September 2016 Archives
September 30
Explaining how social media works to my boss
I'm looking for some good articles that explain the timelines of social media to my boss. I'm struggling to get him to understand why delaying posting things that are already published online on news websites for days or even weeks doesn't make sense. Ditto delaying posting photos from events for up to two weeks. [more inside]
Maternity leave for managers
Managers of Metafilter, how did you handle coverage for your maternity leave? If all goes according to plan, I'm going to tell my boss that I'm pregnant next week, and I'd like to have some ideas/suggestions for her when she starts wondering how to handle my leave. [more inside]
Sister's Wedding Present
Best wedding present you received from a sibling or other close family member? [more inside]
posted by essenescence at 8:28 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by essenescence at 8:28 PM PST - 24 comments
Plot summary of the ending of The Elementals by Michael McDowell?
I got a little distracted while I was listening to this audio book and the ending didn't make too much sense to me. Can someone explain it? The more detail the better, thanks!
posted by skjønn at 6:53 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by skjønn at 6:53 PM PST - 4 comments
Winter Coat Conundrum
I've fallen in love with this Madewell parka, but can't justify spending $200 on something I can't wear (with layers) in NYC winter. [more inside]
posted by dysh at 4:50 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by dysh at 4:50 PM PST - 19 comments
YAWITT: Yet Another What Is This Thing?
This thing was found during a junk drawer clean out at my office. It is a roughly 3/4" x 6" piece of high quality leather bolted at each end to a machined metal piece with a closed cell foam sandwiched in between. [more inside]
posted by TomFoolery at 3:57 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by TomFoolery at 3:57 PM PST - 11 comments
Real grad students pull all-nighters.
As a full-time graduate student in a research program, I'm not overworked, and I'm managing reasonable hours in the lab. In contrast, I see other graduate students putting in 12 hour workdays and juggling multiple deadlines. I'm worried that this might be a sign that I'm underperforming and don't know it. [more inside]
posted by Conspire at 3:08 PM PST - 30 comments
posted by Conspire at 3:08 PM PST - 30 comments
Best cash drawer/receipt printer combo?
We are close to opening our new store and forgot all about the cash drawer and receipt printer. [more inside]
posted by nickthetourist at 1:08 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by nickthetourist at 1:08 PM PST - 5 comments
To screw, or not to screw...
I have a stress fracture in the compression side of my femoral neck at my hip. My doctor has given me the options. I'm wondering if anyone happens to have experience (personal or otherwise) with this type of injury, and how did it go? [more inside]
Should we form an LLC for app income or is there another option?
Hey all,
A friend and I are launching an app soon. It's based on an established property and we expect to make at least a small amount of money, maybe ~10k, but who knows.
In order to sort out the financial end of this, my original plan was just to form an LLC to establish the partnership and receive income from ads & purchases. Is this our best option? [more inside]
Continuing Education Requirements for Professional Engineer
About a year ago, I passed my professional engineer (PE) exam for environmental engineering in Virginia. I know that, in order to renew my license, I have to complete so many continuing education (CE) hours every two years. However, the Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects (APELSCIDLA) is not all that specific about what activities can be used towards CE credits or what type of documentation is expected. I haven't had much luck sifting through their webpage and have gotten unhelpful responses the couple times I have tried to call their office (when asked for information, they emailed me random information about architects).
Does anyone have experience with tackling continuing education for engineers in the state of Virginia or elsewhere?
posted by C'est la D.C. at 11:14 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by C'est la D.C. at 11:14 AM PST - 5 comments
I didn't fail my PhD defense, but I didn't pass. Should I quit?
I got a "reconsideration" on my PhD defense, which is essentially "you have to do major revisions to the dissertation." This is pretty much unheard of. I don't know a single person this has happened to. My adviser had NO CLUE this was going to happen, and we both thought I was going to pass easily. More below. [more inside]
Long distance introduction
A friend living in my city is moving to a different city. I happen to have another friend in that different city. These 2 have never met. I think these 2 would make great friends. How to I go about introducing them to one another? [more inside]
Workplace policies on cancelling work travel for medical reasons?
I will likely need to cancel a work-related conference trip next week for medical reasons. Can I expect reimbursement for the money I've already spent? Bonus: my cancellation will be for mental health reasons, documented by my team of doctors. Does your workplace have policies around this? I am in the state of Massachusetts.
Vaguely remembered NPR story about planned income inequality?
I remember listen to an NPR story around a year (maybe two) ago about income inequality and how the decoupling of productivity and real wages was planned. Something about who sold out the middle class? It pointed out certain deals made by politicians in the early 1970s I think. Any ideas what it could have been and where to find it?
Pregnant and uninsured
I am pregnant in the state of Maine. I want to keep it. How do I not go into medical bankruptcy? [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 9:27 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by pintapicasso at 9:27 AM PST - 22 comments
Help me reverse engineer this sauce or find something similar...
Help! My favorite go-to sauce looks like it might be discontinued or is on it's way to being discontinued. [more inside]
So, just how permanent *is* a Sharpie™?
As in, if I color the buttons on a shirt with a Sharpie, will I eff-up a shirt through multiple washings? [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 9:06 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by Thorzdad at 9:06 AM PST - 25 comments
The Damage Done, We're Not OK, Lyrically
I'm looking for songs and poems about damage, wounds and woundedness, harm done, brokenness, being not OK. Details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by mmw at 8:34 AM PST - 68 comments
posted by mmw at 8:34 AM PST - 68 comments
Favorite things to do/see in New York City in early October?
Theater, show, sights to see, and activity recommendations. [more inside]
Casual SAT question from a Brit
Reading Stephen King's End of Watch recently (no spoilers!) reminded me of a question I've had for a while regarding SAT scores. In the book, the girl is worried that she's only going to get x score (400 perhaps?) on the Maths test. If this happened, would her chances of getting into college disappear? Or would it affect which sort of colleges she could get into? If she happened to be a genius at everything else but sucked at maths would that mean no Ivy League for her? Bonus question: could you retake them endlessly? [more inside]
Why are religious kids and teens so well behaved and... chill?
I notice a trend: kids I know from loving, religious families (Chabad Lubavitch and Christian in particular) are, even in the tricky teen years, lovely, kind, respectful. How does this happen? What are the parents doing right? [more inside]
posted by enzymatic at 7:49 AM PST - 56 comments
posted by enzymatic at 7:49 AM PST - 56 comments
Is it possible to teach a dog to close its eyes?
I'm not talking about putting its paw on its nose. I'm talking about closing its eyelids on command and keeping them closed until released. Has anyone successfully done this trick with their dog? How?
Insurance to cover emergency medical return flights?
I recently suffered a detached retina in one eye. This is a condition that needs to be treated immediately or I risk blindness. There is an increased chance my other eye will suffer the same fate. [more inside]
Am I unlucky or just crazy?
I've just been diagnosed with what was explained to me as a psychosomatic condition with nothing physiologically wrong. I would be relieved if this wasn't the last of several times I've had worrying, bothersome symptoms, had all tests come back clear and had the symptoms clear up right after being given a clean bill of health. Why does this keep happening to me? Do I need serious psychiatric help? [more inside]
Sister's barking dog is driving my mom crazy
My sister has a rescue dog, lab mix, probably about 10 or 11 years old. This dog will not stay in a kennel when my sis goes on holidays, away for the weekend or overnight, etc. so my mom (84 years old) ends up looking after her quite often. She barks at anyone coming into or even walking past the house, and my mom's nerves are frazzled. [more inside]
Help with Wordpress Magazine Themes
I have a wordpress website (link). After fiddling with the current theme (Edin) for a while, I'm starting to think it's not what I'm looking for. I'd like some advice on other themes that might work to present blog posts and static pages. [more inside]
Faintly remembered scene from movie?
What is the (John Hughes?) movie in which a pompous kid is lecturing someone else and -- instead of punctuating his/her points by saying "One", "Two", "Three" -- instead carelessly separates those points by saying something like "One", "B", and "Four"?
posted by Mr. Justice at 5:34 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Mr. Justice at 5:34 AM PST - 8 comments
Movies and TV shows about jobs... behind the scenes!
I loved Whiplash. I love Top Chef. I love documentaries about ballet. What else can I watch that gives an entertaining insight into the 'backstage' of various professions? [more inside]
How do I ensure recovery and healing while continuing to work with STBX?
I continue to work with my soon-to-be-ex husband and I'm having trouble coping with several aspects of this situation. One of the major issues (for me) comes from the fact that I was attempting reconciliation for the longest (while he's always felt otherwise). Would really appreciate suggestions in this regard (particularly from those who've been in similar situations). Details [long read!] inside. [more inside]
posted by satipatthana at 1:17 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by satipatthana at 1:17 AM PST - 11 comments
Another toy from the 90s question!
Around 1996 I lived in a house with a bunch of other college students. We had this hilarious electronic toy that was an insult generator. It would link together a few adjectives with a noun to create insults such as: "You're like a wet, horrible fart" or "You're like a big, nasty, booger". Does this ring a bell for anyone? Naturally, twenty years later, I'd love to give it as a gift to my brother who lived in that house with me and enjoyed many laughs from this silly toy!
posted by ezrainch at 12:52 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by ezrainch at 12:52 AM PST - 3 comments
September 29
How to stream audio to a Raspberry Pi from Windows?
I want to set up my home stereo to stream music from my Windows box to a Raspberry Pi, which is then hooked up to my receiver. I think I have all the necessary parts, but what software do I use in which configuration to get it to work - MPD, or something else? More details inside. [more inside]
hit by a car
I got hit by a car while biking. How do I make my body get better? [more inside]
posted by aaanastasia at 8:44 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by aaanastasia at 8:44 PM PST - 14 comments
How to Respond to Recruiter, Pregnancy Edition
I was contacted by a recruiter for a position with a company I interviewed with over a year ago. I'm currently ~6 months pregnant and not interested in looking for anything new before I go on maternity leave, but I don't want to lose any future opportunities. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by DuckGirl at 8:41 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by DuckGirl at 8:41 PM PST - 4 comments
Career change 101 (finance / accounting / statistics edition)
I am wanting to shift careers toward finance, accounting, statistics, or something else quantitative. Ideally, I'd like to find a role that can be done as a freelancer. I'm a bit uncertain how to even start. [more inside]
Please me fix my tabbed browsing technical issues.
When using Firefox and Chrome, is there I way that I can make the browser load new tabs while I am simultaneously browsing on a separate tab? [more inside]
help this lifetime apartment dweller move into her first house
my family of four is in the process of moving out of our junior 4 in manhattan to our very own house in the suburbs. what are your best house and home life tips? [more inside]
Thai brisket braising
I'd like to make a recipe for a Thai-inspired braised brisket in a tamarind-palm sugar sauce, but have questions about the amount of liquid involved and making it in a slow cooker. [more inside]
Where can I find this video?
I need to find a video of Milton Berle and RuPaul having an argument on the stage of the 1993 MTV video music awards. I cannot find it at this time with my googling. Can you help?
posted by josher71 at 5:36 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by josher71 at 5:36 PM PST - 3 comments
Trying to track down a toy from my youth.
Back in the late 80s, early 90s I bought a game from a yard sale. It was an electronic game, that took your birthday and created all sorts of astrology information. It was round, and a dark burgundy color. My Internet searches have been fruitless.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:27 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:27 PM PST - 2 comments
Who wrote this white paper?
How do I find out the actual author(s) behind the White House white paper: Housing Development Tool Kit September 2016.
three prongs good, two prongs bad. no prongs unacceptable!
I need to find the best and most diplomatic way of getting my landlord to fix some of the electrical work in my apartment, and could use some help regarding finer points about the National and Massachusetts Electric Codes, and/or Tenant's Rights. [more inside]
posted by not_on_display at 4:04 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by not_on_display at 4:04 PM PST - 20 comments
Good sites for school-age kids
I'm a tech advisor at a small school district. Teachers have a bad habit of sending kids to craptastic "learning" game sites or, worse still, any site they like for "free-choice time." Help me compile great sites that are not necessarily "educational" but good for the soul. [more inside]
posted by argybarg at 4:03 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by argybarg at 4:03 PM PST - 14 comments
Where in the U.S. would you be furthest from a major airport?
I was driving to the airport the other day and wondered - where in the continental United States would you have to live to be furthest from an airport?
I'm thinking of an airport with actual major carriers that would connect to other major airports, not a small airstrip or that only has private and charter plane traffic.
posted by basehead at 3:49 PM PST - 38 comments
posted by basehead at 3:49 PM PST - 38 comments
Which lost ancient texts would scholars most like to recover and why?
We know from citations and references the names of many ancient texts that are now lost. Which among these would scholars be most excited to recover and why?
Do I tell a former co-worker why no one will hire them?
Do I tell a former co-worker why no one will hire them? [more inside]
How to build a reversible projector screen?
How can I build a reversible projection screen? Would something like this work…? [more inside]
posted by jacob at 1:30 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by jacob at 1:30 PM PST - 3 comments
Singular, plural, plural?, pluralish?
What is the difference between person, persons, people and peoples, and is there a rule of thumb I can use to help choose the correct one?
Help a midwestern girl with her (frozen) mussels.
I'm a good cook, but not very confident with seafood as the seafood selection convenient to me are not very appealing. However, the independent supermarket near me is having a sale on frozen mussels this weekend and they look tempting. Are they worth it? What should I make with them, if I do buy them?
posted by sarajane at 1:02 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by sarajane at 1:02 PM PST - 11 comments
What are the upsides to menopause?
I'm right on the border of perimenopause/menopause, and all I seem to ever hear about are the negatives of menopause: hot flashes, it's harder to lose weight, loss of muscle tone, lots of pimples, body hair going wacky (more hair where I don't want it; less hair where I do), vaginal dryness, etc. But one upside I've noticed: my hair, which has always been that sort of vaguely wavy/frizzy "Jew-Fro" has over the last 9 months gotten very straight. It's beautiful. It makes me happy.
What are some of the other upsides of menopause changes that I can expect to experience? [more inside]
What was this movie?
Trying to remember a movie I saw when I was a kid. I think Michael Caine was in it, and he went to a massage parlour. [more inside]
Why is internet+TV+phone cheaper than internet alone from TWC?
My internet company ("Spectrum" aka TWC) has been relentlessly mailing and emailing me with deals on internet+TV+phone bundles that are cheaper than getting internet alone. I don't want TV or phone (in fact I don't even have a phone to plug in anywhere) so it seems silly to sign up for this. But it is cheaper. What is the deal here? [more inside]
posted by kms at 12:38 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by kms at 12:38 PM PST - 13 comments
Best practices for using an iPhone on a public Wi-Fi network?
I'm looking for best practices for using our iPhones and iPads on public Wi-Fi networks. That is, what can we do to best protect/secure/encrypt the data that is transmitted over such networks to/from the devices (aside from not using the public networks in the first place)? Would using a VPN accomplish this? Any recommendations for one? Something else? These are iPhone 7's and iPad Pro's, all running the latest version of iOS 10. Thank you!
Good slice of life historical fiction? Not too grim.
My favorite book is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I want to find other slice-of-life historical fiction in which to immerse myself! [more inside]
Ideas for 2 special Gifts
I need a little inspiration, hoping you can help.
My 2 nieces-in-law (?) have birthdays within 2 days of each other. After a particularly tough year in which they lost their Mum and there has been a lot of family drama, we've all become quite close.
These girls mean a LOT to me and I consider them both good friends, but I need some help in deciding what "special" gift I can get for both of them for their birthdays in October. [more inside]
posted by JenThePro at 9:59 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by JenThePro at 9:59 AM PST - 21 comments
How to explain why I'm leaving my current job after only 6 months
I recently joined an organization for a job that sounded awesome on paper and even better in the interview. It's turned out to be anything but. Six months in, there's been one aborted reorganization and a 180 degree turn in strategy. This has resulted in not enough work and generally poor morale. I'll soon be interviewing at another organization (in a small field) for a similar role. How to explain my departure from my current job without sounding like a flake? [more inside]
Readings about the foregiveness
What books, essays, novels, and poems about forgiveness can you recommend? I'm trying to wrap my head around how it works, what it requires, and what it feels like. When is it appropriate and when is their virtue to holding on to anger? How does it relate to reconciliation? I realize there is lots of material on the subject from a Christian perspective, and that's okay so long as it is somewhat accessible for the skeptic or non-believer.
posted by Alluring Mouthbreather at 9:12 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by Alluring Mouthbreather at 9:12 AM PST - 24 comments
I want to learn about how language is spoken.
What are some youtube channels and podcasts that highlight and talk about the differences in language and accents with examples? [more inside]
Best WOW dessert recipe
My friends and I are having a friendly dessert-off, where we will bring fancy-ish desserts that we have made. I'm now shorter on time than I thought, what should I make? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by LKWorking at 8:46 AM PST - 33 comments
posted by LKWorking at 8:46 AM PST - 33 comments
Brain the size of a planet, and you want me to play "Louie, Louie"
Is there an Android mp3 player that can crossfade songs without fading-in the incoming track? [more inside]
Comfort me with comfort food
Starting new job on Monday with new (to me) solid 9-5 schedule. What are some vegan-friendly make-ahead meals for Friday nights to avoid spending money on takeout? [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 8:37 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by Kitteh at 8:37 AM PST - 26 comments
Income Taxes - Live in NJ, Work in NY. Looking at working in NJ soon...
I currently live in NJ, and Work in NY City. If I worked in NJ, what's the tax savings (if any)? [more inside]
posted by niteHawk at 8:27 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by niteHawk at 8:27 AM PST - 5 comments
USA text message number that I can receive overseas (and verifies)
I moved to another country but often need to do 2-step verification with my old American website accounts. The trouble is, these systems insist on my providing some (###)###-#### number but I don't have one anymore, so I have to have a text sent to my dad in the States and call him up.
Is there a service that will let me sign up to receive text messages in the US, read them online, but (key thing) also pass verification? [more inside]
posted by johngoren at 7:54 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by johngoren at 7:54 AM PST - 12 comments
It's Good but I Still Hate It
How long do you have to do something before it stops feeling like a chore? [more inside]
posted by galaxypeachtea at 7:23 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by galaxypeachtea at 7:23 AM PST - 29 comments
How are generations punctuated?
I had thought generations began after World War II, which "banged the gong" by changing when people were having babies, and we've been in that cycle since. But my googling says generations have gone back to the 19th century, to non birth-wave related events, like social change from industrialization. But if the birth rate was steady, how would you ever define the beginning and end of a generation? Ala, the distribution of age groups would be uniform.
Best Place to Purchase an Astrological Natal Chart
My girlfriend enjoys horoscopes, and for her birthday I'd like to purchase her a full interpretation of her natal chart, and then have the chart itself converted into an art piece. I've already found an artist to do the art part, but I have no idea how to identify an astrologer. [more inside]
posted by philotes at 6:11 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by philotes at 6:11 AM PST - 15 comments
Ideas/advice for pain-free family visits
I live in a different country than my parents and in-laws, and my wife and kid are able to visit once a year. How can we restructure this annual trip home to maximize quality time without everyone going nuts/bananas? Details inside! [more inside]
posted by elected_potato at 4:02 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by elected_potato at 4:02 AM PST - 13 comments
How to get from Seoul to Jinju Lantern Festival?
We'll be visiting Seoul next week, and are keen to get out to the Jinju Lantern festival as it looks amazing. Getting there, however, seems like a royal PITA, with googlemaps telling me 5 hours minumum each way, trains and busses. We can't speak Korean past a few words and don't read Hangol. Do you think this is doable for two tourists with limited to nonexistent language skills, or too much? [more inside]
My rental car was hit. Now what?
I bought 3rd party insurance when I pricelined my rental car. . This morning I came out of the apartment where I stayed (central St Louis) to find someone had hit the bumper. I was hurrying to get to my mother's bedside (she is dying) and did not file a police report. WHAT DO I DO NOW? [more inside]
Suggestions for (temporarily) deferring immediate physical grieving?
I need some quick potential solutions for compartmentalizing grief, at least for a little while. More beanplating in the extended. [more inside]
Need to find a lawyer about a sublet and renter's insurance situation
I need help finding a lawyer. I have a complicated sublet situation, and I have questions about renter's insurance and personal liability. What kind of lawyer should I seek out? Do you have anybody whom you can recommend? I'm in San Francisco, CA. [more inside]
Laser hair removal in Los Angeles?
I'm ready to jump into laser hair removal. Can you recommend an excellent place in Los Angeles? [more inside]
Week-long pre-wedding camping/festival practicalities
I'm engaged to my wonderful partner, and we'll be getting married in her country (Sweden) with many of our friends and family travelling from my country (Australia). I'm sure they'll want to be there with us for more than a single night, and we want that too. I'd like to figure out if a collective 'summer camp' style thing is workable. [more inside]
posted by twirlypen at 12:21 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by twirlypen at 12:21 AM PST - 13 comments
Packing a lunch: when to heat and when to eat?
This might win me the award for most embarrassing question of the day, but I don't like messing around with bacteria in my food, so I should probably figure this out. [more inside]
September 28
Orange you glad I didn't say "banana"?
Help me remember all of the jokes I forgot after having a baby. [more inside]
Waking up with a headache: why does this happen so often?
I get more than my share of headaches; I'm kind of prone to them. I get headaches maybe two or three times a week on average, and I've identified various headache triggers. And there is one clear tendency in my headaches: I'm much more likely to get them in the early morning (and wake up with them) than I am to get one at any other time of day. Why could this be? [more inside]
Need new noms
I've been doing little cooking challenges for a while. Not every Sunday, but, often, I challenge myself to make something slightly complicated that I've never made before. I've found that I tend toward French/Cajun and, distantly second, Italian. I would like to expand my culinary horizons. [more inside]
Turning Friends into Best Friends
How do I get a best friend? I'm well-liked in a few circles, and I have lots of friendly acquaintances and a good number of friends. But I don't have that one friend you hang out with several times a week, share clothes with, constantly text with, closer than a romantic partner bff. How do I turn a good friend into a bff? [more inside]
posted by sleepy psychonaut at 6:51 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by sleepy psychonaut at 6:51 PM PST - 24 comments
Looking for books like "The Girl In The Box" ... kind of.
So my tweens just worked through The Music of Dolphins and asked for more books written that way - from the protagonist's perspective, simple language, the world growing as they learn, mostly a view from inside their head. I've read one other book like that, The Girl In The Box but with their anxiety issues I wouldn't recommend that one. What do you suggest with a similar conceit / storytelling device that they might enjoy?
My Tumblr app dashboard will not refresh on iPad
I use the Tumblr app on my iPhone and my iPad. Starting a few days ago, my dashboard wouldn't refresh on the iPad. It works fine on the iPhone, and tumblr.com works fine in browsers on iPad, iPhone, and my MacBook Pro. [more inside]
Are there tricks to combating lonliness- on your own?
Lonliness is one of the worst feelings I've ever encountered... yet it seems inevitable. The obvious answer is to just hang around more people- but this isn't always so easy. [more inside]
Push it to MAXIMUM BABY!!!
Question about babies, feelings, and friendships! [more inside]
Sublime (and unusual) city experiences
Help me find unusual and sublime experiences that others might not think of as 'things to do'. [more inside]
Given my water pump timing needs, is this the right device for me?
After three water pump failures in 5 years, I need a way to control the behavior of my radiant heat system's water pump during summer and winter months. I think I know what kind of timer device I need, but before I buy something, I'd welcome some advice from plumber MeFites. (Lengthy, possibly unnecessary details inside.) [more inside]
posted by woot at 4:37 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by woot at 4:37 PM PST - 11 comments
Mouthwash on denim - blot or wash?
I spilled mouthwash on some jeans and I am traveling. The spot it left is the size of my hand. I want to wear them again in a few days and I have already blotted the area with a wet washcloth. Do I need to wash the spot with soap? The mouthwash (generic blue listerine) has sorbitol in it but the main ingredient is alcohol.
What is the British "what?"/"wot" closest to in modern American English?
What is the British "what?" or "wot?" closest to in modern American English? [more inside]
How could we make fossil fuels?
So, fossil fuels were formed over about 300 million years from dead biomass. Could a far-future society make its own over, ideally, somewhat less time? [more inside]
Can't Seem to Wake Up
I can't seem to get up in the morning. It's affecting my ability to get to my job. [more inside]
Clinton PWN-age
Clinton Supporter-Filter: I need Clinton Soup For The Soul, and I would like it in the form of reading/watching HRC-haters losing debates. [more inside]
Tips for Keeping a Jaundiced Eye on Encroaching Depression?
I have a history of depression but am fine for long stretches. How do I manage the swamping of depression that still happens from time to time? [more inside]
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 1:38 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 1:38 PM PST - 10 comments
Books best when read out of order
Looking for books (and movies I suppose) that are part of a larger series, but that are more enjoyable when read (or watched) out of order. [more inside]
Embedding element from one Wordpress site into another
I manage a website hosted on wordpress.com -- which, annoyingly, does not allow uploading plugins. I manage another Wordpress website which is hosted elsewhere, and I can upload plugins there. Taking advantage of this second site, I created an accordion slider using a plugin which I would like to show on the wordpress.com site. Assuming this can be done, what's the best way to achieve it? (You can assume I have some, but not a ton, of experience with both Wordpress and HTML but very little with CSS.)
Any recommendations for a good, varied set of screwdrivers?
Any recommendations for a nice, varied, good quality set of "screw" drivers of various different types of screw heads that I might find on IDE HDDs? [more inside]
Tell me about this depiction of Spinal Meningitis in a Stephen King book
In the book and movie Pet Sematary, Stephen King gave a description of Spinal Meningitis that involved deformity (bent back, “face pulled down until it was like a mask”, “hands were like birds’ feet”) and excruciating, long-term pain. Per Web MD and many other sources, Spinal Meningitis can cause many long term effects (mental impairment, hearing loss, loss of limbs due to gangrene) but nothing like King described. And especially nothing like the body seen in the film.
Is this at all a realistic depiction of this disease?
Sartorial Question re: Bridget Jones's Baby
Can anyone identify the plaid-ish button down worn by Patrick Dempsey in the nursery-painting scene of Bridget Jones's Baby? [more inside]
posted by sideofwry at 11:20 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by sideofwry at 11:20 AM PST - 6 comments
Editing vocals recorded on iPhone
I've been playing with recording songs or reading my poems as voice memos on my iPhone 5 (iOS 10) lately. I want to clean the audio up before I share it in any capacity. I have a PC running Windows 8.1. I'm hoping to learn the basics of things to specifically do in Audacity or another free program. I cannot afford software or recording equipment, and I have no previous knowledge of sound editing. For a sample here is a PJ Harvey cover I recorded today.
Recent Non-Fiction Book About Failed New England Utopian Farm
I was listening to an episode of the BBC's "History Extra" Podcast sometime in the last year or two and they interviewed a historian who'd recently written a book about utopias, specifically a failed New England farm in the 1800's started by people with good intentions but who weren't good at farming. Does anyone remember this episode or know the book it was talking about? [more inside]
Looking for book on Latin and Greek word roots from the 1980s.
I took a class back in the 1980s in public school in Indiana in which I was taught about Latin and Greek word roots found in the English language. [more inside]
posted by cellura p at 9:49 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by cellura p at 9:49 AM PST - 3 comments
Getting from Newark Airport to northern Manhattan during rush hour.
A relative who is visiting us will be getting into Newark Airport today at 4:30. I'm wondering if it would be easier and faster to take public transportation or just splurge on a taxi, considering it is rush hour. [more inside]
anyone else remember this one photography blog ...?
Author vanished (I think after some photos were stolen/reposted). I would love to know if any of their work is available elsewhere. Details inside. [more inside]
What happens when the hospitality runs out but she's your sister?
My sister and my 8yr old niece moved in with me 15 months ago following my sister's divorce. She was only supposed to stay a few months to save some money and then get her own place. Obviously, she's still here and there doesn't seem to be an exiting plan in sight. More snowflakes inside. [more inside]
Help me remember this weird poem
I'm trying to recall a poem which was a long (book-length!) list of sentences that were exactly the same except each one contained a slightly different list of names. It was something like "in [name] [name] and [name] was [name]". [more inside]
posted by capricorn at 9:01 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by capricorn at 9:01 AM PST - 4 comments
Recommendations for sports documentaries about kids?
I've been enjoying watching sports documentaries about kids and the obscure activities they choose to be good at. Can you recommend any others I should check out? Not limited to sports, just anything kids are good at. [more inside]
Dress me for a blizzard of snowflakes
My entire adult life I've had trouble dressing myself. If it were up to me we'd all be wearing Star Trek jumpsuits. I hate shopping, I mistrust fashion, and I'm really hard on clothing. Also: not made of money. But right now I need clothes and I don't have the time to scour 8 shopping malls for things I don't hate. Help me find an online retailer that suits my tastes and budget that I can be loyal to and buy all my clothes from. I'm preposterously finicky. [more inside]
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:03 AM PST - 40 comments
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:03 AM PST - 40 comments
Keeping with the smelly theme... t-shirts!
I recently bought two white t-shirts from jcrew factory. They claim to be 100% cotton on the tag. I have worn each twice now and I swear that half way through the day I smell TERRIBLE. Think onion cheese. (sorry)
What the heck is going on? [more inside]
posted by KMoney at 4:51 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by KMoney at 4:51 AM PST - 14 comments
Tharr be smells
Do you know a way to get rid of, or at least mitigate (ha) the smell of evening primrose and/or rose hip oil? As moisturizers they're doing wonders for my skin, but the smell ....its..pungent! Or just strong, like a nutty..something something smell. Someone said dry pasta. It's not rancid, but its strong enough to be hard to ignore. Any ideas are welcome! [more inside]
September 27
overthinking a pot of beans
After I cook soaked dry beans in the pressure cooker and let them cool a bit, a thin semi-solid film forms on the surface of the water. It vanishes when I stir the beans but sometimes reforms. What's it made of? Bean protein? Are there any cool science experiments to be done with it, or practical uses for bean cellophane?
What's this font?
The font used in titling for the film Listen Up Philip is rad and I want to know what it is.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 9:07 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Joseph Gurl at 9:07 PM PST - 5 comments
I want more music like this. What do you call it?
What search term would I use to get these three songs and others like them? Ballad of a Prodigal Son by Lincoln Durham (esp. that guitar part at 1:50); Ain't No Rest For The Wicked by Cage the Elephant; Lost in a Crowd by Fantastic Negrito [more inside]
posted by JDHarper at 8:09 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by JDHarper at 8:09 PM PST - 13 comments
Hey (hey) Cloud (Cloud) get off of my phone
I didn't ask it to, but my iPhone lately keeps trying to download more music to its library. Any clues? [more inside]
posted by emelenjr at 8:04 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by emelenjr at 8:04 PM PST - 2 comments
Zombie Sex? Help me remember this movie
I remember a movie where there was some supernatural, evil being. Maybe a zombie, maybe a demon? He would have sex with women and midway through the women tried to protest, but he continued. Afterward, the women were almost catatonic, very cold and distant. Also maybe under his control?
Anyone remember what movie this was?
Ideal dating city?
So I started dating again recently and have realized I have a "type" that, as far as I can tell, is uncommon in my area. If I could go anywhere in the country, where should I go to increase my dating prospects? [more inside]
posted by deathpanels at 7:05 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by deathpanels at 7:05 PM PST - 36 comments
Dealing with old camera lenses
A neighbor showed me her deceased father's extensive collection of old camera lenses and doesn't have time to catalog, research, value and dispose of them. Apparently they number in the dozens (maybe more?). Would like to help guide her. Any thoughts welcome.
Bad coworker question #842
I live in the U.S. in a fairly progressive city. I have an ethnic sounding last name, an ethnicity which happens to be uncommon to this area and so it makes my name easily identifiable and, apparently, memorable. My co-worker feels the need to sing my full name, at random, in an accented voice that is characteristic of my ethnicity. This is loud enough for all of my cube neighbors to hear. Yeah, awkward. [more inside]
Dog toys for the texture snob
I need help finding glow in the dark or light-up balls with a tennis ball texture or a floppy, sturdy glow in the dark or lighted frisbee (or good ideas for to manufacturing the same at home). [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 4:56 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by charmedimsure at 4:56 PM PST - 4 comments
HRFilter: To whom...should I address the cover letter to?
I was taught "Dear Sir or Madam" was acceptable for cold job applications, but in my recent round of job searching, I'm seeing multiple blog posts talking about cover letters saying that this is no longer acceptable and shows a lack of initiative on the side of the job seeker. Is this so, HR professionals of MetaFilter? [more inside]
posted by smirkette at 3:35 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by smirkette at 3:35 PM PST - 27 comments
please help identify houseplant
I was given this plant [pics] by someone who I'm not in contact with anymore. Is it a Philodendron? Species? [more inside]
posted by morganw at 2:56 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by morganw at 2:56 PM PST - 4 comments
stretches for lower back pain after running?
I'm a fledging runner, a little over halfway through the C25K program. Now that the runs are getting more strenuous, I'm beginning to notice some nagging lower back pain after runs (also some annoying heartburn, but I think I can fix that on my own). I've been generally very lazy about stretching before runs (read: I don't stretch before runs), but surely there must be a good targeted stretch I can do to help my back. Please tell me what that stretch is! [more inside]
posted by cakelite at 2:14 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by cakelite at 2:14 PM PST - 11 comments
Weird feeling eating chocolate?
I've started getting this weird hot/puckery/irritated feeling eating chocolate. Allergy testing results suggest it's not an allergy, though. What else could it be? [more inside]
Universal Streaming TV Watch List?
So now that CW has cut ties with Hulu in favor of Netflix (full seasons will be available 8 days after the season finale), I have three places to keep track of current TV: Hulu for NBC, Fox and ABC; CWtv.com for CW; and cbs.com for CBS shows. Halp! [more inside]
Where should we live in Pittsburgh?
We would like to relocate to Pittsburgh, in the next two to three years. Help me find a neighborhood in the Steel City similar to our current (awesome) one in Buffalo! [more inside]
Bag filter: Packable, convertible backpack?
Dear Mefites, I'm looking for a new travel-shoulder-backpack-tote bag. I really like the Patagonia Lightweight Travel Tote but the price is a bit high and I'd like to have a couple more inside pockets. I do like the size, weight, foldability, water bottle pockets, and convertible backpack stylings. I have heard that this bag is also quite durable. Do you know of a similar bag that offers more interior pockets and organization, at a similar (or lower!) price point?
Why can't people start IVs in my veins and can I help them somehow?
This is the third time I've gone to get a contrast IV for either an MRI or CT scan and the tech was unable to start the IV. What, if anything, can I do to fix this? [more inside]
posted by xyzzy at 11:12 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by xyzzy at 11:12 AM PST - 22 comments
Korea winter break itinerary for young solo traveler
My daughter (college sophomore) is fulfilling a dream by spending her whole winter break in Korea and we've got tickets booked, but she's getting a little stuck with planning an actual itinerary. Possibly relevant is the fact that she's dealing with moderate generalized and social anxiety. Looking for suggestions of maybe the top 3-4 destinations other than Seoul that will be relatively easy for her to negotiate as a solo traveler and allow her to appreciate what the country has to offer over her 28-day stay. [more inside]
Twitter opening Safari?
Why does the Twitter app on my iPhone open retweets in Safari? [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow at 10:11 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by otherwordlyglow at 10:11 AM PST - 4 comments
Indoor cucumber beetle infestation
How do I get rid of a cucumber beetle infestation -- in my living room? [more inside]
Using Self Tanner to Even Out Tanlines?
I've been wearing slide sandals all summer, and the tanlines on my feet are super obvious when I wear any other sort of shoe. Could I just like...paint that part of my foot with self tanner? Do you have any advice for making it not look stupid? [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana at 9:55 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Juliet Banana at 9:55 AM PST - 8 comments
I'm looking for a song, but I only know two lines. Please help.
"It may seem strange to sleep away the day at the firing range / but times they may change, they'll get you up and make you walk / sitting in my room and the walls are turning into water falls."
Song has a bit of a lilting, alt-country feel. Wilco / late Beck.
Running on a track vs running indoors?
I've started Couch to 5K to get myself in a bit better cardio shape and try to fit into my clothes better. This involves a half hour of exercise, 3 times a week. Unfortunately, due to my schedule, my husband's work schedule and having little kids, I can only get outside and go to a proper track to run MAAAYBE once a week on Saturdays. The other days my solution is to run back and forth in my apartment. Am I kidding myself on these days that I'm actually getting enough exercise to accomplish my goals? [more inside]
posted by Liesl at 8:26 AM PST - 47 comments
posted by Liesl at 8:26 AM PST - 47 comments
For love of the game
I greatly enjoyed going through this post filled with amazing performances. I was also brought to tears while watching this video of Dee Gordon's home run - his first - after his close friend and teammate Jose Fernandez' tragic death this weekend. This lead me down the rabbit hole of great moments in sports that give me the feels - happy, sad, laughing, crying, amazement, etc. I need more. [more inside]
posted by Elly Vortex at 8:04 AM PST - 39 comments
posted by Elly Vortex at 8:04 AM PST - 39 comments
Help me help my mom hike the AT
Hiking a tiny part of the Appalachian Trail is on my mom's bucket list. I want to make it happen for her when she visits Georgia this October.
Is there a place in GA or just over the border into NC where we can:
1. park fairly easily near the Appalachian Trail?
2. hike a portion of trail (like a mile in and back) that is somewhat level, or at least not steep?
3. Anything else I need to know? I'm a casual day-hiker only. [more inside]
How do I gift a small share in a stock to a child?
I'd like to gift $100 - $150 in stocks or funds to my 16 year-old for his birthday and I'm looking for tips on how to do this. A few months ago I read something on-line which indicated how to do this via a site like sparkgift but now I can't find the article.
If you've done this type of thing before, could you tell us how it went?
I'm relocating - need help deciding to rent or sell my current house
I need to move house 150 miles away for a new job after being made redundant from my current job. I'm in the UK, my mortgage can be paid off with my redundancy payment, and I'm going to rent in the new city. I'm having a lot of trouble in deciding what to do with my current house - sell it or rent it out. Help me decide what to do. [more inside]
posted by ElasticParrot at 4:32 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by ElasticParrot at 4:32 AM PST - 6 comments
5:2 Diet with a Thyroid Condition?
Why am I GAINING?! [more inside]
How to address a host of issues with our son's preschool teacher?
There are multiple issues cropping up at our son's preschool since he started this September. What is the best way to go about this in order to yield the best results for all involved? [more inside]
Supporting a spouse during anger management therapy
My husband will be undergoing an anger management therapy program. How can I best support this process? [more inside]
Fictional Friendships
I would like to read more books either a) focused on one group of friends or b) focused on strong friendships between two characters over time. I really like the friendships in Pamela Dean's Juniper, Gentian, and Rosemary. I've been enjoying the friendships in Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Cycle as well. Please recommend more books with strong friendships! Any genre or type of fiction is fine. I'm looking for middle grade, YA, and adult books with this theme, so aimed at any age is fine.
September 26
The opposite of energy drinks
What products are on the market that are the opposite of energy drinks? Gas stations and small convenience stores are replete with small bottles of 5 hour energy and cans of Rockstar, but not so much the opposite. I'm looking for examples of drinks which are marketed with the effect of being relaxing or calming.
Couch to 5k for playing the piano
I let my piano playing go during college! Are there any incremental systems for re-learning how to play the piano? [more inside]
Fencing short story?
Help me find a short story from days of yore! Once upon a time, back in the 1990s, I read a short story in a high school anthology... [more inside]
Updated version of School Days Record Book
As a kid I was given a copy of the School Days Record Book illustrated by Helen Cann, a type of journal where you can record memories of your schooling years from pre-school to end of high school. This version's out of print/only available used; I'm looking for recommendations for a similar school-oriented journal that's more current. (Bonus points if compatible with the UK education system)
How should I get a lengthy Hungarian testimony transcribed/translated?
I've ordered a copy of my relative's Holocaust testimony on DVD. It's about five hours long, and it's in Hungarian - a language I don't speak. I want to have it transcribed, and I'd like to get at least an informal written or oral translation. What's the smartest way to do this, and would an informal translation be much cheaper than a "proper" one?
