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Can the hive mind help me sort out what would be best to do in this work connundrum, where a project has turned into a black hole and I’m way burned out? Thank you in advance because I don’t know what to do and I’m annoyed enough that I’ve been amusing myself with thoughts of extravagant malicious compliance. [more inside]
posted by ec2y at 9:43 PM PST - 8 comments

i am trying to identify a female saint (?) who is part of the carvings in the choir of the Málaga cathedral. She is holding a sword/spear and it is thrust into the eye of a head laying at her feet. [more inside]
posted by randlesc at 9:12 PM PST - 6 comments

Is there a brand of stationery, pens, ink, etc. that rhymes with “face” and would have been available in the mid 1990s? [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 6:49 PM PST - 12 comments

Is it crazy in Denver over July 4 weekend? Planning an impromptu trip there for a week, starting July 3rd. [more inside]
posted by inevitability at 6:29 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm interested in learning/participating in a martial art, but want to pick one that will be a good fit for me. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by bearette at 5:25 PM PST - 23 comments

We want to get a hammock on a stand for the backyard. We are open to buying the stand the hammock separately, but, unless it limits us to terrible choices, we'd like to budget $300 or less, total. We'd like it to be a double hammock, preferably with a quilted/padded top. What's good?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:12 PM PST - 7 comments

My friend and I will be in Tallinn from Saturday, July 9th to Thursday, July 14th. We've got an AirBnB, and we've got restaurant reservations for most evenings. And we are going to take the ferry to Helsinki for one afternoon. What are we missing? [more inside]
posted by Snowishberlin at 4:57 PM PST - 8 comments

I see window A/C units that have a distinct "dehumidify"/"dry" setting, and those might be a good fit for my (often humid but not very hot) bedroom. But...on the dehumidify setting, what happens? Do they vent hot air outside instead of returning it to the room? Or do they release hot air back into the room like my freestanding dehumidifier does? Are they robust enough to handle 70% or more humidity at 70 degrees (which my window A/C does not handle well?)
posted by needs more cowbell at 4:17 PM PST - 16 comments

In many areas of the US, sending a text message to 41411 gets you bus arrival times. What other information can still be gotten via SMS?
posted by aws17576 at 2:13 PM PST - 3 comments

I would like to read/see more specific examples of the sexual/gendered/race-based content in school textbooks and library books that are the subject of controversy in some states in the USA right now. I read news articles that reference the subjects/content in the book, but it is very hard to find the specific content that is apparently inappropriate. What are examples of specific pictures/segments/quotes from books that are currently being challenged in school districts? [more inside]
posted by saeculorum at 2:01 PM PST - 6 comments

I'd like to take advantage of any free or reduced-rate offers available to new users of meal-delivery services. Specifically, I'd like to try one company for a week or month, then cancel that subscription and try another, and another, etc., serially, for perhaps a few months. Can you help me maximize my options while minimizing my cost and commitment? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu at 1:35 PM PST - 11 comments

I have a couple hours in Los Angeles before I drive south to Carlsbad. What's one (or two) amazing thing(s) I can do or eat before I leave the city, or as I drive south? [more inside]
posted by evadery at 1:21 PM PST - 22 comments

Seeking: Books where characters figure out their goals/ make progress on their goals. This can be any genre, really, but I want books where the protagonists like where they are in the end. I feel like I've mostly found this in fiction, mystery, and romance genres but it doesn't have to be in those (And I'm not the most into sex scenes but if they're part of the book they're fine - I say romance because of the tendency to have characters figure out their lives.) [more inside]
posted by azalea_chant at 1:14 PM PST - 8 comments

If I have been exposed but not tested positive despite being in constant close contact with someone testing positive, can I interact with both that person and the outside world after my initial 5 day quarantine? [more inside]
posted by quiet wanderer at 12:14 PM PST - 5 comments

We are doing an impulsive, last minute, no research trip to Mexico City, TONIGHT until Tuesday. We like art and music, we like everything from street food up to fine dining, we like architecture and history. We are staying in downtown. Only one of us speaks Spanish. Please blast me with any must-dos!
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 11:57 AM PST - 14 comments

We'll be in Reading in early September for a family event and would like to take a few days afterwards to hike, enjoy natural beauty, and relax. We're hoping to stay within 3.5 hours by train, which includes many, many places. Could you help us think of some ideas? [more inside]
posted by cimton at 11:12 AM PST - 11 comments

A few years ago I went to the sheep shearing festival at Gore Place in Waltham. One of the activities was a dog jumping exhibition. This consisted of dogs making long, running jumps, attempting to catch and retrieve frisbees, sometimes jumping into water to do so. What is this sport called, and where can I see it again? [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 11:06 AM PST - 9 comments

My 8 year-old sled dog mutt Kesugi had TPLO surgery 5 days ago. His primary interests are running, jumping, roughhousing and fetching and he's used to at least 90 minutes of off-leash activity a day. He cannot run, jump, roughhouse or fetch for at least 12 weeks, it looks like, and can't be off-leash at all. Tell me all the best, specific ways you would keep your dog's brain busy when he can't keep his body busy at all. [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 10:20 AM PST - 7 comments

Do you have advice for parents dealing with febrile seizures in their toddlers? Or know of support groups that helped? [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 10:18 AM PST - 2 comments

I recently had a miscarriage, and because of physical complications, it has been over a month of hell. This is my second, I had a very early loss this year as well. Now that I am over the worst of it physically, I am having a second wave of grief. If you have been through this, how did you cope? [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 9:38 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm looking for fiction/literary non-fiction about friend groups (3+ ppl) and how they change over time. I'm interested in going beyond portrayals - I'm seeking writing that's psychologically rich and centers plumbing the depths of how friendships change people. Very open to speculative fiction as well! [more inside]
posted by loonietrillium at 9:27 AM PST - 26 comments

I have an enamel pin that I have not been kind to -- it's lived on the outside of my much-used backpack. Understandably, several of the enamel bits have fallen out. If I were to buy a replacement pin, is there something I can do -- a coating, perhaps? -- to keep the enamel from falling out again? Or should I just give up on the idea of an enamel pin that stands up to heavy use?
posted by humbug at 9:25 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm fostering a rescue dog and slowly losing my mind. Advice and comforting stories needed! [more inside]
posted by socky bottoms at 8:58 AM PST - 20 comments

I really want to try a sprouted coconut. I am in the UK but will be in the US in October. [more inside]
posted by cilantro at 8:25 AM PST - 4 comments

What is the best cleaning product to sanitize wood floors after a mouse infestation? [more inside]
posted by Ollie at 8:01 AM PST - 5 comments

I am looking to order a television for someone so they can watch online content, youtube and amazon prime videos more comfortably, as they currently only own a laptop. They don't need particular channels or programs. They live alone and are not tech savvy so this needs to be as simple as possible for them to plug in and enjoy. My budget is $300.00 and they prefer a small screen. [more inside]
posted by fies at 7:52 AM PST - 17 comments

I haven't spoken to my 26 year old son since he was 15. Should I try to get in touch with him? Or should I just leave him alone to live his life? [more inside]
posted by Frottage Cheese at 7:25 AM PST - 38 comments

Have you used a handheld battery-powered fan you would recommend? I unwisely promised to go to an outdoor baseball game next month, and I live in a humid summer hellhole...please help me make it more bearable! [more inside]
posted by theatro at 6:12 AM PST - 9 comments

I wanted the foot in the door job we discussed. Then turned down for the second job. After taking steps to improve my interview skills, self-awareness & humility, w/ previous work experience I cannot get an entry level job in my new field. As a recent recipient of a relevant master’s degree w/ little industry experience, I can't get hired for mid level roles. I’m feeling more humble & self-aware than ever, but today is the 5th time this year I’ve been told “thanks for your interest but we are pursuing other candidates” [more inside]
posted by Che boludo! at 2:11 AM PST - 5 comments

The dentist messed up the appearance of my front two teeth. Should I go back to them and ask to have them fixed, or would it be wise to find another dentist to fix this? [more inside]
posted by Sockrates at 9:53 PM PST - 5 comments

I know the CDC doesn't think ANYONE should eat raw sprouts, least of all kids and the immunocompromised. I LOVE sprouts. But I have a kid so I don't buy them. I see lots more microgreens around these days. I feel like they're no sprout, but close enough, maybe? Are they safe? For adults? For kids? I know non-organic might be safer. I think I could probably have access to either organic or non-organic.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 5:30 PM PST - 15 comments

Last night I think Instagram flagged my account as being taken over by a bot (ugh), so when I try to log in it wants to send me a confirmation code to my email. Except there seems to be no confirmation code ever sent to my email. I've checked my trash, spam, etc. Nothing shows up. What now? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 4:37 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm in a situation similar to this question about moving on from a fling with a departing housemate, with some added baggage. I want more granular advice than "move on," especially when it comes to my own attitude toward relationships. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:30 PM PST - 12 comments

A few years ago I moved to a country where corruption is endemic. As of late I've met more and more people (generally low level government clerks) who accept bribes as a matter of course in their jobs. On one hand it offends me to my little Protestant core and on the other they're just taking part in an economy that existed long before they came along. If you've lived this, how did you adjust?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 2:45 PM PST - 24 comments

I had a crazy week, lost track of the days and missed the deadline to customize (or cancel) my produce box. I have black kale and swiss chard and no idea what to do with them. I love green kale raw in salad, but the black kale doesn't seem like it would fit with that. And chard? I've made sauteed greens at various times but.. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 2:39 PM PST - 28 comments

Looking for non-violent (Minecraft level is fine) video games that are either collaborative or competitive that I (parent) can play with my teenager. Could be realistic graphics, or could be abstract shapes-- I'm open to anything as long as we can play it actively together. We both have Mac laptops and iPhones so either would work. [more inside]
posted by O Time, Thy Pyramids at 1:05 PM PST - 12 comments

My partner of two years got covid while on vacation, and her elderly mother got it too. Then they got onto a plane to fly home. This was only a day after the mother started showing symptoms, and four days after my partner did. She knows what she did is wrong, but she did it anyway. My feelings towards her have shifted, and I don't know how to deal with it. Any thoughts or advice? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:23 PM PST - 93 comments

I have an LG ventless drier. It has a removable water tank that normally collects the moisture from the clothes, that we pull out and dump into the sink. In the past few days, every time I dry a load of clothes, the tank is completely empty. The clothes come out dry. There is no evidence of any water collecting on the floor. The drier doesn't alert us to any errors/problems. What is up? What should I do? [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 12:20 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm looking for recommendations for specific types of books about writing fiction and structuring a novel. I'm doing a content read for a friend who wants to write a novel (I think it's YA, but honestly, at this point I can't tell) and is just...not a good writer. The type of help I'm looking for is different from the usual writery type stuff, so please take a look at the details inside. [more inside]
posted by kitten kaboodle at 12:13 PM PST - 15 comments

What is this (perhaps faux/imitatio) Latin on a chocolate coin I am eating? One side reads "HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS" with his bust, which is obvious enough, but the other: "OXONIA BRITANNIA PRIORA TEMPORES" around a Roman centurion with spear and shield. What does it mean, if anything?
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 12:12 PM PST - 8 comments

I love spending money. This needs to stop. I am inspired by minimalism, don't have children or a car, and I rent my home, so housing expenses are relatively low. Fortunately, I have a secure-ish job, but I haven't always, and know there are no guarantees in this day and age. I want to pay off debt and start spending more responsibly. Please do not recommend Dave Ramsey. [more inside]
posted by Juniper Toast at 11:48 AM PST - 17 comments

I've been wearing a lightweight, non-slip pair of sneaker boots on the job for the last two years, but they're beginning to fall apart. Can anyone recommend replacements? [more inside]
posted by biddeford at 11:22 AM PST - 5 comments

Before the pandemic, I signed up to become a patron for two different creators, both writers. I didn't do anything other than just sign up, and now I can't figure out how to sign in to read their work. [more inside]
posted by Beethoven's Sith at 10:50 AM PST - 1 comment

I had a slew of about ten spam calls one after another (intervals of about 1 minutes or less) and from all over the country. I picked one of them up and they just hung up. One of them left a message and it was just a few seconds of silence.
posted by sounddelalladaya at 10:10 AM PST - 15 comments

Can you recommend a woman/minority-friendly skate shop in the city of Chicago that sells quad-skate gear? [more inside]
posted by Rat Spatula at 9:59 AM PST - 3 comments

How does one go about planning a memorial service for a partner when you know they're going to die (in times of COVID) but not when? [more inside]
posted by Peach at 9:42 AM PST - 27 comments

Where can I donate magazines in NYC? [more inside]
posted by bquarters at 9:04 AM PST - 7 comments

I feel like I come across as being an unkempt person. How to be more kempt at work, especially when on the move? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 8:49 AM PST - 27 comments

Dale Carnegie in How To Win Friends and Influence People liberally quotes (sometimes rephrasing) lots of other people. Often -- at least in the cheap paperback edition I have -- there's no citation. Is there a bibliography somewhere that attempts to track down the provenance of these quotations and anecdotes? Sometimes I'd like to cite a story or aphorism from the book, but I'd like to know if I need to add a "may be made up by Dale Carnegie" disclaimer, and when possible I'd prefer to be able to cite the original source.
posted by brainwane at 8:38 AM PST - 3 comments

While I'm asleep, I seem to be doing things with my hands that cause me pain when I'm awake. Balling my hands into fists, grabbing things (like pillows), sleeping on my hands. I wake up with my hands stiff and sore. This is starting to cause pain during my waking life. How to stop doing these things? [more inside]
posted by Sloop John B at 6:41 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm running a Raspberry Pi on my home LAN which is itself running Home Assistant. [more inside]
posted by dance at 6:38 AM PST - 6 comments

I am looking for a daily roundup of all MLB games, on a single page, with brief summaries of each game. [more inside]
posted by thecaddy at 6:16 AM PST - 6 comments

I rent the third floor of a multi-family house that was converted into a multi-unit apartment. The water pressure is absolutely terrible. What can I do about this? [more inside]
posted by ToddBurson at 5:33 AM PST - 13 comments

Kid is turning 7. She loves the Kaossilator app. She would like a stand alone device to make similar music with. [more inside]
posted by charles kaapjes at 5:18 AM PST - 14 comments

We're replacing some lawn with native plantings, and we'd like redbud and shadblow trees that are smaller than the straight species, yet still native-friendly. Can you recommend cultivars or where to buy them? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 4:39 AM PST - 5 comments

Flights from London-Tokyo seem to be going up. If I want to go next year, should I be booking right now? [more inside]
posted by mippy at 2:59 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm flying from the U.S. to Rome soon and would like to pack a few CBD and Delta8 edible gummies. After much googling - it seems medical CBD and 'marijuana light' as they call it, is legal and plentiful in Italy. (Doesn't look like Delta 8 is though) Seems like I could easily just throw these into a jar w/ my other meds etc. But I'm a little spooked about it all since I don't travel internationally and frankly don't know if my bags will be searched/ sniffed out for such items. Any advice/ recent experience? Grazie
posted by anonymous at 9:44 PM PST - 17 comments

I need to store a house's worth of framed prints in an outdoor, non-climate controlled but covered shed for 8 months. How can I do this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:43 PM PST - 9 comments

This is killing me! I've been trying to find this particular MeFi post and/or comments for months, and I'm completely out of ideas. [more inside]
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:19 PM PST - 3 comments

I need recommendations on some good podcasts for family road trips to replace Futility Closest, and we leave tomorrow! [more inside]
posted by fimbulvetr at 6:36 PM PST - 20 comments

This may be asking too much, but how does a neophyte dive into the world of Marvel and/or DC comics? [more inside]
posted by zardoz at 6:31 PM PST - 17 comments

We are heading to NYC, staying in mid-town and are looking for a place not too far away from that area for a picnic/fireworks. Optionally, we could be in the Chelsea neighborhood. We will be a group of 8 ranging in age from 15 - adult. Is riding the ferry up and down the river an option? Other suggestions? This question has popped up before, but all from several years ago so things may have changed.
posted by ms_rasclark at 4:02 PM PST - 5 comments

I have a screenshot saved of something from somewhere (maybe a mefi article from this week?) that talks about how: "Some professionals have entire genres devoted to their workings: the police have the procedural; lawyers have legal thrillers; doctors have medical ethics novels (mostly shelved under women's fiction)[...]" The only comparable sort of story I could think of, from my own reading history, is Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper. Any recommendations for medical ethics novels?
posted by snerson at 3:49 PM PST - 25 comments

U.S. Government I Bonds are currently paying 9.62% due to inflation. A family of four can purchase up to $40k of these bonds every year. Outside of thinking I could yield higher than 9.62% in a index fund or real estate, if I have $40k in cash sitting around, why would I not want to invest in these? Even if I sell after one year, I only lose 3 months of interest. What am I missing?
posted by jasondigitized at 1:51 PM PST - 24 comments

How often do people in cities like New York that have sidewalks alongside densely packed tall buildings get hit with various types of falling debris? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 1:13 PM PST - 27 comments

I've signed up for Spanish Beginners 2 adult education classes beginning late August and am preparing by listening to Radio.Garden stations from Spain etc. To enjoy the culture as well, I want to have light summer snacks and meals similar to what a similar guy to me in Spain would be eating and drinking (midlife bachelor, "can't cook won't cook"). What would that be? [more inside]
posted by AuroraSky at 12:57 PM PST - 7 comments

How do I produce a series of drawings or 3d CAD compatible models on the cheap - is it possible? [more inside]
posted by Brockles at 12:34 PM PST - 8 comments

There's not much to go on, but I'm curious about this oriental rug (photo 1, photo 2). Kind of rug, age, quality, value when new? [more inside]
posted by cocoagirl at 12:12 PM PST - 3 comments

I have almost no experience in 3d modelling, but I would like to try some designs on a headscarf and see how the flow of the fabric affects the design. So, given I have/buy something like this, is it easy to try other patterns for the scarf? How did the 3D artist who made this go about it, did he start with a flat surface and then scrunched it up? So that you could easily switch out the pattern in the beginning and then reapply all the scrunching steps?
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon at 12:08 PM PST - 5 comments

I am making a workbook in Excel that has multiple sheets. On the first sheet, which is called "Hierarchy" I list categories for companies. We'll call them A, B, C, D, and E. They are in cells A4:A8. On the next sheet "Companies" I list companies, with a column for assigning them into one of those categories. I need to populate a dropdown for that with the values I created on the previous page. I'm stuck though, because although I can do this swimmingly for the first row, I do not know how to get the exact same values to show up in rows below that. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:38 AM PST - 5 comments

Our dog Ethan recently showed at the Westminster dog show. He won his breed and appeared in the televised Terrier group judging on FS1. I would like to have a permanent copy of his appearance. How? [more inside]
posted by kindall at 9:44 AM PST - 22 comments

I read a lot of responses to the horrifying Supreme Court Dobbs decision this weekend. One of them was an article explicitly addressing the conservative argument of "show me where abortion is mentioned in the Constitution" and included a list of other, basic rights that are not explicitly named in the Constitution to show how dangerous and ridiculous that argument is. I think it was maybe on Slate or The Atlantic but I haven't been able to find it there or on Google. Help?
posted by overglow at 9:31 AM PST - 2 comments

Looking for tasty, fun to cook vegetarian/vegan lunches and dinners sized for one person! [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 9:30 AM PST - 12 comments

I’ve got some Spanish saffron from Trader Joe’s and I understand there are many delicious recipes I could make with it, but I am interested in taking it just for health benefits, in the simplest way possible. Could I just… eat a strand? If not, what’s the best way to consume it without cooking an elaborate dish?
posted by Forty-eight at 9:26 AM PST - 6 comments

Received a relatively large settlement from a class action suit involving a health insurance company. Please help me determine if this is legit or some kind of scam. [more inside]
posted by panama joe at 8:51 AM PST - 11 comments

I am working with someone who would benefit from taste training. I can't find out much about this but know it has evolved, particularly since Covid. Where do I start? Interested in basic theory and also practicaly applying it - whether from longstanding sensory deficits or as a consequence of covid/long covid. Thanks.
posted by tanktop at 7:04 AM PST - 4 comments

I get a weekly vegetable box, and I don't recognise this one. It's made up of thin, hard stalks that taste a bit like leek. (photos inside) [more inside]
posted by cincinnatus c at 2:06 AM PST - 12 comments

I’m a very hairy man and this produces problems like shedding, over-heating, looking gross, blocked drains, limiting clothing choices, shame, and more. I would like to hear from other very hairy men about what they do to live better with a ridiculously hairy body. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:06 AM PST - 19 comments

I play wordle, the nyt mini, and the daily set every day on my phone. I love that there's only one game available per day each and that I can easily complete each game by myself in under 5 minutes. I also like that they're browser based. What other daily word games or puzzles are available for me to play alone on my phone browser? [more inside]
posted by twelve cent archie at 9:48 PM PST - 26 comments

We just got a rice cooker, and I need some inspiration because this change in diet is new to me. Please help me with rice-based or rice-additional recipes that are not heavy fall/winter food. I do love a good rice stew but, I am trying for lighter things. [more inside]
posted by panhopticon at 8:50 PM PST - 29 comments

I live in the United States and work remotely. Theoretically, if I decide to pack up and move to another country where I qualify for temporary residency, where my employer currently has no employees, and I don't tell them, how likely is it that they'll find out and how likely is it to cause problems for me (aside from being fired)?
posted by anonymous at 8:08 PM PST - 24 comments

Where can I find art in this style? It's proving hard to google. Bonus points if the art also has foxes.
posted by cozenedindigo at 6:54 PM PST - 14 comments

I had shoulder surgery on my left arm in October 2020. In terms of range of motion and functionality it's about 95% of what it was, but all of the muscle on that side just never catches up to my right side, despite doing workouts that load them equally (weights, yoga, etc.). And when I flex that side, it can't really engage those muscles to form, say, a hard bicep. It's just kind of puny and soft. But it lifts the same weight, etc., that the right side does! What is happening and how can I fix it?
posted by HotToddy at 6:52 PM PST - 11 comments

How concerned do I need to be about a couple of hypoglycemic incidents? [more inside]
posted by bryon at 6:22 PM PST - 5 comments

You’ve got speculative fiction, you’ve got fantasy. What do you call fiction that is kind of fantastical—nothing impossible or magical, yet also not regular fiction? I mean the opposite of kitchen sink realism but without being supernatural. Like what about whimsical Wes Anderson movies?
posted by Monochrome at 5:14 PM PST - 21 comments

I'm considering a total renovation of a tiny galley kitchen (5.5' or 6' wide, on part of one wall of the living room). I'm trying to prioritize things that renters of a little urban apartment would prefer. I'm trying to decide between a wall oven, or a dishwasher plus some kind of over-the-cooktop microwave/convection oven combo. Also: minimum sink width? Help?! [more inside]
posted by ClaireBear at 4:59 PM PST - 54 comments

Weird question yeah, bear with me. Turned on the Facebook App on mobile a few minutes ago and it was glorious, I saw posts from actual people/friends that I rarely ever see. It was like FB had done an update or design to show me posts from friends. [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:29 PM PST - 8 comments

Senator Warren has been quoted, (for example, here) suggesting that the federal government could provide abortion services on federal lands in states where it’s now prohibited. Does anyone understand what she means, legally? That is, this would be terrific if it worked, but I am a lawyer, and as far as I know state laws still operate everywhere within a state, even if the land you’re standing on is owned by the federal government. There’s no gap in the coverage of state law that lets you, e.g., commit acts that would be battery under state law so long as you’re standing in a federal office building. On the other hand, while I am a lawyer, Senator Warren is a better one, so maybe she’s thinking of something I’m missing. Does anyone get this on a legal level so that they can explain it to me?
posted by LizardBreath at 3:06 PM PST - 13 comments

My 10 year old, god love her, is looking for books for kids her age about being lesbian/bi/pansexual... [more inside]
posted by tristeza at 2:55 PM PST - 18 comments

Sadly, chocolate appears to be a (sometimes) migraine trigger for me, so I'm trying to avoid it. I'd love your suggestions of chocolate-free deserts - both packaged and recipes. [more inside]
posted by radioamy at 2:25 PM PST - 35 comments

This is a vague memory and unfortunately it's also second-hand; someone told me about a book? (I think? Might have been a series or manga or something, they consume a LOT of media that I never see) -- where 'magic' is like this essence or fuel or liquid or something, so magicians have to 'fuel up' by drinking/sucking/absorbing raw magic in order to cast spells. Ring any bells?
posted by The otter lady at 1:32 PM PST - 16 comments

Where can I find an eyeglasses store or nonprofit that will sell me frames to fit existing lenses? [more inside]
posted by bad grammar at 1:09 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm part of a non-profit and we're holding an event that starts tomorrow and runs for up to about three weeks and someone said they want to help us out financially (they said they're an accountant and can easily help out economically). Since it seems like money is not going to be a major hurdle as far something like social media advertising is concerned, how much should we ask for without asking for an overly excessive amount? Is it indeed "the more you spend" the better or is there a limit? [more inside]
posted by sounddelalladaya at 12:04 PM PST - 8 comments

What are you doing to prepare for economic downturn? It looks like we're in for another spot of stormy weather with the global economy (shout out to my fellow graduates of 2008). I've been doing some research on how to prepare for a recession and would love your tips, for example, get a dental check up now, or learn to cook X cuisine. Global-filter appreciated!
posted by socky_puppy at 11:35 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm getting a new mattress and I want one that is cool and soft. Suggestions? Also snowflake details... [more inside]
posted by catquas at 11:00 AM PST - 7 comments

I purchased this worktable for the Weber Q grill on my outdoor patio. One of the reviewers on Amazon posted a photo of theirs modified to add a second metal shelf. It seems straightforward and I'd like to do the same. I've seen a few 'online sheet metal fabricators' (e.g. here), but wondering if anyone has any other ideas on how to easily do this?
posted by casaubon at 10:49 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a distinct memory of having seen in a museum an Old Masters-style painting of what I recall as being the Bay of Naples painted from an aerial view (which would've been impossible at the time) with Jesus? and a saint (the patron saint of the depicted city?) in the sky and foreground, surrounded by clouds at the edges of the frame. My possibly entirely made-up recollection is that it was Naples, with San Gennaro interceding with Jesus to address a plague or some such catastrophe. [more inside]
posted by the sobsister at 10:42 AM PST - 8 comments

