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When we lived in New England we enjoyed Louise's Ravioli. I think it was made in Revere, Mass. I can't find it on line. Can anyone give me a connection to this product?
posted by partner at 8:27 PM PST - 2 comments

Trying to find a kids/young adult book that was read in the late 80s, early 90s. Might have been called Heads I Win. Possible plot, one of the kids dies and the other kid deals with the aftermath. The cover may have had boys on bicycles.
posted by Apoch at 6:31 PM PST - 3 comments

What are your favorite podcasts revolving around food and/or cooking?
posted by noneuclidean at 6:21 PM PST - 18 comments

When did the word "citizen" as a term of address acquire Orwellian overtones? Was there a specific piece of media that did it? [more inside]
posted by dmd at 5:30 PM PST - 13 comments

For next on my reading list I think it's time for a book of poetry, but I don't know where to start in looking for one. I would be grateful for suggestions. [more inside]
posted by blue shadows at 5:19 PM PST - 11 comments

I attempted to send a letter to a friend who was attending Burning Man this year. It did not get delivered and came back with a "Return to Sender / Insufficient Address" label. Is there any way to tell from this label how far it went? Did it go all the way to Gerlach, NV? Did it even make it out of San Francisco? Not important for any concrete reason, I'm just interested to know.
posted by tom_r at 3:50 PM PST - 4 comments

My husbands best friend was just admitted to the hospital with osteomyelitis in his spine. He is expected to be there for a couple months. He will also be withdrawing from heroin during this time. And quitting meth. He is in a load of pain. He will be dealing with a major loss of income because he is missing the most profitable part of the season. How can I help make this easier to go through? [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 3:38 PM PST - 11 comments

Tell me about more songs like Clair de lune by flight facilities. I love the bass-y synth throughout. I love the ethereal vocals and the tune. I love how atmospheric it sounds. I already love purity ring and odesza and I have pandora and Spotify! Thanks.
posted by bookworm4125 at 3:26 PM PST - 9 comments

What are some good sources for learning how digital/video/interactive artists make art? [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 2:57 PM PST - 2 comments

Where on the internets can you can ask people to take part in art projects? [more inside]
posted by tangaroo at 2:13 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm an iPhone only gamer (with the exception of Stardew Valley on Steam). My two favorite games ever are World of Goo and Waking Mars. What else will scratch this itch? [more inside]
posted by kimdog at 2:00 PM PST - 11 comments

Does anyone have suggestions for treating panniculitis without steroids? In my dog it is a chronic condition. However, steroids cause her to have chronic pancreatitis. She has done low fat diets, she's on Prilosec. I cannot afford Atopica at roughly 300-400 a month, even though it would probably be better for her. TIA!
posted by bluespark25 at 12:36 PM PST - 4 comments

I landed my first job in the tech industry this year, in a data warehouse architect kind of role. My organization is not very modern when it comes to what tools we use, and with everything seemingly moving to the cloud, I'm starting to get anxious that by the time I'm able to move to a more modern company (1 to 2 years), I'm not going to have the skills to get hired. Am I right to be anxious? What should I do here? [more inside]
posted by motioncityshakespeare at 10:52 AM PST - 17 comments

The partner just got a new #vanlife project van. It is dark blue and it is a chevy express. We have taken to naming our cars after animals, and he is especially partial to narwhals. [more inside]
posted by teslacoilswoah at 10:47 AM PST - 17 comments

I am looking for a good CBD as an alternative to Xanax and marijuana. Ideally something that won't show up on a drug test (low or no THC). Recommendations?
posted by kbbbo at 10:05 AM PST - 6 comments

Looking for vegetarian or meat-light casseroles or braised dishes, preferably also low in saturated fat and processed grains/flour. Annoying further considerations inside. [more inside]
posted by lazuli at 9:39 AM PST - 31 comments

I have been looking for a new job for a while. I have also been looking to move to be closer to my partner. Nothing was really happening with the job search, so I decided to try to make the best of my current job and city. Now I have a job offer and this is all very scary. It’s a great job on paper, but there is up to 40% travel and 45 minute commute from my partner (better than a plane ride now.) [more inside]
posted by buttonedup at 8:55 AM PST - 17 comments

I've used Passion Planner as my agenda for the last few years. As the time arrives to start thinking about my 2019 planner I'd like something similar but a bit less type A... [more inside]
posted by roolya_boolya at 7:27 AM PST - 9 comments