Compulsively readable but ultimately frustrating books
As it says in the title, I'm looking for recommendations for books that you can't put down and read obsessively, but that leave you unsatisfied and frustrated once you finish it. The book that inspired this question was A Little Life, which I devoured in 2 days, but left me feeling manipulated and saying "wtf did I just read??" by the end. Other books that have evoked those feelings are The Bronze Horseman/Tatiana & Alexander trilogy, and basically anything by Jodi Picoult. I am not sure why I want to subject myself to more of these books but hopefully you all can help me frustrate myself even further!
Is this an attempt at identity theft or a result of poor security?
I can’t figure this out. At the start of this month, I got an email at the junk mail account I have at yahoo, informing me that an account had been created in gmail that’s only two characters off from the gmail address that I use as my main e-mail account. What’s going on? [more inside]
Need help understanding my self-absorbed mother and what to do about her
I'm a 38F mom and my mother is 61. She "raised" me as a single mother-- bio dad is a true narcissist (I met him when I was an adult and we are NC now). Raised is in quotes because my grandmother did most of the raising. She is also probably NPD or BPD, I'm not sure. [more inside]
posted by ladybugmom at 3:32 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by ladybugmom at 3:32 PM PST - 21 comments
Another "Identify This Plant" Question
Can you help me identify this plant that sprouted in a desert garden? [more inside]
Is my boyfriend hiding something serious from me?
He has been maniacly hiding -since always- his phone from me. I'm not even "allowed to touch it". Dumb question, but lately I'm just freaking out about it. [more inside]
Help me remember the name of a sci-fi novel I read about
Years ago, I read about an interesting sci-fi novel about the sudden development of FTL technology that normal civilians could build and use to explore the universe. I can't remember its name. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? [more inside]
posted by clockworkjoe at 2:46 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by clockworkjoe at 2:46 PM PST - 7 comments
How to Unstinkify Hats
My husband's hats smell like sweat and dirty hair. Does anyone have best-practices recommendations for washing hats like this or this that won't result in a misshapen or shrunken hat? Would dry cleaning remove the body oils and smell without damaging the shape?
What face should I wear when passing by neighbors who are suing us?
Neighbors are suing us for a money grab and now I'm unsure of how to behave when seeing them. My insurance will cover the costs so only slight financial hit. Money isn't the problem but now it's so very awkward. Starts with dog and ends with fetish site pictures. [more inside]
Invaluable benefits to team sports?
Are there any amazing benefits to my child playing in team sports? And if so, where can he learn these without playing team sports? [more inside]
My computer will turn on but will not send a signal to the monitor.
What could be the problem? What should I do? [more inside]
Is it impossible to make Outlook the default email on a Mac right now?
I use Outlook for work on my Mac (El Capitan 10.11.6). There seems to be no way to make the computer have Outlook be the default client, so this is a last-ditch attempt to find an answer. According to Microsoft, in theory you just open the Mail app and then use Mail's preferences to choose Outlook as the default. It doesn't work. You can tell Mail to use Outlook at the default, but it reverts back to Mail almost immediately without you telling it to.
What am I missing? [more inside]
posted by Stewriffic at 12:14 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Stewriffic at 12:14 PM PST - 4 comments
What companies provide great/useful customer service via Twitter?
Can you give me examples of companies providing timely, useful customer service via Twitter? [more inside]
Help me learn about HBCUs, please!
Can you recommend books, movies, or other media about historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the USA? [more inside]
Men with big feet, help me find shoes for my big-footed son?
My 17 year old son has US size 17 feet. He has had trouble with ingrown toenails, which I think is related to the fact that it is difficult to find shoes that fit him comfortably. We've been ordering online, but he finds the having-giant-feet thing a little embarrassing, so I think he is settling for whatever comes in the box, even if they don't fit exactly right, rather than having us return and reorder. I'd like it if he could actually enjoy his shoes, rather than endure them. So, big foot men, how/where do you get your shoes?
Real-time 2016 presidential polls vs. previous elections?
Is there a tool that allows you to compare the 2016 US presidential polls versus this point in time in previous years - in real time?
Second Guessing my Gender Identity
I'm 27 years old, designated male at birth. I recently recalled a bunch of gender dysphoria from when I was in middle school/high school, and I'm trying to work out if it matters, and what exactly I am. A part of me worries that it might just be a rational response to toxic masculinity rather than anything to do with me myself. [more inside]
posted by MuppetNavy at 8:12 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by MuppetNavy at 8:12 AM PST - 20 comments
Do you reckon I drink too much?
I've had a boozy summer and I'm wondering whether I'm over doing it? [more inside]
posted by blokefromipanema at 6:51 AM PST - 35 comments
posted by blokefromipanema at 6:51 AM PST - 35 comments
What are good podcasts for discovering music?
So, due to a series of computer hard drive failures and cross-oceanic moves, I have no access to my music collection right now, and may never get it back. I've decided to look on it as an opportunity to start afresh and get into new music. I listen to a lot of podcasts, so I'd like to add one that's new music focused. Do you have any recommendations? Further specifications follow. [more inside]
posted by Kattullus at 4:11 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by Kattullus at 4:11 AM PST - 19 comments
What is generally considered to be the safest psychedelic drug?
This is ofcourse a completely theoretical question. Suppose a friend of mine would like to experiment with psychedelic drugs, what would be the safest substance(s) to use?
September 25
Deflecting questions about career goals without feeling like an asshole
My friends/classmates and I are going on the job market in the coming months. I don't want to really discuss this whole process with them and what my top choices are, where I've gotten interviews, and so on. But, I also feel like a competitive, secretive asshole for not openly telling them what I'm doing and what my goals are. [more inside]
Rock hard, rock pretty
I would like to buy a new tenor ukulele with a pickup. But I'm shallow and would like it to look pretty and unusual (as well as sound good). Ukemeisters of AskMe, give me your recommendations. [more inside]
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 10:50 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 10:50 PM PST - 2 comments
Best response to patients who say "you look too young to be a doctor?"
After finishing 11 years of school I now work as a general practitioner. I am 30 years old. Almost all patients tell me I "look too young to be a doctor" - some are just making conversation and some seem genuinely concerned about my credentials.
I usually respond in a joking manner that after "finishing so many years of school I certainly feel old". People however often keep asking me questions about my age. This is within the first 10 seconds of meeting them so do not think it is a reflection of my clinical skills or demeanor. What would be the best response that would 1) Reassure them I am not doogie howser and fully qualified 2) Allow me to quickly move on to what brought them to the ER
How do I connect with people, myself/find people to connect with?
For a long time I haven't really been close with anyone. I don't really have anyone I would consider a close friend even though there are probably people who would consider me their close friend. I feel like I can't find people who I can relate to or feel comfortable with. Most of the people I hang out with are by default; they are old friends who I fell out of touch with but then moved in with recently so I often hang out with them and their friends. I try to make it work, but inside I just don't feel the connection or desire to be truly close. They are all extremely into music and the arts. I used to be more like this but feel like I'm desiring a different lifestyle. (Though I still appreciate music and arts and do enjoy some of the company) [more inside]
Creative ways to practice assertiveness
I'm looking for ways to practice assertiveness that I can incorporate into daily life. I've noticed that in certain situations, especially with men, I don't say anything even when I'm uncomfortable, because I have a deeply ingrained fear that they will become violent if challenged. I want to get better about this.
I can't really ask men to start saying and doing inappropriate things to me until I say something, but I can work on assertiveness in other ways. A while back I read about a guy whose fear of rejection was interfering in his life, so he made it a point to get rejected every day until the fear became less intense. [more inside]
Best practices for gathering procedures from subject matter experts?
I need to gather info from subject matter experts from a group at work so that I can document their procedures and reference information. I was wondering if you all had some best practices that I should follow in order to get the most thorough information, while being as helpful as possible. [more inside]
How to move to an unknown destination w/o losing all my money or mind?
I'll be moving in a few months but don't know where I'll end up. What's the best moving/storage hybrid strategy here? [more inside]
Mac laptop(s) problem: they won't burn *dual layer* DVD+Rs anymore!
I have two Macbooks: one is a 2009 Macbook Pro, and the other is a 2012 Macbook Air. The internal Superdrive on the Pro conked out years ago (I bought it used, never wanted to pay to have that fixed) and the Air never had a Superdrive, so I've been using an external Memorex burner for about 3 years now for backing up video files (using Toast Titanium, in Data mode). Two weeks ago, I started experiencing weird issues where I was unable to burn dual-layer (8.5 GB) discs. [more inside]
How to get the most/best rate from a foreign currency gift
I was recently gifted an early inheritance from a great aunt who lives abroad. She sent over Swiss francs with a travelling family member and now I have to exchange it, but every time I look into the rates and fees it seems like I will lose a significant amount. What is the best way to ensure I get a decent exchange rate? [more inside]
Christmas in the Bay Area
My family likes to do Christmas-time together, and a critical mass of us are in the Bay Area now. Where should we go and what should we do within a few hours of here? [more inside]
Seeking fee-based financial planner in DC for jellybean-sized nest egg
Any recommendations for a fee-based financial planner in Northern Virginia (or the DMV area)? Someone willing to accept an hourly fee for a few hours of consultation, regarding the possibility of retirement in 15 or so years.
Thanks in advance.
Car rental in Tulum/Cancun?
What's my best car rental strategy in Cancun/Tulum? Details inside. [more inside]
What would an underwater farm look like in a freshwater ecosystem?
I've been hearing a lot of interesting stuff lately about kelp/seaweed farming, which often incorporates oysters, mussels, etc. Is a practical analogue for freshwater ecosystems possible? [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 1:13 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by cnidaria at 1:13 PM PST - 10 comments
How do I land a job working at a university?
I moved to a new area recently and found a Master's program I'd love to attend. How do I land a job at this university, so I can attend in the future, after having accrued some free course 'credits' in the system? [more inside]
Where can I buy replacement inner liner bags for an inflatable lounger?
I bought a few inflatable loungers (similar to the Lamzac), and the inner bag has sprung a leak in one of them. The company that made them doesn't seem to exist anymore, but given the number of knockoffs, this seeems to be a fairly standard item. Does anyone know where I can buy replacement liners?
posted by Caviar at 12:35 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Caviar at 12:35 PM PST - 4 comments
How secure is a car with a 'remote keyless entry' system?
I just had to get a new car, and the one I got (a 2016 Honda HR-V) has remote keyless entry plus a pushbutton start/stop for the ignition. How secure is this when it comes to car thieves? [more inside]
posted by easily confused at 12:01 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by easily confused at 12:01 PM PST - 20 comments
Scrambling for a new health insurance plan!
Received a notice in the mail yesterday that our group health plan at work will be terminated on FRIDAY. The letter was issued on 9/20/2016. As far as I know, we are still employed by our company. Shouldn't we have been given a TEENY bit more notice? I don't even know where to start with this. Hope me, wise ones!
posted by pea_shoot at 11:23 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by pea_shoot at 11:23 AM PST - 24 comments
I'm passive aggressive. How do I fix that?
I've had passive aggressive tendencies my whole life, but it's taken me awhile to realize just how destructive my behavior is for my relationships. I want to stop, but I don't know how. [more inside]
How do you learn a foreign language for free, without native speakers?
I have intermittently tried to learn Spanish for years, and now I am taking it more seriously again. My question now is, how can I advance myself to the next level, without any consistent access to native speakers? Ideally I would like to do this for free, but low cost is also okay. [more inside]
How to divorce when there's so much love left
We love each other so much and haven't been married long, but he's not willing to try to fix things and I feel like we have no choice but to move towards divorce. [more inside]
posted by blackcatcuriouser at 9:48 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by blackcatcuriouser at 9:48 AM PST - 16 comments
Sparkly nail polish: 2016 edition
I like to indulge my inner 11-year-old by painting my toenails with sparkly polish. I recently discovered KBShimmer, which has the best, sparkliest sparkly nail polish I have ever encountered. It's making me wonder: what other indie nail polish companies are currently producing good stuff that will satisfy my need for age-inappropriate nail decoration? [more inside]
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 9:35 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 9:35 AM PST - 16 comments
How to transfer WhatsApp chats off deactivated phone?
Yesterday my wife got a new phone and kept her number, so her old phone is deactivated. We didn't back up her WhatsApp chats, so we can't restore her old messages from backup. Is there a way to transfer them? [more inside]
posted by OurOwnMrK at 7:00 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by OurOwnMrK at 7:00 AM PST - 8 comments
Best simple cloud-based database for simple school contact lists?
Ideas for best basic cloud-based database for simple school contact lists and class directories? [more inside]
Easiest way to get some grass growing on a bike shed?
I'm building a bike shed, and I'd like to have grass growing on the roof. I've googled green roofs for hours, but most of it is sales information for various membranes/products and installation companies - nothing simple or even close to DIY. [more inside]
What is this thing?
Can you identify the framed paddle-shaped thing in this picture of Obama and Doris Kearns Goodwin in the president's private dining room?
posted by enn at 5:29 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by enn at 5:29 AM PST - 3 comments
My replies go into a DRAFT box
I have a Dell with windows10. When someone sends me an email and I try to reply , my reply is tagged as DRAFT and it never gets sent back to the original sender.I have tried various methods and nothing works to correct the problem. I assume it is a simple error on my part.A reply could be sent to rv47688642@gmail.com.
How to encourage a student who isn't improving?
I have a student in a one-on-one situation who takes a while to get new math concepts. We can go for an hour without any real improvement. She appears frustrated, though, when probed, she'll just make a joke and not discuss it directly.
How can I balance investing myself in her progress while only displaying encouragement and positive feedback?
Should I or shouldn't I...follow up?
I wrote to this guy with the intent to hang out, but he hasn't responded and I'm not sure what's going on. Snowflakes underneath. [more inside]
Depression Crisis
What is going to happen when I use these 'expired' meds? [more inside]
Where to travel Zika-free at Christmas with two older family members?
My family, meaning myself and two older family members (late 60s, mid 70s) like to go away for Christmas. Past trips include Cuba and Italy. This year, I am pregnant. I don't want to travel anywhere the Zika-carrying mosquito lives. My relatives don't want cold (even Venice in December was too cold). Where should we go? Leaving from Toronto. [more inside]
International Pet Transport Logistics Help Needed
I'll be moving from Korea to Arizona in December and wondering how to also bring my pet hamster to the US.
What kind of paperwork do I need to be prepared for? Do airlines take hamsters? My preliminary research seems to point to probably not but maybe if you negotiate well? But then how do you avoid the cargo bay?
What with the sensitive and loaded nature of transporting animals and scammers on the internet, are there any reputable international pet transport services that people have had good experiences with that also takes hamsters? [more inside]
posted by maykasahara at 1:11 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by maykasahara at 1:11 AM PST - 1 comment
Help, I have mice.
I am willing to pay to have someone seal up my apartment, but I worry about getting ripped off. Can anyone recommend an exterminator in Brooklyn who did a good job? And how much should I expect to pay to seal up a studio?
Also, any recommendations for traps? I absolutely cannot do glue traps. I am not opposed to killing them, but could not handle a trap that might leave them alive but mangled. So, maybe humane traps are the best option for me.
Poison is out because of the cat, even though she is completely useless at killing. [more inside]
September 24
Germy McGermerson comes for a ride
I, a person who catches every single little virus that comes my way, foolishly agreed to driving a local kid to a weekly activity. Said kid is a germ pit; he seems to have a new virus every week. What kind of cleaning products can I use in my car to minimize my exposure to viruses? (I have already ruled out creating a complete bubble wrap enclosure around Germy's car seat.) [more inside]
Which newsreels should I watch?
I have begun a project to watch many classic films in chronological order. I have found several lists of movies to include. But there is one genre for which I haven’t been able to determine noteworthy films, and this is newsreels.
Can you suggest any newsreels for me?
What exercise clothes should I wear for school drop-off/morning jog?
I walk my son to school and then get in a short run before work. My current uniform is droopy, saggy-bottomed yoga pants, a ratty Eagles tee-shirt, and shoes with one lace missing. As a West Virginian accidentally living in a swank area of New York City, I already feel sartorially self-conscious. Dress me? [more inside]
What are your favorite transcendent, gives you the chills, performances?
I want to feel amazed. Please give me your best examples of transcendent performance (musical, sports, film, fictional stories, etc.) that show people performing at the peak of what's possible and even surpassing their conscious selves. Give me the chills! Raise the hair on the back of my head! Some Youtube links would be great. Thanks!
Help me find good books for my 12-year-old neighbor.
So the kid next door is curious, restless, and smart as hell. He knows we have a shit ton of books, so he just asked me if he could borrow one for his weekly reading assignment. We have nothing for kids on hand, but I would really love to set him up with a few great things from the library or bookstore. Can you help me hook this kid on reading? He says he likes sports, adventure, and mystery. Bonus points for African-American content/protagonists/heroes. Thanks, everybody!
posted by kelborel at 5:14 PM PST - 34 comments
posted by kelborel at 5:14 PM PST - 34 comments
Help! Podcast about British guy deceived by "Claire"??
Hi MeFi!
I can't remember where I heard a podcast about a British guy who ends up in NYC, meets "Claire" on a dating site (I think?), and then proceeds to have a beautiful intellectual relationship with her only to have her start getting horribly sick. Turns out it's a giant hoax she is playing on him just for fun...
any ideas?!
Thanks!
Teach me to speak Masshole
I've lived my whole life in the Midwest/Rust Belt and the South. A year ago, I moved to Boston, and I am floundering, struggling really hard to adapt to the aggressive conversational style people have here. I feel like I can't get a word in, can't ever finish a sentence, never get a positive or encouraging reaction to anything I say, and spend most of my time smiling and nodding stupidly as others talk over me. I know I need to "be more assertive" and "grow a thicker skin" and whatever, but... how? [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 4:31 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by nebulawindphone at 4:31 PM PST - 24 comments
Podcast episode about someone taping everything for years
I’m looking for a specific podcast episode featuring a man who started taping everything around him for years in hopes that the found sound would lead to a good radio story but it never did. I think the piece was on Transom, but it could also have been on something similar, such as This American Life or Love and Radio. A number of very specific plot details inside. [more inside]
¿Yo me enfrío o lo sufro?
I'm in a wonderful, loving relationship but I can't seem to stop feeling pessimistic about what our future together would look like. I'm not sure whether to stay or go and need help thinking through how to go about doing either. [more inside]
What is the difference between "loner" and "keeps himself to himself"?
I believe "loner" is used in the U.S., whereas the expression "a man who keeps himself to himself to himself" is used in the U.K. Do the two have different connotations? If so, what are the differences, and why? [more inside]
posted by A. Davey at 3:24 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by A. Davey at 3:24 PM PST - 9 comments
Grammar/usage: continuing a sentence properly after a quotation
Here is my problem sentence: “It’s a difficult thing. You almost feel guilty” that you can’t do more, said member Joey Coco of Baton Rouge, a leader in the Louisiana recovery. [more inside]
posted by noelpratt2nd at 3:08 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by noelpratt2nd at 3:08 PM PST - 13 comments
How can an introvert psych herself up to do something social?
I generally enjoy social gatherings and parties when I attend them but as an introvert, I often get cold feet at the last minute and end up not going. What kinds of affirmations and strategies can I use to get through this? [more inside]
posted by armadillo1224 at 3:02 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by armadillo1224 at 3:02 PM PST - 20 comments
Carnatic (Karnatic?) music on Spotify
I would like to listen to and discover South Indian Classical music (Carnatic / Karnatic music) [more inside]
Teletubbies on the beach?
What is the reality of taking a 2 year old on a beach / pool vacation? [more inside]
Life Insurance after carrier downgraded to B++??
I have a term life insurance policy with Genworth, and recently got notified that this company was downgraded to a B++ by the rating agency.
I know you aren't my lawyer, insurance broker, or investment advisor, and I will contact these people for specific advice for me. But in general, does this downgrade of the company mean that the policy is likely to be worthless? Should I look for another company?
posted by jasper411 at 12:06 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by jasper411 at 12:06 PM PST - 3 comments
Please help us have a great family vacation!
We're planning to visit far-flung family with our young toddler: where should we go, and what do we need to know? Phoenix, AZ and Portland, OR areas. [more inside]
How to report a blog post thief using Google Ads to Google?
I have a blog, and found another site which is duplicating multiple posts of mine in their entirety (text, photos, captions, formatting, the works), in violation of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License under which I publish.
The blog in question is on Wordpress, but uses Google Ads. How do I report the site to Google? Is it likely that reporting the site to Google will result in the thief losing Google Ads revenue? [more inside]
posted by Spathe Cadet at 11:22 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Spathe Cadet at 11:22 AM PST - 7 comments
Low appraisal for mortgage refinance
We are trying to refinance our mortgage, and the appraisal came back low. Now our loan to value ratio is lower than expected, and the closing fees are higher. We don't feel like the appraiser did his job correctly (more inside for details). We are pretty sure a second appraisal would come back much higher, but the cost of the appraisal is about the same as the increase in fees. What should we do? Have you successfully contested an appraisal (is such a thing possible)? If not, can we use this low appraisal to request a lower assessment on our property taxes? [more inside]
posted by one_bean at 11:17 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by one_bean at 11:17 AM PST - 4 comments
Historical fiction about Jews living in small towns in the US ~1900?
My great-grandfather came to the US around 1900, but rather than settling in New York City with all the other Eastern European Jews, for some reason he lived in a small town in New Hampshire for a few years before moving to a place with more Jews. I'm looking for books (mostly, historical fiction) that might give me an idea of what his life (as, probably, one of only a few Jews) in New Hampshire might have been like. [more inside]
Help Us Get an Apartment in LA with No Rental History and Half a Job
My boyfriend and I have just moved to Los Angeles and need an apartment ASAP. We have both been out of the rental market and out of big-city-living for over 10 years, and also have some unusual circumstances that might make us seem less-than-ideal to a potential landlord. Please help us figure out what paperwork/etc. we need (Special snowflake details inside.) [more inside]
posted by futura_light at 9:56 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by futura_light at 9:56 AM PST - 9 comments
People Who Changed The World But Died Before They Turned 40
I'm making a list of folks who did something world-altering but died before turning 40. Historical/political/scientific like Alexander the Great or Srinivasa Ramanujan preferred, recent/pop cultural like the 27 Club, not so much. Thanks!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:34 AM PST - 47 comments
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:34 AM PST - 47 comments
Did your kid take a gap year?
I'm looking for advice on gap year experiences (between HS and college) [more inside]
Should I foster a baby animal? Which?
I've never had pets. I know my household cannot absorb a forever pet. But I have some time and I want to snuggle baby animals. Tell me your good and bad animal fostering experiences and help me figure if I'm a good candidate for an animal foster mom. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:06 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:06 AM PST - 11 comments
Passport Renewal Timeline Woes
I got accepted to speak at a conference in Canada. Yay! My passport has expired. Boo. Regular passport renewal is 6 weeks. The conference is 49 days from now. [more inside]
posted by dirtdirt at 7:34 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by dirtdirt at 7:34 AM PST - 16 comments
Life of a 14th Century Irish Historian
I'm hoping some History fans can help with resources on what life would have been like for a person who was an Irish historian during the 1300s. [more inside]
posted by catrae at 6:51 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by catrae at 6:51 AM PST - 6 comments
Fiat lux
How do I tastefully illuminate a large, top-hat-wearing inflatable spider? [more inside]
posted by Mrs. Rattery at 6:36 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Mrs. Rattery at 6:36 AM PST - 7 comments
Appealing SDI denial, how to get forgiveness for filing late
I've been denied California short-term SDI benefits because I filed too late. I relucantly filed at all because I now desperately need the money, so I must appeal. How best can I phrase my appeal to get my best chance at a reversal? [more inside]
How do I resolve conflicting holiday goals?
I'm planning a trip to celebrate holidays, partly with my girlfriend and partly with my mother, and I'm having a communication / conflict issue between the two. Can you help? Details inside... [more inside]
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 1:03 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 1:03 AM PST - 27 comments
September 23
Tips for bite sized self care during and around work travel?
I'm a busy consultant (woman) who's started traveling a lot for work, and need to get better at taking care of myself despite being over-planned on these trips. I'm already doing what I can, but I'd love your tips and tricks, road warriors. [more inside]
posted by nadise at 10:33 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by nadise at 10:33 PM PST - 26 comments
Terminal Brain Cancer When You're Down and Out
My roommate's partner, who is a close friend of mine, has stage III terminal brain cancer. He has been symptom free for almost a year but he has recently been showing signs of the cancer advancing, including seizures. He is terrified of dealing with the system of getting treatment, and has been turned down for disability even though he is unable to work because of the cancer. How can we help? [more inside]
posted by ananci at 10:28 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by ananci at 10:28 PM PST - 10 comments
Somehow, Googling all Winter holidays does not help...
YouTube Filter: Help me remember a (popular?) YouTube video of yesteryear, that I watched in the mid-late 2000s! The video was ripped from a "local" style commercial/infomercial around "the Holidays" (e.g., Christmas, Hanukkah, et cetera). A crazed, totally bald man wished the audience a great [insert every western Winter holiday here]. He spoke in very intense, stilted speech: "MERRY. CHRIST. MAS." At one point, he just sings, "Kwanzaaaaaa!" It ends with him and his family wishing the audience a "Happy Holidays from [whatever business]!" ... He may have ran a car dealership? [more inside]
posted by The Sock Puppet Sentience Movement at 10:12 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by The Sock Puppet Sentience Movement at 10:12 PM PST - 2 comments
basic photo editing/collage app for iPhone
I'm looking for a photo editing/filtering and collage app for my iPhone SE. I'm pretty sure my requirements are fairly simple, but there are so many apps out there that I'm getting overwhelmed trying to find one that works. [more inside]
to be or not to be...disclosing
I'm a dissertation-writing Ph.D. student. I was supposed to work on chapter X over the summer, and have a draft by the end of the summer. I've also asked two extensions, and am about to ask for another one. I'm wondering if I should disclose my extenuating circumstance. [more inside]
posted by atetrachordofthree at 6:49 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by atetrachordofthree at 6:49 PM PST - 13 comments
Do you know Canadian Immigration Law?
How to get Canadian citizenship with no documents? I know a person living in Canada who is of Caribbean origin.
They have no citizenship, which means no ID and no Social Insurance Number. They would like to get Canadian citizenship but are terrified of being deported. What should they do? [more inside]
Can I fix a stripped out cordless drill?
My cordless and chuck-less Maktec MT064 14.4V 3/8" drill/driver won't let go of the square bit I have in there, so I can't change it. Is there some other way to loose the bit-holding parts, or do I have a perfectly functional square-bit-only electric screwdriver now? [more inside]
posted by msalt at 6:28 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by msalt at 6:28 PM PST - 13 comments
Help me understand these bank wire instructions
The business is in Puerto Rico, but the bank they use doesn't have any branches in the mainland U.S. [more inside]
VOIP client Zoiper every few hours will show reg failed 923 error
When this error is shown, if I just refresh the registration, it works. So I don't believe anything is wrong with the VOIP provider or setup. It seems like something on my phone might be falling asleep, and that breaks the connection until refreshed, or something similar. [more inside]
I'm not standing still, I am lying in wait
I'm looking for songs about being patient and biding your time, waiting for better days/circumstances that will surely come. From the title, I obviously know Hamilton's Wait For It: can you think of any others along the same line?
When is it wise to crowdsource for info professionally?
Since AskMeFi is one of the OG crowdsourcing platforms I know, and since I love irony, I wanted to take this question here for an article I'm working on.
With the proliferation of Facebook professional groups (particularly for writers), it's so easy to ask a large group of people a question in a short amount of time.
But that's not always a good thing. Sometimes you get good info or helpful insights but sometimes you get unhelpful information, or get sidetracked in a side conversation, or get sucked into a drama vortex.
So who has mastered the art of knowing when it's a good idea to toss a work-related question (like this one!) out to a huge group of people? When is it better to do your research in other ways?
Death Takes a Holiday
Is there any serious confirmation or statistical corroboration for the idea that they changed the dates on death certificates in some wars, on certain dates? [more inside]
posted by Michele in California at 2:27 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Michele in California at 2:27 PM PST - 5 comments
I need a mini amp for electric guitar
I'd like to get a small amp for a beginner electric guitar player. It's my stepson so he can only use it a couple days a month here to practice but I'd really like to encourage his new hobby. I know NOTHING about music or guitars, etc. I'd love to get something cheap but I don't want to be too cheap. I am willing to spend as much as I need to get the job done right.
posted by beccaj at 2:18 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by beccaj at 2:18 PM PST - 18 comments
What must I do with misdirected mail?
In the US, what is my specific legal duty when I receive postal (USPS) mail that was not intended for me? Ethics are another question; I'm just curious about the legal requirements. [more inside]
posted by primethyme at 1:27 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by primethyme at 1:27 PM PST - 12 comments
The election is ruining my twitter feed
Why are Trump and Clinton showing up in my Twitter feed all of a sudden and is there any way to get rid of them? [more inside]
posted by NoraCharles at 12:57 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by NoraCharles at 12:57 PM PST - 11 comments
He says "he is not looking for anything in particular"
Met a guy on tinder. First guy I met that is smart, employed, attractive and not after a hook up. Am I wasting my time? [more inside]
Itch attacks are taking over. Help me figure this out!
Please help me figure out what's causing incessant itching and how to control it. [more inside]
posted by sucre at 12:41 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by sucre at 12:41 PM PST - 11 comments
Can you identify the subject of this painting?
This painting is by an anonymous master, probably from the 18th century. It hangs in my neighbor's living room, but she does not know what it represents. Can you help identify the subject of the painting?
Link here
posted by paulfromgent at 12:28 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by paulfromgent at 12:28 PM PST - 9 comments
I need to flash numbers quickly, for addition training
Is there a free or cheap program which displays sequences of random numbers and then, their sum? Screen-filling numbers, like Sesame Street. One, two, three and even four digits, positive and negative. Repeatable sequences and user-controlled speed a plus.
posted by Rash at 12:19 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Rash at 12:19 PM PST - 5 comments
When your career has failed to launch
I'm in my early 30s and graduated in 2008. As a result, I feel like I've never had a career and am starting to panic about the future. Can I ever pull it all together? [more inside]
What FREE things do you do to keep a Windows 7 PC running fast?
I'm comfortable with computers, but far from an expert. But other people see my comfort and presume that I'm a total pro and ask that I take a look at their PC, because "its running too slow". What FREE bit of software would you recommend to optimize a person's Windows 7 PC so runs a bit faster or smoother? These users all use the Microsoft Suite and Firefox. Is there FREE software on the PC that deletes old caches or files or something similar?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:01 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:01 AM PST - 15 comments
Optimizing book reading
I'm looking for tips on how to become a better reader. [more inside]
posted by aeighty at 8:03 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by aeighty at 8:03 AM PST - 24 comments
Premier Pro Tutorial for 13 year old
I'm looking for a beginners Premier Pro tutorial for a 13 y/o. My daughter has taken an interest in learning to edit video and I'm having a hard time showing her the basics in Premiere. I'd like to find something with a sample project so she can follow along.
posted by jmsta at 6:32 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by jmsta at 6:32 AM PST - 2 comments
Buproprion and diazepam? Two great tastes that taste great together?
Has anyone here combined a regimen of buproprion and diazepam to treat depression and anxiety? [more inside]
orthotics or better?
Doctors agree: My feet are the flattest. An arch collapsed in one foot but not the other. Highly recommended, expensive insoles are good for the first 1,000 feet but don't make any difference thereafter. I wear a splint at night and losing weight. Aside from amputation, what should I be investing in or spending my time doing?
You: pretty, fast, cheap. Me: Poorly organised
Looking for AMS / membership software for non-profits. Again. [more inside]
Should I give in on spending money on an expensive luxury?
My wife wants to buy an expensive artwork for the house. While I also find it beautiful, I don't think it's a good idea, financially. We're at loggerheads. Help me think this through. [more inside]
September 22
How much meat has to be in food to be able to smell it?
I'm anosmic (born without the sense of smell) and I have weird smell-related questions pop into my head sometimes. Usually I ask whoever's around, but it's late and no one is presently available so I'm turning to you: how much meat has to be in food to be able to smell that there's meat involved? [more inside]
posted by vegartanipla at 11:07 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by vegartanipla at 11:07 PM PST - 21 comments
So, a hedgehog walked into a house
What to do, (if anything,) about a hedgehog trying to get into the house?
About 6 weeks ago, a hedgehog took up residence in my garden. A couple of weeks ago, I went out to dinner, forgetting to close the door from my kitchen to the garden and he apparently wandered in. After I found him, I left the door open overnight so he was back in the garden by morning. Now, he tries most evenings after dusk to get back in, scratching at the door and making my dogs crazy. I'm starting to suspect he may be a domesticated variety that was simply dumped. If that's the case, I'm a bit worried about him come winter. What do? Is there any way to easily tell if he's wild or actually an abandoned pet? [more inside]
posted by Expat at 10:59 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Expat at 10:59 PM PST - 14 comments
Based On Actual Events Fodder: Survival Stories that aren't all dudes
My BF and I saw an ad for the upcoming Deep Water Horizon movie, and I commented that there seem to be a lot of these "men trapped in desperate situations" movies. He wanted suggestions for "based on actual events" that aren't exclusively men. Trying to google turned up a lot of unhelpful results. Any ideas?
I take measurements, you mail me clothes
On NPR's On Point show today, the topic was plus-size fashion. The main guest was Tim Gunn, and another guest was a Time reporter. The Time reporter talked about several startups, including a few where you could send in your measurements and they would send you clothes to try on that were calculated to fit based on you measurements rather than on standard sizing. [more inside]
Hook Me Up! --MAC VERSION - external keyboard
Basically, I want to use my laptop without using the keyboard on the laptop, and use the external monitor, as well as an external keyboard. Is this possible? [more inside]
posted by RaRa-SpaceRobot at 4:30 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by RaRa-SpaceRobot at 4:30 PM PST - 17 comments
WOOFing...what's the best way to contact a host farm?
I finally bit the bullet and bought a membership to WOOF after mulling for a year or so. For those of you that have successfully established work with a host farm: how do you go about it? [more inside]
How much should I charge for my software consulting work?
I've been approached by two independent companies, one in the UK and one in the US about providing specialised consulting work (development and troubleshooting) for them. The problem domain is networking and systems software. I'm looking for advice on how much to charge. More details inside. [more inside]
Calling all 23 And Me mavens, and genealogy fans in general.
I don't have the $199 to plunk down on an ancestry test, but one of my siblings certainly has. (We all share the same parents.) If my sister, two years younger than me, springs for the test, will the results be the same for me? Yes, I realize we have different chromosomes. But our european blood mix would be the same between us. Wouldn't it?
Straight wife, bi husband, maintaining sexual attraction
My husband is bisexual, and recently indicated that his "pendulum" has temporarily swung to being more interested in men. How can I deal with this while being supportive? [more inside]
Cheapest Chromebook that comes with 100gb free Google Drive storage??
What's the cheapest Chromebook that comes with 100gb free Google Drive storage? [more inside]
posted by gregr at 1:40 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by gregr at 1:40 PM PST - 12 comments
Autotools for Fools: Debugging configure.in files via logging variables?
Is there a way to log or print-to-console the variables configure uses from a configure.in script? I'm trying to build Erlang on OS X 10.9 with ODBC, and the `--with-odbc` path that I'm providing seems to be ignored, possibly due to a bug in lib/odbc/configure.in. I know almost nothing about autotools, but I could test my theory if I could see what's in $host_os and $with_odbc in that context when configure runs. How can I do this? [more inside]
posted by weston at 1:01 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by weston at 1:01 PM PST - 3 comments
Renter's insurance for Airbnb?
I'm going to be staying in an Airbnb for an extended period of time. Is it possible to get renter's insurance or some other form of insurance to cover the valuables I'll have with me? The Airbnb is in the U.S. and I'm American.
Should we name a kid after a dead guinea pig?
Would it be OK to name the kid after a dead pet? Were you named after a pet? Did you name your kid after a pet? We like the names, but we don't want to weird the kid out when they're older. [more inside]
posted by kendrak at 12:01 PM PST - 101 comments
posted by kendrak at 12:01 PM PST - 101 comments
Fictional Anastasias
What novels, short stories, or movies have a female character named Anastasia? [more inside]
Looking for fun & forgiving art supplies
I’d like to get some art supplies to help me decompress after work. What are some fun, forgiving tools for someone with only a modicum of talent and technique? [more inside]
What dongle/cable do I need to make this recording thing work?
I have a cassette deck, a stereo receiver, Audacity, and a late 2012 iMac. I am gearing up for a winter project where I record some cassette tapes, in stereo. I need help completing the circuit. [more inside]
English naturalist's diary, as blog?
In the mid-aughts, there was a person re-posting from an English naturalist's diary, day-for-day. I think the diarist was writing in the early-to-mid 19th century, but I could be wrong. The diarist was a man. Where is that blog, and/or who was that naturalist?
posted by sandettie light vessel automatic at 11:30 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by sandettie light vessel automatic at 11:30 AM PST - 8 comments
What knot is this?
I'd like to make this little whisk, but can't figure out what knot it is. I looked through Ashley, and didn't see anything. Suggestions I've already gotten are Mathew Walker, diamond, crown and wall. But all of these knots look like they were tied in the middle of the rope.
I've seen (and made) Des Pawson's Sailors Whisk, but it has a hanging loop, I just want the ball end.
posted by Marky at 10:50 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by Marky at 10:50 AM PST - 14 comments
Meaningless Arrangements
I'm looking for something that will take a given set of letters and display all possible arrangements of those letters. All I can find are anagram servers, which is NOT what I want, because they only serve up real words. I don't care if the words are real or not. I'm only interested in strings about 5 characters long, so it's ok if the tool limits my input so as to avoid having to calculate "10!" (which would be over 3.6 million results). Does such a tool exist?
posted by paperback version at 10:40 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by paperback version at 10:40 AM PST - 7 comments
Got mono, weird pain when swallowing, any advice?
I've got mono, yay. Instead of the traditional sore throat, I've got a weird issue when swallowing - the top-back of my throat (the bit that connects the nose to the throat?) flares in SHARP pain whenever I swallow. Anyone else experience this when they had mono? Any suggestions for relief?
sex ed, over 40 edition
I am a 44 year old ciswoman and my partner is a 61 year old cisman. I have never been married and have had many sexual partners but this is my first time encountering this exact thing. It is also my first time being involved with someone who is more than a couple years older than me but I'm not sure if that's important.
My question is about whether his lack of an erection during foreplay is a sign of not actually being turned on, even though he seems like he is. [more inside]
Where to do a family dinner in Toronto, with a moblity impaired senior?
My brother is turning 60 in late November, so we want to do a family dinner out. There will be 3 siblings and spouses, 4 teens 15-19, one a vegetarian, and our mother. She's 89 years old, with very limited mobility. (walker with help, but no wheelchair) [more inside]
How to encourage a diverse tech mentorship program?
There is a tech mentorship program that lasts a few months and the pool of mentee applicants seems to be diverse but the pool of mentor applicants are mostly white cis males. It's important to have mentors who are also diverse. How can we make that happen?
posted by bleary at 8:41 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by bleary at 8:41 AM PST - 10 comments
My trainer is rude. Now what?
My trainer doesn't respond to my appointment requests. Now what? [more inside]
Tiny little lifehacks which make a big difference?
I just hosted a party, and for reasons, invested $1.50 in a stack of paper plates for it. I cannot get over how much this tiny thing improved my experience. What other 'small thing made such a huge difference' lifehacks can I try? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 8:00 AM PST - 72 comments
posted by ficbot at 8:00 AM PST - 72 comments
Best winter hikes on Vancouver Island?
I would like to take my girlfriend to Vancouver Island for the New Year. I'm looking for one or two great day hikes on the island that still be doable even if there is snowfall. I imagine a coastal hike is our best bet, and I'm looking for recommendations. Bonus points if you can see a mountain from the hike. Even a big hill.
posted by jeffmshaw at 7:57 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by jeffmshaw at 7:57 AM PST - 3 comments
What does "fireproof" mean on UK fine china?