Don't worry, I know you are not my doctor. I am looking for stories from people with either personal or professional experience of dealing with/treating Asherman's Syndrome, which will help me determine how to talk to my doctor or whether to consider seeing another doctor. If anyone can point me to academic papers that might shed light on my situation, I'd also appreciate that! I enjoy researching this stuff but I'm having trouble finding good info. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:24 AM PST - 3 comments

I almost certainly have female pattern hair loss / androgenetic alopecia (diagnosed by a GP, waiting to see a derm). It is fairly mild right now but I am really struggling with my self image. I know what I can do to try to treat it but am looking for help to emotionally cope. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:24 AM PST - 13 comments

I am a very liberal Unaffiliated voter in Colorado (Jefferson County), and have never voted for a Republican. In Colorado, unaffiliated voters receive both the Democratic and Republican ballots and choose one to fill out. I am hearing rumblings that liberal Unaffiliated voters should use their vote to select the least awful Republican candidate to move on. However, I don't know how effective or worthwhile that would be, and the thought of filling in the Republican ballot makes me feel sick (especially after Friday). Should I fill out the Democratic or Republican ballot to make the most use of my vote?
posted by GoldenEel at 10:16 AM PST - 8 comments

Was it unethical for my podiatrist to sell me orthotics without telling me he was retiring? Am I within my rights to refuse to pay for the orthotics? [more inside]
posted by femmegrrr at 10:09 AM PST - 10 comments

Without recommending a streaming service, where can i find a podcast that plays “new music”, that has minimal talk, that I can download. [more inside]
posted by lalochezia at 9:51 AM PST - 6 comments

I adopted a puppy 1.5 months ago who is now 5 months old. I thought it would be okay with my landlady since my previous roommate had a dog and he moved out and she was okay with it. She just told me today that I need to have the puppy rehomed by Friday, it is Monday. I am thinking maybe I could move and keep her, or get her rehomed, but I feel really awful about that. I made a huge mistake I guess. [more inside]
posted by anon1129 at 9:50 AM PST - 27 comments

Please help me find a song about lovers reuniting in the afterlife after one dies. [more inside]
posted by Tamanna at 9:49 AM PST - 4 comments

Ugh, I did it again, overcommitted and overwhelmed. What are your rules for knowing where to start? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 9:18 AM PST - 13 comments

My fiance and I want to serve ice cream in lieu of cake at our backyard wedding reception in late July. It gets very hot here and we have never served ice cream at a party before. How do we do this? Tips and tricks please! [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 8:57 AM PST - 22 comments

I've Googled til my eyes fell out, and the only answer I can find is incorrect. In season 2, episode 20 of Supernatural, Dean is captured by a jinn, who puts him in a dream world inside his own head. Toward the end of the episode, Mary and Sam try to talk him out of killing himself, which he hopes will wake him from the dream. [more inside]
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 8:53 AM PST - 4 comments

We are a few pans and many $$$ in and haven't found something that works to fry eggs without the egg getting stuck to the pan. We've tried Calphalon and All Clad. [more inside]
posted by *s at 8:48 AM PST - 19 comments

Looking for day trip ideas around the New Hampshire lakes regions for the week of 7/11/2022. We are staying in Wakefield NH for the week and would like to discover easy/medium hikes, new restaurants, events, things to do within about 2 hours of that location. [more inside]
posted by GernBlandston at 6:50 AM PST - 6 comments

You know how you wake up with sleep in your eyes? That stuff presumably comes out of some duct, right? Well I think I have a clog in that duct. Is that a thing? How do I fix it or what do I do? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:36 AM PST - 15 comments

I have what I suspect is a meltdown whenever my environment is too visually overwhelming/disorganized/chaotic. Please help me figure out how to control this or how to accept it and work around it. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 11:13 PM PST - 17 comments

Where to go, and what to do? Party includes two adults. [more inside]
posted by queen anne's remorse at 10:20 PM PST - 13 comments

Trying to scope out companies to move our stuff cross-country from Portland, OR to CT/RI. Are these prices normal? If not where should I look to haul our belongings? [more inside]
posted by actionpact at 9:22 PM PST - 17 comments

Casual book collectors who can't buy every book they want to read, how do you decide what to buy versus what to borrow from the library? [more inside]
posted by acidic at 7:18 PM PST - 28 comments

I have a lumbar puncture scheduled for a week and a half from now, and I'm sick with anxiety. [more inside]
posted by primate moon at 6:54 PM PST - 16 comments

Yes, yes, Island Nation etc. etc., but it still seems like they run more ferries than are actually necessary? Why? [more inside]
posted by aramaic at 6:21 PM PST - 13 comments

I enjoy a nice scented candle. Some of my favorites have amber or oakmoss scents, but that's not a requirement. I've had great luck with Edgewater Candles, Ouro Hermetica and Big White Yeti, but I love trying new ones. I don't like candles that smell like food; no strong fruit smells and no vanilla. Do you have any favorites you can recommend? Bonus points for smaller shops, but also not a requirement.
posted by Charity Garfein at 4:50 PM PST - 10 comments

Moving from New Hampshire to Seattle with 2 cats and looking for opinions on in-cabin pet travel on Alaska, American, Delta, or JetBlue. [more inside]
posted by Jacqueline at 4:50 PM PST - 5 comments

Can you recommend short stories that focus on characters who are inveterate liars or bullshitters and know it? My best example is Tobias Wolff's "The Liar," or possibly some of the stories in DFW's Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. I know there are plenty of longer fiction and film/TV examples, and I'm not exactly looking for unsympathetic or puppet-master protagonists, but simply characters in short stories (under 30 pages or so, not children's literature) who are characterized in large part by telling lies and talking about the lying.
posted by vitia at 3:39 PM PST - 14 comments

My parents adopted a dog from a shelter a couple of days ago - and she looks exactly like a rescue dog we lost less than a year ago. Her death was extremely traumatic for us. I still can’t look at her pictures without feeling sick. And I adore this new dog (she’s ridiculously cute!) but I also cried several times the day she arrived because she reminded me so much of the other dog. I haven’t really petted her much after the first day because I feel so strange. I don’t want to feel this way. [more inside]
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 1:18 PM PST - 13 comments

I was born in 1977 in the UK and grew up there. Now I am live Germany and I think I have chicken pox (never had it as a child). Can anyone please tell me what vaccinations I will have been given in primary and secondary schools? [more inside]
posted by runincircles at 1:04 PM PST - 15 comments

There is a lot of construction on the beach in Santa Monica where Entrada hits PCH (where Santa Monica Creek hits the beach). What's being built? [more inside]
posted by jeb at 1:03 PM PST - 4 comments

My son has a hand-painted blue jeans jacket he bought two years ago. He's never washed it, but would like to. Is it safe to put it in the washer, or should we hand wash it? Is there anything we need to add to make sure the paint doesn't come off? [more inside]
posted by signal at 11:44 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm way overdue for a pelvic exam, almost due for a new IUD, and looking for recommendations for FANTASTIC doctors in Atlanta or Athens, GA. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:44 AM PST - 5 comments

Little guitars give me joy. Should I make my own unicorn? [more inside]
posted by skrozidile at 11:10 AM PST - 6 comments

I've been playing the piano and "composing" since I was a kid, but I'm still just an amateur and would like to improve. I would appreciate advice from more experienced composers. [more inside]
posted by avis at 11:00 AM PST - 5 comments

Do you have a joint planning whiteboard (or other kind of planning board) for you and your spouse? What do you put on it, and how do you organize it? [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 10:37 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm not sure if he's just being nice to me or if there is something there. Snowflakes inside... [more inside]
posted by Kobayashi Maru at 9:58 AM PST - 22 comments

I need to replace my worn baseball caps (usually the soft women sized kinds). Are there any that support a good cause that I can buy from? Or some with an interesting logo or social justice-y slogan? [more inside]
posted by inevitability at 9:47 AM PST - 9 comments

My mum turns 75 in July, and for the actual day, we'd like to take her to a fancy lunch or tea in a beautiful location, not more than an hour and half from Boston MA. Her birthday is a Wednesday. Assume transport not an issue. We'll be a party of 10 - four 70+ adults (one with some mobility issues) , four 40ish adults, and 2 toddlers Some ideas we've come up with below the fold, but I'd love to hear your suggestions or experiences doing something similar [more inside]
posted by darsh at 9:20 AM PST - 7 comments

My spouse and I are taking a trip to Milwaukee mid-July. We plan to spend 2-3 nights in a hotel. Which one? [more inside]
posted by sock puppy at 8:35 AM PST - 12 comments

What burn the patriarchy to the ground music are you listening to in the wake of the Dobbs decision?
posted by donut_princess at 8:34 AM PST - 24 comments

About a year ago I moved from the US to Ireland. Given the COVID-19 situation (Ireland was only just coming out of lockdown when I moved over) my employer gave me lump sum of cash to help with relocation costs but did not provide any logistical assistance with the move. As such I only brought a few suitcases over and put the rest of my belongings into storage. I am now able to retrieve my stuff from the US and move it over here, how do I go about that as a DIY project? [more inside]
posted by 4rtemis at 7:36 AM PST - 6 comments

I am feeling heartbroken after telling my husband I want a divorce. I told him that when I was in a different state of mind and now I'm having major regrets. He definitely does not want to get back together. [more inside]
posted by bookworm4125 at 7:14 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm in Canada (GTA region) and need to buy a formal evening gown for a wedding at the end of July. My budget is $350 (USD) or less. Most sites I have looked at only ship from overseas (or they have to make the dress before shipping), which means more delays/there's no guarantee it will be here in time for July 29. Where should I be shopping online? [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 6:11 AM PST - 12 comments

When one emigrates from the US to another country, how does one legally transfer savings and investments out of the reach of US authorities? Because The Lovely Mrs. Pardo is squeamish about such things, it needs to not involve suitcases of cash and securities.
posted by donpardo at 5:52 AM PST - 11 comments

My son got married today, and I've been trying to find this specific video to send to him for a while. I know I initially came across it here at AskMeFi. [more inside]
posted by lilywing13 at 11:06 PM PST - 3 comments

While scrolling through Facebook on the phone app, I’ll like various posts from my friends. Many times when I come back later, I’ll scroll down, come upon the same post and see that my like is no longer there. It’s like I’m seeing the post for the first time. This is mostly meaningless but it’s bugging me. What’s up?
posted by PussKillian at 8:57 PM PST - 7 comments

I've written about Fergus before and well, here we go again. Snowflakes inside... [more inside]
posted by lawgirl at 8:29 PM PST - 14 comments

I’ve been trying to figure out how/when/where to protest in either my city or in DC. Most of my searches just turn up news articles though. Is there a site that congregates protests happening around the country, with time and location details?
posted by sillysally at 6:55 PM PST - 8 comments

If Alito's opinion in Dobbs hinges on the fact that "abortion" is never mentioned in the Constitution,* why doesn't the Ninth Amendment apply? [more inside]
posted by basalganglia at 5:48 PM PST - 10 comments

I've noticed there are services like Midnight Pulp and Asian Crush that have a pretty big collection of the kinds of movies and shows I would have killed to have easy access to in college -- foreign, low budget, outsider art, genre films, that sort of thing. [more inside]
posted by Number Used Once at 5:23 PM PST - 6 comments

I recently chose to retell an old traumatic story to a mediator. This just totally stirred my nervous system into a mess, and I'm having trouble focusing and feel like I need to cry and am just not super functional. What's the most productive thing I can do to calm down. I really don't want to just suppress all these feelings and would like better something that will help me work through them. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:05 PM PST - 16 comments

Scotland seems to allow lawyers from other common law jurisdictions to qualify as solicitors. But all I really know is what's on this site. Is it feasible to become a solicitor in Scotland with a US legal education, and if it's something I want to pursue, what should I do now to lay the groundwork? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:28 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm looking for recommendations for printers for blacklight reactive posters... like this or this. I have a design that I need 500 printed of, either 24"x36" or smaller... web searches don't show me anyone I fully trust, so personal recs appreciated!
posted by Unsomnambulist at 2:56 PM PST - 1 comment

My husband is looking at applying for some jobs in France. We are Americans living in the States, and have a toddler. We love a lot about the thought of living in France, but we have some concerns about finances. [more inside]
posted by imalaowai at 2:32 PM PST - 12 comments

My travel companion found their passport has expired. We have plane tickets to leave the US tomorrow (Sunday) for international travel (EU). Is there ANYTHING we can do?
posted by nantucket at 2:24 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm in my late 40s. Is this too old for a tubal ligation to prevent pregnancy? [more inside]
posted by Sockrates at 2:07 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm looking for something narrative (audio book, tv show maybe) good for my ears while I'm on a long red-eye flight that will interest me enough to keep my eyes closed when I wake up during the night (so I'm not waking myself up with the blue light on my phone in the dark), and isn't too exciting or too loud? Ring any bells? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 11:33 AM PST - 16 comments

What are the best current alternatives to gmail? Preferring a web-based option, although I could set up SMTP on (a lot of) devices. Details why to switch are below the fold. [more inside]
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 10:01 AM PST - 15 comments

I read a lot of articles/stories about how unforgiving work is towards parents, caretakers and families. I agree with all of it. I don't see though articles on what would make a place a good place for parents and caretakers to work (that isn't just a fluff piece intended to make a business look good). [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 8:20 AM PST - 14 comments

At the gym running and weightlifting. Todays the day for rage music. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:36 AM PST - 51 comments

Excluding Ysabel and the Fionavar Tapestry, I really want to read more books that are very, very similar to GGK’s work. [more inside]
posted by Calvin and the Duplicators at 5:05 AM PST - 8 comments

So further to my previous post my GP has prescribed me with Duloxetine (Cymbalta). I'm a bit worried as a lot of feedback online is about how hellish it is to withdraw from. The focus is so overwhelmingly on withdrawal that there's very little I read about peoples' experience whilst on the drug. Has anyone here taken it and what was your experience?
posted by Sunflower88 at 4:48 AM PST - 11 comments

I have read many of the books people recommend on abusive relationships. But they all seem to describe a pattern of abuse that is fundamentally about monogamous relationships — separating the victim from their support structures, etc. Abuse exists in poly relationships, but it looks very different. Where is good writing on this? [more inside]
posted by wesleyac at 3:42 AM PST - 8 comments

I want to change my name. (I do not need help logistically!) I have a new last name picked that feels absolutely right. How do I pick a new first name? I would specifically like advice from people who have picked a new name for themselves - for whatever reason! [more inside]
posted by Bottlecap at 1:38 AM PST - 14 comments

Is it legal for SCOTUS to have overturned Roe when Jewish law requires abortions under certain circumstances?
posted by defmute at 1:22 AM PST - 11 comments

The same inflation and low interest rates that are telling me paying of a low-rate fixed-rate mortgage early is dumb are also telling me that leaving money sitting in a savings account is dumb. But what else to do with money we may want when we sell our house, which may be in a couple of years? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:40 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm looking for a specific video of Arlo Guthrie performing "This Land is Your Land" with an orchestra, possibly the Boston Pops. [more inside]
posted by easy, lucky, free at 11:39 PM PST - 4 comments

I have presbyopia and need to wear glasses when I read or use my laptop. (My vision is otherwise fine) I'd like to have progressive readers so I can work at the computer and be able to look up and see things. The problem is - it seems like all the progressive readers I see still have some degree of correction at the top part of the lens, which means distant objects and people are blurry. [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 6:58 PM PST - 12 comments

I recently legally changed my name to something unconventional yet not gross and not a curse word or anything. Facebook keeps declining it even after sending them in my legal documents and my court ordered name changed stamped and signed by the judge. I'm at my wit's end. Any advice on what to do?
posted by maxexam at 6:57 PM PST - 6 comments

I've struggled to find a therapist/counselor/psychologist to meet my snowflake needs around anxiety and overall existential angst. Who should I see? [more inside]
posted by Ms. Toad at 6:05 PM PST - 14 comments

Lately I have been listening to the Fresh Air archives but sometimes I have a hard time thinking of a person to search for. Do you know of any particularly interesting or memorable interviews to listen to? [more inside]
posted by bearette at 5:39 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm in San Francisco on the west side and my go to Uniqlo on Powell Street is apparently closed for good. My map says I can go to the one in Emeryville on my way home, or there's another one all the way on the other side of the peninsula at Stonestown Galleria. If it was a bigger/better store with more selection I'd go out of my way but if they all have the same stuff or you guys aren't sure I will just go to Emeryville. Thanks!!
posted by bleep at 5:05 PM PST - 3 comments

I am in the process of being diagnosed with MS or a related neurology disease. I have a friend who's wife is in the hospital with cancer and who has been leaning on me, a sister who wants to drunk cry Roe together, and an ICSI pregnant bestie who is hard-core struggling with 1st tri drug regime. [more inside]
posted by DarlingBri at 4:15 PM PST - 24 comments

I'm working on a long bash one-liner that prints out the current temp in F's where I live. I like that it just prints out a number, which is helpful. But what's a good way to also keep a dated record of the number, and then just print out the number itself? Script & details inside. [more inside]
posted by circular at 3:10 PM PST - 12 comments

I am responsible for implementing our fleet's new mobile device management system. Since my colleague has no experience in this system and will have to use it, I have offered him training, but he refuses. Why? [more inside]
posted by 8LeggedFriend at 3:07 PM PST - 19 comments

What can I do to get an elderly homeless diabetic man through this weekend with the heat expected to be brutal? He is under a shaded area in the park with a table. I am giving him ice, water and food as I can. I also gave him a battery-operated fan. I do not have a lot of resources and cannot ask him into my house due to safety and COVID plus elderly dog with health problems. Any suggestions on ways to help until I can find assistance? [more inside]
posted by narancia at 2:10 PM PST - 10 comments

I want to stream movies on a bigger screen then my chromebook and also plug in my work laptop. Not looking for anything huge and dont particularly care about picture quality except that a wide viewing angle would be great. I have horrible slow internet and don’t want to do anything that might slow it down further. Other major priorities are easy to connect with minimal fiddling and negotiating of menus.
posted by genmonster at 2:02 PM PST - 10 comments

How can I get a contemporary list of block tools to check? I think a fixated person is filing false reports of me, and a lot of progressive accounts have me blocked. i am getting an RSD shock while I try to boost abortion rights stuff and this is draining energy I should use to serve, so I’d like to know if this is what has happened even if I can’t fix it.
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 1:45 PM PST - 1 comment

I have fond memories of the old Theme Park and Rollercoaster Tycoon games and I’d like to play their modern-day equivalent, whatever that is. That’s it, that’s the question. [more inside]
posted by Diskeater at 12:43 PM PST - 7 comments

For travel, I would like to leave my macBook air at home and take my new ipad instead. I want it to be my laptop. Is this a reasonable expectation? [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 12:17 PM PST - 8 comments

I want a replacement for the expletive “fuck”, particularly in the context of the phrase “fuck you”. “Fuck you” wishes sexual violence on its target. I’ve always found this jarring but it’s now even more problematic for me ex-Roe. It feels weird to focus on this when *waves hands wildly around* but I have been derailed by this so many times already. [more inside]
posted by disentir at 12:09 PM PST - 55 comments

My parents cannot get an appointment to get their Greek passports renewed at the Los Angeles consulate. How can I help? [more inside]
posted by melamakarona at 11:57 AM PST - 6 comments

Returning to university to pick up Masters. What are the best options I have to purchase used textbooks or to rent textbooks?
posted by goalyeehah at 11:18 AM PST - 12 comments

I have a MacBook Air (13", early 2015, i5) that had a bad battery. I just replaced it with an iFixit battery. After calibrating as directed, it was still running all the way down in less than 4 hours, so I reset the SMC, and that hasn't helped. Should I ask iFixit for an exchange and try another battery? Is there something else I should do? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 10:38 AM PST - 19 comments

I was fortunate to be sent to Honolulu for a work conference. My wife and I have a few days before the conference starts. However, Waikiki Beach and the area around our hotel is too 'big city' for our tastes. We'd like to find some beaches and other areas that are more peaceful. The problem is that we don't have access to a car, nor do we wish to rent one. [more inside]
posted by Don_K at 10:33 AM PST - 6 comments

Probably between 2003-2012, I went to an unique-looking restaurant with extremely high ceilings and big plants, somewhere in Canada or the US. What and where was it? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:46 AM PST - 15 comments

I have three cats and five litter boxes. I scoop all boxes daily and have a good routine in place for that piece. What I don't have a good process for is changing out the entire litter box every few weeks so it's not a giant filthy stressful mess. This feels like it should be so incredibly straightforward but it's just not in our house and I feel like I'm missing some key part of the process. How do you do it? My specifics inside. [more inside]
posted by anderjen at 7:28 AM PST - 22 comments

I have a more preferred offer in my hands now, I need to rescind my Job A acceptance. [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 7:10 AM PST - 6 comments

I've recently moved to a city with a very high number of stray dogs. Lots of people are feeding with left-over bread and occasionally kibble, but I'd love to keep something in my purse that I can easily hand out that has a bit more protein. Most US brands aren't easily available here. Any suggestions for recipies that might work?
posted by korej at 7:02 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm attempting to use the Zoom Interpretation feature for simultaneous translation in a virtual meeting. I can't figure out some of the details. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by geegollygosh at 6:45 AM PST - 3 comments

I had some family business come up related to a discovery of a distant relative. It involved providing information to an administrator and other quick back and forths. Issue is that all my relatives keep replying to everybody for the most minor of emails (e.g., "yes, I received it Mr. Administrator," "Just wanted to thank you for your help, Mr. Administrator") and it's swamping my inbox I usually reserve for critical communications. Is there any way to ask people to restrain themselves without dampening the overall positive vibe surrounding the discovery?
posted by Jon44 at 6:28 AM PST - 14 comments

Our vacation plans for the beginning of July have fallen through and I'm looking for some new ideas! [more inside]
posted by ceramicblue at 4:45 AM PST - 6 comments

A friend brought me to a new bar last weekend and I really loved it. I want to go back, by myself, tonight, just to hang out for a while. But the place is tiny and I'm worried it's somehow awkward or rude--will the staff be weirded out by my just...sitting there for an hour less than 2 feet from them? What's the etiquette on this? [more inside]
posted by TinyChicken at 2:52 AM PST - 28 comments

I've recently gone back on SSRIs, specifically Sertraline (Zoloft in the U.S, I believe). I've taken them before and they've been great in some ways, however the numbing, apathetic effect is not ideal and I was wondering if anyone had any comparative experience with Wellbutrin or a non SSRI? I'm not looking for medical advice, just want to hear your personal experiences. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 1:08 AM PST - 27 comments

My mom has suggested that we watch a show together from our separate locations, but comedy only. The thing is that she is extremely picky about comedy (and I get it, I am too). When asked what she finds funny, she cited "Running Scared" and "Uncle Buck", but I think that's more nostalgia for the era and Chicago, where she's from. I floated "Ted Lasso", but she said she watched one episode and didn't like it. I'm coming up empty....please give me your best recs to make our 90 min runtime not awkward! [more inside]
posted by pdxhiker at 8:43 PM PST - 45 comments

Comfortable durable men's sandals? I can't go through summer in socks... [more inside]
posted by downtohisturtles at 8:14 PM PST - 12 comments

What are some lunches to make ahead or assemble on the fly VERY EASILY for a 4 kid/2 adult family engaged in warm weather car camping? [more inside]
posted by Wavelet at 7:06 PM PST - 12 comments

I have the opportunity to move into an upgraded but much more expensive apartment two doors down from my current unit. Based on my number crunching, I can afford the hike in rent, and given its proximity, I could start moving my stuff over there on July 1. Can you help me make sure the math maths here? [more inside]
posted by The Adventure Begins at 5:27 PM PST - 11 comments

I've just been noticing that I use the phrase a lot, and I feel like, if I was a Knight of Chivalry, this would be my motto: such as "No One Attacks Me With Impunity" or 'I Shine But Burn Not". What would the correct Latin be, to say, basically, "I wander/wonder about and get distracted, but I am proud of this, not ashamed"? [more inside]
posted by The otter lady at 4:29 PM PST - 5 comments

At the end of Banco de Gaia's "887" from the album "Last Train to Lhasa", there's an extended sample of a man talking about sending a potato into space before sending humans into space. Who is he and where/when did he say it? [more inside]
posted by at by at 4:22 PM PST - 3 comments

When you only go to your office intermittently, what are your favorite snacks to keep at your desk? For my requirements, they must be able to be stored at room temperature, inside a desk drawer. Individually packaged and relatively healthy are nice-to-haves. [more inside]
posted by Sparky Buttons at 2:34 PM PST - 23 comments

I (trans man) have been asked by a couple of cis people to explain the problem with the Texas/Florida laws surrounding gender-affirming care for kids. I tend to answer fairly forcefully, that denying trans kids gender-affirming care is a form of child abuse. There are lots of resources online that aren't this strong. What are your favorite resources on this topic for people to read? Do you have any that are similarly strongly worded? [more inside]
posted by lab.beetle at 1:59 PM PST - 16 comments

We are getting married next month and I would like a wedding cake topper that fits our courthouse ceremony and backyard reception, but that I can also treasure as a sentimental keepsake. Did you love your wedding cake topper? What was it and where did you get it? What did you do with it after the wedding?
posted by rue72 at 12:37 PM PST - 21 comments

I have 4 remote controlled powered window shades that are 12 feet off the ground. They need to be put on a charger every 6 months. Help me eliminate the annoying parts of this process! [more inside]
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 11:56 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm interested in project management just to acquire the personal skill set, but I'm also looking for a job. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:34 AM PST - 3 comments

Should I look for a new point-and-shoot camera, a different type (e.g., a camera with a fixed primary), or just learn more about the camera I have now? I want reliable pictures with minimal effort, around $500. [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 11:01 AM PST - 6 comments