I have a great relationship with my dad's side of the family. They treat me with kindness, respect and love, and they show they care about me. But my mom's side of the family always treats me very bad. It's been like this all my life (I'm 30 at this moment). Should I stay away from them? [more inside]
posted by DaphneG at 6:22 AM PST - 28 comments

I need to learn some basic (and hopefully less basic) web development in a hurry. I just registered a domain name but I'm pretty clueless about what to do next. I am looking for suggestions for a good "start from scratch" guide to making my first website (and getting it onto my domain name). I'm talking about making something myself rather than using wordpress etc.
posted by nikodym at 2:28 AM PST - 20 comments

Help me find healthy ways to cope with feeling sad when I have a history of emotional neglect [more inside]
posted by Chrysalis at 2:28 AM PST - 14 comments

Hi! I'm seeking suggestions for a new conditioner that will be good for my wavy-but-also-sort-of-curly hair, but it also needs to satsify some other criteria. Excrutiating detail about my hair inside! [more inside]
posted by BeeJiddy at 2:04 AM PST - 5 comments

I was in a crappy marriage for so long that I think my expectations of how I should be treated are really low. I’ve now met someone who makes me really happy, but I realised the other day I am disproportionately happy that he does normal ‘good relationship’ things that actually should be a given or fundamental to any decent relationship. It made me realise that maybe I find him so incredible because I just don't expect that much. Help me think about what should be some of my minimum standards. [more inside]
posted by stellathon at 1:39 AM PST - 11 comments

My mom is a hobby ceramist and makes all kinds of little beads and baubles from clay and porcelain. She likes to mount them into necklaces, earrings (pendants) and rings. I want to gift her with good quality supplies for her birthday. What are your favourite ring blanks to work with? for reference she uses something like this a.t.m. [more inside]
posted by PardonMyFrench at 12:42 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a 2014 MacBook Pro running Sierra. Today, when I went to turn it on, it got to the login screen and the trackpad and keyboard weren’t working. I tried restarting a number of times - nothing. What else can I try. [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 9:02 PM PST - 3 comments

I record Seth Myers on my DVR, and among all the shows last week, Monday shows up as S5/E150-something, but Tuesday shows up as S6E1. Why would a new “season” of The Late Show start on a seemingly random Tuesday?
posted by mccxxiii at 8:12 PM PST - 3 comments

My friend became intensely ill after drinking last night and I'm hoping the hive mind can help figure out what happened. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:12 PM PST - 31 comments

1970s US country music. Point me towards your night laments and broken hearts - well known welcome, but deep cuts readily received.
posted by paleyellowwithorange at 3:39 PM PST - 54 comments

I need to straighten my eyelashes and I have no idea how to do it. [more inside]
posted by mudpuppie at 2:35 PM PST - 10 comments

Is it OK to feed my cat Deck Hand Premium Cat Food every day? [more inside]
posted by firemonkey at 2:28 PM PST - 17 comments

I'm planning on talking to my boss about potential deal breaker issues in the workplace. What is the best way to go about doing this so that things actually change? [more inside]
posted by gumtree at 1:27 PM PST - 18 comments

Hard tap water is making it difficult for me to follow my normal skincare and haircare routines. It is about to destroy my skin. The water quality issues will be addressed soon but not soon enough. Right now I just need cosmetic/haircare/skincare advice. [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 1:11 PM PST - 17 comments

I make physical scrapbook pages. Many of them are "pocket pages", so they're actually 8-12 smaller pieces of paper arranged in a page protector. I would like to scan these pages in and then print them out as a photo book. [more inside]
posted by triscuit at 11:54 AM PST - 4 comments

While living in the UK I discovered that I love very floury potatoes. Kerr's Pink was one variety among many that was wonderfully easy to get at the local farmers market, but there was also usually a wide selection at supermarkets and greengrocers. Apparently the ubiquitous Russet is about as close as we can get in the US and it's only semi-floury. Are there any more floury potato varieties similar to Kerr's Pink grown in the US and if so, where could I find them in the NYC area? [more inside]
posted by theory at 11:42 AM PST - 11 comments

