16 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Tarumba at 6:16 AM PST - 11 comments
Easiest way to create simple drag-and-drop online activities?
I would like to create a few straightforward drag-and-drop labelling activities,
I have some diagrams, and I want to present users with a list of words that they have to move to the right position. [more inside]
posted by cincinnatus c at 4:38 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by cincinnatus c at 4:38 AM PST - 7 comments
Will raising our child on a vegetarian diet put her at a disadvantage?
My partner has been involved in a somewhat casual debate on Facebook between herself and another friend who is from a scientific background about whether the fact that a carnivorous diet is best for raising a newborn or not. We'd like to gather some scientific evidence to get to the bottom of this the best we can. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by LongDrive at 12:47 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by LongDrive at 12:47 AM PST - 22 comments
March 15
I am not my type's type
I keep being envious of women that have sparkling, bubbly, fun, energetic and confident personalities. Nearly every guy I ever liked has ended up falling head over heels for a woman like that. Details below the fold.... [more inside]
posted by sockiety at 11:20 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by sockiety at 11:20 PM PST - 21 comments
The Look of Public Radio Station Websites
I've noticed that websites for many NPR stations are using the same template. But I can't find a company that is common to the templates. There are names at the bottom of some sites but there isn't one name for all sites. Is this part of an NPR requirement that all member websites have a "corporate" identity? Some cabinet level agencies within the Federal Government went through a rebranding program in the early 2000s which included making individually designed websites adopt a organization wide look and I wonder if this is what is happening with public radio stations. [more inside]
How to avoid collapsing after work
Greetings, hive mind! I asked this question earlier and your advice was great.But after leaving at 7:15 am and getting home about 7:30 pm, all I want to do is collapse in front of the TV, eat junk food and drink a beer. Help! [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 9:07 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by Bella Donna at 9:07 PM PST - 20 comments
Should I go to school for speech pathology?
Hello. I am currently a 23 year old female. I am currently considering going back to school (I have an Associate's) for speech pathology (which requires a Master's) but am very tentative considering my current situation and how hard it is to get into the Master's program. Thoughts? [more inside]
What Should I Do With My Words?
I took a freelance job. Things got complicated, the partners split, now what happens with my work? [more inside]
What are options for inexpensive 3G chips for use in small IoT device?
2G networks are about to be discontinued and "upgraded" to 3G. I have a prototype of an IoT device that would work great with 2G because it periodically sends and receives very small amounts of data. But now I have to find 3G chips, which appear to be much more expensive.
What are some 3G chips that I can use in my device that are reliable (FCC approved) but inexpensive? Are there wholesale sellers I can work with to find the right type of chip and pair it with mobile network providers? [more inside]
Pain in a, ah, sensitive place
My father has overwhelming, debilitating, excruciating rectal pain that seems to be getting worse. Nobody seems to know what to do. More inside. [more inside]
Who are the Republicans who have committed not to vote for Trump?
Who are the Republicans who have said clearly and unequivocally that they will not be voting for Donald Trump? I am looking to compile the list of #nevertrump Republicans. If you can provide a link to a source (twitter post, article, interview, etc.), I would appreciate it, but if you know someone is Never Trump, I can find the source. Doesn't matter if they're voting Democrat, third party, or not voting.
What is this Christian essay I can't quite remember?
Can you help me find an essay that has a paragraph about hugging someone in a parking lot in the hopes of taking their pain away? [more inside]
Examples of WP Origami theme in use?
Becoming acquainted with WordPress and have identified the Origami theme as potentially suitable (it was recommended on the green some time ago). How do I find examples of the theme in use by others?
posted by xaryts at 4:04 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by xaryts at 4:04 PM PST - 1 comment
Decent Hosting Outside US, With Added Snowflakes
I'm looking for a new hosting company for a domain I own and use for personal projects. I'm using Hostmonster at the moment. They're OK, but don't do HTTPS without a private IP, and don't do IPv6 at all. If I'm going to deal with the hassle of switching, I've got a laundry list of needs and wants. [more inside]
How do I stop living with anger about being rejected?
How do I deal with the constant pang of rejection? Her image is in my head all day long, every day. It's been almost 2 months since the breakup. The breakup was for the best and I have been keeping myself really busy otherwise, reconnecting with myself. I am not contacting her. [more inside]
posted by pixelsnbits at 3:18 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by pixelsnbits at 3:18 PM PST - 26 comments
Coverting text message file
I want to convert a group text message to an easily readable format on my desktop. My phone is a samsung on verizon and I use windows. [more inside]
Examining texts on the fly?
How do you look at something biased and pick out the good points being made from the bad points? How do you pick up on 'spin'? [more inside]
posted by aroweofshale at 2:38 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by aroweofshale at 2:38 PM PST - 7 comments
Talk to me about home security cameras.
I'm interested in getting a home security camera. Please advise. [more inside]
UK Reality Show about a Rock star and his hotel in Spain?
Hello, can anyone remember the title of a UK reality show about a rock musician and his crazy American(?) girlfriend who buy a hotel in Spain and attempt to run it?
posted by ebear at 1:33 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by ebear at 1:33 PM PST - 3 comments
Non-political Platform Issues
Last weekend I jokingly suggested to my family that am going to run for president as an independent with a platform of issues that are completely apolitical. I want to add other items to my imaginary platform, but I only want issues that are inherently neither conservative or liberal. For instance, I would pledge to abolish Daylight Savings Time and eliminate the penny. What others can you suggest? [more inside]
posted by bove at 12:25 PM PST - 105 comments
posted by bove at 12:25 PM PST - 105 comments
70s Young Adult Novel ID.
70s Young Adult Novel ID. Main character is a teenage girl named I think Star or Starr. [more inside]
posted by JanetLand at 12:06 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by JanetLand at 12:06 PM PST - 3 comments
Best luggage for a short trip while in a walking cast?
I am in a walking boot for an ankle injury, and I have to fly next week for a 3-day work trip. I need to figure how to pack for this trip to make things as easy as possible for me. [more inside]
Site lost google search rankings after moving hosts and relaunching
This site is for a very small niche manufacturing company, so not a lot of competition. Switched hosting from a small private compnay to Siteground and relaunched fresh new updated version of the old site. Previous to the switch - all relevant keyword searches returned this website within the top 5-10. Google image searches resulted in tons of images for this site. Now nothing is returned with any of the searches. At all. Installed SEO plugin, followed all suggestions found on the internet, nothing has helped. Please - any advice is greatly appreciated!
posted by slowtree at 11:28 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by slowtree at 11:28 AM PST - 5 comments
Storage facility refusing to let us into our paid-up storage locker?
My family has a storage locker in California. My dad died in 2011, and his name was on the lease, but we all have our names on it for access and have been continuing to use it. The facility has been aware of my dad's death since 2011. My mom is dying of cancer and wants her jewelry and her old dolls. There is a new lady in the front office who has suddenly decided she can't let us in anymore "because you have to go through probate because your dad is dead." [more inside]
posted by OolooKitty at 11:25 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by OolooKitty at 11:25 AM PST - 22 comments
How can I test for cat allergens in my house?
After my last question on the subject of allergen removal I would like to have some way to follow up on the results of the cleaning. [more inside]
I'm searching for former classmates
The folks organizing my 50th high school reunion have asked me to search for some lost classmates. Aside from WhitePages.com I'd like some suggestions of other ways of finding people online. Thanks in advance for your ideas!
What should a resume look like now? What do hiring managers look for?
Sadly, my job may be defunded by summer. I have not actually formally applied for a job in eleven years. How do I resume? [more inside]
Car insurance, Ontario edition
(Asking for a family member). They were rear-ended in someone else's car, as a passenger, in February. The insurance of the driver of the car she was in has told them that claims (for physio etc) need to go through their soon-to-be-ex-spouse's insurance--they separated in September. My family member said that the insurance adjuster used a specific word they can't remember, but that essentially as a married (on paper) person, the spouse's insurance takes precedence. [more inside]
What kind of succulent is this?
I just bought this succulent at Trader Joe's. There is no identifying label. Does anyone know what this is? How do I keep it alive?
posted by ilovewinter at 9:50 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by ilovewinter at 9:50 AM PST - 6 comments
Women's boots for plantar fasciitis
I have plantar fasciitis that has been greatly relieved by wearing Orthoheels/Vionics sandals and shoes. Now I need some ankle boots. Not winter boots, rain boots for sloshing through Seattle's interminable rain. Recommendations? No heels please.
Best ways to get from town to town along French and Italian riviera
Traveling along the Côte d'Azur and the Ligurian Sea in the next few weeks. Need to optimize our travel between the towns on our itinerary but searching is giving me incomplete information. Can you walk me through it, step by step? [more inside]
Where can I donate books in the US?
My usual place for donating books just went up in smoke. Where should I donate books now? [more inside]
Looking for a Divorce Lawyer in Boston
A friend is looking for a divorce lawyer in Boston who is reasonably-priced and ideally offers a free consultation. Also, any advice about what he should bring to/ask at the consultation would be extremely helpful. [more inside]
Tokyo & Kyoto for 11-year-old girl into Minecraft and YouTube
Japan travel question, with some specific wants. My 11-year-old niece loves Minecraft and YouTube, and has expressed interest in learning to code. What are some things that might interest her in Tokyo & Kyoto on a short trip? [more inside]
Best heels for petite feet?
I'm a short lady with teeny feet. I'd love to gain some height and/or style from time to time with the right footwear, but it's so hard to find heels that fit and aren't just the worst. [more inside]
What is the critical book for your hobby/passion?
I find books that are considered to be the best or most complete or most highly regarded for their particular topic fascinating, regardless of what it is. I'm looking for these types of books for different hobbies or passions. I'm always looking to expand my interests. Basically I'm asking this question, but on a more recreational level. [more inside]
New York Bar Admittance Character and Fitness Interview
I'm scheduled to have my character and fitness interview (second department) soon. I don't have any special character and fitness concerns, but I'm very curious about what these interviews are like: how long do they last, what sort of questions are typically asked, can the interviewee refer to notes, etc. A little googling around hasn't turned up much information.
Is there any hope for a problematic board?
Since I joined a nonprofit that I deeply care about as the Executive Director, we've had a clear turnaround - everyone, including the board, agrees that we're both much more financially stable and successful with our mission than when we started. However, there are a series of serious issues regarding funding and real estate that, if not resolved in the next couple of years, will spell the end of the nonprofit, and these are issues I can't tackle alone. The board are dragging their feet - primarily, it seems, out of confusion and lack of desire to become engaged. I've tried several approaches to raise these issues and get the board activated. What are all my options?
Advice/help coping with pregnancy ambivalence
I'm looking for advice/resources/reading materials/words of wisdom/comfort for dealing with the many negative feelings I'm experiencing towards this pregnancy. [more inside]
Looking for an RPG Store in London
That's role-playing games, of the pen and paper variety, not video games or some kind of munitions or anything else. I'd be especially interested in a place that would have a good selection of indy material, especially if it was of UK- or European origin. (And I'm asking about London in the UK).
March 14
Children's Charities in Hong Kong
What are the best ways to donate and make a positive impact on children's lives in Hong Kong? [more inside]
What the hell was in that coffee?
The other day, Mrs. Wazoo (who is not new to coffee) brewed a pot of the worst coffee that's ever existed, and we're baffled and disgusted the the fallout. It started innocently enough, with a bag of coffee from Four Barrel that smelled... well, like coffee. It did not end that way. Can you help us with any ideas about what could possibly have been the cause of this awful, awful thing? [more inside]
posted by TheNewWazoo at 10:44 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by TheNewWazoo at 10:44 PM PST - 9 comments
Emergency Help: Sleeping Music
I'm on a long-planned vacation with my mom and it's great but we are sharing a hotel room and have learned that she snores. I'm a bad sleeper under the best of circumstances. This is not great. [more inside]
posted by something something at 10:32 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by something something at 10:32 PM PST - 21 comments
Baltimore/Eastern Shore/NYC on the cheap
I'm traveling to Baltimore for a wedding in late April. Hoping to catch a little art and culture in Charm City, possible overnight side trip to Eastern Shore or St. Mary's City, followed by 3 nights on a friend's futon in Manhattan. Looking for suggestions re: public transit, museums, state & national parks. Difficulty level: frugal and carless (unless I rent one to go to the shore), traveling solo. (snowflakes and lots and lots of questions inside) [more inside]
posted by LeftMyHeartInSanFrancisco at 10:05 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by LeftMyHeartInSanFrancisco at 10:05 PM PST - 7 comments
Relationship mess. Is walking the only reasonable option?
I really don't know what to do. My partner keeps lying. [more inside]
Quinceanera hacks?
My lovely stepdaughter is turning 15. Her birthday dream is to have a Quinceanera. Other people plan years for this event, I have 19 days. Do you have any Quinceanera hacks? Any don'ts? Any easy recipes that I shouldn't miss? Please help me, I don't want to let her down. [more inside]
posted by Grlnxtdr at 9:16 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Grlnxtdr at 9:16 PM PST - 15 comments
Tell me what to say when I have the relationship talk
I've been seeing a guy for four months now and I think it's time to have the relationship talk but I don't want to mostly because I have no idea how to do this at all or what to say. So please help! [more inside]
Pet Sitter Recommendations: DC/MD suburbs (Montgomery County)?
I need any recommendations y'all might have for reliable pet sitting companies or individuals in the DC/MD area. [more inside]
principles-based Chinese language education?
The grammars of English, Latin, and Spanish are all taught as relatively general principles (families of declensions, verb tenses, etc.). In contrast, I'm now on my third attempt at learning Chinese, and this program like both before it apparently expects me to learn the grammar by memorizing a vast library of fill-in-the-blank templates. Why the difference? And is there anybody teaching Chinese with less reliance on rote memorization? [more inside]
Help me identify this fantasy novel
Sometime in the last month, I read the first few pages of a Kindle ebook on Amazon and loved it, but unfortunately at the time I didn't have the cash to buy it. Now I have the cash but I can't find the book! Can you help me identify it? It's a fantasy novel by a female author. [more inside]
posted by snap, crackle and pop at 7:09 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by snap, crackle and pop at 7:09 PM PST - 5 comments
Looking for a Unique, Quaint Beachside Vacation Spot for April 2016
Hi all. Girlfriend and I have only five days in April for a beach vacation so we're looking to make the most of it. We've done plenty of Googling but feel this question needs the human touch. [more inside]
Slight loss of hearing
For several months I have been experiencing a slight loss of hearing in one ear. It simply feels like the 'volume' in that ear is a few degrees lower than the other. I visited an ENT doctor who gave me a hearing test. I missed a couple beats in the lower frequency range. Then he gave me an MRI to rule out a tumor. (No tumor.) Now ENT tells me to come back in 6 months to see if the problem has resolved itself. I do not feel like waiting 6 more months, as this problem is annoying... any sounds drives me crazy due to the volume imbalance. I have not experienced any ear trauma from q-tips or concerts. It was just a sudden onset. What the hell is going on, and what can I do besides simply wait it out? [more inside]
Panic attacks. Taking many meds. Can I take a Xanax?
I have many health problems and I am on a variety of prescription and OTC medications, the most notable being Ambien, Atenolol and Notriptyline. My girlfriend has some Xanax and swears by the stuff. I recognize there is some risk of interaction, but it is reasonably safe to take an occasional Xanax while I'm taking these other drugs? (More info follows.) [more inside]
what would happen if cell phones could kill us?
(asking for an author pal!) This scifi writer wonders: If electromagnetic waves were linked to cancer, what systems (electronic/political/social) would be impacted, and how? [more inside]
Did immigrants apprentice their kids to pay for passage?
I think I have evidence of this involving an ancestor. I'm wondering if I'm making this up, or whether this really was a 'thing'. [more inside]
posted by John Borrowman at 4:04 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by John Borrowman at 4:04 PM PST - 9 comments
Broke guy needs car immediately
In dire need of a temporary car. Little money. Very little time. What are my options? [more inside]
fun fantasy that's not.. bad.
Recommendations for fun fantasy with solid female leads? I've happily gone through all the wonderful recommendations in my last question (Books of friends saving the world) and finished A Discovery of Witches-- which almost destroyed my love for fun fantasy. [more inside]
Cloud-based video/photo storage solutions?
I'd like to have quick access to all of my photos and videos on my Mac and on my iPhone. The issue is that my photo/video collection is now getting larger than my Mac's internal HD. What are some options for me? [more inside]
Need my Knee
I know, YANAD, but I'm wondering if this knee thing is worth a doctor visit, or if a brace is enough -- and suggestions on what brace to use. [more inside]
posted by AzraelBrown at 2:47 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by AzraelBrown at 2:47 PM PST - 5 comments
Fun Accounts to Follow and Hashtags on Instagram
So I'm working on my Instagram for personal and business reasons, what are the best accounts to follow and tag for features and ideas and whatnot. Categories and likes inside! [more inside]
posted by Crystalinne at 2:40 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Crystalinne at 2:40 PM PST - 5 comments
Let's play yurt!
My husband thinks it would be an awesome idea to set up a yurt and composting toilet in our backyard to rent out on AirBnB. This is probably a terrible idea. Please tell me all the reasons why. [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 2:18 PM PST - 45 comments
posted by Toddles at 2:18 PM PST - 45 comments
As I sit and watch, I think I need to read a book.
I have become very interested in reading a book describing the experience of non-nazi sympathizers in Germany - their thoughts and actions - in the years preceding and into the rise of Hitler and the regime. I am just wondering whether the sentiment was "this cannot actually happen," "there is no way this is going to fly," "what a whack job, who would support this?" and "who are these people?" I have found it hard to google, so turning to you all! Are there books that can satisfy this line of thought?
I'm sick of my monstrous closet.
Time to redo my closet. Are you ninja level at this? Questions inside. [more inside]
People that hate cats will come back as wallpaper in their next life
My walls look like this thanks to the arrival of two kittens with very sharp claws. The two vicious monsters have finally learned to use their scratcher but the damage is already done. What's the cheapest way to make the walls look not entirely awful? [more inside]
posted by Memo at 1:03 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Memo at 1:03 PM PST - 10 comments
Chris Kraus, Shiela Heti, Maggie Nelson, who else?
I've recently read (and really enjoyed) 'I Love Dick', 'How Should A Person Be' and 'The Argonauts'. Can anyone recommend any more books along the lines of these three? I guess I'd consider the key features of the 'genre' to be real names, diversions into critical theory, female author-protagonist.
posted by piato at 12:50 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by piato at 12:50 PM PST - 11 comments
Dresses that sit at the natural waist...where oh where to find them?
Mefite lady-folk, save me from the fashion hell that is semi-empire waists, shapeless potato sack tunics, and shirtdresses that look like you forgot to put on pants! [more inside]
posted by SinAesthetic at 12:21 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by SinAesthetic at 12:21 PM PST - 33 comments
Do I want to be an expat?
How should my partner and I decide if he should pursue a job opportunity in the UK? Someone at an organization in England reached out to my partner to encourage him to apply for a job. My partner and I have never considered moving out of the US, but this is a very good job, and the possibility of moving to England is something we find intriguing... [more inside]
What was the name of this movie?
A good while back I watched a movie on Netflix about a man returning to his recently deceased mother's home to sort out her affairs despite her devotion to a strange angel cult having driven them apart many years ago. Meanwhile, his mother's ghost observes, fears for his safety, and hopes for reunion. What was the title? Spoiler for the ending after the jump. [more inside]
posted by Pope Guilty at 10:55 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Pope Guilty at 10:55 AM PST - 3 comments
London Bars that look like bunkers for 30th birthday
My 30th birthday is at the end of June, and I am planning an apocalyptic themed birthday party and want to find a venue that looks as much like a bunker/basement/vault/fallout shelter as possible. I live in London and would prefer somewhere South or East. However, this is proving to be difficult. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by litereally at 10:37 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by litereally at 10:37 AM PST - 5 comments
Jaw Clenching (not grinding) and Stimulants-- how to balance?
Without stopping stimulant-use, what works for you? Has anyone tried botox to relax jaw muscles? Nightly muscle relaxers? [more inside]
How can I be better at photos?
I'm in an Instagram battle for most awesome posts with one of my friends. I would like to know how to figure out what he might be doing to his photos to make them so awesome? Due to the obviously competitive nature of our competion, he isn't going to tell me. [more inside]
Living the expat life!
I need recommendations for services that would let me do the following:
Have a virtual US address.
Maintain a US phone number.
Ship packages internationally.
Watch US TV channels.
VPN services that are reliable and can let me access US based content.
I don't mind paying a small fee for decent, reliable service. [more inside]
Cam Birds
What's the current available technology for relatively-low-cost high-tech wildlife watching? [more inside]
Identifying agents of foreign banks
Bank Compliance Mefites: I'm looking to find out how one identifies customers that may be acting as agents of foreign banks. Are there resources like government published lists, activities/behaviors that help identify them, etc.? Also I know there is an online forum, BankersOnline, that is helpful for these types of questions. Are there other forums out there that may be helpful?
Little floaty bits
Why does almond milk curdle in my cold brew? [more inside]
Working out: Good pain vs bad pain
I have limited time to work out, so I want to push myself hard in the time I've got, and I don't mind enduring short-term discomfort -- but I don't want to ignore my body's warning signals. How can I tell the difference between "This hurts because it's making me stronger" and "this hurts because I'm doing damage to my body?" What kind of pain means I should stop a workout, and what kind of soreness afterwards means I pushed myself too hard? [more inside]
posted by yankeefog at 9:16 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by yankeefog at 9:16 AM PST - 9 comments
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Who should I tell?
I'm worried that my inconsistent performance in the office is going to be cause for action by management in the not so distant future. I want to inform my employer that I am suffering from bi-polar disorder as a means to protect myself while possibly reassigning me a manageable workload. [more inside]
Any ideas for speakers for a conference about how I.T. benefits people?
I'm helping organize a 2017 conference on I.T. in higher education; the theme is going to be how I.T. benefits people on a daily basis. We've got an array of prospective speakers already, but in the interest of broadening the pool... any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by Shepherd at 7:15 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Shepherd at 7:15 AM PST - 6 comments
What's the deal with foreclosures?