I have installed external shutters on most of the windows on the southeast side of my house, with the goal of blocking out as much sun as possie during summer heatwaves. There is one window (about 65 x 140cm) that still lacks sun protection, so the sun & heat still get in through there. What easy, cheap, and above all effective solutions will keep out most of this sunlight? (Definitions for all three adjectives below the fold.) [more inside]
posted by littlegreen at 10:28 AM PST - 14 comments

I am looking for a room with computers in the Boston area that my company could rent for a few days in August. We need to do some proctored online OSHA training with our employees. We would need 10-20 workstations. Any leads would be appreciated.
posted by manageyourexpectations at 9:44 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm currently in a depressive episode, and can't find the energy to go to the store. I would order food online, but that whole process makes me so anxious I freeze and don't go through with it. How should I get groceries? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:17 AM PST - 23 comments

Friend's daughter & her friend are looking for their 1st apt. in NYC. They asked us for advice, since neither the daughter or the parents have a clue where to begin, and they have stalled. Well, we don't know either. [more inside]
posted by ebesan at 9:10 AM PST - 12 comments

How to cancel a hotel reservation booked through a third party? I did mess up and not realize the booking said it was non-refundable, but this is a lot of money. Details are inside! [more inside]
posted by clocksock at 8:07 AM PST - 12 comments

I understand that Supreme Court justices are immune from suit however what if they were sued for a decision within the context of them being literal public servant employees of taxpaying citizen employers and sued for negligence or some form of "not meeting the terms of agreement" (i.e. making decisions against the needs of the people)?
posted by sounddelalladaya at 7:44 AM PST - 9 comments

I've always had this vague idea that I'd like to see a concert at Red Rocks amphitheater. There's no one currently scheduled that I'm desperate to see but I've been thinking that when they release dates for the next concert season, if there's anyone that I'm really keen on, that I might plan a trip. Should I? [more inside]
posted by cilantro at 5:37 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm learning to post a really long thread). I read there was a limit of 25 tweets. However, when you reach 25 there's a note saying "you can add more tweets to this thread after sending these." I am having trouble finding a guide to this and wonder how this would work. Will a little + sign show up later to let me add a new thread 25 new posts to an old, published thread?
posted by johngoren at 4:49 AM PST - 2 comments

It's come to my attention that I resent a recently-made friend and the taproot is envy. Should I tell them about it in some way? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 12:16 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm a native speaker but I can't remember this rule! [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 10:11 PM PST - 12 comments

I have an Ikea POÄNG chair that has a rip in the square piece of polypropylene fabric that supports the bottom cushion. I would like to fix it both cheaply and securely. [more inside]
posted by blueberry at 9:45 PM PST - 9 comments

There are flaws with all the online survey platforms I know. I am trying to use ranked-choice voting for my survey. Can you suggest a platform? [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 8:18 PM PST - 5 comments

If anybody and everybody can report any kind of supposed vaccine side effects to VAERS, what good is it? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 6:58 PM PST - 8 comments

Can I consult original sources of this sentence? I get it in a literal sense. I guess that it means banal and very ordinary. From where did Maugham quote it ? :Their brain is seething with ideas, and they can only tell you that the umbrella of the gardners aunt is in the house.Thank you for helping my English.
posted by mizukko at 5:28 PM PST - 9 comments

Today, in connection with Control in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, the thought popped into my head: "Oh, I like the kind of story where someone is disgraced or their theories refuted and they die in tragic obscurity or ignominy, but then it turns out later that they were right and their actions or research end up having helped save the world." [more inside]
posted by praemunire at 4:48 PM PST - 16 comments

I would like a chart of the latitude at which the sun stops setting (never dipping below the horizon) over time. This seems like it should be pretty easy to find, but I'm having trouble. [more inside]
posted by wesleyac at 3:53 PM PST - 8 comments

We're arriving in Madrid in a couple of weeks. We're looking for SIMs for our family. Looks like these "prepaid" Movistar SIMs are a great deal. Anyone know if you can buy them at the airport? [more inside]
posted by MiG at 2:58 PM PST - 9 comments

My very first "Can I eat it?" question! Woo-hoo! Wheat berries edition. [more inside]
posted by Melismata at 2:16 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm kind of a bad texter / emailer and it's never bothered me too much, but now it's to the point where I feel it's one of the top things holding me back from both fulfilling friendships and professionally in my creative pursuits. How can I overcome this? [more inside]
posted by internet of pillows at 12:39 PM PST - 12 comments

In Development as Freedom, Amartya Sen claimed that "no famine has ever taken place in the history of the world in a functioning democracy". What do historians, social scientists, and others make of this claim? Was he right? Are there counterexamples? Has anything changed since the book was published in 2000? [more inside]
posted by HoraceH at 12:17 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm looking for book suggestions on juicy processes and business strategies/anecdotes — think McDonalds, Disney, or Lego (for example Brick by Brick is on my list). That said, I'm open to any company or industry, and podcasts too! The only criteria is that it must be told in a relatively engaging way.
posted by socky_puppy at 11:56 AM PST - 12 comments

I think for a long time I've explained away my extreme laziness and procrastination with my deep anxiety and depression. It has definitely been significant. However recently, I've been thinking how I've always been like this from a very young age, even when I didn't have full blown mental health issues. Admittedly, I think I was a very anxious child but I wonder, is part of it a genetic thing? [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 11:24 AM PST - 23 comments

I need to get an outfit for my 15-year-old developmentally delayed daughter to attend a couple of awards ceremonies/grads next week. I'm looking for something respectable-ish, don't take attention away from the grads but look nice. But I am completely lost. I've browsed online, I just got back from Winners, and I have no idea whatsoever. Is there a store in or near downtown Toronto that I could walk into with her, say, "Help us find an outfit" with a description as vague as the one I've just given, and get someone to help us put something together head-to-toe for $100-$150?
posted by clawsoon at 10:54 AM PST - 13 comments

A few years ago I found a sci fi book at Half Price Books. I'm not sure if it's even in print anymore. It was super, super weird but amazing and I kind of loved it, but I only got halfway through before I lost the book and I really want to finish it. [more inside]
posted by stockpuppet at 10:52 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm currently in the process of trying to buy a house with my spouse. I mentioned this to my best friend, and he drew a boundary: he can't support me in this, though he's happy to support me in other things in my life and lend an ear on any other subject. How do I navigate this? [more inside]
posted by six sided sock at 10:34 AM PST - 32 comments

I want to not buy my books from Amazon, but I would like to keep using my kindle. Where should I buy my books? [more inside]
posted by skewed at 10:06 AM PST - 13 comments

I ordered a piece of fitness equipment from Amazon Marketplace in 2018 or 2019. The equipment has developed a fault and the vendor wants a copy of the receipt for repair or replacement. [more inside]
posted by jacobean at 9:19 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a kiddo in double digits who still struggles with night incontinence. [more inside]
posted by aetg at 8:46 AM PST - 9 comments

I started school in California, moved after middle school for 3 years to Oregon in High School, then finished at a small private high school in California (OC) The last high school is being cagey about my Full Permanent Record. What should they have, have kept etc.? Help!? [more inside]
posted by catspajammies at 7:34 AM PST - 8 comments

Prompted by the FPP about Jovi's performance of "Bug" with Trey Anastasio, what are your favorite fan-with-star performances?
posted by wenestvedt at 6:46 AM PST - 20 comments

I used to play drums (20 or so years back), and would meet up with other musicians for an hour or two to mess about with instruments. There were always tracks that people knew that you could just pick up and play. My son (11) has been drumming a while now, and is about to switch to a new school. Assuming he runs into people who play instruments, he'd like to be able to do something similar. I'm terribly old now and less in touch with what the kids these days are playing... Help me build him a playlist to bash along with? [more inside]
posted by PeteTheHair at 4:53 AM PST - 5 comments

Are disposable beer bottles strong enough for brewing Root Beer?
posted by Raybun at 4:34 AM PST - 10 comments

I have been assigned to a new job by my large, impersonal bureaucracy. Just received a ‘looking forward to discussing things’ email from new manager. Help me respond appropriately! [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 4:27 AM PST - 11 comments

A couple quick questions about Perth's food scene [more inside]
posted by BadgerDoctor at 4:17 AM PST - 4 comments

Not sure if people have noticed, but many aspects of Bond stories are implausible. I wondering if in the original books or any of the movies the issue of why anyone would become the henchmen of a villain is addressed? They're treated as disposable and couldn't have much of a personal life living in the evil lair. Are they essentially slaves? Cultishly committed to the cause? Promised some big pay-off after the diabolical plans reach fruition?
posted by Jon44 at 4:04 AM PST - 30 comments

Canadian Law Filter - I do not understand wills. Can you please help me understand wills? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:13 AM PST - 6 comments

My housemate and I ended up sleeping together a few weeks ago, and it morphed into a complicated but wonderful romance. Now she's suddenly moving out to go travelling, and ultimately back to her home country. How should I act, and how do I move on? [more inside]
posted by osmond_nash at 2:53 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm a USA citizen, currently in Norway (thanks to some excellent advice from the green previously). I have type one diabetes, and would like to extend my trip beyond what I originally planned, but am not sure if I have enough insulin with me. Is it possible to get insulin (paying out of pocket) as a non-EU tourist in Norway, without jeopardizing my ability to return in the future? [more inside]
posted by wesleyac at 2:19 AM PST - 3 comments

The ostensible title is "The Federation for the Ethically Sound Imperative" as in a borderless "country" that is for something ("the ethically sound imperative") rather than simply just providing for its citizens and upholding democracy etc. as most "developed" countries are (i.e. a country with a mission statement other than "infrastructure is functioning, right? Great."). [more inside]
posted by defmute at 1:58 AM PST - 16 comments

I'd love to hear about great fiction books for grade 4/5 (U.S.) children, ideally having some sort of historical aspect and a connection to a social justice theme. Bonus if it involves a connection to the theme of geology (e.g. characters working at a quarry?) I have Counting on Grace and Bread and Roses, Too if that gives you an idea of what I am thinking about. I would love to hear about more books in that vein.
posted by transient at 4:42 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm looking for popular songs that relate events or profile people from history in a straightforward, informative way. Can you help me add to this weird playlist? [more inside]
posted by ordinary_magnet at 4:16 PM PST - 81 comments

My back has been itching fiercely lately. I have a back scratcher - one of those bamboo tiny monkey hand things from the dollar store - and I love it, but it isn't enough. I live alone with no family members or very close friends nearby so there is nobody who can scratch my back or apply lotion. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry at 3:28 PM PST - 32 comments

My son started working at a chip-and-grind shop, where he uses various pneumatic tools to remove the slag (or whatever) from die-cast engine parts. This is spectacularly filthy work. He's in PPE like a full face-covering respirator; work clothes include steel-toe boots, long heavy jeans, long-sleeve tees, gloves, and a balaclava. Still comes home looking like he rolled around the finest-grained sandbox in the universe. And it is really hard to remove. Please recommend a body wash or bar soap that will get him clean. [more inside]
posted by Caxton1476 at 2:27 PM PST - 21 comments

So I have low stomach acid. Now what? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 1:46 PM PST - 2 comments

does anyone here have a solution other than give up, bow and scrape to corporate bullshit security theatre, and never use anything other than that one home-based vanilla-ass Windows box to log into to ebay? [more inside]
posted by glonous keming at 12:45 PM PST - 6 comments

I am taking my teen to LA for a week in July. We will be staying in Laguna Beach for three days to go to the art festivals, that hotel is booked. I had planned to stay in Santa Monica for four nights but now think that may be too long and perhaps we could stay 2 of those nights somewhere else instead. But where? [more inside]
posted by waving at 12:22 PM PST - 10 comments

The Visual Display of Quantitative Information was a landmark book when it came out. Does it hold up in this world where graphing and charting have become so ubiquitous ? I have a young friend who is taking an intro stats/data visualization class. I'm wondering whether I should buy them a copy of this book to set them on the path of righteousness. Is it too dated? Is there some other landmark book in the field that has taken its place?
posted by Winnie the Proust at 11:04 AM PST - 22 comments

My company is in the market for an online project planning / tracking application. We've tried several and none meet our needs, so I thought I would ask for recommendations here. Details below. [more inside]
posted by tonycpsu at 10:43 AM PST - 4 comments

I recently bought a small bottle of Woolite Extra Delicates. I am obsessed with the scent. Can someone help me identify what it is so I can try to find similar-smelling products? [more inside]
posted by peakes at 10:02 AM PST - 8 comments

We’re moving into a new house and we must be shorter than the previous owners. Also, I think, we’re dealing with 10- or 12-foot ceilings. The Showerhead is installed too high for us. I’m not a plumber or even much of a handyman. Is there a workaround? It’s one of those (to me) new 12-inch wide heads. [more inside]
posted by feelinggood at 9:28 AM PST - 10 comments

I need to cut off below ground this 1.25 in steel pipe. Here's a photo. What are some easy methods I can consider? Links to special tools would be very helpful. Thanks!
posted by Rad_Boy at 9:24 AM PST - 10 comments

My father has a fiberglass extension ladder, with aluminum rungs. (It's the red ladder in the pic.) He estimates it's about 25 years old. He's been using it multiple times per year to get up on his roof, and he'd like to know whether he should be worried about some hidden structural decay that might cause it to suddenly fail. Do these ladders have specific lifespans? Is there some way to test their soundness? [more inside]
posted by wyzewoman at 9:01 AM PST - 5 comments

As I came of age in the late 90s early 00s in the upper southern US, a very typical dance was grinding that was very popular while listening to Hip Hop songs and maybe even a little Cotton Eyed Joe. Is this still the default "Basic Young people" dancing method? If not, where is still prevalent? When did it start waning? What has supplanted it? (mind not the pandemic) [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 8:48 AM PST - 2 comments

For work, I need to keep up with a vast number of tiny policy rules that change regularly and are often promulgated by email rather than added to our policy web pages. I am having trouble with this and I have an idea of what would help - see within. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 8:06 AM PST - 10 comments

I want to set up an esim (or maybe Google Fi) for a teen travelling internationally, and despite ingesting a multitude of blogs, vlogs, YT how-to's, ESIM provider FAQs, and my own carrier's customer support, I still have basic questions. The phone is an unlocked Pixel 3a (so Android). The carrier is Mint Mobile. I've confirmed that the phone works with ESIM and with the bands available in the country (4G/LTE, but not 5G). [more inside]
posted by cocoagirl at 7:56 AM PST - 7 comments

What non sausage foods do YOU put on hot dog buns? [more inside]
posted by bilabial at 7:22 AM PST - 50 comments

We love parmesan cheese. Unfortunately, we've now moved to a place that doesn't have this yummy cheese easily available for purchase at local stores. Where is there a good / decently priced that we can order online parmesan cheese? Personal recommendations preferred. [more inside]
posted by ellerhodes at 6:34 AM PST - 14 comments

Rental car descriptions seem to prioritize people space. Meanwhile I need space for 2 adults with 6 full size suitcases. [more inside]
posted by leticia at 4:27 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm interested in dipping my toes into some drawing - cartoon, figure, nature, whatever. I'm not ready to commit to a class or an online program. Is there a good YouTube channel for me to watch a few brief tutorials/lessons etc. to get my feet wet?
posted by Toddles at 10:31 PM PST - 1 comment

What's the etiquette around testing other people's kids? Specific details inside. [more inside]
posted by MiraK at 7:29 PM PST - 82 comments

I've been asked to be a support person at a friend's labour. Her partner will be there so I will be the second person. Though I have a child, I had a planned C-section so I didn't do this part and for reasons I skipped out of the vaginal-birth-specific section of my childbirth class. It might be useful for me to watch such a class now. Where can I do that? Free preferred and bonus points for anything that will cover anything induction-specific.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:27 PM PST - 3 comments

Searching for a solution to allow my elderly FIL to listen to the television without having to crank up the volume to overwhelm the rest of the family. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by China Grover at 7:08 PM PST - 15 comments

A childs book in a foreign language was recently left behind by customers at the place I work. It is adorable, with baby animals introducing themselves and saying what sound they make. Lotrik is dog, clearly, with a sort of crescent accent of some kind over the "r". Kata is cat, also with some accents. "Hello" seems to be ""ahoj". Can anyone tell me what language this is?
posted by vrakatar at 4:03 PM PST - 9 comments

I would like to find a well-made frame for hanging photographs that is likely to be available in the future. [more inside]
posted by medusa at 3:08 PM PST - 3 comments

I have a good friend who has a birthday coming up, and she's enjoying learning Turkish. I would love to get her an easy to read book in the Turkish language, preferably something that looks pretty and not like a language instruction book. I'm thinking along the lines of a book of Fairy Tales that woud be both pleasant to look at and fun for a language learner to read through. [more inside]
posted by nixxon at 2:24 PM PST - 3 comments

My kid has graduated from the excellent boards from SkateXS (I recommend them heartedly for 12 and under kids) and is ready for adult sized board (a street board or a longboard) and I'd like to get one for an upcoming birthday. Recommendations please! Caveats inside... [more inside]
posted by Ashwagandha at 2:20 PM PST - 5 comments

Googling isn't giving me useful results. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 2:18 PM PST - 8 comments

I made a post the other day about Nomad as half a joke. I spent today installing and playing with it. Is it an "enterprise cron scheduler" or something more? I was under the impression it was sort of a Kubernetes replacement. The post I made said it was for a simple homelab but I can't for the life of me figure out the actual use is unless you need advanced versioning and other enterprise features? [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 2:05 PM PST - 6 comments

How can we help our old dog adjust to cats and sleep quietly and comfortably at night? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 1:47 PM PST - 7 comments

I need suggestions for a trapezoidal patch of yard that is too steep at one end to mow or even stringtrim safely. It also gets full, often harsh sun (so is hard to tend). I could just plant hardy fescue this fall, which doesn't need mowing, but neighbors tend to complain about unmowed grass. Any suggestions for something low-key, low maintenance, but maybe a little more imaginative?
posted by mmiddle at 11:58 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a countertop ice maker. It does well in that it makes ice. However... [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 11:55 AM PST - 5 comments

I'd like to remove the soap dispenser from my kitchen sink. I'm not sure what kind of tool I need, or what method(s) I should try. Underneath, there is a hex nut that is very difficult to reach (red box in pic here). I tried loosening the apparatus from above, but all I managed to do was separate the neck of the dispenser from the base. Any tips greatly appreciated!
posted by DavidNYC at 11:53 AM PST - 4 comments

It's another covid question! Sorry to add to the pile but the anxiety's high and the google results are pitiful. Looking for official information, anecdata or even just guesses! [more inside]
posted by iguana in a leather jacket at 11:46 AM PST - 8 comments

I recently read The Brutish Museums: The Benin Bronzes, Colonial Violence and Cultural Restitution by Dan Hicks. It was a dark, depressing read but also very enlightening. What other books can I read that examine how so much non-European art ended up in Western museums?
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 11:28 AM PST - 4 comments

From various searches, it seems that there's no standard size for a home bocce court, which isn't good for a SUPER casual player to be trying to lay one out. Big time Boccinos, if a court is shortened for space restrictions, should it be the same width as a standard court or does it get narrower to maintain a ratio (like a pool table)? [more inside]
posted by hwyengr at 9:45 AM PST - 5 comments

Hoping to join a club in CLT on a modest budget (no Carmel, Carolina, Charlotte, MPCC, etc). Looking for a fun to play and well kept course w/ young members (20-50). Thanks for any recommendations!
posted by matt755811 at 9:37 AM PST - 4 comments

Mr. Millipede and I are going to a wedding in Montreal over July 4th weekend. We'd like some outdoor-dining restaurant recommendations. [more inside]
posted by millipede at 9:32 AM PST - 10 comments

Looking for a personal chef/home cook to prepare the same easy recipes every week and deliver them to me, nothing more, for $500/month. Is this realistic? [more inside]
posted by loonietrillium at 8:17 AM PST - 16 comments

I've been asked to speak at a conference and they've asked me to bring my own projector for my presentation. I don't have one. Can anyone recommend a good one? [more inside]
posted by christinetheslp at 7:58 AM PST - 13 comments

As above! Good poems to read on a picket line.
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 7:07 AM PST - 17 comments

On Saturday I got a small splinter in the ball of my foot. It’s tiny, only about 4-5mm long in total (though I can’t fully see the other end) but I cannot pull it out because it’s fully embedded and there’s nothing to grab onto, even with my best razor-sharp tweezers. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by mekily at 6:40 AM PST - 21 comments

I changed it in April when I was away from home and managed to lose the paper I wrote it on. I got a new phone yesterday and now I cannot access LastPass without my master password - I can't even use the authenticator because that requires the password too. I DO have access to LastPass on my laptop. So how screwed am I?
posted by tafetta, darling! at 6:38 AM PST - 4 comments

YANM accounting/financial advisor, etc. The stock market taking a dive and talk of a pending recession has me wondering if I need to reconsider how much money I'm sending to my 401k. Like everyone else, I've seen massive losses in my 401k this year, to the tune of about 4 times what I've put in. I am *not* considering pulling money out, but I am wondering if it makes sense to lower what I'm putting in to a) keep from setting money on fire and b) have a little more emergency cash on hand. Is this a dumb idea? [more inside]
posted by tryniti at 5:40 AM PST - 17 comments

How can I learn to be more outdoorsy, as a fat person? I have a few upcoming commitments this summer which will require spending the majority of the day outdoors doing outdoorsy things. I want to dread this less. [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 4:17 AM PST - 46 comments

How do I survive the laxatives and what should be in my hospital go bag? Graphic details and longwinded story to follow. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:16 AM PST - 14 comments

My new iPhone 13 Pro has many good qualities, but it almost always only allows me to "Scan Text" rather than the "Paste" option I had with my previous phone. Despite extensive googling, almost all I can find are suggestions to de-activate the "Live Text" option, which is NOT the same thing and which does not achieve what I want. The other suggestions don't work either. [more inside]
posted by purplesludge at 3:08 AM PST - 6 comments

Two young adults have a short holiday on Crete coming up in July. Cheapo flights are booked to Heraklion airport, but they haven't decided where exactly to spend the holiday yet. Do you know a place that would tick (most of) their boxes? Or have any other tips with regard to Crete? Major limitation: no driving. [more inside]
posted by muuratsaari at 2:08 AM PST - 5 comments

I have 2 Kleen Kanteen water bottles". On Saturday, I filled them with water and stuck them in the freezer. Even after spending a few hours in the sun, and then the whole night on my kitchen counter with the cap off, there is still an ice plug that's preventing water from flowing out. How? [more inside]
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 1:17 AM PST - 5 comments

Please give me your best apple crumble recipes and/or apple crumble techniques. All your hints, tips and tricks. I want a delicious crumble and the yummiest apple filling; scrumptious warm or cold. Will have a home-made vanilla custard available as a topping. This is a gift for a sad family so I am willing to do a test run or two if you have tricky ideas. Thanks.
posted by Thella at 12:28 AM PST - 9 comments

My elderly parents are in an untenable living situation at their (unexpectedly) conservative retirement community. They have a 0 lot line home and their newish next door neighbors abuse it mercilessly, banging trash cans up against my parents' bedroom walls, letting their abused dogs bark ceaselessly for hours, etc. My parents can't sleep, and they can't report these neighbors because the community's HOA is atrociously inept and may retaliate against my folks as opposed to the neighbors. I fear for their health and their lifespan. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by The Adventure Begins at 10:42 PM PST - 28 comments

I have an acquaintance who is Chinese. Her name, as written in English, is "Xinrui." How do I pronounce this name properly? [more inside]
posted by zardoz at 10:32 PM PST - 11 comments

My gynaecologist has put me on a contraceptive pill to help regulate my anxiety and other symptoms. I'm curious about other's experience with this use of hormonal birth control. Gynecologist is incredibly expensive and my GP can't answer my question so I'm hoping someone here might have ideas. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 10:02 PM PST - 6 comments

I want to share contacts from my iPhone with my spouse (who also has an iPhone), but am having trouble finding a way to do that. There doesn't seem to be a "family sharing" kind of mechanism built into iOS or iCloud, unless I've missed it. What is the most robust and easiest way to do it? [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 6:43 PM PST - 4 comments

I am taking care of a family member who is recovering from surgery, and my family member is acting like a jerk. Help me cope. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 5:17 PM PST - 18 comments

I saw we were smart (by li yifan) while it was free on YouTube and I'd love to get a copy. Does anyone have any ideas?
posted by Braeburn at 3:10 PM PST - 1 comment

One of the institutions I have an email account with moved to over Office365. This broke my existing inbox filters (which targeted messages from specific senders sent to a mailing list), and I am having trouble getting new ones working on the Outlook web interface. [more inside]
posted by ASF Tod und Schwerkraft at 3:10 PM PST - 4 comments

Can anyone recommend where to find a regular babysitter in King County, Washington? I'm looking for a babysitter to watch 2 preschoolers about 8 hours a week total. [more inside]
posted by entropyiswinning at 12:43 PM PST - 4 comments

We would like to get a patio table-ideally seats up to 8, no chairs needed. Criteria: low maintenance, doesn’t rust the first season, reasonable price. We have looked at and loved Fermob; the table linked there comes in lovely colors, we like that it can fold, and they seem to last forever as many local restaurants use them for outside dining. They aren’t cheap. Anyone able to either confirm they are worth the price, or have something similar to recommend?
posted by purenitrous at 10:40 AM PST - 5 comments

How exactly do I fill out this tax form and where exactly do I send it? [more inside]
posted by fozzie_bear at 10:13 AM PST - 3 comments

Partner has a very wide toe box, Men's 11.5 4E, and is having trouble finding socks that comfortably accommodate his extra wide toe box. He prefers no-show or low cut ankle socks to wear with his daily uniform of running shoes. Any recommendations for finding suitable socks are welcome. [more inside]
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 10:03 AM PST - 6 comments

How an my friend get Hulu in Canada if she doesn't know what a VPN is? She just wants to watch the new Emma Thompson movie. Could she use data on her phone?
posted by DMelanogaster at 8:58 AM PST - 9 comments