I have been tasked with setting up a display screen for an event where the Grand Total will be displayed with some sort of animated pizzazz. It's just one number that will be revealed to an audience on a projector. There has to be a simple way to set this up. [more inside]
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 11:13 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm working with a fifth-grade boy who doesn't have a reading disability, but doesn't like to read. He does like football and Fortnite. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by pipti at 11:10 AM PST - 21 comments

For a comedy project, I'd like to find stock photography in a corporate setting that is bad enough to be funny, but in an unintentional way. [more inside]
posted by ErikH2000 at 10:52 AM PST - 5 comments

I need a dark gray suit intended to fit female-type proportions. Other requirements are: decent quality, non-stretch, 3+ pieces, and available to buy 'off the shelf' online. My normally reliable procurement skills are failing me on this one. All I can find are images of prior season's offerings and a smattering of separates. And stretch. LOTS of stretch. I Anyone out there have better sourcing for this than I?
posted by this-apoptosis at 9:20 AM PST - 3 comments

I get paid twice a month, 24 times a year. I pay my mortgage every two weeks, 26 times a year. How do I budget for this? Is there a spreadsheet that accounts for the different frequency?
posted by Frenchy67 at 8:54 AM PST - 4 comments

Spoilers are likely, I guess. I'm looking for more work that's structured like Christopher Nolan's The Prestige. More specifications inside. [more inside]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:53 AM PST - 26 comments

I love Carrie Fisher, but she is not my only hope! ;) I am seeking autobiographies, or biographies, written by, or about, people living with mental health issues, particularly bi-polar with psychotic features. I love Carrie Fisher but I would like to hear other author's experiences, particularly with overcoming shame. LGBT/Queer authors are a bonus (yay!), but not a necessity. Author gender is not important. Can anyone suggest titles to help? Thanks in advance.
posted by ethical_caligula at 8:38 AM PST - 18 comments

My dog is pulling out my carpet fibers. Is there any way to save my rental deposit? [more inside]
posted by Aranquis at 8:03 AM PST - 7 comments

I"m considering switching from an all-gasoline Mazda3 hatchback to either a plug-in hybrid or a hybrid. If I can't charge it at home, is a plug-in hybrid a dumb idea? [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow at 7:41 AM PST - 11 comments

My daughter is 2.5 and is (hopefully, only) a late-bloomer, especially in language. We are on a wait list for a further evaluation, and just got off the wait list for speech therapy. I'd love advice on what else I should be doing to help her. [more inside]
posted by heavenknows at 1:04 AM PST - 14 comments

My Pebble 2 buttons broke, and the Sugru fix came off. Can you recommend a service to get the side cover design printed and shipped to me? Snowflake: I'm in Japan, so I need either a local service or one that ships internationally and doesn't gouge me on the price.
posted by Juso No Thankyou at 12:12 AM PST - 1 comment

I went from being the SME at my old job who knew how to do everything with my eyes closed and brain half-off to being a tiny baby at my new job in a completely different field. At 3 weeks in, I feel like I'm drowning. Is this normal? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:23 PM PST - 16 comments

Yes, I know this is the least important part of this whole investigation, but this was almost 40 years ago. How is it he has a calendar from 1982 demonstrating his whereabouts?
posted by Toddles at 9:16 PM PST - 28 comments

(1) Each cut is a straight line across an entire piece of cake, but not necessarily across the entire pan. (2) Cake is wasted only at the edges of the pan. (3) All the resulting petit fours come out the same shape and size (except for the wasted bits at the edges). Equilateral triangles work, as do isosceles triangles. Rectangles work, either in a grid or staggered like brickwork. Hexagons do not work. I think I'm looking for tilings of the plane by one convex polygon, but not necessarily a regular, edge-to-edge, or even periodic tiling. Help?
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 7:39 PM PST - 11 comments

I live in a complex built in the mid 1980s. It's single-family houses. Own, and have lived here for nearly a decade. We often have had "weird smells" in the house. Two or more times, the local sewer company came with a big truck and did some sort of pressure treatment. [more inside]
posted by soylent00FF00 at 6:28 PM PST - 6 comments

I have a 2011 Nissan Versa hatchback with 83k miles. I am considering making the leap to leasing, as my lifestyle and needs are different than when I was younger and liked to road trip a lot. I understand the lease part but my question is more about my trade in. [more inside]
posted by sundrop at 5:11 PM PST - 3 comments