I've tried to get a basic/slightly more than basic understanding of foreclosures by googling, but it generally brings up a lot of sites/businesses offering their services. You guys always give me great insights so I want your two cents! [more inside]
How do I cope with not being #1 with my g/f who has 2 young kids.
All my past relationships were ones which we could both selfishly be top of the totem pole to the other, now I've been dating a woman with 2 children under 10 and I'm struggling with being too needy or feeling like I want more of her time than I guess she wants to/can give. I understand I'll never come before her kids and I do care for them as well but it's very challenging lately to cope with since there's been a dramatic drop in intimacy lately too (not just sex but random acts of kindness; the "honeymoon period" type affection stopped almost at the same time as moving in with her). [more inside]
Tri-Cities, Washington teaching positions -- Age difficulty?
How hard is it going to be to find a new teaching position when I am pushing 60 with 25 years of elementary experience under my belt. [more inside]
Driving from Gothenburg to Malmo - things to see/do?
In early April I will be driving from Gothenburg to Malmo with my 13 year old daughter (part of a short road-trip across southern Sweden). Google estimates the trip to be around 3 hours. To make the most of the journey, what should we see/do on the way? Scenery/History/Culture/Wildlife are all good, but if there is something that will particularly appeal to my daughter, all the better.
posted by oclipa at 5:35 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by oclipa at 5:35 AM PST - 3 comments
Do I need a heat diffuser for a glass percolator on a glass-top stove?
I lost the metal trivet that came with my glass percolator and can't find one locally. Do I need to use one with a glass-top stove, or does the glass surface effectively diffuse the heat?
Thanks.
posted by jwhite1979 at 4:56 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by jwhite1979 at 4:56 AM PST - 2 comments
Effectively communicating my feeling neglected
My boyfriend a few months ago started a new job in my home country. He has never worked overseas before, and the nature of the new job and the cultural differences are making it really difficult for him, taking up a lot of his time and mental space. I am feeling neglected. I want to communicate this without stressing him out more than he already is. [more inside]
What does being a 'registered X voter" mean in the US?
Can someone explain to a non-American what being a 'registered Democrat' or 'registered Republican' voter means? Who do you register with, why would you want to and what does it mean in practice? Is it in any way connected with being registered to vote, full stop? I've been trying to work this out through context for many years, but I am defeated.
Books similar to "Nextinction"?
I recently bought Ralph Steadman/Ceri Levy's book "Nextinction" and I think it's absolutely fantastic. Now I'd like to read books that come from the same place as "Nextinction". [more inside]
Mattress me, MeFi.
It's been over a decade since I bought a mattress. I'm in the market now. Apparently, memory foam is a thing now? Where do I even begin this process and does anybody have personal recommendations? Preferences inside. [more inside]
Where is a good small city with decent weather for happening couple?
We are looking for a small city without cold winters that has a large body of water - no inland towns for us- and is vibrant, cultured and intelligent. We have lived in LA, NY and Miami and are now in Durham, Nc - finding it too woodsy and land locked and way to hot in the summer here. We both work and are in our early sixties.
posted by privatechef at 12:47 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by privatechef at 12:47 AM PST - 18 comments
March 13
How to capture the precious newborn days?
My first child was born a few days ago, and I'm worried I'm not doing enough to capture how beautiful he is and how special these days are. Should I pay a photographer? Other ideas? Reassurance and perspective? [more inside]
posted by slidell at 11:39 PM PST - 30 comments
posted by slidell at 11:39 PM PST - 30 comments
Who is on the cover of Will the Circle Be Unbroken?
For some reason this is really hard to google. Who is on the cover of Will the Circle Be Unbroken, by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band et al.? (The first one, not either of the sequel records.) Is it Stonewall Jackson? Somebody else? A generic Civil War type dude? If so, what is that uniform? Please rest assured that I already feel bad for not automatically knowing this.
posted by brennen at 9:54 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by brennen at 9:54 PM PST - 5 comments
Which red wine do I want to drink?
I am a total wine droog and I want the red wine equivalent of: rich, chewy stout beer; dark, 80%+ chocolate; strong, smoky single malt; full-bodied pipe tobacco. [more inside]
warmest, coziest, softest waterproof boots (Vancouver)
I'm working on a show right now that is shooting at night outside of Vancouver. Production has provided knock-off Uggs as warmup boots for performers, but they run small and don't fit my feet. I tried to buy myself some real live Uggs but my high arches mean I can't even get my foot in. [more inside]
posted by lizifer at 6:22 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by lizifer at 6:22 PM PST - 6 comments
Just how specific does calorie counting need to be?
For the 2,112th time, I have started tracking calories in a food journal and I have some questions about accuracy. [more inside]
What arrangement is best for a newborn of parents living apart?
I'm expecting in a few months and am not with the father. We are trying to figure out how to both bond with the baby while not living together, and how long the baby needs to stay in one household before we can switch her every other week. Any advice? [more inside]
posted by Autumn at 4:44 PM PST - 51 comments
posted by Autumn at 4:44 PM PST - 51 comments
Gaslighting or Alzheimer’s?
My new supervisor in her late 60s said something very inappropriate, and when I told her it wasn’t professional she denied saying it. I repeated what I heard, and she asked if I thought she was lying. She shows signs of early dementia. I’m concerned she’s either gaslighting me or has Alzheimer’s. What have been your experiences in dealing with this kind of situation? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by mountainpeak at 4:15 PM PST - 40 comments
posted by mountainpeak at 4:15 PM PST - 40 comments
looking for the perfect pair of women's loafers!
this is proving impossible — the ones i'm finding are either sporty (like merrells, etc), look like granny shoes, or completely masculine, or have either a boxy or pointy toe. then there are ones with weird square chunky heels, or flat with no heel at all which looks tacky and cheap to me. [more inside]
posted by a knot unknown at 3:59 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by a knot unknown at 3:59 PM PST - 16 comments
Moving tales
What are some good stories about transitioning from one place to another? [more inside]
What is the value of vacation?
The company I work for is being bought. My current company has lower pay, about the top of the lower quartile. But, it has extremely good vacation benefits, about double most other companies in the region. I realize the answer varies a great deal from person to person, but... In any negotiations, how should I value my vacation? [more inside]
How do I DIY this gardening gift (seed organizer/keeper)?
Hello gardeners and DIY people of MeFi! I'm in the market for a gardening-related gift for mr. hgg, and I came across this seed keeper in the Lee Valley catalogue. It seems like a good, useful present for a serious amateur gardener, but it's really...utilitarian looking. On the other hand, this Mac and Ninny Seed Keepsake Book is exactly the aesthetic I'm looking for. I would just order that one, but unfortunately it's not available for shipment to Canada. So, if you garden/are good at DIY, what would be the best way to go about recreating the Mac and Ninny book? I thought I could just get a letterpress (?) 3-ring binder cover and then add pocket pages, but despite many Etsy searches, I'm having trouble finding anything that has a similar look. My second issue is I'm not sure what sort of pages to put inside. I suspect I'm not using the right search terms. Any suggestions? [more inside]
Narrow down a laser pointer to .01 inches
I'd like to have a very small beam from my laser pointer. It doesn't have to be particularly bright so what I've done so far is to prick a thin piece of paper with the tip of a pin and fasten it over the end. I'd prefer something a little more robust so I've been trying to think of something that would already have a .01 inch hole in it that I could buy and trim to fit. Any ideas?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 2:41 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 2:41 PM PST - 10 comments
Irreplaceable antique pocket watch: Wear it or lock it up?
My grandmother recently gave me a beautiful and valuable antique pocket watch. My question is ultimately: Should I get a safe deposit box and keep it locked away, or should I wear it? More inside. [more inside]
posted by firemonkey at 2:27 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by firemonkey at 2:27 PM PST - 25 comments
Freaking out about moving/change - NYC to California
We're moving from NYC to California to the Tahoe/Truckee area and i'm really freaking out about it. Are we making a huge mistake? Will we fit in? Will it be multicultural/cosmopolitan enough? I need to make the panic/anxiety stop. [more inside]
posted by nightdoctress at 2:16 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by nightdoctress at 2:16 PM PST - 15 comments
How to make a custom map of interesting places in my neighborhood?
I have a list of places, mostly in my neighborhood and some elsewhere in my city, currently in text form that I want to keep track of in map form. I am having trouble figuring out how to do this. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
Help me think about how to think about buying a new car.
We need to buy a new car. We haven't even thought about buying a car for 24 years. When I start to think about researching what's available I don't even know what questions to ask. Any advice and/or opinions that would help me think about this more clearly are very welcome. [more inside]
posted by kestralwing at 1:41 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by kestralwing at 1:41 PM PST - 13 comments
Making the perfect breakfast scramble
Help me potentially recreate an amazing breakfast scramble (lots of veggies!) I had last weekend, as well as perfect my general scramble technique!
Last weekend I had a life-changing (or at least breakfast-changing) egg scramble at J&M Cafe in Portland, Oregon. It had: three eggs, leeks, mustard greens, parmesan cheese, mushrooms, and, joy of joys, whole cloves of roasted garlic. It may have helped that I was still bleary-eyed and mildly hungover, but it was one of the best breakfasts I've ever had. Now I want to make it at home! [more inside]
Experienced using nextdoor.com?
Did we break up, or not?
My ex and I broke up 4 weeks ago. He left our home and is currently living with his mother. He has called or texted me every single day since he left. At this point, I haven't gone no contact, and I'm not sure I think that's right for our situation. I honestly have no idea. [more inside]
posted by fresh-rn at 11:35 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by fresh-rn at 11:35 AM PST - 23 comments
Turning down a job offer in a polite, appreciative way
I had a job offer that was really attractive and appealing but after lots of thinking, conversations, and a pretty bomb negotiation with my current employer, decided not to take it. How to turn it down in a way that shows my respect for the organization and doesn't burn any bridges? [more inside]
Spooky Jazz
I like jazz that's mournful, spooky, or creepy. Help me find more. [more inside]
Montana police test - what to expect?
My son is interested in taking the Montana Law Enforcement Testing Consortium police test, and obtaining a job as a police officer in Montana, presuming he does well on the written and physical test. We live in Illinois. Does anyone have personal experience with this test? [more inside]
Tick Tock
Tick bite, probably deer tick, parts left under skin, dark red spot with lighter surrounding circle. Any experience with this? [more inside]
posted by RoadScholar at 11:17 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by RoadScholar at 11:17 AM PST - 14 comments
Tickets for Superman v. Batman in 4DX in NYC?
How (or when) can I buy tickets to a 4DX screening of Batman v. Superman in NYC? [more inside]
Where to stay on a long weekend in Cancun?
Isla Mujers? Tulum? Playa Del Carmen? Given this vague itinerary where should we stay? [more inside]
Closer to the edge?
What kind of edging can I use to contain a garden that abuts a sidewalk? [more inside]
posted by Mrs. Rattery at 10:26 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Mrs. Rattery at 10:26 AM PST - 8 comments
Kindle Voyage, yay or nay?
Will be visiting US soon, and want to use this opportunity to solve our one-Kindle-two-readers-in-the-house problem. I am dithering over the Voyage, or just getting another Paperwhite. (Also, free, related BONUS question!) [more inside]
posted by taz at 10:19 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by taz at 10:19 AM PST - 18 comments
Help me find a quick printable trio of artwork
Looking for a trio of pictures online that look nice together and can be printed out with adequate resolution for 8X10 landscape size. [more inside]
posted by Mikey51 at 10:11 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Mikey51 at 10:11 AM PST - 4 comments
Why am I losing 60% of my bandwidth when I connect a router?
I have a fast fiber optic Internet connection, and it works great when wired directly into my PC. But as soon as I connect a router, I lose 60% or more of the download speed. [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 9:58 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by alex1965 at 9:58 AM PST - 8 comments
Female fashion blogs emphasizing "buy it for life" quality?
I found this men's fashion blog called Well Spent and I love it. I love the emphasis on responsible sourcing (environmentally and labor-wise), a lot of made in the US and Canada items, and "buy it for life" quality– meaning items so well made I could hand them down to my kids. Is there a woman's fashion blog like this?
Help me stop my underwear from flipping out
I wear boxer briefs. The waist bands keep flipping over. I am overweight so it's likely the shape of my body/spare tire. I've tried smaller boxer briefs, larger ones, almost comically large ones. They all flip and it drives me nuts. Help! [more inside]
Have I Developed Hotel Room Allergy?
Since last autumn, the day after I'm back home from a hotel stay, my sinuses go nuts. Nothing happens at the hotels. What's going on? [more inside]
Career change/development ideas for a translator
Looking for career change/progression ideas for a translator [more inside]
(Good) Websites for Chinese Economic Indicators?
I am looking for good and up to date websites for Chinese economic indicators.
GPD, PPI, CES, Import/Export changes, shadow stats, etc. Preferably updated monthly.
Does something like the Case Schiller index exists for China?
Temp Agency Newbie Needs Your Guidance
I'm entering my 5th week in a job I got through a temp agency. My boss has officially confirmed that she wants to take me on permanently after I complete my 90 days as a temp. However, I am not so sure I want to stay. Who should I talk to, first--my boss or my agency? [more inside]
I even declared the pennies on my eyes
This year for the first time ever my tax return is $0, though last year under very similar circumstances I got almost $1000 back. I'm well below the poverty line. Is there some way for me to get someone to check over my tax return for free? [more inside]
How do I respond to help that's not helpful?
My husband is a good guy. He consistently provides me with solutions to problems that a) aren't actually the problems, b) cause more work and stress for me, and c) perpetuate purchases instead of pitching in. I need help. But not like this. Advice on/scripts for discussion, please? [more inside]
Buying a townhouse in Sydney to raise a family?
My partner and I are currently looking to buy a place in Sydney, and our current plan is to buy a three bedroom townhouse in which to raise two kids. Is this a good plan? [more inside]
posted by langtonsant at 12:13 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by langtonsant at 12:13 AM PST - 7 comments
March 12
Where's the closest-to-Boston place for a Korean-style body scrub?
Last winter, I went to the spa castle in New York and got a body scrub that left my skin happily silky for weeks. I haven't been able to find a Korean bathhouse or spa in or around Boston. What's the closest one? [more inside]
How do I install Windows OS8 on a second internal hard drive?
I have an HP MediaSmart server on which I want to install Windows 8. It's a headless server so Google tells me the best way to get OS8 on there is to put a second hard drive in my desktop, install OS8 on that and then just swap the drive into the HP. I'm having problems getting OS8 onto the second drive though. [more inside]
posted by gfrobe at 7:25 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by gfrobe at 7:25 PM PST - 5 comments
In what year was the movie "Midnight Run" supposed to be set?
To settle a bet: can anyone determine, from any particular props, signage, etc., in what year the movie "Midnight Run" took place? We know it was released in 1988, but we want to know if the setting was contemporary. I say yes, it took place in the late eighties; my friend thinks it took place in the early eighties.
posted by not_on_display at 6:49 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by not_on_display at 6:49 PM PST - 10 comments
Driving in Ecuador
I am considering a trip that involves renting a car and driving from Quito to Cuenca (and back possibly) OR flying all the way to Cuenca and driving around the area. [more inside]
Is there a better career out there for me?
I generally like my current job as a school librarian, but I don't think I'm in it for the long haul. I'm having a tough time thinking of other fields/careers that I could branch out into. Are there any other career that careers would suit me? [more inside]
What are some pregnancy things you wish someone had warned you about?
I am six weeks pregnant and already, a few weird things have come up that none of the books I mentioned warned me about. I'd love to hear from the pregnancy vets about other surprises which might be in store for me. [more inside]
Exp.with renting furniture?
Hi;
Thinking of getting a couch & love seat at a rental place.
Has anyone gone down this route before?
If so,please share your exp doing this-the bad & good.
I know of I rent it full term that I will pay prob double.
Thank you :-)
posted by LOOKING at 4:20 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by LOOKING at 4:20 PM PST - 8 comments
Help identify these eggs attached to a leaf
Asking this for my five-year-old son. He found these eggs attached to a leaf while we were raking. [more inside]
posted by Brodiggitty at 3:29 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Brodiggitty at 3:29 PM PST - 7 comments
Good eats in downtown Halifax
Where are your favorite places to chow down in downtown Halifax? [more inside]
posted by ageispolis at 2:40 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by ageispolis at 2:40 PM PST - 10 comments
How to cool off my basement apartment this summer?
Summer is coming! I love my apartment. It is large, it is in a wonderful neighborhood, it is affordable, it is also in Brooklyn (miracle!). However, I am from a Midwestern clime, and am hopelessly intolerant of summer heat. I have a basement apartment, so the windows that I have all have bars on them. [more inside]
posted by laduper at 2:09 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by laduper at 2:09 PM PST - 17 comments
Moving to CA. How do I manage my car that's staying in WA state?
If I obtain a California driver's license will I be able to stay on my dad's insurance? Will I need to update the vehicle registration? And, will I still be able to drive my car in Washington despite having a California license? [more inside]
Phobia therapist in the bay area
Looking for a therapist who will treat me for a cluster of related injection/medical/dental phobias. [more inside]
How to take care of an existing garden and make it my own?
We moved into our new home (Bloomfield, NJ) last May and inherited a beautiful garden from the previous owner that we did nothing to maintain. [more inside]
How can I overcome compulsive perfectionism with ADHD / OCD?
I have ADHD with a lot of OCD symptoms. I think the ADHD is primary, and the OCD symptoms are my lifelong coping reactions to feeling overwhelmed all the time and making endless mistakes. I'm now on Adderall, and it has illuminated how much the OCD slows me down and burdens me, but at the same time, many of my OCD behaviors are rational. They help me catch my many mistakes (while writing or in life) when my ADHD is at its worst. I need strategies to pull myself out or to help me immediately recognize when I'm spiraling. [more inside]
Duvet or comforter cover help requested
Finally found the perfect-weight comforter in a tropical wool, but it sheds like crazy. [more inside]
posted by furtive_jackanapes at 10:10 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by furtive_jackanapes at 10:10 AM PST - 7 comments
Flonase vs Nasacort (Fluticasone propionate vs. Triamcinolone)
In the USA Flonase and Nasacort are now OTC and roughly the same price. I'm looking for personal experiences and/or links to any good studies suggesting one is better than the other. [more inside]
Fake leather jacket in NYC
Where can I find a fake/faux/vegan leather men's jacket in NYC (preferably Manhattan)? Some of the ones on the Wilson Leather site look good — but I'd like to try it on in the store, and they don't seem to have a NYC store. Please recommend a specific store, not just a general area. Thanks in advance.
explain it like i'm not 5 because a 5 year old knows more than I do
Computer password autofill thing confusing me. Please explain what this means/how it works/how it impacts me. [more inside]
posted by flourpot at 7:04 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by flourpot at 7:04 AM PST - 6 comments
My elderly mom is a hoarder. What should I do?
My elderly mom is a hoarder. What should I do? [more inside]
What kind of service can I hire to unfuck my habitat for me?
I've been depressed and my apartment has gotten totally disgusting. If it were just floors, toilet, oven, etc. I'd hire a regular cleaning company. But I have piles of dishes, rotting food in the refrigerator, dried cat pee on the floor, stuff like that. I just cannot deal and I need someone to help. What kind of person/service am I looking for? [more inside]
How to sell leftover fertility medication
I have one unused 1200ml box of Menopur (unmixed, kept in fridge). It can be quite expensive and I would like to sell at a discount to someone else who needs it. How can I do this safely, for both parties? This is in the UK.
Dating in a Foreign Country While Gay
I've really been enjoying living in China, but I've been wanting to get out of the house and go on dates. I would love advice on dating across language and culture barriers, especially for LGBT people. [more inside]
New Zealand Salary Deductions
In the UK an employee's salary is subject to deductions – national insurance, income tax at varying brackets etc. How does this compare to New Zealand? [more inside]
posted by stackhaus23 at 1:59 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by stackhaus23 at 1:59 AM PST - 13 comments
March 11
What to do with white chocolate syrup
I have recently come into possession of a bottle of white chocolate syrup (the kind that's intended for mixing into hot drinks, not the chocolate sauce you use as a dessert topping). I tried putting some into coffee and found it cloyingly sweet and artificial. What are some other things I can do with this syrup?
Story-focused video game for a complete non-gamer
My husband and I just managed to convince my parents that video games are a legitimate art form and that they can tell stories in unique ways. Now my mom wants to try an example of what we were talking about. She'll probably only try it once. What are some art games that have a great story/compelling message, low frustration, simple or no mechanics, and absolutely no twitch skills requirements? [more inside]
posted by henuani at 10:42 PM PST - 46 comments
posted by henuani at 10:42 PM PST - 46 comments
How can I make my mattress more comfortable?
I bought a firm-support memory foam mattress online and two weeks later it's still stiff as a brick. [more inside]
posted by Dragonness at 9:45 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Dragonness at 9:45 PM PST - 5 comments
Looking for diet/weight loss mental hacks
I've been trying to do a low-carb medium protein diet for about 6 months, on and off. But it's been really difficult because I can't do it as consistently as I want to. It's making me discouraged and upset. [more inside]
song filter - slow hip hop
Underground-sounding hip hop song by a black male artist. If I remember correctly, most of the song is him talking to the very simple beat. Relatively slow song, with him talking/asking questions (in a lyrical, conversational way) 6-8 syllables at a time. Probably early 2000's. I don't think it was super underground since I heard it in the gym recently. [more inside]
Can I save moldy books?
I had some books in boxes stored in my closet. Some water leaked in from outside and soaked into the bottom of the boxes. There's some water damage and mold. Can I salvage these books? [more inside]
posted by milkcrateman at 7:33 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by milkcrateman at 7:33 PM PST - 12 comments
What to do in NYC post-high school, pre-adulting.
There is a possibility our high-school grad niece will be staying with us in NYC over the summer. How can she find like-minded teens? [more inside]
Water+computer=how bad?
I leave my Macbook on during the day while at work. Spouse spilled water on it at some point, the area around the keyboard is damp and the computer won't start up. Any chance of resurrection?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:33 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:33 PM PST - 15 comments
Gift ideas for an electric bass beginner
One of my friends is learning to play bass, I've been helping him out with some basic stuff as I play guitar, but I don't know much bass specific stuff. It's his birthday soon, and I'd like to get him something bass related. Is there a book, a piece of kit or anything really that you'd recommend? The stuff we're going through is mainly blues/rock. Thanks.