As part of a road trip with a 11 and 13 year old, we will be in LA from July 8-11. We will be flying into LAX. What part of town should we stay in? My first thought was Santa Monica but I keep hearing that Venice and surrounding areas aren't a good choice anymore. I'll leave it at that but would love to hear from people who are in the area. Other LA contacts have recommended Manhattan Beach, Silver Lake, or Culver City as good options. [more inside]
posted by jasondigitized at 8:57 AM PST - 7 comments

I just realized that my weight would be under control if I could just friggin' count calories all the time. How do YOU do it? What are YOUR tricks and strategies? [more inside]
posted by Melismata at 8:34 AM PST - 36 comments

My password manager pops up periodically and tells me that X number of passwords have been part of a data leak or hack. When I clicked on it, I realized there are dozens of accounts I've created at some point for a one-off use (e.g., buying a spa gift certificate for someone else in another state). Is there a way to find all accounts registered to my email and delete them? [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 7:59 AM PST - 7 comments

Writing advice for novelists has a wide spectrum, from use of language through world building, diverse characters etc, but I've found few articles and books focussing on the actual plotting - once you have your characters' goals, their world, their personalities, how to craft the journey from A to B when you're generally inclined to pantsing / gardening rather than confining outlines and formulas. Any reading recommendations? [more inside]
posted by I claim sanctuary at 4:05 AM PST - 14 comments

I like to ride bikes, for fun and utility! I will soon be moving to the rainy, hilly Pacific Northwest and I have heard many good things about belt-drive bikes with internal gear hubs in wet conditions, but... I already have two perfectly good chain-drive bikes, which I built and maintain myself. Leaving aside the fact that N+1 is always the right answer, are the cleanliness and low-maintenance benefits of a belt drive enough to consider upgrading? [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 7:47 PM PST - 12 comments

Following the lifting of Covid restrictions, I have seen inside the bathroom at my child’s school and now I understand why he is having frequent accidents. What next? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 7:38 PM PST - 17 comments

When I am working with a particular coworker on projects, they tend to randomly introduce untrue, unfounded, and illogical ideas about what we're supposed to be doing and then refuse to back down. Sometimes it's easy enough to say, "Okay, let's work on a different part for now and come back to this," but sometimes the disagreement is about something fundamental to what we're doing, so we can't move forward without external clarification/correction, which makes it hard to get anything done. It also really pushes my buttons, and I'm tired of getting angry, so I'm looking for advice on how to handle this more productively, or maybe a pop-psychology/self-help term to describe their behavior, so that I can find advice elsewhere. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:04 PM PST - 17 comments

Looking for albums where the first track is a shorter, mostly-instrumental intro. Bonus points if it the track is actually called "Intro". The two albums that come to mind for this are alt-J's An Awesome Wave and The xx's xx. What else do you know of?
posted by curious nu at 3:59 PM PST - 54 comments

I've been unsuccessfully trying to buy a house for quite a while, and there's one that I like now, but it's in a flood zone and I'm wondering if there's any way to protect it. It was built in 1930 directly next to a stream- most of the time, it's fine, but in a heavy rain I picture the water being sort of like a moat in front of the house. The front door actually has a bridge-like pathway over the stream to the street. [more inside]
posted by pinochiette at 3:19 PM PST - 19 comments

Recovering from Covid, I stupidly didn't invoice a client until the day of their weekly pay run. Rent is due Tuesday, check is in my hand Friday ... and I'm short. Other than borrowing from good friends (who would probably say yes, and have the funds), how can I fix this? details below the fold [more inside]
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 2:21 PM PST - 22 comments

I have a weird area in my yard that I'm thinking about turning into a native wildflower patch. I'm looking for advice about how to go about it. [more inside]
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 12:51 PM PST - 10 comments

A very close friend couple of mine became pregnant in January, and are expecting their baby next month. I'm thrilled for them, but I'm also struggling with the transition of the friendship. Tips and suggestions would be much appreciated. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 12:27 PM PST - 48 comments

A few days ago, I went to stylists to fix hair I initially messed up myself. About 2 months ago, I got it in my head I wanted a wolf cut and did it myself. It didn't go well. After 2 months of growing my hair out and hiding it in hairbands, I tried to get fixed, seeing two hair stylists. Its the worst haircut I've had in my life. [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 12:21 PM PST - 17 comments

A granny needs a cart to carry groceries several blocks. She has to walk across a lawn, but mostly will be on sidewalks with curb cuts, the sidewalks can be a bit uneven, and there is a low step at the threshold. I found this older question, but it was asked in 2015. Is the Rolser with 4 wheels, including 2 that swivel, still a good bet? [more inside]
posted by SandiBeech at 11:57 AM PST - 7 comments

Do any of the 7 million gadgets strewn across the undiscovered countryside of 'sleep tracking' do a decent job of detecting and reporting if/when the various sleep stages are engaged? I'm specifically interested in a device that would show *when* I enter REM sleep and for how long. I have reason to suspect this happens very little for me and if it does, not until very very late in the overall sleep cycle. I have a Gen4 Apple Watch which AFAICT can't do what I need. I'm happy to get another device. [more inside]
posted by armoir from antproof case at 11:33 AM PST - 14 comments

Plans for a greater-Denver-area trip changed last minute, and now I need to book a new place to stay for the start of next week or more. Where in the greater Denver area should I stay, and what should I do to entertain myself? [more inside]
posted by soleiluna at 9:09 AM PST - 5 comments

My partner will finish up their veterinary residency in July of 2023 and we’re talking about where to consider relocating too. We currently live separately. I have a number of health issues so I need to live somewhere with great options for medical care, preferably by a university. The rest of our wish list includes: in the North East, in or very close to a mid to large city, not to far from the coast I’m currently in NYC, and we’ve thought of Boston and Philadelphia. Any other suggestions?
posted by OsoMeaty at 8:03 AM PST - 17 comments

Hello, I need to host a garden party for a bunch of classical music/string playing fans in four hours. I'm looking for string chamber music that is not overly dramatic and does not have lots of sudden loud/soft dynamics (tall order I know) Ravel's String Quartet in F part II- Assez vif, Très rythmé is a good example.
posted by sol at 7:35 AM PST - 8 comments

I have a vague recollection of a compilation album of obscure, regional-label '60s-'70s soul/r&b music. [more inside]
posted by box at 6:50 AM PST - 2 comments

I've suffered with RSI for several years now. In a 7 year job I eventually got Dragon (voice activation software) after an arduous struggle. I am now a temp worker so my current workplace (an Independent hospital chain) is even less inclined to pay for it, in-spite of just extending me. [more inside]
posted by tanktop at 3:42 AM PST - 10 comments

This is a long shot, I know. I don't think it's likely that a counselor like this exists, but it's worth asking. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:48 AM PST - 12 comments

I have a boring job that asks little of me and pays amazing, but my boss is toxic. Is there a way to make this work? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:47 AM PST - 15 comments

I am friends with people who have, or are willing to tolerate, Mike Pence rules. I find them highly problematic and thus incredibly difficult for me to respect. Does anyone else have personal experience with this? What is the best thing to do about them? [more inside]
posted by sockmeamadeus at 11:39 PM PST - 33 comments

I am trying to migrate my old Minecraft Mojang account over to the required Microsoft account. However, I do not have access to my old email account. I do have the old login and password, but I'm repeatedly running into a brick wall and can't seem to find a solution. Help? [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 at 7:56 PM PST - 4 comments

So, long a go when I was a very little kid, I saw a movie, and I cannot remember the name...I don't remember a lot but I remember a few key details, and I think that anyone who has seen the movie would recognize it. Here are some relevant (and irrelevant) details... [more inside]
posted by kjl291 at 6:09 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm a woman in my mid-50's and have spent the last 20 years of vacation time either visiting family or planning trips around my kids. I have typically done all of the vacation planning for the family and after our last marathon 13 day cross country trip, I finally have decided that I'm done. But, now I'd like to take a vacation just for me. It looks like the last walking tour question was from 2011 so I'd love some updated info and suggestions. [more inside]
posted by victoriab at 5:08 PM PST - 25 comments

Let's say I live in the Mid-Adlantic and my municipality allows me to own several (I'd prefer just a few?) chickens. [more inside]
posted by atomicstone at 4:57 PM PST - 10 comments

This is not a how-to question, but a how-you question! For a card, do you place the seam at the bottom or the top? Do you have the card image facing the back, or facing the front? How many times do you fold a sheet of paper when you're sending a letter? I want to know your process!
posted by curious nu at 4:46 PM PST - 27 comments

It's reached the point where I'm ready to order a 14 inch MacPro. But it'll be 6-8 weeks before it's delivered and the new job is very haphazard with the schedule e.g. I may not be available to be home when computer arrives, what are my options? [more inside]
posted by clocksock at 3:51 PM PST - 7 comments

We just got a new 32" tv replacing a similar sized 2006 set. I'm watching the film Titanic. The visual quality of the film looks incredibly cheap - as if I'm watching the camera work from a 1970s BBC production. [more inside]
posted by plonkee at 3:23 PM PST - 11 comments

After trucking along through my early 40s without being noticeably not-in-my-30s, I seem to have crossed some sort of rubicon recently. And oh wow, I am NOT a big fan of it. What are your best tips for staying balanced about all of this: starting to work on changing what I can, but also feeling kinder toward my new and future self? [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 2:12 PM PST - 32 comments

Everything I've read so far says not to wash them for 6 months. Which I assume means when you're wearing them once or twice a week. But what if you're wearing them every day? (And a lot of full days with exercise and effort) So what's the minimum number of days actually worn you want to do before you wash the jeans?
posted by rileyray3000 at 1:07 PM PST - 15 comments

I had a small book release party/fundraiser for Ukraine recently. I intend to donate the money to the Ukraine cause. [more inside]
posted by Rumi'sLeftSock at 12:38 PM PST - 2 comments

I thought I had solved my anxiety about leaving the cats and house unattended while I'm away on vacation by getting some nifty webcams, but now I am concerned about how much data they use. Can you please explain like I'm 5 whether there's anything to worry about and if possible, what settings I should make sure in place to alleviate concerns? [more inside]
posted by Tandem Affinity at 12:26 PM PST - 5 comments

A nice spider is taking up too much space in my garage, is there a way for me to convince it to relocate, and optionally prevent other spiders from taking its place? [more inside]
posted by rhizome at 12:05 PM PST - 14 comments

For about two weeks now, at least once or twice a day I get a call or a text saying some version of, "Yeah, I got a call from this number. Who is this? What do you want?" or I get an automated response in the form of a text that says, "Sorry, I can't talk right now." I have never contacted these numbers in any form. [more inside]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:54 AM PST - 11 comments

Help our housing coop think about safety and shared costs as we consider building a propane-gas fire pit! We'd like for the structure to be robust enough for some potentially rough treatment when the fire pit is not in use (kids climbing around the area), as well as secured so that only adults can actually start the gas and light a fire. We'd also like to think about how to fairly allocate propane costs. [more inside]
posted by wyzewoman at 11:02 AM PST - 7 comments

In the summer of 1997, I was wandering around New York City and stopped at an art museum or gallery. There I saw a photography exhibit that has stuck with me all these years, but I can't remember who the artist was or find the art again. [more inside]
posted by gauche at 10:08 AM PST - 7 comments

What are your go-to easy guitar songs that have great lyrics and are just awesome songs? Super bonus points if you link to the chords. [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 9:59 AM PST - 13 comments

It's my dream job, but when I left I was really burned out and am not sure where I stand and whether applying for it is stupid [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 9:36 AM PST - 13 comments

Moderating a conference panel and one of our panelists couldn't come cuz COVID positive. I have a cordless mic, a phone and a laptop. I do not have access to any kind of overhead AV system. I don't expect she'll be able to fully participate but is there a way for me to bring her in for at least her initial presentation? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 9:30 AM PST - 10 comments

My spouse and I love Antiques Roadshow (it’s one of the few shows we are both are crazy about) and we are in Canada and subscribe to Britbox on BBC Prime. But we are whipping through them at a great clip and need more! It seems that Britbox releases one new season (and it's not even the most recent one) each year. Where can we watch more Antiques Roadshow? I am willing to pay good money for this, I just don't know where else I can stream it.
posted by Lescha at 9:13 AM PST - 8 comments

Yes, the perfect is the enemy of the good but when it comes to releasing apps I lack the skills to make it even that far. I’ve always worked where people with many complimentary skills cooperated to get products made, and I’m driven to despair about how much will be done half-assed if I do it myself. Unfortunately consultants are not in the budget. [more inside]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 8:25 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm dealing with some pretty severe fatigue these days. I'm working with my doctor to try and figure things out, but in the meantime I just started a new job and can barely keep my eyes open. How do I push past this? [more inside]
posted by cgg at 8:22 AM PST - 21 comments

I'm seeking help to remember a specific painting I saw from late-night scrolling several years back. [more inside]
posted by mibo at 7:52 AM PST - 6 comments

My mom has asked me to buy her a bottle of perfume. She likes trying out new brands, so I don't want to just buy her another bottle of something she already likes. But I don't know much about fragrances so I don't know what to get her. Any suggestions? Perfumeheads of Mefi, this would probably be an easy one for you. [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 7:05 AM PST - 18 comments

A friend of mine (sadly not me), is shopping his “Regency-era sci-fi” novel to British and American agents without much luck. He’s finding a lot of not very reputable agents, but no one who would actually give him serious critique, support, or a direct answer. He’s followed the advice I’ve seen in previous Asks on the blue (eg using literarymarketplace etc) to little avail. Can any of you fab folks recommend an agent (or a press) that might be interested in looking at his work? Or have advice on the approach he should take? Thanks!
posted by mollymillions at 6:50 AM PST - 12 comments

My elderly parents are coming for a month-long visit after 2 and a half years of covid-enforced separation. I am really looking forward to it. In the interim, I adopted two rescue cats (cat tax). We have never had pets before, though my parents are excited and enthusiastic about meeting them. I am too (and my unbiased opinion is that my cats are adorable and nobody can help falling in love with them anyway), but I do have some practical concerns. [more inside]
posted by Nieshka at 6:17 AM PST - 8 comments

I've just started a new job in the past few months and I was so happy. It's a step up and I felt comfortable with the team, which was unprecedented for me and felt like it was going to be a good next step in my career. It made me feel more positive about doing accounting, which I've been resistant to for so long. My manager has been super busy so I've barely spoken to her these past few months. However, she's now begun training me (remotely) and I'm finding it to be a very unpleasant experience. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 6:03 AM PST - 17 comments

I'd like to purchase a small amount of undeveloped land to build a cabin with my children using the trees on the land. Anyone have any suggestions where i could do this for cheap! Like really cheap....
posted by MrAsk at 11:46 PM PST - 20 comments

I want to give a teacher who is leaving our school a personalized pencil. She’s been a teacher at our school for 15 years and this is a big transition, so I want this to say you’re a very special person, but also be a little funny. I’m trying to think of way to say you’re in our teacher club forever. Too corny to say “Lifetime Member of the Beechwood Teacher Club”? (Sounds too sincere…I want to make her laugh) Any ideas?
posted by biscuits at 9:32 PM PST - 12 comments

Having recently perused the CDC site on N95s, I see a brief mention within the NIOSH APPPROVAL FAQ that there are NIOSH approved N95 masks with ear loops, but only a few designs. I am skeptical but want to know more about these if they exist. [more inside]
posted by happy_cat at 9:31 PM PST - 7 comments

My apricot tree was growing a nice crop this year but--even though they were not that close to ripe--almost all of them have fallen off the tree. I don't think this was spontaneous. It probably wasn't neighbors. What animals do I blame? [more inside]
posted by mark k at 6:40 PM PST - 5 comments

I am canceling Peacock premium for a bit, anything I should watch before this payment period is up? [more inside]
posted by the primroses were over at 4:46 PM PST - 16 comments

I've tried two name-brand keypad door locks and they both failed after a year or so. Does anyone have a recommendation for one that will actually do the job?
posted by sjswitzer at 4:11 PM PST - 18 comments

Is there a way to tell why my water usage is so high? [more inside]
posted by jaybeans at 4:09 PM PST - 28 comments

I'm applying for a Canadian Government job and the website says, "Your résumé should be in plain text format (avoid using special formatting such as tables and columns)." I have some questions about this AND some general resume questions. Please help if you can. [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 3:42 PM PST - 7 comments

I want to text my kid something ridiculous every day. Help me! [more inside]
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 3:40 PM PST - 40 comments

I need funny stories of byzantine, outdated, and inefficient processes in local governments that could be handled much more effectively with basic web technology. [more inside]
posted by MelanieMichelle at 3:35 PM PST - 18 comments

Hello! I remember reading a book on Tibetan medicine where a practitioner would put a healing 'patch' on someone. The 'patch' had a healing script or mantra on it. Maybe it was after someone had moxibustion. I remember the image in a book that had vivid photos, so this was not a dense book, it was more an overview of different healing ancient Asian practices-, I think. I also remember in the book, the patient had inking like Angliena Joile (not henna). Do you know what this practice is? Trying to learn more. [more inside]
posted by Boyd at 2:48 PM PST - 4 comments

I keep experiencing a troubling interaction pattern at work. Today I had another one. I had to take almost the whole rest of the day off just to process this. Because usually when I think about something for a few minutes I start to understand it. But I keep thinking about this and no answers are occurring. So that's when I usually hit up AskMe. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 1:35 PM PST - 47 comments

Thumbnail: one of my cats is variably bad about scratching upholstery. I do not want that to happen in one particular instance. [more inside]
posted by less-of-course at 1:26 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm a writer and have a question about something I'm working on with repurposed text. I've read about standards for fair use, but of course that can be murky. Is there a copyright lawyer that would do a free consult about this? Is someone here a lawyer or similar expert? More info inside. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 1:06 PM PST - 11 comments

We’re in the middle of the approval process for a home equity line of credit, to do some renovations on our home. The lender says we need to increase our homeowners insurance to cover the remaining mortgage and total requested for the HELOC. But our insurer says that they can’t legally ask for that, and that I should go back to the bank to discuss. What are our options here? [more inside]
posted by summerteeth at 1:05 PM PST - 11 comments

I am a head of a department at company X, who produce services for 'painters'. I manage a large team but operations is not my skillset nor does it make me happy. The company have offered me position Y, which I'm accepting. It's a brand new role in product management which I'm really excited about as it's much more strategic. However, one of my direct reports has been gunning for a role in this department for years and years. I know from past experience that they tend to become bitter, and have had conflict about peers getting promotions previously. How can I break the news to them? How can I mitigate any bad feelings long term? [more inside]
posted by socky_puppy at 12:32 PM PST - 10 comments

My first can-I-eat-it question, I'm so honored? To be part of this tradition? The item in question is a steak. [more inside]
posted by Lawn Beaver at 12:31 PM PST - 11 comments

I recently saw a vertically shot video of a guy holding some soft frisbees that I'd like to find again. [more inside]
posted by Gorgik at 11:28 AM PST - 3 comments

My employer makes us do handwritten work when it would be about a thousand times easier to let us to the same work electronically. This drives me, not to put too fine a point on it, fucking bananas. Please help me find the right combination of words that will persuade my boss to change this policy. [more inside]
posted by That darn sock! at 11:24 AM PST - 14 comments

I bought this big jar of macadamia nut butter at Costco. I stirred the oil that was separated at the top of the jar into the rest of the stuff, then tasted. I find it much too oily and liquid now; not usable. I want it to go back to how it was, with the oil floating on top, so I can pour off the top bit of oil, and hopefully the stuff below will be more like a usable nut butter. How? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:15 AM PST - 7 comments

I need a couple of pairs of pants that I can wear in the boiling upper midwest without dying. They need to come in XL-XXL/38-40W sizes. I'd like wovens, not knits and they need to stretch so that I can bike short distances in them. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 9:51 AM PST - 13 comments

I’d like to buy myself a simple piece of jewellery that commemorates huge challenges and changes in my life over the last 3 years and serves as a reminder to myself that I can do hard things, I kept going when things were tough, and I should KEEP going, no matter what. [more inside]
posted by notquitejane at 9:49 AM PST - 20 comments

As the title suggests I am looking for any and all book recommendations about embracing the her lifestyle. Life is growing increasingly expensive and emotionally draining and while I can't go run off to live in the forest in a cozy cottage all by myself, I suspect that I would find some solace in reading about other people who can. Thank you kindly.
posted by KnittedNoodle at 9:32 AM PST - 16 comments

How do I splice a four- or five-strand sinnet into a ring, to make a decorative wreath? I would like to make a braided-rope wreath like this item. [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 7:57 AM PST - 6 comments

You know that incessant VRBO commercial which starts with the host saying “I can make anyone into a beachbum”? What’s the specific property though? If I want to go stay at that specific guy’s specific VRBO property, where am I going?
posted by shadygrove at 6:40 AM PST - 6 comments

I've been prescribed Methylphenidate for ADHD, primarily inattentive. I've been on it for a few months and have been increasing the dose at my psychologist's recommendation, as I haven't seen positive effects, and am now at 40mg. In fact I feel less productive and organised now than I have done for some time. In particular I have noticed, and other people have mentioned, that I seem to be more forgetful. I have googled Methylphenidate and memory and found that most of the results show a positive effect on memory, but I did see this paper from 2000 which found that in some people taking it led to a decline in memory. I'm thinking about ceasing to take it on this basis, once I have discussed it with my psychologist, but to help make this decision I am interested to know if other people have had the same issue, or if there is other relevant research. Thanks.
posted by anonymous at 6:35 AM PST - 8 comments

What did "demi-dingle" mean in 1929? And also, where was this rotten link supposed to lead? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 4:55 AM PST - 11 comments

Lately I've been enjoying videos from cooking YouTuber Evan Chlebowski and I am looking for more like this. They scratch my itch for content that is talking about calorie management while still focused on food that looks delicious and well-prepared. Can you recommend other content (including videos, cookbooks, blogs) that strike a similar tone? [more inside]
posted by synecdoche at 4:41 AM PST - 1 comment

Sometime in the past 2-3 years there was a tweet about how years of therapy made the author realize they were being taken advantage of at work--but it was phrased in a more nuanced and profound way. I cannot for the life of me remember enough of it to successfully search for it online, but it was important to me and I'd love to find it again. Does anyone remember the actual phrasing, or have a link to the tweet?
posted by rhiannonstone at 10:14 PM PST - 4 comments

I became a naturalized US citizen in 2020. Due to covid closures, I was only able to change my citizenship status with SSA this month. I received a new social security card in the mail, which looks identical to my old one. Same number, just with a new issue date. Is there a reason for reissuing it?
posted by cozenedindigo at 6:25 PM PST - 3 comments

Our dog (dog tax) is obsessed with this one couch cushion. Months ago she ruptured the zipper. Now any time she gets a chance she is trying to pull out more of the stuffing. It's going to be an expensive fix to get it restuffed and mended, and I very much don't want to have to fix it again once we've done it. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by potrzebie at 5:54 PM PST - 16 comments

Our new baby shark (tax) needs some gear. Unfortunately online reviews and rankings have been totally devalued. Help us find dog accoutrements based on what worked for YOUR dog. [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 5:49 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm trying to figure out what movie this was (or whether my kid imagination might have made the whole thing up): What I remember is that throughout the movie, there's a kid who says their parent "is a star," and I think we're led to believe they mean a Hollywood star (or maybe that that their parent is dead?) but in the end (according to my memory) it turns out their parent is literally a star in the night sky. [more inside]
posted by nobody at 5:13 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm in need of mosquito control strategies. The issue is that there is a 3rd floor balcony with a screen door. The screen door is damaged in such a way as the pets can get in and out, which is good. And also air can get in and out, which is crucial now that it's getting hot. But it's also damaged in such a way as mosquitos get in and out, which is bad. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 4:57 PM PST - 27 comments

I've been trying to clean out my house. I have about 5 boxes of electronic components. Parts, wire, breadboards, 40 years of hobby stuff. I'd like to donate to people that will use it, like a Maker Lab or STEM center. I'm in western Suffolk county, NY. I don't want to ship it anywhere, just have someone pick up, or I could drop off if local, but I don't know to who. Any ideas?
posted by Marky at 3:24 PM PST - 6 comments

I have a small ozone generator I once used to get rid of some nasty smells in my cellar. Now I want to try two things: 1. Sterlilizing my footwear, like socks&shoes 2. Getting rid of some critters in the kitchen Ozone oxidizes organic materials. So if I put my cotton socks and leather shoes in a box with my Ozone generator, will they melt or something after a certain amount of time? I guess any bacteria, spores etc. will be dead after an hour, but if I would leave them longer, would maybe the glue soften? The cotton fibers get brittle? Or what? Same for my kitchen, I think the critters will die, but for example what would happen to an apple if I leave it for a longer period in my ozone box? Potatoes that are lying around? Is this all a bad idea? I know not to be around during and after using my generator.
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon at 11:54 AM PST - 7 comments

We are potentially thinking about buying a property with a couple who are good friends, mostly as a long term investment. Trying to think through the universe of issues to worry about and get advice from others who have done the same. [more inside]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 11:13 AM PST - 23 comments

I got a shipping invoice for over a hundred dollars from FedEx. A package WAS picked up from my address on the date indicated, but it was a package that had been prepaid by the recipient, a health care-adjacent lab company. The twist: FedEx misspelled my first and last name on the invoice but got my address correct. This spelling error was probably what caused them to bill me in the first place. Since I am not the imaginary person listed on the invoice... what would happen if I just didn't pay it? [more inside]
posted by cubeb at 10:50 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm signing on to write a 50K non-fiction book biography of sorts over my maternity leave, which will be 4th months long. Looking for allll of the tips! [more inside]
posted by knownassociate at 10:36 AM PST - 19 comments

What music video was this? I think i saw it on MeFi in 2018. The singer is a woman with long brown hair. She wears an unusual tall hat of some kind and maybe a victorian or puritan dress. She’s wearing tall boots with platform soles and she’s lifting her feet up while she dances. The song sounded kind of neo-goth-folksy. Hopefully that’s enough to go on!
posted by umber vowel at 9:48 AM PST - 2 comments