I want to be able to boot my computer from external USB drives and such. I believe secure boot is preventing me from doing this. Is this true? There's a Microsoft page that suggests that if I disable secure boot, "it may be difficult to re-activate Secure Boot without restoring your PC to the factory state". Is this true? I can't find any other similar statement on the web. [more inside]
posted by feelinggood at 2:47 PM PST - 3 comments

I enjoy staying in my room, roommates don't like this. I feel like I'm breaking some kind of unwritten roommate code. Is it me that is being unreasonable? If so, how do I become a more social person to live with? [more inside]
posted by iamsuper at 2:30 PM PST - 29 comments

Finally learning to play piano and am taking weekly lessons now. I have a full 88 Roland FP-30 keyboard to practice on, and my question is: Music theory and improvisation tips on knowing which notes/keys/combinations I can improvise with starting from low bass 5th chords? I love playing bass 5th chords but I need to know how to look at the keyboard and instantly ID which keys/chords I can create a melody with that harmonizes nicely. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 12:46 PM PST - 4 comments

Please recommend your favorite podcasts that just started recently and don't have a huge backlog of episodes to get through. [more inside]
posted by prize bull octorok at 12:45 PM PST - 21 comments

Seeking Inpatient Pain Detox Program that take MediCare, anywhere in the country (partial to West Coast), where I can go immediately or within 2 weeks. I had 5 surgeries in 18 mos, and need to detox off of pain meds and benzos. [more inside]
posted by Kombucha3452 at 12:38 PM PST - 2 comments

If I'm roasting or pan-frying chunks of potato, when I go to turn them, the crispy browned bit on the bottom (the bit that's the whole point of roasting or frying potatoes!!) often sticks to the pan, and the rest of the potato chunk comes away without it. This happens in pyrex, aluminum, or cast iron, and it happens regardless of how generous I am with the oil. I can scrape the crispy stuff back up with a spatula, but I'd rather it stayed attached to the potato to begin with. What's the secret here?
posted by nebulawindphone at 11:43 AM PST - 29 comments

Where should we get dinner tomorrow night that's near/easy to get to from Copley Square? [more inside]
posted by damayanti at 11:34 AM PST - 11 comments

We're going to be traveling to Brussels Nov. 6-15, and I have a few questions about our plans (especially regarding Armistice Day on Nov. 11, and what will be open Nov. 11 and 12). [more inside]
posted by carrienation at 11:26 AM PST - 5 comments

I have one night in a ridiculously nice hotel. How do I get the most out of it? [more inside]
posted by OrangeVelour at 11:19 AM PST - 39 comments

When we have a lot of guests for a fancy meal, we have two different showstopper chocolate desserts as our go-to's - a chocolate mousse pie, a flourless chocolate torte, and a Concorde. I'd love to add another to our repertoire. [more inside]
posted by Mchelly at 10:14 AM PST - 20 comments

We decided to hire a housecleaning service to come periodically. I chose a local company that specifically claims they are committed to "paying our employees a living wage ...and providing a respectful and pleasant work environment.", but how can I research if this is true? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 10:04 AM PST - 4 comments

When is it a good idea to commit to gradually improving your current life/career/community situation vs taking on a risky, but high-reward new position in a new industry? Snowflakes within. [more inside]
posted by Sock Meets Body at 10:00 AM PST - 5 comments

Seeking suggestions on how to fix a visualization in a Python Jupyter notebook that uses TSNE, or ideas on how an amateur might seek help with such a problem. [more inside]
posted by washburn at 9:30 AM PST - 8 comments

Asking for a friend: A very old cheap car had all the wheels stolen, plus body damage and possible engine damage. Insurance wants a mechanic to look at it, but it can't be towed without wheels or more damage will result. What's the best way through here? [more inside]
posted by permiechickie at 9:30 AM PST - 8 comments

I painted my kitchen, and foolishly did not cover everything with plastic. What will remove latex paint safely from veneer cabinets and wood molding? [more inside]
posted by 4midori at 9:22 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm seeking the absolute best folds-to-purse-size umbrella money can buy. [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 8:12 AM PST - 15 comments

I've got a spreadsheet with a list of several thousand ISSNs. I'd like an automated way to retrieve titles for these ISSNs. Anybody got any bright ideas? [more inside]
posted by cosmicbandito at 8:11 AM PST - 5 comments