I'm looking for a map...
Help me find a map of the United States from the perspective of a Bostonian. I saw this map in 2007 and haven't seen it since, so it may not be in print anymore. I've been thinking about it for almost 10 years. Please help me find it! [more inside]
How do I get over this friend breakup?
I've been dumped. I have no idea how to handle it. Bonus difficulty: I am a late-40s woman and the dumper is/was my best friend of many years. I'm in a state of confusion and sadness. I live a life that never, ever has this level of personal drama, so while the rest of you have been asking these questions here, I've been whistling along, thinking it doesn't relate to me. Now it does. Help. [more inside]
Who am I?
I'm 28 and my life is a mess and I don't know where to start fixing it. A big part of the problem is that I don't feel like I have any sense of who I am. How can I find out? [more inside]
Toys for a five-year-old boy : road trip edition
We are moving across the country and will be driving for 7 days. We plan to give our son one "present" to open every morning, with the hope that he'll play with it that day and whine less. What are some things we can give him? [more inside]
posted by rabbitrabbit at 3:09 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by rabbitrabbit at 3:09 PM PST - 19 comments
YANMD, YANMT: Where do I start as an anxious, sober alcoholic manchild?
Paralyzed with fear, dealing with depression, motivated to change: I need to get my act together with professional help and am not sure where to go, being uninsured, employed part-time in the US. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by Giggilituffin at 12:48 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by Giggilituffin at 12:48 PM PST - 20 comments
Public health definition of "end of epidemic"?
How does one come to define the end of an epidemic? Whether HIV or Ebola, smallpox or Zika, what are the accepted public health guidelines for defining the end of an epidemic/pandemic? I can't find the answer anywhere and hopefully you fine folks in public health can help.
posted by Sophie1 at 11:22 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Sophie1 at 11:22 AM PST - 10 comments
Walk me through the process of dealing with my health/fertility issues?
I don't get my period and I need to change that. [more inside]
posted by ohsnapdragon at 10:52 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by ohsnapdragon at 10:52 AM PST - 32 comments
How to protect young, female employees out in the field?
(Opening a new business) how do I protect young employees that I will be sending into stranger's homes? How are real estate agents protecting themselves these days? My question is about screening clients and possibly live-streaming the actual meet-up. [more inside]
Will a slight allergy to "superfood" powders get better?
I've been adding this superfood powder to smoothies lately for breakfast and would like to continue to, but I seem to have a little bit of an allergy to something in it, perhaps grass pollen? My question is, is this inherently dangerous if it's only been a bit of a passing irritant, or will it actually improve with consistent repeated exposure (like with allergy shots)? [more inside]
posted by Raichle at 10:27 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by Raichle at 10:27 AM PST - 24 comments
Cat crash (dehydration) - preceded by pica, and it may be recurring
Electra had an episode of dehydration that took quite a bit of work to get her over. She is showing signs of recurrence and one of them is pica. What is she saying here? [more inside]
posted by jet_silver at 9:41 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by jet_silver at 9:41 AM PST - 17 comments
Offline GPS
I looking for an offline GPS app for iOS. [more inside]
posted by kathrynm at 9:30 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by kathrynm at 9:30 AM PST - 11 comments
Different chicken salad
I make chicken salad frequently. I make it by mixing shredded chicken, chopped veggies, sometimes fruit (grapes, blueberries or oranges), seasonings, acid (lemon, orange, or fancy vinegar) and mayo. I experiment with seasonings A LOT, but they all end up tasting pretty much the same. I think this happens because the mayo dampens the flavor of the seasonings. Can you suggest a way to avoid this? I'd like to have 4-5 different chicken salads with distinct taste profiles. [more inside]
Quote help: "[animals] are acutely aware of the productivity..."
I remember reading a quote from a book, perhaps about deer, that I cannot locate. Can anyone help? It was discussing the possibility of starvation and it went something like "[animals] are acutely aware of the productivity of their own [foraging] efforts..." Thanks.
Check My Math Please!
I need this for a work report, so I want to make sure I am doing this right. Could someone please verify or correct me, please?
I have two percentages and I need to figure out what percentage of change has taken place.
64.24% has changed to 74.24%
So, I think I need to do this: 74.24 - 64.24 \ 64.24 = 15.6% improvement or
74.24 - 64.24 \ 74.24 = 13.5% decrease
posted by LilithSilver at 8:55 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by LilithSilver at 8:55 AM PST - 9 comments
Can I do these things with Spotify?
In Spotify, is it possible to 1) find a list of public playlists in which a particular song appears? 2) automatically combine two or more of my own playlists?
First time Apartment Renter. What don't I know that I should?
I have to sell the home I inherited and find myself apartment hunting for the first time in my 32 years of life. I've been using apartment search websites to find places that have my requirements (accepts cats, washer/dryer a plus, under $800). I have an appointment this afternoon to tour one of the complexes. What should I ask or keep in mind? [more inside]
How can I not be crushed by my student loans?
Being crushed by my almost $200K in student loans. Have already consolidated, extended payments. Is there anything else I can do? [more inside]
An East Bay dance club for straight crossdressers?
Is there a good East Bay California dance club for straight crossdressers (men and women)? [more inside]
Is There a Visual Difference in AAA Akoya Pearls Versus Freshwater?
Once you're interested in aiming for AAA quality, round pearls in a necklace, is there a "beauty" benefit (i.e., not a bragging rights or investment one) in going after Akoya pearls over freshwater?
Thanks in advance!
posted by whitebird at 6:29 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by whitebird at 6:29 AM PST - 4 comments
Work Peer Keeps Doing my Job; Help.
I'm a relatively newer addition to a special education team, having started in October although I am a 12+ year veteran teacher. There are 5 teachers who share a classroom, we each have caseloads of about 30 students each. A big part of our work beyond supporting the students is paperwork. We have a lot of reports to write, state requirements to file, etc. The problem is there's one other teacher who double-checks everything I do and is making my job a nightmare. I want her to stop but she won't. [more inside]
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 5:44 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 5:44 AM PST - 22 comments
Jack of Many Trades, Master of a Few
I'm borrowing the conceit of a recent Ask MeFi question about building a new career out of skills I have. My special snowflake stiff is in the [more inside]
Count Down/Up Timer for Screen Time
Need a timer I can use either online, app or physical that will allow my daughter to have it count up while she is working online and down while she is playing online. Difficulty: I want to be able to add time independently of the countup. [more inside]
Go away!
Cheapest place to visit leaving from Gold Coast, Australia as a solo flaneur (including plane fare)? I have a passport. I like nature and history more than resorts or theme parks. I like cold weather, not hot. I'm okay with camping or single rooms in backpackers. I can't drive. Late 40s, female, unfit (but happy to walk max 20k per day), introvert, 1-2 weeks, some time in April to June. [Thinking about Tasmania, Bali, Norfolk Island. I know the east coast of Australia like the back of my hand, same for Queensland outback and northern NSW. I've been to the Alice and Uluru and spent 3 weeks in New Zealand in December so let's rule them out. Oh and i'm off to Korea in August, so not there either.] Estimated budget for suggested trip appreciated.
posted by b33j at 12:24 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by b33j at 12:24 AM PST - 8 comments
March 10
Dry
What is the best rain gear for biking? [more inside]
A few questions about arranging to see Hamilton on Broadway
We've decided we need to see Hamilton live in the next few months. I have a few questions about buying tickets. [more inside]
Wheat gluten vs soy based proteins. Your take on the battle.
I have recently seen some benefits from dropping animal proteins from
My diet. I recently spent some time in Asia where wheat gluten based mock meats
Are pretty common. I became a fan but wanted some feedback from you geniuses who may
Have some history with this. Is wheat protein a healthier alternative?. As an aside, sorta,
Have any of you made your own? Have you developed any time saving techniques?
I await you wise words, hive
posted by citybuddha at 8:55 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by citybuddha at 8:55 PM PST - 5 comments
Federal Employee Health Insurance Options
A family friend just got a new job in D.C. For the federal government. He has a health condition for which he sees certain specialists in Chicago (his home town) and he would like being able to continue to see them and use Chicago hospitals for any needed procedures--however, he will be residing in D.C. I assumed the BCBS "national" plans offered to Fed. Employees would be the best way to go, but BCBS has told him that although with these plans he would get some coverage seeing Chicago providers, any medical treatment with providers outside of DC would be considered "out of network" (even if the providers are in-network with their "local Blue" plan). His H.R. Representative has not been helpful answering questions about these plans. Does anyone have any insight to help us compare these plans and determine which plan might best meet his needs?
posted by Lylo at 7:45 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Lylo at 7:45 PM PST - 6 comments
Painting a dresser indoors
Pinterest and lifestyle blogs have led me to make an ambitious and very misguided decision to buy an unfinished and unpainted dresser for my bedroom. Well, I forgot I am useless at DIY projects and also have no clue on how to paint ANYTHING. [more inside]
posted by theappleonatree at 7:28 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by theappleonatree at 7:28 PM PST - 11 comments
Searching for a 1990s Anti-Discrimination Radio PSA
In the 90s, I spent a fair amount of time listening to AM radio in Michigan, and I would like to find transcripts or audio recordings of a series of anti-discrimination PSAs that I remember from those days. The general idea was that a boss in an office was trying to fill a job opening but kept turning applicants down because of over-the-top discriminatory reasons (the applicant was {a woman, black, handicapped, ...}), and eventually the business was unable to get anything done and maybe went out of business, because the prejudiced boss wouldn't fill these positions. [more inside]
posted by Juffo-Wup at 7:26 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Juffo-Wup at 7:26 PM PST - 3 comments
Broken water heater and incompetent, lazy apartment management
A week ago our upstairs neighbor's water heater started raining water down into our bathroom, hallway and kitchen. Miraculously, there was no personal property damage. But my apartment manager, the owner of the complex and the maintenance crew are being very laissez-faire in their approach to repair and don't want to do mold testing. What can I say or do to get them to take this situation seriously? [more inside]
What should my new fashion blog jam be?
So I finally have had to concede that What Would A Nerd Wear, my long-time style bible, is long gone and never coming back. Is anyone else on the great wide internet doing something similar for the modren era? If you, too, are a nerd who is trying to learn how to dress yourself, what are your go-tos? [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 6:55 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 6:55 PM PST - 8 comments
New Zealand travel recommendations in July
Have you traveled in New Zealand during the winter? Help us plan our 15-day trip in New Zealand this July! While we have some ideas about places we’d like to hit, we’re not sure if the tentative itinerary we’ve laid out is reasonable or too crazy (i.e. too much driving and not enough time at each destination). [more inside]
Help me find a since-deleted YouTube video
I noticed that many of my old favorites have been deleted, and there's one in particular that I've been itching to see again. I'm looking for a link/name/LoC listing??? of an old video clip from what seemed to be an anthropology documentary about indigenous music. My google-fu failed me. Description inside. [more inside]
posted by coolname at 5:57 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by coolname at 5:57 PM PST - 3 comments
Soho has werewolves, so where should we stay in London?
Spending two weeks in late August in London, with a couple of trips to castles and stone circles and historical re-enactments out of town. What London neighborhood should we stay in? We like places with flavor. [more inside]
where can I donate to support girls/women in STEM?
Every year I make a donation in honor of my (deceased) mother's birthday. She was an outstanding scientist and teacher, won a bunch of mentoring awards, and helping women advance in STEM fields was important to her. I'm no longer able to donate to the organization I used in the past. Where should I send my money? (about $150). [more inside]
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 5:24 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 5:24 PM PST - 13 comments
How do I best make money from undeveloped domain names?
I own several domain names that I intended to develop over the years and just haven't gotten around to it. Realistically I won't get around to it anytime soon. Right now there's absolutely nothing there. What is the best way to make them at the very least pay for their own domain registration fees, and preferably more? [more inside]
posted by mysterious_stranger at 4:49 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by mysterious_stranger at 4:49 PM PST - 4 comments
Strategizing a reasonably priced flight to Europe?
How do we find the best airline ticket window for getting to Europe in July? Bonus points if it includes an Icelandic Air Wellness stopover. [more inside]
posted by redsparkler at 4:01 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by redsparkler at 4:01 PM PST - 8 comments
How do I get rid of this very toxic guy?
In retrospect, I feel absolutely imbecilic after having gone through such a tempestuous period over the course of perhaps three years. If I were to count all the times that we were actually together without contention then that would probably amount to six months or maybe one year for good measure. [more inside]
posted by Whatifyoufly at 3:09 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by Whatifyoufly at 3:09 PM PST - 28 comments
Help me help my daughter defeat ED
Does anyone have personal recommendations for reputable eating disorder treatment facilities anywhere in the US and/or individual therapists with eating disorder expertise in Boston or the Washington, DC area? Details inside. [more inside]
International marriage ceremonies - giving away the bride
I'm wondering if anyone knows of a marriage ceremony (or marriage ceremonies) from anywhere in the world in which the bride isn't "given away" as in your standard Christian ceremony? Specifically, I'm wondering if there are any in which the father (or whoever) and husband make an agreement to jointly care for the bride. Of course, I know ceremonies can basically be custom-tailored these days, but I'm wondering if there are any traditional ceremonies in which this is a thing. Really just random curiosity (and potentially future planning ;) )!
Thanks, everyone!!
posted by anoncanuck at 2:23 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by anoncanuck at 2:23 PM PST - 10 comments
Fun stuff to do in Iceland on my own
So I'm on a tour in Reykjavik, Iceland right now through Tuesday. During the day, we're tromping all over the place and seeing all the sights. But at night....everyone else just wants to turn in early and rest. Tonight they went back to their rooms at 7pm! That's not an exaggeration.
What are some fun things to do or cool places to go at night that are safe for me to go to alone, as a woman in my 30s? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 1:58 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by silverstatue at 1:58 PM PST - 9 comments
CSA (Community-supported agriculture) in the Bay Area
I've been half-assedly looking into joining a CSA/getting a box of produce weekly for a while now and really haven't made much head way on deciding. I'd love to hear personal recommendations or warning about being over-produced from Mefites. Worth it? What's your favorite farms or providers? [more inside]
WTF is going on with my skin?
My legs have developed some weird pigmentation. It doesn't hurt, it just looks super unfortunate. I want to be better armed before a doctor's appt. Help? [more inside]
What's it like to be a freelance creative director/copywriter?
Current Group Creative Director/Copywriter considering leaving the full-time agency world and going freelance. Is this a shot at freedom or a fool's errand? [more inside]
maxed donations for bernie via actblue, now what?
I think I have hit the $2700 donation limit (via ActBlue) for Bernie in the primary race. Where else can I contribute dollars towards his nomination? I could buy campaign tshirts I suppose, but what other pacs or fundraising groups can I donate to that will support his campaign in the democratic primaries? [more inside]
Finding alternatives to cheek biting
When I'm anxious and/or hungry, I bite the inside of my cheek. I've done this for years. I'm looking for an alternative tactile self-soothing thing that I can do anytime, anywhere, without attracting notice. [more inside]
How to sew by hand?
How can I sew this dress by hand and have it look professional? [more inside]
posted by DeltaForce at 12:52 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by DeltaForce at 12:52 PM PST - 23 comments
Should I have a fling or continue my not-quite-vow of celibacy ?
I have met a man who I think *may* be open to this & who is moving in 2 months - but I recently promised myself no casual sex/relationship only. What would you do? [more inside]
My tenant keeps giving me too much money.
Landlord in Texas here. I can't get my tenant to stop giving me extra rent in two different ways. What, if anything, should I do? [more inside]
Seattle Filter: Best Teriyaki?
It's the little things.
Sixteen years ago I moved from Seattle to the Land Without Teriyaki (Vermont). I'll be back in Seattle next week for a visit. What's your favorite place to get takeout teriyaki, and why? I'll be spending most of my time on Capitol Hill, with forays to Ballard, Phinney, Fremont and the CD. Help a guy satiate. Thanks!
Modern children's books prioritizing diction and vocabulary?
The children's books I've seen prioritizing good diction and vocabulary over 'accessibility' are published in Victorian/Edwardian times - which causes a problem if you want to raise children with those things, but without some of the additional moral "bonuses" that those times produced. Do these exist, published in the last half century? Essentially, I'm looking for the modern equivalent of Anne of Green Gables or A Girl of The Limberlost or E E Nesbit. [more inside]
posted by corb at 11:37 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by corb at 11:37 AM PST - 14 comments
What is a good play to see in London this weekend?
I'm going to be in London this weekend, and I would like to see a good play. There’s obviously a lot of great theater in the city, & I’m curious about both The Painkiller (Rob Brydon!), and The Master Builder (Ralph Fiennes!) but I don’t want to be over-awed by celebrity names. What would be a really good theater piece for me to see? Stuff that is experimental or in a basement back room, etc., is all just fine. Thanks!
I would like to not be the Pillsbury Doughgirl.
Helpful folk of Metafilter: I (mid 30s, F, doughy) would like to make use of my gym time to get stronger. The amount of information on the internet is overwhelming. Please help me find an app or a routine or something so that once my frontal cortex gets me TO the gym it can zone out while I get muscles. [more inside]
Illustrate how things come together
I'm looking for either an illustration or video that shows how someone's mind, being confused about several different barriers in life, being all confused for a long period of time, then suddenly, one event triggers a coming together, a clarity and then a clear purpose. [more inside]
HELLO sun, GOODBYE shaving (DC edition)
I need laser hair removal suggestions in DC. [more inside]
posted by cacao at 9:53 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by cacao at 9:53 AM PST - 5 comments
How would you respond to this email
This is not a claims call, but a how are you doing call – as your agent my job is to look after you. I am not getting involved on the claims side of it. I would assume you provided your lawyers info to claims? I don’t have access to that system.
I just saw the claim, and was concerned about how you are. It is what we do which is take care of people. If you think this is something you shouldn’t share, then I understand, because I have also been hurt in a accident in the past and know what it is like. My accident ended up paying for my graduate degree.
If it was a serious accident, then we should talk about the other protections that you should have in place, such as disability and life insurance. You can’t rely on your employer to take care of you.
How do you respond to this email? [more inside]
Excel Question, make chart where each bar is the average of each column
This seems simple to me but can not find the answer on-line. If I have several columns of data, each column is just one variable with several entries. How can I make a chart from this data where each chart column is the average value of each data column. Then add Std. Dev bars to this?
Walking substitutions
Walking is pretty much my favorite thing, but I have a knee injury that's been limiting my pedestrian adventures for the last several months and I'm not sure when it'll clear up. What are some (not necessarily exercise-related) activities that I could substitute for walking, and how do I cope with my uncertainty and self-pity? Preferences and limitations below. [more inside]
Robbie Turner's American Shirt (Smock?)
Considering he loves vintage and also may sew himself, I'm wondering if this shirt/smock that Robbie Turner is wearing in his talking heads on RuPaul's Drag Race is something that can be purchased? I can't find it with my meager Google skills. <
Source of Mickey and Donald's Strange Philosophy
Does anyone know the source of the dialogue in this strange Mickey Mouse/Donald Duck comic panel edit? [more inside]
Need quick and dirty VBA/Macro help in Word
Conditional Formatting a drop-down list in a Word Document [more inside]
Where can I have these two items of clothing repaired?
I love these two items of clothing, a vintage loosely-woven white lace vest with pearl details, and a black hooded Chambers jacket with faux leather sleeves. Unfortunately, there is a hole in the lace, and the faux-leather has begun to separate from the sweatshirt-like material underneath (see linked photos).
Where can I send or take these items to have them repaired properly? [more inside]
The connection
I'd like to read about the connection between the counter culture/alternative culture in the 60s and the first generation of computer culture. I believe our thinking about computers and the internet contains a lot of DNA from the alternative part of the 60s, but I don't know where I can read about this subject. Your suggestions (preferably links to online material) are welcome!
posted by Termite at 8:15 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by Termite at 8:15 AM PST - 12 comments
Version control solutions for Office documents?
I work with a remote team that needs to edit office files (primarily documents and presentations) simultaneously, and we're collapsing under emailed file versions or multiple versions with updates saved to a shared drive. I am wondering if there are functional workflows for using version control software like Git to save and share files. I am not looking for Track Changes, which is still too limited for our use cases. I need a solution that supports branching and merging, not just saving binary files. [more inside]
Re-purpose Surface drive
I have an original Surface that has a cracked screen and will no longer boot. It has a solid state drive. Can I pull the drive and re-purpose it? The camera, maybe, too. [more inside]
posted by theora55 at 8:02 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by theora55 at 8:02 AM PST - 1 comment
What the hell is going on with my scalp?
For the past 6 months, I've been in an on/off battle with my scalp - mostly the crown and a bit towards the back. It itches badly when I break a sweat (I workout daily), and then produces flakes in rough patches. The flakes build up (and re-build) incredibly fast - like overnight, in patches that are thick and dry. I've tried all the OTC products (T-Gel, T-Sal, Nizoral, Dermarest, Tea Tree shampoo, etc) - and they offer some temporary relief - but the flakes, patches, and sweat-itchiness continues. Please help! [more inside]
[PARENTINGFILTER] How boisterous is OK?
So my sweet little four year old boy has grown into a five year old...and a whole load of rogueish behaviour has come with it. This boy is tantrumming now and then (autocorrect made that ruminating - I wish!) and he's disobedient and he's started being naughty to other, smaller children at his nursery. [more inside]
Make my pilea great again (gardening question)
My pilea peperomioides (Chinese money plant) is doing okay, but not great. I want it to look lush and lovely like the ones I see in pictures! [more inside]
Things to do/see/eat in Schenectady?
Holy crap that's hard to spell. Anywho, I will be in Schenectady next weekend (March 17-20) for a tournament with some teammates with whom I am friendly, but not close. What should we do/see/eat in between games or in the evenings that will help eliminate the awkwardness of traveling with acquaintances, and show us the best of Schnectady? [more inside]
posted by Dorinda at 6:49 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Dorinda at 6:49 AM PST - 7 comments
How to Yelp in San Francisco?