Mattress topper suggestions wanted! Plus questions about them. [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 8:25 AM PST - 9 comments

I have several aquatic snails in a tank I call Snellywood (Snailcity, S-town, baby). I have two new purple mystery snails to join my other mysteries Fred and Ginger (and Tracy and Hepburn the nerites) [more inside]
posted by wellifyouinsist at 7:55 AM PST - 21 comments

I am looking for online workout videos WITHOUT music. I am interested in a little bodyweight/strength training and a little cardio. The silver lining of the pandemic has been LEARNING TO WORKOUT AT HOME, FINALLY!!!! i am very happy about this, but workout music drives me nuts. Help! [more inside]
posted by maca at 7:05 AM PST - 8 comments

... and Data Science? How well-regarded is this degree? How difficult? [more inside]
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 5:47 AM PST - 7 comments

My kids want to go on a road trip from LA to San Fran towards the end of July. Yes, this isn't much time to plan. They are 11 and 13. They are down to do whatever. Both are curious and adventurous. We have 10 days. ( It can be less ). Happy to mix time in the city with time in small towns and in nature. What is our itinerary? [more inside]
posted by jasondigitized at 5:11 AM PST - 22 comments

I have significant credit card debt and desperately want it to be at least more manageable, at as low an interest rate as possible, until I can pay it off completely -- and to get trustworthy advice on how to start to get my credit score back again. I fortunately have no student loan debt, just the cards. [more inside]
posted by argonauta at 3:53 AM PST - 14 comments

Have you had a vasectomy that involved titanium clips? Tell me about it! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:00 PM PST - 11 comments

I’m going for a Cardiac CT in 1 week, which is covered under my insurance. Is there any way to request, while I’m full of contrast and in the machine, for the CT operator to scan my Neck & Head & provide the data - even on my own nickel? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:00 PM PST - 9 comments

I’ve recently moved from a suburb to a major city that is quite safe. However, I’m struggling with feeling very paranoid about getting attacked. While I can logically deduce that these fears are unreasonable, in the moment, when I’m emotionally involved, it’s hard for me to remember. How do I correctly tune my sense of “stranger danger”? [more inside]
posted by cruel summer at 9:02 PM PST - 30 comments

I'm replacing an old, cracked toilet. The problem is that it's in the basement and the floor is sloped. Should I level the floor or the toilet? [more inside]
posted by erpava at 7:12 PM PST - 10 comments

You are my friend and everything is just the worst. Truly catastrophic outcomes on many fronts. Things are shockingly, numbingly bad and there isn’t anything anyone can do to change outcomes. You otherwise have a good support structure and practical needs met, so I send you a token of my affection. This token nods to how truly awful the situation is, but conveys love instead of pure horror and with any luck elicits a wry smile. It requires absolutely nothing of you. So friend, what did I send you and where did I buy it?
posted by this-apoptosis at 6:18 PM PST - 29 comments

My current email address is bessl@largeCanadianTelecom.net. I own the domain bessl.ca through GoDaddy, and think it would be best to change my main email address to nuclear@bessl.ca and then forward to my largeCanadianTelecom account. How do? Please explain like I'm five. [more inside]
posted by nuclear bessel at 4:18 PM PST - 14 comments

As my collaborator and I finish developing our musical, we are looking for festivals to submit it to. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 4:16 PM PST - 6 comments

I'd like to read something about reconciliation. I am pretty ignorant of aboriginal issues beyond the most basic settlers-stole-their-land, broke treaties and kidnapped kids. Like I don't really understand how treaties WORK. In fact I don't even know if that's the right question to ask. So what should I read? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 3:27 PM PST - 7 comments

I have a friend who will be unable to use their voice for a while due to a medical procedure. I want to gift them a tablet and could use help figuring out what to buy. [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 3:25 PM PST - 14 comments

I’m agoraphobic (female, 45yo). I live in Ottawa, Canada. I’ve hardly been out of the house in 3-4 years. I realize I can’t live like this forever, and don’t want to. So, I’d like to start seeing a good therapist who could help me figure out what to do now. [more inside]
posted by MelanieL at 3:19 PM PST - 4 comments

What are some good recent video games that don't suffer if you are frequently interrupted? I get yanked around a lot, but I'd like to play something absorbing anyway. I know that match-3 games and simple ones like Minesweeper were built for this, but I'm looking for something more absorbing, available for iOS, Switch, or PC. I'd also prefer something that's not a huge memory hog. [more inside]
posted by Countess Elena at 3:10 PM PST - 18 comments

This goes back, possibly to the late 80s! The writer had to host a very famous food writer or restaurant critic. She (pretty sure the writer was female) fell back on Smithfield Ham, brandied peaches, tiny fresh peas. Possibly there was a cheese souffle? Before the august guest came she held a "practice dinner" with her family. When the actual guest was there, one of her children spilled the beans about the rehearsal dinner. Any ideas? I remember it as amusing, and would like to reread.
posted by cyndigo at 2:43 PM PST - 3 comments

Hi AskMe, I'm on the verge of landing my first full-time job after being stuck in the limbo of part-time for a few years, at a decent company but still. The background check is taking ages and my anxieties are spiking for a couple reasons. I'd appreciate some perspective. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 2:24 PM PST - 12 comments

My friend who lives alone has had two bad falls and is considering what kind of technology might help if they fall and become unconscious. The Apple Watch has fall detection, but can it call 911 and give them your correct address? And what about Amazon’s new Alexa Together thing? Or do you know of a different good suggestion?
posted by hungrytiger at 1:48 PM PST - 6 comments

A long story but caught my financial advisor in a lie about a mistake he made with an account. Phoned his supervisor who did nothing. I no longer trust my brokerage firm and want to transfer my funds out. However, there are fees associated with that and due to the circumstances I would rather not pay. Who would I contact? Very difficult to find online what department. My advisor is also the branch manager, btw. Do you have recommended financial firms too? Thanks!
posted by DixieBaby at 1:40 PM PST - 6 comments

I seem to have wrenched my back. I have never had back problems in my life so I have no idea what to do! [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 1:34 PM PST - 22 comments

I am hosting a party that I may need to cancel. I need to figure out if I should or not. [more inside]
posted by pando11 at 1:15 PM PST - 22 comments

My kids (11 and 13) are interested in keeping/developing their Spanish over summer break. What are some (generally) age-appropriate ideas for stuff they can stream? [more inside]
posted by nickmark at 1:07 PM PST - 8 comments

I want this Can't Stop board game board I found from from Thingiverse out of wood but I don't know who to be asking. [more inside]
posted by carpyful at 12:56 PM PST - 9 comments

Hello, Our busy office has a college intern and a graduate student. Being a friendly person, I find that the interns are often coming to me for more complete instructions. Before assigning interns tasks, I am going to suggest that staff complete a basic email form- due date, etc. Does anyone have something like this already created, or any guidance I can give folks to make this process more seamless? Thank you! [more inside]
posted by Boyd at 12:40 PM PST - 7 comments

Vocalists who learned how to handle microtones: how did you get there? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 12:40 PM PST - 3 comments

My manager is driving me crazy by being so unreliable. I'm managing him more than he's managing me, and I have so much resentment about it. Please help me figure out how to resolve some of these issues without going off the deep end. [more inside]
posted by danceswithlight at 12:20 PM PST - 19 comments

I have a trip coming up to Yellowstone National Park in early August. Given the ongoing terrible flood event and road washouts, and park evacuation etc, checking if anyone has informed opinions on likelihood of North entrance or large parts of the park being closed / impacted for an extended period. [more inside]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 10:38 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm starting a new gig in a couple weeks, and have the choice of a Macbook or a (nice) PC laptop. Which? [more inside]
posted by Vhanudux at 10:37 AM PST - 17 comments

I’m wanting to do two big things: 1) get a PhD and 2) have a baby. I know, having a baby doesn’t happen on a timeline, but… if it did… what would be a better situation? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:05 AM PST - 15 comments

Dad died several months ago. Mom passed away years ago. He had a will and and left his assets like the house, 2 cars and a boat in a revocable trust, of which I become (became?) the Trustee and beneficiary. Supposedly this was done to avoid probate court. But what does that all mean? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:05 AM PST - 7 comments

Is there a way to easily/quickly search google maps for the x closest to the y? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 9:46 AM PST - 7 comments

In the second headphone question of the day, I'm looking for two pairs of modestly priced over the ear headphones to keep plugged in to my electric piano and electronic drums. [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 9:38 AM PST - 4 comments

Selling my son's car audio subwoofer on FB Marketplace. Questions about in-person exchanges with a "gift of fear" vibe. [more inside]
posted by Caxton1476 at 9:31 AM PST - 7 comments

Now that I've been working from home for 2+ years, perhaps it's time to get a comfortable chair. Bonus: I'm moving my workspace into our about-to-be-completed basement that will be a combo workspace/playroom/hangout room, and would like a chair that fits the vibe. [more inside]
posted by DoubleLune at 8:02 AM PST - 7 comments

My extremely close friends (their three kids call me "auntie") have a pre-teen who is suffering from mental illness and behavioral challenges, and making everyone around him miserable. I'd like to hear about how other people coped with this kind of situation. [more inside]
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 8:01 AM PST - 11 comments

How can I find a police report with very little information? I know the month of the alleged crime, name of the victim, the first name of the minor child who was at the scene of the crime, and the general (but not terribly large) geographic area where the crime is said to have occurred. Newspapers.com and google have turned up nothing but that may be a result of my poor search skills. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:01 AM PST - 9 comments

I extensively used the Samsung Notes app on my (Verizon) Galaxy S10e for two years, and as far as I know, the app backed up my data to somewhere in my Samsung account. A few weeks ago, that Galaxy device died somewhat unexpectedly and I can't power it on or access anything on it. I've since switched to a Google Pixel. How can I access my Samsung Notes? [more inside]
posted by knile at 7:50 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm sure if I'm wording this right, but basically I'm asking what are the biological processes that make me, me (or you, you)? What are the current theories or proven knowledge that details how a 3 pound bit of tissue and some electricity make us, us? I'm specifically not asking about metaphysical theory, but biological ones, thanks.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:43 AM PST - 7 comments

My family likes to make stir fry and fried rice. We normally use a cast iron pan for this but I'd like to use a wok. We have a glass (flat) topped induction range. Is it possible to get a wok for it and have it work as a wok is supposed to work? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff at 7:37 AM PST - 12 comments

I need headphones with a mic. I have a very large head and some other concerns. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 6:58 AM PST - 12 comments

Are there any good ways to understand the clothing fashion trends of recent decades? I feel like I understand the key styles of several decades ago--or at least recent cultural parodies that we see of them--but without critical distance, it is hard to understand fashion trends of the most recent decades. Are there books, videos, timelines, or other ways to understand the key differences between fashions of, say, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020??
posted by mortaddams at 6:22 AM PST - 5 comments

My beautiful Wisakedjak is one of five cats in our house; I've had him since kittenhood and he's about five years old now. But he has never been entirely happy and we're thinking he may need a different sort of home. [more inside]
posted by jackbishop at 5:42 AM PST - 5 comments

I seem to be reinfecting myself with athlete’s foot every summer. How do I sanitize my non-washable sandals to get rid of it? [more inside]
posted by maleficent at 5:16 AM PST - 6 comments

Hello! Wondering if anyone has any ideea what spider this is. Pictures taken this morning. I am in NYC (Queens), in an apartment, on the third floor. It rained last night -- I was reading about some likely candidates (though I hate looking at pictures of spiders, which made it difficult) and a lot of them sounded ground-dwelling, so I'm not sure what to think. Thank you!
posted by andrewesque at 3:54 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm curious. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:39 PM PST - 16 comments

I used to drive all the time, and really despised it. But then for many years did not have to drive anymore. Now I'm encountering more and more situations where I really do need to drive - and I *want* to drive - and it has me feeling panicked and anxious and scared. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:39 PM PST - 19 comments

It's becoming clear to me that I'm probably neurodivergent, although I don't seem to easily fit into the categories I know about. I would love some resources or advice. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 10:43 PM PST - 10 comments

Aging beauties...women (or gay men) having to emotionally cope with the loss of their youth and sex appeal, especially (but not exclusively) if they once made a living as models, actresses, performers, or sex workers of some sort. [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 8:44 PM PST - 18 comments

Can you help me find somewhere to stay with my aunt Rosie? We want to go to the NC Outer Banks! Yay! I can't stay at her preferred hotel due to allergies (the Ramada uses air freshener everywhere that's mainly made of propylene glycol). I'd probably be OK at a Hilton. She needs 1) a great ocean view/ocean sounds, 2) no stairs, 3) at least a refrigerator and microwave, and 4) a restaurant in the building. My only additional hard-line requirements are 5) no air freshener, and 6) no mold. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 7:52 PM PST - 11 comments

I've got a computer with a serial header on the motherboard, and I'd like to add a serial port to it. I'd like to make it an RJ45 port, and need some guidance on constructing the appropriate cable. [more inside]
posted by vibratory manner of working at 7:24 PM PST - 14 comments

Can you recommend a device and software to create a home teleprompter that’s easy to set up and use alone? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:13 PM PST - 6 comments

A character keeps saying out loud what he's doing in a step-by-step way. [more inside]
posted by sugarbx19 at 5:21 PM PST - 8 comments

I made a meatloaf. Pretty standard recipe except I added a pack of mushrooms, finely chopped. Presumably they let loose the flood. So my meatloaf didn't really loafify very well and it doesn't really have any kind of crust (not even the top glaze really crusted). It tasted fine, but it plated like a pile of ground beef. So how do I prepare the leftovers so they're better? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 5:17 PM PST - 20 comments

How to heal from a weird, ambiguous heartbreak filled with false promises and hope? [more inside]
posted by armadillo1224 at 5:11 PM PST - 10 comments

So, an online friend is from France, and just became a Canadian citizen. As part of the naturalization ceremony, they made him tear up his work permit card, so he has no Canadian identification until he gets his passport. In the gap before he's expecting to get his passport, he has an event he wants to attend in the US, but he isn't sure how the border situation will work given his lack of passport for his new country. Any experience with this or suggestions on how to get a passport expedited or how to cross into the US and back without problems? He would appreciate the advice.
posted by hippybear at 1:34 PM PST - 9 comments

I neglected to thin the fruit on my Santa Rosa plum tree, with the result that I have a fairly large number of very small plums. The flavor is fine (Santa Rosas are only ok anyway) but they are a cling variety, so the stone doesn't come out clean, and they're so little that cutting the stone out of each one seems like way too much trouble for such small fruit. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 1:17 PM PST - 8 comments

So a friend requested a recommendation for some books with awesome space battles. He came to me because I'm a big SF fan, but I'm not so into military SF. And I feel the ones I like would be a bit too, high brow? sophisticated? Too much stuff going on thats not shooting starships? I think Enders Game, Honor Harrington, Starship Troopers, Forever War fall into that category. He is not an avid reader but fondly remembers one Star Wars Novel, I don't remember which and he is also a huge Trekkie.
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon at 1:07 PM PST - 34 comments

I’m a not-super-experienced traveller. I’ve got a fairly short work trip, starting with an overnight flight, business class (yay!) Air Canada from Toronto to Frankfurt. I’d love to make it so I can enjoy my first day there (which is a non-work day off), Looking for tips on how to manage sleep/jetlag, and what I can expect of the experience. [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 1:02 PM PST - 19 comments

Does there exist a clumping (or other) litter that truly controls odor as well as crystal litter? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 12:00 PM PST - 13 comments

Should I be thinking about NOT wearing a mask indefinitely so that I'm exposed to more germs in order to keep my immune system strong? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 11:42 AM PST - 13 comments

The local utility has been sending out scare messages about power availability this summer. I have the electrical guts of a camper van that was sold earlier this year. If I wanted to make sure my deep freezer always stayed online through rolling blackouts, could I connect the huge 12v battery to the inverter, leave the smart charger always connected to the battery, then just run the freezer off of the inverter all the time? [more inside]
posted by hwyengr at 11:30 AM PST - 11 comments

I need food and lodging recommendations for downtown Phoenix. [more inside]
posted by pdb at 11:27 AM PST - 4 comments

I've long been a drugstore shampoo girl but after forty maybe I can afford to step it up a bit. What nicer but still reasonably-priced shampoo/conditioner is good for my straight, fine, thick hair? [more inside]
posted by Liesl at 10:20 AM PST - 5 comments

I love cheese, and I love trying new varieties of cheese. I love mustard, and I love trying new varieties of mustard. I love pickled vegetables, and I love trying new varieties of pickled vegetables. The obvious next step is applying my knowledge of cheeses, pickled vegetables, mustards, and other such foods to a charcuterie board. So I tried that today, and I ran into a pretty big problem. [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 10:20 AM PST - 34 comments

I'm curious as to the size and demographics of the true crime community that tries to actually investigate stuff and come up with plausible suspects or theories as to what happened, amateur investigator style. Any idea how to find that information or calculate it (large error bars OK)?
posted by Number Used Once at 9:09 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for an activity with Asian American or Asian themes in Denver. [more inside]
posted by cursed at 9:07 AM PST - 2 comments

Where to donate a stack of (mostly) advanced piano sheet music? [more inside]
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 8:54 AM PST - 10 comments

I've been seeing a new therapist who recommends I try ketamine treatments but I thought that was only for folks who are treatment resistant or severely depressed. My therapist thinks I'm in a spot where I'd benefit. I called the treatment center and there really isn't a criteria. Feeling a mix of shame and confusion around seeking this kind of treatment. [more inside]
posted by buttonedup at 8:52 AM PST - 14 comments

Delta 8, Urban Haze brand, 10 mg microdose infused gummies are the only things have cured my insomnia in a lifetime of sleep struggle. I am flying into Athens from the USA in a couple of weeks and don't want to risk bringing my package of gummies with me. [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 8:51 AM PST - 4 comments

My car is making strange noises when I turn. Is it safe to drive it to a mechanic? [more inside]
posted by Diskeater at 8:05 AM PST - 22 comments

I am looking for better hard candy than I can find locally. What can I order by mail, bearing in mind that it is summer? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 7:35 AM PST - 17 comments

Show me the best websites for encouraging people to self-advocate. [more inside]
posted by gauche at 7:24 AM PST - 0 comments

The ceiling light just burned out in my apartment on a 12' ceiling, where can I get a ladder close by in downtown Manhattan (Chelsea)? It's the first time that's happened living here. [more inside]
posted by artificialard at 7:19 AM PST - 7 comments

Sometimes I feel like I'm an anomaly when it comes to following through on my goals. Whenever I say I want to do something I put in effort into doing it. Maybe I'm exaggerating, and I don't always follow through, but even so I feel like I do and people always tell me that I'm very consistent on following up with what I want to do. [more inside]
posted by Tarsonis10 at 7:13 AM PST - 47 comments

I like to make a sesame pesto from radish greens and toasted sesame oil (instead of olive), sesame seeds (instead of pine nuts) and soy sauce (instead of parmesan for the salty-umami). Tell me about other alternative pestos. LIke not just "use walnuts instead of pine nuts" but really different flavour profiles. I have beet greens right now, so bonus points for beet green-based, but I'll take anything.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:57 AM PST - 26 comments

Looking for advice for how I can continue a conversation with my husband that didn’t go well about my health, where I ended up feeling gaslit and yelling at him. [more inside]
posted by chronic sublime at 5:56 AM PST - 37 comments

My hair tangles so easily. How can I hack my hair routine to make detangling less of a pain (literally)? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 4:18 AM PST - 12 comments

I am depressed and I need help. I feel like medical providers aren't taking my depression seriously because I am high-functioning: I manage to get myself out of bed and to my job, I shower most days, I eat. It seems like the only way to get taken seriously would be to start sabotaging myself intentionally until my life seems "bad enough". How can I get this taken seriously so I can get the help I need? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:59 AM PST - 10 comments

Looking for some good books to read with my six year old child after he and a friend did some inappropriate touching. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:56 AM PST - 2 comments

Both my personal and work laptops have the M1 chip and I use the HyperDrive 10-in-1 hub to connect two external displays to them. This means a couple times a day I unplug a laptop from its power supply and the hub and plug the other laptop into its power supply and the hub. Plugging in the laptop comes with some lag in the connections to the monitors and my open applications end up on the wrong display. Can I create a shortcut or a script that will let me move an app and its windows to a specific display and maximize it in the window? [more inside]
posted by bendy at 10:37 PM PST - 7 comments

I impulsively picked up a large bottle of Passion Fruit Honey Puree today at Costco because I remembered that there was a recipe I had been meaning to try in my favorite snacking cake book that uses passionfruit puree. [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 9:40 PM PST - 8 comments

I’m spending a couple of days in Frankfurt. I like quirky stuff, social experiments, and any sort of event or space that fosters interaction among people. Basically, I like something where you can show up and interact with people, or something weird and unusual, and bonus points for something that is both those things. What would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 6:17 PM PST - 5 comments

I've been having weird stomach issues lately, as well as some weird toilet-related issues. More inside the fold. [more inside]
posted by thoughtful_analyst at 4:57 PM PST - 8 comments

Should someone in their 70s keep their money in these investments or put it somewhere else? If so, where? [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:23 PM PST - 8 comments

Our sweet, affectionate, loving (almost) 4 year old is having some issues with physical aggression. What has worked for you? [more inside]
posted by Acari at 4:22 PM PST - 24 comments

In English, we call the capital of Portugal "Lisbon". In Portuguese, it's "Lisboa". Why isn't it called "Lisboa" in English as well? [more inside]
posted by wesleyac at 2:00 PM PST - 26 comments

A minor accident has resulted in the loss of a rubber panel on my car, on the passenger side near the front. Can anyone tell me what this panel is called, so I don't sound like an idiot when I call the parts shop tomorrow? Pictures here, one of the driver side with the panel intact, and one of the passenger side with the hole.
posted by JanetLand at 1:51 PM PST - 8 comments

The company I work for is implementing a new Electronic Log Book Device (ELD) for our truck drivers. I am finding it incredibly challenging teaching older drivers (both currently employed and recently hired) how to use the software. [more inside]
posted by 8LeggedFriend at 1:05 PM PST - 29 comments

I'm looking for prose featuring interior sadness & emotional complexity where the text also makes space for and around those feelings. [more inside]
posted by terretu at 12:46 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm traveling to Nashville this week for work. I need to look very professional the whole time, think business suit, full face of makeup, hair with no flyaways, etc. The forecast says it's going to be in the mid to high 90's the whole time and very humid. My hotel is a few blocks away from the office I'll be working in and I will have to walk to and from. I'm looking for your best tips and tricks for looking polished in this situation.
posted by shesbookish at 12:42 PM PST - 12 comments

Books about ancient mammals? [more inside]
posted by downtohisturtles at 11:39 AM PST - 9 comments

So I am in the fortunate position of having $100k sitting in checking that I would like to stick somewhere. Normally I would put it all into index funds, but at the moment putting money into the market seems like a risky move. I'd like put this money somewhere safe and accessible while also gaining at least some interest. Are there any good high yield savings accounts or something similar people can recommend?
posted by crazy with stars at 11:11 AM PST - 8 comments

I may have agreed to a monthly bill I don't want! Am I now committed to Verizon? [more inside]
posted by hollyanderbody at 11:08 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm to apply a medicated cream twice daily for a year to the sole of my foot, and have questions on how best to do so .. details and [more inside]
posted by anadem at 10:38 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for podcasts like The Shrieking Cast and A More Civilized Age. Basically, podcasts where two or more left-leaning people (and not all dudes) do a critical-ish re-read or watch a piece of media hoping for the best but expecting the worst.
posted by simmering octagon at 10:31 AM PST - 13 comments

I've heard about some odd scenarios that supposedly happen when someone has MassHealth (the Medicaid in Massachusetts) and I'd like to get some clarification/pointers to written laws so I can understand how they work. [more inside]
posted by needs more cowbell at 9:46 AM PST - 2 comments

I've written here about making a change in careers from frankly upper middle management to something executive management. I received great advice but I feel looking into the move I might face the same choices of being forced to support project and initiatives that will fail due just extraneous factors. I've always been interested academia, teach and perhaps pursuing writing a book about my years of technical consulting in a wide variety of organizations with varying goals. I feel while academia has extreme challenges of its own it at least doesn't have the pressure of technical consulting. I'm 37 with a BS from a school that while good isn't fancy. I'm not looking to go anywhere fancy at this point in my career. Is there research or other "backdoor ways" into academia that isn't just a constant pressure to produce? [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 9:10 AM PST - 24 comments

I received a citation for reckless driving (in Virginia), and have been ordered to appear in traffic court. This is a fairly serious charge in Virginia (which can result in loss of driving privileges, significant fines, and – potentially – up to a year in jail), so I've contacted a highly rated lawyer who specializes in this. They've quoted me a flat fee to represent me in this case. Is it usual to make a counteroffer in this situation? [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 8:54 AM PST - 23 comments

New shoes have given me contact dermatitis. I am allergic to rosin. Is there a way to rub it away from leather? [more inside]
posted by thegirlwiththehat at 6:19 AM PST - 4 comments

What are some aspects of your life which make it feel worthwhile? [more inside]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 2:43 AM PST - 28 comments

I have some outdoor furniture -- just a couple chairs and a table -- that are made of a plastic wicker material. I thought they were supposed to be resistant to sunlight, but after a year or so, the plastic has become brittle and is breaking into tiny bits. So I'm looking for suggestions to cover up the broken wicker and keep the metal parts that are still just fine as a table and chair support. [more inside]
posted by mhh5 at 9:30 PM PST - 4 comments

A friend really likes using technical indicators for investing. Things like various moving averages overlaid on candle and bar charts for example. Since the markets are frustrating right now, this friend is looking for other areas where this knowledge may apply, and especially if they can learn about new types of indicators while learning about those new areas. They also mentioned throwing in some of those neat-looking & free math or statistics software packages out there, but are generally unfamiliar with them. [more inside]
posted by circular at 8:18 PM PST - 15 comments