I just bought a covered serving dish from a UK manufacturer of fine china. The dish itself, not the lid, says "fireproof," even though there is decoration and a gold rim on it. Of course I wouldn't put this on a stovetop, but does "fireproof" mean it can go in a medium oven? This newer item from the same pattern says "oven safe" to 200 C, but I don't know. Thanks!
posted by 8603 at 7:57 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by 8603 at 7:57 AM PST - 2 comments
Where can I buy a bordered flag/banner with collegiate-style lettering?
...And not just any bordered flag/banner. Ideally, something with chunky lettering and a thick white border, like the one in the center of this picture. Bonus points if the banner already has the phrase "BETTER IS POSSIBLE" in the middle. :) [more inside]
Too late to negotiate?
I was offered a new job, but I'm not sure if I can negotiate a better salary at this point. Don't want to upset the apple cart, but don't want to get short-shrifted either. Advice? [more inside]
posted by princeoftheair at 6:43 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by princeoftheair at 6:43 AM PST - 8 comments
Poetry written by women, for women
So I recently realized that a favorite poet of mine, Alice Duer Miller, published one more book of poems than I thought she had. I have been consequently wallowing in feminist poetry with snappy meter and rhyme for the last couple of days. Now that I'm done with my book, I'm looking for more poetry that strikes a chord, especially poetry by and about women. Where should I look, and who should I read? [more inside]
posted by sciatrix at 6:34 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by sciatrix at 6:34 AM PST - 21 comments
What should I listen to after Mind Webs?
Subsequent to this post (thanks, Iridic!), I decided to give Mind Webs a try. This morning, I listened to the last episode. What now? [more inside]
Outdoor tablecloth: what material?
I need to buy a fairly sturdy tablecloth for a small unshielded outside table in an area that's usually sunny, but where conditions range over the year from scorching hot / serious UV, to occasionally rainy and maybe a bit windy, to cold-but-not-(usually) freezing. What kind of material am I looking for? [more inside]
NYC wooden radiator cabinet cover suggestions?
I have a wooden window seat/radiator cabinet cover that's aged and warped. It measures approximately 88 inches wide by 25 inches deep with a hinge in the middle. Pictures here.
Does anyone have suggestions on cabinetry companies I could contact and an idea of how much it would cost? [more inside]
App or something to keep me on a schedule?
I would like to have more time-based structure in my working day. Like, 8-9am is for email, 9-12 is for today's tasks, etc. But I don't have a good sense of time, so I forget that I should be switching from email to tasks in about 5 minutes, for example. I also get distracted easily, so I go research something to answer an email and end up doing something completely different, forgetting I'm supposed to be answering emails right now.
Is there (a Windows 8 or Android) app for that? [more inside]
Another grieving process question
Another grieving process question: Since my dad died, I've had difficulty getting along with my mother. What's going on, and how do I make sure our relationship does not become permanently weakened? [more inside]
posted by Ziggy500 at 3:50 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Ziggy500 at 3:50 AM PST - 6 comments
7 Keto DHEA, anyone have any experience? Mine is awesome so far!
Anyone have any experience (short or long term) with the supplement 7 Keto DHEA? I just took it for the first time and had such an exciting, amazing day, wanted to see if others had similar reactions etc. [more inside]
September 21
Must... Force Down Food
I'm never hungry after long runs. What gives? [more inside]
posted by Enchanting Grasshopper at 11:27 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Enchanting Grasshopper at 11:27 PM PST - 12 comments
Any graveyard shift workers here have experience with daylight lamps?
I'm going to start a new job with a night shift next week (11pm to 7am). I'm considering getting one of those daylight imitating lamps to help maintain my circadian rhythm, but I'm wondering if anyone really needs or uses them, and if so, what kind? Are the little ones good enough? Or could I just get a blue-ish lightbulb and screw that into my regular lamp? Also do they rack up your electric bill a lot or is it negligible? [more inside]
posted by picklenickle at 11:01 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by picklenickle at 11:01 PM PST - 7 comments
Best place to rent a tuxedo in NYC?
I've got a black tie optional wedding coming up. I could wear a suit, but I've put on too much weight to fit into my suits. So I figure why not get spiffy. BUT the best place, Eisenberg & Eisenberg, has closed its doors for good. So... [more inside]
posted by old_growler at 8:28 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by old_growler at 8:28 PM PST - 2 comments
How do you go backless with big ones?
Well endowed women of Metafilter, do any of those stick on bras work? Does anything work? I want to wear backless summer dresses. [more inside]
posted by stellathon at 7:09 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by stellathon at 7:09 PM PST - 13 comments
Is it too late to say I'm thankful?
I recently interviewed two people, by phone, for about an hour and a half each. I verbally thanked them when the interview was over, but haven't sent them thank-you emails like I originally intended to. It's been slightly over two weeks. Should I still send the emails? If so, how do I word them in the most polite way possible- should I apologize for how long they took to send or avoid mentioning their tardiness? [more inside]
posted by perplexion at 6:32 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by perplexion at 6:32 PM PST - 7 comments
Why do things look darker when they're wet?
Why do things look darker when they're wet?
posted by pompomtom at 6:15 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by pompomtom at 6:15 PM PST - 2 comments
I'm losing my mind with static IPv6, a pool of addresses, and DHCP-PD.
I'm one of those lucky, bleeding-edge people with Comcast's Gigabit Pro service (the symmetrical, 2Gb fiber service they've started rolling out for bragging rights, so they can say they have twice the speed of Google Fiber). It comes with fixed IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, and I'm having a hell of a time configuring the IPv6 portion in my router. Tech support is useless, even with the Comcast-supplied router. Can someone geekier than me help me out? [more inside]
posted by CommonSense at 5:37 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by CommonSense at 5:37 PM PST - 10 comments
Applying for a new job posting at company that rejected me already
Long story short, I applied for Project Manager position on Team A at a company. I got to the final rounds but ultimately got rejected. This was about a week ago.
Today, I just found a new posting from this company for another Project Manager role, but on Team B (i.e., same role, but with a different hiring manager and set of people) and I want to apply for it.
What are some things I should think about? More details below. [more inside]
posted by 6spd at 4:51 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by 6spd at 4:51 PM PST - 10 comments
Freelance analysis / accounting / quantitative / finance careers
Hi Metafilter friends! I'm a mid-career professional seeking some advice about how to transition to a robust freelance career that relies on quantitative analysis or accounting skills. (Feel free to head straight to the comment section and start brainstorming, or read on for more.) [more inside]
What's the best makeup book for a woman of a certain age?
My 77-year-old mother still likes to dress up and wear makeup (as she says, the vanity is the last thing to go), but her makeup skills leave something to be desired. I would like to get her a how to book on makeup for Christmas. What's the best personal makeup book on the market for an elderly woman who just wants to know how to apply a natural, classic look to best effect? This book should includes tips on how to work with aging skin, as I understand that's a skill in itself.
Pete Smith, English folk singer
Does anybody have further information about the Lancashire folk singer Pete Smith? [more inside]
Talk to me about elder care & power of attorney in Seattle
Asking for my husband: Dad is dealing with a recent heart surgery, new bipolar diagnosis, heavy grief, and loss of his primary support. Who do I talk to and what do I ask them when it comes to power of attorney, and making sure his needs are taken care of? Details below the fold. [more inside]
Best route between Cincinnati Airport and Huntington, West Virginia?
My wife and I are flying in to Cincinnati Airport (CVG) with the purpose of going to Huntington, West Virginia. What's the best route to take? We don't need anything scenic, etc. Would just like to get there (and back, eventually) safely and not too slowly.
Google Maps seems to favor KY-9 for most of the route, but I'm seeing conflicting reports on how safe that road is.
How do I move a small amount of household goods from overseas?
I'm selling my home in Panama. I have a few things (a painting, a 3-5 boxes worth of stuff) that I want to take back to Hawaii. What's the best and/or least expensive way to get it back to Hawaii? Details inside... [more inside]
posted by KillaSeal at 2:22 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by KillaSeal at 2:22 PM PST - 9 comments
Inviting you all to my 4th 28th Birthday celebration
Is it ethical and/or advisable to use a resume that gives an impression that you are younger than you are? Does it matter ethically whether you wrote the resume with the intent to deceive, or just wrote it the way that made sense and then benefited from the mistaken impression it gave? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
Learning to Code apps
I'm interested in learning to code using lessons that are simple, basic, easy, insert descriptor that illustrates how I know absolute zero about this subject and consider me a typing monkey. I was thinking maybe through an app I can put on my phone and muck with on breaks and such. [more inside]
Watching the US Presidential Debate in Amsterdam?
I'm going to be in Amsterdam for a few days next week, including during the first US presidential debate. I know I could just stream it, but I think it would be more cathartic to watch it with (A) other people cheering for Hillary and embarrassed/exasperated with Trump and (B) booze. Democrats Abroad doesn't have any debate watching events listed for the Netherlands. Will any bars be open that late/early (3 am?) on a weekday and showing the debate? [more inside]
What conference should I go to?
Please give me ideas for (design/creative/freelancer/feminist) conferences in 2017 that meet my requirements below. Anywhere in the world is fine. Your personal anecdotes count double. [more inside]
posted by 100kb at 12:44 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by 100kb at 12:44 PM PST - 6 comments
Can I get a ride on a fighter jet?
I am in the Pensacola, Florida area for a few weeks. As a major aviation nerd, I am going to go to the NAS there, as well as all the flight museums in the area. I will of course be watching a Blue Angels practice.
Is there any chance I could get any other behind the scenes access? A ride on a fighter jet? Anything else to make my little nerdy heart go pitter patter? [more inside]
Should I trade my work BlackBerry in for an iPhone 6?
I work for the government and have a BlackBerry for work. I'm eligible for an upgrade and can choose between the BlackBerry Classic and the iPhone 6. My personal phone is an iPhone and I prefer them... but will I be shooting myself in the foot? [more inside]
posted by oblique red at 11:50 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by oblique red at 11:50 AM PST - 14 comments
What's the best camera app for the iPhone?
I have an iPhone 6s Plus, which has become pretty much my only camera for the last several months. I actually like it a lot and have been learning to get some photos out of it that I really like. However, I'd like to have more control over the camera settings than I get from the default app. Is there an app that does this well? [more inside]
Adventure and Gift Planning: NYC Day Trip Edition
My husband's birthday is coming up and I'd like to gift him a weekend full of adventures to choose from, as well as some smaller physical gifts that go along with the adventuring theme. Anything in NYC or day trip distance away works! What are your favorite adventures and adventure-related gifts? [more inside]
posted by dysh at 11:25 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by dysh at 11:25 AM PST - 7 comments
Removing oil and tar from clothing
I made a Poor Life Choice and now have oil/tar from road construction on a bunch of clothing (cotton and leather). Help me remove it? [more inside]
Name my Walktober team!
Looking for health record keeping tools
Is there something like LinkedIn but for health? [more inside]
What's wrong with my knees?
My knees showed up yellow on the airport scan today. I swear I'm not smuggling anything. What gives? [more inside]
posted by LoonyLovegood at 9:26 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by LoonyLovegood at 9:26 AM PST - 17 comments
What's the story re maltodextrin?
As I understand things, stevia extract may be the least harmful way to add additional sweetener to food and I've been using the liquid extract in iced tea and on berries for the past few months. On a whim I picked up the powdered version to try in baking and noticed that the package contains maltodextrin (for bulk, I assume) and stevia extract—still 0 calories. However, a quick google returns info about bodybuilders using maltodextrin as a source of quick energy and that it contains 4 calories/gram, like all carbohydrates. They can't both be right. [more inside]
posted by she's not there at 9:23 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by she's not there at 9:23 AM PST - 11 comments
Rescued!
Herman Melville was an obscurity when Carl Van Doren (with Raymond Weaver's help) started promoting his work in the 1920s. Domenico Scarlatti was a completely forgotten Baroque composer until Ralph Kirkpatrick wrote his biography and republished his sonatas, which are now part of the keyboard canon. Petrarch discovered Cicero's letters and supposedly kicked off the entire Renaissance. What are some other examples of famous artists, writers, historical figures, etc. whose reputations were revived by a single person?
posted by theodolite at 9:16 AM PST - 66 comments
posted by theodolite at 9:16 AM PST - 66 comments
Insurance Filter
Mrs. Ivan and I need new insurance on our home and autos. I'm in Oklahoma, and trying to dodge the "Actual Cash Value Endorsement" scam. I'm really looking for help in research: looking for best value/best coverage for the dollar, of course. Any recommendations as to research avenues? [more inside]
In What Scenarios Are Pregnancy Test Mandatory?
Is anyone familiar with practices/policies/laws/cases surrounding mandating a pregnancy test either in the medical environment or in other cases? I am interested in anecdotes, personal opinions, as well as pointers to articles or other resources. [more inside]
Too Many Strata To Sample
I have multiple independent variables that I want to stratify my sampling across, but the result would be way more strata than I can sample. Is there a way to stratify across different character states for each independent variable without creating strata for the interactions of each? Example inside. [more inside]
Erasing myself from the narrative
I need a divorce from what's left of my family. I just can't figure out how to do it. The ending is the part I always thought would be easiest, but it turns out to be worse than the waiting part was. [more inside]
How to be more graceful in the way I greet co-workers in the morning?
Hi Mefites
I'd like to be more graceful in the way I greet my coworkers.
Maybe I'm making the problem bigger than it actually is but... it's bugging me recently!
I don't like the way I greet people, especially in my workplace. Reasons below : [more inside]
posted by Ifite at 8:17 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by Ifite at 8:17 AM PST - 17 comments
Club membership management software needed
I'm looking for software to create an online membership management system for a club. The system needs to be accessible to officers but not to members. What do you recommend? [more inside]
Getting to Vieques: Is it a hassle? Would we be missing out?
I've read all of the MeFi threads about Puerto Rico and I'm trying to figure out if an excursion to Vieques makes sense for this trip. So many people have told us to visit Vieques (and MeFi seems to confirm this), but it seems a bit expensive to get there ($400 for two people is expensive for us for a flight). I'd also like to get some opinions on whether Vieques is worthwhile for a 2 or 3 night stay, as opposed to spending more time elsewhere in Puerto Rico and saving Vieques for another trip? [more inside]
Are hair-slips a thing?
Should I have told my hijabi classmate a bit of her hair was showing? [more inside]
Looking for non-military metaphors for living with cancer
I have multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer) and though I want to do everything possible to regain my health, I'm not a fan of the military metaphors people use. Several studies have found that people who use military metaphors have more trouble with making changes that might prolong their lives. Can the hive mind come up with better ideas? [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 7:51 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by FencingGal at 7:51 AM PST - 14 comments
Sleeping on a full stomach - science or woo?
Is there any reputable evidence that going to bed on a full stomach is bad for you, healthwise? [more inside]
posted by threetwentytwo at 7:14 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by threetwentytwo at 7:14 AM PST - 11 comments
Actor ID, from the television show "24"
Does anyone know the name of this actor, who plays a member of the national security team in a Presidential briefing in s7e15 of the show: 24? Thanks in advance!!
Improvements or alternatives for YouTube Kids on Android & iOS
How can I address the following problems with the YouTube Kids app: (1) no whitelisting, (2) no downloads and (3) stability problems? The solution can be another app that offers similar control over viewing, or any other tips or configuration options, but the end result must be suitable to put in the hands of a young toddler. Thank you!
Name these wildflowers (Western PA, USA)
We just moved into a pretty much total landscaping blank slate house and I'm planning my gardens to start putting in in the spring. I want to place a heavy emphasis on native plants, so I've been taking pictures on my runs through local parks. Inside: name those wildflowers! [more inside]
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:00 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:00 AM PST - 11 comments
Looking for philosophy/new-age/self-help books that are also novels
For example: The Alchemist, Celestine Prophecy, Sophie's World. Any others?
posted by dontjumplarry at 5:30 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by dontjumplarry at 5:30 AM PST - 24 comments
Explaining to my references why I'm already looking to leave my new job
I recently started a new job, and quickly realized it was a big mistake to accept the position. I'm searching for other opportunities but don't know what I should say to my references about the situation. [more inside]
'Zones' in science and weird fiction
Looking for examples of science/weird fictions that deal with 'zones': intermediate or parallel realms - often forbidden - beyond the normal sphere of law or reason. [more inside]
September 20
My new office is gross. What do I do?
[Difficulty Level: Australian Higher Education] I've just started a new part-time job, as a technical officer in a higher-ed performing arts institute. My single-occupant office, tucked away behind a loading dock behind a theatre, doubles as a soldering/technical maintenance workshop. [more inside]
Do we (New Yorkers) need a prenup?
We are getting married- yay! We live in NYC and are planning to stay for at least 5 years and hopefully forever. I've read past threads and other info about prenups and I think we could go either way. The big question is handling inheritances. [more inside]
Do I, should I, talk to my friend about the way she discusses money?
A good friend has alienated me and several other close friends due to her compulsion to tell us how much she spends on things. She's quite wealthy but seems to have forgotten that not everyone has her kind of money to spend on luxury items. Should I talk to her about it? Or is this an issue of insecurity I need to keep working on within myself? [more inside]
how to cope with being alone
I'm a 29 year old woman and I need to learn to cope with being alone. It's been two years since I've dated anyone who wanted me to be their girlfriend, and eight since I was in a relationship that lasted at least a year. I've been trying to meet people (all of the apps, plus okcupid, plus trying to socialize irl -- I have probably gone on dates with 50+ people over the past two years), focus on my career, travel, spend time with friends and family. (The rest of my life isn't perfect--but I'd give it a solid B+.) I've taken a month or two off from dating here and there and I was recently celibate for 1.5 years, but it never gets easier or more pleasant (and at my age, I don't feel like I have the luxury of taking MORE time off to "work on myself", and I'm fairly convinced that "working on oneself" is something partnered people made up to torture single people with and blame them for their condition). I have friends and family and a pet, but I am incredibly lonely every day. how do you cope with being alone when the only thing you want is a partner? [more inside]
How do I simulate a timpani without buying one?
For home recording, I want a big booming timpani sound — but I can't afford one nor do I have extra space for one. What is a good alternative? [more inside]
Attending a Concert: Beanplating Edition
Months and months ago, I bought a front row balcony seat (an excellent seat for this show) to see a favorite musician of mine as a birthday present for myself. The show is this weekend, and yesterday a friend of mine contacted me to ask whether I wanted to go. I told my friend I was already going, and he said if I was going solo I could sell my ticket and sit with him. His seats are not as good as mine. Is it rude to decline? [more inside]
I'll probably try it anyway, but...
Should I eat it? I found a bag of mini babybel cheeses in my fridge. (Like this.) They have a best-before date of.... well... uh... January. (Hey, at least it's still 2016!). They're wrapped in plastic, and then in their distinctive wax. I unwrapped one - it looks totally fine. I want to eat this. I mean... it's cheese. If it's not mouldy its good, right? But... January.
Would you eat it?
Help me choose a tablet for reading comics
I want a tablet for reading comics, occasional word processing, and faffing around on the internet. I prioritise screen quality, good input, longevity and low cost. I am not hugely fond of the Apple ecosystem. What do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by tavegyl at 8:43 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by tavegyl at 8:43 PM PST - 15 comments
Resources for feminist, anti-racist professional dress codes?
Asking for a friend: I'm looking for business-minded arguments or resources for dress codes that would not allow more obviously controversial symbols like the Confederate flag, but perhaps not so stringent that it would forbid t-shirts with quasi-political, positive messages (more context below the fold) [more inside]
MIL is sick and won't let FIL leave her side
I am looking for suggestions on how to help. My husband's family seems to be stuck in a pattern. His parents are older and his mother's anxiety is so bad that she can't be left alone for a minute. [more inside]
posted by crunchy_cereals at 6:43 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by crunchy_cereals at 6:43 PM PST - 14 comments
Coworker is a registered sex offender and I'm having a hard time dealing
I recently found out my coworker is a registered sex offender - plead guilty to molesting a 7 yr old girl. How do I get over this? [more inside]
How do you move beyond betrayal?
Hello metafilter,
A few months back, I had a break-up with a friend. At the time, I believed we were very close, and I turned to her because I was very sick, needed help, and couldn't find it anywhere else. Instead of offering help or sympathy, she instead sent me a "go away till you're better" letter two days later. It's broken my heart, and I can't seem to move past it. [more inside]
posted by Rosengeist at 6:23 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Rosengeist at 6:23 PM PST - 15 comments
At almost 25, my former life is falling away - how can I cope better?
I've lost friends to life changes and two people to bereavement. Childhood is officially over, adulthood is here to stay. How do I find some comfort? [more inside]
Free cross-platform webcam baby monitor
I would like to use the webcam on my Mac or PC in my home office/nursery to film the baby while she's sleeping. Ideally, the stream would be viewable from my Android, her mom's iPhone and iPad, and her grandma's computer at work. Is there a free web service or cross-platform app that makes this possible?
Who gets a taste?
We recently had our upstairs bathroom completely redone and apparently there was some work needed to bring the plumbing up to code. The contractor said that he didn't account for that in the estimate and we'd need to pay the plumber directly. (Yes, the plot thickens!) [more inside]
Best podcasts with full transcripts
Inspired by all the podcast recommendation threads I've seen here lately... Are there any great podcasts that include full transcripts?full transcripts? I'm hearing impaired, so I'd love to be able to follow along while listening (or even just read the 'scripts alone). I'm interested in any and all subjects!
posted by saturngirl at 4:14 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by saturngirl at 4:14 PM PST - 11 comments
Fold away workspace. Does something like this exist?
I'd like a workspace setup with a writing surface, laptop & mousing space, storage for pens, pencils and stuffs in a fold away table top setup system so that at the end of my work at home workday I can just fold it all up and stick it in a closet until i need it tomorrow. [more inside]
posted by srboisvert at 3:22 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by srboisvert at 3:22 PM PST - 17 comments
Help my students post to my course Wordpress site
I teach media arts, and am trying to get my (college) students to post to our class blog, which is at a wordpress.com site. I have invited them all as authors. I am the admin. The students who have never used WP before are posting fine. However, the students who have their own wordpress sites are having a hard time, because when they try to post, they are only given the option to post to their own sites. [more inside]
Post Stem-cell transplant patient + mold - how dangerous?
My Mom just had a stem cell transplant for acute myeloid leukemia and is staying at my Grandparent's house. Our basement recently flooded and we've been ransacked with mildew/mold. The doc previously said that mold is a big no-no for patients taking post-transplant patients taking immunosuppressants - plus no way I trust myself to take care of cleaning mold thoroughly. My mom says she can't spend that much and would like to buy a HEPA air purifier instead to fix the problem - I don't think this is enough. What do we do? [more inside]
Help Me Find More Sweater/Ponchos Like This One
I ordered this poncho/sweater from Modcloth and am in love with it.
Now I'm looking for more like it - please help me have a cozy and comfy winter!
Special Snowflake details below the jump. [more inside]
To uproot or not to uproot: transporting big cacti
Travelling cross-country with a 3' tall cereus peruvianus montrose. It is top heavy with a 6" diameter trunk and probably 18" diameter crown. Should I uproot it and transport it lying flat swaddled in bubble wrap or heavily stake it and transport it standing up? [more inside]
2016 US Presidential Debate viewing options for cable cutters
What are some alternative viewing options for the Presidential debates starting next week? I'd like to watch on our TV, not a browser window, but we don't have a device connected to our basic cable service. We do have an Apple TV and a Fire TV stick. [more inside]
Book recommendations after trauma
I'm looking for books that are enjoyable without being emotionally draining. I think I'm looking for fiction or memoirs, but am open to other suggestions as well. [more inside]
Help identify my plant?
I've had this plant for many years already and cannot remember if i bought it or if it was a gift. I'm trying to find out it's name so i can research the best way to care for it and propagate it. [more inside]
posted by PardonMyFrench at 1:18 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by PardonMyFrench at 1:18 PM PST - 5 comments
How do relocation services/packages work?
I've had a few offers to interview at companies in other states and the major thing holding me back from responding has been a fear of having to handle the difficult task of moving. I know it's common for companies to offer a relocation service but how do these actually work in practice? Does it actually take the stress out of moving? I'm looking for your detailed experiences in both negotiating a relocation package and using a relocation service (employer provided or otherwise).
Identify these two (possibly terrible) fantasy/sci fi stories.
At some point in the early to mid-90s, I read two novels (or possibly short stories) that occasionally bubble up from my subconscious, aggravating me for a few days while I try to identify them. Given what I was reading at the time, the odds are good that they were terrible schlock. [more inside]
posted by Kreiger at 12:47 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Kreiger at 12:47 PM PST - 9 comments
How to dress a baby for fall in NYC: babywearing filter
My partner and I are visiting family in NYC for Thanksgiving from San Diego with our 7-month old son. How do we dress him to stay warm while babywearing as we navigate the city? [more inside]
An Earmap of the Federal Republic
I'll be spending a week in Germany at the beginning of October. I have a ton of free time and the willingness to go anywhere that's rail-accessible. So, I beseech you: What are some of the coolest-SOUNDING places or things in Germany? [more inside]
posted by mykescipark at 12:20 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by mykescipark at 12:20 PM PST - 8 comments
how do I judge the stability of a tech startup?
how do I determine if the tech startup interested in hiring me is likely to stick around for more than the next couple of years? [more inside]
Customer service platform that suggests canned responses
We're a small business currently using just a shared gmail account for our customer service inquiries. We're looking to switch to software better designed for this usage. I've been checking out Frontapp.com, freshdesk, zendesk., desk.com, salesforce, and others. One feature I'm having trouble nailing down though, is for the software to automatically search for certain keywords in the incoming emails and suggest canned responses we have on file based on what's found. Which platforms can do this?
How to successfuly destroy invasively sprouting Black Locust tree?
The city electrical utility cut down a Black Locust tree in our back alley that was growing into the power lines. Before you clutch your pearls, this is a fast-growing, invasive tree that is considered a weed in my region (Seattle, King County, Washington), so getting rid of it is a good thing. I have also planted a couple of other, nicer, trees. The problem is that the stump is multiply and rapidly sprouting and it has a violent will to survive. How do I deal with the stump and its sprouts so that I don't end up with 15 additional locust trees? [more inside]
Shoes for Planar Fasciitis
For the first time in my life I have Planar Fasciitis so I need to figure out how I can get rid of it AND what shoes/slippers to wear indoors? [more inside]
Two weeks in Ireland without a car?
I’ll be in Ireland in October, but won’t be able to rent a car (no license). Is it enough of a disadvantage that I’d be better off visiting just Dublin, leaving other areas to be properly explored with a car on my next trip? [more inside]
Teaching someone to read sheet music over Skype
I may soon find myself teaching a good friend how to read sheet music over Skype. Mostly for singing, as friend doesn't own any instruments. He can carry a tune reasonably well, but he has no idea how printed symbols correspond to notes, rhythms, sounds, etc. Good resources, esp. practice exercises? [more inside]
How did you (YES, YOU SPECIFICALLY) pay for grad school?
The "how to pay for grad school" articles that pop up in a Google search are WOEFULLY LACKING in specifics. I'm looking for actual, specific tales of how real people out there in the world financed their Masters degrees. Feel free to get brutally honest. [more inside]
Eating healthy while in the field
Meal suggestions: I've got two weeks of work "in the field" ahead and I need small, portable, plant-based meals for a) room temperature and b) heat. [more inside]
Smells like ugly stereotypes?
The other posters in this series of educational posters from WWII have a visual tie in to the identifying smell of chemical agents. I assume -- unfortunately -- that this was supposed to be the case with this figure as well? And if so, then I don't get it. [more inside]
posted by Ogre Lawless at 9:53 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by Ogre Lawless at 9:53 AM PST - 21 comments
Software for creating online forms for data collection and routing
Looking for software for creating online forms for data collection and routing. [more inside]
Looking for Empowering, Intelligent Magazines for Girls and Young Women
So this happened. I would totally subscribe to the magazine on the right for my daughter. Am trying to find its (English language) equivalent. Does one exist?
help me put together the best festival concessions stand ever!
I just spent the weekend slinging beverages at a music festival, and have already signed up to be on long crew next year. In anticipation of this, my compatriots have asked me for suggestions to improve our setup, to be provided ASAP so we can find, get donations for, make, or otherwise procure everything before our next fest. Can you assist in drawing up a list? [more inside]
Please share your favourite web-based organisational histories!
Inspired by the recent unveiling of the new MOMA exhibition archive, I was hoping you could share with us some brilliant examples of institutions showing off their history and heritage in new and interesting ways? [more inside]
cleaners first or packers?
Next to "I am shit at house cleaning" is the phrase "I am shit at packing and moving" - unfortunately the house is a disaster. Dust and dirty bunnies all around. I am also packing up three generations worth of stuff, so the amount of stuff that needs to be dealt with is pretty dense. Who do I hire first? Housecleaners to clean around the stuff, or packers to pack the stuff up? [more inside]
Is it silly to wait around for love?
You see it in the movies, two lovers split but somehow run into each other and fall in love again and are able to be together. It seems silly, but I've fallen in love and I'm not sure if it's a stupid idea to wait around for something like the movies. [more inside]
Awesome Grad School vs Mental Health
I've started a Master's degree at a top university in the world (for my field) in Europe. It is an incredible opportunity that is very unlikely to come around again. However, I suffer from depression and being away from my support system while in a rigorous academic program does not seem to be the best for my mental health. My friends and family say they support me no matter what, but they all tell me that if I leave this program I will regret it for the rest of my life, and I'm afraid of living with regret. [more inside]
posted by Robocat at 7:17 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by Robocat at 7:17 AM PST - 17 comments
Computer programmers: How do you sleep at night?
If I don't get a programming problem solved before bedtime, my brain keeps waking me up, trying to solve it. This makes me very tired. Others who have dealt with this: How do you shut your brain up for sleepy time? [more inside]
Best ways to handle someone who is suicidal?
What are considered the best ways to handle someone (stranger or friend) who is about to commit suicide? [more inside]
How weird was this interaction in my undergrad lab today?
I had an interaction with my lab partner that I thought was weird today, but I'm having trouble parsing exactly how weird it was (if at all!) and if I should do anything about it. [more inside]
posted by Snarl Furillo at 3:00 AM PST - 39 comments
posted by Snarl Furillo at 3:00 AM PST - 39 comments
Where can I meditate overseas ascetic style?
The American grind is wearing out this ENFP seer and I am looking for the slowest, mellowest place to go meditate, push a broom, eat, and sleep. Does anybody have any recommendations for overseas? In the USA here. (Please read the explanation below) [more inside]
Long distance boyfriend is emotionally distant after an argument
My long distance boyfriend of a year was seeing someone else when first started dating. This information came out recently and caused a rough period and a few arguments about trust. He’s been with me most of the last few weeks to work through it, but now he’s gone home. He’s become distant and I don’t know where the relationship stands. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by wreckofthehesperus at 12:04 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by wreckofthehesperus at 12:04 AM PST - 30 comments
September 19
"Top News of the Last Week or So" type sites?
I don't keep up with the news on a daily basis and don't wish to, but I would like to have a general idea of the big U.S. and world news. I can't seem to find any sites that give just the top news of the last week or so. Any recommendations? [more inside]
Where to watch the presidential debate(s) in Berkeley/Oakland?
The first debate is coming up in a week. I could watch it at home, but I'd rather watch it with some like-minded (i.e. fiercely anti-trump) people for psychic support. Anyone know a good bar/cafe/other public venue in Berkeley or Oakland that will be screening the debate(s)?
posted by hoist with his own pet aardvark at 8:11 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by hoist with his own pet aardvark at 8:11 PM PST - 7 comments
Travel Agents in 2016?
Can anyone recommend a good online travel agent for vacation planning? Yes I have fingers and an internet connection and have self-booked many flights and hotels in my lifetime. But plotting itineraries, finding cool places to stay, navigating transportation schedules and local attractions, etc requires time and energy I do not have. [more inside]
WWQCW? (What Would Quentin Crisp Wear?)
I'm looking for lavender undershirts and socks but searches so far have turned up mostly chaff. Do you have any recommendations? [more inside]
What's a polite way to tell a stranger you don't want to talk?
Is there a polite and/or likely-to-lead-to-good-results way to say to a stranger in a supermarket queue who is trying to make chit-chat with you about your day while her groceries are being rung up and you're next in line:
"Look, I get that you're trying to be friendly, but I am utterly exhausted, and if I talk to you, I'll be too tired to get home safely." [more inside]
Eating out on a low FODMAP diet in Portland, OR?
My folks are in town this weekend and Mom is on a low FODMAP diet (the strict version). Looking for recommendations for restaurants (any area of Portland) that will have options for her to choose from, and that are good at helping out people with unusual food allergies. [more inside]
First Time Using Post 9/11 GI Bill...Having Problems
Does anyone know or have experience using the GI Bill? Especially regarding payment obligations to the university? Do I ever have to pay up front? [more inside]
posted by snsranch at 7:19 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by snsranch at 7:19 PM PST - 5 comments
Refresh my podcasts
I need new podcasts to listen to! I like two kinds of podcasts: 1) high-production, good sound design, on almost any topic (think 99% Invisible, RadioLab) and 2) historical and/or biographical topics (Everything is Stories, Backstory, Criminal). And a few others. But my playlist has gone stale -- refresh me? Examples of what I already like and dislike are inside. [more inside]
should we even go in to this
Should "in" + "to" + [noun] always resolve to an "into"? [more inside]
Good videos with the emotional impact of something failing?
Good videos with the emotional impact of something failing? Like, something engineered failing or some software or some contraption failing and people being disappointed by it. Fiction or nonfiction, both are good. Software specifically would be nice, but other failures are good, just with the emotional impact, too.
Are all solar lights terrible, or just mine?
I bought some cheap solar pathway lights and some decorative solar lanterns. They provide next to zero light, for about three hours. Then they really provide zero light. Also, about 80% of them turn on at all on a given day, though they all turn on *sometimes*.
It's a shady area, so I know they aren't charging as much as they might if I lived elsewhere, but might higher quality solar lights be better and brighter, or is this just how they work?
posted by OrangeVelour at 4:33 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by OrangeVelour at 4:33 PM PST - 11 comments
how to handle manipulative thoughts
Sometimes I'll realize that an action I'm about to take or planning on taking could have positive benefits for me down the road. Does this then make the action manipulative? Should I not take the action, or set up the situation in a way where it can't have a potential benefit to myself, or just focus on not having the manipulative thought in the first place? How atypical is it to have thoughts like these? [more inside]
posted by aaabbbccc at 4:23 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by aaabbbccc at 4:23 PM PST - 18 comments
The customer is always...awkward?
Should I have pointed out my gender to a potential client who assumed I was male? [more inside]
Why didn't I learn this language?
When I grew up, there were 5 languages spoken around me: 2 (A and B) more or less all the time, at home and in public. The 3 generations of women in my family spoke language C amongst themselves and with a several of their friends. Languages D and E were used fairly irregularly around me. I ended up speaking A and B as well as D. But I don’t really understand why I didn’t learn C. [more inside]
CPB Funding for Public Broadcasting
A 2016 Congressional Research Service report says CPB received $445 million from Congress to fund public broadcasting in most recent two year appropriation. Later in the report, it says "While federal funding for CPB primarily comes from the Departments of Labor, Health & Human Service and Education, it may receive other sources of funding from the federal government." [more inside]
Name this Band
Starting up a new project, and we can't agree on a name. Hope that Mefi will have a good suggestion! [more inside]
How can I affordably conceal cables/cords/devices after I mount my TV?
I just bought a condo and need to mount my TV to the wall. I’d like to conceal as many of the other external parts and devices (TV power cord, cables, cable box, and Roku) as possible once the TV is mounted. My brother-in-law mentioned infrared repeaters and RF remotes as possible solutions, but I am overwhelmed by the options and their mechanics, which products are compatible with my TV, etc. [more inside]
Advice Wanted for Move to Des Moines, Iowa
My wife and I are new empty nesters, and are considering moving to Des Moines, Iowa. What is it like to live there? What are the pluses and minuses? We are hoping to find a friendly, welcoming community with some larger city amenities. Ideally, we'd also find other non religious, politically moderate-to-liberal folks. Will we find it there?
What beverages are similar to a raspberry lambic?
This summer, I discovered I really like raspberry lambic. Lindeman's framboise lambic is readily available to me, but I'd like to expand my horizons. Bonus points for something domestic and less-expensive. What should I try to find or sample?
posted by QuantumMeruit at 1:17 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by QuantumMeruit at 1:17 PM PST - 21 comments
What percent of black men in film and TV are represented as criminals?
I'm trying to track down some recent stats on the representation of black men in media-- the stats I can find are all from the mid-1990s. Any idea where I could find more recent stats on representation in film and TV? [more inside]
A metaphor of increments
Hivemind, please help fill the hole in my mind. I know you're good at this: [more inside]
Is psychiatric rehabilitation worthwhile?
I have a chance to add psych rehab to my mental health treatment, at no cost. Seems like a no brainer, but I'm not entirely sure it would be worth it for me. [more inside]
Help us plan our summer 2017 honeymoon ending in Santorini
We're planning our honeymoon for the last 2 weeks of June 2017. The only part I'm sure of is that we want to spend the last bit in Santorini. Where should we go before that? [more inside]
Classic and/or best books about the Canadian Maritimes
After my umpteenth round of reading Farley Mowat and getting overly emotional listening to Stan Rogers, it's time to expand my horizons a little. What novels or nonfiction books would you recommend that are about or set in the Maritimes? [more inside]
posted by kalimac at 12:35 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by kalimac at 12:35 PM PST - 17 comments
Cross Country Running
My daughter (sophomore US) is in the throws of her first year in girls cross country. I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction in terms of good books or web resources on the subject. The internet is vast and there are too many books to peruse to know if they are any good. Anecdotal experience from the hive is always a bonus. [more inside]
posted by repoman at 12:29 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by repoman at 12:29 PM PST - 3 comments
Snowflake's quest for a water bottle
I'm looking for a water bottle without a sippy-cup or straw interface, just an open end that I can drink from like a civilized human. It also needs to be opened and closed one-handed, easy to clean, and durable. Price is not really a consideration. [more inside]
posted by Ookseer at 11:39 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by Ookseer at 11:39 AM PST - 20 comments
Want to make a row of glass bricks - what's the best way to secure them?
(see attached image)
The previous owner of our house finished the attic and included an, uh, "open bathroom." My kids are moving into that room, and want some privacy. A wall is out, because it would block light from the only window (which is why, I suspect, the previous owner chose the design.)
I piled up six 12" glass blocks to see how that worked... [more inside]
How do you 'freshen up' curly hair during the day?
Since school, I have had the problem of starting the day out looking put together and ending it looking like I had a fight with an angry pooch. Why is my curly hair failing me? [more inside]
Dispute with home warranty company: sewage ejector pump or sump pump?
We're going around and around with our home warranty company over whether or not they are obligated to replace the sewage ejector pump in our basement. They say it's a "sump pump functioning as an ejector pump" and therefore not covered. What can we do to fight this? [more inside]
posted by halcyon_daze at 9:58 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by halcyon_daze at 9:58 AM PST - 21 comments
Must we combine our finances?
We just got married. Is there a compelling reason to combine our finances? [more inside]
Applying for a waiver of inadmissibility to become a tourist to the USA?
My friend was denied entry to the US for his planned vacation because he admitted to having used marijuana, and told he needs to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility to be eligible for a tourist visa in the future. He doesn't have immediate plans to return, but would like some guidance on how this process would work if he attempts it, and in particular on whether he can do this without a specific planned visit or if he needs to wait until he wants to go back and try then. [more inside]
posted by the agents of KAOS at 9:00 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by the agents of KAOS at 9:00 AM PST - 6 comments
Microwave Glassware
Help me find a brand of small glass dishes with lids for heating sauces in the microwave. [more inside]
posted by Eleven at 8:13 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by Eleven at 8:13 AM PST - 16 comments
Where's the best place to buy “French Grande” advertising posters?