I'm going to be in SF for a week -- my first visit! -- and my plan is to spend most of my time walking around and eating delicious food. At home in NYC, I use Yelp for this sort of thing, but I'm not sure if my usual review-processing system is going to work in SF. (Or if I should be using a totally different app!) [more inside]
posted by Narrative Priorities at 6:31 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by Narrative Priorities at 6:31 AM PST - 24 comments
Tired of vinaigrettes, looking for new salad dressings
I eat lots of salads and bowls. I'm getting tired of vinaigrettes and paying for overpriced bottled dressings. I'm looking for your best salad dressing recipes. More specifics after the jump. [more inside]
posted by slogger at 6:16 AM PST - 36 comments
posted by slogger at 6:16 AM PST - 36 comments
Non obstructing Kidney Stone pain.
Been over a decade pain free.
Urologist seems to believe that "non-obstructing stones don't cause pain." I have one study - but need more supporting evidence please! [more inside]
prescription for a prescriptivist
Help me convince a prescriptivist AP editor to deviate from AP style. [more inside]
One Night in Vienna
I've get into Vienna for an overnight layover at 7pm. I've got a hotel in town, but looking for suggestions on a great restaurant and/or a cool bar. [more inside]
posted by Sleddog_Afterburn at 5:56 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Sleddog_Afterburn at 5:56 AM PST - 9 comments
Square Footage of a House
Looking to find our the square footage of a house. [more inside]
posted by dbirchum at 4:34 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by dbirchum at 4:34 AM PST - 7 comments
Where can I get hold of the tv series Black-ish from Australia?
I saw a few episodes of Black-ish on a plane recently and liked it a lot. I am subscribed to Netflix, and a VPN service, but it's not on any region there. I have an iPad and an android phone, but it's not available from iTunes for people in Australia, and I even downloaded the Amazon app, having heard it was an Amazon exclusive, but the bastards say "not available in your region" when I try to purchase it. They also seem good at getting uploads removed from the not-so-legal sites. I don't have a DVD or video player. Am I completely out of luck?
posted by lollusc at 4:27 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by lollusc at 4:27 AM PST - 8 comments
What did you replace your comfort eating with?
You are future me. You used to self-sabotage your healthy intentions after shitty days by eating weird, crappy foods. No disordered eating or thinking, just zero self control and a feeling of 'fuck the plan, I'm sad and I deserve to feel better'. What did you successfully replace the weird crappy foods with to give you the same 'comfort blanket' feeling without the sabotage? [more inside]
What goes best with pickled walnuts?
I was given a jar of pickled walnuts from a Danish friend and I'd like to know what would taste awesome with them. They are not well known here in Australia, and whilst I have trawled the internet for hours, I'm now in a pickle of over-thinking, too many tabs open and my brain in a 'ok THIS is it! No, this one!' I wonder if people from places where they are popular have any traditional or new recipes using pickled walnuts that they'd share with me? [more inside]
March 9
Looking for an old web comic about cavemen, sex, and the first word....
Hoping someone will remember this. Maybe 5 - 10 years ago I recall seeing (I believe on Metafilter) a beautifully done web comic. It was a sidescrolling format, with lots of really cutting edge (at the time) dhtml. The story followed a group of early humans... one of them eats some psychedelic mushrooms...the most memorable scene is there are two of these hominids having sex and the female has this big word balloon that says "GOOD" (or possibly "YES"?) coming from her mouth.
Does anyone out there recall this?
posted by woj at 11:54 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by woj at 11:54 PM PST - 5 comments
Not just an eye of newt. Can you identify this short story?
I remember reading a short story some time ago, about a little girl who was (I think?) trapped in an invisible labyrinth, and had a salamander (possibly two?) that were her companions. The salamander(s) always had to be moving or they would die/turn to stone. Eventually one (or both) saves the girl, sacrificing himself in the process. Where can I find this story?
posted by ananci at 11:53 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by ananci at 11:53 PM PST - 4 comments
Buying an American Rock N Play for use in Germany
I want to buy an American Rock N Play (baby bouncer) that has a plug. Will it work here if I use a travel adaptor, or will it start smoking and explode? I copied this info from the manual "Requires an AC adaptor (input 120 - 240 VAC, 50 - 60Hz,
with an output of 8 VDC) for operation (included)" [more inside]
posted by catspajammies at 11:37 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by catspajammies at 11:37 PM PST - 2 comments
It must be nice to have an unlimited amount of Washingtons on your side
If one wanted to see Hamilton on Broadway before the original cast leaves, what is the easiest AND cheapest way to go about it? [more inside]
Motorcycle Leathers - Alterations in Los Angeles?
I live in LA and need some alterations made on a new set of motorcycle leathers. [more inside]
Can we domesticate a stray cat?
Can we, should we, make this young tom cat a part of the family? [more inside]
Help me live in an altbau
What is this German tenancy application asking? "Der Bewerber versichert, dass die Wohnungseinrichtung voll bezahlt und frei verfügbar ist/folgenden Eigen-tumsbeschränkungen unterliegt, Pfändungen, Eigentumsvorbehalt durch: " [more inside]
Australia, ho! Help sort out my kitchen.
I am preparing for a move to Sydney. I will be burning an askmefi question a week for awhile so here is question one: what to take from my US kitchen? I have a lot of equipment. [more inside]
posted by jadepearl at 6:22 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by jadepearl at 6:22 PM PST - 33 comments
Affirmative, Enthusiastic, Mutual Consent: The Play List
This song line has been on my mind: Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir? In English, it means "Would you like to (go) to bed with me this evening?" It occurs to me it represents an unusual paradigm: Enthusiastic, affirmative mutual consent. It doesn't merely ask "will you agree to this?" It asks "do you desire it?" Looking for more like this. [more inside]
posted by Michele in California at 4:12 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by Michele in California at 4:12 PM PST - 22 comments
Privacy fail. Who do I contact?
A major telecom corporation is allowing people to sign up for service without validating ownership of the contact email address. They ended up handing me the keys to someone else's kingdom. Their fraud prevention contact refused to take any action. This is bad policy. Who do I tell to get some public pressure on them to change? [more inside]
posted by caution live frogs at 3:34 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by caution live frogs at 3:34 PM PST - 21 comments
I guess it's called "lifelogging" now...
I'm looking for an easier way of awarding and tracking brownie points, with several snowflakes... [more inside]
posted by andycyca at 3:03 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by andycyca at 3:03 PM PST - 5 comments
Radiant Floor Heating/Cooling Questions
Do you have radiant heating/cooling in your house or have you spent time in a house with it? What was your experience with it? [more inside]
Hypermobility and joint pain
I've never gone to a doctor for anything like this before. Please walk me through the steps. [more inside]
Break our Dinner Rut. Difficulty: bariatric patient, picky eater.
My husband is picky and I have special dietary needs due to bariatric surgery. I am SO TIRED of eating the same thing over and over! Please help me come up with options that are optimized to our circumstances. [more inside]
posted by oblique red at 1:59 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by oblique red at 1:59 PM PST - 25 comments
I paid an illegal move-in fee, now I'm being kicked out. What to do?
I'm in Portland, Oregon, and move-in/move-out fees are apparently illegal. I didn't realize this and I paid one. Now I'm being kicked out after living here only eight months. That's fine, but I want to recoup the illegal fees. Tenants rights hotlines are too busy/never call me back. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by AspirinPill at 1:42 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by AspirinPill at 1:42 PM PST - 13 comments
How can I borrow a dog in NYC?
Is there any way that a non-dog-owner could get some dog therapy in NYC, ASAP? [more inside]
OSX on-demand antivirus/malware?
I don't do a lot of random downloading, and surf with NoScript, so I'm not too concerned about an always-on solution. I'd like to be able to scan odd bits and pieces, though. I used to use ClamXAV. That's gone to a paid product, which I'm 100% okay with paying for if it's still the best option. What else should I be looking at?
Career changes for a data analyst?
I've been doing data analysis for about 8 years, and I feel stuck. Where to next? [more inside]
Gift for someone starting a job that involves international travel?
I have a friend and coworker who is quitting to take a job related to international development. I'd like to get her a small gift to celebrate this new stage in her life. The new job involves some international travel - probably one week away out of every 2-3 months.
I'm thinking it would be nice to get her something that is supportive of her new job - maybe something that will make the travel nicer. What should I get her? What are small things that improve life for international business travelers? [more inside]
Academia/small world dating
Dating across professor/student or supervisor/supervisee lines is clearly out of bounds. However, dating colleagues can also present opportunities for things to blow up in messy and dramatic and hard-to-fix ways, given the small world of many academic disciplines. If you're interested in a colleague in your department, what are some rules (or rules of thumb) to keep in mind when approaching them, beginning to date, and - if necessary - ending a relationship?
posted by clawsoon at 10:45 AM PST - 36 comments
posted by clawsoon at 10:45 AM PST - 36 comments
Can you earn money by renting out your computing rig?
We can use our computing rigs for bitcoin mining. But are there other programs/projects where one could use their computing power to earn money? For example, we know prime numbers are rare and are useful (e.g. cryptography). Is there a market for finding prime numbers? There is considerable computing investment required to find a prime number. I guess someone has to pay for that. [more inside]
Help organizing a local baby/toddler clothes exchange
I just had a baby 7 months ago, and the amount of clothes I have that are either in GREAT condition, or have never been worn is sickening. I keep buying and buying, and she keeps growing and growing. I thought a lovely idea would be to bring other mothers in the community together to do some sort of exchange maybe 4 times a year, but I need some help brainstorming how to set this up. [more inside]
posted by MamaBee223 at 10:09 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by MamaBee223 at 10:09 AM PST - 8 comments
The most pecan-iest recipe of all!
A friend gave me a pile of beautiful pecans. She can't stand long enough to cook or bake, so I'd love to make something for her with them. I want something that truly glorifies the pecans. I have about four cups. What would you recommend? I'd consider myself an intermediate-level baker/candy maker/cook.
posted by linettasky at 9:39 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by linettasky at 9:39 AM PST - 16 comments
Ebay item sold for higher than expected.
Item sold for 2x going price, is this a scam? [more inside]
Infected with Mac ransomware, but I caught it - next steps?
I was one of the 6,000 unlucky souls to download the KeRanger ransomware virus for Mac. It seems that I caught it after it started to encrypt my files, but before it encrypted all of them. Am I still at risk? Next steps? [more inside]
posted by rock'em sock'em puppets at 9:32 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by rock'em sock'em puppets at 9:32 AM PST - 3 comments
Automated system for nonprofit membership cards?
I'm on the board of a small nonprofit and we want to try and automate our membership cards. Is there a service that will mail out a welcome letter for us every time someone places membership? [more inside]
posted by Deflagro at 8:50 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Deflagro at 8:50 AM PST - 4 comments
How best to support my friend?
A friend of my close friend took his own life a couple of nights ago. My friend is pretty wrecked. What's the best way for me to support him? [more inside]
Help us make a master list of weeknight recipes!
What are your recipes for weeknight meals? What do you have for dinner that you make yourself in a relatively short amount of time and/or with relatively little effort? Help us figure out a variety of dinners to put on a meal-planning list! [more inside]
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 7:27 AM PST - 78 comments
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 7:27 AM PST - 78 comments
Why Can't Spotify & Apple Music Play Nice?
Trying to copy an existing playlist that I created in Apple Music and share it with my niece who has expressed a very similar interest in that type of music. Is this even possible? [more inside]
Pregnancy Paranoia - Diclegis Edition
YANMD - should I take Diclegis while 7 weeks pregnant? [more inside]
Do I warn customers about competitors "bait-and-switch" tactics?
Do I warn my potential customers about competitors "bait-and-switch" tactics? [more inside]
posted by jacobean at 5:52 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by jacobean at 5:52 AM PST - 13 comments
Book Recommendations on the History of the Philosophy of Law
I'm looking for a good book on the History of Legal Philosophy, or History of Jurisprudence that covers everything from Greece (Solon), Rome (12-Tables to Justinian Law), Germanic Law, English Common Law, and maybe a bit on 20th Century Legal Though, Legal Postivism, H.A. Hart, etc. [more inside]
Can I sell an easement on my property?
My property's title has an easement onto my neighbor's property for a right of way through the neighbor's property to my property. I don't need this easement to get into my property, although I do occasionally use it. My neighbor's property has been purchased by developers and they would like to buy back the easement (pay me to extinguish the easement) in order to develop across the easement. This seems straight-forward, but selling a portion of my property would seem to violate my mortgage agreement. Would it? [more inside]
Should I stay or should I go now?
I'm not ambitious - but maybe I should be? [more inside]
Cost difference for organic at a daycare center?
Our child attends a privately owned daycare center that has a maximum of 8 infants, 21 toddlers and 30 preschoolers. They follow the US Federal food program requirements and provide breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. What would be a good estimate for cost difference if they moved from non-organic to organic foods? [more inside]
Acquiring a car without a downpayment
My 22-year-old Honda is acting up, and I fear that it may not be worth fixing. I don't have enough cash for a down payment on something else. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 5:17 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by FencingGal at 5:17 AM PST - 18 comments
Alternatives to FlyLady
Do you know of anything that's like FlyLady but isn't FlyLady? As in, an app/service/website that gives you a daily schedule of cleaning and neatening your habitat so that you take baby steps from having a messy apartment to one that's hopefully less so? [more inside]
Best ways to support someone quitting smoking (and what not to do)
You are someone who has successfully quit smoking for good after many failed attempts. What did your loved ones do that really helped you? What did people do that was really annoying and no help at all? [more inside]
What to do with a beautiful old candy box?
I have a couple of empty boxes of Lindt Petites Merveilles which I had been using to store necklaces, but which are now too beat-up for the purpose. How to upcycle? [more inside]
posted by tel3path at 3:37 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by tel3path at 3:37 AM PST - 7 comments
Can you translate these Chinese lyrics?
Looking for a slightly more fluid translation of the lyrics (below the fold) to Hedgehog's lovely song Waiting for the Last Bus than any of the machine translators have been able to offer. They're quite short; can you help? [more inside]
Romans 9 and the responsibility for sin
In the recent book by Pope Francis, The Name of God is Mercy, I stumbled at the following in chapter VI: "None of us should speak of injustice without thinking of all the injustice we have committed before God. We must never forget our origins, the mud of which we were made." If God made us out of mud (i.e. something base and, literally, dirty), why is it the Christian view that God is upset when we act according to our base and dirty nature, and that we must seek forgiveness for our actions and our nature? [more inside]
Slow paced, new cafes/restaurants/bars in Brussels, for a veggie?
I've not visited for over a year, and haven't ventured much outside the city centre - so where can I go and write a book with wifi and good food? [more inside]
New Zealand's North Island in 5 days and 5 nights?
I'm going to be spending ~5 days and 5 nights on New Zealand's North Island in the last week of March (after Easter). I'll be there with a friend. Can you help make our trip a little less vague than it currently is? Details under the cut. [more inside]
Ubuntu Sequencer
I am looking for a sequencer for Ubuntu Linux, something cheap or inexpensive please, as I am poor. [more inside]
March 8
Songs About Big Trucks
I'm trying to remember a country music sub-genre specifically about heavy duty semis used to haul extra heavy loads. [more inside]
Security best practices for lost Chromebook
I lost a Chromebook that I was signed into with my main Google account. What steps, if any, should I take to ensure that nobody gains access to my account or data? [more inside]
My media players keep skipping, is this a sign of a RAM problem?
For several months now the media players on my PC "skip" when playing music. At first I thought it was just WMP but it's happened on iTunes and JRiver Media Jukebox as well. This PC is a Dell, about three years old, and replacing it just isn't going to happen this year. I've reinstalled audio drivers, even reinstalled Windows 10. All to no avail. [more inside]
Remember the discs with hundreds of PC games in the Windows 95/98 era?
Remember those discs that had hundreds of "shareware" games (some you had to pay for)? A lot of those games were so great. Do you remember some of your favorites that you could suggest? [more inside]
Internship Do's and Don'ts
I start my dream internship next month. How do I not screw this up? [more inside]
How to see addresses in My Maps (Google Maps) on iPhone
I'd like to see the address of each location I added to My Maps, when I view the map on my iPhone. [more inside]
I can't text on my UK pay as you go SIM, how to fix?
I can't text on my UK pay as you go SIM, how to fix? [more inside]
Inguinal Strain?
So for the last few weeks I've been having some minor testicular pain. Like every 10k steps one step will give me a twinge or something. Or if i'm leaning forward too far in a computer chair i'll feel some pain. Well that one step has been enough to drive me insane thinking the worst. Well I went to the doctor today and he spent a few minutes feeling around told me to buy a jock strap and gave me some ibuprofen and told me to take it until it ran out. He told me I had something called an inguinal strain. Is this an actual diagnosis? or is this him reacting to me telling him that i was walking on uneven ground slipped on mud and gained my balance. That particular event wasn't painful but, i thought it might have been somewhat relevant. I thought going to the doctor would give me some peace of mind. Am i being crazy?
Progressive/liberal St. Louis and Missouri political Twitter follows.
What are some good non-msm (and non-spammy) progressive/liberal Twitter accounts I can follow that will keep me up to speed on St. Louis and Missouri state government political activity? [more inside]
posted by Ufez Jones at 4:10 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Ufez Jones at 4:10 PM PST - 6 comments
Can you identify this house plant?
Easy way to wash rice?
I find that my rice turns out much better when it's washed. However, I find washing rice by hand to be a huge pain in the ass, even following guides on Youtube that claim to make it easier. Is there a piece of equipment that makes rice washing easier? Some method that I haven't hit on using common kitchen tools?
Do I need to file a non-resident state tax return for a 1099-MISC?
I did a small amount of work for a company that turns out to be headquartered out of my state of residence. The company is located in California, but I communicated with them remotely and did all of the work in my home state where I reside. I am wondering if I need to fill out a non-resident state tax return for California. The amount of money is small (less than $1000).
posted by rainbowbrite at 2:57 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by rainbowbrite at 2:57 PM PST - 1 comment
Help me pick out an Android TV Box
I'm tired of having to reset my Netflix geo-unblocker constantly. I'm thinking of getting an Android TV Box. I don't know much about these, so though I can read the specs, I don't know how to pick one out. Which box should I get? [more inside]
What is going on with these plants?
My apartment complex gardner planted 4 "white catawba rhododendron" bushes (?) in January. Two of them seem to be doing great, and two look like they're dying (?) This makes me sad but I know just about nothing about plants. Pictures after the jump. [more inside]
Help me find the video game of my dreams!
I don't know if what I want exists or not. What I really want in my life is a video game where you can just go around and destroy stuff (preferably creatively) with no consequences, meaning no police, no military, no possibility of dying, nothing. Open world is a must. Does this exist? PS3, Xbox 360 or PC.
Am I right to think this Board governance change is not a good idea?
Our community health centre is one of many in our province in Canada. A lobby group exists that represents all of the member health centres in the province. Recently, their Board passed a motion to allow the Board to make changes to their by-laws, such that these changes would take place effective immediately. A subsequent vote by the members would still be needed to ratify the change. It seems that there is a small window where bad things could happen ... [more inside]
posted by storybored at 11:35 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by storybored at 11:35 AM PST - 5 comments
HardiePlank - is it worth it?
Did you replace your old siding with HardiePlank? Is it worth it? How has it held up? [more inside]
Oakland synagogue for Purim services
I'll be in Oakland, CA this year over Purim and would like to attend services. Can you recommend a synagogue I can attend? Conservative preferred but would do Reform in a pinch. I'll be near Jack London Square on the waterfront and without a car, so something close would be ideal. Thank you & chag Purim sameach!
How to pick one biography of many?
How do you decide which biography to read when there are several for a given person? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 10:11 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by kristi at 10:11 AM PST - 12 comments
OPAC issues
What is the cause of errors in a small library OPAC? Technical services librarians and database experts, your wisdom is appreciated. [more inside]
Looking for a dead simple iphone calendar app
Every calendar app I can find is too finicky and bogged down with details. I would like an app that is literally a blank calendar where I type in appointments. Does this exist? [more inside]
Novels/Non-fiction/Articles/etc involving the Pacific and its denizens
I'm looking for reading material about anything and everything with a Pacific Ocean vibe -- what are your suggestions? [more inside]
Are there styles of furniture that are always in fashion?
Most of my furniture at this point consists of hand me downs from family or pieces purchased cheaply at Target or IKEA and I'm looking to start acquiring some higher quality furniture that I actually enjoy aesthetically. Since I plan on keeping these pieces for a very long time, what I want to know is this: Is there a style (or styles) of furniture that never go out of fashion? [more inside]
posted by Schwartz at 9:06 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by Schwartz at 9:06 AM PST - 28 comments
Gift for foster parents?
A client just brought home a newborn foster baby. Is it appropriate to send a gift? [more inside]
posted by joyceanmachine at 8:49 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by joyceanmachine at 8:49 AM PST - 22 comments
Entering the Stop Motion industry
What are the options for someone who wants to break into the stop motion industry. [more inside]
Quickest, cheapest way to make a single MP4 from a playlist of videos
I'm looking for a tool that will quickly, cheaply and easily re-render a playlist of videos of arbitrary formats and aspect ratios into a single 1080p mp4 file of reasonable quality. No editing, no graphics, just one MP4 file out of many different ones. I know this is ultimately what Final Cut and Premiere do, but I'm hoping for something lighter, cheaper, and faster than putting everything together in a timeline. Is something out there? [more inside]
How long are Brintellix (vortioxetine) side effects likely to last?
I started Brintellix (vortioxetine) 5 days ago and am wondering how long the side effects are likely to last? [more inside]
Novels Generously Seasoned with Hope
Last year I read and loved Station Eleven, looking for something to scratch the same itch. Some (hopefully) light snowflakes ahead. [more inside]
posted by xenization at 6:53 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by xenization at 6:53 AM PST - 31 comments
Good blogs/mailing lists for Mission Terrace/Excelsior
I'm interested in finding some good local blogs or mailing lists for the Mission Terrace/Excelsior neighborhood of San Francisco. My fiancée and I are moving there in a month and would like to start to understand what's happening in the neighborhood, and it seems that this is one of the better ways of doing it from afar. I'm primarily interested in online resources, but any good local tips would also be appreciated.
What is the best solution for my work schedule?