I recently bought a ~1910 townhouse, and everything I've previously taken for granted now seems... fraught. Including, most recently, how to prolong the life of the original wood floors installed before my grandparents were born. [more inside]
posted by exutima at 6:54 PM PST - 7 comments

I've inherited a lot (100+) of plays and scripts. I'm trying to read them, but am having trouble getting through them. They're not my usual fare. Do you have any tips on how to digest this form of literature? [more inside]
posted by shoesfullofdust at 6:42 PM PST - 18 comments

I’m looking for a simple rotational cipher “secret decoder ring”. This would be a piece of jewelry that goes on a finger (as opposed to a flat disk) and has two sets of all the letters of the English alphabet (in alphabetical order), with one or both sets being able to rotate. This is intended as every day jewelry, so not wood or plastic. Stainless steel is a great price point, but I’m willing to spend more money on the right piece of jewelry. [more inside]
posted by ellenaim at 6:20 PM PST - 9 comments

I saw some Japanese (I think) text scratched into a concrete floor. Can someone translate it for me?
posted by ignignokt at 5:37 PM PST - 9 comments

I’m presenting at a conference in Brighton this fall. One of my work friends is presenting too - hurray! We’re thinking of taking a couple of extra days post conference and going….somewhere. Where should we go? [more inside]
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 12:16 PM PST - 13 comments

Looking for examples of sassy/sarcastic heroes in a big fun summer movie - but where the main character is a woman. It doesn't have to be a superhero as long as the female protagonist has a snarky/witty sense of humor while also engaging in fight scenes. (Bonus points if she is fighting creatures!) [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 11:04 AM PST - 32 comments

I know I'm not the first person to ask about this, but a lot changes in three months. Many months ago, my spouse and I agreed that we'd start giving our baby a more "normal" life when she was vaccinated or turned one--whichever came first. H just turned one, and I'm not so sure anymore. Do I stick to our agreement and let her experience a semi-normal life? Or do we stay clositered indefinitely? [more inside]
posted by Bambiraptor at 10:20 AM PST - 20 comments

Mrs. Musofire suffers from bunions, but has had limited success with off-the-rack orthopedics. We once went to The Walking Company on vacation. She stepped on some sort of scanner and they fitted her feet precisely. Those were the best shoes ever. What are some other companies that use science to fit your weird feet?
posted by musofire at 7:43 AM PST - 10 comments

A mid-40s friend recently posted something that resonated: she has no idea what to expect of menopause. I realized I don’t either. [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 6:35 AM PST - 39 comments

I am interested in songs (or poetry or indeed lit of any kind) which involve the trope of a mother telling someone not to do specific things, yet they do them anyway. Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues is the most obvious example. [more inside]
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 5:16 AM PST - 52 comments

Also, how does one go about finding this sort of information? Thank you! post with song
posted by james33 at 4:44 AM PST - 5 comments

We, an American couple in our 50s, want to spend 3 weeknights in the Cotswolds in September. We will not have a car. We’ll be coming to the area from our friends’ place in Chiswick & will need to fly out of Heathrow on the day we leave the Cotswolds. Where should we stay? [more inside]
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 3:52 AM PST - 2 comments

It's my 11th Wedding anniversary so give me your puns, idea, suggestions, notions or what have you for activities or adventures relating to STEEL. [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 3:17 AM PST - 24 comments

My live-in boyfriend interprets some requests I make to coordinate practical life things as me trying to control him. How can I address this productively with him? [more inside]
posted by amycup at 2:28 AM PST - 28 comments

How much coffee to how much water produces the equivalent of a shot of espresso? Alternatively, how much coffee to how much water produces 250ml of liquid that is as strong as a shot of espresso? Grams and ml measurements appreciated. [more inside]
posted by Adifferentbear at 2:14 AM PST - 15 comments

I want to buy roller skates or roller blades. But I don't know which one... help me decide. [more inside]
posted by geegollygosh at 8:30 PM PST - 4 comments

Yeah there's no nice way to put this. When i've done non-liner swimsuits, I've chafed. When I've done most liner ones, it's left marks where the liner presses into the skin. Especially when I jump into the water. Is there some kind of non-abrasive liner swimsuit for men with apparently delicate skin down there? But which ISN'T a speedo?
posted by rileyray3000 at 8:30 PM PST - 6 comments

We recently got an air popper and have been really enjoying it, but I don't understand how to get the seasoning to stick. I've been drizzling oil over the popcorn (and would prefer not to have to use a huge amount of it) but it still seems like half the salt goes to the bottom of the bowl. Ideas?
posted by hungrytiger at 2:51 PM PST - 23 comments

I'm looking for cafes and bars in London whose daytime soundtracks tend towards blues and jazz, know any? [more inside]
posted by knapah at 2:18 PM PST - 3 comments

What are some fun games that are Super Easy and Very Forgiving but still play like a big console game? [more inside]
posted by musofire at 1:37 PM PST - 14 comments

For most of pandemic I've been working with the public, face-to-face, including a year at a COVID testing site, in and around Seattle. I wear proper masks and eye protection now, but there was a long spell where I was wearing just a cloth mask or a single surgical mask, and the people I encountered at various jobs often weren't in masks. Has my constant but low exposure to COVID helped me fight it off? Or did I just get lucky? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:13 PM PST - 39 comments

cruel summer's question prompts mine. I too will be in NYC, staying in Chelsea. Suggestions about good Chelsea restaurants, bars with great cocktails, offbeat things to do? I've been to the Whitney, have walked the Highline.
posted by mono blanco at 1:04 PM PST - 8 comments

Is it possible to get the BBC Radio 4 show The Museums That Make Us as a podcast? [more inside]
posted by crazy with stars at 12:38 PM PST - 3 comments

I lucked into these leather "sport" sandals on clearance a couple years ago; I love them except a couple issues. One, they cut into my toes. Two, I need a heel lift on one side, three, they're kinda dirty now. [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 12:07 PM PST - 4 comments

My closest friend has very bad psoriasis that shows in some areas more than others . She is going to some summer events and will be wearing skirts (not negotiable) but wants to ensure that the nude hose covers her legs so that the psoriasis patches do not show. Is there a brand and thickness or nude colour that someone can recommend. She's very self conscious and I want to help her get out there and enjoy. Thank you for your help.
posted by Tziv at 11:48 AM PST - 9 comments

I remember a .io website with some very straightforward browser-based games. Help me find it! [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 11:48 AM PST - 4 comments

My nostrils feel constricted but not "stuffed" (like, there's no mucus AFAICT)... is this called something other than "nasal congestion"? And do I take Claritin or something else? [more inside]
posted by O Time, Thy Pyramids at 11:44 AM PST - 12 comments

A good friend of mine will be camping in Greece and travelling around by bus visiting Athens and some other places. Then they’ll be doing a yoga retreat, also in Greece. I was thinking of getting a little gift for them (£20, $30ish), something they could take with them that would be useful or comforting. But I’m drawing a blank.
posted by d288478 at 9:37 AM PST - 9 comments

Hello! I’m interning at a company and visiting one of their offices in NYC from June 27-June 30. I’m leaving NYC in the evening on the 30th, so I have a few evenings to explore the city. I’d love to see some of the sights, but I’m also an introvert and can be easily overwhelmed by a lot of social interaction/external stimulus. I’m staying in a hotel in the Lower East Side, close to Soho and Little Italy, and would prefer things that are in that area though a short train ride away would also be ok. More details on things I like to do inside! [more inside]
posted by cruel summer at 9:27 AM PST - 20 comments

Since May 20th, I've gotten 5 messages from Facebook (purportedly) that make me worry that someone might be trying to get my account taken down. But people accidentally use my email address to sign up for things all the time, so it could be innocuous. Is there any way I can tell what's up without attempting to deal with the clusterduck that is Facebook support? And either way, what should I do? [more inside]
posted by wintersweet at 9:12 AM PST - 1 comment

This is a legal question rather than an HVAC question. Last year, we purchased a new residential secondary HVAC unit for the second floor in our home. It is a major brand. An authorized installer performed the labor and warrantied their work. HVAC has a 10 year warranty. It has had three major, but different failures over the past year. Each time, the installer has come out and fixed the issue under warranty. [more inside]
posted by heigh-hothederryo at 8:33 AM PST - 9 comments

Somehow it will soon be my 20th wedding anniversary!?! On our 10th, she got me 10 presents. I want to return the favor this time around by getting her 10 pairs of presents. [more inside]
posted by steveminutillo at 7:34 AM PST - 41 comments

Two numbers are associated with my Google Voice account. One was removed and associated with a different Google Voice account today. Anyone doing something malicious would have needed access to a verification code sent to that phone number. I did not send some rando a code from my phone. What happened? [more inside]
posted by OrangeVelour at 7:12 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm going to be moving from the Boston area to Portsmouth NH. I'm interested in hearing recommendations for specific moving companies in the Boston area (or in Southern NH), and also I have a few other questions/concerns. [more inside]
posted by litera scripta manet at 7:11 AM PST - 16 comments

Looking for the best quality perfumes, shampoo, and other products that smell like the ocean.
posted by cda at 5:11 AM PST - 19 comments

We have a wooden fence with a standard gate that opens inward. Currently, there is a two way handle that can be turned to lift the latch to get in or out of the patio. We aren’t great about always closing the gate, leaving it open to bring groceries in etc. Wind slams the gate back and forth and over time, bends the metal latch out of alignment. This is loud and bends the latch so it can’t be easily secured without some force to straighten it out. [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 5:04 AM PST - 8 comments

Can you use a third-party adjustable bed frame with a Sleep Number bed? Do any of you have experience with such a setup? [more inside]
posted by Aleyn at 8:49 PM PST - 3 comments

YANMD, but have you had a rash like this? Almost sure it’s from weeding last weekend as it’s only on my forearms and started on Sunday night. The weirdest things about it are that it flares up every evening, but by morning it’s gone, and that it’s only on the underside of my arms. [more inside]
posted by Kriesa at 7:27 PM PST - 8 comments

Recently a storm took down two trees in our yard, one of them in the middle of a flower garden that has a couple dozen Asiatic Lilys. We need to move them temporarily (kinda) so they can come grind the stump and prep the site for a new tree. Halp! [more inside]
posted by SquidLips at 6:14 PM PST - 4 comments

A new neighbor (right next to me, we both have balconies) was smoking on his balcony. I've noticed a recent uptick of smoke/weed smells lately, and now I know why. I moved to this unit specifically to get away from the smoke smell at my old unit, paying ~$200 more for the privilege. And now this. What do I do?! I am so frustrated. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 6:13 PM PST - 27 comments

I have a new job where I write reports and the reports are sent back to me to correct and then I have to upload them back to the employer. The reports are sent in Microsoft Word. But I don't have Microsoft Word. I use Open Office instead of Microsoft Word. But the employer's portal doesn't accept .odt documents. But they do accept Rich Text Format documents. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 5:22 PM PST - 10 comments

For a number of years I have been wearing Banana Republic's signature pique polo shirts. I liked the fit and the wide variety of colors available. However, now they have added stripes to the collars which I do not care for. Can anyone recommend an adequate substitute? [more inside]
posted by nolnacs at 5:00 PM PST - 7 comments

Looking to accept my housemate instead of being mad all the time. [more inside]
posted by Crystal Fox at 4:57 PM PST - 25 comments

My insurance company's provider search doesn't make it easy to find this. I know of several clinics that serve specifically the LGBTQ+ community, but they primarily serve the uninsured and low-income. I do NOT want to take these resources from those who need them. [more inside]
posted by MuChao at 4:26 PM PST - 6 comments

My wife will be in Spain, Italy, and Germany for three weeks. Can she get a prepaid SIM card for her iPhone 7, so she has WhatsApp, uber, and maps, that works in the three countries? If so, which company?
posted by signal at 4:21 PM PST - 14 comments

Some of my social circles online and in person seem to be unraveling, due to people habitually scolding and shaming each other in a moralizing manner. Do you have any tips on how to turn that dynamic around before the groups fall apart? Ideas about how to steer people in more pro-social directions and away from self-righteousness would be most appreciated.
posted by mortaddams at 12:45 PM PST - 9 comments

This brightly patterned fabric or blanket, with patterns in pink, purple, red, orange, yellow and black, was found at a crime scene in Canada. Do you recognize it? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 11:29 AM PST - 13 comments

I'd like to buy my first propane barbecue. What should I consider? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:10 AM PST - 28 comments

Is there a way to safely store files with copyrighted material on cloud storage? [more inside]
posted by rustybullrake at 9:59 AM PST - 13 comments

My mom lives in a trailer in rural El Dorado County. Her elderly neighbor, K, also lives on a trailer on the same piece of property. My mom drives K to appointments, groceries, &c. The problem is K is getting increasingly difficult to deal with, and it's not my mom's job. How can she get help? [more inside]
posted by oneirodynia at 9:28 AM PST - 16 comments

My neighbours are chain smokers and their smoke drifts into and gets trapped in my apartment. They have a habit of smoking in a closed room right under my bedroom throughout the night (literally until 6-7am), which wakes me up repeatedly and makes me ill. They have started using something to cover up the odour, which I appreciate, but whatever they're using makes me dizzy, nauseated, and short of breath. [more inside]
posted by Stoof at 9:14 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm providing supplementary care for aging family members who are difficult to deal with, and it's draining. Assuming therapy is on deck, what other resources can you recommend to cope? [more inside]
posted by Ookseer at 9:01 AM PST - 7 comments

If the car I want, Brand X is sold 50, 100, 1000 miles distant, is there a downside? Do all dealers Brand X have to respect warranties?
posted by ebesan at 8:34 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm trying to find this exact glass, but would happily settle for anything relatively close. It's a normal sized rocks glass, and I remember once looking at the bottom and noticing a logo that looked like a simple crown, something like this, but maybe with 5 points. It feels impossible to search etsy/ebay for rocks glasses, as 9 out of 10 results are the personalized/engraved type, and I haven't seen anything just like it browsing the web... [more inside]
posted by DynamiteToast at 8:20 AM PST - 10 comments

With my doctor's approval, I will be doing home fecal transplants. My niece is going to be my donor. But there are logistical challenges. (Details maybe not for the squeamish?) [more inside]
posted by jeszac at 7:26 AM PST - 9 comments

Ugh. My son is signed up for a really cool leadership camp in Canada the week of July 4th (we live in WI). He has a passport but I *just* realized that it expired in May of 2022 (he's 15). [more inside]
posted by Twicketface at 7:26 AM PST - 19 comments

I'm trying to find an online statistics class but am overwhelmed by google results from "online statistics class." Can you recommend a specific class that counts toward college credit? Assume that community colleges have already been explored as a possibility. [more inside]
posted by corey flood at 6:54 AM PST - 8 comments

Short version here is I mailed my tax forms in February but the IRS doesn't have them. There has to be a point where I declare them lost in the mail and send them again, but I don't know if I'm there yet. It's impossible to contact them to ask this question. What happens if I submit again and then they find the first submittal? [more inside]
posted by The Monster at the End of this Thread at 5:52 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm organizing the March for Our Lives local protest in a few days, and I need help coming up with some type of symbolic, collective experience that will feel powerful but is also manageable. [more inside]
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 5:28 AM PST - 2 comments

I'd like to make a voice-activated garbage can for my kitchen, whose top would open on hearing a certain word. I really don't want a phone-mediated device, only an actuator which would function on voice cue. Is there such a thing? [more inside]
posted by bullatony at 5:17 AM PST - 5 comments

Want to find a cool gift that a 3 1/2 year old boy in Copenhagen would like and parents would approve of. [more inside]
posted by Right On Red at 5:07 AM PST - 8 comments

I have a niece who loves "Row row your boat" and its alternatives... I would like more. She particularly loves the action at the end eg. Row row your boat gently down the rive, if you see a polar bear don't forget to "pause" shiver (and shiver). I would love more ideas i.e. -ocean/sea/lake etc [more inside]
posted by Lesium at 4:58 AM PST - 19 comments

I've been trying to find this song for years. I feel like an idiot as I'm *sure* it's really well known but... I can't find it! I remember some (probably inaccurate) lyrics and the tune, but can't find anything with Google. I think it's an 80s pop song. It reminds me of Domino Dancing by the Petshop Boys. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 10:46 PM PST - 13 comments

Are there any apps that are better and can replace the Windows virtual keyboard? I'd love one with a toggle between swipe (with word prediction) and single key entry where precise input is required. Worth upgrading from Win10 to Win11 - for tablets? Any recommendations? Any other tablet advice is very welcome. [more inside]
posted by porpoise at 10:06 PM PST - 3 comments

My friend wants to buy the wallstreet trappers course to learn stocks for $1,997. It seems sketchy to me. Is it legit? Is it a scam? https://www.thetrappermethod.com
posted by maxexam at 7:41 PM PST - 16 comments

I read (or maybe listened?) to this book within the last couple of years. The main point of the plot is that a princess was raised in the woods away from the court and once she was old enough to take over she was brought back and made the queen. [more inside]
posted by oddman at 7:20 PM PST - 5 comments

I have a lot of files (mostly .jpg) that I have to manually rename as names are unique. I have a 'dictionary' of strings (for most likely entries) from doing this for years. I'm hoping to find a way to control what I enter. I found this - auto-complete-file-names [a microsoft.com forum] but it doesn't run or do anything (I think it may be only to enhance local search). [more inside]
posted by unearthed at 6:19 PM PST - 6 comments

This is a simple Ask. I like music videos. I really like music videos that have a story, that have evocative or interesting imagery, videos that make you think or just have a good time. Unfortunately I am an Old so I lost track of music around 2010, so I'm asking you to help me find what's new(ish) and really stands out these days. [more inside]
posted by daikaisho at 4:27 PM PST - 62 comments

Thumb out of joint (I think). Hurts like hell. Need suggestions for how to fix it. [more inside]
posted by cats are weird at 4:11 PM PST - 4 comments

I recklessly went to a concert unmasked while having what I thought were allergy symptoms, and then tested positive for COVID a day later. I've been very careful during the pandemic—but I majorly messed up here. How do I move forward with the guilt in a healthy yet accountable way? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:50 PM PST - 57 comments

This is the weirdest question, but my last three cars have had the most awful windows. [more inside]
posted by aetg at 2:27 PM PST - 10 comments

Just found out I'll be in Louisville arriving 7/1 and departing 7/4. What should I do there? Not interested in shopping or horses. We like food and drinks and bourbon. Local history is cool too. [more inside]
posted by misanthropicsarah at 2:19 PM PST - 11 comments

I want to make and grill all the hamburgers that aren’t beef! Give me your favorite recipes for turkey burgers, chicken, impossible/beyond meat, beans, whatever you like to eat in patty format on a bun that isn’t beef. Thanks!
posted by skycrashesdown at 2:09 PM PST - 27 comments

I got an email that seemed to be from my accountant, saying my tax return docs were complete, clicked on the attachment, and then realized something fishy was going on. [more inside]
posted by grumblebee at 2:07 PM PST - 20 comments

ADHD filter. I am aware of tools. I use them, to moderate effect. I am sure that I could use them all much better but I'm not sure where to get that information. ADHD filter. I use (or try to use) Outlook, One Note, Trello, and a Rocketbook. I am still embarrassing myself too often with organizational lapses. Please help me improve my implementation of one or more of these systems. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 12:51 PM PST - 15 comments

I want to try using a low desk that I can use while sitting on the floor, and I want one that has a bit of storage inside. I'm having trouble finding anything close to my mental image online -- can you help? [more inside]
posted by mekily at 12:47 PM PST - 5 comments

A family member's wishes were to have his ashes scattered on the St. Lawrence River near Alexandria Bay, NY. Can we do this? How can we do this? [more inside]
posted by disconnect at 12:16 PM PST - 8 comments

When I'm in a home that I haven't been to before, and I'm looking for the trash can, I check the cupboard under the sink first. ~80% of the time, it's there. Why is this? [more inside]
posted by wesleyac at 12:12 PM PST - 14 comments

You know how in movies sometimes, when a character is meant to be seen as having let fame or success go to their head, they’ll have a multi-panel Warhol-style portrait of themselves in their house? Examples include Shelley Long in Irreconcilable Differences (1982), Sigourney Weaver in Working Girl (1988), Jared & Gen Padalecki in Supernatural S6E15: “The French Mistake” (2011), and Goldie Hawn in The First Wives’ Club (1996). It’s a pretty hard thing to search for, so please help me find more examples. [more inside]
posted by obloquy at 12:04 PM PST - 13 comments

How do you handle issues with communication over Slack when other people aren't responsive? [more inside]
posted by deern the headlice at 11:50 AM PST - 17 comments

I have ~20 fresh tomatoes and very limited creativity. What are your favourite very simple recipes that use a lot of fresh tomatoes? [more inside]
posted by randomnity at 11:50 AM PST - 26 comments

I am looking for a useful printout (1 page max) to discuss with & give my older relative at risk for phone scams. Alternatively, I will create this myself - what should I be certain to include? [more inside]
posted by Emmy Rae at 11:47 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a very corporate job now (work from home). I am getting head shots done to use for linked in and zoom and office and anywhere else that one might need a profile photo. My old job it was fine that it was me and my cat angrily staring into a camera. That won't fly at this new job. Do I need to wear makeup? Flatten my hair? Perform "female" better? [more inside]
posted by misanthropicsarah at 11:42 AM PST - 16 comments

I just got a new (induction, completely flat) range. There's a small gap to the left and right between the range and the counter which crumbs and such can fall into. There appear to be ready-made products ("range gap fillers") to solve this very problem, except for one conundrum. With the levelers fully retracted, the range top is 36 inches high. My counters are only 35.25" high. All the range gap fillers I can find online seem to assume the counter is level with the range. Does there exist a product that will help me?
posted by dmd at 11:36 AM PST - 11 comments

A dear friend has COVID and is really sad and anxious. She asked me to send fun, escapist Kindle novel reading. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by joyceanmachine at 10:18 AM PST - 23 comments

I am looking for new art prints for my walls. I'm not interested in "generic" non-artistic pictures just to have something on the wall, but things that resonate with me and inspire. Details inside [more inside]
posted by IWantAnswers at 10:00 AM PST - 9 comments

Please help solve a mystery -- someone claims to have worked for the government for many years, yet there is no payroll or other public record (aside from their self-representation on LinkedIn etc) of that being the case for all but one of those years. [more inside]
posted by virve at 9:15 AM PST - 28 comments

My niece turns seven in a few weeks and is obsessed with (tame) pranks - think whoopee cushions, fake dog poop, that kind of thing. I would like to get her a kit of prank stuff for her birthday, but I want it to be Actually Good. Can you recommend a kit or even individual items that are of genuinely decent quality? [more inside]
posted by littlegreen at 8:45 AM PST - 7 comments

I recently got a new MacBook with an M1 chip. I migrated my old intel MacBook. My old virtualenvs wouldn't run, so I installed Rosetta 2, and everything works now. However, I have a mess of python installs, via brew, virtualenv, pyenv, etc. What would be a sane route to nuke everything, install a limited number of python versions and start over? [more inside]
posted by signal at 8:20 AM PST - 9 comments

ATT keeps trying to get me to agree that I should allow them to ruin my life. Can I keep ignoring them forever? [more inside]
posted by Don Pepino at 7:58 AM PST - 14 comments

Like many other office-based workers, I've been working from home since March 2020. Unlike almost everyone, I don't enjoy working from home anymore. Please help me change my mindset from "I *HAVE* to work from home" back to "I *GET* to work from home!" [more inside]
posted by kimberussell at 7:54 AM PST - 31 comments

As the college search begins, I would like Junior Proust to hear some inspiring stories about people who have found meaningful niches in their work life. Whatever skills you develop can be applied in service to The Faceless Machine or in service to making the world a better place in some way small or large. I'm looking for stories of people who found a path to doing the latter. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 7:06 AM PST - 5 comments

The MetaFilter Transition Team hopes that you will! Please don't leave your comments here but click on over to the survey and fill it out if you haven't already. For more about this initiative, see this post.
posted by warriorqueen at 6:56 AM PST - 28 comments

The company I work for had a mass layoff last week. I was one of the "lucky" ones not to lose my job. Complication? I'm 22 weeks pregnant, due in October, and scared to death to disclose this to my employer for fear that I'll be next if they do another cut. Really would love my full maternity leave. When/how do I tell them? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:23 AM PST - 13 comments

At some point between late 2018 and early 2020, I bought a few USPS 1st class stamps from an automated kiosk - generic stick-on labels with barcodes denominated for $0.47. I used these to send letters without thinking too much about it, but I just checked US postage price history, and the cost of a letter has been at least $0.50 since 2018. How have my letters been getting sent? Have I been stiffing USPS >3 cents per letter this whole time? And more importantly, will I be able to use one of these stamps to send a letter tomorrow morning (current postage cost $0.58)?
posted by btfreek at 10:52 PM PST - 12 comments

My macbook, in which my whole life is stored, fell and the screen cracked, rendering it impossible to read. The hard drive seems fine, as it showed signs of life before the screen became totally unreadable. I will replace the screen, for an arm and a leg. But I'd first like to back up my data, as I'm paranoid that the technician accidentally returns a computer with a great new screen but a wiped disk. (More technical issues below) [more inside]
posted by Bigbootay. Tay! Tay! Blam! Aargh... at 10:51 PM PST - 17 comments

My family has a mismatch of gift giving styles and I'm not sure how to best navigate things. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 10:50 PM PST - 20 comments

Can you recommend a specific book, YouTube channel, online course, etc for improving drawing techniques? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 9:21 PM PST - 10 comments

This is all happening in NY state. YANML. tl;dr: I need advice on how to get long term disability insurance payments from NW Mutual, a private insurer, on a policy that is currently fully active and up-to-date wrt premiums, but which says that the deadline for applying for benefits has passed a long time ago. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:46 PM PST - 1 comment

There have been lots of cases where a country nationalizes a particular business or industry. Does it ever happen at a lower level of government? For instance, has an industry ever been taken over by the cities or provinces it operates in?
posted by nebulawindphone at 8:08 PM PST - 22 comments