Is there a compelling reason not to use spackling compound instead of traditional grout in a decorative mosaic? It's a dry interior wall treatment above the crown molding that never freezes and it's just decorative-- nothing is hanging off it. The tiles are glass and adhered with Weldbond. I'm just deciding on how to finish it.
posted by blnkfrnk at 7:36 AM PST - 10 comments

I've started cooking at home. I have an onion sensitivity (onions, even cooked, don't agree with me). What's a good substitute for onions in recipes like this where one of the instructions is to start by sauteeing an onion until golden brown? Am I safe just substituting/skipping to sauteeing garlic, or is there something else I should do? [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 6:26 AM PST - 18 comments

Is getting private health insurance worth it in Australia? [more inside]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 2:28 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm broke and will remain so for the next few months. A good friend had a birthday and I have to come up with a gift in about a week or so. She is well off and enjoys the finer things in life. What could I give her without it being or looking or telegraphing "cheap"? [more inside]
posted by gakiko at 1:31 AM PST - 47 comments

It's been a wet past few weeks and there's a musty smell in my small house. Plus, the whole house is humid--towels left out to dry smell of mildew and mold has grown on a few places on the walls (there's no fans in the bathrooms.) I'm wondering if much of this could be coming from a very humid basement? (And, so, if a dehumidifer is the best next move.)
posted by Jon44 at 8:27 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm interested in a new job, but I'm unsure what type of work my experience qualifies me for. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:55 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm considering shaving my head as an outward expression of grief. Am I nuts? I've been considering it for about six months. It's not going away. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:49 PM PST - 51 comments

I'm revising a form, and I want to be clear and concise. [more inside]
posted by maurreen at 7:15 PM PST - 11 comments

This is a silly AskMeFi, because it should be so easy to find, but I just can't seem to find it. There was a recent NPR broadcast, definitely NPR, something like Moth Radio Hour or Snap Judgement? About a coming of age/coming out story, where the punchline is that the storyteller narrowly escaped being a victim of serial cannibal Jeffry Dahmer. I legit can't find it now. Searches are conflating the movie "My Friend Dahmer", and so many other Dahmer/serial kill podcasts... which is not what I'm looking for. [more inside]
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 6:56 PM PST - 4 comments

Can the knowledgeable among you please chime in about Folic Acid/Folate and fetal development, and the connection to Autism? I promise, I am no anti-vaxxer, and just researching this feels wrong somehow. But it seems like studies have found that while Folic Acid supplementation prevents some birth defects, it also corresponds to much higher rates of Autism for at least some populations of women. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:38 PM PST - 7 comments

How do I find happiness after the death of my spouse after 50 years together?
posted by Bridgeman3 at 5:28 PM PST - 20 comments

What is best at Fairway supermarket? [more inside]
posted by colorblock sock at 4:53 PM PST - 11 comments

I am pretty much the opposite of most people: I hate pockets in my running shorts. Help me find my dream pair. [more inside]
posted by mykescipark at 4:14 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm doing some admin for a small business that is growing. How can I learn the basic office skills of - how and where to file things where other people can find them easily, both digital and hard copy? How to create digital templates for forms that can be completed but can't be otherwise altered? Where to keep everything and how to set up user-friendly systems? I'm pretty sure there are accepted standards and procedures and the wheel doesn't have to be reinvented here: where can I find out about them and learn them? Are there books? Online tutorials? Where can I find them and what search terms should I be using? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:05 PM PST - 5 comments

What is the floral scent that perfumes Berkeley at night? [more inside]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 2:30 PM PST - 14 comments

The Star Trek mainframe game has been ported and rewritten many times. In my youth, I played graphical shareware versions for DOS and Windows, and they were generally terribly buggy. Is there a currently-maintained version of this game that I could play? In order to be the right thing, it would have to have sectors, scanners, starbases, and the general gameplay flow of the originals. It's OK if it's not Trek-branded.
posted by 4th number at 2:22 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm selling my DVD collection. Is there anything like Amoeba in NYC or perhaps Jersey that will give me a good deal? [more inside]
posted by cazoo at 1:54 PM PST - 4 comments

Newer Novel. Genre: science-fiction/literary. [more inside]
posted by Cwell at 1:25 PM PST - 5 comments