I need to stick to a scheduled work day, from clock-in to clock-out times. I've been having lots of trouble with this and need to find the right solution for me. [more inside]
posted by rachaelfaith at 6:40 AM PST - 39 comments
posted by rachaelfaith at 6:40 AM PST - 39 comments
Tuscaloosa Whiskey‽‽‽
I found a reference to Tuscaloosa Whiskey in an old book explaining how to copy liquor. Tuscaloosa is my hometown, and I've never heard of this before. Newspaper archives reveal many people advertising that they have Tuscaloosa Whiskey for sale around 1850. Does anyone have suggestions of how to learn anything more about Tuscaloosa Whiskey? [more inside]
Home Owners insurance vs Rental insurance? Do we need both?
My partner purchased a condo and lets a family member stay there. He's been lazy about getting insurance for it and says that our friend can just get renter's insurance because they're staying there (even though they're not technically paying rent) [more inside]
I can't believe I have to ask this question
It's time to deal with the fact that I'm psychologically addicted to weed. But how on earth can I convince myself to give up the one and only coping mechanism I have that actually works? [more inside]
What are some slangy phrases for menstruation that indicate disgust/fear
I'm wondering how the stereotypical revulsion with regards to menstruation is expressed in our language; specially, I'm looking for examples. The one I came up with is within. NSFW [more inside]
posted by angrycat at 5:03 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by angrycat at 5:03 AM PST - 30 comments
Can you help with my 8yo daughter's mood swings?
Pre-teen land is a shocking new landscape for my daughter and I. It's like a switch is being flipped throughout the day and I never know if I'm going to get the angry, frustrated and low-self esteem version of my kid, or my typical bright sunny girl who is outgoing and fierce. What has been helpful to you in navigating this time for pre-teens in general and girls in particular? [more inside]
posted by sealee at 12:20 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by sealee at 12:20 AM PST - 13 comments
March 7
How problematic is it if my W-2 has a wrong address?
I resigned from my Washington, DC employer in September 2015. At the time, I was living in Virginia, and for the past 5 years had been paying VA state taxes. 2 weeks later, I moved to Maryland. I just received my W-2 from the DC firm, and it lists my Maryland address, even though I never filed a new W-4, and I never lived in Maryland during the time I worked for my DC employer. Everywhere else it indicates Virginia as the state, Virginia state income tax, etc. How problematic is it if my address is incorrect? [more inside]
posted by invisible ink at 10:09 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by invisible ink at 10:09 PM PST - 5 comments
black tie wedding. let's get real specific.
I'm going to be a guest at a black tie wedding in San Francisco this summer. Please evaluate these dresses and tell me if I am in the ballpark. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:24 PM PST - 42 comments
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:24 PM PST - 42 comments
Quiet(ish) restaurant in DTLA?
I'm looking for places to eat in Downtown LA that would be good for a date and that wouldn't be so loud as to inhibit conversation during dinner. Nothing extravagantly expensive. Thanks!
posted by persona au gratin at 9:23 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by persona au gratin at 9:23 PM PST - 5 comments
Similar sofa to Case Bilsby from DWR?
I'm looking for a geometrically simple fabric sofa similar to the Bilsby from Case, sold by DWR. It's about twice my budget, and too large (my max is 75', or about 190cm). Another sofa I like is the Bludot Cambro, which is no longer sold. My ideal sofa has no movable cushions and has a back that is the same height as its arms, but not too low. My budget is about $3,000, preferably less. [more inside]
Changing your voice
I want to prepare a voice recording of step by step instructions for an exercise. [more inside]
In Beijing for work, limited 2-3 hour time blocks - help me see stuff!
I am doing some work in Beijing, and I will be stuck in and around the Grand Millennium Hotel (GuoMao, Chaoyang, if that helps). I'll basically just have long lunches from 12-2 free, as well as nights after 4 or 5. I want to see... something. I have not been to mainland China before (though have visited Hong Kong), and don't speak the language. Any ideas for places to walk to, things to see, or even places to eat? It feels like a shame to fly for 20 hours each way and not see anything of the city.
posted by blahblahblah at 6:44 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by blahblahblah at 6:44 PM PST - 7 comments
Real age of Mongo record in Meteor
Hey all, intermediate Meteor user here with a question that I feel should have a simple answer, but that simple answer is really eluding me. I need to determine the real age of a mongodb record (time since the record's server timestamp) and display or hide this record reactively on the client without using the client's time. [more inside]
Drug test tomorrow
I smoked marijuana this past weekend (yesterday). Today at work I found out that I have a drug test tomorrow. I doubt I will pass the test. What should I do? Some more background and options inside. [more inside]
Pimp my patio
I am moving to an apartment in NYC with a private 1,500 sqft patio. I'd like to make it awesome. What are some cool/fun/unique/amazing/outrageous things you would put out there or do with it? Open to all suggestions (inflatable hot tub, tiki bar, etc.).
Do I tell the 'other' person about an affair?
Long story, short, I have recently discovered my long term partner has been cheating on me with (many) different people. However, one that I know for certain are/were (now ex I guess) acquaintances of mine. Do I tell the husband??? I'll give more details below, about the specific situation, for those interested. I would be interested to hear from people who have specifically been the 'other' person in a situation like this, and if/when you would have wanted to know, or not know as it were, as opposed to getting into an ethical discussion about what is or isn't anyone's business, from people who have never experienced this before. [more inside]
What is this knife prop thing?
A friend picked up a peculiar curved metal knifelike object at the estate sale of a sf/f fan. I have two photos: one and two. Is this familiar to anyone? What is it?
posted by cmyk at 5:33 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by cmyk at 5:33 PM PST - 4 comments
Does the Fuji XF 16mm/f1.4 represent a worthwhile lens addition?
Given the two lenses I currently use (18-55mm/f2.8, 35mm/f1.4) does adding the Fujifilm XF 16mm/f1.4 to my collection offer good value in expanding my photographic capabilities, or does this lens retread too much of what the 18mm zoom lens already offers. [more inside]
posted by axismundi at 5:25 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by axismundi at 5:25 PM PST - 7 comments
Swimming in phosphorescent algae in or near the UK?
I live in the UK. At some point this year I want to play with, and ideally swim amongst, wild phosphorescent (/bioluminescent) algae. Where and when should I go? [more inside]
posted by metaBugs at 4:27 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by metaBugs at 4:27 PM PST - 4 comments
What is the best way to sell high value Saturn video games?
Where is the best place to quickly sell $1500 - $2000 worth of Saturn video games? [more inside]
Vegan-friendly restaurant near Times Square for a party of 10-15
The wife and I are visiting NYC next week, and we haven't been for more than 10 years. Unfortunately, we've only got one evening to spend before we move onto another city, but there are a lot of friends we'd like to see. I want to invite my friends to have a sit-down dinner with us to catch up, since there won't be time for anything else, but I have a few criteria... [more inside]
posted by the_wintry_mizzenmast at 3:18 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by the_wintry_mizzenmast at 3:18 PM PST - 10 comments
Seattle 🚗 Boston: Where should we stop along the way?
Where would be fun to stop along the way during a road trip from Seattle to Boston? [more inside]
posted by Cogito at 3:13 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by Cogito at 3:13 PM PST - 21 comments
Hand poke Tattoos
I am planning on getting a pair of tattoos, and think that the handpoke/primitive pointillism look would work really well with the design I have in mind. I have a few questions regarding handpoke vs regular machine tattooing, and hope someone here has some experience in this, and advice to give. [more inside]
How to keep mac Outlook 2011 folder structure after reinstallation
I will be reinstalling mac OSX Yosemite because of constant problems with it but I am looking to retain the folders that have been previosuly created to organise my mails. I am using Outlook 2011 as my mail client. Does using: File - Export - selecting outlook for mac data file (.olm), when imported back, retain the previous folder structure that I have used to organise my mails?
If not could anyone suggest how I could keep the existing folder organisation?
Many thanks!
posted by conrad101 at 2:53 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by conrad101 at 2:53 PM PST - 1 comment
Enlighten me on HID / Xenon Headlights in California
Are HID / Xenon headlights legal in california and if so what are the restrictions? [more inside]
UMass Lowell for undergrad in engineering?
My daughter was accepted to Northeastern University and UMass Lowell honors program both for engineering. Both schools seem good but Lowell is much, much cheaper. She plans to go on to get her masters so does it make a difference which school she chooses for undergrad? Should she graduate debt free with a bachelor's degree from Lowell and spend the money on her graduate work? Would doing so impact future employment prospects?
New Car Smell: Only Great in Theory
I just got a new car! Hooray! The new car smell was exciting at first, but now it's giving me a headache. What can I do to get rid of it? [more inside]
posted by yasaman at 2:01 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by yasaman at 2:01 PM PST - 12 comments
Web-based, non-twitchy word games
I'm looking for word games that I can play in a web browser and that don't have any time pressure. [more inside]
posted by overeducated_alligator at 1:19 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by overeducated_alligator at 1:19 PM PST - 12 comments
Pie in the Sky
I would like to bake a blackberry pie and take it with me on the plane. Will the TSA allow this? [more inside]
In Search of Soy Free Soylent Substitutes
I am having a hard time getting enough calories and nutrients in my body each day. Part of the issue involves inconsistent access to food due to family stuff; the rest involves a loss of appetite as I progress through treatment for bipolar II. I'd love to be able to keep something in my room that can help me stop going to sleep hungry, but I need it to be soy, walnut, and coconut free. What might be a good interim solution as I work back towards eating proper meals every day?
posted by Hermione Granger at 1:03 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Hermione Granger at 1:03 PM PST - 16 comments
Feeling uncertain about renting a room in a new house.
My landlords are making changes to our house/living space, and I'm very torn as a result of those changes, and feel stuck making a decision. More inside the fold. [more inside]
I am not good at things and I broke my tv cabinet. Help!
I managed to drop a tv and scrape the hell out of the entertainment center. The TV is sadly a lost cause, but I would love to salvage the furniture. Suggestions?
Pics: 1, 2, 3
Bunny deterence?
How to stop a domestic rabbit from eating its way through our flower garden? [more inside]
Optimally Relaxing Bath
My 14-year-old daughter has trouble sleeping. Recently she had good results after a long bath with a bath bomb from Lush, so she is after me to get her a bunch of them. But at (up to) $9 a pop, I'm wondering if there's something more cost-effective. [more inside]
Another microphone question
I'm doing a music podcast based in my living room. I've a tripod, atop which is mounted a nice (Canon EOS Rebel T3) camera. Nice enough for my living room and for Youtube, I think. But what about the audio? [more inside]
Song recommendations
I really like the song "Otto's Journey" by Mylo. What other songs like this/in this genre should I be listening to?
posted by josher71 at 12:00 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by josher71 at 12:00 PM PST - 4 comments
Are indie music blogs still a thing?
My musical taste is stuck in 2006. Help. [more inside]
posted by anotheraccount at 11:55 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by anotheraccount at 11:55 AM PST - 14 comments
15 days in Japan next month -- best suggestions?
I'll be in Japan (arrive Tokyo) for 2 weeks in early-mid April. I'm really into: hot springs, local food and drink (esp fermented), hiking & mountaineering, live music, herbal medicine & botany, artisanal crafts. [more inside]
Cheap, non-oxybenzone, lightweight sunscreen?
Okay, I would like a sunscreen or sunscreen/moisturizer that 1) does not feel like Crisco 2) does not have oxybenzone or parabens and 3) is cheap. I'm willing to sacrifice cheap first, then parabens, but not the Crisco feel. [more inside]
Need a good photo scanning service in Portland, OR.
I've got a hundred or so old family photos that I need nicely scanned. Where do I start?
posted by Specklet at 10:15 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Specklet at 10:15 AM PST - 3 comments
How can I deal better with my husband eyeing other women?
My spouse sometimes eyes other women, almost always the same "type." I find this absolutely gutting, especially since I don't fit that type. How can I deal with it better? Snowflakes below the fold. [more inside]
posted by pocksuppetteer at 10:07 AM PST - 43 comments
posted by pocksuppetteer at 10:07 AM PST - 43 comments
baby led weaning is just a fancy name for finger food
Want to start feeding my kid finger food and not mush. But I don't quite know how to do this - what foods, what size, can he really feed himself this young? Deets within [more inside]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:51 AM PST - 38 comments
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:51 AM PST - 38 comments
Help me shop for a new car!
My current car is done, needs a new engine that's worth more then the car itself. I have no idea where to start with the vehicle search but we want to purchase something in the next week or so. What would some of your recommendations be for the person who is not car savvy? More info below... [more inside]
Interesting Place to Stay Along I-20 in Mississippi or Louisiana
My husband and I will be driving along I-20 from Atlanta to Dallas soon and plan to stay overnight somewhere in Mississippi or Louisiana. Do you know of a cool/weird/interesting/kitschy place to stay along that route, say within 30-45 minutes of the highway? I am thinking something like the Tee Pee Motel, The Clown Motel, or other interesting places to stay.
Unequal property taxes in Chicago
All the owners in my 6-unit condo building pay different property tax rates. Some vary greatly (by several hundred dollars). How do I figure out if I am paying the correct (or lowest) amount I need to be paying? The building is in Chicago. The property tax situation here is messy and it is easy to be overcharged. Where do I go to figure this out? Preferably would not like to involve an attorney. [more inside]
How much should I charge for shooting and editing 360º videos?
I have the opportunity to pick up a new side gig shooting 360º immersive videos for real estate agents. What is a good pricing structure that would make the service appealing to agents, yet make the time spent shooting and editing, worth my while? [more inside]
How to ask for a raise given my unique circumstances at work
What do you do when you know (uh, think) you're a valuable employee, don't want to leave the company, but highly suspect there is more money to be made? [Long, if you're looking for a good book] [more inside]
Why are things the way they are?
I'd like to learn why things are designed the way they are. What are some theories that you know of that have a significant effect on the way things are designed? [more inside]
Dealing with a needy & draining coworker
A needy coworker that sits behind me relies heavily on me as a lunch/social companion, I have made a few work friends myself that I prefer to hang out with ,and have tried to invite her out along as a an attempt to help her meet some new friends, but she always ends up completely silent at the table and makes everyone uncomfortable. She's not a pleasant person to socialize with in the first place, how may I untangle myself from her without causing strife at work? [more inside]
Finding an active online medical marijuana active strain discussion
I use marijuana to treat many debilitating issues and several diseases and I was wondering if there is a forum or something that is ACTIVE on a regular basis where people can share which strains helped which symptoms for them or post/respond to questions about related stuff. Is there one?
How to complete inventory list after a house fire?
My family recently lost nearly all the contents of our house to a fire. How do we handle completing this home inventory list? [more inside]
How to start difficult relationship conversations
I need to talk to my boyfriend about some issues in our relationship, but I'm notoriously bad at confrontation and I never know how to start the conversation. It doesn't help that from my perspective it feels like I have a bunch of complaints without solutions (other than "stop doing that"). I want the conversation to be fair and effective. [more inside]
Can I read THE ALGEBRAIST?
I have never read any of The Culture series- or anything else by Iain M Banks besides. I happen to have a copy of The Algrebaist in my possession somehow- will I be able to follow if I start from there? Will I miss out on a lot of the finer points if it is my introduction to The Culture?
Psychology conference question
I will be giving a presentation at the International Congress of Psychology in Yokohama this summer. It’s my first time at a psych conference, and also at a conference as large as this. [more inside]
March 6
Where can I find a hip leather binder for a young professional?
So I think I finally grew out of my knapsack. Rushing to/from meetings, the knapsack gives off a distinctly student vibe, which, coupled with my boyish charm, isn't the look I'm going for in my new prestigious university job. Also, I'm in my mid 30s. [more inside]
posted by mateuslee at 11:48 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by mateuslee at 11:48 PM PST - 10 comments
Advice on how to deal with failure? I lost my job due to depression.
I took a job in Mexico as an English teacher. Between dealing with culture shock and homesickness, moving away from my boyfriend, a major depressive episode, anxiety and panic, physical health issues, and experiencing an extreme trauma (was raped right before Christimas break)... well, suffice to say, it wasn't the best semester. I was just told that I will not be asked back next year. I was not planning on returning, but my self-esteem has taken a huge hit. How do I move forward after such an awful failure? [more inside]
Kid's Drink in Ireland?
I'm looking for the name of a kid's drink we had in restaurants while visiting Ireland, Co. Clare. [more inside]
posted by huckit at 11:18 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by huckit at 11:18 PM PST - 12 comments
But what happens AFTER the 5-10 minutes it takes you to put it on?
I have a sense of what I need to do to initially get makeup on my face in the morning. But I want to know what people do to keep it looking good all day. [more inside]
NASA question: Who runs satellites? (And where can I find out about such
I'm trying to learn the ins-and-outs of satellite operations. Assuming that i.e. a weather satellite is launched by NASA, what would be the key roles on the responsible team? Does responsibility for day-to-day operations stay at NASA, with a team monitoring the satellite, or does this get transferred to another agency? [more inside]
How does the US government really work - the fun version?
What are fun ways to learn how various parts of the current US federal government work and get things done? As a federal employee, I'm curious to get a better picture of my gigantic complex employer and millions of coworkers. For example, this might be learning about interactions between congresspeople, how White House projects happen, or how a particular agency works. This could be a documentary, a book, a movie or TV show, an academic journal article, a formal training of some kind, or something else. [more inside]
My mom found my brother's adderall tablets
My mom found adderall tablets in my brother's pencil case and under the couch. My brother flat out denies he takes drugs and is violent when anyone confronts him about it. What can I do? [more inside]
Dealing with Lexapro side effects
I've been taking Lexapro for about nine months for generalized anxiety disorder and depression. Overall, the experience has been very good. I'm no longer nervous all the time. But in the past couple of months, I've grown concerned about two side effects: fatigue and apathy/lack of motivation. I talked to my psychiatrist about this and she laid out three options. I'm having trouble deciding which one would be best. [more inside]
Help me fill in the gaps in my photography setup
After years of mindless snapping, I'm finally improving my photography skills by taking my dSLR everywhere and taking more photos more mindfully. This has revealed two gaps in my gear, at least for what I'm focusing on right now: a cross-body camera strap that works for my body and a lens that I like with a focal length < 50mm. Details and requirements inside! [more inside]
Fun activities for a class of first graders to do with seniors?
I'm taking a group of first graders to our local retirement home, and I've run out of ideas for activities. Any thoughts? [more inside]
posted by ORthey at 7:26 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by ORthey at 7:26 PM PST - 7 comments
Just broke up: How to ride the sorrow?
Just broke up with my wonderful boyfriend using Miko's justly famous script. Now what? [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 6:29 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Bella Donna at 6:29 PM PST - 9 comments
OK, so not a series of tubes
How does the internet work? Clients, servers, REST, SOAP, packets, protocols, oh my! -- looking for resources to teach a budding programmer how it all works. [more inside]
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 6:23 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 6:23 PM PST - 9 comments
Must not involve shooting alien Nazis in the face...
I have a shiny new PlayStation 4! Can you recommend find non-violent games? [more inside]
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:02 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:02 PM PST - 17 comments
My boyfriend is not good-on-paper. Do such relationships ever work?
I’m crazy about my boyfriend of 7 months (it hurts when we are apart!), but he has some traits to his personality that might make him difficult to live with long term. While lurking on AskMe for quite some time now, trying to find solutions to some of our problems, I see a lot of responses such as “dump him, you will find someone with all these good qualities, who also treats you right in other ways.” I’m sure there’s truth to that, but I’m 38 (he is 39) and last time I was in love I was 20. Love doesn’t come around all that often for me. [more inside]
posted by LakeDream at 5:59 PM PST - 85 comments
posted by LakeDream at 5:59 PM PST - 85 comments
Elder care for an aunt with schizophrenia. Help me stay sane!
Elder care for an aunt with schizophrenia. Help me stay sane! [more inside]
posted by Sal and Richard at 5:53 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Sal and Richard at 5:53 PM PST - 6 comments
Where can I find art school briefs or assignments?
Years ago, I did an introduction to art and design as a precursor to design school (which I later did). It included assignments such as, draw what the inside of your mouth feels like, or create a sculpture using only found objects. I found it really helpful in inspiring me. Where can I get similar briefs as prompts for creating art today? Ideally they will be actual assignments from art institutes and point me in different directions for making interesting things. I've had little luck so far finding similar things for college students online.
posted by Jubey at 5:30 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Jubey at 5:30 PM PST - 6 comments
Is it the depression or is it just us?
My boyfriend is depressed and I'm at a loss about how to talk to him about issues that have come up in our relationship without possibly sinking him farther into a funk. Please help me sort through my feelings and tell me if I need to have a reality check. Details inside. [more inside]
What are these fabric squares that I bought in Tokyo?
I bought printed hemmed fabric squares in Japan that I thought were furoshiki, the gift-wrapping fabrics. But they feel too stiff and seem too small for this purpose. What are they really? Tea towels, maybe? (Links to photos in the "more inside") [more inside]
US Citizen in Cancun, passport expired today, what to expect?
I flew into Cancun from the US yesterday and stupidly did not check the expiration date on my passport. The US Consular Agency in Cancun opens 8AM tomorrow, and my flight back to the US is at 2:30PM on Tuesday. I'll go to the Consular Agency as soon as they open, but does anyone know what I should expect? Is there a chance to receive emergency travel documents on the same day, or will I have to change my flight?
loop help me loop help me loop help me
I just inherited a Boss RC-3 Loop Station! But how do I get it to interface with my violin? [more inside]
posted by iNeas at 4:54 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by iNeas at 4:54 PM PST - 5 comments
What kind of styling would this haircut require?
I have been thinking about getting my haircut a la Gone Girl, but don't know what kind of day-to-day work/styling/upkeep it would need. more details inside. [more inside]
Help me find the Yoga Book I am searching for
I need a challenging yoga book for at home practice [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 3:33 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by winterportage at 3:33 PM PST - 5 comments
HSA funds for treatment w/out submitting to insurance
My friend has been seeing a psychologist, but not submitting the bills to insurance. Can they use their HSA funds to pay the bills? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 3:07 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by bleep at 3:07 PM PST - 9 comments
Where in Toronto...