I'm looking for a term, academic or otherwise, that encapsulates this idea: two or more people agreeing to a false premise (possibly including: for the sake of fun). You know and I know that this stuffed animal isn't alive, but it has a name and we pretend it is. A more serious example: in gun safety, we all agree to believe and act as though every gun is loaded all the time. Is there a word for this? Something like "suspension of disbelief" but more precise? [more inside]
posted by fiercecupcake at 6:51 PM PST - 18 comments

I am blessed with a motility disorder involving both my esophagus and stomach. This is associated with early satiety, nausea and esophageal reflux symptoms. Trials of pyridostigmine and dronedarone resulted in frequent cramps/increased stool frequency. I was unable to take these for long enough to assess efficacy. I'm in the medical profession myself but thus far none of my caregivers has found anything that has been both effective and well tolerated. Has anyone found an effective treatment for this disorder?
posted by golfguy at 6:09 PM PST - 1 comment

It's my understanding that for Christians, after they die, they go to heaven and live there for all eternity, that's the belief system correct? I'm not knocking it, simply trying to understand it better. But what do the people do in heaven, once they're there? Is that mentioned anywhere? Does it vary among denominations, like the Lutherans believe X, while Methodists believe Y? Yes, I'm totally serious with these questions and mean no disrespect, just looking for understanding of what the Christian faith believes people do while in heaven.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:00 PM PST - 24 comments

Is there anywhere in NYC where I can leave a car for a week and not worry about an alternate side parking ticket? [more inside]
posted by davidstandaford at 4:43 PM PST - 12 comments

I have a lot of electronic components like transistors, voltage regulators, 555 timers, op amps, etc. Currently, I keep them in millions of carefully-labelled ESD-safe bags. This method is driving me insane. I'd like to move them to a plastic organizer like one of those drawer things or a flat box with dividers. However, I'm concerned they'll be destroyed by ESD. [more inside]
posted by trevor_case at 4:36 PM PST - 15 comments

Last December I splurged and got myself a new, reasonably high-powered Acer laptop. Recently Ive been having some weird problems that are really tough to search for on Google. The laptop is under warranty and I could replace it, but I've got it all loaded up with files and programs and I really don't want to do that if I could help it. Please help me, tech-savvy Mefites! [more inside]
posted by Ursula Hitler at 4:20 PM PST - 14 comments

I want to buy a large tablet to mount on a kitchen cabinet to use only for online recipes. [more inside]
posted by atomicstone at 4:15 PM PST - 5 comments

Is it possible? Can you help us navigate this tricky situation? [more inside]
posted by sucre at 3:33 PM PST - 6 comments

There are numerous pigeons roosting in the alley on the south side of my house (or more specifically on the two windowsills on my neighbours' house, and on the electrical outfittings on mine), and leaving a lot of droppings. I've tried Bird-X gel but it only worked temporarily, despite re-application. I'm thinking the next step is probably anti-roosting devices, which I can't install myself because it'll require scaffolding. Can anyone recommend a Toronto-area company that can install anti-roosting devices? Or are there other options I'm not thinking of?
posted by orange swan at 3:18 PM PST - 3 comments

I own the domain and use jon@jondoe.net as my email. People often ask if that's .com? .com is not available and $$ The twist is I own jon-doe.com too, so I'm thinking jon@jon-doe.com is probably better going forward just to have a .com email even though the dash is not preferred. .net email addresses are almost always the less preferable correct? [more inside]
posted by Che boludo! at 2:45 PM PST - 24 comments

After waiting months to finally get in to see the ophthalmologist, she informs me that I have a blocked punctum and referred me to the plastic surgeon. Meanwhile, she had me do Vigamox drops for a week, which I have completed. [more inside]
posted by massofintuition at 1:40 PM PST - 8 comments

I want to have an iPad on my kitchen counter, where our daily family google calendar is on the lock screen. Is that possible?
posted by wurly at 11:55 AM PST - 8 comments

I am thinking of doing podcasts to help ramp up my business. I have a minimum budget. What is the most inexpensive way to create one? I would be interviewing individuals. Podcast platform info would also be great. Request more information if necessary. I'm new to this.
posted by goalyeehah at 11:39 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm trying to get from Seattle to the Vancouver airport in August. Curious if anyone has recent experience with the Amtrak bus from Seattle to Richmond, BC? (Like, is it typically on time? If I took it same-day with a flight departure scheduled four hours after the bus is supposed to arrive, are chances good I would make the flight?) [more inside]
posted by kittensyay at 11:29 AM PST - 10 comments

The only paper I’ve found so far is this one [pdf] which has extremely unreliable data due to sample bias. Has any solid data been produced?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 11:17 AM PST - 4 comments

How do I make the most out of an upcoming holiday? I want to take notes on paintings, monuments, and local architecture. [more inside]
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 10:13 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a couple test kits that will expire next month... what type of organization could make good use of them? Local is best. I received these a couple months ago via Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests.
posted by tinker at 10:01 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm a Coffee Guy. What does it take to become a Wine and/or Beer Guy? [more inside]
posted by ToddBurson at 9:27 AM PST - 18 comments

Say you're working extremely long hours (10 - 12 per day), outside, in extremely hot weather (100+). What are some good ways to ensure you get enough nutrition throughout the day? [more inside]
posted by meese at 8:46 AM PST - 41 comments

I have to pick a paint color for the exterior of our house. It’s a boring 1950s rambler with original wood shingle siding (like this). We lost all of our shade trees due to the ash borer, and I’m wondering if choosing a darker paint color will make our house feel noticeably hotter in the summer. Do any Mefites have experience with paint color affecting interior comfort? [more inside]
posted by Maarika at 8:44 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking for restaurant/dining-focused websites similar to Eater, but for cities outside of North America. [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 8:08 AM PST - 5 comments

After fortysomething years I started taking drumkit lessons and I love it. I am okay at the regular technique practice but my favorite part is when I put on headphones and play along with a song. What are some good songs that a novice/aspiring intermediate player could keep up with? All genres welcome but 80s/90s pop and alternative is my sweet spot. [more inside]
posted by AgentRocket at 7:43 AM PST - 19 comments

As a Canadian, I've been watching as the U.S. moves closer and closer to becoming a de facto one-party state. And I know I'm not the only one - there are some very smart, very bad people up here taking notes on how they can bring about the same result within our system. So my question is: what are some ways a person like me, who's never been politically active before, can help fight back? Helping campaign for local candidates is an obvious one, but I'm wondering what I'm not thinking of.
posted by Epixonti at 7:41 AM PST - 10 comments

Many nations, states, regions, cities, etc. are served by excellent websites (a) for news, and (b) for visitor information (including things to do for local folks). I'm interested in hearing about a different kind of local/regional website: one that features content that helps to define the locality for an audience that may exist well beyond its borders. [more inside]
posted by beagle at 7:03 AM PST - 4 comments

My situation has changed, and I need to end my lease early so that I can start another one elsewhere here in London. I started the current lease at the beginning of April 2022 after having lived here for one year already, and would like for my last day of tenancy to be the beginning of September 2022: that's five months of full tenancy, with three months notice. Do you have any experience with doing this, and relevant advice for how to handle it going forward? [more inside]
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 6:51 AM PST - 7 comments

I used the "Hard Unfollow" technique here using Console view to stop following everyone on LinkedIn. It worked great, and I had six months of glorious silence. But now, for a new job, I need to re-follow everyone again. Can anyone figure out how to undo what I did?
posted by spisspisspis at 5:01 AM PST - 2 comments

Not sure where to start. Lots of things are not working, one after the other. [more inside]
posted by melamakarona at 4:54 AM PST - 5 comments

So public speaking and talking 1 on 1 are fine for me, it's obvious where the focus in the conversation should be. It's when there's a group of people that I tend to have a lot of trouble, my ADHD makes it really easy for me to slip up. Do you guys have any tips or ways to practice to help me out? [more inside]
posted by weewooweewoo at 4:12 AM PST - 6 comments

I am doing #1000wordsofsummer! I love seeing everyone's word counts and hearing about story and character and memoir successes. But I am an academic / CNF writer, and it's a lot of research, and it's so SLOW by comparison. Yesterday was ROUGH. So: seeking writing advice, especially for researched non-fiction. [more inside]
posted by athirstforsalt at 2:47 AM PST - 8 comments

As the title says, I'm a late-40s autistic woman (read: bad with social skills) who needs, for my sanity, to be able to work from home. I'd also, if possible, like to make a living wage. I'm wondering if there are any jobs that might be suitable? More details within, including my work experience. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:14 PM PST - 17 comments

Some months ago, I decided to stop paying Spotify a monthly fee because of Joe Rogan. I was fairly convinced that Spotify would do something meaningful enough about the situation for me to go back to them. That hasn't exactly happened. So I moved to Apple Music. [more inside]
posted by juliebug at 8:26 PM PST - 11 comments

I have a ton of PDF windows already open that I want to have only open in one window with tabs, in preview, on a mac, running Big Sur. [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 7:49 PM PST - 4 comments

Hey, I need some help appearing my best on a live Zoom tomorrow. I would to appear calm even if I'm not. [more inside]
posted by Rumi'sLeftSock at 6:47 PM PST - 21 comments

I got some frozen shrimp late yesterday morning and left them to thaw in the fridge where they still are tonight, now thawed. Can I cook and eat them?
posted by Frowner at 6:14 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm not sure where I'm going but it's hopefully not down or sideways :P [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 6:10 PM PST - 5 comments

I live on the fourth floor of an apartment building in an urban area. Why do I hear tons of crickets when I open the window at night? I’m surrounded by buildings, there’s no grass or trees. I’ve never heard them in all the years I’ve lived here. I actually don’t care why. My true concern is.. [more inside]
posted by dianeF at 5:20 PM PST - 11 comments

Last Wednesday I saw posted on imgur a video showing a group of teens sitting around a table playing a party game involving rolling a tennis ball on a table. It looked like a fun family game for all ages, with very simple rules. It was like a combination of dodge ball and the hand slap game, where the goal is for one player to tempt another player to grab for the ball, or to flinch and get eliminated. Does anyone know of a game like this and if there may be some rules posted anywhere? [more inside]
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 5:06 PM PST - 1 comment

Please don't judge. My life circumstances are such that I don't have the time, mental energy or other resources needed to be properly engaged in local and regional civics. But I want to be sure I'm aware of what is happening and when do I can take action on stuff that matters. Like voting in local elections. I need tools that will bring that stuff closer to my attention. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 5:04 PM PST - 6 comments

My very back molar gave up (broke, etc.) the crown. It was many years previously root canaled, at which time my jaw spasmed and there was general misery. Any tips to avoid that again? [more inside]
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 4:51 PM PST - 11 comments

How to support a child who appears older than they actually are? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 4:18 PM PST - 10 comments

Are my raw meat handling practices sufficient from a food safety perspective? Or are they excessive? How do you safely handle raw meat in your kitchen? [more inside]
posted by rodneyaug at 4:11 PM PST - 26 comments

I found an old burned CD. How do I find out what the songs are on it without playing each one? [more inside]
posted by Hactar at 3:04 PM PST - 8 comments

I had a rough week with family, who ultimately drove me so nuts that I changed my flight and left the situation much earlier than expected. Now my family (my narcissistic mother in particular) is royally pissed at me. Where do I go from here? [more inside]
posted by chatelaine at 2:12 PM PST - 46 comments

I'm looking for more mystery novels like Mia P. Manansala's Arsenic and Adobo. I'd like to read more mysteries written by queer authors, BIPOC authors, women authors, authors where all of those categories apply. I'm interested in mostly newer mysteries, but if there's something older that's great, feel free to recommend it. Doesn't necessarily have to be cozy but let me know what flavor of mystery it is if you have that info. Thanks!
posted by azalea_chant at 2:05 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm trying to rememerber the name of a tv series about two women friends who solve crimes. One of them is named Ashley and her friend calls her Ash. They live next door to sn artist.
posted by mcbeitz at 1:56 PM PST - 1 comment

My partner and I got an invite on short notice which will land us in Mendocino on the 14th. We are heading down Hwy. 199 from Grants Pass starting on Sunday the 12th, then one more day of camping if we can manage it off of Hwy. 101 before Mendocino. What should we consider before heading out? [more inside]
posted by diode at 1:16 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for a good online source for reading glasses in the US. I've googled "best reading glasses" and I'm not getting any answers that strike me as particularly trustworthy, so I'm turning to the hive mind. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 12:57 PM PST - 11 comments

Many years ago, I went to an audiologist, he took a mold of my ears, and provided a pair of custom molded silicone ear plugs. They fit extremely well, and do an excellent job of blocking out noise - I mostly use them for sleeping and on planes. I'd like to get a new pair, preferably with an option to pair them with professional wired in-ear monitors. Special snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by 4midori at 12:48 PM PST - 7 comments

The Bank of Canada keeps raising interest rates to try to stop inflation. My mortgage payments have gone up $400 a month. So when I got the latest increase today I thought "I'll call me MP and demand they do something...who's my MP again?...oh right. That guy who's useless because he doesn't even have a party." OK so who else can I call? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 12:30 PM PST - 11 comments

In the Allan Sherman song "Peyton Place," what does the phrase "here's the snapper" mean? They've got a new library there, but here's the snapper: Every book in it's covered with a plain brown wrapper. I can find a few other people using this phrase on the web but no explanations (urbandictionary is predictably useless).
posted by one for the books at 12:17 PM PST - 9 comments

I passed an old computer of mine on to my Dad last year, and the GPU (a Radeon HD7850) has given up the ghost. [more inside]
posted by rhamphorhynchus at 11:22 AM PST - 8 comments

We have company headshots next week. I always wear my mask indoors but will need to remove it for this. I tend to get terrible maskne. Normally for a head shot I would use foundation, blush and concealer, but I am concerned about what the mask will do to it. Any tips? Will primer be enough?
posted by rednikki at 11:04 AM PST - 9 comments

I have a Skrekkogle Durr, which is essentially a device you wear on your wrist that vibrates every 5 minutes. It has an on/off toggle. That's it. It has stopped working. I would like for it to work. I would LOVE to be able to fix it myself. I know nothing of what's involved. If I can't fix it myself, who can I get to fix it? [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 10:17 AM PST - 22 comments

I was reading a NYT article about how vagus nerve stimulation cures everything and vagus nerve snake oil etc. and thought to google vagus nerve stimulation rheumatoid arthritis and I came across this.. The problem is there's a lot here I don't understand. My questions are basically: Does this actually work sometimes? and (probably not from the article) Is this something one could (safely) try at home? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 10:02 AM PST - 7 comments

A Finnish crime show I'm watching has a scene that's familiar: clothes on a beach; young, blithe detective brushing it off; soft spoken detective noticing important details. What else has this scene? [more inside]
posted by Ideal Impulse at 9:56 AM PST - 7 comments

Looking for books that will benefit from chapter-by-chapter discussion. My BFF and I are going on a two week vacation. We're both big readers, and are tickled by the idea of not just discussing our reads, but by the idea reading a book together, bit-by-bit. Any ideas for books that would be even better for this kind of close reading? [more inside]
posted by aint broke at 9:56 AM PST - 19 comments

I have to submit a short story for a workshop in three weeks, and I have nothing. Please help. [more inside]
posted by aaadddaaa at 8:59 AM PST - 15 comments

So Boris Johnson is currrently facing a confidence vote. I have a question for people who understand UK politics better than me: as I understand it, he recently amended the ministerial code so that ministers are no longer required to step down when they're found to be in breach (of the code). Seems a bit Calvinball to me. If he loses the confidence vote, what's the likelihood that he just refuses to leave and brazens it out? Does Black Rod send ninjas after him or something?
posted by orrnyereg at 8:03 AM PST - 9 comments

I saw a show consisting of many few-minute-long video loops by an artist who grew up in Asia. The videos slowly transitioned from a childhood photo of a place to a present-day photo with the exact same camera placement, sometimes with the artist present. I'd love to figure out who the artist was, or which gallery I saw it in. Best guess for the latter is Amsterdam in 2012, but I could be wrong. [more inside]
posted by eotvos at 7:42 AM PST - 0 comments

I (US citizen) emigrated out of the US to an EU country last year. It's probably 50/50 whether my spouse and I will ever be long-term residents in the US in the future. However, I still have strong ties to the US and to my home state of California and I want to remain an engaged citizen. Assuming you're not a zillionaire, a lot of advice for effective individual political action focuses on local-level involvement and outreach but that's harder to do from a distance. In addition to remaining an active voter how can I stay engaged with state and national politics from abroad?
posted by 4rtemis at 4:56 AM PST - 3 comments

I have memories of a period of time -- call it the mid-'80s -- where in Batman comics, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson and Alfred Pennyworth all lived in a condominium, with a private elevator down to a sub-basement with the Batmobile and all the Bat-Trimmings. I cannot find evidence of this online. Are my comic book wires crossed, or was there a point where there was in fact a Bat-Condo?
posted by Shepherd at 4:41 AM PST - 2 comments

I've gone through TSA security checks countless times, using my passport as ID. Just now, a TSA officer spent 10 minutes looking very closely at it–it seemed like just the first page. This held up the line through security. I have no idea why. Should I get a new passport to stop this from happening? [more inside]
posted by matkline at 3:12 AM PST - 7 comments

IKYNMD - but this has been the roller-coaster of my life and I could use any insight from the hive-mind to figure out the mechanism that is causing me to question my sanity and sense of reality, because I don't have a clue and apparently neither to the doctors. [more inside]
posted by watercarrier at 10:59 PM PST - 27 comments

My boss is really great at thinking big-picture about company strategy and how our team's work ladders up to it. I'm more of a tactician, so we make a solid team, but to build my skills I'd like to learn how to step back sometimes and take the 30,000-foot view. What's my path forward? [more inside]
posted by Threeve at 10:40 PM PST - 4 comments

My cat is nearing 17 years old, with various medical conditions, and is super-susceptible to stress. We've lived in the same house for the entire time we've had him, over 10 years. It's looking like we'll have to move. He is possibly the most important thing in my life other than my spouse. I'm worried. [more inside]
posted by Sockrates at 9:54 PM PST - 14 comments

Haven't coded under Windows in a while. Looking to set up a code editor, and it would be great to have it be chummy with git. Windows Studio Code seems to require Win 8 or greater -- at least the downloads I can find. Recommendations? [more inside]
posted by amtho at 8:22 PM PST - 9 comments

I am transgender, visibly and vocally. I am married to a cis-male and have a child who doesn't care about the gender binary. We all live in the US. I think you can see where this is going... [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:45 PM PST - 34 comments

I am looking for some decent youtube (or comparable) videos to learn Spanish for an almost 11 year old boy. [more inside]
posted by aetg at 7:13 PM PST - 2 comments

In my field, programming knowledge is scarce and almost completely unlikely to be needed for everyday tasks, and yet people fetishize it in their job descriptions and hiring decisions. If it would probably count it as a bonus that I know *any* amount of SQL or Python, how should/can I represent my status as an almost-complete beginner? [more inside]
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 6:31 PM PST - 6 comments

I toured the Los Angeles Central Library today, and there's an art installation at one of the entrances called "The Spine". Part of the installation is that there are various scripts on the stairs leading up to the entrance, starting with archaic scripts on the bottom stairs, and ending with more recent codes and mathematics on the upper stairs. There were a lot of scripts I didn't recognize, so I'm wondering if anyone has written up a list of all of the scripts, and why specific text was used (e.g. one of the scripts says "AWFUL STACK OF WORDS ON ONE" and another says "FUTUR-IZM POLSKA", and I have no idea why). [more inside]
posted by luvcraft at 6:17 PM PST - 4 comments

Where is the smart writing on the subject of "my male partner uses me (female) for all of his companionship needs" and/or "my recently retired husband is driving me crazy because of all his demands on my time" and/or adjacent subjects? In the category of "men are not tending to their emotional needs outside of their romantic partner, and it's driving the romantic partner crazy."
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:10 PM PST - 6 comments

I recently ran across the a-ha song Oranges on Apple Trees and liked the sound. I don't know anything about the group beyond what's on Wikipedia, so if you're more familiar with a-ha, how do you interpret the line "multi-gender wannabes"? [more inside]
posted by wintersweet at 6:08 PM PST - 2 comments

This isn't a question about tampon alternatives. It's just the question it is and mostly a wonder, not a problem. [more inside]
posted by atomicstone at 5:13 PM PST - 13 comments

I have a question about the Spanish gerund that I can't seem to address from Duolingo. [more inside]
posted by Countess Elena at 5:09 PM PST - 4 comments

I've made it to my mid-30s without having to own a car. Now I need one, and I have *no* *idea* what I'm doing. Bonus points: I would like it to be fully electric. [more inside]
posted by fast ein Maedchen at 4:55 PM PST - 19 comments

Years ago I learned of a game on this site, similar to 2048, but you dropped the numbers from the top and balanced them in a stack. If they couldn't merge you get closer to the roof. Winning gave you access to other graphic sets for the game, including hand-drawn style of blocks. Unity based. I can't find it or remember the name. [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 4:24 PM PST - 5 comments

Looking for some packing advice for a week in the Caribbean. I think I need a mix of practical things (water shoes, phone case with strap) as well as outfit ideas for a late 30s woman who hasn't been traveling much lately and wants to look/feel cute while on vacation. [more inside]
posted by Shadow Boxer at 3:52 PM PST - 8 comments

I vaped cannabis flower Thursday night and woke up Friday morning feeling like someone had sledgehammered my chest. Did I burn myself? [more inside]
posted by ASCII Costanza head at 2:59 PM PST - 12 comments

This summer I’m going to drive a dear friend from Austin to Seattle. He’s in declining health but nonetheless walks 4-5 miles a day. He’s never really seen any of the incredible sights in the American West so I’m hoping to show him some amazing stuff on this, likely to be the last driving trip he’s able to make. Difficulty: dog, no crowds. [more inside]
posted by carterk at 2:31 PM PST - 5 comments

The Mint website used to work for me until their latest redesign. Are there alternatives that didn't go in for the "Our UX designers were using Sketch and now everything looks ABSOLUTELY HUGE and everything takes way more clicks than it used to" fad? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 12:48 PM PST - 2 comments

I’m creating music on my laptop and also recording video on my iPhone at the same time. I want the video to include the audio directly from my laptop (to get rid of any background noise), but I also need to be able to hear the music in real time through headphones. My attempts so far (explained below the fold) have failed. Is this course of action possible and if so, what equipment/software do I need to accomplish this? [more inside]
posted by chara at 12:32 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm visiting New Orleans and am looking for a recommendation for a good restaurant that's open Sunday and into which I could walk in tonight as a solo diner and eat at the bar without a lot of fuss. Any cuisine or neighborhood so long as it's good. Thanks!
posted by eugenen at 12:09 PM PST - 9 comments

Our camping chairs are due for a replacement. What's your favorite camping chair, Mefi? [more inside]
posted by cozenedindigo at 11:08 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm going from NYC to Bronxville, NY, where I will pick up a friend, and then we are going to Duxbury, Massachusetts on Sunday, June 26th. I want to travel via Uber or Lyft. Questions: [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 10:15 AM PST - 20 comments

I am struggling with my current living arrangements. I will be changing them when I can, but that won't be for several months, and in the mean time, I need to actually live a somewhat sustainable and fulfilling life. Ideas/advice? [more inside]
posted by Balthamos at 10:13 AM PST - 31 comments

I've read all the questions on budget apps, but lots of them are old and/or apply to people with very different financial situations than me. Snowflakes within. [more inside]
posted by artisthatithaca at 9:36 AM PST - 6 comments

I am looking for stories or books about people who spent long periods of time in solitude (hermits, people on expeditions, monks, other recluses) making the choice to re-integrate with society. [more inside]
posted by wesleyac at 8:51 AM PST - 7 comments

Any idea what might have happened here?: The night before last I woke up in the wee hours because an Amazon Prime video was playing on the iPad that I had in bed with me ... but how is it possible? [more inside]
posted by taz at 8:46 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a little Sylvania CD/radio boom box that I bought in September 2020. A few days ago it started refusing to play any of my CDs... literally. When I pop in a CD and press play, it says "No" via its little digital screen. (The radio still works.) Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can troubleshoot this? [more inside]
posted by orange swan at 8:45 AM PST - 4 comments

I grew up in Asia and have been living in the US for several years with my spouse of the same ethnicity. We have a preschooler. While she’s still young, I want to start doing things right to raise her so she is as well adjusted and happy as possible. [more inside]
posted by redlines at 8:14 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm finally settling down into a place I expect to live for a while, and I'd like to soundproof the windows in my bedroom so I can have peaceful sleep once and for all. What is the best method for this that is easy, economical, and will last a while? I'm getting lots of options when I search for the question, but would love recommendations from experience. (No blackout curtains, please - I like waking up with the sun!)
posted by LSK at 7:50 AM PST - 5 comments

What happens when tourists to the US have healthcare emergencies, given how unfriendly America's healthcare billing is to the uninsured? Is it just generally known that "if you visit the USA, you need to have some sort of health insurance?", or do tourists get soaked at hospitals' horrific rack rates, or what? [more inside]
posted by jackbishop at 6:54 AM PST - 26 comments

I’m a man in my middle 30s who would like to play pick-up soccer/football with like-minded adults. Only problem is that when I’ve tried this in the past I get winded pretty easily. I can run a 5k without too much struggle, but the stop-and-go of soccer is tough. How can I build that kind of endurance? [more inside]
posted by summerteeth at 6:13 AM PST - 5 comments

How can I learn to be ok with giving less than 100% at work? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 6:12 AM PST - 12 comments

If you’ve managed to control or even beat back an invasion of garlic mustard, what worked for you? This spring my parents had a sudden, extensive growth of garlic mustard in the woodland around their house and they’re worried it'll choke out all the native plants. They’ve attempted to uproot as many of the flowering stalks as possible, but they haven’t gotten all of them and can’t easily pull the patches of low-growing rosettes. They are especially interested in tactics not involving an herbicide, though that could be considered. [more inside]
posted by theory at 4:41 AM PST - 20 comments