I have a big 66-inch wide, 13-feet tall section of wall that I think would look great with a giant framed poster. I’m looking for giant vintage French advertising posters, from the 1920s, on canvas — but I’m not particular about the design. Do you have any suggestions on stores? [more inside]
Best Practise for Writers & Publishing
I'm currently writing a non-fiction book that will be published next year. I want to hear your best tips for keeping things running smoothly - especially towards the end of the publishing process. Specific circumstances inside. [more inside]
looking for a Youtube Video about human trafficking experience
Help Needed Please - I was at a training within the past year about human trafficking - people getting manipulated into the sex trade business - and they showed a Youtube video of a young bright African American woman from California speaking at a conference about how she had been manipulated into sex trafficking and got out. She was a very well-spoken, intelligent young woman, who talked very eloquently about her experiences. I'm looking to cite this video for a school project, but I can't remember her name or find the video with a simple google search. Has anyone seen this before - does this jog a memory? Thank you.
Brain dead with eggplant - help me make dinner!
I have a large organic eggplant that I need to use up today. I am also nearly brain dead with kid-related lack of sleep. Tell me what relatively simple recipe I should make. [more inside]
posted by ryanshepard at 6:49 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by ryanshepard at 6:49 AM PST - 19 comments
Help me find the best mid-size SUV for snow (Salt Lake City)
Looking for a mid-size SUV that handles snow well. [more inside]
Athlete's foot - when is it time to see a doctor?
I've had athlete's foot for 5-6 months now, but I didn't recognize and start treating it until more recently. I've tried multiple treatments for the last several weeks, and while some symptoms have improved, the infection seems like it's still spreading. How long can athlete's foot take to heal when a treatment is actually working? When should I conclude that my OTC treatments are not working and it's time to see a doctor? [more inside]
The year in awesome used kids' books
What are your absolute favorite seasonal or holiday children's books? Bonus points: lovely illustrations; likely out of print or otherwise not on the front page of the relevant section of Amazon. [more inside]
Re-Equip Ansela Adams
While I was on vacation last week, my camera (among other things) was stolen and I need to replace it. I really, really liked it, but the exact model has since been discontinued, and I can only get used models online via eBay. Please either reassure me it's okay to do that or recommend something similar. [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:17 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:17 AM PST - 13 comments
September 18
Help me find a line of cute/strange fantasy miniatures
I'm looking for a specific product line of fantasy miniatures with factions of cute/strange non-human species--more details inside. But please feel free to recommend your favorite weird miniatures line, if it focuses on non-humans and it's available now or in the near future. [more inside]
Wanting to Visit Canada for 6 months
My boyfriend lives in Canada and I live in the U.S. We've been dating for 3 years now and have only spent about a maximum of 2 weeks at a time together. Ideally we'd like to work on finding a way to move me up there but before we do that we want to spend a good amount of time together in person before doing so. [more inside]
How to Respond to Self-Deprecating Comments
Sometimes people suddenly reveal their insecurities to me in casual conversation, and I rarely know how to respond. What are some good ways of dealing with situations like this? [more inside]
am i an illegal... emigrant?
I'm a US citizen who's been living outside the US for nearly three years now, and I don't plan to ever return. Also, I recently got married. Please help me figure out what, if any, laws I am breaking currently! [more inside]
Name that video filter: learning English for Japanese speakers
About eight years ago I flew to Tokyo on ANA. On the plane I watched a funny video intended to help Japanese speakers learn English. What was the video? [more inside]
How did lucid dreaming suddenly manifest in my life?
For the past couple nights I have been aware of dreams in which I was sitting up, yet knew I was asleep and my first thought was "don't wake the cat" who sleeps curled up with me. Are these really lucid dreams - and if so, how shall I foster and welcome them? [more inside]
posted by jet_silver at 8:26 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by jet_silver at 8:26 PM PST - 7 comments
Tipping at Riviera Maya resort - pesos or dollars?
At an all-inclusive resort on the Riviera Maya, do the staff prefer tips in pesos or American dollars? I've seen lots of conflicting opinions from travelers and I'd like to try to do what the staff actually wants. If they're tipped in dollars, do they have to exchange it for pesos before they can use it, and does that disadvantage them? Or does the exchange rate make dollars a better deal for them? Thanks!
posted by Rocky Mtn Erica at 8:22 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Rocky Mtn Erica at 8:22 PM PST - 9 comments
Fall/winter fashion/grooming for women - Oregon/cold office filter.
I just moved back to the Willamette Valley after a couple-year stint in year-round warm climates. While living in Oregon I never quite got the hang of constant clothing layering and dampness. I am determined this time around to look fashionable while staying warm and dry. It seems like everyone is perpetually wearing outdoor gear (REI/Patagonia/North Face rain layers, practical waterproof clogs, sporty-wear) and I'm just not into doing that - I want to look put-together and stylish. How can I go about doing this? More snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by majesty_snowbird at 8:20 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by majesty_snowbird at 8:20 PM PST - 10 comments
When does hiring season typically start?
When do creative agencies (graphic design) typically start hiring new recruits? Is it better to start applying at end of the year or at beginning of the new year?
What are some excellent classic and modern film books for film fanatics?
Hello. I'm wondering if there are any well worth film books for movie lovers to sink their teeth in? Specifically books on: directors, cinematography, best Britain, American, and Japanese films. [more inside]
Help me find compression stockings to wear while flying
The last couple of times I've flown I've experienced ankle swelling. I'm flying again in two weeks and would like to try compression socks. What brand/features should I look for? What brand has worked for you?
I already know that I need to get up and walk during the flight, try to keep from crossing my legs, etc-- this question is simply about recommendations for compression socks/stockings to wear during long flights. Thanks, fellow MeFi travelers!
posted by bookmammal at 7:34 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by bookmammal at 7:34 PM PST - 14 comments
Quick Pickled Veggies - how long do they last?
I quick pickled some radishes and daikon about a month ago (so, no canning, no water bath) and I'm wondering if it's still good. I'm finding conflicting responses. Some say 2 weeks, some say 1 month. Pickling enthusiasts, what is the correct answer? I'd taste it (there's no mold) but I don't want to give myself botulism.
Hamilton - Still worth it?
My daughter and I recently discovered Hamilton (yes, I know, we're way behind the curve). I'd like to take a short (~3 day) trip to NYC, see some sights, and maybe see the play. Tickets are still quite expensive, and I know a significant portion of the original cast has moved on. Does it still make sense to shell out the big bucks to see Hamilton on Broadway? Or did we miss the moment for it? [more inside]
ADHD meds - stop or continue?
I've been on and off ADHD meds since I was first diagnosed about 5 years ago. Most recently I tried Adderall XR; previously I've tried Concerta, Vyvanse, and Straterra (one at a time). Straterra is awful - made me drowsy during the day and kept me from sleeping at night. The other drugs all help me focus, but they also make me feel frazzled and exhausted if I take them continuously - so I have to take a drug holiday on the weekend. [more inside]
YANMD.... but do I really need to go to one?
A couple of months ago I took up running. I've been pacing myself, working on proper form and using the couch 2 5k app. I haven't been having much trouble at all after the initial shin splints and leg cramps. That is until Wednesday, when my first race was Friday. [more inside]
Name this video - catty gay guys in LA
This has been driving me crazy for a while. I saw this comedy video on something like CollegeHumor 2-5 years ago, there were 2 in a series. It was two slightly effeminate men in various locations in LA basically talking shit in a really catty way about everyone around them. It was funny in an accessible way but also a little dark, in the sense that it was aware that this was a shallow way to live. The best joke was them greeting someone with something like "hey jennifer" - "my name's not jennifer" "..... ..... isn't iiit?"
WHAT IS THIS VIDEO HALP
posted by thedaniel at 3:22 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by thedaniel at 3:22 PM PST - 4 comments
Short film from 1980s childrens show: automatic breakfast maker
Back in the day when Duoshao was a tyke, namely the late 70s/early 80s, one of the children's shows such as Electric Company or something similar periodically showed a short film of a complex machine that cooked breakfast. Does anyone remember this? I'd love to watch it again. [more inside]
posted by duoshao at 3:15 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by duoshao at 3:15 PM PST - 13 comments
Best structured paper planner?
I'm looking for a more structured, goal-oriented paper planner. Any thoughts? [more inside]
Cheap way to transport max amount of stuff on flight "checked bag"?
I'm moving across the U.S. and have very little to take with me. I'm planning to fly and take 3 checked bags and 1 carry on. I own no airline luggage. What's the cheapest and safest way to do this? [more inside]
posted by topsykretts at 2:39 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by topsykretts at 2:39 PM PST - 17 comments
My Colds Are Worse Than Your Colds
Why do I get such severe colds and is there anything I can do to relieve my symptoms when I get one? [more inside]
posted by toby_ann at 2:37 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by toby_ann at 2:37 PM PST - 21 comments
Creating, editing, and administering surveys on a tablet w/o internet
Does anyone know of any applications that allow you to create, edit, and administer surveys, all offline and on a tablet (Android)? Ideally the application would save responses as a .csv or another file format that's amenable to data analysis. I'm currently using KoBo Toolbox, which allows you to administer surveys offline, but it doesn't seem to allow me to edit existing surveys or upload new surveys when I'm out of internet access. (I conduct research in remote regions where internet is not available for long periods of time.) Thanks in advance! [more inside]
posted by mrmanvir at 2:19 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by mrmanvir at 2:19 PM PST - 8 comments
Can I post an Orange France prepaid envelope from the UK
I need to return an Orange France identification coupon in the next few weeks. It has a prepaid envelope, but I'm in the UK for the next six weeks. How can I post it from here? [more inside]
posted by Helga-woo at 1:30 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Helga-woo at 1:30 PM PST - 10 comments
How do you batch change the location and date of photos in Mac?
So I took a bunch of photos on a trip to Japan and the time and date are wrong on all of them because of a mistaken camera setting. Is there a way to change the metadata for the files somehow all at once instead of one at a time?
Special Snowflake Edition: What do you feed a toothless cat with IBD?
Looking for food suggestions for a very soft canned cat food for an older cat with no teeth and possible IBD. Snowflakes galore ahead! [more inside]
When the words “stupid” & “slow” are thrown at you...
I’m a 30 year old man who was bullied to a certain degree back in middle-school. I came to the states as a 4th grader. I went to a Catholic school, and was the only new kid in class. At the time, English was not my primary language and dreaded reading out in class due to my thick accent. I was laughed at, and called “stupid” or “slow” from time to time. Those two words have continued to haunt me from time to time up until now. [more inside]
PTSD Recovery - Meditations and Other Resouces Needed
There's a friend who is looking to get some relief from long-standing symptoms that have stuck through every therapy known to mankind and now they want to start doing meditations specific for war-trauma related PTSD. Of course they need to be accessible online and effective, preferably with guided imagery, preferably designed to re-regulate the autonomic nervous system. Specific meditations on breathing, regulating emotions connected to PTSD such as anxiety, depression and helplessness. [more inside]
posted by watercarrier at 8:23 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by watercarrier at 8:23 AM PST - 9 comments
What can I do and can't I do about climate change?
Ever since the XKCD post on global climate change, I've had a chicken-little sky-is-falling mindset that has influenced just about every realm of my life. What's the point of saving for retirement if the earth melts? How can I work for a corporation that produces goods at an industrial scale? Which bag of quinoa is better for the environment? Paper or plastic? Please help me get past this paralysis and back to life. [more inside]
How can mom travel if dad depends on her and is afraid of terrorism?
My mom is nearing 70, and she wants to travel. For example, she really wants to go on a cruise in Europe and see the Vatican. I very much want her to travel because she does so much for our family and no one is more deserving. My dad, though, is afraid of terrorism and the unknown. [more inside]
posted by wuMeFi at 12:51 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by wuMeFi at 12:51 AM PST - 20 comments
Paging Dr Woo...
Who at a hospital is responsible for compliance to medical "norms"? What happens if a doctor starts prescribing things that fall outside of medicine or his/her expertise? [more inside]
Who were the scary people who taught me to speak French?
Long ago back when the world was young, Mater Octorok tried to get me to learn French by making me watch videotapes of French language kids' TV. There are three series I particularly remember. One was Téléfrancais, one was French In Action, and the third was...freaking weird. This is what I can recall about it... [more inside]
September 17
Remove stain caused by the stain remover
Sprayed my couch with Nature's Miracle -- it caused a bigger stain! How can I remove it? [more inside]
Help Me Makeup
I'm a grown-ass woman (48 in a couple of weeks) and I have no idea how to wear make-up. I just never really learned. I don't like wearing it and only do it for rare special occasions, maybe twice a year or so, and whenever I do I realize that I don't really know what I'm doing. I have decided that this is unacceptable at my age, and so I turn to the sage wisdom of AskMe. [more inside]
posted by stennieville at 8:11 PM PST - 40 comments
posted by stennieville at 8:11 PM PST - 40 comments
Lakes District or Inner Hebrides?
Ms. Window and I are heading to Scotland and The North in mid-October. We have a chance to spend two days in the Lakes District or two days on Mull and Iona, islands of the Inner Hebrides. Which should we select? Difficulty: Ms. Window has trouble walking long distances and for long durations, so we'll be bringing her electric mobility scooter. [more inside]
posted by infinitewindow at 7:15 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by infinitewindow at 7:15 PM PST - 8 comments
Making on offer on an overpriced (multi-unit) property?
Why do sellers overprice a property, and what will convince them to take a lower offer? What should I do about these specific properties that I am interested in? [more inside]
Help me find a specific background / screensaver / wallpaper
Around 1997-99, one of the common background choices was a figure walking uphill (from left to right), through fir trees and snow as I recall. Not sure if it was an overexposed photo or a drawing. Very little detail -- stark. I think it was a Windows choice, but it might have been a manufacturer's -- HP, for example. Hope me!
Coming this fall on NBC! In Color!
NBC's Timeless - Is the music from the trailer an actual Song? [more inside]
posted by sandra_s at 5:17 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by sandra_s at 5:17 PM PST - 2 comments
I want to work on the railroad.
Hi, long time reader, first time asker! I'm interested in working for the railroad, and I'm wondering if anyone one has input about getting hired, and more specifically pivoting from a different field. [more inside]
How to forward emails to an Epson printer
I'm running an event. I'd like for guests to be able to email photos to photos@exampleevent.com, and for the attachments to be forwarded to an Epson PictureMate PM-400 for immediate printing. The Epson has an email address like epson1234@print.epsonconnect.com. If I email that address directly, it prints. So this should be easy, right? Wrong. [more inside]
posted by caek at 4:33 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by caek at 4:33 PM PST - 6 comments
Accepting flaws in long-term relationships
My partner is incredibly kind and loving to me, and I'm very happy with her, but she can lash out at others. How can I put my anxiety about this to rest? [more inside]
rust repair for a non handy person
I just bought a vintage sewing machine, which has a rust problem on one panel. [more inside]
Source of unsolicited Ayn Rand?
I received a copy of Atlas Shrugged in the mail today. Where did this come from? [more inside]
What kind of meal-delivery subscription box is right for me?
As someone trying to make eating healthy easy, cheap, and convenient, what kind of meal-delivery subscription box is right for me? There are so many options now! [more inside]
What should I ask my mom to get me in Scotland?
My mom is flying to Scotland today for a long business trip. She texted me asking if there is anything I wanted from there. She used to always get me tea on these trips, but I'm cutting it out of my diet. What should I ask for that's not too expensive? Something I can't get in the U.S. Midwest.
Can You Help Me Find Classroom Lectures?
I am in search of recorded classroom lectures available online - preferably high school or middle school level (though college is okay if it's not crazy difficult like Nuclear Physics or Advanced Shakespeare). More details inside, if necessary: [more inside]
Help me find this DJ/composer: Japanese, contemporary, recent
I came across a DJ/composer recently (in the last year / 18mos). He may have been featured on the blue. The work that I remember listening to was 10-25mins long, quite active, and sounded a bit like channel-flipping — very contrasting sections were juxtaposed with very sharp transitions. I'm almost certain the artist was Japanese. I can't remember for sure whether the instruments were electronic, classical, or a mix. Please help!
posted by sixswitch at 11:40 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by sixswitch at 11:40 AM PST - 5 comments
Graffitree
How do I cover up graffiti on exposed heartwood of a live tree in a way that won't harm the tree and is dark enough to discourage such defacement again? [more inside]
Pattern recognition
What subculture of guys wears Hawaiian shirts and combat boots? [more inside]
What could this compass graph represent?
This compass is on all of the Bucharest Metro maps on the interior walls of the trains. There's no accompanying scale information or other hints as to what it refers to. [more inside]
Name that accordion player
On previous dead computer, I had an album of Django-esque accordion music, much of it with vocals. I can't remember the artist and I can't remember any of the song titles except for "Mister Sandman." I believe most of the songs references European places, at least Berlin and Barcelona. Also a song about ticket collecting on public transportation. It was from the past ten years or close to that. Go! Thanks!
posted by pynchonesque at 10:12 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by pynchonesque at 10:12 AM PST - 3 comments
Paging librarians of Metafilter... running out of sanity
Need to format citations for a paper using Mendeley. Unfortunately, the formatting requirements provided by my institution, although specific, do not list the style name. I have been trying to find the style / create a new style using editor.citationstyles.org but I just cannot seem to figure this out.
Can someone point me to the right style? [more inside]
posted by M. at 9:47 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by M. at 9:47 AM PST - 11 comments
I have an idea for a book...what now?
I have a great idea for a type of reference book. I'd love to make it a reality as I think it could really be useful to a lot of people. I only have the idea though. What do I do now?
What's my job title?
I've worked in an evolving role for a growing company for more than a decade. I've learnt a lot of skills along the way but my degree is not in any of these skill areas. My job title is a bit of an odd one that doesn't really describe what I do and is rather misleading. If I wanted to get a new job, what are some job titles I should be searching for that fit my experience? [more inside]
posted by KateViolet at 8:05 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by KateViolet at 8:05 AM PST - 7 comments
Does anyone ever get away from the police helicopter?
Shows like Police, Camera, Action! and Police Interceptors are a guilty pleasure. Watching these shows, it seems like once the police helicopter comes out, the person being chased is done for — they always get caught. Is this because the TV programmes don't show cases where the criminal escapes, or is it just impossible to get away once the helicopter comes out? [more inside]
The Third Man--How many different ways can you watch it?
Michael Winner once stated that those studying film should watch the Third Man one hundred times instead of going to film school.
Could some people offer at least 25 suggestions of specific things I can watch for while viewing this film to learn more about making movies? (I realize, of course, that to make movies, you need to just film as well, but much is learned from viewing.)
(Half of) The world is my oyster, so where should I go?
I'm flying out of the Caribbean on a Wednesday and need to arrive in South Africa on Sunday. Where should a solo traveler spend a couple-day stopover in between the two? [more inside]
posted by exutima at 5:57 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by exutima at 5:57 AM PST - 6 comments
The Professor is Not Quite In
Finishing up a PhD program in the humanities and I still can't figure out if I like academia. In the meantime, I'm supposed to be applying for jobs. Seeking some perspective from people who've been here. [more inside]
Help me stop burning pots and pans!
I am new to cooking, burned my stainless steel pan, and want to understand why I did and how to prevent doing it again. [more inside]
One hearing aid and one earbud
I have one bad ear and one good ear. Would there be any way to wear one hearing aid and one earbud and have my phone push audio to both of them at once? [more inside]
posted by roll truck roll at 12:09 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by roll truck roll at 12:09 AM PST - 7 comments
September 16
Could it be that my cabbage was never capable of cabbaging?
I am in Sydney, Australia. In the last week of April I planted seedlings that the garden centre had labelled as cabbage. They produced big beautiful leaves, but never headed. I assumed it was because it never really got properly cold. I was planning to rip them out soon, but they got taller and taller, and now they have started to produce thingies on the stem that look a lot like brussels sprouts. Could it be a mix-up with the seedlings? [more inside]
Who was this writer
made a splash in the late 1990s as a teenage journalist from Alaska, became far right under Bush, renegged at the end of that war. Called himself gonzo, had a few books out, wrote for playboy for a while, published by mtv news. White dude?
posted by PinkMoose at 11:26 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by PinkMoose at 11:26 PM PST - 3 comments
Cheer up! Why does certain music elicit sadness?
Does certain music (like film scores or classical music, not lyrics) elicit feelings such as sadness, fear, or inspiration because we are socialized to respond that way, or is there an innate explanation? Moonlight Sonata, for instance, is beautifully melancholy. Certain film scores prepare you to feel fearful or sad before anything scary or bad even happens.
Work life balance between spouses
My husband was laid off from his job 5 months ago through absolutely no fault of his own. He has been working hard to find a new job and has had no luck until recently. To cut a long story short, we expect he will soon be offered a job working 3 days a week for $15k a year. It will be a fun, enjoyable job with very little stress and he's excited about it. I'm happy for him but not happy about the low wages or part time nature of the work. I work 5 days a week and earn $100k a year in a stressful job. [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 10:02 PM PST - 43 comments
posted by hazyjane at 10:02 PM PST - 43 comments
What happens after a person is caught stealing drugs?
My co-workers and I work with and have access to many controlled drugs. Recently a co-worker was caught stealing a schedule II injectable drug. This person was caught in the act on surveillance cameras and by another co-worker. They were escorted off our work premises and at some point officially terminated. My co-workers and I want to know what is going to happen to this person, but management will not discuss it. What are the chain of events has this act set in motion?
Inconvenient sexual kinks and long-term relationships
Gentle, compassionate man seeks intelligent, self-assured woman for a life of emotional intimacy, tenderness, and borderline violent and demeaning sex. :( How could this possibly work? [more inside]
Low White Blood Cell Count- What does it mean?
My husband is going to donating stem cells for an anonymous recipient through Be The Match in a few weeks. I'm very proud of him! We are concerned though about some test results he just got back during the screening process. His white blood cell count was 2.9, while we were told the average is 4.50 - 11.00. [more inside]
Need some guidance in making a decision about eye surgery
100000 mile road warrior/contractor facing vitrectomy eye surgery for a detached retina on Monday. Will have to have my head down and be homebound for about ten days and miss five days of work. Prior to the surgery I must choose between having a gas or silicone oil bubble injected into my eye. Help me to frame the issues in a way that will allow me to make a good decision. I have good insurance so that's not part of the equation. [more inside]
Can I eat it?
Supermarket roast chicken from Tuesday; it's been stored in a glass tupperware in the fridge in shredded form. Today is Friday. Google says 3-4 days for a cooked chicken. So we're on the edge. I rilly want to mix this in with some instant ramen noodles. Worth the risk?
Where can you go on vacation and leave the driving to others?
I live in Tennessee and just got back from a cruise, we got ourselves to Nashville airport and was chauffeured from that point forward, shuttle to hotel, shuttle to ship, tours at our ports. It was so relaxing not having to drive and just let others do it for you. What are some vacations that would be like this besides a cruise? I just don't enjoy driving in strange places and am willing to pay for it once a year. Needs to be in USA although we did go to the Caribbean on the cruise.
What to call 1980's up-sing?
Is there a name for the vocal up-swing at the end of a line in a song?
Two good examples of what I'm talking about in Walking in LA and I Eat Cannibals
posted by RobotHero at 3:24 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by RobotHero at 3:24 PM PST - 8 comments
Online service for keeping my Canadian phone # when I move overseas?
I'm leaving Canada soon and would like to retain some use of my current phone number, which I use with my iPhone on the Rogers network. Recommendations for service? [more inside]
Cultural membership ideas for someone in NYC for one semester
My sister-in-law, originally from Europe, is a visiting student in NYC this Fall. For her upcoming birthday, I thought a cultural membership or NYC experience would be fun. Maybe something her student budget would not ordinarily be spent towards. Based on this question and other threads, I thought membership to MoMa, Whitney, or New Museum may be options. The only issue is that she is only here from now till December 2016 and the memberships are for 1 year. Or maybe a trapeze class. [more inside]
Where to shop for mid-century German ceramics in NYC?
I really like German mid-century art pottery -- think Scheurich, Ruscha, etc. And there's lots of it available at decent prices . . . in Europe. Where I live, it seems to be limited to a few expensive specimen pieces in mid-century furniture stores. But I'll be visiting New York City soon, and they have all the shopping in the world there, right? Where should I go for a good selection in the sub-$50 range? [more inside]
What does the word "skin" mean in the context of the fine art market?
I inquired online about the price of a particular work of art from a gallery in greater Boston. The response contained the following sentence: "This particular piece is listed for $X which is certainly a great deal of money and yet, relative to a lot of the contemporary fine art world, given his skin, demand, and sizing it is a good price."
What does the word "skin" mean in this context? Or is it just a typo for "skill"?
posted by slenderloris at 12:20 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by slenderloris at 12:20 PM PST - 4 comments
Help us with a kid naming issue, OMG, SMH, IMO...
Do you ever use your full initials including middle name(s) for anything? If a person's full initials spell out a common... ummm, mildly risqué word is that going to be a problem? [more inside]
Quicker way to load Mega.co.nz photo thumbnails
I use Mega for a catch-all photo backup. This is in addition to backups of select photos that I really want to keep.
I found a reason to access that backup finally now after a few years of using it. I have 3000 photos to look through though. Loading the image thumbnails is so slow it would take months to find the photos this way.
How can I find the photo I'm looking for? [more inside]
posted by jago25_98 at 11:31 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by jago25_98 at 11:31 AM PST - 3 comments
Help me feel patriotic in the face of four years of Trump
I have largely NOPE’d out of election coverage since the trend lines at 538 started moving the wrong way. I’m looking for media -of any sort- that can help provide some uplift about the country during this time and (potentially) during the next four years. Speeches, books, essays, poetry, music, TV, whatever. These could have a grimness to them, but should not be a pure critique. They should be about the country and its people enduring and recovering. Thanks!
How do I work around rheumatoid arthritis?
I am a developer and self-employed, and I just found out my pain issues may be Lyme or Rheumatoid Arthritis (or, you know, both). How do I stop ignoring my pain and learn to cope with it? [more inside]
Online games for the mildly demented snob
Can you suggest a web based computer game that might appeal to my aging mother who is obsessed with sitting in front of the computer all day? She will like something that seems "artistic" and will turn her nose up at something that she perceives as being for the hoi palloi. [more inside]
Can I have it all?
Advice as I enter my 30s... [more inside]
Who should I follow on twitter for LA?
I like getting my news and local flavor from twitter. In Chicago I follow some local journalists, activists and media outlets. Who should I follow now that I'm moving to Los Angeles [more inside]
posted by Uncle at 10:13 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Uncle at 10:13 AM PST - 6 comments
Can you help us fine-tune Pinterest?
Mrs. Werkzeuger has a Pinterest account and it's driving her crazy. Specifically, how do you teach it to not bombard you with bible quotes and weight loss advice? [more inside]
posted by werkzeuger at 9:38 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by werkzeuger at 9:38 AM PST - 14 comments
He loves me, but he can't open up
My partner of 2.5 years can’t talk to me about the most significant relationship of his life. I want to understand this better. [more inside]
posted by yawper at 8:52 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by yawper at 8:52 AM PST - 32 comments
Mattress Suggestions for Back Pain
Mattress suggestions for mid-and-lower back pain? [more inside]
posted by too bad you're not me at 8:40 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by too bad you're not me at 8:40 AM PST - 24 comments
How can I get my cat to like dogs?
I would like to get a dog sometime in the next few years. My cat does not like dogs. I don’t want to adopt a dog and realize later that she’ll never come around. Is there a way I can acclimate her to dogs now, before I own one? [more inside]
Lots of press, very few sales. How do I promote my book to real readers?
I had a book published by Wiley this year (YAY!). It was a labor of love, and I believe it will help A LOT of people, but I am very shy about self-promotion. I speak at conferences all over the world, but my employer (who owns the book rights) will only allow me to give away copies, not sell them at these events, so all the excitement only amounts to a handful of sales when I speak.
How do I get the word out to real readers, and expand my readership without looking like a self-promoting windbag? I am willing to spend $, but I want to spend it wisely. [more inside]
I am having issues with French customs
Please help me get a book to a customer in France. [more inside]
Sabbatical destination with cosmopolitan group of scientists
Where are the academic (or other) research group/sub-departments - in any science discipline! - that live up to the fantasy of eloquent free-wheeling idea exchange and cosmopolitanism, while still doing science. [more inside]
How to deal with angry customers when I'm an angry author?
A few months ago, I wrote a novel. I sold a few hundred copies. Now my buyers want to know where their books are and... I don't know. [more inside]
Name that sci-fi book
Help me rebuild my flooded house with an eye towards selling it.
I own a house in Louisiana that was heavily damaged in the recent flooding, and was gutted to the studs. Now I've got to start making decisions about putting it back together, and the intention is to immediately put it on the market to sell. I am overwhelmed by the thought of picking ALL THE THINGS, and I don't know where to start. Any advice or resources are welcome! [more inside]
Being productive with pain and sleep issues
Searching the hive mind for queen bees...
With Hillary Clinton favourite to win the US presidency, at which other points in history (if any) could it be argued that the most powerful person in the world was a woman?
Designing CNC-cut plywood joinery
I have basically unlimited access to machines with CNC routing capabilities, but I'm not any good at design and layout. So I need some guidance. [more inside]
term for situation like 'you're not in traffic, you are traffic'
Is there a term for or a turn of phrase describing the situation where someone is complaining about a problem while not recognising that they are a part of the problem? The traffic saying is the obvious one, but also: tourists complaining that somewhere they visited was ruined because it had too many tourists, or that sort of thing.
(if not, I'm copyrighting the "precipitate paradox" to cover these scenarios...)
posted by AFII at 4:00 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by AFII at 4:00 AM PST - 14 comments
"Let's support each other" to toxic co-workers -- does this help?
Does the tactic of saying, "Let's support each other, have each others' backs, and give honest and open feedback" ever really help at work? This academic year, established teams have been switched about and all the toxic people have been scattered and are now working with new people. [more inside]
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 2:43 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 2:43 AM PST - 16 comments
September 15
How can I replace my Sony Vaio laptop screen?
Where can I find a replacement screen for my Sony Vaio T Series Ultrabook (SVT13125CXS)? [more inside]
Interesting TV shows (or movies) with kind, loving characters
I'm looking for TV shows (or movies) that star, or heavily feature characters who are kind and loving to each other, who grow and develop into better people, and who are (often) genuinely trying or doing their best. If there are multiple characters you would want to hang out with in person, that's probably a show for me! I'd especially love to know who you'd want to hang out with and why in your answers. [more inside]
posted by freyley at 9:27 PM PST - 75 comments
posted by freyley at 9:27 PM PST - 75 comments
Carved mystery antique - ID needed before I go nuts
I found this mystery object in a box at an antique/junk shop in Mississauga, Ontario and I'm wondering if anyone out there has any idea it is.
Imgur Album [more inside]
Make making envelopes easier
I've been making envelopes from old books, both for myself to use and to sell in my etsy shop. My current method often inexplicably yields crooked ones, plus I think there's a faster way to do this. Also, I've yet to track down peel-off adhesive strips that I can put on for people to close them. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 6:43 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by mermaidcafe at 6:43 PM PST - 9 comments
Graded French reading comprehension (in a box!)
Looking for a box of graded French reading comprehension cards. [more inside]
posted by mukade at 6:33 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by mukade at 6:33 PM PST - 2 comments
Bike odometer/computer mystery
My bike odometer works fine for my morning ride to the office but never works on the way home. Huh? [more inside]
posted by Mid at 6:31 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Mid at 6:31 PM PST - 8 comments
Using circles to present data results—is this called something? What?
At my job, we use a reporting tool that returns quantitative results (from a feedback form) using circles—an empty or “lighter” circle, which is actually a circle with a small black dot in the center indicates a lower value, while a darker circle (partially filled with a large black dot or entirely filled) represents a higher value. What is this graph called? [more inside]
posted by dreamphone at 5:54 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by dreamphone at 5:54 PM PST - 7 comments
Nana had a tetradrachm
Kids on bikes versus Bad Guys
Kids on bikes escaping / racing a bunch of none-too-friendly adults. Looking for examples of this in movies / tv. Question inspired by Stranger Things and ET. (probably BMX Bandits, too, though I have only hazy memories of it) If someone knows what this falls under on TV Tropes, that works too. Bad Guys could be government, could be criminals.
Cats are not like dogs that poop in a box.
We're first time cat owners. Iris is a youngish adult kitty we were told was someone else's pet before we adopted her. I am near the end of my rope with her scratching behaviors. [more inside]
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 3:13 PM PST - 57 comments
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 3:13 PM PST - 57 comments
Locking in Heating Oil?
Hello, prognosticators and speculators! Look into your oily, viscous crystal tarball. With crude oil at $43.76 per barrel today, and an email in my inbox from MassEnergy (of which I am a member) informing me of a webinar I won't be awake for, I'm wondering: should I lock in my heating oil price while it's still warm out? If so, what's good timing? I expect to use 350 gallons of oil this year. I'm in MA, about 10 miles west of Boston Harbor.
[previously from 2008, when oil was $98/barrel ... paging mjjj, how did it go?]
Freelance to full-time: how to prepare
After finishing my master's this summer, I'm returning to full-time employment in a couple of weeks. The problem is that I've been freelancing for nearly a decade and haven't worked on-site regularly in almost four years. What should I be doing now to prepare for such a major change in my work situation? [more inside]
Recommendations for a super simple Apple Watch app/game for kids to play
My church kids love my Apple Watch, but unfortunately, there isn't a lot of flashy stuff to show them anymore. I need recommendations for an app/game appropriate for 3-5 year olds, so something really really simple like a sound effects board or drawing program. Something with big buttons, lots of colors, and preferably sound effects!
Give me your best Lamb Curry!
I need a recipe for a fantastic lamb curry that would be fit for a milestone birthday dinner. [more inside]
posted by PearlRose at 2:36 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by PearlRose at 2:36 PM PST - 12 comments
Is this a really boring drug ring?
How is a pharmacy providing me a prescription for free that isn't covered by my insurance? [more inside]
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 2:29 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 2:29 PM PST - 7 comments
Advice on knitting patterns/techniques for revolutionary war re-enactors
My housemate who is recently retired has been supplementing her income with knitting projects. She has more or less saturated the local LARP scene with gloves, scarves and belt pouches, and has discovered that there is a local revolutionary war reenactment society that could use period-accurate knitted goods. Are there good resources out there for patterns, techniques, short-cuts, and so forth that would suit that sort of practical historical costuming?
Traveling to Puerto Rico
Looking for thoughts or suggestion or trip to Puerto Rico in nov. [more inside]
Would this amount of mortgage be a bad idea for someone with my income?
I'm looking into buying a house for the first time, and I need opinions on whether the amount of mortgage I'm looking at is a bad idea. [more inside]
posted by monologish at 1:49 PM PST - 43 comments
posted by monologish at 1:49 PM PST - 43 comments
Where to Buy a Custom Choker Like Lil Uzi Vert?
I'm interested in buying a necklace with hanging alphabet beads like rapper Lil Uzi Vert often wears. Here's a photo of his LUV necklace. Here's a video where he's wearing a DORA and THUGGER necklace. [more inside]
How to help a senior who can't find a job
My friend Jenna (alias), a 62-year old woman, very smart and capable, lost her cashier job of 30-some years about a year ago. She's freaking out and has asked me for help. Now I'm freaking out! [more inside]
Dallas in one day
Starting this Saturday I will be in Dallas for a conference for five days. Most of Sunday will be free. What are some nice things to do to explore a bit of the city in one day? I love just walking around a new-to-me city, what would be a good area to do that, and how do I get there? I will be staying near East Transfer Center. Any advice on cheapish breakfast options around there are also appreciated.
How do I get back into a coding career?
I got a CS degree 6 years ago but didn't get a job coding (but my job is technical). Job listings all seem to require 3+ years industry experience. Any suggestions as to how I might get into development at this point? [more inside]
Boundary setting with friends
How do you set boundaries with friends? I have a friend who's going through a rough time, and I'd like to support her, but it's sometimes quite challenging. Snowflakes after the jump. [more inside]
posted by pocksuppetteer at 11:56 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by pocksuppetteer at 11:56 AM PST - 14 comments
I took antibiotics and now my intestines are unhappy
I have had a really rough month, with the worst asthma attack I can remember having, which resulted in a course of steroids and a Z-pack (antibiotics.) Now my stomach is extremely unhappy with me. What concrete, supported-by-actual-science steps can I take to finish recovering? [more inside]
posted by SMPA at 11:32 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by SMPA at 11:32 AM PST - 23 comments
And then there were two.
My wonderful partner and I are looking for resources on how to strengthen our relationship and move on from some past issues. We are already set to attend couples counseling and are looking for things we can practice and dedicate energy to in the interim. What are things that you've done in your own relationships to make them stronger? We are especially interested in advice concerning trust building.
Gift suggestions for a fireplace lover
What's a good fireplace-related gift for someone? [more inside]
How buggy should kale be?
I got my first delivery from a new CSA and was super-excited about the kale. Until I realized that the kale was buggy--very buggy. How buggy should kale be? [more inside]
Parking Saturday to Thursday in Philadelphia
Visiting Philadelphia from Saturday afternoon (9/17) through Thursday morning (9/22}. Staying at an airbnb that's reasonably close to the 2nd St Metro station. What's my best option for parking that won't cost both arms and legs? [more inside]
posted by miratime at 10:51 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by miratime at 10:51 AM PST - 10 comments
Solution needed for vetting new partner companies
I work in fraud prevention for a medium-sized online company based in the US. Our service allows domestic and international vendors to sell to our customer base using our platform. Think Etsy or AirBnB, with one major difference: buyers have no way to rate vendors or leave public feedback. Please trust that this is one part of our site and culture that is not going to change. The responsibility for vetting our vendors lies with us, and here’s where the problem comes in. There has got to be a way for us to do this better. [more inside]
What is this plant in my yard?
Can you identify this plant that has sprouted in my yard, in a few spots? [more inside]
posted by hydra77 at 10:11 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by hydra77 at 10:11 AM PST - 8 comments
A midnight critter is nibbling on my fruit! Help me ID/handle it
On my counter I keep a bowl of fruit and vegetables. Each morning I wake up to find little nibbles in the fruit, which I then discard. This has happened for about a week. What could it be? [more inside]
posted by 4midori at 9:51 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by 4midori at 9:51 AM PST - 10 comments
What could these symptoms mean?
Asking for a friend who will see their primary and a specialist - what are some possible explanations for these symptoms? Friend would like to have some questions to ask their primary. [more inside]
New Careerfilter: You used to work with your SO and now you don't
I'm excited for a possible career change over the next few years. I currently work with my SO. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
What does Ubuntu contribute towards a Chromebook experience?
Now that, through a previous exchange, I sorted out my Chromebook, I'm reading about installing Ubuntu on it.
I can find how to do it but, really, I can't find why to do it.
I love my Chromebook and I have no problems with it.
But I am curious as to how Ubuntu could make it better.
Any explanations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Should I go back to the doctor over being fatigued?
A week ago I suddenly became ill, apparently with some sort of virus. Symptoms included sore throat, general feeling of being dazed, inability to concentrate, queasiness of stomach (did not vomit, but almost did), lack of appetite, and sinus congestion. I went to the doctor, who gave me some meds to combat the symptoms. However, the fatigue has not gone away and may even be getting worse. Should I go back to the doctor, or should I just suck it up and try to push through my responsibilities, delaying a doctor's appointment until perhaps if the fatigue continues for another week? [more inside]
a curry to die for
Experienced canners, please help me make and preserve a delicious botulism-free coconut pumpkin curry sauce. [more inside]
posted by headnsouth at 7:31 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by headnsouth at 7:31 AM PST - 14 comments
Undershirt Assistance
I'm looking for a specific style of tank top & could use a hand. [more inside]
Should I buy a new car or stick with what I've got?