...can I buy the following cheap but essential things in person: 1) a dual usb port wall charger 2) fox run orange peeler. I don't want to pay shipping for things that cost so little, but I can't seem to find them in the stores in Toronto. [more inside]
posted by redwaterman at 2:44 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by redwaterman at 2:44 PM PST - 8 comments
Spray Foam Insulation to Reduce Shared-Wall Noise
I own a small one-bedroom condo in a medium-sized building with no insulation. I can hear all of my neighbors (upstairs and next door) all the time. I don't want to tear down all of the drywall in my unit, and I've heard that open cell spray foam insulation can be used in finished drywall to help reduce noise. Does it? [more inside]
Best mind- & life-shaping reads?
I've been reading the excellent Emotional Labor Condensed Thread, and it's shaping the way I think about life. What are other recommendations for great reads that change the way you think about day-to-day life? Other examples I've enjoyed include: Ask vs. Guess Culture, Love Languages... Give me more! Format doesn't matter.
How do I regain interest in entertainment?
Over the last 3 years I've lost interest in TV, books, comics and news. This frightens me. Has anyone been through this? [more inside]
Splash-free face cleansing methods
Is there a product(s) I can use to cleanse my face at night WITHOUT needing to rinse my face at any point? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 11:26 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by serelliya at 11:26 AM PST - 29 comments
Can a EU company legally refuse to delete U.S. customer's data w/o ID?
Can a EU company legally refuse to delete U.S. customer's data unless the customer's U.S.-based passport/identification is sent overseas to that foreign entity within the EU? I am aware the data pact protects this only in reverse, but that doesn't help me as I am a U.S. citizen.
posted by Grease at 10:38 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Grease at 10:38 AM PST - 4 comments
Please help me search for my turtle - in French!
The stuffed turtle I lost ten days ago is still not back. I want to put up search posters, but need help with the French. Aidez la tortue, s-il vous plait? [more inside]
posted by LoonyLovegood at 10:10 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by LoonyLovegood at 10:10 AM PST - 6 comments
Multiple reasons to amend taxes – what's the best order of operations?
I have a small mess on my hands with IRS Form 5405, and repaying the 2008 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. Looks like amending is going to be needed. In what order, and how, do I need to amend all of these returns? Bonus: also need to amend my 2015 taxes, anyway. [more inside]
posted by hijinx at 9:52 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by hijinx at 9:52 AM PST - 3 comments
Greek holiday
I'm going to Rhodes, Greece in a couple of weeks. I've never been to Greece, much less Rhodes. Anything I should see/do/eat/buy whilst I'm there? Most of the information I've found on places like Trip Advisor is a few years old. I'm staying in a flat in the Old Town, if it makes a difference. [more inside]
Santa! Over here! We're over here!
My extended family wants to do Christmas "away" this year. Looking for recommendations of awesome (and affordable) Xmas Away locales you have enjoyed. [more inside]
Adorable stores in France?
Are there any French stores that are similar to the Dutch store Dille & Kamille, or the Danish store Sostrene & Grene? I will also gladly accept any other recommendations for adorable stores in France! [more inside]
posted by just_ducky at 9:10 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by just_ducky at 9:10 AM PST - 5 comments
Coming to terms with a messy breakup
This relationship destroyed me. I feel that, after having given a lot, I was led on. But now I don't know whether I was wrong to feel this way... [more inside]
posted by myitkyina at 8:45 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by myitkyina at 8:45 AM PST - 24 comments
New Job and Confidence
How long does it take to feel competent at a new job? [more inside]
Ways to avoid a one-way car rental "drop off fee"?
I need to drive a rental car one way from Memphis to Atlanta and want to know if there's a way to avoid the hefty "drop off fee" that I wasn't aware I'd have to pay. [more inside]
Recommendations for couples counselling in Vancouver, Canada?
My spouse and I have come to a point where we either have to resolve some long standing issues or break up. I'm looking for recommendations for couples therapists in Vancouver to help us work these issues out. [more inside]
I think I may need to offer my head up for hunting...
I'm a writer and former academic with a diverse skill set. I'm looking to make a major career transition, but am unsure how to find the kinds of jobs that I believe would be professionally satisfying to me. [more inside]
I'm Too Old for This Shit - Life Catastrophe Edition
My marriage is unsatisfying and problematic, I am in treatment for breast cancer, and the affair that was taking my mind off of these problems seems to be slowly, painfully fading. I turn 40 in a few days and my entire life is a disaster. How on earth do I cope with all of this? [more inside]
What causes hairs to curl after reaching a certain length?
My friend's son's hair starts getting curly after it grows a few inches long. What would cause hair to switch from being straight to being curly after growing a certain length (or, probably more accurately, after a certain amount has passed since a certain point on the hair was created)?
One day in Tokyo, onsen, mochi and taxi advice needed please!
I will have one day in Tokyo during the week next week and what I'd most like to do is go to a nice onsen to refresh myself after the long plan ride. Then I want to eat some delicious mochi and wander around someplace interesting. I will arrive at Ueno station from Narita in the morning and need to be back to Ueno in the late afternoon. [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 5:23 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by hazyjane at 5:23 AM PST - 9 comments
Lunch and dinner for teens in Manhattan
Taking German foreign exchange student and our two sons to Manhattan today. All are teen boys (13-17). Would appreciate recommendations for relatively affordable lunch and dinner spots with a focus on "American" (burgers, fried chicken, BBQ).
Thanks
March 5
Sorry Mum, I ruined your wedding present cookware...
Can I use my mother's Falconware roasting dish on a gas hob without scorching the bottom? [more inside]
posted by HypotheticalWoman at 11:36 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by HypotheticalWoman at 11:36 PM PST - 10 comments
to squat or not to squat
YANMD. Squatted a bunch and messed up my knee. Do I rest it or keep squatting to "strengthen" the knee? Very confused by what the internet says, and am abroad with no immediate access to doctor. [more inside]
“I suspect a challenger from the right..."
I don't get this New Yorker cartoon. None of my Facebook friends get it either. The best anyone can figure it has something to do with politicians on the right? Please hope me! http://www.newyorker.com/cartoons/a19657
Social Security Deluge
My wife is turning 65 in a couple of months,, and is receiving a deluge of offers and advertisements for private companies offering drug plans, part D coverage, supplemental coverage, part B coverage, etc, etc, etc, etc. On a daily basis.
It's overwhelming. How in the hell is anyone supposed to make sense of this shit and make an informed decision?
Capsule wardrobe, year-round edition.
You have a capsule wardrobe for work and casual, and live in a temperate climate with only two seasons (HOT summers, cool-ish winters). How did you build it? [more inside]
posted by onecircleaday at 8:25 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by onecircleaday at 8:25 PM PST - 8 comments
Hands free building?
Today I discovered drywall lifts, a device that is used to hold drywall in place horizontally so it can be nailed to a ceiling. I'm a short woman and just purchased a house where I will be doing a lot of basic renovation by myself. What other tools can be used to make it easy for one person to accomplish building tasks on their own? [more inside]
posted by annathea at 7:40 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by annathea at 7:40 PM PST - 25 comments
SF/F MAPL? SVP! ASAP!
My wife and I do a radio show on a community station in Canada, usually roughly theming the show around something in the community (or going on with us) every week. A comic-book/SF convention is rolling through town next weekend. We try to have a lot of Canadian content on the show. What Canadian musicians have performed songs about SF/fantasy/comic-book themes? [more inside]
Should I upgrade to Windows 10?
My laptop runs Windows 7. Windows keeps pestering me to upgrade to 10. Should I or shouldn't I? [more inside]
posted by zeri at 6:38 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by zeri at 6:38 PM PST - 20 comments
Am I really here again?
What to do about frustrations about my boyfriend being unemployed and not trying hard enough to sort his life out? [more inside]
Best cell phone carrier?
know it's been asked before, but these things change constantly. I'm on a 3G plan with ATT but end up going over every month so I pay ~108 a month for nothing special. I want an iPhone 6s (not negotiable for the purpose of this post, so no Google network or whatever), solid coverage, and good international data for various travels. Does anyone have a suggestion? [more inside]
Who else went around killing their serial hero?
In December, 1893, Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle killed off Sherlock Holmes at the hands of Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls. From interviews at that time, Conan Doyle intended it to be a permanent death. Was this truly unprecedented? [more inside]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 3:40 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 3:40 PM PST - 9 comments
Audio engineers: What makes 1960s narrators sound the way they do?
In the recent FPP on early computing the voiceover has a beautiful subtle fuzz to it, that isn't apparent in the sound of the people being filmed. The sound is consistently heard in narration of 1960s films - how is it created? [more inside]
posted by cogat at 3:36 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by cogat at 3:36 PM PST - 6 comments
Looking for a good (cheap) laptop for photo and video editing
Going to be doing some freelance photo/video work for an event and it looks like I will need a new laptop. [more inside]
posted by princeoftheair at 3:32 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by princeoftheair at 3:32 PM PST - 5 comments
U.S. immigration for transit flights
If you fly through a US airport as a transit between foreign countries do you still have to go through immigration? Customs? [more inside]
posted by pandabearjohnson at 2:56 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by pandabearjohnson at 2:56 PM PST - 6 comments
Winter coat for menopausal Canadian vampire
I want to replace my winter coat and have some very picky requirements. Here they are, with the most important ones first: [more inside]
posted by Frenchy67 at 2:48 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Frenchy67 at 2:48 PM PST - 9 comments
What Mattress Is Good for Kids?
My little girl is growing out of her crib and I need a mattress. Grandpa has lovingly made the little bee a cedar bed frame; it needs at least a 9" twin sized mattress. What do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by danielle the bee at 2:39 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by danielle the bee at 2:39 PM PST - 14 comments
What is this mystery logo?
On occasion, I see large-ish stickers of a red-and-white logo that have been put up on signs, utility boxes, construction hoardings, bus shelters, etc. The best way I can describe it is that it looks like a cross between the New England Patriots logo and a slightly abstract/geometic handgun. [more inside]
posted by fizzyliftingdrink at 1:51 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by fizzyliftingdrink at 1:51 PM PST - 5 comments
Why won't "Open File" Calendar alerts stick?
I use a Calendar alert to run an Automator workflow each night at midnight. For months it worked fine, then suddenly on Wednesday I noticed the workflow not only wasn't running but the event was no longer on my Calendar even though I made no changes. [more inside]
posted by terrapin at 1:19 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by terrapin at 1:19 PM PST - 8 comments
Suggestions for US Summer Road Trip
High school teacher in need of a hearty road-trip this summer. Give me your best summer road-trip tips or ideas! [more inside]
Care and feeding of books
I'm looking at Brodart book jacket covers. According to their guide, they recommend polyester for circulating books and polypropylene for non-circulating/personal books. Can anyone tell me more about that distinction? [more inside]
How do I stop Facebook photo posts from popping?
Whenever I click on a photo post from the notifications dropdown, the photo pops out towards me and I want to disable this feature. How do I do that? [more inside]
How to be friends when you wanted more
I have a lot of female friends, but no guy friends. So it's already a little harder for me to navigate this.
I have a few questions:
1. Is it normal behavior for a guy to text everyday and only go on one-on-one hangouts with a girl?
2. Is it even possible to be friends with someone you have some sort of feelings for?
3. Do I tell him I feel confused? [more inside]
Social Justice Primer?
Are there some good primers for Social Justice out there? I don't want a dense academic treatise that's hard to read, or filled with a shitton of theory. Something lightweight, that goes over the history of social justice movements, reasons and causes for their existence, what they exist for, etc... [more inside]
Base model Mac Mini 4gb for home internet use - working for anybody?
Do you have a base (or low) model recent Mac Mini? How does it work for general internet use, including streaming and itunes? I like to use Firefox and open a lot of tabs, and use a few script heavy sites like Amazon. Interested in your experience with THIS PARTICULAR SETUP (or maybe the higher model Minis).
Does it work fine? Or does it choke? Thx!
posted by bluesky78987 at 10:07 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by bluesky78987 at 10:07 AM PST - 14 comments
Where can I download kid's cartoons other than Amazon and iTunes?
I want to buy and download videos of children's tv programs and films so that they can be watched when we don't have internet access (in the car, for example). [more inside]
What's good about being short?
My daughter is 5 and she is going to be quite a bit shorter than average. I'm worried she will go through a stage of being pretty sad about this.* Can you help me provide examples of when being small is a good way to be? For example, being small can help find really great hiding spots in "Hide and go seek." Mom and dad can pick her up and swing her around more easily. Any other ideas? [more inside]
posted by areaperson at 9:00 AM PST - 52 comments
posted by areaperson at 9:00 AM PST - 52 comments
Good mascara for sensitive eyes?
I'm finding I can't wear most mascaras at all these days – my eyes start watering like crazy as soon as I put it on, and just keep doing that for hours, so I'm looking for recommendations from folks with similar problems, and perhaps comments about a couple of products in particular... [more inside]
A short-term sure thing or a longer-term maybe?
My wife faces a career dilemma. She has an offer for a 6-month position to start immediately. At the same time she is waiting to hear back about a full-time position at another company. Seeking advice from MeFites who have been in a similar position! [more inside]
Show me some creepy sf
I absolutely love the first "chapter" of Hyperion. Can you recommend some similarly creepy spec fic? (Warning: spoilers inside) [more inside]
Fruit smoothy
I want to start making my own fruit smoothies and need hardware recommendations. [more inside]
Travelling back to Canada with bugs?
Leaving the Arenal region of Costa Rica to return to Toronto today. We're staying in a lush, insecty area and there's tiny ants and spiders all over everything. Pretty positive they'll be plenty in our packed bags. [more inside]
Should I wait for the 4th gen lenovo x1 carbon, or buy now?
I'm thinking of buying a Lenovo X1 Carbon. I think these are the last days of the 3rd-gen X1 Carbon, with the 4th-gen ones coming out pretty soon. Is there a reason to wait for the 4th gen x1 carbon before ordering? [more inside]
I know you are not an accountant but...
I feel pretty crass even asking this question but I am a wondering if I can write a bereavement gift off on my schedule C. [more inside]
St. Louis Divorce Lawyer Recommendation
Please recommend a good, reasonably-priced, divorce lawyer in the St. Louis area.
Online dating at a certain age. Need some help.
I am one of those professional women of a certain age who never married and who hasn't been on a date since my 20s. I have decided to give it a try. And I have no idea what I am doing. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:08 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by anonymous at 6:08 AM PST - 18 comments
Cargo bike life
What haven't I thought of about owning a cargo bike? [more inside]
posted by enn at 5:36 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by enn at 5:36 AM PST - 11 comments
Impromptu trip to New York - what to do?
I'll be visiting upstate New York on business in a week's time and am planning to extend the trip by a few days to explore NYC and possibly surroundings. I've never really considered going to NYC before, so I'm struggling to know what I should do to make the most of my time there! [more inside]
I tried to do a nice thing.
I am trying to put together an itinerary for my parents who will be spending a week in Melbourne before my partner and I arrive. My mom really wants to see the penguin parade and I booked tickets for her - before looking into transportation to/from the island. Oops. Now I'm wondering if there's a way to fix this. [more inside]
posted by gursky at 3:17 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by gursky at 3:17 AM PST - 6 comments
March 4
Orthostatic Hypotension's Got Me Down
My ability to get out of bed and get ready for work is inhibited by frequent dizzy spells. Almost every time I stand I have to sit again or lean against a wall until it passes, and sitting on my bed often turns into lying down/sleeping again. Dizzy spells happen at all times of day but less frequently and usually less severe. Looking for suggestions to reduce the frequency or severity of my morning episodes. [more inside]
posted by good lorneing at 8:46 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by good lorneing at 8:46 PM PST - 23 comments
What I do have are a very particular set of skills
Can I build a new career out of the things I'm actually good at? Please help me figure out what careers could fit what I do. [more inside]
posted by castlebravo at 6:53 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by castlebravo at 6:53 PM PST - 15 comments
Block building, saving, sandbox game for iPad?
My son is playing Exploration on the iPad (a sandbox game, like a basic minecraft clone where you just build things) and while he really enjoys it, it doesn't seem capable of saving his creations. Is there another recommended game that allows saving? [more inside]
posted by circular at 6:43 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by circular at 6:43 PM PST - 7 comments
Help me buy a new Mac
I'm leaving a job that provided me with a new-ish MacBook Air, and I need to replace it. I'm torn: Macbook, Air, Pro, retina, non-retina, desktop Mac, etc. My entire digital life - home and work -is with Apple, so I am not interested in PCs.
Help me overthink a plate of pretty, functional, slightly-overpriced beans. [more inside]
Looking for glass jars that votivo candles are sold in.
I used to have a few glass jars that I saved from
Votivo candles. I loved them for juice/ wine. Anyone know where I can buy just the glass without bothering with the candle? [more inside]
What Japanese Whiskey or Sake should I bring home from Tokyo?
I am in Tokyo for the next few days, and want to pick up some uniquely Japanese gifts for my boss & coworkers back in the US. Since they are generally hard to please (and they fancy themselves "connessieurs"), exotic/interesting booze tends to be the easiest thing for me to get for them when I need to get gifts for them. [more inside]
posted by melorama at 6:02 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by melorama at 6:02 PM PST - 9 comments
The "You" in public radio
Pledge drives rely on talking directly to the individual which is part of how radio is personalized to each individual listener. There has been much discussion within public radio of avoiding anything that sounds like it's not talking to the individual since that makes people not feel special as individuals. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 4:38 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by CollectiveMind at 4:38 PM PST - 7 comments
Am I eligible for unemployment?
Got fired for quitting?? Am I eligible for unemployment? (USA - MA) [more inside]
posted by fbo at 4:23 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by fbo at 4:23 PM PST - 21 comments
What's the optimal way to get "Just Dance" on Xbox?
So my kids, like many kids, are (still) addicted to Frozen -- and really just want to play "Frozen" on Just Dance after seeing it at a bday party. As a gamer newbie, how do I get this set up? Buy an Xbox One and... how many versions of "Just Dance" are there? Is each version limited to only certain songs? Uh.. Kinect sold separately? What's the deal with Xbox 360 -- is that totally obsolete now? Can I put Xbox 360 games into an Xbox One and expect them to play? [more inside]
posted by mhh5 at 4:19 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by mhh5 at 4:19 PM PST - 4 comments
I'm broke, but I've got booze!
We're low on cash, but just so happen to have a couple bottles of high quality booze (these two things are not related...or are they? Don't judge!) What kinds of fantastic mixed drinks can we make over the next few weeks until we can buy beer again? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 4:17 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by Toddles at 4:17 PM PST - 13 comments
Small Business question regarding correcting a W2
So, I sent the W3 and W2s to SSA for 2015. Today I get a call from a employee who tells me his SSN is incorrect on his W2. He did tell me he had not filed his taxes yet. I use Quickbooks Payroll Service and have access to the Annual Form W2C & W3C to make these corrections.
I corrected the employee's SSN and start to process this form but am confused about filling it out -
1. It ask has corrections been made in Quickbooks? Well, YES to the SSN - is that what I need to check or would it be NO due to no changes on the wages, etc?
2. If I check NO it leaves all the wages, etc blank. I do check that it is a correction of the SSN but doesn't the employee need his wages, etc to show in this W2C?
3. If I check YES it then loads the Previous amount of wages, etc. Am I suppose to put anything in the Corrected Amount box? Quickbooks makes a statement to put 0.00 in the corrected fields if no corrections, but that doesn't look right to me - looks like I am telling them it is 0.00 now? [more inside]
posted by just asking at 3:12 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by just asking at 3:12 PM PST - 2 comments
Finding a buyer's agent without a recommendation?
My wife and I are starting the home-buying process, and we'd like a good buyer's agent to help us find a place. After polling friends, family, and co-workers, though, it turns out nobody we know has a real estate agent in our area they can recommend. There's hundreds of agents around here; what can we do to help narrow down a search? [more inside]
posted by Upton O'Good at 3:07 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by Upton O'Good at 3:07 PM PST - 17 comments
Which VanGuard fund is best for 2016?
I'm looking to hold about $6,000 for someone for about 5 years, but keeping it in a savings account seems like a losing bet. The Vanguard Wellesley fund seems conservative enough, but its growth has plateaud for a year now according to the website. [more inside]
posted by kinoeye at 2:29 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by kinoeye at 2:29 PM PST - 17 comments
Help me sort my values/goals *rationally* & come up with a 5-10 yr plan
I feel I'm at a crossroads, and have conflicting values and needs. I've typically *responded* to life events on an emotional basis, vs. planned and pursued goals. I want to make a life plan to maximize happiness/minimize misery in the short and longer term. If you have strategies for doing so, please share it! Thoughts on my particular situation are also welcome. [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 2:21 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by cotton dress sock at 2:21 PM PST - 9 comments
Construction Company Canvassing Neighborhood
A few weeks ago a salesman came through my neighborhood offering to do work that would be paid by my homeowners insurance. After he came through I saw a few of my neighbors with signs in their yard advertising work being done by this company. I begged off when he came to my door.
My question is, when a company is offering to do work that supposedly will be paid by the homeowners insurance is this a legitimate claim or is this guy doing something shady? I am a new homeowner so this is new to me.
Musical mefites lend me your gadgets! Learning songs on a digital piano.
I have access to a digital piano (Kawai CN24) and wouldn't mind learning to play a few songs. I do not want to learn to read music. Memorization/repetition of a few easy to moderate songs is the goal. What digital or electrical tools are there that might help me accomplish this. Ideally, I'm thinking android or windows tablet applications or maybe a cheaper piece of musical hardware that somehow integrates with the hardware/MIDI outs/ins on the piano in question. [more inside]
posted by RolandOfEld at 12:27 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by RolandOfEld at 12:27 PM PST - 4 comments
Irreverent Crosswords
Where can I find (online, web playable) crossword puzzles like the ones that Buzzfeed was publishing up until recently? [more inside]
posted by sparklemotion at 12:25 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by sparklemotion at 12:25 PM PST - 7 comments
Memory tips for pronouns
I have a terrible memory and I don't want to misgender anyone! Do you have any memory tips for getting correct gender pronouns faster or more consistently? [more inside]
posted by monkeys with typewriters at 12:25 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by monkeys with typewriters at 12:25 PM PST - 12 comments
Help me find a childhood story from my youth
When I was young, my grandfather (who was Polish/French) would often tell me a bedtime story about a young man who was incredibly lazy and always making useless inventions. Can you help me find it? [more inside]
Is the IMMI GO kids carseat any good?