My trusty Apple Magic Mouse broke today after three great years. I'm having a hard time stomaching the $80 they want for a new one. What other mice should I consider? I'm right handed and I don't mind cords for this one. I loved how the Magic Mouse lets me scroll sideways.
posted by advicepig at 1:05 PM PST - 15 comments

I find myself without a home in Mexico for three weeks so I thought I’d go poke around. I like natural beauty, generally on a grand scale. Difficulty: I can not leave Mexico, and I’d prefer to stay out of the western areas for safety reasons.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 12:33 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm shopping for a birthday gift for my partner, and playing off an idea she's had for decorating her place, wanted to find a roughly waist-high column to display things on- flowers in a vase, the wireless router with a plaque reading THE INTERNET, that kind of thing. But: like how though [more inside]
posted by Merzbau at 10:14 AM PST - 12 comments

My BA was not in English, and now I am thinking about taking seven English electives in order to get into University of Toronto's English MA with a focus in Creative Writing. Do you think it is worth to take all those courses--especially if you are passionate about literature? I do not mind writing essays and analyzing literature--I am currently doing a Masters in Arts Administration part-time for now, but I am quite eager to partake on the English Literature studies. Except I do not know if I am wasting my time if I can make a career out of it or do a PhD later--I am not sure (in my mid-twenties right now). People are telling me to plunge into the MFA in Creative Writing instead since I would not need to take seven full year courses in English for a few years. I have a supportive partner with an excellent job and I am currently in a part-time arts admin job right now. Any career advice would be most appreciated--critical feedback too. Would it be worth it if doing a PhD in the long term is a goal in mind? I do like the art admin work field as well, but would love to study literature academically--simply not quite sure what to do.
posted by RearWindow at 10:04 AM PST - 30 comments

I've been organizing mixtape swaps to build community with the volunteers at my college radio station for a while. This past one was kind of a dud because nobody has access to CD burners or drives in general. (Thanks new laptops!) How do we still have swaps as social functions without physical media? [more inside]
posted by kendrak at 9:25 AM PST - 18 comments

Hi folks. A friend recently picked up this incredible set of Japanese china. The teacups have images of geishas (I think) in the bottoms, and the teapots are 3D and have incredible designs. Pictures are here. Any idea what this is, and if it's worth anything? The bottoms are marked "Fujiyama Hand Painted Yokohama Made in Japan." I couldn't find anything similar online.
posted by Slinga at 9:15 AM PST - 6 comments

After 8 years of relative quiet, someone very close to me is seeing their prostate cancer come back in the form of elevated and rising PSA levels. I am seeking blogs, forums, communities, newsletters, and other sources of information so we can quickly get up-to-date on the latest treatments, clinical trials, and other relevant information. Thanks.
posted by fake at 9:09 AM PST - 4 comments

I’m going to do a solo drive from New York to Minneapolis next week and since I have a little free time, I’m thinking of taking a longer route through Canada. I’ll probably head straight up to Montréal and then across southern Ontario at least as far as Toronto. From there I’ll either continue to Windsor or possibly head up to Sudbury and across to Sault Ste. Marie. What should I see, do, and eat along the way? [more inside]
posted by theory at 8:29 AM PST - 23 comments

I am looking for another recipe that I bookmarked and then lost. This one was a pretty standard sugar cookie recipe but after the first bake, you grind up the cookies into a powder. Then you mix that powder with butter and rebake the dough. Do you know of a similar recipe? [more inside]
posted by soelo at 8:07 AM PST - 9 comments

I am losing health insurance from my old job in four days. I am signing up for a plan through Obamacare/ACA. Have some questions about the application. Mission critical: avoiding a lapse in coverage. (snowflakes inside) [more inside]
posted by coffeeand at 7:52 AM PST - 7 comments

Is there anything I can do for a long time, long distance friend with substance abuse issues at this point in our long history? [more inside]
posted by RajahKing at 7:39 AM PST - 5 comments

I’ve never worked in an office that’s predominantly male before. But will be soon. Anything I need to be aware of? [more inside]
posted by inevitability at 7:01 AM PST - 29 comments

So, I've been given the assignment to create a booklet that will be printed, spiral bound and given out to attendees of a training class. I found this Word document (Dropbox link) and I'm off to a good start, but I can't figure out how to add more pages to it and have it behave. [more inside]
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 5:57 AM PST - 3 comments