I'm looking for recommendations for Spanish language immersion courses in Spain for an adult, preferably with onsite accommodation included or a good host family setup. What can you recommend? [more inside]
posted by knapah at 2:19 AM PST - 0 comments

I'm moving into a new apartment that has hardwood floors (or whatever the latest engineered hardwood-ish flooring is). The floor looks great, so I don't want to damage it with my desk chair, especially since I work from home. I can get rubber wheels for my chair. Is that enough, or should I still get a chair mat too?
posted by 2oh1 at 12:55 AM PST - 11 comments

I recently read that if you put your damp hair into a tight bun, you risk mould or mildew. So I turned to trust Askme and found this question, but my hair doesn't stink, and it's not coloured. I don't have the patience to blowdry it? What preventative quick method should I take?
posted by b33j at 9:41 PM PST - 19 comments

I know what kinds of cheeses work well in a standard (Mornay) cheese sauce. Cheddar is good, colby jack, american, etc. But there are so many other kinds of cheeses and some of them (squinting angrily at mozzarella) do NOT work in a cheese sauce. How can I tell which cheeses will work in a sauce and which will fail in dramatic clumping fashion and cause the sauce to look like a big pot of coagulated baby vomit? [more inside]
posted by Vatnesine at 7:31 PM PST - 11 comments

I’m interning at a company and they’re flying me out to Seattle for ~1 week. I’ll be in Seattle from June 17-26, though flying in late at night on the 17th and leaving in the afternoon on the 26th. During the workday I’ll be fairly busy, but the afternoons and evenings should be free! On the 25th, I’m getting a loaded metro card to use for the day but other than that I think I’ll need to arrange my own transportation. [more inside]
posted by cruel summer at 6:45 PM PST - 19 comments

Not much to go on but I have faith in y'all. [more inside]
posted by Sassyfras at 6:19 PM PST - 4 comments

I'll be in Pittsburgh this upcoming Tuesday night through Friday afternoon for a work conference. My days are mostly booked (although I might have an afternoon or morning off), but my evenings are free. What should I do, and more importantly, where should I eat? I'll be staying downtown near 10th and Penn. [more inside]
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 4:02 PM PST - 9 comments

Is there an app similar to Duolingo but for English? I know you can learn English using Duolingo, but doing so requires you to know another language for some reason. I'm interested in vocab, usage, punctuation...the whole bit. Things I like about Duolingo are the overall mix of activities, how things are split up into topics and lessons, and the general gamification of learning a language. I would rate my English writing and speaking skills as somewhat advanced, although I know there's much room for improvement. Thanks!
posted by Fister Roboto at 12:30 PM PST - 5 comments

My GE dehumidifier doesn't take water out of the air, even when the room is humid. The compressor get quite hot, and there's a ring of rust around its base. Did the refrigerant leak? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 11:37 AM PST - 7 comments

I have been living on my street for a several years. In the last six-twelve months there has been a large increase in the amount of litter, especially cigarette butts. How can we discourage this? [more inside]
posted by Braeburn at 10:37 AM PST - 15 comments

What would a man in his early 80s like to receive? I am thinking of Father’s Day and his birthday in a couple of months. [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 9:33 AM PST - 18 comments

LIBRARIANS and TEACHERS - HELP! Kinder Kitty is an awesome reader. He loves reading, he is well above expected levels for his grade. Now he wants to read books that are beyond his current skillset. How do I help without crushing his spirit? [more inside]
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 9:03 AM PST - 49 comments

Looking to hear *personal anecdotes* about experiences from both TEACHERS and FORMER ELEMENTARY/GRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS who may have participated in the USPS's "Wee Delivery" program (or any similar program!) in the last 30 years. I've already read what I can find through database and search engine results, and would prefer to hear your anecdotes and personal stories! [more inside]
posted by sockdrawerfortunes at 8:46 AM PST - 4 comments

You are a very specific kind of Vietnam Vet: a former crewman of a Jolly Green Giant—more specifically the "Super" Jolly Green Giant HH-53 that came into service around 1967. I have specific questions about your service, and about the HH-53 helo you flew in during the war. I'm also interested in source materials concerning ARRS's and the big buff. [more inside]
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 8:40 AM PST - 5 comments

I can't believe I'm using an AskMe on this, but - This is my Instagram account. I have two-factor identity turned on. I have been trying to log on for the past HALF HOUR, but the text with the security code NEVER COMES. I have confirmed that they are using the right phone number. How do I fix this?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:06 AM PST - 22 comments

I'm trying to remove my address from the various people finder websites. I have gone through the opt out form for voterrecords.com which leaves some of my data, but strips out the home address and some other PII. Viewing that page shows that the opt out request has worked, however if I Google or Duck Duck Go search my full name I see that the both of those search engines still list the address inline on their respective search result page. [more inside]
posted by ridogi at 6:55 AM PST - 1 comment

I am under 50 and not immuno-compromised, but I am in relatively poor cardio health and have fairly high levels of anxiety about what will happen when I eventually catch COVID. My therapist has suggested my partner (same general level of health; less careful than I am) and I may want to seek out a 4th COVID booster. We are in California. What are the downsides? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:15 AM PST - 14 comments

My mom died, and part of her estate was a car for which she still had a loan. The very nice argument that my sisters and I are having is that I think they may be trying to give me too much money for it. But we are all confused! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:15 AM PST - 27 comments

I am single (F) and recently signed up on a dating app. Met a couple (M/F) in a public place earlier this month who opened their relationship over a decade ago, and we hooked up the same night we met. I realize I'm not attracted to the man but I am still to the woman. We decided to be FWB. She has become very clingy and wants to hang out at every free moment. What is your advice? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:14 AM PST - 5 comments

I've moved. I'm continuing to unbox and declutter as I go along, but would appreciate some insights and tips from the hive mind about making this apartment feel like home. [more inside]
posted by Nieshka at 5:53 AM PST - 7 comments

Looking for suggestions for produced podcasts (not just chat). I love Ear Hustle, This American Life, BBC's Soul Music. I do like Radiolab but it's actually a bit overproduced for me. Open to all topics! I am somewhat late to the podcasting world, so old suggestions are also helpful.
posted by heavenknows at 4:06 AM PST - 14 comments

Hi Mefi, I need help to help my friend long distance. I’m in NYC and she is in LA with a dying dog. She needs a vet to come to her home and help put her dog to sleep. [more inside]
posted by catrae at 6:37 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm looking for quotes, mottos, longer writings, and even images that illustrate the idea that human beings, for all our big brains and fancy trappings, are still biological organisms who need to defecate, give birth, and are at the whims of hormones, brain chemicals, diseases, etc.? Basically the opposite of most classical thought that places mankind at the pinnacle of the natural world.
posted by Rora at 5:54 PM PST - 19 comments

I’m having my parents’ house deep cleaned tomorrow in preparation for putting it on the market. The two owners of the cleaning company are the ones who will be doing the cleaning. Since they’re the owners, do I tip them? If so, how much?
posted by bookmammal at 5:24 PM PST - 17 comments

Mr. Blah and I are phone Luddites who held on to our iPhone 6's until they were almost useless (meaning, today) and just got iPhone 13's. Yes, we're gonna figure out how to use them (thankfully our college kid is home for summer break) but is there something special, lesser known or just plain surprising that you think an Old Phone user might need or want to know when suddenly encountering a New Phone? I'll accept all tips and tricks you might like to tell me. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 4:13 PM PST - 21 comments

I wrote a play based on my book. I wrote it alone with no collaborators. It is all original with no copyright issues. The play is done. It has been staged read for two theater organizations and has been performed virtually for a festival. I'd like to approach a script publishing company like Dramatist or Samuel French and see what's involved in having it turned into something community theaters can rent. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 3:53 PM PST - 2 comments

This is sort of ridiculous, but it has been living rent-free in my head for quite some time. Between 2008-2012, I watched a series, I think on LogoTV, about couples, how they met, what they are doing, etc. Some of what I remember could have been First Comes Love (first season of this is actually My Fabulous Gay Wedding). But I have looked at the episode lists as much as I can and I do not see this particular couple or episode. Here is what I remember: [more inside]
posted by oflinkey at 3:13 PM PST - 0 comments

My husband likes, and uses extensively, the old Sigma Plot 2.0 software. Where to find installation discs? [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano at 3:07 PM PST - 1 comment

Need to figure out how many hours I'll get on each battery based on my machine/pressure. [more inside]
posted by Autumn Willow at 2:23 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm trying to determine if Elden Ring is appropriate for a 14yo boy. Thoughts? [more inside]
posted by rouftop at 1:17 PM PST - 14 comments

I see that some people who are intent on killing lots of people don't kill themselves while others do. Is there any connection between the intention to kill others and the intention to kill or not kill oneself in these mass shooting events? [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 12:13 PM PST - 11 comments

What should I do in/around Eastport, Maine next week? [more inside]
posted by soy_renfield at 11:42 AM PST - 8 comments

content warning: incest [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:35 AM PST - 19 comments

New friend's friendship style feels more intimate than my romantic relationship, and interacting with them feels like I'm straying into emotional affair territory. It's also making me question the normalcy of the boundaries I've set for myself in my relationship. Would appreciate outside eyes to evaluate this situation. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:35 AM PST - 67 comments

Pee-Wee's Playhouse cards (seen here.) Who is the artist that drew them? I know Art Spiegelman drew some cards for Topps, but these look more like Lynda Barry's work.
posted by Marky at 11:19 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for advice on facilitating a conversation about a professional topic: how to get the conversation going, how to make sure people are able to participate (if they'd like to) without putting them on the spot, and any other tips/tricks you might have for me. [more inside]
posted by kimberussell at 10:57 AM PST - 5 comments

While moving house, about a gallon of white vinegar spilled in my car. It was sitting in my car for at least one day before it was discovered. Is there anything I can do to get the smell out that I'm not already doing? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 10:06 AM PST - 17 comments

As many of you know, I am a people pleaser and find it incredibly hard to say "no". I noticed I've been having trouble recently with people asking to sleep over at my apartment, or use my pool. I also want helpful scripts that say no in a kind way. Deaf community filter for context, more details inside. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 7:42 AM PST - 31 comments

Please hope me learn more about the electrical architecture / design of / world market for electric auto-rickshaws (tuk-tuks) ... for reasons. [more inside]
posted by ZenMasterThis at 6:16 AM PST - 3 comments

Google Keep keeps freezing on my phone (pixel 4a, Android 12). I can put entries in but any editing or searching and it freezes. I've tried various online fixes but they work for five minutes and then back to not working - what is the problem, can it be fixed? [more inside]
posted by Flitcraft at 6:09 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm thinking about taking a break from therapy. I'm having two sessions a week and group therapy with a different provider. All of these sessions make me feel worse and exhausted and like I am stuck. I'm tired of talking about my upbringing and don't see the connection to my current self. I still have suicide ideation but no plan. What can I expect in terms of figuring out a timeline or ending for therapy?
posted by wherestheeraser at 4:25 AM PST - 13 comments

Our otherwise pretty great toddler is going through a really difficult (what we hope is just a) phase. Our 2 year, 4 month old son has gone from normally waking up between 6:45am-7:30am in the mornings to between 5-6am and it's awful. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by rbf1138 at 4:10 AM PST - 17 comments

I have reason to believe that an acquaintance is treating her foster cats in a cruel and unusual fashion. What is the best and most ethical way to respond? Should I attempt to convince her to stop this behavior, go straight to the authorities, or leave well enough alone? [more inside]
posted by clair-de-lune at 1:00 AM PST - 12 comments

I really like the feel of the music in Blinding Lights by The Weeknd. I think it reminds me of sci-fi from years ago, films and games. However, when I listen to, for example, the Blade Runner soundtrack, it doesn’t have the same width (?). 1. What else sounds like this? 2. What is this called? Width doesn’t feel quite right. [more inside]
posted by fizban at 12:36 AM PST - 21 comments

Someone who has a reputation for doing something exceptionally well, suddenly fails. What's the funniest thing someone has said in that situation?
posted by storybored at 9:41 PM PST - 20 comments

YANMD. A few years ago now, I stepped in a hole on the street and twisted my ankle pretty badly -- no fracture, but it was painful for a while. It did something to my Achilles tendon, which was very swollen and painful afterwards. The ankle is fine now but the Achilles tendon still flares occasionally. What can I do for it, if anything? [more inside]
posted by holborne at 9:18 PM PST - 6 comments

I may have given a client of the organization I work for bad information, causing her to expect more money than she ultimately received. I don’t remember if I did, or did not, give her this information. Instead of receiving 100% of the funds she was expecting, she is getting 66% of the money she was expecting. [more inside]
posted by furtheryet at 8:39 PM PST - 19 comments

My thai friend is cooking some kimchi fried rice. Smells delicious. The problem? He's used rice that's been sitting at room temperature in the rice cooker for 24 hours. This sets off my food safety bells. Then again, I'm guessing this must be a common practice across Asia. Thoughts?1
posted by matkline at 8:17 PM PST - 12 comments

I would like to buy some pant suits in rich saturated colors with relatively classic cuts to wear to places like the opera, high holy days, weddings, etc. Every blazer or suit out there seems to be made for statuesque amazons or fae ingenues, and comes in an array of hues from taupe to pastel beige. And my most hated thing, they are all oversized. This makes me look like I’m wearing a tent, or I’m a toddler in my dad’s old clothes, with no legs and no waist and huge shoulders. [more inside]
posted by Mizu at 7:59 PM PST - 11 comments

There are some TV shows I vaguely want to watch, but not badly enough to actually watch them, if that makes any sense. Where's the best place to read fairly complete but not endless recaps of entire series? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 7:54 PM PST - 3 comments

So yeah, I guess some people will find this familiar. A few weeks ago I was asking about why I should consider Montreal. Well, so I came here, and I absolutely love it. It's exactly as I was told, it's a city to fall in love with. [more inside]
posted by Tarsonis10 at 6:58 PM PST - 2 comments

Our cat had a tooth cleaning and an extraction today. It's been about five hours since she came out of surgery. She is still a little weird and anxious but she's had something to eat and is bopping around hunting a mouse. Do I give her the opioids the doctor gave me? Details within. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 6:46 PM PST - 8 comments

My new home is an apartment building built in 1949 as a labor union cooperative. It was designed to be spacious and healthful housing for workers, replacing the tenements and boarding houses that had previously occupied the site. Where can I look at interiors from this period (I'd take 1945-1950) for design inspiration? [more inside]
posted by minervous at 5:45 PM PST - 5 comments

Is it polite to offer potentially gender affirming photo edits to a trans person? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Candleman at 5:35 PM PST - 14 comments

Anything you did or wish you did after buying a house? Before moving in, or shortly after. [more inside]
posted by shrimpetouffee at 4:43 PM PST - 26 comments

Against my better judgment, I am opening a new Steam account (the old one was unused and just slowed my previous laptop down). However, I bought a game. Trouble is, Steam will not accept any of upwards of a dozen passwords I have tried to set for the new account. [more inside]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 4:17 PM PST - 8 comments

Can you give any examples (ideally with links), of companies who have observed Juneteenth in a respectful and appropriate way? Thanks!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 3:39 PM PST - 6 comments

What's the best thing to do for this credit card screw up? [more inside]
posted by gigondas at 3:36 PM PST - 4 comments

I’m visiting NYC with spouse and friend and would like recommendations for good quality menswear consignment shops that would be hospitable for both a larger-bodied dude and a plump, curvy female-presenting nonbinary person.
posted by matildaben at 3:00 PM PST - 1 comment

I'm looking for books or online resources that have exercises and encouragement for folks struggling with writer's block who want to write fiction someday. [more inside]
posted by averageamateur at 2:58 PM PST - 11 comments

I am addicted to social media as a way to avoid work. How do I stop? Is it even worth stopping? [more inside]
posted by kingdead at 2:29 PM PST - 15 comments

I really enjoyed reading "Piranesi". What else should I read? [more inside]
posted by Omnomnom at 1:52 PM PST - 24 comments

I came across this funky serigraph on Etsy and I'm curious what the Hebrew writing says. Can any knowledgeable MeFites help?
posted by Charity Garfein at 1:34 PM PST - 4 comments

Is there some kind of public record / database showing the probabilities of things like broken legs, severe depression, and/or having one's car totaled/house burn down/etc? I'm aware that insurance companies probably want to keep these statistics to themselves, but has anybody made anything like this findable for the public in any kind of searchable/convenient/let-me-do-my-own-risk-assessment form? [more inside]
posted by amtho at 1:06 PM PST - 5 comments

I am looking for examples of adults who are neither parents nor teachers and who make a positive difference for children in their communities. [more inside]
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 1:03 PM PST - 19 comments

One of my sons will be a HS junior next year. He loves history and wants to read more serious books than HS texts. And now it's summer, and he has time to do some non-required reading. There are so many possibilities that it's overwhelming. So... [more inside]
posted by martin q blank at 1:03 PM PST - 25 comments

There's an Indian restaurant I go to that serves the best chai and then I'll get a hankering for it for weeks after but don't have the wherewithal to make it from scratch myself. I know it won't be quite like homemade, but are there instant chai packets or mixes that are deep-flavored and full of spice?
posted by madonna of the unloved at 1:03 PM PST - 10 comments

I inherited property in northern Michigan from my father recently. It is occupied during the warm months but is empty in the winter. Last winter, I kept the thermostat at 40 degrees. I have a propane tank for the furnace and a water pump because we get water from a well. I have to keep the driveway plowed if I want to run the heat all winter because the tank has to filled a couple of times each winter. Keeping the house heated is a big waste of fuel and money. I don't like doing that. My question is: if I make sure the pipes and the water heater are emptied of all water, will it harm anything if I let the house go without heat for the entire winter? Glass top stove? Refrigerator? Water pump? Will the furnace fire back up? Temperatures up there can get well below zero occasionally during the winter. Are there steps I should take that I haven't considered?
posted by zzazazz at 12:36 PM PST - 14 comments

My friend mailed me a cashier's check. However, the name is misspelled so I can't cash it. She drew it from her account at a bank with branches all over the country. Can I go to my local branch of her bank and cancel it, or do I have to mail it back to her so she can do it? [more inside]
posted by hermanubis at 12:06 PM PST - 4 comments

Hi AskMe. Another question from me about potentially selling my home. What can I do to ensure the smoothest possible sale? I've been doing some brainstorming. [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 11:51 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a one year old cat that goes outside into the yard for about an hour a day. I need a flea and tick treatment and am confused about oral medications for this purpose. [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 11:40 AM PST - 4 comments

This seems like a silly question but I'm going to be open ended. I work freelance at a place where there's not a lot of people. I talk to someone like twice a week and they're only interested if there's a problem or not. That sounds great but I'm beginning to have a bit of a graduate student syndrome and always think I'm losing my job. Any tips for working remote and with people who aren't chatty? [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 10:17 AM PST - 4 comments

I create a lot of very (often absurdly) specific utilities that I would like to make available to the internet at large. Providing the source on github is a no-brainer, but I'd like to have a spiffy central landing spot that could provide pointers and in many cases web versions of the utilities themselves. I could do something primitive on my web server, but I thought I'd see if this rang any bells for anyone. [more inside]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:39 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a variety of substances (ethanol, acetone, kerosene, etm.) that I occasionally need to work with. Permanent gloves would be best although I'm open to disposables. The complication is that they need to safely survive storage for long periods at a minimum of 110°F. 130°F would be better. Recommendations would be gratefully received. [more inside]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:09 AM PST - 2 comments

Both Mr. DrGail and I have gmail accounts that we have been accessing through Windows Live Mail 2012 on our Windows10 machines. (Mine is a desktop and he uses a laptop, in case it matters.) As of today, thanks to Google's decision not to support WLM2012 any longer, we can no longer download our emails through WLM2012 and this makes us sad. [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 8:37 AM PST - 19 comments

My wife and I love bats for being ridiculously cute, and appreciate them that much more for their central role in maintaining the habitats they inhabit and the ecosystems within. They pollinate, they keep insect populations in check, and they poop seeds that become plants and trees; Without them rainforests, prairies, and every cactus in every desert would die. So when we learned two years ago that bat populations in in our area were in crisis, we decided to try and help by building homes for them. It hasn't worked [more inside]
posted by BadgerDoctor at 8:23 AM PST - 4 comments

Trying to find some real life bands like the trippy neo-medieval goth slowcore band I dreamed of. [more inside]
posted by mattholomew at 8:16 AM PST - 26 comments

In a previous question about pooling money for music events that I organize with my friends, it was strongly suggested that I find a lawyer to help us protect us from exposure. I want to do that, but I don't know how to find a good lawyer for this situation. [more inside]
posted by rhythm and booze at 8:09 AM PST - 10 comments

For those who've followed my previous posts, this week I moved out of my boyfriends flat for a break, by mutual agreement. I've moved into a houseshare with 3 strangers, in their late 20s. We are still seeing each other, we both aren't sure what this break means. Towards the end of my stay, my boyfriend has been saying he'd like to take things forward and commit longterm and that I should move back in a few months. I've just moved out and feel incredibly alone and like I'm regressing. I'll explain further below but I'd appreciate some ideas and encouragement for how I should treat this time. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 5:42 AM PST - 59 comments

I work for a small tech-adjacent company in New York City. The work is interesting and not at all stressful, and I like my coworkers. The pay is very low for tech, though, and I sometimes wonder if I should look for something else. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:56 PM PST - 23 comments

I have a wonderful partner and I have had more thoughts about breaking up recently which has given me a lot of turmoil and I don't know how to sort these feelings out and would like to know how to best reflect. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:56 PM PST - 20 comments

I have fibromyalgia and it's in the mid 80's and I'm useless and everything is hell. More inside. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 9:39 PM PST - 19 comments

I replaced the engine air filter and cabin air filter in my car after watching short YouTube videos. It was so easy that it got me wondering what other car or home repair and maintenance is equally easy to do by the owner. [more inside]
posted by fieldtrip at 9:21 PM PST - 19 comments

So I was just browsing (more traditional) meatloaf recipes online and in to my mind popped delicious pork dumplings that I make with ground pork and finely chopped bok choy (mostly the white). And I thought "hey, I wonder if I could make a whole loaf of that.." But I'm thinking the dumplings get dipped in soy and rice vinegar and would be kind of meh-bland-boring without that. Unless I.... what? Can I adapt ground pork and bok choy into a meatloaf-like thing? Tell me how.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:56 PM PST - 22 comments

is there anything I can do to prevent squirrels and rats from running along my fences? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:42 PM PST - 15 comments

I have these lovely vintage lamps, but I hate the shades and the colour at the top of the lamp's base. Would it look awful to get a longer shade to hide the top couple of inches of the base? [more inside]
posted by Frenchy67 at 3:35 PM PST - 11 comments

My three closest friends and I organize parties together. These events used to be small enough that we didn't need a formal system to deal with our money; we would front the money for major expenses (venue, performers, transportation, food). Then one of us would collect money from the attendees, and pay everyone back. We never made any money and don't plan to; any money we have left over goes into future parties. However, we've recently scaled to a point where it isn't feasible to handle the money like this anymore. It would be much simpler for us to have an account separate from our personal accounts to use for expenses and setting up a ticketing system, pooling money to pay for venues, etc. However, we only have events once or twice a year and we're not really a business (no employees, no business model). So, starting an LLC or opening a joint business account seems like a lot of overhead for what we're doing. We're leaning toward having a personal checking account for the four of us instead, as we all trust each other enough to do it, and seems like the least complicated option. Is it the best option? Is there one I haven't considered?
posted by rhythm and booze at 2:49 PM PST - 9 comments

What's new in the world of comfortable strapless bras for people with large breasts? [more inside]
posted by cakelite at 2:38 PM PST - 8 comments

So I picked a drink today because the front label said only 1g of sugar and "no artificial sweeteners" expecting it would basically be non-sweet. But it's a little sweet and I like it. And now having read the back of the label, it has Stevia. I know artificial sweeteners trigger the release of insulin and teach your body to ignore insulin which is bad news. My attempts to find out of this is true of stevia have left me confused. Is stevia consumption associated with insulin release/insulin resistance/diabetes? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:59 PM PST - 11 comments

I am moving b/c of a divorce, and I am really overwhelmed with life decisions right now. My leasing company says I can get at&t, comcast, or astound internet (this last one might also be known as wave?). I do not work from home. I like watching streaming tv and I am a light internet browser. Which one should I get? [more inside]
posted by bookworm4125 at 1:39 PM PST - 25 comments

Going to baltimore for the weekend of June 12 with 2 adults in their 40s and 6 adults in their 60s for a Paul McCartney Concert. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by wowenthusiast at 12:13 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm planning a trip in mid-October, flying in and out of Merida (monkeypox permitting). The way my current plans are shaping up, I'll be able to spend 2 nights at Valldolid or at an eco-lodge outside the Ek Balam site. People who have visited these places before, which would you pick? [more inside]
posted by orrnyereg at 11:44 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm moving to Kyoto next month, I don't know anyone there, and it would be useful to have IRL connections to help with the lay of the land. My Mormon colleague (I'm in Utah!) jokingly suggested I join the church, because that would totally provide those types of connections, and he's not wrong: something like that - without the religion angle - would be ideal. What other IRL groups could I consider joining to create connections in Kyoto?
posted by my log does not judge at 11:00 AM PST - 10 comments

Mr Nat has a conference in Helsinki in late June. We are planning to stay about four days after. Where should we go in Finland or nearby? [more inside]
posted by nat at 10:55 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a SoniCare electric toothbrush (one of the newer ones, the kind where you just put on the toothbrush head on top of a "pole" and it snaps on; not screw-on), and I'm needing replacement heads soon. The Sonic heads are a bit on the expensive side, so I want alternatives (preferably on Amazon) that's good quality, soft bristles, and aren't filled of BPA or other harmful chemicals. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 10:55 AM PST - 8 comments

How important are the first 2 months of kindergarten? What happens if you miss them? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:44 AM PST - 18 comments