I owe $9,000 on my 2011 Ford F-150 with 67k miles that I purchased used in 2012. It has been a great truck, especially when I lived up in the mountains. I used it a fair amount for my business, which is advertised on the side, and the expenses are run through the business. Now I go to school in the city and it's not so practical. Is it worth finding something new? [more inside]
Help me become a happy hill marathoner
I’ve just signed up to run a marathon with 5,000ft of ascent in February. I’m excited! If you’re an experienced hill runner, what tips and tricks can you short-cut me to, to help make this step-up to happy hill marathoner go smoothly? [more inside]
I accidentally lowballed myself at a job interview
I had an informal job interview (more of a chat with the business owner) last week. It was my first job interview in 15 years. She surprised me (I know! I know!) by asking me what I expected to earn... [more inside]
Niagara Falls with a Baby
We are thinking of going to Niagara Falls (Canada) in March. What can I do with a baby while the six-year-old and husband are at the water park? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 4:41 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by ficbot at 4:41 AM PST - 6 comments
How to prevent a hangover?
This Sunday, I'm going to get drunk. Probably really drunk. Is there anything I can do beforehand to prevent a hangover? [more inside]
posted by zardoz at 4:24 AM PST - 54 comments
posted by zardoz at 4:24 AM PST - 54 comments
Running to weights: Help me with my special snowflake workout program?
I’m a longtime triathlete who’s been asked to stop doing bouncy, ballistic-type activities for awhile, and no exercise on my back. I can ride a little and I can swim a little, but I can’t run, which is my primary passion. I figure I should probably start weightlifting more anyway, since I’m over 40 and need to worry about losing muscle mass. [more inside]
Fermentation: how make naturally carbonated beverages that are sweet?
I've been making ginger beer naturally, using a ginger bug in swing top bottles. My goal is to get a dry, very fizzy ginger beverage. I'm wondering if it's possible to do this and have the beverage be mostly dry, but not completely devoid of sugar. [more inside]
posted by cotterpin at 4:04 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by cotterpin at 4:04 AM PST - 13 comments
Cooking in Japan, level 2: buy tiny oven, or buy crockpot?
On my 6th year of living in Japan, spent those years cooking with tabletop burners. Have moved to place that is not microscopic, so thinking of adding new gadget. Should I get an oven, or a crockpot? [more inside]
posted by sacchan at 1:33 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by sacchan at 1:33 AM PST - 16 comments
Prove it! Evidence based health blogs.
I'm looking to expand my knowledge about the latest research and breakthroughs in the areas of health, medicine, nutrition and fitness. What are some good resources to peruse? [more inside]
September 14
Kindly animated movies about the lonely and marginalized
I recently saw But Milk is Important and Mary and Max and realized that I like this kind of movie — a stop-motion or animated film about sympathetic characters wrestling with their loneliness, neuroses or mental illness, and perhaps finding love or connection anyhow. Can you think of other similar movies or shorts along these lines?
Freezer-friendly but flavorful?
I like to cook and freeze a big batch of something once a week so that my freezer stays loaded with a variety of meals. I'm bored with my usual rotation, so I'm looking for some new pescatarian recipes that freeze well. Most importantly, they have to be heavy on flavor and complex/interesting enough that I'll still be excited to eat them for the upteenth time in a given month- beans and rice ain't gonna cut it. [more inside]
The Room Where It Happens
How do you trust yourself? How do you draw upon a consistent sense of your goals and preferences and actual emotions about things? [more inside]
Plumbing Filter: Temperature changes in shower with new cartridge
I recently replaced the cartridge in a Moen shower faucet. Since then, we've been getting weird water temperature issues. In the morning, you have to crank the temperature way down or the water is way too hot. In the evening, you have to crank it way up or the shower is freezing. I am not a plumber. [more inside]
Safe to eat raw black beans?
On a whim I bought raw fresh black beans at the farmers market. I simmered them for about 45 minutes, but they're still firm. Can I eat them? [more inside]
posted by postel's law at 5:29 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by postel's law at 5:29 PM PST - 17 comments
Rental car companies which will allow me to rent a car/truck and tow?
What rental car companies will let me rent a pickup truck or SUV and allow me to tow another vehicle behind it in a one-way US move? (Note: many companies rent vehicles with town hitches but do not permit towing, I'd like to do this within policy to avoid insurance issues) [more inside]
Where could I buy a Russian language textbook about American history?
I'd like to buy a university-style textbook (or another general survey book) on U.S. history written in the Russian language. Basically, I'm looking for the book that a Russian university would use for it's equivalent to History of the United States 101. Thanks! [more inside]
How do you prevent headaches after work?
My job involves a lot of public speaking, meetings, and collaboration with colleagues, and I often find that after work I have a headache. I say after work because I either do not have the pain while working or do not notice it while working. I am guessing that these must be cause by tension or stress, but how should I go about preventing them? Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
posted by mortaddams at 3:48 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by mortaddams at 3:48 PM PST - 16 comments
London tourist: Nightlife edition
We are a couple in mid 20s first time visiting London for 6 nights (Sept 18 - 24) and looking for recommendations for things to do in the evenings. More details below the fold. [more inside]
How did Seinfeld dress?
I grew up watching Seinfeld, but didn't really have a personal conception of style while the show was airing. I watch reruns, and I think that the costuming is sort of... "dorky 90s department store". However, I'm curious, when Seinfeld was contemporary, how fashionable would those clothes have been? What was being conveyed with the clothing choices of the main characters?
Can I claim against multiple accidental death & dismemberment policies?
I was recently injured in a car accident while on vacation, in a way that makes me eligible for a "dismemberment" payout in an accidental death and dismemberment insurance policy. Through a stroke of luck (if you can call it that) it turns out I'm covered by three such policies for this incident. I have AD&D insurance through my employer, I booked the flights on a credit card that offers AD&D for the duration of the trip, and I booked my rental car through a different brand of credit card that also has an AD&D clause. [more inside]
How to know where my bathroom tile came from?
Damage was done to two tiles and they need to be replaced. But how? [more inside]
compression clothes for after surgery
I had surgery last week. Recovery is going well and I feel great, except I'm pretty sure I'm going to boil alive in the compression. Please help me find alternative compression clothes. [more inside]
Best time tracking and scheduling tools for a small team?
What are your favorite tools for collaborative time tracking and scheduling? My business partner and I want to be able to schedule our time and track it in the same place. (And we eventually might add other people.) We need a flexible tool (so like, not restricted to fifteen minutes or whatever). Paid is cool as long as it's not a gajillion dollars for enterprise level stuff that we do not need.
How to Negiotiate for More Vacation Time?
I'm strongly considering a job offer and while I'm pleased with the salary and benefits I'd like more vacation time. [more inside]
Best capacitive touch monitor for Windows?
Almost two years ago today I posted a question about whether we could use OS X with a touch-screen, and mostly the response was no. Now I'm back asking which capacitive touch monitors would be best on Windows! We are resigned to setting up dual boot on this Mac Mini so we can finally get a better touchscreen. [more inside]
Where can I find a Japanese onsen towel?
I can't figure out how to find a towel like I brought home from Japan. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by spbmp at 1:26 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by spbmp at 1:26 PM PST - 13 comments
What kind of pumpkin beer will I like
I don't like beer, but a couple years ago at a gathering I had a Shipyard Pumpkinhead that wasn't too bad. If I liked that, what other pumpkin beers would I like? [more inside]
LARPing the Cold War
I would love to play an Alternate Reality Game based on cold war spying that involved missions, spycraft, and participants wearing cool suits from the 1960s and tracking each other at a mall or performing dead drops or something like that. How could I make this happen? [more inside]
Looking for nanny or daycare for toddler for a few days - Richmond, VA
Short version: We’ll be visiting just outside Richmond Virginia for 5 days in October, and trying to figure out a way to get a few hours a day of childcare (either nanny or daycare) for our toddler. Looking for tips/suggestions/resources/caveats/strategies. [more inside]
What to consider with neighbor's tree removal?
We are in Ohio. Our neighbor is in the vetting process of having a large tree removed, which apparently has a crack and is in danger of splitting. The tree is on their property but some branches hang over ours. [more inside]
posted by glaucon at 11:45 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by glaucon at 11:45 AM PST - 20 comments
Blender required for Dutch Baby recipe?
The recipes I'm seeing for Dutch Babies (aka German pancakes) all entail blending the batter in a food processor or blender, in order to have a lump-free batter. I don't have either of those appliances, but I do have a stand mixer.
Have you made Dutch Babies without blending? What were your results? How hard a requirement is the blending, as opposed to Very Serious Mixer mixing?
The Driving Route from SF Bay Area to Moab
So according to Google Maps I have two main choices when driving from Berkeley to Moab, 80 to 50 to Moab which is 907 miles and 80 to Salt Lake City to Moab which is 955 miles. Despite the 40 mile difference these two routes are generally the same duration according to Google's estimates. What is it about going 80 to 50 that makes it so much slower then 80 straight through? [more inside]
posted by bitdamaged at 10:36 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by bitdamaged at 10:36 AM PST - 8 comments
What do I need to know about home theater projectors?
In the market for a projector for the living room but don't really know much about them. [more inside]
How to sell an NFL game ticket without an American account?
I'm now unable to attend an NFL game in a couple of weeks I bought a ticket for. Selling it via NFL Ticket Exchange requires an American bank account and submitting your credit card details - are there any easier options? [more inside]
posted by DancingYear at 10:06 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by DancingYear at 10:06 AM PST - 6 comments
Any tips to not hate birthing class? Or can we just skip it?
I'm due in 7 weeks-ish, so my partner and I are enrolled in our HMO provided childbirth class. We went to the first class last weekend and both walked out of it thinking about skipping the second class. How can we get through the next 4 hour class without feeling like it's a waste of time, or would missing it be OK? [more inside]
posted by kendrak at 9:48 AM PST - 53 comments
posted by kendrak at 9:48 AM PST - 53 comments
Special pickle-themed anniversary
Remember the engagement BBQ? Well today is my and my husband's third anniversary! WOO! We joked that a third anniversary is probably the pickle anniversary and that they save all the expensive fancy stuff for the fives and tens of anniversaries. So now I want to do something special and pickle themed for him this weekend. I only have a couple days and limited means to pull this together, but in the green I trust... [more inside]
Flight departure/arrival times
What exactly is scheduled to happen at a flight's published departure and arrival times? [more inside]
Help recommend a good late-October vacation
I planned to visit Scotland at the end of summer but as it turns out my vacation time isn't until late October when it gets cold and rainy—where should I go instead? [more inside]
Replacement for Clinique lip liner pencil?
Can anyone recommend a replacement for Clinique's discontinued lip liner pencils? [more inside]
Inconsistent Performance With New Wifi Router
I upgraded from an ancient Verizon Fios Router to their new Quantum Gateway router. I average 50mbs up/down over both 2.4 and 5.0 ghz networks. But there are frequent huge slowdowns (usually to <1mb/sec either up or down - never both at once - on both networks). It's seen on my Macbook Air and on mobile devices. Previous router was robust and consistent. Should I just revert? FYI mffice is upstairs and one room over from the router. But when it works, it works great.
posted by Quisp Lover at 9:22 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Quisp Lover at 9:22 AM PST - 8 comments
How can we securely share Outlook calendars between companies?
A company has an public calendar in Outlook. This contains business important data.
How can it securely share that with other sites/companies that also use Outlook?
Security needs to be 100% here, so security via obscurity (a public URL for example) isn't going to cut it unfortunately.
How much HVAC do I need for a big multi-zone house?
When sizing an air conditioner for a multi-zone house, do you size it for the full house or for the largest zone? How much cooling do I really need? [more inside]
posted by Nelson at 8:25 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Nelson at 8:25 AM PST - 7 comments
Critique My Dating Profile?
Yup, another one of these! [more inside]
Calling all Excel PivotTable Gurus
How do I construct this PivotTable to show what I need? [more inside]
posted by bologna on wry at 8:07 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by bologna on wry at 8:07 AM PST - 3 comments
Child-friendly restaurants and other things to do in San Jose?
My family of four has two adults, one three-year-old boy, and a baby. We will be in San Jose for five days to look at housing. Please help me plan our meals and some fun activities. [more inside]
Picasa alternative or DIY solution to share photos & videos?
I used to use Picasa to share family photos and videos. Then I switched to Dropbox. But now Dropbox doesn't have comments on photos anymore, so I'm looking for a better slideshow/gallery solution for the grandparents. [more inside]
posted by gakiko at 7:05 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by gakiko at 7:05 AM PST - 6 comments
Understanding modern Russia
I'm looking for good books and documentaries on Russia. I took a course on this topic in college (starting with the fall of the Tsars, through the USSR, and finally into Putin's first presidency), and I found it fascinating—but this was a decade ago, and clearly things have changed. Recent events have inspired me to start reading in this area again; help me sort out the wheat from the chaff. [more inside]
Selling a car in NJ
I have a beater car that runs. The registration is expired and it has no insurance. How do I actually go about selling this to someone else? [more inside]
Un-stuffy my apartment
My efficiency apartment can get stuffy and stale, especially in the seasons between heating when it’s too cool to open the windows, but the heat isn’t on yet. What can I do to make it nice to walk into after a day away? [more inside]
posted by quarterinmyshoe at 4:55 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by quarterinmyshoe at 4:55 AM PST - 19 comments
Dental phobiaaagh in London
I haven't been to the dentist in over ten years on account of intense terror at even the thought, but I definitely need to bite the scary bullet now. Can you please recommend a kind and understanding, non-judgmental dentist in London? Preferably in the South West, and NHS if possible. I would be happiest I think with somewhere I can have conscious sedation. Thank you!
posted by Carravanquelo at 4:25 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Carravanquelo at 4:25 AM PST - 3 comments
Should I be concerned about Global Entry?
Should I be concerned about the fingerprinting required for Global Entry or TSA Precheck? [more inside]
Alzheimer's and the Single Child
My partner's mother has had a size medium case of the Alzheimer's for years now. The father passed away long ago, there are no other blood family to speak of, and my partner is feeling pretty crushed by feelings of guilt and anxiety. Short of a support group (no time) or a therapist (already got one), what're resources, techniques, and tools, from cognitive tricks to fictional books, that will help my partner deal with the serious guilt and anxiety of feeling like they're not doing enough? (Just to be clear: A) the mom is doing physically fine and has a great set up, this is not about her, but about their child, my partner, and B) my family and I are pretty great and help as much as we can, which is a lot; again, this is not about how to help the mom more, this is about helping my partner deal with feelings of guilt and anxiety that they are not doing enough.)
How to get a massage when you don't like to be touched?
I would like to begin receiving massages for self care purposes but due to childhood sexual abuse I'm extremely sensitive around physical contact, particularly from strangers. I am located in Brisbane, QLD Australia and wondering if anyone has any insights on local services in the area or even just information and guidance on how to go through this process after experiencing sexual abuse. [more inside]
September 13
Recommend me a good online SQL editor
I've had a look online and found a number of useful online SQL text editors that will apply nice standard formatting and some highlighting which is great but it's made me realise that what i really want is something that will colour code my table and field references to make readability a bit easier.
Does such a thing exist and can you point me at it? [more inside]
HVAC experts! How do I warm/cool my space?
So, I bought an old building. It currently has a fitness centre (which I own) and two (rented) apartments in it – with room for a third. It has moderately inadequate heating and cooling right now, and nothing in the new potential space -- so I'm looking for solutions to heat and cool it. More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by liquado at 8:31 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by liquado at 8:31 PM PST - 3 comments
Is a Mini Cooper a good car for a collage student?
I am buying my first car, and need a little help. I need a good car for light commuting to school, and city driving. I also want something with a little pep. Is a Mini Cooper a good choice? [more inside]
A Wrong Turn at the Office of Unmade Lists
So I've just finished "A Wrong Turn at the Office of Unmade Lists" by Jane Rawson. I've read everything by Tom Robbins, Douglas Adams and Franz Kafka. [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 7:22 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by falsedmitri at 7:22 PM PST - 28 comments
Can a middle aged beginner really learn the violin?
I understand that I'll never be as good as someone who started at age 6. I bought myself a violin in June, and I'm doing the Suzuki Violin School Book 1 and I can't get past #14 (Minuet no 2 by Bach). Up to this point in the book, I feel like I was progressing nicely, but now I feel I've reached my limit. [more inside]
ISO of more Spanish language TV series like Narcos
I loved Narcos. What other Spanish language TV series, including telenovelas, do you recommend and which are available on streaming? I prefer dramas and thrillers. I have Amazon Prime and Netflix, but I'm willing to pay for additional content. I do not speak any Spanish, so subtitles are a must. [more inside]
What is this odd little figurine?
My best friend was recently helping a relative in New York State clean out an attic, and came across this this odd figurine. It's 2.5 inches tall, the base is 5/8" across, and it feels heavy -- the actual weight is 70 grams. The ring around the neck is loose, not attached. [more inside]
posted by sarcasticah at 6:36 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by sarcasticah at 6:36 PM PST - 7 comments
90s CanCon Celtic Trad
I'm looking for a particular version of "Siúil a Rún" that got a lot of play on MuchMusic in the early '90s. [more inside]
Croton Poisoning in Dogs?
This evening, a friend brought me a plant she bought at the grocery store, but didn't know the name of. While my back was turned, my dog (a 50 lb shepherd/hound mutt) bit and swallowed one of the leaves before I could grab it from her. From a cursory google search, the plant appears to be a "dreadlock" croton (it has wavy leaves that are vibrantly/neon red and yellow in the middle). Does anyone know how seriously toxic this plant is? [more inside]
posted by sallybrown at 5:50 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by sallybrown at 5:50 PM PST - 8 comments
How do I grow my company's software practice?
I'm at a very small company trying to bring their tech practice internally, they have no methodology or really any concept of how to develop software. They've previously relied on outside consultancies to do all their development. They're treating me like an outside consultancy (just get things done), how do I change this and grow them a viable team? I feel as if more I excel at development, the more they want to use me for development. [more inside]
Tonight, will I be dining in hell?
So, I just signed up for my first Spartan Sprint. Am I going to die? [more inside]
posted by hanov3r at 5:09 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by hanov3r at 5:09 PM PST - 4 comments
How local is the slur, "zombie" = homeless person/addict
I moved to a new area (just outside the Bay Area, California) and encountered a new er unflattering euphemism for homeless people or addicts — zombie. I'd never heard this before. I'm wondering if it's local flavor. Have you heard this, other places? [more inside]
posted by fleacircus at 4:49 PM PST - 53 comments
posted by fleacircus at 4:49 PM PST - 53 comments
How often do you really need dental xrays? How to decline them?
How often do you really need to get teeth x-rayed? How can I stop the dentist from talking down to me about this when I don't want them? [more inside]
Help us pick a car?
The lease is up on our current vehicle (a BMW X1), so we're shopping.
I think this time it's a buy, but we'd like to stay with a wagon-y or small SUV shaped thing. Bonus points if it's capable of light towing (think tiny travel trailer). [more inside]
posted by uberchet at 3:34 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by uberchet at 3:34 PM PST - 31 comments
How long does it take to get better at running?
This is kind of a weird question I guess, but how long does it take to get better at running, in the sense that it's definitely getting easier, but it's still never EASY. [more inside]
Get on train, relax.
Ideas for a low-key weekend trip on Metra from Chicago? [more inside]
posted by ohsnapdragon at 2:25 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by ohsnapdragon at 2:25 PM PST - 9 comments
VW Jetta reliability and expense
My wife and I are looking to buy a used car. I've had my heart set on a Volkswagen Jetta seemingly forever. She has heard some horror stories about the cost of maintenance and repairs for VWs, and does not want to buy one. I've heard the same horror stories, but the data I've been able to find online hasn't confirmed them (although, to be fair, it hasn't entirely disproven them, either). I'd like to hear actual VW owners' stories to help us make a decision. [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 1:56 PM PST - 35 comments
posted by kevinbelt at 1:56 PM PST - 35 comments
Sleep app with custom-by-day alarms
What sleep app (available for iPhone) allows you to set multiple alarms for specific days? E.g. Mon/Wed/Fri wake up at 8AM, Tu/Th wake up at 9AM, weekends no alarm at all. Willing to pay if I have assurance that the app actually has this dealbreaker feature.
posted by serelliya at 1:53 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by serelliya at 1:53 PM PST - 11 comments
How's your Sprint coverage?
Hey Bostonians, New Yorkers, and (SC) Charlestonians - how's your Sprint coverage? [more inside]
Advice needed on difficult custody situation
My partner is dealing with a very difficult issue post-divorce. [more inside]
posted by young sister beacon at 12:57 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by young sister beacon at 12:57 PM PST - 14 comments
Please help me find my Stardust Memories.
One of my favorite albums for decades has been Stardust Memories by Willie Nelson. I have used up an LP and several CDs over the years. I used to own a book of the lyrics, music and guitar tabs of the album but have somehow lost it. (Likely loaned and not returned.) [more inside]
posted by txmon at 12:44 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by txmon at 12:44 PM PST - 8 comments
Detailed Information on Babies' Development and Games to Play with Them!
I have a relatively new baby (almost ten weeks old) and she is amazing! I didn't think a baby would be this much fun! I'm looking for very detailed (ideally week by week) information on how she is developing and what games I can play with her that we will both find enjoyable ("games" defined very broadly e.g. "watching her eyes track a moving object" and "trying to grasp something with her tiny paw" both count as games for these purposes). [more inside]
What to do with my home now?
Designed and built my home about forty years ago. Submitted plans to city that were approved. Started building and had several inspections that passed. Got a job offer I couldn't refuse. Took it and moved into home without finals and occupancy permit. Been living there since, working slowly on it in spare time and as health permitted.
Getting to the end of my life, what do I do now? No money to finish, health won't allow much activity, don't want to be evicted, fined, jailed.
Please, help me eat something!
I've been diagnosed as having EERD/LPR and need to change my diet. So, I did some research and now I'm very confused... [more inside]
Spin class, without the class
I enjoy spin class but want to be able to bike on my own at the gym. Are there any cycling apps (iOS) out there that provide audio cues? With or without music, with or without tracking. Maybe it's a podcast or YouTube series instead?
Depression doctor: How make a wise & informed choice?
I’m open to the main treatment approaches, and grateful for any high-level or more detailed answers.
tl;dr: If you were speed-dating psychiatrists, and planned to enter treatment with one, what key questions would you ask of all? [more inside]
I need to hire a gondola in Venice
Mrs. Jabo has always wanted to see Venice. And now that we are going, I want to hire a gondola on our 30th wedding anniversary. [more inside]
posted by jabo at 10:39 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by jabo at 10:39 AM PST - 10 comments
Looking to help aging kitty with kidney issues
My wife and I are looking for an alternative to Hills Science Diet K/D dry food (formulated for cats with kidney issues). [more inside]
posted by Roger Pittman at 10:33 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by Roger Pittman at 10:33 AM PST - 12 comments
Futeneko nan desu ka?
I found a Japanese book with all these cool drawings of cats. I don't fully understand it. Please tell me all about Futeneko. [more inside]
posted by kristi at 10:16 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by kristi at 10:16 AM PST - 3 comments
Crumbling cement/mortar in outdoor doorframe--what do I replace it with?
My outside side door's doorframe has cement or somethingsimilar around it to seal up the area between the frame and the brick wall. The cement is breaking up on one side. What product should I replace it with? How do I install it?
Here are some pictures.
Conference etiquette
I'm going to a conference shortly. I need to introduce myself to a few people that I've only communicated with via email. This is not a problem in itself. What I do have trouble with, is approaching people that are already in a conversation with each other. I don't want to be rude and interrupt but I don't want to lose track either so I end up doing the concentric circle dance waiting for my chance. Is there a better way? Any other tips for conferences?
posted by aeighty at 9:51 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by aeighty at 9:51 AM PST - 15 comments
Crazy Salsa Recipe
Do you have any odd BUT GOOD salsa recipes that you'd like to share? [more inside]
Rhymes with this is hard
I need your help naming our (most likely female) baby. We are stuck and looking for a strong, classic name. [more inside]
Location for a happy hour/going away party in the Chicago Loop?
Could you recommend a location for a happy hour/going away party in the Chicago Loop? [more inside]
England, a heatwave and public air con: socially acceptable dress code
It is England, and we are on day one of (another) three day heatwave. Temperatures are peaking at 35C (95F) and there is more to come. Being English, I'm (a) not used to it and (b) don't have domestic air conditioning. There is, however, really good air conditioning in some supermarkets (especially Marks and Spencer food hall) and the cinema. But what, especially in the supermarket, is the least you can wear in a socially acceptable manner (remember: England)? Are there any kind of relevant guides or guidelines?
posted by Wordshore at 8:18 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Wordshore at 8:18 AM PST - 13 comments
Cleaning your windshield
How can I remove a film on the inside of my windshield and keep it clear ? [more inside]
Papa wants a brand new bag. But not that one. Or that one, either.
EDC query: help me find a nylon bag that hangs from my belt. [more inside]
posted by the matching mole at 7:59 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by the matching mole at 7:59 AM PST - 6 comments
How important are 'good' running shoes for a beginner?
I want to try Couch to 5K again. Do I really have to spend $100+ on running shoes for this? [more inside]
I'm a new manager and I messed up
I got a note from HR that the performance review for one my employees is overdue by 6 (!!) months. [more inside]
Repetitive words and phrases irrationally irritate me. Why?
Repetitive words or phrases irritate me way beyond all rational explanation. Can you help me understand why? [more inside]
posted by _Mona_ at 6:54 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by _Mona_ at 6:54 AM PST - 14 comments
Mobile Development
What's the best platform for developing cross-platform (ie mac, windows, android, desktop, tablet & mobile) games these days? How about apps? [more inside]
A problem return on eBay...
I purchased an "officially" refurbished laptop from a high volume seller on eBay. Unfortunately, the laptop arrived with a cracked screen. I initiated a return, which the seller accepted, but there was never an option to print a mailing slip. Instead, the status of the return went instantly to: "Shipping, in transit" with a tracking number, while the computer sits on my table. What is going on and what do I do about it?
posted by ennui.bz at 5:17 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by ennui.bz at 5:17 AM PST - 7 comments
Help me Identify this Painting... Orson Welles as an old Sailor?
I bought this painting around 6 years ago at an antique market in Kingston, ON.
Can you help me identify it, and maybe offer suggestions for art conservation? [more inside]
Where to get a mobile phone repaired in the UK
Beautiful, brand new mobile phone dunked in a river - no insurance, and warranty invalidated. What's the best route to having it repaired or written off? [more inside]
September 12
Help me find this weird fantasy webcomic.
I'm looking for this webcomic that I started reading a few years ago, like four or five, but I think it's older than that. It was a fantasy comic with characters from our world getting transported to a secondary world, where magical stones were prominently featured. I'm pretty sure it was in black in white. [more inside]
posted by overglow at 10:37 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by overglow at 10:37 PM PST - 5 comments
Stop for a schoolbus with flashing red on a road perpendicular to yours?
Do drivers of a vehicle on a road perpendicular to a road with a school bus stopped with flashing red lights have to stop for that school bus? I'm in Maryland. [more inside]
posted by Rob Rockets at 9:57 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by Rob Rockets at 9:57 PM PST - 17 comments
Winter is Coughing (planning ahead for illness)
I usually get a cold or two each winter, and as a single person try to plan ahead for keeping myself comfortable when ill. What do you do? [more inside]
What are good charities that preserve American languages?
I am a white American from Michigan; I would like to donate money to support efforts to preserve native languages. I'm interested in pretty much any language preservation cause. [more inside]
posted by mister pointy at 8:23 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by mister pointy at 8:23 PM PST - 8 comments
Wrestling with ethical purchasing choices
I'm trying to develop a purchasing guideline that has the least harmful impact on workers, and need some help thinking it through. [more inside]
Baby gift for the second baby?
Sister-in-law is about to have niece or nephew #2 and we need to send a gift. Obviously they already have everything they "need" from the first kid, but we also would like to send something really nice. They loaned us literally all their stuff for our baby's first year, which was invaluable and deeply appreciated, so we'd like to get something that says "thank you" almost as much as "congratulations. [more inside]
Painless movable bump in front of my ear - any doctors in the house?
I have had a movable, painless bump in front of my right ear sort of on my jaw for about six weeks. I've assumed it would go away but it hasn't -- and, as far as I can tell, it has stayed the same size, about that of a pea. How worried should be? [more inside]
Milage vs time for changing oil
Milage vs time for changing [synthetic] oil [more inside]
posted by pmaxwell at 7:25 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by pmaxwell at 7:25 PM PST - 12 comments
Talking to myself won't help my GPA, and all of my friends are imaginary
I'm a lone rhino in an online Communications survey course. The prof wants us to discuss conversations that we have. In short, I converse with no one. Whaddo I do? [more inside]
Activities for an ELA intervention class?
Hey teacherfilter! Thanks for helping me get a public school job. Now I need your advice more than ever... [more inside]
Kitchen sink: sink drain thing is broken - help me fix it:)
Basically it's one of those things that you press once to block the sink plug and press it again to let the water drain out again. This mechanism doesn't work anymore so it's Always closed. I'm not sure if a piece from the bottom broke off or is stuck in the sink. Here are some pictures: here
Supportive women's shoes that are not ugly?
I was so proud of myself when I stopped wearing high heels daily. Apparently, that's not enough. Ideas for brands or styles of women's shoes that are (i) office appropriate, (ii) supportive, and (iii) not ugly? [more inside]
Do you recognize this logo?
The logo is on a bag that I would like to buy again. [more inside]
Where Can I Find More Buttons to Fuck?
What if I told you that early 70's Pink Floyd, Kraftwerk and Boards of Canada went and made their own little bloopity-bip digital baby? [more inside]
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 3:19 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 3:19 PM PST - 15 comments
I'm morbidly obese. Where do I start?
I’m in terrible physical shape. I've written a long explanation of my situation and a short question inside. [more inside]
Snooping: Where to draw the line with a fiance with trust issues?
I am about to have a serious discussion with my fiance as I have recently discovered that she has been going behind my back to login to my facebook account to monitor my activity. It appears this has been going on since July and there have been multiple logins. Therefore, I would like to ask the internet for advice on how to properly confront this type of behavior. [more inside]
sensitively informing group that discussion isn't 100% private
I am a moderator for a private discussion board affiliated with a larger website. (There are many other public and private boards on the site.) Another moderator recently learned that the website staff can and do access all private boards to investigate complaints. Although this isn't totally surprising, it is not something made clear to members. The website management have indicated that although this access is "not a secret," they would prefer it not be widespread knowledge. However, the other moderator and I feel that we have a duty to inform our private board members, so they're aware our board is not entirely private and may be read by website staff. We want to do it in a sensitive way in order not to alarm people who are already feeling vulnerable. Can you suggest some appropriate wording? [more inside]
Recommend a $500-ish road bike
Looking for road bike recommendations for a teen boy who is new to road biking. Budget is $500-ish. [more inside]
posted by mosk at 2:34 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by mosk at 2:34 PM PST - 12 comments
Oregon 51% Bar Rule - If I am 50% at fault, why can't I collect?
I was found 50% at fault for a recent vehicle sideswipe. My insurance company is stating they did me a favor in awarding me this percentage, as it was a he said-she said situation where no one could be proven completely at fault. I do not have collision coverage, so I don't expect payment from that. However, when I asked about receiving payment for damages to my car from the other drivers liability coverage, I was told that I would not receive anything due to Oregon's modified comparative negligence law. [more inside]
Help me buy these hideous sandals
I am in limerence with these sandals from Asos. They do not ship to Canada, it would seem. I cannot make Google tell me anything useful about acquiring them in Toronto. Please help me be extremely tall.
posted by lizifer at 1:55 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by lizifer at 1:55 PM PST - 7 comments
Hiking Mount Lafayette and the Franconia Ridge Trail Loop with kids
This fall - late September - I'm planning to take my sons (age 7 and 9) hiking in the White Mountains.
After a bunch of research - my #1 choice is Mount Lafayette and the Franconia Ridge Trail Loop.
However, I'm a little nervous that it might be too challenging for my sons.
Is this hike too ambitious? [more inside]
posted by stuehler at 1:45 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by stuehler at 1:45 PM PST - 5 comments
Help me find an extremely tiny hat
I want to dress up an insect, but am having trouble finding a suitable hat. [more inside]
posted by Dr. Twist at 1:06 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by Dr. Twist at 1:06 PM PST - 29 comments
How can I activate?
The USA election has been distracting me to the point I can hardly function. I've never been an activist, or even active politically, but I feel I need to become more active or share some responsibility for the election's outcome. Problem: I really don't have time, I don't have experience, and I don't want the comments section to find me. [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 12:40 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by StrawberryPie at 12:40 PM PST - 8 comments
Beating Imposter Syndrome
I am a woman in my thirties who works in education/non-profits and by all external metrics I have been very successful. My rational mind KNOWS this.
But after a recent job change and promotion and I have been struggling with a bad case of imposter syndrome that makes me feel anxious, sad, and fearful at a moment when I want to be feeling proud, competent, and together.
I'm looking for what has worked for you-- mantras, therapy, life coach. At this point I'm open to pretty much anything. Some details inside. [more inside]
posted by jeszac at 12:18 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by jeszac at 12:18 PM PST - 10 comments
Road Tripping: Baby Style. Northern California/Oregon Edition
We're going to be driving from the SF East Bay to the Oregon Coast (around Lincoln City). In our Younger Days we would do this in one go, but there's a baby in tow now and I don't think she'd appreciate an 10+ hour day in the car. The question is: should we do it in 2 days or 3 days, and where are fun or interesting or pretty or whatever places we stop along the way? [more inside]
posted by brainmouse at 11:55 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by brainmouse at 11:55 AM PST - 7 comments
Positive experience with life insurance?
I am looking for positive experiences where you were the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, and you claimed your death benefit with success; what company held the policy and issued your funds without a problem?
The evil guardian in fiction
Can you name a movie, novel, or play that contains roughly the following trope? A malign caretaker or guardian (possibly but not necessarily a relative) deliberately worsens or fails to improve the physical or mental condition of the person in his/her charge in order to profit financially or otherwise gain or maintain control of money/property/assets.
US Passport renewal strategy
On October 5th (about 3 weeks away) I leave for Spain, I'm a US resident. I just realized my passport expires on Jan 31, 2017. According to the State department's website 6 months of validity is "recommended" for Spain. Should I risk mailing my passport for expedited renewal, which can take 2-3 weeks, or should I risk that 6 months of validity is really just a recommendation? [more inside]
posted by nowoutside at 11:05 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by nowoutside at 11:05 AM PST - 20 comments
What is the moon artwork from Mr. Robot?
In Season Two Ep 8 (and probably others) there are giant photographs/paintings of the moon on the walls of Susan Jacobs' fancy apartment. What are these and where can I get one? [more inside]
How should I go about selling an original Peanuts comic strip?
I was given a signed original pen-and-ink Peanuts cartoon by Charles Schultz over 40 years ago. It features Lucy and Snoopy atop his dog house. It is a weekday strip, so it is not in color. It is copyrighted 1974 by United Features Syndicate. I would like to sell it, but I am unsure where the best market is and how best to sell it. I would welcome suggestions.
posted by A. Davey at 10:21 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by A. Davey at 10:21 AM PST - 6 comments
untangling severe hair snarls
What is the best method and/or product to untangle severe hair snarls in long hair? [more inside]
Soaking the bones in Santa Paula.
I was cruising down CA-150 yesterday between Ojai and Santa Paula, CA, and I swear that I smelled sulfur. I can't find any definitive information online, but is there a hot spring around there somewhere? [more inside]
posted by mykescipark at 9:37 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by mykescipark at 9:37 AM PST - 4 comments
Songs about 'Charlie'
I'm looking for catchy songs which feature the name 'Charlie.' [more inside]
Book: Looking for two types of war memoir
I's interested in war memoirs that were written from the point of view of a child. Also, I'm more interested in the defeated side POV. [more inside]
posted by TheGoodBlood at 9:09 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by TheGoodBlood at 9:09 AM PST - 21 comments
What does cilantro taste like?
Some people experience cilantro as "tasting like soap." Does this mean cilantro tastes like soap smells or tastes like soap tastes? What does it taste like to people without this soap gene? I dislike cilantro and always get asked if it tastes soapy...I don't think it does, really, but I'm not sure. If I were a cilantro-soap-taster, would I definitely 100% be able to self-identify as such, or is "soapy" a more imprecise description of how it tastes to some folks?
posted by lizzicide at 8:44 AM PST - 72 comments
posted by lizzicide at 8:44 AM PST - 72 comments
Men's Undies Advice
What the heck kind of (mens) underwear should I buy, and where? [more inside]
posted by saladin at 8:07 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by saladin at 8:07 AM PST - 23 comments
How to be a good assistant coach for kids' sports
I am the assistant coach of my daughter's (8-yo) softball team. The head coach is knowledgeable about the sport, but in my opinion can be a bit too tough on the kids, several of whom have never played before. I can see the spirit being sapped in a number of the kids and I'd like to help turn that around without undermining the head coach's authority.
Is it possible to help some of these girls actually enjoy their season, or am SOL if I'm just the assistant? [more inside]
Closet purged...now what?!
After my weekend spent purging my closet of BAGS full of clothes to donate that are too young, too cheap, too ill fitting, and just too plain ugly, I now find myself with a few holes and thin areas in my (blessedly) more manageable wardrobe. I'd like to fill those holes (slowly, eventually) with pieces that are classic, high quality, and (unicorn!) ethically produced (or at least MORE ethically produced than many major brands). Problem: I LOATHE shopping and am a style/fashion amateur. Where should be looking? What should I be looking for? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Dorinda at 6:17 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by Dorinda at 6:17 AM PST - 24 comments
More information on the Witness Protection Program
How does the Witness Protection Program work? [more inside]
Did Camus say this?
I have a Japanese source that contains a quote attributed to Albert Camus. The Japanese reads: 対話のないところには生命はない。
I translate this to, "Where there is no dialogue, there is no life."
I've been trying to locate the English translation of the same quote, but none of the variations I've tried turn up anything close. Some Japanese blogs show the quote, extended to add "ところが今日、世界の大部分のところで
対話は論争に置き換えられている。" ("But today, in most of the world, dialogue has been replaced by dispute.") None of these blogs show an original source.
Where did Camus say/write this? Or, maybe it's misattributed to him?
posted by mariokrat at 4:33 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by mariokrat at 4:33 AM PST - 5 comments
Resources for helping young student with idiosyncratic math issue?
I"m tutoring a 12 year old girl in math and she displays an idiosyncratic learning disability / learning style. (Specific issue was in learning to calculate the area of a rectangle, an example was used of a rectangle with area of 48 and she didn't understand why all rectangles don't have areas of 48.)
Could someone offer suggestions for this specific student, or, more generally, a resource where I might be likely to find others who might have run across similar students?
Navigating by the Sun
I was messing about while building a floor on my boat and got distracted by a sunbeam (because I am very easily distracted) and started wondering how much information could be determined by this pattern of sunlight. [more inside]
Can you help me wrap my head around organic chemistry synthesis?
I took the first half of organic chemistry and really struggled through synthesis. I have to take the second half this spring and I am really scared. Do you have any tricks/magical methods to help me beat it into my head? [more inside]
September 11
Is there an English verb that means "to go mad"?
I'm looking for a single English word that means "go mad" or "be mad", or anything similar: act weird, be eccentric, become demented. There are lots of phrasal verbs and colloquial expressions for this, and lots of synonyms for "mad", but I can't find any verbs. Closest I've found is "to trip". Any ideas, especially archaic or defunct words?
posted by dontjumplarry at 10:50 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by dontjumplarry at 10:50 PM PST - 29 comments
How do I write a business plan for a startup service company?