The IMMI GO looks interesting, since it also looks semi-portable for travelling, but doesn't yet have IIHS ratings. The seat is only available through the website, so it has no user reviews on Amazon. Does anyone have personal experience with this seat? [more inside]
posted by benzenedream at 11:41 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by benzenedream at 11:41 AM PST - 8 comments
Food-Positive, Body-Positive, Meditative Nutrition/Diet Advice
Can you point me to some good resources for developing a better diet, given my particular situation and my very persnickety preferences regarding tone? [more inside]
Is Passover Eve a thing?
I work for a non-profit, and we have tentatively scheduled an early evening event on April 21. This will take place in NYC, and will be attended primarily by entertainment industry executives. One of our hosts (who is not Jewish) is concerned that this is the evening before Passover begins, and wonders if it might hurt attendance. The Jewish folks we've asked don't think it's an issue, but none of them are particularly observant. I'd like to get a large sampling of opinions. Jews of Mefi... what say you?
posted by kimdog at 11:31 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by kimdog at 11:31 AM PST - 12 comments
In Portland to see Iggy Pop, where to stay?
What are some current quirky Portland lodging alternatives? Going to be in Portland for 4 nights at the end of the month. Most of the popular airbnb places are booked. Looking for lodging for around $100 a night. Clean and quirky are my priorities.
Can I build a fire pit on my brick patio?
Considering sticking a fire pit directly onto my brick patio. Would disaster ensue? [more inside]
What is some music like Amesoeurs, but without the black metal bits?
I'm utterly, completely entranced by Amesoeurs' self-titled album, but when I look for recommendations similar to the band, I understandably only find black metal and atmospheric metal bands. What I want is something more like the songs after the jump. [more inside]
posted by Senza Volto at 10:13 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Senza Volto at 10:13 AM PST - 8 comments
HOT WAFFLES!
If I make a jar of waffle batter and keep in in the fridge (for morning before-school hot waffles) will it a) kill us, and b) continue the chemical action necessary to make light, fluffy waffles?
Hey recruiter/hiring managers
How to avoid to disclose current salary without upsetting anyone. [more inside]
Who can see the notes an attendee adds to a Microsoft Outlook meeting?
Someone else organizes a meeting in Microsoft Outlook and invites me. I accept the invitation. If I then put some notes in the big description/details area of that Outlook meeting, are those private to me, or can all the attendees see this? I am having a hard time figuring out how to Google this.
posted by fussbudget at 9:23 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by fussbudget at 9:23 AM PST - 4 comments
Can't Burn Video DVDs on my Mac
I'm trying to burn video DVDs from m4v files (exported from HandBrake). I've tried Burn, iDVD, and Toast Titanium, all joylessly. Help? [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 9:00 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by Quisp Lover at 9:00 AM PST - 19 comments
Who pays to fix the drywall?
I live in a townhouse (condo) in VA that sits partially on top of someone else's condo. Our disposal leaked without our knowledge and caused some drywall damage to the downstairs condo. We replaced the disposal as soon as we were made aware of the leak.
The condo association says that the two of us owners need to work it out between us. I has assumed I should pay for this, but googling makes it seem like legally I'm only supposed to pay if I was negligent which makes me think that maybe I shouldn't.
It's not a very large repair so it's probably not worth getting insurance or lawyers involved, but it's not like I have extra money to be handing out just to be nice.
So am I supposed to pay legally? And if not, should I do it anyway? And if I'm not going to do it, what's a good way to word a response to my neighbor?
posted by callmejay at 8:59 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by callmejay at 8:59 AM PST - 14 comments
Need bright, wide-angle lights for can fixtures in low-ceiling space
Our finished basement has a very low ceiling with widely-spaced overhead can fixtures, causing a lot of dark areas. I've tried a few different LED and fluorescent bulbs, but none of them produce enough light and/or they have too narrow of a beam angle. [more inside]
posted by exogenous at 8:17 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by exogenous at 8:17 AM PST - 5 comments
Picking up the pieces after an unexpected death
My brother in law just passed away suddenly from a brain hemorrhage in his mid 40's leaving a wife and young family. He was the sole wage earner and handled all of the family's financial matters. His wife has almost zero knowledge of what bank/stock accounts or loans he had setup. Help us pick up the various pieces - we have lots of questions. [more inside]
What individual actions can best help a Democrat be elected this year?
I cannot stomach the idea of a Trump presidency. Given the resources available, what actions can I take that will best stop from happening? [more inside]
Help me make coming out to my parents as bearable as possible
I've managed to put off coming out to my parents as transgender for close to a year now. I'm 22 and have spent the majority of the last 4 years studying and volunteering abroad. Coming home last summer (to live with my parents, I should add) I thought I'd finally felt prepared enough to tell them what I'd been trying so desperately to hide from them. Over nine months later now I still haven't "gotten around to it", I guess. [more inside]
Mobile sites that work in Opera for Nokia S40?
Can anyone recommend mobile web sites that are fairly viewable using the Opera browser on a phone running the Nokia S40 operating system? News sites would be my go to, but anything with mildly interesting written content (sports, entertainment, travel, etc..) works too.
Moving from Tucson to Seattle with pets, snowflake edition
My mother and I will be relocating later this year [no date yet, perhaps summer or fall] from Tucson to Seattle. In this our first* question, we are wondering about our various moving options, complicated by having pets. [more inside]
How to display my industrial ephemera
I have a sheet of stamped steel, left over from a defunct knife factory, that I'd like to hang on my wall for display. It's 1/8" thick and a little over 8 lbs. The photo shows it leaning against the strip of wall I'd like to hang it on. Any ideas on how to achieve this? My landlord is pretty easy-going, but I'd like to not do anything to the wall that's too hard to reverse.
Windows 10 pictures at startup
I have two computers running Windows 10. They behave differently. And my wife doesn't like the pictures that display at startup.... [more inside]
Time and Energy to Paint/Craft with a Dayjob
You have a day job but you really wish you could be a serious artist and produce stunning work. How do you find time and energy after work to paint when all you want to do is to go to bed or switch off your brain? [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 5:08 AM PST - 35 comments
posted by whitelotus at 5:08 AM PST - 35 comments
Is Tiered Cable Internet Access a Scam in the U.S.?
At least here in the U.S., cable companies like Comcast and Time Warner sell net access in tiered bandwidth packages. I.e., the more you pay per month, the more bandwidth you are supposed to get.
Is this a scam? Or, is there a technical basis for this?
What additional costs does a cable provider take on to provide more bandwidth to a single existing customer? The network infrastructure does not change. They don't install new cable lines.
What actually changes and does it cost anything?
What is the actual scientific issue with ketones during pregnancy?
I am eight months along, have gestational diabetes, and while my blood sugar is fine and under control I cannot seem to get my ketones down to "small" without blowing most of my blood sugar readings during the day. My doctor wants them to be smaller but has not given me any actual information about why, and admitted that they might not be causing a problem at all. Meanwhile, the added stress of trying to consume Just Enough! but not Too Much! sugar is really weighing on me. [more inside]
March 3
Touching vs. being touched
I'm realizing that I don't like unidirectional affectionate touch when someone else is touching me (like resting a hand on the top of my thigh, or on my back, or the back of my neck.) [more inside]
You say high maintenance like it's a bad thing.
I'd like to get better at this not-rolling-out-of-bed-and-grabbing-the-first-clean-outfit thing, especially when it comes to remembering to put on makeup and doing my hair. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by Tamanna at 10:11 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by Tamanna at 10:11 PM PST - 32 comments
Establishment politicians saying "no más" to party line?
Has any establishment national politician every played along with the party line to a point where they couldn't anymore and dramatically quit/retired/flamed out? [more inside]
App discovery in 2016
Where do you go for (iOS) app reviews and reccomendations? [more inside]
posted by segatakai at 7:19 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by segatakai at 7:19 PM PST - 10 comments
Kids' birthday rhythm games
I would like your best suggestions for children's clapping/singing games, with a birthday theme. Think K-1st grade, circle-type games. Thanks!
New glasses frames, high myopia/progressives
I'm looking for new eyeglass frames and want some new ideas for what to look for. My prescription is -9.00 SPH, -2.25 CYL, ADD +1.00. This places several constraints on what I can wear. The frames need to be small enough that the lenses will not be Coke bottles but need to be tall enough to accommodate the progressives, and I'm a little stumped on ideas for my next pair. [more inside]
posted by anonymonkey at 6:03 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by anonymonkey at 6:03 PM PST - 15 comments
Would a DIY fabric cable management sleeve be flammable?
I'd like to sew a version of this Amazon Cable Management Sleeve for my home office in a fabric that matches my decor. Would a loose-fitting cotton or polyester sleeve for 5-10 computer cords be flammable or dangerous? Do I need to get a different type of fabric or scrap the idea altogether?
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 5:58 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 5:58 PM PST - 6 comments
Can you help me find this Dilbert cartoon?
I remember a Dilbert cartoon where he's in the office and a coworker asks him what he's still doing in the office at 6 p.m., and he says that he's waiting for everyone else to leave so he can get some work done. The coworker says she's there for the same reason. Then several other coworkers appear, all of whom say the same thing - they're waiting for everyone else to leave. I can't find this cartoon online. Are your Google-fu skills stronger than mine? [more inside]
Am I preaching to the choir? A question about the journey into faith.
To those who converted into a religion or identify as a "born again" Christian (going from no faith/not sure -> faith) what was that journey like? [more inside]
70s/80s movie about a babysitter who's a witch
I have a vague memory of watching a movie on local TV Saturday afternoon (this would have been in the late 90s). Family hires a new babysitter, she turns out to be a witch & does witchy stuff. I remember she was blonde and there were lots of yellow & orange tones in the shots. I'm also pretty sure there was a shot of her levitating.
I already have determined it is NOT the 1990 Friedkin film "The Guardian", though the witch did look similar. Any ideas?
posted by gracespeaks at 3:36 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by gracespeaks at 3:36 PM PST - 5 comments
Structured products in practice
Structured products/notes liquidity IN PRACTICE (kind of technical) [more inside]
posted by triggerfinger at 2:39 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by triggerfinger at 2:39 PM PST - 4 comments
Getting over someone while stuck between a rock and a hard place...
I need some concrete suggestions for moving on from a person in my life, but I feel like I'm creating barriers for myself in doing this. I have a busy life: a kid, a full-time job, multiple creative projects and athletic endeavors. But I'm stuck on this person and kind of "afraid" of dating (explanation to follow). HELP. [more inside]
To tell or not to tell: criminal sociopath edition
My sibling, whom I will call Jeff, is a sociopath, who has been wreaking havoc on our family for the past years. I have distanced myself from him a long time ago, as has my other sibling. Our parents still keep a sort of relationship with Jeff, mostly because of grandchildren. Recent incidents have made us consider whether or not we should warn Jeff's partner about his wrongdoings. Details within. [more inside]
What to know about bicycle commuting in Minneapolis for someone new?
What is there to know about bicycle commuting in Minneapolis for someone brand new -to both bike commuting and/or Minneapolis? Is 8 miles one way too far? [more inside]
posted by yeti at 1:17 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by yeti at 1:17 PM PST - 15 comments
Best of IKEA
What are the best non-furniture things from IKEA? Plants? Plants stands? Small storage? Hangers? Cushions? Gee-gaws? Open to suggestions, especially kid stuff and decorative stuff that's modern and inexpensive.
Does a Canadian, freelancing for a UK company, file UK income taxes?
I've been offered a bit of freelance editing work by a British publisher. As a Canadian, I know I would have to declare that income when I file my Canadian income taxes. But would I also have to file income taxes with the British govt? Bonus UK tax question after the jump! [more inside]
posted by Beardman at 12:30 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Beardman at 12:30 PM PST - 2 comments
Bones Unknown
Found some bones. Be they sheep, deer, or monster? [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 12:30 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by popcassady at 12:30 PM PST - 4 comments
Can I use a clone of an old hard drive on a new (Win XP) computer?
It is possible to clone a hard drive from a failing computer, put that disk image on a drive in a NEW computer, and expect the installed software to just work? [more inside]
posted by penduluum at 11:08 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by penduluum at 11:08 AM PST - 15 comments
Help me parse this weird sister-in-law situation
I just learned I inadvertantly offended my sister in law four years ago (!!) and now things are weird. Help me figure out my next action [more inside]
Best non-iTunes Podcast Experience?
What's the best non-iTunes way to easily discover, subscribe, and manage podcasts? [more inside]
posted by mayonnaises at 10:32 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by mayonnaises at 10:32 AM PST - 14 comments
Multi-day Hikes in Northern Europe
If I wanted to spend 6-8 days hiking in Sweden/Norway/Finland where should I go/where should I look/what are my resources? [more inside]
posted by larthegreat at 9:50 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by larthegreat at 9:50 AM PST - 16 comments
Weekly/Monthly Planner Needed--must be landscape/horizontal-oriented
I'm trying to find a weekly/monthly planner that flips on top--so your calendar has a landscape/horizontal view. This Muji Planner Kraft Desk Schedule is more or less what I'm looking for. But I just need to find something without the wire/steno binding that it has. My dogs have a thing for wire/steno binding so I don't need them deciding to play withy my planner. Thanks.
Leasing property for pot growing -- WA state only
I've been going through a very nasty divorce. One possible outcome is that I will retain the property that my husband is currently residing in. On my own I will need to find a roommate or two to actually afford to stay in this beautiful home. However, I had a brainstorm hit me last night...maybe I could lease out the few acres of currently fallow field to a licensed pot grower here in my state. Extra info inside... [more inside]
Default YouTube songs?!
What are the songs that are in the background of this video and this one and just about every other video on YouTube that has to do with lifestyle planning/organizing/self-help for women?! Is it a default of iMovie? Does YouTube provide default soundtracks? Where is it from?
posted by divabat at 8:47 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by divabat at 8:47 AM PST - 6 comments
Everywhere the signs
So trailing behind stenciled instructions to TRY KRATOM, the streetside signs around where I live trend heavily - and I mean borderline Twilight Zone level - toward advertisements for flag football. I've seen signs for youth leagues, coed leagues, men only, two-hand touch, flag, and on and on, more flavors of flag football than I would ever have imagined could exist. [more inside]
Crosscut saw versus a chainsaw
A tree fell on our house the day before yesterday. It just grazed the corner, so there is not too much damage. The tree is probably 24 inches in diameter at the thickest parts. I have a chainsaw, but I would prefer something safer. [more inside]
Can I safely (for me and the roof) use a ladder on my porch roof?
I have birds nesting in the fascia at the base of my house roof, about seven feet above my (asphalt shingle) porch roof, which has a moderate pitch. I have seen people nail a brace onto a roof to brace a ladder so that it can be leaned against the house. 1) Is this insanely dangerous or simply moderately dangerous? 2) Does this ruin the roof (I imagine it does), and how would I patch it? 3) Is there some other reason this is a horrible idea? [more inside]
posted by OmieWise at 7:10 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by OmieWise at 7:10 AM PST - 21 comments
Health Insurance Employer Contribution Question
My employment offer states “$200 per month health care contribution.” There’s an employer plan offered, but none of the premiums are under $300, which means I’m left paying the difference. Right now I pay less than $200 for an individual healthcare.gov plan, which works for me. I’d like to keep my current plan and ask my employer to give me the promised $200 directly. Can I do that? Are there any tax concerns? Do I have any other options? Thanks!
How do I help my paranoid, elderly mom in rapid mental decline?
My elderly mom is experiencing a delusion that seems to be rapidly worsening. I am her only family and live 8 hours away. She will not see a doctor. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by Locative at 6:41 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by Locative at 6:41 AM PST - 24 comments
What are the most interesting books about the decorative arts?
I am interested in doing some reading in the area of decorative arts, and I am thus wanting to identify books that contain the big ideas of this field. Theoretical treatments would be especially interesting to me. Do you have any suggestions for where I should start? I would be both interested in what you think the classic texts are in this field as well as new treatments.
Earliest instance of Atlantis-as-spaceship depiction in media?
I've been watching the 1978-1979 Hanna-Barbera Godzilla series with my son. There's one episode where the characters encounter the lost city of Atlantis, which turns out to be an alien spaceship. The depiction is similar to the Atlantis city/ship from the Stargate TV series. I'm wondering when the earliest depiction of Atlantis as spaceship occurred. [more inside]
Can it be saved? Toaster oven use after fire
There was a small but significant fire in my toaster oven, is it safe to use or should it be tossed? [more inside]
beef, herbs, chiles, beer = ?
What is Michael Pollan braising in episode 2 of Cooked? [more inside]
posted by libraryhead at 5:16 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by libraryhead at 5:16 AM PST - 9 comments
My cat grooms obsessively
I have a 9 y/o neutered indoor-only shorthair male cat. Last spring, I noticed he was grooming a lot more than usual and took him to the vet. Ten months and four vets later, no progress has been made. YANMV. More inside. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 4:50 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by mermaidcafe at 4:50 AM PST - 13 comments
Saving to buy a house strategies
Soon we will be completely out of debt and are considering buying a place in the mid-distant future. What is the best strategy investment and tax-wise to save up for a down payment? Any tips or tricks? Low hanging fruit? [more inside]
Astronauts get taller in space, but....
Astronaut Scott Kelly came back to Earth this week after almost a full year on the ISS. Reportedly, he has gained two inches in height. He's not the only one this has happened to, of course: it's a known effect of living in zero gravity. But will he keep that additional height? [more inside]
posted by easily confused at 4:20 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by easily confused at 4:20 AM PST - 6 comments
March 2
4 different doctors have not been able to diagnose my skin issue. Ideas?
How big should my emergency savings account be?
I currently make 3.5*X dollars per month, save 2X, live on X and pay about X/2 in taxes every month. My car and health insurance deductibles are both roughly X. I also have 4.5*X dollars worth of accrued vacation payable upon separation with the employer. In terms of X, how much should I have in liquid emergency savings? [more inside]
posted by pwnguin at 9:33 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by pwnguin at 9:33 PM PST - 14 comments
Good/reasonable price hotel near Radio City Music Hall, NYC
I've scored tickets to the Superman/Batman movie premier in NYC (at Radio City Music Hall). I want to go, but want to 1. minimize cost for a 2 night stay in NYC, 2. be close to Radio City Music Hall. What are your recommendations for a hotel. Additional info: Date of the premier is March 20, we're flying in on the 19th, leaving on the 21st. 2 people.
iOS Photos: can I download selected albums in full resolution?
I have a 200GB Photos library in iCloud, so in order to have access to my library on my iPad, I have to optimize space. I'd like to make a few of my albums always available in full resolution on my iPad. Is there a painless way to do this? [more inside]
No, it's not Harry Potter
When I was a kid, I read a book about a magical school on top of a mountain. They had to evacuate down the mountain for some reason (a blizzard?). This was depicted on the cover, with a blue background. I think the head teacher may have used a wheelchair and had a pointy goatee. I could, however, be totally wrong about that, including the gender of the head teacher. (I'm confident there was a woman on the school's staff.) What was it? [more inside]
posted by hoyland at 7:56 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by hoyland at 7:56 PM PST - 9 comments
Angle of a Cap or Hat Brim. Term for it?
Is there a term that defines the angle of a brim with respect to the front of the hat or cap? One extreme would be the brim on the cloth caps competing bicyclists wore: straight up, essentially lying flush against the front of the hat. In the middle would be the brim of a French policeman's kepi or the cap worn by the stuntman in "A Man and a Woman": straight out, at a 90° angle from the front. At the other extreme would be straight down, like the brim of the 19th-century Marine pill-box cap. [more inside]
posted by RichardS at 7:48 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by RichardS at 7:48 PM PST - 2 comments
Can't use my dominant arm, losing my mind.
The other day I did something to seriously fuck up my right shoulder, since then I've had to keep it immobilized in a sling on doctors orders. Moving it around hurts like hell and I can't do much beyond typing on a laptop (I can't even use my desktop because it requires me lifting my arm above stomach level). [more inside]
posted by Ferreous at 7:21 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by Ferreous at 7:21 PM PST - 18 comments
Illustrated book on animal behavior
I'm trying to find books that are very illustrated but still have boatloads of behavior on the study of animals and animal behavior. [more inside]
Looking for ideas for tattoos that would work well with scars
As a kid I self harmed, something that left me with a fair number of scars, most of them narrow and quite long (I used a small jack knife for most of my cutting). Now I want to cover them up with tattoos. What types of tattoos would work best at covering up such scars? [more inside]
Romertopf troubleshooting
I got a Romertopf clay pot over the holidays. It seems like 80% of the time, whatever I was cooking ends up way too dry, which is the opposite of how I understood clay pot cooking to work. Making matters worse, the Romertopf FAQs are poorly translated from the original German. Needless to say, my dishes do not remain sapful.
What's your clay pot cooking process? What are some tips to ensure moisture remains in whatever you're cooking? [more inside]
Where to buy Yarrow online - challenge, Canada
Helping a friend with a mixed media wedding bouquet and the only actual flower she wants is yarrow (yellow or white). We will be drying it - so buying fresh or already dried is OK. I plan to call around to a couple local florists, but was hoping for help finding an online source. Challenge being finding one that is based in Canada to not have to mess around with the import rules around plants. So far my searching has come up dry. Google-fu masters, I am at your mercy.
posted by MandaSayGrr at 5:42 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by MandaSayGrr at 5:42 PM PST - 4 comments
Why is one of my eyelids now swollen?
My left eyelid has been swollen for about a year. Last year I had my first bout of eczema (atopic dermatitis) that hit my left eyelid. I went to the doctor thinking it was an eye infection, and was prescribed a 2% hydrocortisone creme. That seemed to work, but I have been dealing with on-and-off eczema in various spots ever since.
However my left eyelid later got infected, and I went to my dermatologist and got some antibiotics which took care of it-- but the swelling never fully went away. It's not active eczema, it's not infected... my dermatologist and opthamologist have no idea and no suggestions.