Help me figure out if I should be concerned. Last night I go up from bed and in the bathroom saw a black bug the size of a freckle or sesame seed moving across my torso. Any idea what they could be, and anything I should do now or if I see more? Online searches are not helpful. [more inside]
posted by MCMLXXXIV at 4:45 AM PST - 11 comments

Asking for a friend: Are there any long form articles or books written about *the obsession with* true crime? Not the crimes or things like ethical abuses (*cough Serial cough*) but the actual current popularity and theories about it? [more inside]
posted by daisyk at 4:11 AM PST - 14 comments

Several identical bugs have appeared in my kitchen and bedroom. They look like this: https://i.imgur.com/hgnjIWO.jpg. Can you identify what bug this is?
posted by Panthalassa at 12:50 AM PST - 2 comments

What are some good podcasts in Mandarin Chinese? [more inside]
posted by wym at 11:59 PM PST - 2 comments

We are hosting a friend overnight who will be running the marathon. We want to make her stay as special and as conducive to having a great marathon experience as possible! Any ideas of what to stock up on, prepare, etc.?
posted by AceRock at 8:28 PM PST - 10 comments

For load-balancing, situational awareness, and auditability, my wife and I made a shared gmail account which we give to people who need to contact our household in general. For example, the utility company, the landlord, the school.. It's working well for incoming mail, but we need to cc the shared account on every outgoing message manually. Is there any way to automatically cc the shared account when replying from the shared account? This is gmail, if it matters. [more inside]
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 7:15 PM PST - 13 comments

Just saw this video (Instagram) of someone handpainting a tile. I want to do this or some close approximation of this for funs and zens. [more inside]
posted by sestaaak at 6:16 PM PST - 10 comments

My cat is obsessed with the Birch Benders Paleo pancake mix. Why? What is in this? [more inside]
posted by jeweled accumulation at 5:41 PM PST - 26 comments

I left my Kindle on a United flight, and days later got a notification from Amazon that an unregistered user - firstname.lastname@united.com - had tried to send a document to my Kindle. I therefore know WHO has my Kindle - but how do I get it back? [more inside]
posted by LingeringMoon at 5:39 PM PST - 8 comments

I disappeared on someone online and feel awful, but also not really sure how to apologize for what happened. [more inside]
posted by Proginoskes at 5:23 PM PST - 7 comments

I am looking for a job that will meet certain requirements. Bonus points if you tell me about a place you liked or like to work and you tell me about the experience. Explanation below, with a tl;dr at the end. [more inside]
posted by Armed Only With Hubris at 4:20 PM PST - 7 comments

So I was summonsed for jury duty in King County, WA to report next week. I forgot about it until this Monday, and am wondering how to handle it given my circumstances. Advice is gratefully appreciated. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 4:11 PM PST - 10 comments

So with a command, imperative, or injunction, you can say, like, "Jump!". But, it's indirect, it's mediated. For whatever reason, the recipient/focus(?) of the command won't necessarily jump. [more inside]
posted by zeek321 at 4:10 PM PST - 24 comments

My SO's dresses don't fit her anymore. Does she have to buy a new wardrobe or can they be altered in one spot only? [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 2:16 PM PST - 16 comments

YOU can help me figure out if Sondheim is what Im hoping he is and how to proceed accordingly [more inside]
posted by Senor Cardgage at 2:07 PM PST - 22 comments

My husband and I are divorcing. We live in Toronto, Ontario. We've got no kids, no house, no assets or debts to speak of. I spoke to a good lawyer today who said her fees would likely come to $2500-5000 (CAD). I don't have that money; I'd have to put it on a credit card or maybe borrow it. I'm wondering if I should just file the forms myself instead. My big concern is speed: I'm worried it will take me a long time to pull all the forms together somehow (I work full time) and I'm also worried that my divorce filing could get bogged down in the courts. I'd like to be separated from my husband as soon as possible. Is it worth it to pay for the lawyer? [more inside]
posted by lotf629 at 2:07 PM PST - 15 comments

I’ve been taking the kids (2 and 3) to the shop and then cooking dinner together. My 3 year old LOVES this. Our oven is broken and I’ve done mashed potatoes, quesadillas and pumpkin soup. What else is there? Oh! And books related to a dish would also be great. [more inside]
posted by catspajammies at 12:35 PM PST - 29 comments