I would like to write a business plan. The business I have in mind will be a service provider. Many guides to writing business plan that I have found seem difficult to use for such a business model. There will be little profit in this company, because the salaries of the employees will take up most of the takings. Picture something a bit like an agency with contractors, only the employees will be full-time employees and paid a salary, and then assigned to projects commissioned by customers with whom the company will contract. [more inside]
This is why we can't have nice things - plant edition
I have a perfect space for a potted plant on my living room floor that gets lots of light. Unfortunately (for the plant, and my sanity), I also have a very, um, active toddler. Are there magical ways I could pot a plant so that he doesn't, say, pour dirt all over my living room floor, or, um, eat all the wood chips, or something? Bonus points for best (and hardy) suggestions for a type of big potted plant that will be beautiful to me and utterly uninteresting and non-toxic to my child. Thanks!
Recipe for Slovenian Mountain Tea (planinski čaj)
I'm looking for a recipe/herb list to make Slovenian mountain tea (planinski čaj). It's available in tea bags in Slovenia, where I no longer am, and we also had a really nice house-made version at Celje Castle. My kids really liked it. [more inside]
Need help mapping out an education/career path. Please advise.
Hi everyone.
Like the title suggests, I need some help figuring out an education/career plan for myself before I return to school next year (details inside). [more inside]
Best MBA option for mid-life career transition? Or not at all?
I'm considering making a major career change after 16 years in finance. At age 38, what's the best option - full-time MBA, part-time MBA, or executive MBA? Or not at all? Details below the fold... [more inside]
German by Osmosis
I just started learning German, through the standard 101 class at my university. While the textbook/classroom studying is great, I would like to have some low-key resources to read/listen to to supplement my learning. I'm looking for relatively simple-language radio, podcasts, TV, or maybe even (children's?) books that I can wash around in during my spare time. Something that doesn't require 100% brainpower, but that I can still catch the gist of -- that will help train my rhythm/pronunciation/listening by osmosis. [more inside]
Exercise book for beginning Spanish?
I'm a beginning Spanish learner. I do one in-person class (1.5 hours) and one conversation hour (1.0 hour) per week. I tend to be a book / pen and paper learner. I would like to add an exercise / homework book, ideally something I can fill out while on public transit, to practice conjugations and the like. Suggestions? I will also ask my Spanish teacher.
Transit safety for women in the GVRD
Asking for a friend: how safe are women on early morning/evening transit between New Westminster and Surrey? [more inside]
Long Rural Driveway Snow Removal Options
I live in Montana, out in the sticks. I have a really long driveway. It snows quite a bit. I have an okayish snow blower, a pickup truck, and some money saved up.... What now? [more inside]
posted by so fucking future at 6:36 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by so fucking future at 6:36 PM PST - 17 comments
Why does excluding terms from Google searches increase the no. of hits?
For example, Googling this:
posted by Bugbread at 5:09 PM PST - 12 comments
"building works"...produces "about 405,000 results". Googling this:
"building works" -program...produces "about 485,000 results". Googling this:
"building works" -"program"...produces "about 484,000 results". I realize the short answer is "Google is no longer a search company, it's an advertising company, if you're not paying you're the product, silicon valley greed micro$erf etc. etc. etc." but setting aside the snark/bitterness, what's actually going on that excluding terms increases the number of hits?
posted by Bugbread at 5:09 PM PST - 12 comments
Lovecraft-inspired fiction and cookbooks (unrelated!)
I'm going to Powell's next weekend and planning on splurging on a bunch of books. I'm looking for recommendations on two totally different types of books from you lovely people - Lovecraft-influenced fiction, and cookbooks with good dishes I can take for my lunches. More details inside! [more inside]
Can I plant it?
I got this cute indoor herb garden in a box from OSH. Neither the plastic liner nor the wood box have any drainage holes. If I plant it (basil, parsley, and subbing cilantro for thyme), will the lack of drainage become an issue? I was planning on leaving it outside on our balcony (in CA), if that makes a difference. [more inside]
What makes an airline choose Lorna Doones as a long haul-only snack?
A few years ago, on a plane flight, I looked at the list of free snacks -- potato chips, cookies, etc. Next to one (and only one) item (the Lorna Doone cookies), I saw the annotation: "long haul flights only". What (probably) are their criteria for this choice, and what makes Lorna Doones a good choice for this distinction?
Message Boards for Home Repair
What are some good message boards or online communities for home repair advice? [more inside]
How Neighborly Is Neighborly?
My new neighbors, whom I have only met once, seemed upset when I turned down their request that I house sit their house and pets for 12 days. I am not sure if their request or my refusal is unreasonable. Perhaps neither the request nor the refusal are unreasonable? Details follow. [more inside]
posted by WalkerWestridge at 1:23 PM PST - 49 comments
posted by WalkerWestridge at 1:23 PM PST - 49 comments
Australian moving to the US – what don’t I know
Work will be moving me from Canberra, Australia, to Washington DC for two years. There are some fairly well established procedures for this move but I am sure that there are a number of things that have not occurred to me. [more inside]
posted by dangerousdan at 1:01 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by dangerousdan at 1:01 PM PST - 23 comments
where should I stay for five nights in kansai?
I'd like to stay somewhere rural and beautiful with an hour or two of travel from Kyoto (but not in Nara) for five nights at the end of September. Requirements: reliable Internet access, price <= $125USD/night. Strong desires: onsen, somen. Further details inside. [more inside]
posted by yomimono at 12:18 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by yomimono at 12:18 PM PST - 3 comments
Good joint checking account for shared monthly household expenses
I'm looking for a something to use as a basic shared checking account for standard household expenses, such as food, laundry, pet supplies, etc., as a way to do shared envelope-style budgeting with my partner. She has bad credit while mine is great. This is harder than I thought. [more inside]
posted by enigmango at 12:16 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by enigmango at 12:16 PM PST - 16 comments
Best practices for turning a yard into a garden
My husband and I just bought our first house. Woo! We would like to turn the grassy front yard (15 ft by 20 ft) into a vegetable garden next spring. What is the best way to go about doing that? [more inside]
posted by source.decay at 11:41 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by source.decay at 11:41 AM PST - 14 comments
Can you figure out the probability of a specific outcome?
I work in a field where we think about possibly dangerous people. If Mr. X is a poor driver and has a 5% chance of running a red light in the next month, can you know the probability of him running a red light at a specific intersection? Can you know a range of probabilities for that specific intersection? What if it's the intersection that he drives through most often? I think this likely has an easy answer but none of us can clearly explain it so we keep talking about it.
posted by kerf at 11:30 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by kerf at 11:30 AM PST - 6 comments
Historic San Antonio hotel with windows that open?
Can you recommend a San Antonio hotel that has rooms whose windows can be opened? Or is there a historic hotel that you like a lot in spite of its lacking this feature? [more inside]
posted by artistic verisimilitude at 10:52 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by artistic verisimilitude at 10:52 AM PST - 12 comments
Windows Phone: Transfer audiobook from phone drive to Audiobooked app?
I have an audiobook file I saved to the drive of my Nokia Lumia 521 Windows 8.1 phone. I have the app Audiobooked. It will only find audiobook files from an SD card (which I don't have and don't want), or OneDrive, or Dropbox. [more inside]
Sherlocking through the history
I'm looking for interesting pastiches based off Sherlock Holmes. [more inside]
Where do the ex-New Yorkers go?
I've lived in New York City for many years and am ready to move somewhere else. I haven't traveled that widely within the US though, so I suspect I'm unfamiliar with a lot of cities that might be wonderful places to live but not obvious vacation destinations. I'd love to hear from people - particularly people who have liked living in NYC - who are happy where they live and why! [more inside]
posted by snaw at 9:11 AM PST - 48 comments
posted by snaw at 9:11 AM PST - 48 comments
How can I make the best of a temporary separation from my husband?
So – this question was me. The advice I got was so helpful that I’m coming back to ask for more. How can I make the best of a temporary separation from my husband? [more inside]
Lisbon hotel recommendations
We are staying in Lisbon for two nights in mid-November, travelling with three other couples who prefer boutique-type hotels and our budget is up to 150 euros per night. We've looked at neighbourhoods of Chaido and Baixa, so as to have restaurants and some sites within walking distance but would appreciate your hotel or area recommendations. Thanks!
posted by canoehead at 7:02 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by canoehead at 7:02 AM PST - 5 comments
How to securely affix googly eyes to face/hands? (Halloween)
For halloween this year I want to do something like this. as a costume. But if I just use the standard sticky backs that come on googly eyes I assume the eyes will constantly come unstuck and I am going to be leave a trail all around public transport and any party I go too. Is there an adhesive / substance that I can buy that I can use to securely yet removably affix googly eyes to my face and hands?
posted by Another Fine Product From The Nonsense Factory at 6:08 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by Another Fine Product From The Nonsense Factory at 6:08 AM PST - 16 comments
FictionFilter: what are the consequences of an all-fish diet?
I'm writing a piece of fiction in which the characters' diet consists entirely of fish. Ocean-caught fish if it matters, but it's not set in a specific time or place so let's say that pollution does not affect the fish. What would be the consequences of an all-fish diet? [more inside]
posted by dysh at 5:53 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by dysh at 5:53 AM PST - 13 comments
Bird in bathroom. Should not be there. How to fix?
There is a bird. Some type of finch. It flew into my washroom via the open louvered vent adjacent to the shower. [more inside]
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:49 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:49 AM PST - 11 comments
Looking for an eye mask that was sold in Australia
I'm looking for an eye mask. I bought it in Australia several years ago.
Only the surface was knitted and design was just like this [PDF] with the same color.
Could you tell me where I can get it again on the internet? I really want it now!
posted by mizukko at 1:44 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by mizukko at 1:44 AM PST - 3 comments
A question about nursing & higher-mercury fish
I'm breastfeeding a baby. And I ate some higher-mercury fish tonight. Can you reassure me that it's okay to continue breastfeeding, or tell me what to do to be appropriately safe? [more inside]
posted by slidell at 12:49 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by slidell at 12:49 AM PST - 9 comments
Still safe to use a hard drive that went unrecognized then reformatted?
Once a portable hard drive went wrong (PC not recognizing) is it still safe to use it after reformatted? Fortunately, I used a software to have my files recovered but I am not sure if I should keep using it or I better look for a new drive?
posted by lanhan at 12:23 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by lanhan at 12:23 AM PST - 5 comments
September 10
$1050 is on the line come 10/11/16. Is my workout routine strainful?
We started a biggest loser challenge at work on July 11. All the participants pitched in money, and the grand total is $1050. BMI will be the determining factor. I was obese when I first started at 189 pounds (30.5 BMI). As of right now on 9/10/16, I'm sitting at 174 pounds (28.1 overweight). The challenge ends on October 11, 2016. I'm shooting for 160-162 by the end of the challenge. My current routine for losing weight consists of the following: [more inside]
posted by tnar23 at 11:22 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by tnar23 at 11:22 PM PST - 19 comments
Lox jerky? Is this a thing?
Can I use leftover lox to make jerky? [more inside]
How can I learn to stop and smell the roses?
Like most human beings, there are people and things I cherish. Why do I keep neglecting them in favor of work and school? I am talking about basic things like eating for example. Is there anything I can do to get my priorities straight? [more inside]
posted by Tarumba at 6:43 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Tarumba at 6:43 PM PST - 15 comments
Office Culture: Architecture
I work for a very small non-profit headed by a former, recently retired architect. Can you tell me something about the work culture of an architecture firm? [more inside]
Help identify a movie seen on a Turkish bus, August 2011?
I saw bits and pieces of this movie on a bus on a route through Denizli, Turkey, in August 2011. I don’t speak Turkish. I only have a few details. [more inside]
posted by Roy Batty at 5:56 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Roy Batty at 5:56 PM PST - 2 comments
Gay as a pejorative?
A gay 20-something that I know used the phrase "fuck this gay earth" in a tweet. I challenged him (as someone who came out in 1990) for his use of the word "gay" as a pejorative, and he said "it's an established meme, it's okay for me to use it that way". How do I combat this? [more inside]
Do I have a moral obligation to report this male massage therapist?
I had a very intimate massage from a male masseuse that people are telling me was inappropriate and should be reported. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Kat_Dubs at 3:58 PM PST - 48 comments
posted by Kat_Dubs at 3:58 PM PST - 48 comments
What’s the fairest way to leave money to your kids in your will?
If someone has two kids, one of which has a child and one doesn’t, what’s the best way to split things up? [more inside]
posted by mulcahy at 2:14 PM PST - 76 comments
posted by mulcahy at 2:14 PM PST - 76 comments
Get phone number from name. For free. In 2016. How?
I just tried to get the phone number associated with a given (rarish) name, and all I got were pay services from the goog (most redirecting to timewasting whitepages.com). [more inside]
posted by hexatron at 1:37 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by hexatron at 1:37 PM PST - 10 comments
Up tempo/techno/trance music suggestions for concentration
I am looking for suggestions for techno/trance/electronic music to help me concentrate. I thought I'd just look for "focus" music on Spotify and Youtube, but I find mostly classical piano music, and that doesn't help me focus at all. I need music without any lyrics (also no yelling, spoken words, etc), and a somewhat fast beat. [more inside]
Found a bedbug , now what?
So I woke up in the middle of the night and my foot was itching so I took a look at it and I noticed two raised areas. I was immediately suspicious so I got up and looked on the side of the bed and I found a bedbug crawling back down to whatever hell that birthed him. I removed him and stuck him in a plastic bag.
NOW WHAT?!? [more inside]
Options to open a WordPress post in a responsive popup
I'm looking for a stable plugin that can display an existing WordPress post from my site within a responsive popup window/lightbox when the user clicks a link. I've installed the free version of Popup Builder, which works pretty well, but it doesn't let me display a post, requiring that I recreate the post content inside their editor as either HTML OR a shortcode (not both). The pro version includes an iframe option that may be suitable, so I may check that out if I can't find any other options. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by maudlin at 12:04 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by maudlin at 12:04 PM PST - 7 comments
Filling a prescription in London
I accidentally forgot my prescriptions. I'm now in London. How do I get my US doctors office to call this in to a local drug store? These are my anxiety meds and I need them soon. [more inside]
Boundary Setting After Being Friend-Dumped due to His Unrequited Feels
My now ex-friend, a friend of ten years, close friend for seven, and best friend for one, broke up with me as my best friend and friend after it became clear that I wasn't going to date him. How do I set and enforce good boundaries to keep it from backsliding into the same nonsense drama (or new drama) when we share so many spaces, including living space? [more inside]
posted by Mouse on Mercury at 11:42 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by Mouse on Mercury at 11:42 AM PST - 30 comments
Young adult Willamette Valley ghost book
When I was a kid, I read this great young-adult book that had a ghost story set in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Does anyone else remember this? [more inside]
posted by limeonaire at 10:57 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by limeonaire at 10:57 AM PST - 6 comments
"Urban Arabic" Books
Hi everyone,
This question is a shot in the dark, but I'm trying to find a way to purchase a hard copy or PDF of the Saifi Institute's Urban Arabic books 4 & 5. This would be easy if I was in Lebanon, but I'm in the US. [more inside]
posted by Penguin48 at 10:45 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Penguin48 at 10:45 AM PST - 10 comments
Shortest flight away from Christmas?
Let's say you are a person who doesn't enjoy Christmas and you live in Chicago, what's the shortest flight to a place where Christmas isn't widely celebrated? [more inside]
Basic Powerlifting Training — NYC-Boston commuter edition
I'd like to get into a more regular schedule with weightlifting workouts—but I'm imminently moving from Copenhagen to split my time between New York and Boston. How do I do this? Looking for trainer/gym recommendations, especially: [more inside]
posted by zingiberene at 10:17 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by zingiberene at 10:17 AM PST - 6 comments
I've got a bun in the oven! What to serve with that?
Freezer food before baby arrives - What did you guys make ahead of time that you really enjoyed? What did you wish you'd prepped? What food did people bring you for new-baby time that was much appreciated? [more inside]
Intermediate Meteorology
What are some good resources for expanding one's knowledge on meteorology? [more inside]
posted by Ufez Jones at 9:30 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Ufez Jones at 9:30 AM PST - 6 comments
What kinds of pot use are healthy, appropriate, and respectful?
I have a really hard time knowing what types of pot use are "normal". Help me! [more inside]
posted by Automocar at 9:15 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by Automocar at 9:15 AM PST - 32 comments
Irish American dating site?
My 78 year old widowed sister in law is very lonely and wants to meet a man but he has to be Irish or Irish American only..and she's not going to change her mind.
Is it possible to restrict nationality on dating sites? I know this is touchy territory.
I've tried the dating sites in Ireland but they restrict them to the Ould Sod only - no other country can register.
Thanks.
Mom + bus trip + 74th birthday = what gift?
My mom leaves on Saturday for a week long bus trip from the DC area to Canada. She's not used to co-habitating, she's a bit of an introvert, and she's celebrating her birthday on day one of the trip. I'd like to send her off with something thoughtful and useful for the trip. [more inside]
posted by ovenmitt at 8:35 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by ovenmitt at 8:35 AM PST - 6 comments
Let's make moving and packing FUN again
Please help me not crash and burn. Because of reasons, from today until next weekend I will be doing most of the packing and moving into a new place across town. Moving and packing tips are always helpful, but what I really need are tips to keep me motivated, energetic and productive while avoiding burnout. [more inside]
September 9
So confused/indecisive about work and career as a mom
I have worked part time since my son was born six years ago. He is now in 1st grade and gets home around 3 p.m. on the bus. I am thinking that it's time for me to go back to work full time for several reasons, but I am agonizing over my decision and it's driving me crazy. [more inside]
Low effort, quick things to provide an immediate mood boost
I recently entered therapy for depression, social anxiety and other issues. Part of my first session was writing up a suicide prevention/safety plan. I am supposed to have a list of things that are easy to do and take less than an hour that will help me feel better. I am struggling to come up with anything that seems like it would help. [more inside]
Feed me, Seymour!
Help me come up with creative catering ideas for my upcoming wedding! [more inside]
posted by Sara C. at 10:37 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Sara C. at 10:37 PM PST - 11 comments
Looking over a cliff comedy scene?
Thinking of a scene where people are looking down a cliff, looking for someone. The person they are looking for shows up behind them and looks down the cliff with them. [more inside]
posted by lain at 10:16 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by lain at 10:16 PM PST - 9 comments
Was this a microaggression? Do I bring it up when I leave the gig?
I volunteer for a tiny nonprofit that I am considering quitting due to a staff member's overt rudeness. However, what's really bothering me is an offhand remark by one of the nonprofit's directors. [more inside]
Coping with Borderline Personality Disorder in a marriage
I'm looking for recommendations or guidance on how one can manage the mental and emotional challenges of being married to (and co-parenting with) someone who's afflicted by BPD/HPD [more inside]
posted by armoir from antproof case at 9:46 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by armoir from antproof case at 9:46 PM PST - 13 comments
Help me leave my job without snookering myself
I would like to leave my job. For various reasons it would be better to do this sooner rather than later and to do so without finding another job first. How do I present this to potential future employers and how do I present it to my current boss? [more inside]
Who wrote the US Flag Code?
I've established that the US Flag Code was adopted by the National Flag Conference in 1923, and was written by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Boy Scouts, Knights of Columbus, the American Library Association, and "over 60 other organizations" under the leadership of the American Legion. But I cannot find out who those "over 60 other organizations" were, despite a couple hours of very frustrating Googling. Can any of you fine people lend me a hand with this information?
Binge watching history
I am looking to settle into a nice, weekly marathon tele night where I can binge on one or two episodes of a riveting historical drama series or mini series... [more inside]
Help me find this book
My sister says "I remember a book about kids who lived in an underground city with video monitors in the classroom with food trolleys it came under the ground bringing the food and then eventually they escaped through the trolley system onto a farm and the farmer gave the little girl a teddy bear."
Probably from the late seventies or early eighties. Any clues?
posted by conifer at 6:23 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by conifer at 6:23 PM PST - 3 comments
Drag duo for Halloween
What are some well-known male character duos in pop culture? ...that would be fun to dress up as for Halloween?? [more inside]
posted by switcheroo at 6:04 PM PST - 58 comments
posted by switcheroo at 6:04 PM PST - 58 comments
I feel like I'm being babied but I also can't handle the truth.
I'm working in an office full of men doing administrative work. I've screwed up several times and I'm surprised I haven't been let go. I come off as unconfident and meek and my boss has commented on this several times. I somehow have the nagging suspicion that he would let go of any of the men in the office if they had made the same mistakes that I have. [more inside]
Brilliant therapist in Manhattan or Northern New Jersey?
I have treatment-resistant bipolar depression and anxiety. I've been working with the same therapist for 8 years and have made progress but feel like I need a new perspective. Minor special snowflake: I'm pretty smart, and I feel like I need a therapist I can't out-think. (Yes, I know how obnoxious that sounds.) Can anyone recommend someone in the area who they think is really pretty brilliant?
How can I improve my university marks for honours and stay motivated?
I'm just finishing up my final third year of university and would like to follow the honours path instead of a third year pass degree. I'm mostly a B student (70-75 marks range). I only have a few marks in the 80s range. My question is: How can I motivate myself to get high marks and stay on top of my class readings? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 5:02 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by RearWindow at 5:02 PM PST - 4 comments
More books like Jane Smiley's Some Luck trilogy?
Bookfilter: Help me find more books with the qualities I love about Jane Smiley's Some Luck trilogy! [more inside]
Weekend getaway near Los Angeles and Santa Ana?
I live in Los Angeles. A friend of mine will be in Santa Ana later this month for work, and we'd like to take a weekend trip together. Where can we go that's roughly a 1.5 to 2 hour max drive away from both places? [more inside]
Tasmania vs Big Island of Hawaii vs NZ South Island
I have the chance to spend 1-2 weeks on one of these 3 islands. It would be in December or January regardless of the choice. We like hiking, but are not highly skilled adventurers. We would be interested in amazing natural sights over everything else. Which to choose? [more inside]
posted by pekala at 2:55 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by pekala at 2:55 PM PST - 12 comments
Chart showing estimated reserves of elements
Some years ago (about 4–6 years, if I had to guess), I came across an infographic that showed various estimates for the reserves of various elements/ores that are known to exist. So, for example, we have (made-up numbers follow) 100 years' worth of lead, 50 years of yttrium, 400 years of copper, etc. The various elements were shown in a sort of circular bar chart, with elements having greater reserves extending further from the center. Can anyone help me track this chart down?
I'm gonna be hungry
I am traveling to Boston/Cape Cod for about 48 hours next week. [more inside]
Reporting theft of intellectual property following buyout
Who would I report this to? A few stores were sold from one management company to another, no documents or employee files were included in the sale. The new management company is using a financial spreadsheet built by the original management company - they just replaced the logo. [more inside]
How can I realistically improve my looks one month before wedding?
I am hoping to hear suggestions about things I can do to make a difference in both my mental and physical state over the next 30 days. [more inside]
Fitting for contacts seems iffy; help!
Two weeks ago I went to the UC Berkeley eye clinic for my annual eye exam and decided to be fitted for contacts because it turns out there are contacts that don't require solution. I didn't know! But it feels like I'm being railroaded into buying the most expensive kind of lenses; am I? [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 12:54 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Bella Donna at 12:54 PM PST - 12 comments
Decent looking furniture that can move when I move?
I'm looking for furniture options (ready-to-assemble, flat-pack, or other) for a small apartment (small living room, dining nook, bedroom, computer desk, etc) that are "easily" repack-able so I won't have to toss or donate them when I eventually move again. [more inside]
posted by Chicoreus at 12:42 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Chicoreus at 12:42 PM PST - 6 comments
Is a toaster oven an Easy Bake oven?
My daughter came home from school the other day telling me about how her friend was given a very tiny oven, that is also "very cute" but that it can do real things like make cakes and it is for kids! I said, "Was it an Easy-bake oven?" And she looked up at me, amazed, and said, "Yes! Mama, how did you know that?!" [more inside]
posted by amanda at 12:21 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by amanda at 12:21 PM PST - 36 comments
Anti depressants no better than placebos?
After having yet another conversation with a person who helpfully informed me that I should quit my antidepressants and eat kale, I'm curious about this study that 'proves' that anti depressants are no better than placebos. [more inside]
posted by mattholomew at 12:13 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by mattholomew at 12:13 PM PST - 28 comments
Bright Chinos
Looking for bright (brick red, bubblegum pink, swimming pool blue or grass green) chinos for someone between a 40-42 waist and a 40 length. I live in Hamilton, travel to Toronto, would prefer not ordering online.
How to as gracefully as possible switch therapists
My shrink, for reasons below the fold, is not working out. Given that I'm being treated for anxiety, it may come as no surprise that this makes me EXTREMELY ANXIOUS. Looking for mental handholds to get through as well as maybe a graceful way to phrase the need to exit. [more inside]
Youth is wasted on the young...
How do I make peace with the fact that I will become old, and how do I make the most out of my twenties? [more inside]
Help understanding vet costs
I had a very bad experience at my usual vet and had to take my cat to the emergency vet... can experienced people help me understand how much these things should cost? [more inside]
Living long term in Cairo region
I have recently completed a move to Egypt, from Canada. I will be here at least two years. I would love any suggestions folks here have about Egypt, advice for new arrivals, getting set up/integrated towards long term living, old memories of visits, last minute travel recommendations, foods/places/people not to miss, and more. [more inside]
Inexpensive, nonpermanent way to reduce room echo in recordings?
I've been recording myself reading poems. I have a nice AKG P220 condenser mic which works really well in situations where there isn't a lot of room echo. My apartment is not such a place. If I can find a solution that costs less than buying a new microphone, I'd prefer it. I'm assuming that if I can deaden the room a little the problem will be fixed. Any suggestions for a cheap, nonpermanent way to accomplish this?
posted by eustacescrubb at 11:16 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by eustacescrubb at 11:16 AM PST - 13 comments
Friends with an ex's BFF?
BFF of a no-contact ex reached out to me and apparently wants to be friendly. I'm wary. Should I be? [more inside]
posted by wildblueyonder at 10:43 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by wildblueyonder at 10:43 AM PST - 19 comments
"Interesting" Wordpress indexing/file structure - how did this happen?
I messed up a Wordpress install. Cleaned and reinstalled. It works now but the file structure is not "normal". I don't need troubleshooting per se, I just want to know WTF happened. [more inside]
posted by aperturescientist at 10:39 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by aperturescientist at 10:39 AM PST - 2 comments
Searching for name of odd style of window on historic building
We have a presentation coming up, the Owner would be impressed if we knew this. More after the fold. [more inside]
posted by rudd135 at 10:28 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by rudd135 at 10:28 AM PST - 3 comments
Quirky cool things in Portland, OR in the next couple of weeks?
I know some folks who are going to honeymoon in Portland, OR soon. They're arriving in the middle of next week and will be there for 10-14 days. I'd love to be able to point them to cool weird quirky things going on that they may not easily find in tourist magazines etc. They're about 40, not huge on hiking and I'm not sure what styles of music they like. They're already planning to get head-sized donuts at Voodoo and I've rhapsodised at them about Powells. Hope me, hive mind!
posted by rmd1023 at 9:45 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by rmd1023 at 9:45 AM PST - 29 comments
My Town got has Bike Lanes...Yay
How did you make the transition from car to bike easy and intuitive? How did you make "bike" the default when "car" is always a possibility/temptation? [more inside]
Mystery icon appeared in my menu bar. What is it?
Yesterday I opened up my laptop to discover it had crashed. When I rebooted, a new mystery icon was in the menu bar. Looks like a little square speech bubble with another square in the middle. [more inside]
posted by media_itoku at 9:07 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by media_itoku at 9:07 AM PST - 5 comments
How to win friends and influence people?
Tell me about Dale Carnegie courses. Have you taken one? What was it like? Was it worth the money?
I’m about two months into a new job. It is a career path that really excites me and makes me feel proud... when I'm not feeling like I'm drowning. Previously my work has been mostly on the technical side. My new job has much more client interface, political wrangling, and management aspects. I really want to do well, but my natural style is to be quiet and observe unless I am actually confident in my subject. My new boss wants me to take a Dale Carnegie course to become more comfortable with speaking in general, especially in venues where I do not have experience to back up my confidence. [more inside]
Kindergartener skid marks, should I worry/act or leave alone?
For at least a year, my 5.5-year-old has been having "poop accidents" which are not major poop events in his underwear but rather incidents that, at most, leave skid marks. To my eyes, they SEEM to be more frequent around stressful times (starting school etc.) but I wonder if there's a nutritional/health component that I need to address. [more inside]
posted by rabbitrabbit at 7:28 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by rabbitrabbit at 7:28 AM PST - 21 comments
Nutritional response testing any reviews?
Has anyone had nutrional resonse testing? Does it work for you? [more inside]
Help me sell my brand-new modern-design lamp online
Where can an individual person sell a great, expensive, new, modern design lamp she can't use? (It's this lamp, in the Natural shade.) [more inside]
Help me become a Valley Girl in 2016.
Mr. shesbookish just accepted a new job in Chatsworth, CA in the San Fernando Valley. We're moving there from Irvine in Orange County, which we love and we're hoping to find a place with a similar feel in the Valley. Does such a place exist? And would he have a reasonable commute to Chatsworth from said place? [more inside]
posted by shesbookish at 6:15 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by shesbookish at 6:15 AM PST - 11 comments
Recommend sciency videos for 8 year old
Hi all!
My daughter (age 8) is a bit stuck on Cookie Swirl C, etc. While I am ok with her watching whatever to relax, I think it might be nice for her to watch something a bit more education, but still fun - covering cool stuff in biology, physics, chemistry but still in the light 'hey guys' type style. Besides HobbyKids, can anyone recommend any others? Thanks!
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 6:03 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 6:03 AM PST - 19 comments
Thanks for the tip?
I started a new part time job a little over three weeks ago, while I go back to school (yay!). I'm in Massachusetts. It's minimum wage but customers can leave tips. Think Chipotle, Moe's, Subway, etc. I was told that everyone was paid tips once a month based on the hours they worked. Today's paycheck is the tipped one. I wasn't paid any. Is that legal? [more inside]
Can you help compile a Zumba mixtape?
A dear friend would like a collection of music similar to what she hears at the gym doing Zumba. Songs that are upbeat and either in English, Portuguese or Spanish, please. Not sure either of us can be any more specific than this, so can you help? Looking at collections on Amazon and youtube videos made me want recommendations from people who have direct experience of exercising to music. Many thanks.
posted by Prof Iterole at 1:35 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Prof Iterole at 1:35 AM PST - 9 comments
Old french textbook
Is it normal to feel this way?
Missing my old job and colleague. Can't seem to fit in at my new job. [more inside]
posted by Omnicron at 12:35 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Omnicron at 12:35 AM PST - 7 comments
Spider ID
September 8
What would you do in my situation (regarding career and life decisions)?
It seems for years I have been unhappy because I have a lot of drive to do something with my life, but for the love of God I just can't settle into a direction. I am currently in university taking a pre-masters to go into urban planning but I just feel like I don't really know what I'm doing or if I will like it. I am curious if others have been in a similiar situation before and if so how did they find their way? Also if you could read my extended explanation and tell me what you would do in my situation or offer any advice I would love to hear it. [more inside]
posted by oracleia at 10:01 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by oracleia at 10:01 PM PST - 17 comments
Please help us spell this name
My spouse wants to name our daughter Sema. The closest pronunciation to how this name is pronounced in his native language is here under Catalan. I think that some would read Sema and assume "Seemah" which is not the name. But how can we spell this name for Americans to pronounce it easily? [more inside]
What do my friend's hallucinations indicate?
My friend (a 35 year old woman) has experienced two weird hallucinatory experiences in the past two weeks right when awakening from sleep. She described it to me as a "fisheye lens effect" where she doesn't recognize her own fingers, everything in the room looks "off" and is too bright. More details inside. [more inside]
Whither the M-Audio Ozonic?
Seeking relatively cheap device(s) to feed keyboard/MIDI, electric guitar/.25" DI, and mic/XLR into a modern Mac for GarageBand fun, without additional pre-amps needed. [more inside]
posted by nicepersonality at 6:52 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by nicepersonality at 6:52 PM PST - 8 comments
Help us find this key--or as close to it as possible
My friend just introduced me to and older SyFy miniseries called The Lost Room, and I've gotten a little obsessed. I found replicas of the key fob featured in the show, but I haven't found anything close to the key itself. Here's a collage of images of the key from the show. [more inside]
posted by rhiannonstone at 6:21 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by rhiannonstone at 6:21 PM PST - 8 comments
Applying for jobs when you have the same name as a skeevy criminal
I have the same first and last name as a US college athlete involved in a rape case that got some national media attention recently. When googling my name, even verbatim or in quotes, the first several pages of hits are news items about the crime, the trial, etc. I'm now applying for jobs and looking for the best way to preemptively make sure I'm not confused with [demonstrably horrible person]. Worries & details below. [more inside]
posted by BespokePuppet at 6:07 PM PST - 35 comments
posted by BespokePuppet at 6:07 PM PST - 35 comments
How to use new balcony
Brainstorm request: Husband and I just moved into a new house that has a 4-foot-wide by 20-foot-long balcony off the master bedroom. How should we use it? [more inside]
Oh I get it, I get jokes
Can someone explain this Simpsons joke to me? I feel like I'm missing some key cultural reference. [more inside]
posted by the long dark teatime of the soul at 4:08 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by the long dark teatime of the soul at 4:08 PM PST - 10 comments
TENS unit recommendations
I'm looking for recommendations for a TENS unit, and the last question from AskMe is from '05. My PT recommended it to reduce inflammation and get fluid moving in my legs. I'm not sure where to start. They range in price from $20 to $80 and I have no idea how to evaluate the specs or what to look for. I'd like to make an informed choice. Any recommendations for specific brands or units are welcome, as are any tips for choosing one. TIA!
Nail polish in public
Are there any indoor public places where it would be acceptable to paint my nails? [more inside]
Travel advice for Coeur d'Alene and Spokane, please!
Hi everyone! I am traveling to Coeur d'Alene via Spokane next week. I have never been there before and am a special snowflake traveler. [more inside]
PC Upgrade
My PC has been overheating. I cleaned it out as best I could, and it ran better for a while, but still overheats and crashes when playing a taxing game. I've taken to opening the case and pointing a small fan into the case, against all the advice I've read, but it works. What's a long term solution? [more inside]
posted by kittensofthenight at 2:38 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by kittensofthenight at 2:38 PM PST - 14 comments
Things to do with ALL THE GRAPES? (Concord edition)
I have a giant Concord grape vine on my fenceline. (4' chain link fence, the neighbor planted it. Don't ask.) It produces grapes, yay! OTOH, it produces insane quantities of grapes. Help me figure out what to do with them? [more inside]
Right now, I'm the child who doesn't know how to ask.
If I'm interested in exploring Indian music, particularly rhythmically and harmonically complex Indian music, are there particularly good places to start? Composers, bands, movements/scenes, whatever. I have no preference between classical/religious/film/pop music—at the moment, I know tragically little about the musical landscape, other than that it's gorgeous and really draws me in. I tend to be drawn to frenetic, intense music, but that's by no mean a need for me right now. I just need help figuring out where to look.
Choose your own adventure, medical fellowship style
I am finally almost done with residency, yay! I am planning to do a fellowship in a subspecialty of my (nonsurgical) field. For family reasons I will almost certainly be doing it at my current institution. Said institution has had only 1 fellow in the current (newly accredited) version of fellowship and that was a couple years ago, and in the interim there has been faculty turnover and also changes in funding sources, so there is not a good precedent for how my time will be structured. So, academic medicine types: any suggestions on how I should propose to fill my time, so that it is not filled for me in less than optimal ways? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
Let Us Now Praise Famous Shadows
I just read In Praise of Shadows by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki. I loved it; the lament for the past combined with no desire to relinquish the future, the insight into Japanese architecture, etc.
Do you have any suggestions of books like this one? I'm interested in directly similar books, but also books that have the same feel. The books don't need to be about Japanese subjects. I do not want to read academic books that are written in a style that's designed to make the author sound smart. [more inside]
lost license nightmare
I used to live in NY, and I have an NY driver's license with my old address on it. Then I moved, and failed to update my address. Now I lost my license, and I'm moving again. What do I do??? [more inside]
posted by you're a kitty! at 1:35 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by you're a kitty! at 1:35 PM PST - 13 comments
Navigating the iPhone upgrade in a post-subsidy world
Can you give me advice on the best course toward upgrading to an iPhone 7 Plus in this new non-subsidized phone world? The twist: I have a grandfathered AT&T unlimited plan. [more inside]
Batmobile? What is this thing?
I passed this strange looking vehicle on I-94 E near Osseo, Wisconsin.
Was it a mirage or does someone recognize it?
Photo 1
Photo 2
posted by jkaplanenator at 1:09 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by jkaplanenator at 1:09 PM PST - 2 comments
Thru-hiking Vermont's Long Trail
I'm currently thru-hiking Vermont's Long Trail (northbound, finishing mid-October) and finding it kind of underwhelming. What can I do to spice things up? [more inside]
Wondering about an old character from Venice Beach, Los Angeles.
Does anybody know the story and/or current whereabouts of the Venice Beach busker who balanced an oven, wine glasses, and some other stuff on his face circa late-90s/early-00s? I believe his name was Frank Simon. [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 1:03 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by kensington314 at 1:03 PM PST - 4 comments
how to handle a bee problem in bushes
Hi,
We have had bees for weeks now flying into our bush. The bush is a medium sized one, and the bees have somehow created a hole (bigger than a fist) on the side of the bush, not the top. So they fly into the side of the hole and we can't see what is going on in there. [more inside]
I need a high-risk OB. I want a midwife. How can I do this in Ontario?
Due to my history of pulmonary embolism, I have been told I need a high-risk obstetrician to handle my prenatal care and delivery. However, I want the more hand-holdy and actually present approach of a midwife. But you have to choose one or the other. Is there a team-based practice or some sort that I can use? Or get a midwife first and then get them to bring in the OB, or...? [more inside]
Call me the cattle modifier, because I need to change the stakes.
For a variety of reasons I haven't been in a romantic relationship in 3+ years. I'm trying to change that now but finding the emotional ramifications really challenging to deal with. [more inside]
Books of Authority
What are some examples of famously comprehensive, authoritative works in a particular field, on par with Knuth's The Art of Computer Programming or Feynman's Lectures? [more inside]
posted by Kadin2048 at 12:37 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by Kadin2048 at 12:37 PM PST - 32 comments
Quality shoes for over-pronation
I'm looking for personal recommendations or even research that advises a certain kind/brand of shoe for those folks with significant over-pronation of the foot (arch collapses too much and the foot rolls inward excessively, distributing weight unevenly.) [more inside]
Prescription ragweed pills
Has anyone had experience with sublingual ragweed medications? I want a convenient fix. [more inside]
Beautiful things to see and trees to hug
I’m in DC, and going to San Francisco for a half marathon in early December. What National Parks and beautiful, nature-y things can I see out West that time of year, and how do I get to them? [more inside]
Breaking off an on-off relationship for good
I love my girlfriend so much but have had a very turbulent relationship with her with almost constant break up threats. How do I convince myself enough is enough? [more inside]
What's the best option for a tiny move in the SF Bay Area?
I have to move some stuff to a new (furnished) place on short notice, but I'm thinking that hiring movers would be overkill. Can't drive, so can't rent a truck, and my friend who could do it has to go out of town on the move-in date - what other options do I have? [more inside]
How do I become an outdoorsy person?
I would like to become an outdoorsy person. The kind that hikes, camps, kayaks, snowshoes, trap shoots, maybe backpacks. How do I do this? [more inside]
posted by stellaluna at 10:18 AM PST - 36 comments
posted by stellaluna at 10:18 AM PST - 36 comments
Long-term effects of head injury
I had a head injury when I was 7 that included loss of consciousness. I did not receive any medical attention for this injury. Could any of my current issues be traced back? [more inside]
Bass Guitar App Wanted
Looking for the best app for learning to play bass guitar. [more inside]
Vancouver area in December: city, mountains, or both?
I will be attending a conference in Vancouver the week of December 5th. My wife and I usually like to turn these trips into vacation opportunities, so I would like to get the advice of you fine folks!