It isn't red or painful or itchy, and I haven't noticed anything that makes it worse or better food-wise.
I definitely notice it's swollen, I can feel it when my eye is open. It's also very apparent in the mirror and in photos.
Any ideas on what this is or what to do about it? Or even what kind of doctor to see?
What fuels Trump's rise?
I possess no affinity for Trump and therefore feel a complete lack of understanding to why his message has gained such traction with voters. I have read that he is feeding off a general discontent of the US population. His ascendancy seems to go beyond the normal conservatives-pushing-back after 2 terms of liberal presidency, so what's fueling this? What I'm asking for is reasoned, well thought-out articles examining current or building social, political, economic trends that led us to Trump
Financially planning?
Like a lot of people, my household has debt. We also have income. Neither is out of the ordinary or extra special but I'm wanting to know if I've planned appropriately. Is that something a financial planner does, which seems way overkill, or am I looking for someone else? [more inside]
Starting a tutoring business... crazy or crazy amazing?
I am an English teacher, and have been for 13 years. My husband and I are in the process of moving to a location that is an hour away from my current school. I am well paid and moderately content there. So my options are: spend two hours a day in a car to teach; find a new teaching job (which causes me to break into hives); start my own tutoring business. [more inside]
posted by hippychick at 2:56 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by hippychick at 2:56 PM PST - 16 comments
No! Wait! COME BACK iPhone voice memos! Come back!
I have years and years of iPhone voice memos of my kids telling stories and singing songs, since they were toddlers. Or, should I say, I had them. Somehow, when I checked today, I had THREE. THREE! Where are the rest of my voice files with my then-two-year-old telling me ghost stories? My then-six-year-old singing original compositions? These files! They are irreplaceable! They are also, in theory, religiously backed up. [more inside]
posted by instamatic at 2:42 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by instamatic at 2:42 PM PST - 5 comments
Time off, I'll miss you...
Have you made this move, from a relatively large amount of time off from work to a good deal less? [more inside]
So helpful. So responsible.
How can I stop doing work that my male co-workers are nimbly avoiding doing? Or, alternatively, get credit for it? [more inside]
Where should I shop for women's clothing in Vancouver BC
I'm going up to Vancouver for the weekend soon and find myself with a bit of a clothing budget and a favorable exchange rate. I don't shop at the same stores as my woman friend up there due to differences in taste and size range, and my other woman friend there is off at a meditation retreat so I can't ask her. Given the preferences below the fold, where should I shop for clothes and shoes? [more inside]
posted by matildaben at 1:49 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by matildaben at 1:49 PM PST - 14 comments
What is this thing? (Trump's Desk Edition)
What is the apparatus on Donald Trump's desk in this picture?
posted by ooklala at 1:28 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by ooklala at 1:28 PM PST - 6 comments
How do I make a pulp book?
How would I go about getting making a copy of a friend's writing look like a classic SciFi "pulp" book? [more inside]
Cruise or sightseeing in Fort Lauderdale area or key west
My husband and I will fly down to Florida for 1 week. I am looking for some activities in south Florida that you went to and you loved.
We don't have kids :)
Thanks
posted by barexamfreak at 12:28 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by barexamfreak at 12:28 PM PST - 12 comments
What's it like, living in Knoxville?
I'm considering moving to Knoxville sometime in the next 2 years. Help me figure out if it will be a good fit. [more inside]
posted by FirstMateKate at 11:04 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by FirstMateKate at 11:04 AM PST - 8 comments
How do I get good photos of a largish afghan?
I'm writing a chapter in a book about some of my crochet. Yay! But I need good photos of afghans lying flat, and I'm pretty sure I don't have the equipment. [more inside]
Open House to announce rebranding (new name) - need ideas!
My employer will be rebranding, and announcing our new name, logo, etc. at an open house in our office. I work for a small (25 employees) IT company in downtown Portland. very cool office space, very hip and modern attitude and culture. We will be inviting existing and potential customers, friends and family. The event is planned to run from 3pm-7pm with food, an open bar, a DJ.
I need some good ideas on how to announce the new name at the event. [more inside]
Long weekend in Portland, ME in March
Planning a short trip to Portland and would love some advice on veg-friendly restaurants, things to do in the off-season, and more. [more inside]
posted by spectacularicity at 9:38 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by spectacularicity at 9:38 AM PST - 4 comments
Coming up with a name for my app?
Does something like http://www.pickydomains.com/ exist for coming up with a name for an ios app?
When are fuses required in UK plugs?
I've purchased an aftermarket UK "duck head", the plug adapter used with Apple chargers. I have an official Apple one and it includes a replaceable fuse in the adapter. The aftermarket one does not. This will be used in a 12w iPad charger only (without an AC cord), not a laptop charger.
Since there is no AC cord, and the charger is an integrated 12w device, is the replaceable fuse required to meet UK regulations? [more inside]
posted by cosmac at 9:03 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by cosmac at 9:03 AM PST - 11 comments
What will happen if I use OxiClean on silk or wool?
I use OxiClean to remove stains (especially pit stains) from shirts made from cellulose or synthetic fibers (so cotton, linen, rayon, poly, etc.). The instructions say not to use it on silk or wool, but they don't say why. What adverse effects will result if I use OxiClean on protein fibers?
Want: Slightly Higher Platform Bed with Upholstered Headboard
I'd like the following: Platform (i.e doesn't require boxspring) bed that has a (grey, neutral colored) cloth upholstered headboard, and has at least 10 inches of clearance to put some low profile storage bins and maybe a tiny dog who wants to sleep under it.
Ideally under $1,200, design should be the mid-century/contemporary look that's popular at West Elm now. Thoughts?
To Vet or not to Vet?
My cat Binky has become "Blinky" - do I need to take her to the vet? YANMV [more inside]
Office gathering + RPi2 + MAME + 2 controllers = fun?
I need suggestions for Raspberri Pi 2 compatible ( via RetroPi ) MAME games ( available via archive.org ) that would work well for two players. Fighting games. Collaborative games. I don't care. Just need a handful that might be fun for an office of IT workers.
How do people working at home decide how much time to spend on breaks?
I've always struggled with this--sometimes I feel like I just can't focus on my work, or feel too lonely and distracted and need a change. But if I'm on a deadline, I'm certainly able to put those feelings aside and power through. Then I feel guilty that I don't "power through" all the time to be maximally productive.
So, is there any "objective" way to determine how much break time (e.g., screwing around on "Ask Mefi") one truly needs?
How can I improve my vocabulary?
I am in my 40's and college educated. I've always been told that my language skills are impeccable, but I feel like there's room for improvement. For example, I recently read an article that contained the words "milieu" and "métier," and had to look them up. [more inside]
Need some help/assistance with setting up my Macbook Air (again)
Looking for some assistance/guidance in setting up my MacBook Air to my old settings after a factory reset/format. [more inside]
Step by step self-reliance
The past year I've been in a stressful situation and now I found that I may have been overly reliant on a friend for advice/help. Lately I realized this a imbalanced relationship and I'm looking for steps set boundaries and prevent this in the future. [more inside]
posted by chrono_rabbit at 7:08 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by chrono_rabbit at 7:08 AM PST - 4 comments
Good news: I know I want to teach. Bad-ish news: Which route do I take?
I am an editor and writer with a BA and an MA. I've been accepted to at least one of the PhD in rhetoric/communication programs I've applied to—and fully funded (albeit with a limited stipend, but that's to be expected). If I decide to go, I start this fall. However, I can't shake the feeling that maybe I want to be teaching high school language arts. But do I really? [more inside]
Is it possible to fix a venetian blind upside down?
I've googled and not found anything specific to venetian blinds. Has anyone hung a venetian blind upside down, so you fix it to the bottom of the window frame and pull it up to close it? Any hints and tips? The mechanism is a bit trickier than on a roller blind so it would be great to see a set of instructions first, if there is such a thing.
Shared House Room Allocation Rent Auction
Is there an auction-like system to allocate rooms and divide rent in a shared house with very different rooms? [more inside]
posted by PJMcPrettypants at 5:07 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by PJMcPrettypants at 5:07 AM PST - 8 comments
Security at Ben Gurion Airport
I want to go to Tel Aviv. If I've to Lebanon twice in the last year, should I be worried about security at the airport? [more inside]
Please tell me there's a secret directory somewhere
How do I find a non-abusive, trustworthy therapist when that's never happened before? [more inside]
How to work a professional network?
I’ve been a freelancer for over a decade. It’s had its good points, but I’m feeling burned out and ready for something new. I would like to find a full-time salaried position, but I’m feeling a little lost about how to go about it. Can you offer guidance? [more inside]
Fasting with hypothyroidism?
What do you guys think, is it a sure way to mess myself up seriously if I go ahead with fasting while I have a lazy thyroid? Or or..not? more inside. [more inside]
posted by speakeasy at 3:07 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by speakeasy at 3:07 AM PST - 8 comments
C. S. Lewis quote about moving lips while reading poetry
I have a faint recollection of reading an essay by C. S. Lewis, in which he discusses reading poetry, and suggests moving one's lips while reading. Does this ring any bells? [more inside]
posted by paleyellowwithorange at 1:59 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by paleyellowwithorange at 1:59 AM PST - 7 comments
Ways to Manage Advance TMJ
My partner has TMJ. A disc in his jaw is all folded up, and it sounds like nobody can fix it. It causes him significant pain and he has no hope that his pain won't just get gradually worse until he can't mentally function anymore. What can we do to improve or manage his condition? [more inside]
posted by triscuit at 12:36 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by triscuit at 12:36 AM PST - 10 comments
March 1
NYC restaurant recos, with Very Specific Criteria
I've combed through chowhound, previous questions, etc. but I'm going to be in NYC for the easter long weekend and am looking for some specific cuisines/locations. [more inside]
Should my teeth be doing this?
I had a crown that didn't mesh well with surrounding teeth for about two years. The crown has been sanded away to fit better (no sharp pain when I chew), but in the meantime I realized that my teeth and bite have shifted quite noticeably during this time. Dentist says it's not a cause for concern, but I'm concerned. Should I be? [more inside]
What is an effective method for obliterating white pine weevils?
I planted a number of native (to Michigan) white pine trees only to see them bedeviled by evil weevils. Specifically, the cause of the damage is white pine weevils and 100% of my trees were affected. Two part question: first, what are tried and true "natural" methods for controlling this pest, and second, what are its most effective pesticides, placing a high importance on minimizing collateral damage to people, flora, and fauna? [more inside]
posted by tempestuoso at 6:45 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by tempestuoso at 6:45 PM PST - 3 comments
Best protection against identity theft
My employer suffered a data breach and my personal information was leaked. They've provided me a subscription to a identity theft and credit monitoring service.
I don't trust them. What is the best service money can buy that will protect me from identity theft and credit fraud?
posted by special-k at 6:28 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by special-k at 6:28 PM PST - 7 comments
I want to give this one last shot.
In 140 characters or less, tell me one tip/trick/event that helped you understand how to use and/or like Twitter. [more inside]
How to make the most of a trip to Harry Potter World?
Friends are visiting Harry Potter World - How can I help them get the most out of the experience? [more inside]
Handsfree fitness
I'm going to be without the full use of my dominant hand for a little bit! Bummer. One contributing sub-bummer is that I won't be able to do yoga for some time since downward dog will be out of the question. Can you recommend any workouts I should consider that won't be too lop-sided without my dominant hand? [more inside]
posted by thirdletter at 4:22 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by thirdletter at 4:22 PM PST - 13 comments
Can I eat these boiled eggs?!
I boiled some eggs last night and left the pot on the stove...augh! Please tell me I can eat these. [more inside]
posted by zinful at 4:02 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by zinful at 4:02 PM PST - 24 comments
What animal is making this night sound in northern Minnesota?
My parents recorded this sound at about 2:00 AM on a February night in northern Minnesota. I've boosted the gain in Audacity but haven't fiddled with the recording aside from that. It's in a heavily wooded area not far from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. What is the likely source? [more inside]
posted by theory at 3:42 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by theory at 3:42 PM PST - 10 comments
Moving in Seattle
I am moving in June. I work in downtown Seattle and don't have a car. Where should I move and how do I prepare for a drastic increase in rent? See MANY details inside. [more inside]
posted by kittensofthenight at 3:40 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by kittensofthenight at 3:40 PM PST - 13 comments
What do you do to your hair if you don't wash it in the morning?
I'd like to be able to shower and wash my hair at night, rather than in the morning. When I do this, how do I make my hair not look like I slept on it? [more inside]
posted by telepanda at 3:20 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by telepanda at 3:20 PM PST - 33 comments
Recommend some children's books showing divorced parents!
I'd love to find some children's books that present something other than a traditional nuclear family just... as a matter of course, not as the focus of the story. Can you recommend some kid's books that a) show parents that don't live together and b) are not specifically about the process of separation/divorce? [more inside]
Stop OneDrive from auto-starting
How do I stop this infernal contraption and stick it to Microsoftian tyranny? Though I have a number of qualms with their implementation of OneDrive, my greatest at the moment is that it continues to auto-start on my computer, despite my having already gone into settings and unchecked 'Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows.' [more inside]
Legal word processing
Lawyers: Are there any word processors besides MS Word that can create a Table of Authorities? [more inside]
I feel sexually harassed at work. Am I?
I am a project manager at my job. It's a small office. Lately, I've been hearing my boss, the company president, refer to me as the "door girl". He has also subverted my job description so now I'm a glorified receptionist, which is not what I was hired on to be, and is now asking me to clean the office. I am livid and worried that if I say anything I will lose my job. What do I do?
You grew up in the 80s/90s. You watched movies. Some of them were good!
I'm looking for '80s/'90s young adult type movies that you've seen and would recommend. Nothing too childish or overly sappy, please. [more inside]
How many murders did Jessica Fletcher solve?
In the TV show Murder, She Wrote, how many murder cases total did Jessica Fletcher solve? [more inside]
Ethics: Getting Rid of a Defective Used Car
I bought a late-model used car last year which appears to be defective in one or more ways which are covered under the manufacturer's warranty, but which I am unable to get the manufacturer to fix. Is there any way that I can get rid of the car for a reasonable price without being a huge jerk? [more inside]
Yes, I would like a big camera rig strapped to my rather dodgy boat
Seems a long shot, but: A friend and I are planning on doing the Falls to Statue (Buffalo NY to NYC) route by canoe this summer, and we're intrigued by the prospect of bringing a Google Street View rig with us. What would be the best way to get in touch with Google's Maps team to see if they would be interested in letting us take a Streetview rig on the route? I've poked around Google's "Contact US" site without much that inspires confidence.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 11:18 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 11:18 AM PST - 5 comments
I suck at whiteboard interviews. Can I suggest an alternate process?
I'm an experienced software engineer and manager. I have a number of successful projects under my belt and some really great companies on my resume. However, I'm really, really bad at the traditional whiteboard interview. I'm getting ready to start looking for a new job. Would it be worthwhile to request an alternative interview format? [more inside]
posted by panama joe at 11:00 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by panama joe at 11:00 AM PST - 29 comments
Can I use my insurance and the person who hit me to cover my bike?
A while ago I got hit by a car biking. The lady who hit me first covered property damage, like bike, helmet, jersey, etc., but the bike was below what the cost was to actually replace my bike. Even thought the bike had less than 300 miles they said it had wear and tear. I ended up getting about 60 percent of the original value that I payed a couple months before. The question I have is, can I also use my renters insurance to cover the bike cost? or can I only do my insurance or her insurance?
Thanks
posted by bigbadbehr at 10:55 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by bigbadbehr at 10:55 AM PST - 7 comments
How to replace the U-Verse Showcase?
The AT&T U-Verse Showcase channel was discontinued today. It featured 30 minute HD shows with animals, natural scenes, or landscapes with inoffensive music. This channel was the only thing we let our kids (2 and 1) watch besides sports and nature documentaries, and is a key part of our nightly bed routine. Now I want to figure out what kind of shows I can find to replace it for this critical media niche. [more inside]
posted by norm at 10:46 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by norm at 10:46 AM PST - 12 comments
Taking in a teenager
My 17 year old sister is pretty miserable living at home. She's about 3-4 years behind in school, suffers from severe anxiety, and only leaves the house to go to doctor appointments and therapy. My parents are at their wits end with her; they are spending more time yelling at her than working with her. My husband and I are strongly considering asking her to stay with us, but we could really use advice from anyone who has done this before. Is this a good idea? What do we need to know? What are not considering? [more inside]
Seeking lighting hacks for tiny home office
How can I improve the lighting in my home office? Difficulty: tiny apartment. [more inside]
posted by kristi at 10:06 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by kristi at 10:06 AM PST - 10 comments
Comic of person hitting snooze on trail of alarm clocks all way to work?
I'm looking for a comic strip that I think I saw on Facebook very recently of someone hitting snooze on a trail of alarm clocks until they end up at the doorstep of their work under their duvet. Thanks!
posted by BobsterLobster at 10:01 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by BobsterLobster at 10:01 AM PST - 2 comments
Credit Question - Buying Automobile and Residence
I am planning on buying or leasing a car and buying or renting an apartment or condo. I plan to do both withing the next 4-6 months.
As far as my credit is concerned, is there a certain amount of time that you need to space between these two things? I have perfect credit, savings and am not overextending myself financially.
What do I need to know or consider as far as timeline?
Thank you
Sex Toy Question Time!!!!
Hi, I'm a genderqueer person with a vagina who wants a new harness-compatible dildo (flared base). I'm not really convinced silicone is that great, though? NSFW probably. [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana at 9:31 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Juliet Banana at 9:31 AM PST - 11 comments
German speaking mefites please hope me!
Turns out that Germany has flat fees for hospital services given to foreigners. I could use help getting my hands on the list of fees. [more inside]
posted by mirileh at 9:09 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by mirileh at 9:09 AM PST - 5 comments
Need general pointers re: grad school paper composition
What are some common and/or basic mistakes people make in academic writing? Looking for tips as a US grad student whose native language isn't English. [more inside]
posted by Tarumba at 9:05 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by Tarumba at 9:05 AM PST - 19 comments
Like maybe from one of those tropical geese.
I hate summer but I love sleeping with a big foofy comforter. Guide me. [more inside]
Refund for errors?
Given a bunch of new and confusing factors in 2015 (marriage, home buying, self-employment), we hired a tax preparer this year. She made a number of errors, ranging from typos of spelling etc to missing deductions resulting in a >$1000 difference in what we owe. My wife caught these errors right away and the preparer made the changes. (We will give this a full review before submitting, it’s possible there are more errors we haven’t found yet.) [more inside]
Finding a connection in the big city
So, I got my divorce finalized recently after having been separated for 1.5 years. I think I am ready to try meeting and knowing new people. The challenge is I moved to US about 3 years ago and don't really have any experience with dating here. [more inside]
New Software Bootcamp grad seeks job self-marketing help
Asking for a ...spouse, who has recently attended a software bootcamp as a means to launch his second career. He's 43 and is having trouble with getting pigeonholed as "overqualified" for entry-level roles, but doesn't have the coding chops for dev management roles. What can he do to make himself more competitive? What boxes should he be making sure to check? [more inside]
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 7:48 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 7:48 AM PST - 5 comments
How can I develop sparks while dating Mr. Sparkless But Right?
I finally met a guy who's perfect for me on paper: he's kind, polite, and considerate, and he shares many of my interests. He seems to be looking for something serious. We both want to get married and start a family (not necessarily with each other... yet).
But we don't have fun together and there aren't ANY sparks. I think it's because we're both mild-mannered introverts who need a more outgoing and sexually aggressive dating partner. Help! Do I need to morph into a different kind of person to keep this relationship going? [more inside]
posted by Guinevere at 7:46 AM PST - 64 comments
posted by Guinevere at 7:46 AM PST - 64 comments
Hope Calibration
I'm a glass half empty to avoid disappointment type girl. How do I evaluate/survive hopeful news? [more inside]
Help me give my wife a break.
I'm off to a stag do the weekend after next thus leaving my wife all alone with our small child. I'd like to arrange a relaxing weekend off for her this weekend (in advance of me going away). Some sort of hotel for the night, maybe a massage or something.
The problem I'm finding is that all the spa break things in London require booking for 2 people. [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 7:18 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 7:18 AM PST - 15 comments
Gutters and trim questions...
I think I'll have some work done on my gutters and the fascia trim--water seems to be dripping down behind the gutters across the trim, leading to some rot. I have a few related questions, though. Can you help? [more inside]
Chimpanzee newscaster?
My brother and I can't remember this show, which was more like a short. We would have watched it on American TV from Canada in the late 70s or early 80s.There was a chimpanzee dressed in (I think) a plaid jacket as a newscaster. I don't know if it was something from Lancelot Link. I tried Googling, but either I get Lancelot Link or real chimps in the news. Does this show ring a bell? [more inside]
posted by Calzephyr at 5:20 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Calzephyr at 5:20 AM PST - 11 comments
Addressing communication style
Bedside manner issue. My dentist is fantastic in every medical and practical sense, but he speaks to me like I'm a mentally challenged farm animal. How might I address this with him, and would it help? [more inside]
posted by kalapierson at 4:51 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by kalapierson at 4:51 AM PST - 22 comments
Help me not be defined by my losses
I let the losses of loved ones, which I have experienced quite a lot over the years, define who I am and how I behave. I'm in therapy and working on it, but I'm looking for advice from people who fear losing others on how to deal with that ever-present shadow. [more inside]
posted by six sided sock at 2:08 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by six sided sock at 2:08 AM PST - 9 comments
Best snacks to buy in bulk on Amazon?
Bonus points for diet-friendly but all snacks welcome. [more inside]
Is there a way to let my family (& only them) tag family photos online?
After my Grandma died recently, I went to her house and scanned every family photo she was in so everyone in the family could have a digital copy. There are a lot of people I can't identify in these pictures. I'm wondering if there's a way I could put the whole folder of them online in a password-protected or invite-only place that lets family members tag the pictures so anyone who knows who these people are can identify them. I don't want to put them online somewhere where just anyone could see them.
Up hill and down dale...
Would an upgrade to 11 x 1 drivetrain make me happier? [more inside]
posted by v-tach at 12:02 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by v-tach at 12:02 AM PST - 7 comments