First of all, the conference is at the Sheraton Wall Centre on Burrard St. Apparently, there will be reduced rates at the hotel for conference attendees, but I would be happy to hear any suggestions for less expensive lodging in that area. It's always a good thing to save the company a few bucks! [more inside]
Making paperbacks more durable
The new(ish) Scholastic paperback editions of Harry Potter have lovely cover art by the excellent Kazu Kibuishi. I'd like to own a nice set of Harry Potter books with this art, but I'd hate to have my pretty books wind up with bendy covers and other paperback issues. Does anyone have experience with taking paperbacks such as these and re-binding them as hardcovers, or otherwise making them more durable? Difficulty: There's a box they've got to fit in, and the spines line up into a piece of art.
posted by 4th number at 8:36 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by 4th number at 8:36 AM PST - 15 comments
Ethical theory 101
Um....anonymous because I teach and I guess I'm supposed to know this.
Can someone explain why it's not okay to use one ethical theory for some situations but a different one for other situations? Why are ethicists always trying to defend their particular line of reasoning and never admit that certain aspects are better dealt with by another kind of theory? [more inside]
Small, cheap laptop with no internet required
I'm looking for a small, inexpensive (<$400) laptop to use from the rainforest in West Africa for data entry and word processing. It seems like since I last looked for this sort of thing, notebooks have been replaced by chromebooks and fancy tablets, but I won't have access to the internet the vast majority of the time. Do I want a chromebook? A refurbished notebook? Something else? [more inside]
Come on, kid, please just... try?
I'm looking for thoughts/resources/anecdotes for instilling in a child (nearly 6) the value of making an effort rather than just short-circuiting to "I can't do it". I'd happily settle for "I tried and it didn't work" or "I got partway and I need help with the rest" but the instantaneous "I don't know" or "I can't do it" is making me a little crazy. When I try to explain the importance of making a good faith effort I'm afraid it sounds like I'm picking on him. So age appropriate scripts for remaining positive while pointing out that he hasn't even tried to do the thing before giving up would also be welcome. Please note that I'm well aware that he's still very little, but this is a lifelong core value as far as I'm concerned and I don't think it's too early to start teaching it gently. [more inside]
posted by telepanda at 7:15 AM PST - 52 comments
posted by telepanda at 7:15 AM PST - 52 comments
Looking for perfect hybrid bag!
My dream is to have a travel bag that wears and is sized like a backpack but opens all the way up so I can pack it like a suitcase. I've seen a lot of Kickstarters lately for bags like this, but outside of this one bag I found on Amazon, I haven't really seen a lot of other bags in this vein. Are they really so uncommon? Are there more bags out there like this?
posted by helloimjennsco at 7:14 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by helloimjennsco at 7:14 AM PST - 23 comments
I just want to solder silver jumprings
I've searched, and the information is overwhelming. I just want to know: can I solder silver jumprings closed with a soldering iron? If so, what kind of solder do I need? And if not, what is the cheapest possible way to do this? The jewelry store will charge me like $10 per, and this is unacceptable for my purposes. This is for small silver charms. Doesn't have to look perfect, but I also don't want to poison myself. [more inside]
What's it like being a USPS mail carrier?
I'm interested in applying to work for the US Postal Service as a mail carrier. I'd like to hear more about what the job is actually like, from people who've done it or who know someone who has. Does anybody here have any experience to share? [more inside]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 6:37 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 6:37 AM PST - 23 comments
Behavioral interview tips needed.
Do you have any behavioral interview tips you can share? Or resources you can point to, such as great articles or an online guide? [more inside]
Positive examples of flirting?
MetaFilter regularly features negative examples of what men should not do when approaching women (for example, stories from women who work in the service industry who have to fend off advances by men who have confused good customer service with attraction). I'm looking for positive examples of how flirting and asking people out should work. [more inside]
Reinforcing the Bridge instead of Burning It
Leaving my job. What is the best way to ease the transition for my colleagues? [more inside]
September 7
Give me songs that are joyfully solemn or solemnly joyous
I'm looking for songs that lift your heart up, but in a... calming way? Examples of what I'm looking for would be Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," Modest Mouse's "Float On," or maybe The Magnetic Fields' "The Book of Love." Something that wouldn't be out of place at a wedding OR a memorial service. A joyful solemnity is the best descriptor I can come up with for what I'm looking for. What have you got for me?
Online Sexual Assault Resources
What is a good online resource for my friend, who might have been raped? (triggers, yo) [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 11:01 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by j_curiouser at 11:01 PM PST - 5 comments
What should I see/do in MPLS to help me decide whether to move there?
I'm a Chicagoan who has lived in Portland, OR for four years. I miss the Midwest and I'm considering moving to Minneapolis (or possibly St. Paul). Next week, I'll be visiting the Twin Cities to scope it out. Help me plan a kick-ass and productive itinerary for my limited time in town! Also, what small progressive church should I attend on Sunday morning? [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 10:24 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by cnidaria at 10:24 PM PST - 15 comments
Files stuck in Read Only format
All of my files are locked in read-only status and nothing I do can fix the problem. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by Saxon Kane at 9:35 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Saxon Kane at 9:35 PM PST - 7 comments
What was this old leave-a-message machine?
I remember reading in the past few years about an old machine that was like a paid bulletin board. You'd pay a nickel to leave a small (business card or smaller) sized message and people could check it. I think the article I read compared it to Twitter, and was illustrated with an old engraving. [more inside]
Shadetree mechanics: am I fully insane?
Am I crazy to think about replacing cleaning my car's EGR valve if I have trouble even changing a tire on my own? [more inside]
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 8:51 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 8:51 PM PST - 13 comments
How to download apps from the Google Chrome Store?
Hello, everyone.
I have an Acer Chromebook C720.
In the past, I've been able to download apps.
Now I can't.
I get a never ending "checking" notice.
I've checked all imaginable forums.
It apparently is an issue, but there doesn't seem to be any simple resolution.
Has anyone successfully resolved this issue or else might have a way to troubleshoot it?
Thank you.
posted by holdenjordahl at 8:34 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by holdenjordahl at 8:34 PM PST - 3 comments
Games for K-6 as a non PE teacher - help a gal out
Hi everyone!
I'm working for an outdoor adventure company that is coming into a school system for 2 hour blocks per grade (typically 30 min stations) while they do professional development and we work with the students on "enrichment". [more inside]
How to care for an unbalanced grafted fruit tree?
I have a 4-way pear tree that's just made it through its second season and delivered a bunch of excellent pears. But one of the four ways is MIA, and another was pretty scarce. [more inside]
Best Drag 'n Drop Web Site Editor?
Hey all,
I used to do a lot of web dev. I don't anymore (Hooray!) and I like to keep it that way. However, my new gig requires me to keep a pretty active portfolio. I've been using Squarespace for a year or two but I find the "template" system to be super cumbersome and unwieldy. What's the state of the art in the drag 'n drop, no-admin-necessary website (Wix et. al.)?. More criteria inside. [more inside]
Gestational Diabetes 101
Just diagnosed. Can't get nurse appointment for at least a week, the handout they gave me was incomplete, and I have some questions. Help? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 6:00 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by ficbot at 6:00 PM PST - 12 comments
Best way to sell this specific car?
My beloved Subaru has to go or I'll be homeless within a couple months. Given the specifics below, what is the best way for me to move forward? [more inside]
posted by The Noble Goofy Elk at 5:45 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by The Noble Goofy Elk at 5:45 PM PST - 9 comments
I can do this ... right?
Help me get used to a teacher lifestyle! [more inside]
How do I increase reverb in a small room?
I have a small 63" x 64" breakfast nook in my house. Is it workable to close it off, put in a door, and maximize the reverb to make it into a one-person music practice room for my household? [more inside]
Please help turn this old orange into a fresh apple.
How to migrate Wordpress webpages into new Craft CMS site? [more inside]
posted by Mike Mongo at 3:33 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Mike Mongo at 3:33 PM PST - 2 comments
What iPhone USB Lighting cables do you recommend?
It's time for us to replace a lot of iPhone cables in the house and car that are of various lengths. The current ones became twisty and tears are starting appear in them. I'm hoping to find some cables in 3, 6 and 10 feet lengths that I don't have to replace every year. Or is that an impossible dream?
birthdays, the universe, and everything
What are some Douglas Adams-inspired destinations for a 42nd birthday? (Due to budget constraints, travel is limited to Earth, otherwise I'd be downing Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters on Eroticon VI.) [more inside]
How will global warming effect tomato growing in Seattle?
I have a small container garden and I enjoy growing tomatoes. I've had mixed success. Some years, when the summer seems cooler, none of my tomatoes have ripened and I end up throwing out large amounts of rotten vegetables. How will global warming effect the ripening of my tomatoes? [more inside]
posted by bq at 2:04 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by bq at 2:04 PM PST - 11 comments
Multi-day hikes in Utah and Colorado
I'm probably going to be in Denver in September next year. I'd like to do a multi-day hiking trip in Colorado or Utah (or Wyoming? Arizona? New Mexico?) while I'm in the neighbourhood. Any advice? [more inside]
How do I get things moving in my divorce?
Need help in getting my soon-to-be-ex to cooperate with our divorce process under some stressful circumstances beyond my control. [more inside]
How can I find out the owners of a corporation/ business that closed?
Some guy who used to own a sandwich place in Queens, NY stole $1000 from me and I can prove it.... if I can just find out his name. [more inside]
The visually impaired leading the visually impaired
What tricks and hacks do you know that have made you life with glasses better? [more inside]
The horse of contempt vs the pony of stability
I'm living with my partner, and the relationship is probably emotionally over...but I can't move out due to Reasons. I'll try to keep it short as possible below (oops, I didn't, it's wayyy too long), but I'm looking for both practical and emotional solutions or advice. It's a should I stay or should I go question, but of course there's always particulars. [more inside]
posted by zinful at 1:26 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by zinful at 1:26 PM PST - 36 comments
Employment in semi-rural area?
Recently moved to a semi-rural area, a place that is a 45 minute drive from lots of bigger places but seems to lack employment opportunities in the immediate vicinity. But, I need a job. Anyone have any ideas for websites, online employment, even small business options I could look into?
What to do for 4 and a half hours in Seattle
So, my husband and I are going on a cruise that leaves this Sunday from Pier 91 in Seattle. Boarding is from 1pm - 3pm and the boarding time listed for our cabin is 2pm. Our flight gets in to Seattle at 9:30am, which gives us 4.5 hours to kill. [more inside]
Is hooking up a multi region player as easy as i think?
I'm wanting to get a multi-region player and the one i found is in the UK while i'm in the US. I know i'll at least need an adapter for the voltage but is it as easy as just plugging it up? Do i need to mess with setting on my tv too, or does NTSC/PAL not matter with lcd hdtvs anymore?
Where to store my precious gametes in Canada?
I'm a 22 year old trans woman and finally received my prescription for HRT last week. As anxious as I am to start correcting my hormonal system, I would like to bank some sperm prior to starting. I've looked around online and can't seem to find definitive information about where is best to do so. I am in western Canada. [more inside]
Book recommendations needed
Inspired by the challenges that I've seen other people set for themselves, I'd like to take a break from reading only books written by white guys. [more inside]
posted by komara at 11:27 AM PST - 34 comments
posted by komara at 11:27 AM PST - 34 comments
Dealing with prediabetes after Gestational Diabetes
It seems I am prediabetic based on my current A1C results from the doctor. I am so frustrated with all of this! There is no diabetes in my family on either side and several of my family members (like my dad) eat honey, syrup, and jelly beans all day! [more inside]
Best way to wirelessly connect two sets of headphones to a phone
I like to listen to the same podcasts as my girlfriend while going for walks, but using a cable splitter and wired headphones is pretty frustrating. Is there a good way to either connect two pairs of headsets over bluetooth and/or listen on one set of plugged in wired headsets while the other person listens wirelessly over bluetooth? [more inside]
How do architects/builders decide which way a given door should open?
How do architects/builders decide which way a given door in a house should open?
Are there a set of typical considerations?
(some of the choices in my home seem suspect)
Srugim television show with Hebrew subtitles
I have access to an Israeli show called Srugim both on Amazon and Hulu, but it has English subtitles. I have not been able to find a version with Hebrew subtitles... any ideas? Would be a fun way to practice my Hebrew.
How to make/implement a free-floating routine?
Routines are vital in my day-to-day. However, if the morning doesn't start out right, the whole day gets derailed. How can I divorce my routines from time and make them more break resistant? Or, is it worthwhile in my case to trade morning sleep for later naps and preserve the time-linked morning routine? [more inside]
Deruta lamp obsession
Somewhere in the world, does another one exist? [more inside]
posted by Gusaroo at 10:03 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by Gusaroo at 10:03 AM PST - 2 comments
Have my Heart, O Hairstylist of Mine
So I have a crush on my hairstylist. Would it be a terrible move to pass him a note with my contact details on it? [more inside]
Name badges for kids.
I am a Beaver Scout leader, and need some ideas for making name badges. [more inside]
posted by fimbulvetr at 8:38 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by fimbulvetr at 8:38 AM PST - 14 comments
Roasting Marshmallows WITHOUT an Open Fire
I'm putting together a fall-themed event at my kids' school later this month, and would love for toasting marshmallows/making s'mores to be part of the event. But...not really comfortable with the idea of a bonfire on school property (and neither is the principal). Help me come up with a way that the kiddos can toast marshmallows without open flames, preferably also without spending too much money and, ideally, something I can pull some bales of straw around to get that bonfire feeling.
Job hunt freak out
I've been working in a specialized field and have to find something else (for reasons explained "more inside"). I haven't been able to "turn it off" for months. What next? Are these things I'm thinking about totally crazy? [more inside]
How to resolve a harassment case?
I am in a young-ish lecturer at a UK university, and I'm trying to "broker" a solution to an incident of sexual harassment. [more inside]
Has this been an unusually terrible year for colds?
I have had a cold for 12 days now. This is the third time this year I have had an almost two-week long cold like this. I can't remember it ever happening before this year. [more inside]
posted by insoluble uncertainty at 6:56 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by insoluble uncertainty at 6:56 AM PST - 23 comments
Recommend books for a 10 year old girl who doesn't like reading.
What books would you recommend for a 10 year old girl who is not "into" reading? [more inside]
Help me email
I've recently been switched to Outlook at work, and the capability to download to Thunderbird, my mail client of choice for ten years, is turned off. My email is now out of control. Hope me. [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 5:20 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by sockermom at 5:20 AM PST - 9 comments
Is my boyfriend cheating?
My (20sF) boyfriend (30sM) of 7 months has engaged in lying, gaslighting, and deflecting behavior for the entirety of our relationship. I found a headband and a pair of obviously feminine tweezers (heart on them and used for lashes) in our shared bathroom drawer. Should I leave him now? Please help me. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:03 AM PST - 61 comments
posted by anonymous at 2:03 AM PST - 61 comments
Automate sending an IRC message on Android
I want to put a button on my (Android) phone that, when pressed, logs into an IRC channel and sends a pre-defined /msg to a user there. How can I do this? [more inside]
posted by metaBugs at 1:43 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by metaBugs at 1:43 AM PST - 2 comments
How to send two e-invitations to the same event?
I'd like to invite a large group to an event using an e-invitation (e.g. Paperless Post, Evite, Pingg), but I'd like to have a "fun" invitation for the young folks and a more "appropriate" invitation for the older folks. Is there a service that allows you to create two invitations for a single event? I'd like all the invitees to be able to view the guest list and RSVPs so they can plan accordingly.
September 6
How to help an ESL student who doesn't want to learn?
I've been tutoring a new student from the beautiful land of Cuba. She is 14 and her parents want me to teach her English. I think she is going through the natural process of culture shock and is overwhelmed by the US in general. To complicate things even more, the high school she just started with has thrown her mercilessly into an advanced Speech & Debate class. The poor kid is so frustrated by everything at this point that she's just giving up on learning English. How can I help inspire her to learn? [more inside]
posted by Mistress of the Bunnies at 11:39 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by Mistress of the Bunnies at 11:39 PM PST - 19 comments
Best way to learn Microsoft Excel 2010 in a hurry!
I'll shortly be starting a distance learning course with the Open University which will take me about 20-25 hours a week to do. I am looking for 20 hours a week or so of part-time work as an admin assistant or assistant in a marketing department (I have a marketing degree, but haven't really used it in many years). I have seen jobs advertised which are most working with Excel spreadsheets, and I have Microsoft Office 2010 on my computer, so I want to learn Excel 2010 ASAP then I can start applying for such jobs. Any tips or resources? [more inside]
posted by AuroraSky at 10:57 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by AuroraSky at 10:57 PM PST - 7 comments
Best Kindle version of Shakespeare
I need the works of Shakespeare on my Kindle. I would like to get a version that has a real, actual table of contents, so that I can jump from one play to another without having to scroll through thousands of pages and/or search for the title. I'm willing to pay for this.
Do you have a good version of the bard's works? Can I have it too?
small-scale document digitization services? document retention policies?
I work for a small non-profit that has had six linear feet of historical records on paper in somebody's basement for the last few decades. Can the hive mind (1) recommend a company that can scan/OCR these papers for us and (2) recommend resources for teaching me how to design and implement a document retention policy? [more inside]
Trying to Find This Funny Video
Does anyone remember (and can link to) this funny video from several years ago about hanging out with another couple? [more inside]
Film people: outdoor lighting's different in the West vs East Coast?
In this interview with Julia Louis Dreyfus, she talks about how the TV show Veep moved its filming location from Baltimore to Los Angeles. Halfway through, she says, "We never shot anything exterior during the day in California to stand in for the East Coast because the light is so different there." Having recently moved from Baltimore to Los Angeles myself, I'm curious - what does she mean?
posted by facehugger at 6:48 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by facehugger at 6:48 PM PST - 21 comments
Short story or parable about a samurai and a supernatural loophole
Help me figure out where I read this short ghost story. [more inside]
posted by figurant at 6:45 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by figurant at 6:45 PM PST - 2 comments
Help! Wasps!
My room has just been invaded by about a dozen wasps. I had to close the window to stop more coming in, so now they're all trapped in here. What should I do?! [more inside]
Academia->Industry. How should I prepare myself?
I'm in a temporary faculty position in computer science. I'm finally resigned to the reality that I'm not going to get a good tenure-track academic job short of a miracle, so I'm actively looking to jump ship. Having never worked outside academia, I'm excited but *extremely* nervous about the change, especially since it's a one-way street. What should I know in advance? [more inside]
Balance Transferring on a 0% APR Card
I need to replace my laptop. In order to defer costs, I decided to apply for a 0% APR (over the first 15 cycles) card, and put the laptop's cost on that so I can pay a bit each month without accruing interest on the purchase. I'm worried about the longevity of the deal, and my card isn't set to arrive for a week. They also offer fee-free balance transfers - so I'm thinking of putting the charge on an existing card and then transferring the balance. Is there anything else I should keep in mind here, or is there a hidden fee somewhere that might screw me? [more inside]
posted by codacorolla at 6:29 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by codacorolla at 6:29 PM PST - 12 comments
Cocktail Fun!!
Which Bay Area festivals are worth attending if you're not into dancing?
I recently got back from Burning Man. Even though I'm not into live music or partying, it was super fun! I notice there are a lot of festivals and parties in the Bay Area that have similar aesthetics or involve the same people (Symbiosis, Lightning in a Bottle, Further Future, SF Decompression, Ghost Ship, etc.) but I'm wondering which ones are really "music festivals with some art" and which ones have plenty of stuff for the art-and-science lovers. [more inside]
Is Politico a trustworthy organization for US news?
I see a lot of Politico stories popping up these days about the upcoming US election. Are they worth my time to read? In general is their news reporting trustworthy and well sourced? Or are they mostly biased, clickbait, or recycled stories from other sources? [more inside]
posted by Nelson at 4:29 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Nelson at 4:29 PM PST - 12 comments
Fake humorous cult recruiting video?
There is a YouTube video, several years old, that features an earnest-seeming commercial about individuals accepting some sort of cult religion. As the video went on, the material got more and more ridiculous. I feel like the fake cult starts with a K. The artist who put it together had 2 or 3 videos in the series. I know it was mentioned on MeFi before. Any help?
posted by blahblahblah at 4:23 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by blahblahblah at 4:23 PM PST - 4 comments
An interrobang meets a certitude mark in 1910s Germany ...
Okay, what the heck is this thing? A friend who studies Comparative Literature found an unidentifiable punctuation mark that looks like a cross between a double-dagger, an exclamation point, and a hyphen, pictured here. [more inside]
So...how fast can the processor process?
I've been researching purchasing a Lenovo M Series Tiny Desktop recently. But, I'm having difficulty making sense of the specs. [more inside]
posted by bkpiano at 4:16 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by bkpiano at 4:16 PM PST - 5 comments
Can I pave the floor of my dirt floored sump?
I have a very wet unfinished basement. I have a sump & pump there. The sump is dirt floored, or more precisely, clay floored. It's got cement sides, but is otherwise just a hole dug into the earth beneath the basement. Can I get some sort of cement and pour it into the water such that I roughly pave the floor? I have no idea what I'm doing with this sort of thing. [more inside]
Family holiday movies
I know it's only September, but I'd love your suggestions for movies about families getting together for the holidays. See inside. [more inside]
roll, roll, roll down ze hill.
trying to remember something from the 80s. help? [more inside]
posted by koroshiya at 2:43 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by koroshiya at 2:43 PM PST - 4 comments
CEO was 30 minutes late for interview, then refused to interview me??
Just drove back from an interview. Apparently, I had not completed a required personality test beforehand. (Though in my hour-long interview with the HR director on Friday, it never came up at all.) We rescheduled but I'm not interested any more. How do I handle this? [more inside]
posted by nubianinthedesert at 2:34 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by nubianinthedesert at 2:34 PM PST - 5 comments
Has anyone had or dealt with Dupuytren's Contracture?
Has anyone had or dealt with Dupuytren's Contracture? If yes, suggestions for treatments that have worked, haven't? [more inside]
posted by specialk420 at 1:30 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by specialk420 at 1:30 PM PST - 8 comments
The Bestest, Artsiest Halloween Cards (That I Can Afford to Make)
I love Halloween and I love making art, so this year I'm planning to start early on a whole crop of Halloween cards that I will disperse far and wide. I'm trying to figure out a cost-effective way to make each one by hand. I don't know how many I'll need; I'm thinking of putting them in my Etsy shop for free as well as sending to friends. Info about art skills and card preferences inside. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 1:28 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by mermaidcafe at 1:28 PM PST - 7 comments
Managing the finances after the death of a spouse
I'm looking for software/app recommendations to help me manage my finances after my wife's death. [more inside]
How did you online degree?
I want to complete a bachelor's degree online and am starting to research my options. I am overwhelmed. Hearing your experiences would be helpful. [more inside]
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 11:57 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 11:57 AM PST - 11 comments
How to deal with a husband who actively rejects my daughter and me?
What more can I (or should I) do in this family situation? There is such an imbalance of love and affection going on, I don't know what to even do any more. [more inside]
posted by retrofitted at 11:37 AM PST - 51 comments
posted by retrofitted at 11:37 AM PST - 51 comments
Best year-round tarp for covering outdoor items?
I've got a big wooden work table (with sharp corners) in my backyard and I keep it covered with one of those green tarps when not in use, but within a year the tarps start to fade/thin/shred/rip/leak. Is there a standard four season heavy duty tarp (or equivalent) that can last many years of wear?
Do I really need to hire a professional to re-install baseboard trim?
I have baseboard trim that was installed in a few rooms of my house, removed to do some floor work, and now needs to be re-installed. Do I really need to hire a contractor to do this, or is it something I can do myself? If the latter, what do I need to know? Any recommended how-to guides appreciated! [more inside]
Painful Ganglion in both wrists? What can you do?
Has anyone had this or know of someone who has and how they have dealt with it? Are there any home-remedies or anything like that, that have helped treat it or reduce the swelling/pain? (More details in extended explanation.) [more inside]
Looking for books, articles, and advice on managing software engineers
Yaaaay! I just got a new job managing a team of software engineers! Looking for books, articles, and advice on how to be most effective in my new role. I'm particularly interested in the "people skills" side of the job. [more inside]
What do you know about Active Noise Cancellation?
The vehicle I'm considering purchasing has Active Noise Cancelation, a feature that apparently can't be turned off. I'm worried that it might be disturbing to my dogs but don't really understand how it works. I have heard people complain about feeling like they need to pop their ears when using the Bose noise canceling headphones and wonder what is at work there. Can anyone shed any light on this? I'll put the manufacturer's description of the system inside. [more inside]
How do I clean these wood floors?
Not sure what kind of wood it is. Moved in several months ago, but haven't done more than swiffering for fear of not using the right cleaners. [more inside]
email distribution list management for a pack of scouts
Hi everyone,
I have been asked to come up with a good solution for managing e-mail distribution lists for a Cub Scouts Pack. Here are the requirements
1. MUST: have the ability to have various addresses like scoutmaster@xyz.com, denleaders@xyz.com, pinewoodderbychair@xyz.com, allscouts@xyz.com, etc...
2. MUST: Cheap or Free. Doesn't *have* to be free, but should be inexpensive.
3. NICE TO HAVE: Self Management Capability where people can
a. unsubscribe, or
b. update e-mail addresses and physical addresses
c. reset forgotten passwords
by themselves.
I have Googled and even searched here, but none of them meet my requirements, especially #1 above. Your help is much appreciated!
story from the 70's or 80's about the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon
In honor of Labor Day, I wanted to revisit this amazing account of the telethon that I had read somewhere online several years ago. It was definitely written/published sometime in the 70's or 80's, and it was a pretty unvarnished look at Jerry Lewis and his involvement in the MDA telethon. Google is completely failing to help me track it down right now, can anyone help?
posted by cakelite at 8:47 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by cakelite at 8:47 AM PST - 5 comments
Netflix login issues
I've been getting messages from Netflix every month or so stating that they have seen suspicious activity on my account, and I need to change my password. I use strong passwords (12 characters, generated by a password manager). Usually, I see no suspicious activity on my account, but this weekend there did seem to be access from somebody other than my family, and no message from Netflix this time. Is there anything more I can do to secure my Netflix account? [more inside]
Must I respond to a police "welfare check?"
I am on vacation and received a voicemail on my cellphone from an officer with my local police department, saying that he went by my apartment to conduct a welfare check on behalf of "Mr. Max" and asking me to call back to confirm I am okay. I do not know anyone by that name, and I am in regular contact with normal friends and family (needless to say, I am fine). [more inside]
I miss 43Things. What other ways can I keep track of my goals?
I kind of miss 43Things. What site/app/community etc. can I use to keep track of my goals? Wrinkles: I don't care about gamification, a lot of my goals are not health-related, the social/community aspect is what I miss most. [more inside]
Is it possible for a deep space photo to be upside-down?
.... and, if so, upside-down relative to what? [more inside]
What does it look like when people stay in touch casually all the time?
Inspired by recent [1] questions [2] about how people live in the day-to-day, I've got one: if you stay in regular touch (2+ times per week) with a friend or family member that you don't see that often, how do you go about it? [more inside]
posted by xo at 8:24 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by xo at 8:24 AM PST - 30 comments
Best literary/anthro/psych theory take on the fairy tale?
What's the best analysis of the fairy tale format you've read? Looking for new angles on what they are, how they work, who they're for and where they might be going. [more inside]
Can this website using Google Maps be saved offline?
Kyiv Murals (see link) is a great resource for finding the murals of Kyiv. However I do not have a smartphone and only a wifi tablet. Is it possible to save the locations and accompanying photo offline through some googlefu? [more inside]
Work- and Dog-friendly coffee shop in NoVa
NoVaFilter: Can anyone recommend a coffee shop (or other venue) near the Manassas area where I can comfortably sit with my dog and work on my computer for several hours tomorrow morning? [more inside]
posted by R a c h e l at 7:36 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by R a c h e l at 7:36 AM PST - 2 comments
RECOMMENDATION NEEDED: simple diabetes tracking on both Web and iPhone
Can you help me find a diabetes tracker that I can update both on the Web and my iPhone? [more inside]
Can I radically prune my palm?
We live in Central Florida. Right by the walkway to our front door we have a palm plant that has four major trunks (picture 1, picture 2). I want to remove three of them. [more inside]
Any muralists around?
Should I move from a local TLD to a generic TLD (.co)?
My website is jobmob.co.il. I'm wondering if I should move it to jobmob.co, which I also own. [more inside]
posted by jshare at 6:29 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by jshare at 6:29 AM PST - 5 comments
Parental leave in Ontario
My wife and I are expecting our first child in early December and we're super-confused about how parental leave works. We're getting a lot of contradictory answers from people we talk to. I'd like to take 2.5 months away and my wife would like to take 12 months away. Can someone who is familiar with parental leave in Ontario tell me if that's possible? [more inside]
How to best think through/address Mazda 5 safety concerns
Our family is in need of a new car, and based on many recommendations here, a late-model used Mazda 5 seems like it would be a very good fit. However, I'm nervous because recent safety tests give the Mazda 5 a "poor" rating in the front small overlap test and a "marginal" rating in side impact tests. How much should these impact my thinking? If we do go with the Mazda 5, what's the best way to spend a bit of money (up to 1K) to increase safety? [more inside]
Where to spend new years eve 2016 in South East Asia?
I will be in South East Asia from the 19th December until the 10th of January this year and have yet to decide where I am going to spend new years eve. Where should I go for a great celebration? [more inside]
posted by litereally at 3:46 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by litereally at 3:46 AM PST - 4 comments
Concert date changed without notice, entitled to refund?
I purchased tickets well in advance of the gig date. The gig was re-scheduled to a date I was unavailable. I did not receive any email of notification about the rescheduled date. After speaking to customer services, the ticketing company claims to the contrary to have notified me. The email stated that I had 10 prior to the show to claim a refund. It is now well past that date (mid Aug), and the gig has passed (1st Sept) without my collecting the ticket which was held by the venue. They sent me proof that an email has been sent in the form of a `Track Message' screenshot from a `Secure Email Gateway'. But on my end, I've not been able to find any such email. MeFi, do I have any possibility of disputing this for a refund?
LibreOffice5 Regrets
Just upgraded from an earlier version, my fonts are suddenly inaccessible??? [more inside]
Best books about government?
I am compiling a reading list - already pretty long - of "must reads" around the subject of government (Westminster-style) and the civil/public service. Your recommendations? [more inside]
posted by turbid dahlia at 1:02 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by turbid dahlia at 1:02 AM PST - 9 comments
September 5
Panelist questions re Gun violence
What questions would you like to ask a researcher specializing in the area of mothers who have lost children (usually boys) to gun violence? [more inside]
Is it unethical to threaten bad reviews in a dispute with a contractor?
A home repair project has turned into a disaster and now we're at odds with our contractor over payment. [more inside]
Should my pediatrician have visited us in the hospital?
We spent Friday through today in the hospital with my 6 week old, who was running a high fever. (Everything turned out fine.)
Our pediatrician is part of a bigger practice with a dozen other pediatricians, all of whom are affiliated with the hospital and are regularly at the hospital, on the same floor, to see new babies after they are born.
Am I wrong to be bothered that none of the pediatricians (neither the specific one we see, nor any of her colleagues in the practice), came to visit/check on my baby the entire weekend? [more inside]
repair iphone 6 headphone jack? (otherwise need *non* in-ear BT earbuds)
My iphone 6 headphone jack has got intermittent audio weirdness regardless of different known good headphones plugged into it. I can try to get it fixed, or I can get me some Bluetooth earbuds, which I otherwise don't need. But there are hardly any Bluetooth earbuds that are * NOT * in-ear - which I would need. [more inside]
posted by bitterkitten at 5:33 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by bitterkitten at 5:33 PM PST - 10 comments
Security camera DVR I can access on a Mac?
I'd like to put in a few security cameras and a recorder... and be able to access the whole thing from a Mac. Does anything on the market do that? [more inside]
posted by fogster at 5:28 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by fogster at 5:28 PM PST - 7 comments
About those tow capacity numbers
The owners manual for my 2011 Toyota Camry purchased in the US gives a 1000 lb. trailer weight limit. The Australian owners manual for a 2011 Camry gives a 2600 lb. (1200 kg) trailer weight limit. Is there any actual difference between the cars to account for the difference, or is this some sort of weird bureaucratic thing where the US makes the car companies low ball the tow rating? [more inside]
Is there a modern way to open Adobe PageMaker 6 .pm6 files?
I am trying to open some Adobe Pagemaker 6 .pm6 files and am having trouble finding any software to open them. Is there a modern way (preferable free) to open these files? [more inside]
With what should I cover my patio?
Our house in Southern California needs a patio cover. We want something with a lattice top kind of like this. We don't want wood because our last one was made of wood and it got termites. There are multiple options for non-wood materials: faux-wood textured aluminum, vinyl, composite (i.e., Trex). What are people's experiences with these kinds of patio covers? [more inside]
Shoes with ankle support
I'm looking for women's shoes with great ankle support, something like a very lightweight hiking boot (that won't really be used for hiking) or a lightweight high-top athletic shoe. Hope me! [more inside]
What is the most relaxing kind of vacation you can have with a toddler?
We'd like a relaxing vacation, but no vacation we've taken as a family has ever been relaxing. They've been fun, and they've gotten us out of our routines, but they're always intense, and we're always more tired than when we left. Is there a Somewhere Special we could go where that wouldn't be the case? [more inside]
Career transition resume help for teacher
I am an elementary school teacher who is considering a career change. Can you help me revamp my resume? [more inside]
Fiction Filter: How to hire an internet private investigator?
My character is looking for her birth father, who has an extremely common name: something almost as bad as 'John Smith.' She has a photo and last whereabouts for him from the 1970's. He is an artist with a very very small presence. The year is 2004, but his name puts mere googling out of the question. Whom does she hire to find him, how much will it cost her, how long will it take, etcetera?
posted by uans at 10:49 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by uans at 10:49 AM PST - 7 comments
Evidence-based Preschool "Curriculum"
What should my two year old learn and how should he learn it? [more inside]
How did you meet your significant other?
I'm a writer (read: I have not attempted to publish anything yet but I write. A lot.) I'm working on another novel and I want my writing to be as real and authentic as possible. However, I'm running into a gap in my life knowledge that I need your help with. (Please note: I'm not looking for you to post ideas or plot suggestions - I'm looking for a better understanding of real life, in all its messy and complicated glory, to draw from as I write this story.) [more inside]
posted by quiet_musings at 9:35 AM PST - 171 comments
posted by quiet_musings at 9:35 AM PST - 171 comments
Time for a career change. How does this work?
Feeling like my first master's was a waste, I'm pursuing an MBA and considering a career change. If this sounds like something you've done, I have some questions for you below. [more inside]
Fun day trips out of NYC
I just moved to Brooklyn, and my partner and I are interested in getting out of the city for short trips on weekends. We're interested in nature walks and scenic places. Where could we go that fills the following criteria? [more inside]
posted by MFZ at 9:17 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by MFZ at 9:17 AM PST - 18 comments
Motion-Detection Video Recording App for iPhone or Android
Is there an iPhone or Android video recording app that only records when motion is detected? [more inside]
What should this Brit buy at Target
I've just discovered Target ships to the UK, claiming full responsibility for landed costs, which is very exciting for this brand deprived individual (I grew up in New Zealand, okay...)
So what should I buy? What's your favourite Target item? I like snacks, desk accessories, tech accessories, beauty, and I have a dog. Probably $100 is my max budget.
Should I reach out to my ex now?
My ex-boyfriend and I (a woman) were together for the better part of a decade, starting in our mid 20s. We both thought that we would be partners for life. But in the first few weeks of this year, after several months of conversation about our life goals, I decided to break up with him, because we had grown to have different goals re: marriage & children (I want both; he wanted neither). I do not want the relationship back, but I would like for us to stay in touch. Is now an okay time to reach out? Please read the rest. [more inside]
Your favorite resources for stakeholder mapping and analysis
I work in the NGO/NFP space across a few organizations and am interested in your favorite and most useful tools/books/software/processes for mapping and analysing relationships for collaboration and fundraising purposes. [more inside]
posted by AnnaRat at 2:18 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by AnnaRat at 2:18 AM PST - 3 comments
Is he interested, nth edition.
So there's the proverbial guy. Help me determine his level of interest. [more inside]
September 4
Room door hinges that will open to 270 degrees?
Where to find pivot room door hinges that will open to 270 degrees? [more inside]
I want to sing and dance and not argue with the lyrics
I need more music that I can sing along to without cringing at patriarchal, car-centric, or otherwise ideologically questionable lyrics. [more inside]
Did I imagine this lyric?
Trying to find the words to a song I remember hearing as young teenager in a cultural backwater. Google has turned up no results thus far. I thought it was by Garbage, but maybe I just associate it with "Cup of Coffee"... [more inside]
Da-dadah-dadah-dadah-da-dah-dah-dah-DAH! DAAAAAAAAAAAHH!
So, so, so many songs end with the same repeated, seemingly intentionally hammy flourish. What is this called? Where did it come from? What's the story there? Example: 2:38 in to this Dropkick Murphys song, though I could have used a virtually infinite number of others.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:05 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:05 PM PST - 7 comments
Biographies of interesting women
Mefites, I trust you way more than the random lists on Goodreads. Could you suggest some recent-ish biographies of interesting, mostly not-very-well-known women? [more inside]
posted by Janta at 7:17 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by Janta at 7:17 PM PST - 32 comments
Where to stay in and around Cartagena.
We're thinking of going to Colombia for 2 weeks this February, to the Cartagena area. Where to go / stay / do? [more inside]
How did you spend your day?
I'm trying to break out of a rough period, but I'm not exactly sure what I'm supposed to be breaking into. Would anyone be interested in just giving me an honest, minute to minute run down of a day in their life- a work day, a free day, any day, any age, any stage? [more inside]
posted by weewooweewoo at 4:02 PM PST - 65 comments
posted by weewooweewoo at 4:02 PM PST - 65 comments
How should I heat my head?
I really like microwavable hot packs (often a sock filled with grain). I also really like hot wet washcloths. They work great on tension headaches and the little muscles in my head. But they don't last very long - certainly not long enough for me to use one to heat all the different places in my head that want heating. Do you have any suggestions for long-lasting heat for my head muscles? [more inside]
posted by freyley at 3:57 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by freyley at 3:57 PM PST - 9 comments
How to word resume now that I'm retired but not ready to quit working?
I retired from my twenty-five year career as an educator, but looking for work to supplement my income or even start a new career. However, implying in any way that I've retired seems to read that I'm elderly or not seriously interested in a new line of work. How do I word cover letters or my resume so that I present the correct image? [more inside]
Book filter: Dead man stays alive as ghost and travels the world?
There's a book that was published near the end of 2015/beginning of 2016 that is about a man who is killed and he ends up as a ghost (or maybe zombie-esque) traveling the world. That's the only description I can remember from the review that I read (in Entertainment Weekly). I also think the book had a brown cover. I don't know if was published in hardcover or paperback. Anyone know what this might be?
posted by lea724 at 2:05 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by lea724 at 2:05 PM PST - 2 comments
Can you recommend a moving company to take me from NJ to Durham, NC?
My husband and I are moving from northeast NJ to Durham next month. We are moving from a house to a house. Did you make a similar move, and if so would you recommend your moving company? [more inside]
how to photograph unobtrusively
From my prior question a few weeks ago, I proceeded to purchase the Fuji x100t camera. The thing is freaking amazing and I am having a huge learning curve with it, but to much enjoyment.
My main photographic interest is people. I have done portraits. And that part is easy. I just ask someone I know well enough if they would like to pose. [more inside]
How do you judge the quality of jewelry?
I am interested in learning how to differentiate high quality jewelry from common pieces--especially on the resale market. When I go to an antique store or thrift shop and look at jewelry, it all looks the same to me. Sure, I can differentiate by color and number of stones, but that is about it. How could I develop the ability to tell the difference in quality of jewelry, apart from the price tag that a store manager or dealer has put on it? Are there resources that you have used, such as blogs or books, to help you learn to appreciate the truly great from the mediocre? Any general advice for someone that wants to be a jewelry connoisseur? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
posted by mortaddams at 11:28 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by mortaddams at 11:28 AM PST - 4 comments
Looking for a trustworthy Internet -> Snail Mail provider
I'm looking for a trustworthy provider of Internet -> Snail Mail services. One company I've found, e.g., is PostalMethods. I want someone that I can trust with sensitive personal information (e.g. writing to my health insurer). PostalMethods does actually have a HIPAA compliance statement, but I still would feel more comfortable with MeFi testimonials. Does anyone have experience with this?
Remove popcorn butter/oil from painted concrete floor?
Our previous owner had a popcorn machine stored in the basement that leaked butter or oil. What would be the best product/approach to attack this mess?
Photo
posted by Mikey51 at 10:49 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Mikey51 at 10:49 AM PST - 7 comments
Tube amp replacement question
I purchased the Monoprice Hybrid Tube Amp with Bluetooth recently and want to upgrade the tubes. Please help! [more inside]
How to convince hairstylists to thin out my huge mass of hair?
Every time I go get my (incredibly bushy but otherwise healthy) hair cut, I practically beg the hairstylist to thin it out. And every time, they do a little thinning and then say that they have to stop because anything more will cause it to look stringy. After some back-and-forth I normally just leave the salon, go home and attack my new, poofy hair halo (I normally get a bob) with thinning shears until I am happy with the way it lays closer to my head. It doesn't look stringy at all as far as I can tell. How do I convince hair stylists to do this thinning for me? [more inside]
Punk Piano
How do I add distortion to my digital piano while playing? Is there a small amp I can plug in? Looking to do this on the cheap, so maybe eBay or local pawn shop?
Help with next steps for a startup
I started a company that designs language learning apps. Initial funding was through Kickstarter. That Kickstarter did very well, and the last 2 years have been spent developing 65 products, which have continued to sell well after the Kickstarter, so the company is now self sustaining. I have another ~half year of Kickstarter-related work to do, but after that, I'd like to develop a new, very complex, very high quality language learning app that's going to take a lot of money to get off the ground. I have lots of expertise in language learning and basically zero expertise in startups, market research, business, fundraising, app pricing, etc. These next steps are potentially going to move my little niche business into mainstream territory, and they're very large steps that require way more business expertise than I have. So...what do I do? I feel like I need to hire someone/an agency to tell me what to do next, but I don't know the job titles of these people, or how to find people who are so good and reliable that I can reasonably put my entire financial future in their hands. What do? [more inside]
Help with vacation cancellation planning
This spring, I planned a trip from NYC to Denver and then SF in the middle of September. I purchased my three plane tickets and paid for strict-cancellation airbnbs in the two cities. Alas, I did not pay for travel insurance.
Two months ago, I developed a health condition which to be treated, temporarily prevents me from flying. [more inside]
Thursday lunch in PDX: delicious, delightful and dairy free
I have the opportunity to eat lunch in Portland, Oregon this Thursday. I want to eat an amazing lunch - delicious, delightful and dairy-free. Recommendations? [more inside]
posted by mosessis at 4:54 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by mosessis at 4:54 AM PST - 7 comments
Pay charged/arrested nanny for her last week of work?
While she was driving our kids around, our nanny was just arrested(!) and charged with several counts of child endangerment (!!) and illegally carrying a firearm (!!!), resulting in me having to fetch my slightly traumatized kids up at the police station and take them home (!!!!). Should I pay the nanny for her last week of work? [more inside]
September 3
Best Bluetooth Headset with No Features?
I'm looking for a comfortable, loud, good-sounding bluetooth dingus with no features to use with my iPhone. Something that doesn't talk to me, doesn't play my music, doesn't have firmware updates. I want dead simple like a can opener. [more inside]
posted by churl at 10:33 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by churl at 10:33 PM PST - 2 comments
Seeking information about stereotactic breast biopsy experience
I recently had a routine screening mammogram. The radiologist recommended that I come back for a spot-compression mammogram and an ultrasound. After I had those two procedures, the radiologist recommended that I come back again for an ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and also a stereotactic breast biopsy. Both procedures are scheduled for this Thursday. I am getting quite nervous about the stereotactic biopsy. More inside! [more inside]
What frog is this?
This frog-like beastie was hanging out next to our pond. It looked to be about three inches long. My best googling makes me think it's a baby bullfrog but I'm a bit confused by the dazzling yellow chin stripe. This is in suburban Bloomington, Indiana.
posted by firstdrop at 7:46 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by firstdrop at 7:46 PM PST - 4 comments
Wired Apple Keyboard Keeps Shocking Me -- Help!
My wired Apple Keyboard keeps shocking me whenever I depress a key for too long (aka any time I type) to the point that I have little sore spots on all my fingertips. The shocks are strong enough that I can hear them through my headphones as soon as the arc makes contact with my fingers. What is going on, and why isn't the issue resolved by grounding myself? [more inside]
Can I claim Irish citizenship?
I've traced that my great-grandfather was born in Ireland and came to Liverpool, England at the start of the 20th century via the 1911 census. Whilst I don't qualify for Irish citizenship by descent, does this quirk in the legislation allow me to claim citizenship? [more inside]
posted by asharchist at 7:28 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by asharchist at 7:28 PM PST - 3 comments
How bad does it need to get?
My dentist is in no hurry to deal with agonising pain - what to do? [more inside]
Peace, happiness and motivation in 25* words or less
I have some useful mental scripts that help me deal with irregular brain chemistry and other maladies. Things like saying "surf the emotion", or "it's just a thought. It's not reality" and "is this behaviour / thinking pattern helpful?" or "if you feel crap, clean the bathroom. You'll still feel like crap, but at least the bathroom will be clean." Give me more. [more inside]
posted by b33j at 6:18 PM PST - 71 comments
posted by b33j at 6:18 PM PST - 71 comments
Connecting headphones to a TV that doesn't have a headphone input?
I like watching concert movies and music documentaries, and listening to TuneIn, on my smartTV. Unfortunately, the sound quality of the TV is terrible, and, while I'd like to able to listen with headphones, the TV doesn't have a headphone input. Is there any other way to hook headphones up?
posted by BadgerDoctor at 5:59 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by BadgerDoctor at 5:59 PM PST - 14 comments
being present and connecting
What are practical ways to genuinely be present with people and to connect with them? [more inside]
Best Gear VR Experiences / Apps / Games for Artsy Adult?
I got a Gear VR headset as a gift and it's amazing. Most of the "Top 10" lists out there reviewing content are geared more toward gamers. What I've enjoyed the most so far are the two Cirque du Soleil performances and some of the static, virtual art installations, and just looking for other recommendations that are similar in nature and quality.
(The fact that Oculus doesn't offer capability to search their offerings makes it extra hard to find good content.) [more inside]
We have seen a few mice in our home that might be deer mice
Have owned this home about 35 years and never had a problem with mice in the house before (a couple in the garage is all). In the last couple weeks we have seen a few mice in our laundry area which is ground level. The latest one (trapped today) looks to my non-expert eye like a deer mouse (small, white under belly), which I gather is bad news from a health standpoint. Two found in the laundry tub were disposed of previously. Questions after the break. [more inside]
Portland weird
What cool/odd/weird little things can I see or do in Portland OR from now through September 17th? My sis told me about PICA's TBA and I will probably do some of that but I would also be interested in even less mainstream type things. [more inside]
My building has wifi internet, but I already have a wifi network. Help!
My building set up free wifi internet, and I'd like to use it, but I'm already using my own wifi network to connect my Mac/iPhone/iPad/etc to devices like a Philips Hue, Belkin Wemo, Apple TV, airplay speakers, etc.
How use my building's wifi internet while also using my wifi network? If I switch to my building's wifi internet, I lose my network and my other devices. If I switch to my wifi network, I lose my building's wifi internet.
I'm really shocked by how difficult this is. With cable internet, I plug the cable modem into my router's WAN port & bam, I'm done. How do I accomplish the same thing with a wifi internet provider? Is there such a thing as a wifi modem I can connect to my Airport Extreme router so I can serve internet to my devices on my wifi network?
I have an old Airport Express router I'm not using. Is it possible to tell the Airport Express to pick up my building's wifi & then connect it to my Airport Extreme by ethernet so it can serve internet to the devices on my wifi network? If so, how?
posted by 2oh1 at 4:20 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by 2oh1 at 4:20 PM PST - 11 comments
Moderation policy guidelines?
A friend belongs to an organization with an email list (I know, how archaic!). The organization has moderators for the list, but I think they aren’t nearly active enough. Comments that would get deleted here at MeFi as being sexist, ageist, racist, etc., go out as messages to the list. This has predictable results—some people argue/push back, while the majority just disengage. This leaves the overall impression that the organization is full of terrible people. [more inside]
Anything good-quality on Shoedazzle?
I signed up for Shoedazzle VIP membership quite a few months ago in order to get a free pair of shoes, and through a combination of forgetfulness and laziness I left my membership active for much longer than I would have liked, so now I've accumulated quite a bit of shoe credit. Yes, I'm dumb. [more inside]
Please Don't Pull That Trigger (Finger)
Just received a cortisone shot for trigger finger. Reports vary on how soon I should see improvement, if the cortisone is going to help. If it doesn't help, I'll need surgery. I am looking for anecdotal info on your experience (I am not concerned about the surgery, I am just wondering how hopeful or resigned to be).
If you have had a cortisone shot, how long did it take to see improvement? I am on day 2 with no improvement at all.
You are not my doctor and I am not soliciting medical advice.
Thanks!
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 3:01 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 3:01 PM PST - 10 comments
How do you file a successful YouTube privacy complaint?
There's a video of me on YouTube that I really don't want to be there, and I've repeatedly filed privacy complaints to have it removed, but each time the complaints are rejected. What am I missing? [more inside]
Help this old lady learn how all you hip young kids take notes in class.
Starting grad school in a few weeks and need some suggestions for note taking "apps" or software. I'm more of a pen and paper kind of girl but I know that, realistically, it might be best if I learned to take lecture notes on my laptop or iPad. What do you use for notes? [more inside]
How can I stop waking up at 6AM and worrying about work?
I have an extremely stressful job, and after a year of dealing with it poorly, I've become much better at managing it in my daily life, and have learned to dial it down and relax at the end of every night, trusting the problems to be solved in the morning. The problem is, I've also developed a frustrating routine of waking up 2 hours early, every day, and lying in bed worrying. This happens even on Saturday mornings, where I went to sleep relaxed and happy and have nothing particularly stressful to do the next day. When it happens, I desperately want to go back to sleep, but my mind won't stop spinning over the same problems, over and over again. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for ending this cycle?
Must-see, New Zealand - South Island?
We are seeing the South Island of New Zealand in 5 days. (We do not have more time.) Current itinerary is: KiwiRail Coastal Pacific from Picton to Christchurch, overnight in Christchurch, KiwiRail TranzAlpine Explorer from Christchurch to Greymouth, rent car in Greymouth, drive to Queenstown (stops dependent on advice). Where should we spend lots of time (and where should we skip out on) to make the most of our five days? Are the trains worth it? Should we bus rather than drive to Queenstown? Also, hotel and wine tour recs? More inside. [more inside]
posted by rednikki at 12:48 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by rednikki at 12:48 PM PST - 7 comments
Help me get into the head of my halfling bard.
I'm about a year into my first-ever D&D campaign (first-ever tabletop RPG, in fact). I get together with four of my friends about once a month and we have a wonderful time. But I'm new to this, a little stiff and awkward, and I need help getting into character. [more inside]
posted by duffell at 11:20 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by duffell at 11:20 AM PST - 17 comments
Do you offer a reward to someone who finds your lost dog?
My dog is a runner. When someone finds her and gives her back to me, is it appropriate to offer them a small reward for their trouble? [more inside]
Horror novels more creepy than bloody?
Mefites, lend me your collective bibliographic wisdom. I'm looking for successful/popular YA novels published in the last 5-7 years that embody creepy/atmospheric horror, as opposed to bloody/gory/slasher horror. If "Anna Dressed in Blood" is on the bloody end of the spectrum, for example, what's on the creepy end?
posted by Shoggoth at 11:08 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Shoggoth at 11:08 AM PST - 7 comments
NYC Foodies: Dinner recommendations for solo traveler near 29/ Broadway
I've got a quick business trip to New York planned for next week, and I'm looking for somewhere for dinner Sunday and Monday night. NYC Foodies, what's good near 29th and Broadway? [more inside]
Mixtapecrossing?
A recent question here served to introduce me to Postcrossing, the online service that facilitates postcard mailings between strangers all over the world.
Does the same thing exist for sharing "mixtapes" all over the world? Or would that get a cease-and-desist from the get-go?
posted by baseballpajamas at 10:31 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by baseballpajamas at 10:31 AM PST - 3 comments
Protection for bucket passenger seat of car
I'm looking for (older) child-proof protection for the back of my car's passenger seat. What would work? [more inside]
Looking for an online essay about Sylvia Plath
Ok, this is a long shot, but here it goes. In the last few years I *think* I read an essay online somewhere about Sylvia Plath and how she and her work are now seen as uncool or unfashionable. I believe it was entirely about Sylvia Plath, not just a mention of her in a larger essay. Now I can't find it anywhere. Help? [more inside]
New cancer diagnosis: your best tips, tricks, and books
So I was just diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer. Life expectancies are all over the map - from a few years to decades - and I should probably stop Googling them. My family is far away, but my friends are falling over themselves to ask how they can help. I need suggestions for starting to get a handle on this. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 8:53 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by FencingGal at 8:53 AM PST - 16 comments
Egg on one's face
Twice I have had an allergic reaction to egg white on my facial skin (note: the reasons for egg being on my face are irrelevant). This manifested in the classic response of a contact allergy: major swelling, redness, and itching. Since then I have had my blood tested for allergy to egg white and yolk (separately), but both showed no allergy response. Why not? [more inside]
Food safety question!
Is it ok to prepare bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers ahead of time? I'll be storing them in the fridge for a few hours before cooking. Am I risking any kind of food poisoning?
posted by torisaur at 7:05 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by torisaur at 7:05 AM PST - 7 comments
PhotoshopFilter: Need to resize and add borders to an image.
Because the original aspect ratio of the image (8x12) is larger than the desired consumer print size (8.5x11 or 8x10), I'm having trouble formatting a smaller image size with equal borders, to then lab it out. And I don't want to crop the image. Please, help. [more inside]
Therapist recommendation for London (United Kingdom)?
I've recently decided I need a little help and would like some suggestions please. [more inside]
How should I quit my new job?
After working at a job I have come to loathe for <2 months, I have accepted a much, much better opportunity. How should I quit? Blizzard within. [more inside]
Political cartoons. How do they work?
I would like to submit some for publication, with or without compensation. [more inside]
Unique alternatives to the 'portfolio' website design
I want to build a new website, mainly to showcase my work as an artist, writer and academic. I'm looking for inspiration, and perhaps even some Wordpress templates. I want to do something a bit unique, responsive and forward thinking. Can you help me think beyond the current portfolio model? [more inside]
September 2
What font should be used when teaching Japanese handwriting?
I'm writing an app to teach people how to write Japanese kanji by hand. What font should I use to create examples? [more inside]
posted by Vorteks at 9:59 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Vorteks at 9:59 PM PST - 5 comments
Can you talk me into keeping my original 1931 kitchen cabinets?
We are (hopefully) moving into a house with an updated kitchen with what looks like the original 1931 kitchen cabinets. The wooden doors open heavily and bang closed, the wooden drawers do not slide easily despite repeated applications of beeswax. I'm thinking about yanking them out and replacing them with Ikea cabinets. My husband like originals. Is there anything I can do to make them more functional? [more inside]
Androgenize me!
I need to look a bit androgynous for a role. Challenge: I have long hair. Can it be done? Guide me, hive mind. Googling has had mixed results and I'm wondering if there's a solution other than "low ponytail and heavy brows".
posted by lizifer at 7:27 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by lizifer at 7:27 PM PST - 8 comments
Places to visit & explore on the Upper West Side of Manhattan?
Friend and I are doing some photography on the UWS tomorrow and as much as part of the fun is aimlessly wandering I was hoping someone here might recommend some interesting locations to hit up, neat buildings we might be able to enter, small parks or public spaces worth exploring. Really anything that might interest a couple of urban explorers.
posted by dr handsome at 7:10 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by dr handsome at 7:10 PM PST - 10 comments
Industrial Heritage Sites in Western Europe
I will be leaving Bastogne on the morning of 9/26 and arriving in Bruges/Brugge on the evening of 9/28 and have no plans yet for the time in between. I will have access to a car and would like to tour some industrial or industrial heritage sites during that time. I am willing to drive a good couple hundred miles out of my way to do so. Do you have any suggestions for me? [more inside]
posted by Juffo-Wup at 6:46 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Juffo-Wup at 6:46 PM PST - 10 comments
Vintage Gorillaz: Live on My Laptop?
Back in the proverbial day (2006/2007), the TV channel MHD (later called Palladia, LATER called MTV Live) aired a Gorillaz concert called "Demon Days: Live in Harlem". It was filmed at the Apollo on New Year's Eve, I believe. They performed the Demon Days album straight through, with cartoon visuals. Dennis Hopper narrated one song. I would pay strip club-style SWEATY FISTFULS OF CASH to obtain a decent video of this (digital format is ideal, but DVD is also fine). Any ideas?
posted by julthumbscrew at 6:39 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by julthumbscrew at 6:39 PM PST - 2 comments
Handling bad certificates when connecting to public wifi
I use HTTPS Everywhere with Firefox on my Android to use HTTPS connections by default. Consequently, whenever I try to connect to public wifi that redirects you to an agreement page my phone flips out and refuses to connect because the certificate is invalid. This can be circumvented with complicated wrangling. (Visiting some non-HTTPS site before the phone gets mad about my not agreeing in time and disconnects, visiting any site in the default Samsung browser.) I would like to reduce my amount of wrangling to zero. Is there a good way to do this?
Cooking shows - YouTube style
The Chef John post on the blue reminded me to ask: what are your favorite YouTube cooking channels? I need some more subscriptions. [more inside]
posted by Lyn Never at 4:04 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Lyn Never at 4:04 PM PST - 12 comments
Family member has cancer
I am looking for ideas to support and comfort him. It's stage IV prostate cancer, which will give him several more years, at least with treatment. [more inside]
posted by annsunny at 3:54 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by annsunny at 3:54 PM PST - 5 comments
Make computer not go to sleep - without admin access
I am a teacher lucky enough to have several classroom computers.
I am a teacher unlucky enough to not have admin access to these computers.
I am a teacher whose students can't type capital letters.
Help! [more inside]
posted by raspberrE at 3:07 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by raspberrE at 3:07 PM PST - 18 comments
What movie is this?
When I was younger I vaguely remember flipping through channels one night and witnessing a horrible death scene from a horror movie. Can you help me figure out what movie it was? [more inside]
posted by nurgle at 3:06 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by nurgle at 3:06 PM PST - 9 comments
Missed the bus to New Hampshire tonight! Oh no!
My friend and I were supposed to catch a bus tonight from Boston to Lincoln, NH (White Mountains area). Unfortunately, we're going to miss the bus! What can we do? [more inside]
Parenting (?) Dilemma
This summer we spent our holiday together with my cousins, who have children of similar age. While we all get along well, our parenting styles differ greatly in some aspects. This question is about children exploring sexuality, so if this topic is upsetting you may not want ot read on. [more inside]
posted by 15L06 at 1:25 PM PST - 49 comments
posted by 15L06 at 1:25 PM PST - 49 comments
Can Americans get vaccinated in France?
I'm over 60 and have been thinking about getting a shingles vaccine shot, but it's pretty pricey (well over $200). I'll be traveling to France soon, though, and I'm wondering if it's possible to get the vaccine there even if one is a tourist, and just pay for it. I suspect it would be considerably cheaper in the USA even if I had to pay the full cost. Thanks for any current advice on this. ( )
When to try and negotiate rent? (West Los Angeles edition)
The property management company I rent from just raised my rent a legally permissible but (to me) large amount. I'm in west LA. Should I deal with it, or try to negotiate? [more inside]
posted by Alterscape at 1:09 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Alterscape at 1:09 PM PST - 7 comments
Smashed iPhone into a Million Pieces, now what?
Things got a little heated, iPhone was a casualty. Was thrown intentionally and smashed terribly, beyond any state of repair. Can I tell this to insurance? Am I looking at paying full retail?
(streaming) video playlist?
I'd like to set up a kid-friendly video playlist, so no one has to touch a remote except to start the playlist & turn it off. Are there apps that will do this on any of the set top boxes (roku, amazon fire tv, apple tv, chromecast)? I'd prefer streaming media if it's easy, but playing purchased media would work. [more inside]
Why does being mixed-race mean double the rejection?
How do mixed-race people (i.e. with multiple ethnic backgrounds) reconcile living in white supremacy? Do mixed-race people ever transcend the barriers to become grounded and thrive in their identity? (so no, I don't mean a mixed-race person who has settled for a singular identity as the pricetag for membership benefits in a single ethnic group; I mean mixed-race persons who've thrived in spite of membership or acceptance by either group). [more inside]
posted by human ecologist at 11:34 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by human ecologist at 11:34 AM PST - 28 comments
ISO the best blanket or quilt money can buy [on Amazon]
Can you help me find the softest, most comfortable, no-wool, no-fur, no-down (yeah, vegan) queen-size blanket, quilt, or duvet insert that is available for purchase through Amazon? [more inside]
Backpack that will fit a 15.6" Dell Business Laptop?
Hello. I'm trying to find a high-end quality backpack for university for my 15.6" business laptop. Price range could be from $100 - $210. Something that will last a long time. [more inside]
Exhausted after deep tissue massage. Why?
I had a 90 minute massage yesterday at noon. I came home and was extremely fatigued the rest of the day. Went to bed at 8 p.m. Still pretty tired today. I can understand being sore after the work the therapist did, but I have never been this wiped out after a professional massage. Anybody have a clue what is going on? Google has been of little help except to confirm that others feel like this post-massage sometimes. [more inside]
It's hip to be a (deep) square
Credit card spending and dementia
My increasingly demented elderly mom has been making tons of online purchases. What should be my next steps to solve this. I have power of attorney. [more inside]
posted by latkes at 10:40 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by latkes at 10:40 AM PST - 21 comments
In-town NYC No-Fee Apt Hunt. Tell me your building or property mgr!
We've lived in NYC for several years now, and for our first apartment we had to use a broker. Now we'd like to go No-Fee (obvs.) and have 2 months to find a place. We're using Streeteasy, but I know there are a lot of luxury buildings or property managers that have openings that never show up on those sites, and I'd like to find those! [more inside]
Am I imagining this anecdote about Trump?
(Approximately:) Trump was overheard in a waiting room for an interview or event, on a personal call, telling the person on the other end that there were 6 lights in the room when there were only 2. [more inside]
posted by bjrubble at 9:40 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by bjrubble at 9:40 AM PST - 9 comments
Is bone marrow the same thing as marrow bones?
I'm making bone broth and this is confusing me.... [more inside]
My best manager did this...
I am taking up a new management position this month and I have been enjoying asking these two questions of my friends to help me prepare mentally. Can the Green help too? [more inside]
Zika in India, Pre-trying-for-pregnancy
Wife and I are planning on visiting India (a mix of cities, rural areas and tourist traps) in late December. We were planning to start to try to get pregnant for the first time starting around a month later. She's worried about Zika. Should we be? [more inside]
I want to use my living room again! Who do I call?
I have a general question and a related specific one. General: Is there a generalist person akin to a primary care physician that I can contact for house repair/maintenance who can then tell me what kind of specialist I need? Specific: who do I call to figure out what is going on in my living room, if anything? [more inside]
A little gift delivery in Portland, OR?
My sister just started her first proper full time job after grad school and I know she is finding it stressful / overwhelming. I'd love to send her something to say I'm thinking of her and that she's doing a great job. Any Portland based MeFites have ideas of local shops that will deliver a little treat? [more inside]
posted by cpatterson at 5:48 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by cpatterson at 5:48 AM PST - 6 comments
We didn't domesticate cats, they domesticated us
I need a cat toy for my little killing machine who easily grows bored of toys. Obligatory cat pics inside. [more inside]
posted by toerinishuman at 5:48 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by toerinishuman at 5:48 AM PST - 20 comments
looking for cheap small low level programmable computer
I want to exercise my brain more using assembly language or even machine code on a microprocessor. I played with a webbased MITS Altair simulator but now I want to program a real device.
I've seen some microprocessor learning kits that come with a small keyboard and display, but not too many cheap options. I'm not looking for something to program via USB, everything has to be onboard. And it has to be as cheap as possible, cause I don't know if the hobby will stick.
posted by spacefire at 5:33 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by spacefire at 5:33 AM PST - 23 comments
One House, Two Lines
You have an internet connection running through your house (through a phone line). You move out, take the Wi-Fi box with you, but forget to cancel your internet connection. Someone else moves into the same house and goes to get their internet connection set up using the same carrier. Will the carrier be able to set them up with a new internet connection, or will there be some kind of conflict between your already existing (but unused) connection and setting up a new one?
Period dramas that are more Cold War than Corset
I've realised that I really like period dramas that are a) set in the 20th Century, particularly post-war b) often feature a workplace environment. Mad Men, Mr Selfridge, Halt and Catch Fire, The House of Elliot. Are there any others I should know about? Extra points if it has interesting costumes and has me looking up historical details on Wikipedia after an episode. [more inside]
Size does matter........in Gmail that is!
I am transitioning from Comcast to Gmail during a house move.
Is there a way to increase the size and bold the gmail font? (OLD EYES)!
Coping with the Two Week Wait (IVF)
I'm currently at Day 8 of the Two Week Wait for IVF. This is the first time I've had an embryo implanted. As an added complication, I'm doing this as a single woman.
My anxiety levels are sky high. I'm looking for stories of people who have been there. How did you survive? What helped? What didn't?
Tell me about ordinary life in apartheid South Africa
I'm looking for books (or films, documentaries, blogs) that give an insight into ordinary day-to-day life in apartheid South Africa, particularly during the 1980s. Obviously much has been written about the great political ructions, but I'm interested in what ordinary daily life was like, for black and white. I've recently read 'Boyhood' by JM Coetzee, which is exactly the kind of thing I'm after; and although it's about Rhodesia rather than South Africa, 'Mukiwa' by Peter Goodwin was also very helpful.
Help me say no to what’s likely to seem like a great offer
In a few days’ time I’m going to be sitting down for lunch with my ex-boss, whom I know is going to offer me a new job. I left my old job for very good reasons that haven’t gone away, and whilst the new job sounds intriguing, I know it’d be a very bad idea for me to take it. Unfortunately I’m terrible at saying “no” to people. Help me deal with this like a grown-up! [more inside]
September 1
Black and Indian couples?
This is for a project: I'm looking for examples of interracial Black (preferably but not mandatorily African) to Indian (preferably but not mandatorily Hindu) relationships in films, literature, news, etc, with emphasis on the Indian family's reaction. Personal anecdotes are welcome
posted by Kwadeng at 11:49 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Kwadeng at 11:49 PM PST - 8 comments
Schedule a regular doctor appointment or Urgent Care?
You are not my doctor or any permutation thereof. I have a "scab" that hasn't healed for approx 2 years. It does not act like a normal scab. Pictures and details within. [more inside]
Recruited to push a boulder uphill?
I've been contacted by one of the directors of what looks like a reputable, real VC firm. They're acquiring a company in my industry for a PE/VC-backed turnaround and looking to replace the leadership with new executives. What should I know about this kind of recruitment? [more inside]
Has anyone tried using Testosterone for women for low sex drive?
Has anyone tried using Testosterone for women for low sex drive? [more inside]
posted by oceanlady at 9:35 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by oceanlady at 9:35 PM PST - 10 comments
Why would a marriage counselor say they could only treat one of us?
My marriage is long gone, but I often wonder about this. We went to a counselor, and after a couple of sessions they stated that they could only continue counseling with one of us but did not specify whom or why. Any ideas?Are there certain circumstances in which a counselor does not want to treat a couple? Was it obvious that we were doomed to fail due to an individual issue with one of us, for example? Thanks for your input.
Please help identify this flea sized bug invading my house.
I've been finding these little critters in my new construction house for a couple weeks. They're in every room but most sightings are near front and back doors. My last straw was when one strolled across my partially eaten dinner plate. Yuck!! Calling exterminator in the morning but curious about what I'm dealing with here.
Link to reddituploads
posted by dudiggy at 8:49 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by dudiggy at 8:49 PM PST - 5 comments
Which console?
New Washing Machine Won't Fit Up Stairs. Now What?
NewHomeownerFilter: Old washer broke. New one won't fit up our tight stairs, but the second-floor balcony has a door that's more than wide enough to accommodate it. Is there some kind of professional who could hook us up with a pulley or a hydraulic lift to get the new washer into the second floor from the outside? Or is that crazy talk? [more inside]
Lucha in the USA?
I am trying to find out if there are television channels in the United States that show Lucha Libre wrestling? [more inside]
posted by ericthegardener at 6:21 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by ericthegardener at 6:21 PM PST - 5 comments
What is the name of this animation/cartoon character?
What is a colloquium?
I have been asked to run a 'colloquium' at an Australian university. I have never been to a colloquium at any university. I need to know what usually happens in one. Interested from a student perspective as well as the perspectives of those that have delivered/organized/participated in one. What makes a good one? What makes a bad one?
posted by MT at 5:54 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by MT at 5:54 PM PST - 8 comments
Moody, Melancholic Detective Jazz
I don't know anything about jazz. But what I do know is that I love jazz that feels like it's straight out of a 1940s detective film. Melancholic, moody, slow. Mostly made up of saxophone, piano, and upright bass. Suggestions? [more inside]
Is there a term or special name for music performed on non-instruments?
The sort of thing where a musician or group of musicians will put on a performance, usually with lots of grooves and percussion, using items like plastic buckets, metal tubes, household items, trash cans-- all kinds of 'not really an instrument' things. Like Stomp Out Loud-- does this style of music or performance have a name?
posted by Pastor of Muppets at 4:57 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Pastor of Muppets at 4:57 PM PST - 16 comments
While many people want A, I like B. “Contrast” as presentation criterion
Kid is doing a presentation at school. All his friends are doing “before and after”. He wants to know what other types of contrast there are. Dad is stuck, but turns to Me-Fi for ideas. Apart from “before and after” (DIY shows, TV shopping) what else could work well?
posted by Prof Iterole at 4:45 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by Prof Iterole at 4:45 PM PST - 31 comments
Fresh tomatoes in Hazan's sauce?
Can I use fresh tomatoes in Marcella Hazan's renowned sauce recipe? (M.H. previously and again on the blue.) [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 4:06 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by wenestvedt at 4:06 PM PST - 13 comments
This is ILLEGAL
My borderline mom has become increasingly paranoid. How do I deal with this? [more inside]
Six pounds of fresh yellow tail. What do?
My super awesome coworker went fishing yesterday and has very generously gifted me with six pounds of fresh California yellowtail, cleaned. Please give me some awesome recipes that will help me enjoy this wonderful gift in ways that will enhance its flavor and not mask it with a bunch of ingredients. [more inside]
posted by Everydayville at 3:52 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Everydayville at 3:52 PM PST - 14 comments
Should I critique my boss to their boss?
My boss has been promoted to incompetence. How can I and the others in our (very small) group help our boss be a better leader without risking our own careers? [more inside]
Does medicine always taste bad in Germany?
I'm from the UK. I bought some over-the-counter cold medication in Germany recently. It tasted really bad, much worse than any UK meds I have had. Is this a cultural thing e.g " if it tastes bad, it's good for you"? [more inside]
Need Linen Beach Clothes for Wedding in LA, by Saturday
I've been asked to officiate a beach wedding very last minute, Saturday. I need something like this:
I know it's a stretch, but I'm sure someone has bought this before. Amazon will not arrive in time. Thanks for your help!
1st person bildungsroman-type novel or autobiography written by a woman
Does anyone know of a 'bildungsroman' type novel (ie, life development from childhood through adulthood and beyond) written in the 1st person by a woman?. . . Something like Karl Ove Knausgård's "My Struggle" series of novels, but with a female protagonist and written by a woman? [more inside]
posted by cotesdurhone at 2:26 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by cotesdurhone at 2:26 PM PST - 26 comments
Job filter: Should I stay or go?
I was encouraged to apply for a promotion at my current job. I applied, interviewed, and was offered the job. But I'm not sure I want it, and have been offered another interview at a different job, that seems like it might be a better fit. I must decide whether to accept the promotion before my interview for the other job occurs. Please help me sort out my thinking and plan of action! Challenge level: should I let my current job I have an interview elsewhere, which is why I'm turning down the promotion? [more inside]
iPhone dictation - a couple of small frustrations
I dictate my text messages, but there are a couple of things I'm finding tricky to do!
1) I'd like to say "etc", something I say a lot, but if I say "etcetera" it writes it out in full.
2) I'd like to say "idk" and not have it render in capitals! I can theoretically do this with "no caps idk" but that just becomes "i DK".
How do I get my Facebook location/places/check-in history?
How can I get a list of the places I've checked in to on Facebook? [more inside]
Math Facts
Beyond multiplication tables, what sort of mathematical knowledge is useful to have memorized?
Also, what alternative methods have been of help for you? [more inside]
posted by Trifling at 11:22 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by Trifling at 11:22 AM PST - 32 comments
How long did it take you to "get over" your PhD?
I submitted my PhD in February, and graduated in May and I'm still experiencing emotional aftereffects of the whole process. I've discussed it with Dr friends of mine, who said it took them up to one or two years to feel normal again! MeFites with PhDs, what were your experiences with post submission emotions? [more inside]
posted by Nilehorse at 11:08 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by Nilehorse at 11:08 AM PST - 18 comments
What don't I know about furniture?
All sofas look the same to me. Some are $800. Some are $4000. What am I not aware of (aside from the power of branding)? [more inside]
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:48 AM PST - 40 comments
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:48 AM PST - 40 comments
What are "no" jokes I can make for a site about Trump's tax returns?
What are some jokes I can make for a single serving website about whether Donald Trump has released his tax returns? The website just says "no", but I'm looking for jokes for the twitter feed. Examples: 1, 2, 3. Got anything good?
Favourite frugal tips and tricks?
We are tackling Uber Frugal Month as of today. For those of you who are thrifty but still living awesomely, what are your tips and tricks for saving and heck, anything else? [more inside]
Cinematic Rare Book Treasure Hunt
What are some movies (or books, but I'm most interested in finding image stills) where the plot is about folks trying to find a particular special or rare book. [more inside]
neutral flavor tooth care
I'm looking for a better toothpaste and fluoride rinse, but I hate most flavors. What is available/good? [more inside]
posted by aaanastasia at 9:29 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by aaanastasia at 9:29 AM PST - 22 comments
Help me find this bowl!
We broke a cereal bowl in our vacation rental and I would like to replace it if possible. I can't find anything online! It's by "migo" and says hand painted durawear. It's cream colored and has blue and yellow lines painted around the rim. We are in Ireland but will take anything you can find!
posted by catspajammies at 9:27 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by catspajammies at 9:27 AM PST - 6 comments
For good or bad, how do organizations mislead customers and clients?
We know the clichés: we are running a special sale this week, the chef recommends the squid, etc. But what are some other, less obvious professional lies, both malicious and well-intentioned? [more inside]
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 9:27 AM PST - 35 comments
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 9:27 AM PST - 35 comments
Will Clinton tshirts fit a busty lady?
I would like to buy a tshirt from the Clinton store. However, they all seem to be unisex, which in my experience means "straight tube of fabric that strains at the bust and bunches at the hips." Have you bought one of these shirts? I am a curvy size 16 - maybe you are too! What size shirt should I buy?
posted by Biblio at 9:12 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Biblio at 9:12 AM PST - 8 comments
Super Convenient Heathrow Terminal 2 Hotel Recs
I'm booking business travel for someone who needs a hotel at Heathrow that is very, very easy to reach from Terminal 2. I've been there before and know it's a huge area with many hotels that can be reached via a variety of buses. I'm a seasoned traveler myself and with a tired brain had a hard time finding the hotel I used the last time I was there. [more inside]
posted by something something at 9:04 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by something something at 9:04 AM PST - 7 comments
Why am I getting flat tires on my bike?
The flats I am getting are not punctures and they’re not pinch flats. I get holes right next to the valve, soon after inflating the tires. It happens on both my front and rear wheels. Sometimes it happens overnight when the bike hadn’t even been ridden; sometimes it happens while I’m riding; sometimes I bike into work fine and when I leave for the day both tires are flat. There are no burrs/ rough spots on the rims. I have shown this to two different bike shops and they are also baffled. [more inside]
Why is my friend stuck in Paris?
A friend is attempting to travel from Germany to Paris to the US on Air France.
He was allowed to travel the first flight in to Paris, but was pulled off the flight with a handful of others before the Paris flight left for the US. [more inside]
posted by littlewater at 8:40 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by littlewater at 8:40 AM PST - 21 comments
I want to go on a spirit quest
I spent my twenties being highly broke. Now I'm 30 and all of a sudden have an income. Luckily, I have no kids or a partner as well as an extremely flexible job. I can take off any day of the week or any amount of weeks of the month. I want to do something or multiple somethings that would cost money that would make me feel spiritually free. I can spend up to $1000. What should I pick?
posted by malapropist at 8:40 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by malapropist at 8:40 AM PST - 25 comments
Frosting that isn't so sweet?
I enjoy baking and I really enjoy decorating and want to try doing more of it. However, I've lost my sweet tooth and while I can adjust the baked goods to my tastebuds, any frosting like fondant, buttercream and royal icing is far too sweet and ruins the cake and cookie for me. Are there alternative neutral or even tangy-sour-sweet icings that I could use instead?
Will my new couch stop crinkling?
I bought this couch a month or two ago and it just arrived today. I love it! But! It makes a crinkling noise when I sit on it that's not tolerable, sort of like you're sitting on an empty potato chip bag. Will this stop? [more inside]
Beans and Rice, on demand
Fix my life so that I have decent beans and rice for breakfast every morning. [more inside]
posted by gregglind at 7:55 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by gregglind at 7:55 AM PST - 14 comments
Pain control methods for nerve and muscle pain?
1) Have you taken Cymbalta for nerve and/or muscle pain (or do you know about it)? How did it work for you (if you have)? 2) What other medications have you taken for pain like that, and how did that work? 3) Have you used non-pharmacological methods for this kind of pain, at maybe a pain clinic (or on your own)? What were they, how did it pan out? How much time did they take out of your day, were you able to be productive? What about cost, etc? [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 7:22 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by cotton dress sock at 7:22 AM PST - 13 comments
YANMD
Over the last couple of years I’ve had a growing list of minor but unpleasant symptoms. While I’ve been chalking many of them up to getting older, I’m starting to wonder if there is some overarching problem that these are all symptoms of. Descriptions of hair loss and possible hormonal imbalance within. [more inside]
Free, printable aphasia flashcards
I'm looking for flashcards that are just pictures of everyday objects (e.g. shoes, milk, banana). No text on the picture side. Bonus points if they also show varying quantities of each object.
posted by molla at 6:22 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by molla at 6:22 AM PST - 4 comments
Question about luggage on Thalys
I put off buying my ticket until the last minute and now I'm kind of scrambling to find an answer to my question - I don't expect the company to get back to me on time. So I'm looking for anyone who has experience traveling by train in Europe, especially with Thalys. [more inside]
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 5:48 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 5:48 AM PST - 23 comments
How to make money off the pound, post-Brexit?
American here, just wanted to know if there were ways I could channel my money into British bank stocks to make some money once the pound comes roaring back, post-Brexit. [more inside]
Baby formula comparison
This is a long shot, but... I'm looking for a specific publication comparing infant (0-6 months) formula brands available in Australia. A nurse showed it to us at our last visit to the Queensland Health Child Health Service but unfortunately I didn't get a good look at it because I was nursing, and my husband can't remember what it was called or who published it. [more inside]