The corpse family is attempting to find traditional geocaches in all 50 states and DC. I'm planning a road trip to look for them in Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado, or something along those lines. I've never been to that part of the world and know nothing. Please advise. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:33 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm looking for songs that people in their 60s and 70s would enjoy. Some specifics under the fold. [more inside]
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:27 PM PST - 32 comments

If you teach in a college or university setting, how common is the following student behaviour: students publicly and privately push back on the workload involved in the course (eg length and number of assignments), insisting that it is too much for a course at this level. I'm trying to determine if this is common elsewhere, or if it's unusual in other places and it's our students who are outliers. So, do you experience this, and if so, how do you handle it? [more inside]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:01 PM PST - 31 comments

My family is relocating to the LA area. I will be working in Thousand Oaks, where my toddler son will also be going to a school next to where I work. My boyfriend will be working in El Segundo. Where is the best place to live to optimally balance childcare responsibilities with a commute? [more inside]
posted by Everydayville at 11:51 AM PST - 10 comments

Can you help identify this old children's book my boyfriend remembers reading in the 90s? He says it was a picture book about aliens who came out of a spaceship and programmed in BASIC. [more inside]
posted by phoenixy at 11:49 AM PST - 2 comments

Scenario: you have been asked on a date by someone on Match, OkCupid, etc, after a few days of messaging. You say yes, but don't make concrete plans. After thinking about it, you don't want to go after all, mostly because you feel like it's too soon to meet in person but also just because. What do you say to the person on the other end?
posted by Hermione Granger at 11:47 AM PST - 14 comments

I sit in between two coworkers at a long desk (no separation), both higher-up in position than me. One of my coworkers I find looking at my screen multiple times a day while I'm working, and both feel free to comment on what I'm working on at any point in the process, not at agreed-upon times. [more inside]
posted by Sreiny at 11:40 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm never sure exactly when the world will actually be visible relation to the predicted sunrise or sunset on a certain date. Can you explain this? [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 11:38 AM PST - 8 comments

I have the hardware I need, I've got a VCR and a dongle that goes into a USB port on my PC. But what software should I use? [more inside]
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 10:52 AM PST - 5 comments

I enjoy watching some speedrunners and have been wondering how the software knows what segment is being played and when that segment is completed? Does the speedrunner have to enter something manually to indicate that a segment has been run?
posted by One Hand Slowclapping at 10:45 AM PST - 5 comments

Partly inspired by this post and the fact that Chrome is no longer being subtle about its surveillance activities, I would like to replace Chrome as my web browser. [more inside]
posted by Svejk at 10:32 AM PST - 12 comments

I've been reading The Basque History of the World and now I'd like to scratch the itch for similar [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 10:18 AM PST - 9 comments

How to interact with a friend suffering from a psychotic break? [more inside]
posted by Cosine at 10:09 AM PST - 13 comments

I have been charged with creating an Access database that will contain a significant amount of text data but I'm not sure, after digging in, this is the way to go. Hope me! [more inside]
posted by youandiandaflame at 9:56 AM PST - 14 comments

What are the best trilogies? And why are they the best? [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 9:38 AM PST - 56 comments

I have a job that I'm semi-happy in, and I have an offer for a job that is not as high as I would like, although obviously I am planning to negotiate. Do I stay or do I go? [more inside]
posted by Chaussette Fantoche at 8:18 AM PST - 5 comments

I'd like to increase my meat-preparing skills and tricks, both basic stuff (think crockpot/onepot meals/stew) and fancy (think sous vide). Additionally I'd like more interesting grilling ideas. I have all kinds of relevant equipment. What are some good cookbooks you've enjoyed? Website suggestions are OK too but I go to cookbooks first when meal planning.
posted by twoplussix at 8:15 AM PST - 11 comments

I love beef barley soup. I find though, that it takes a long time to make. Help me with your recipe hacks and improvements. Fall is here, it’s soup time! My current version below the fold. [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 8:12 AM PST - 24 comments

I have a 12-ish year old cat that was declared early stage kidney disease in May, and has been on a renal diet since. When I returned for follow-up tests her kidney results showed great improvement - but her blood sugar was suddenly through the roof. I'm wondering if it's diet-related, though the vet says that's not likely. Much more detail inside, and cat picture. [more inside]
posted by jzb at 8:02 AM PST - 6 comments

How to stop before-bed cracker attack? [more inside]
posted by Mid at 7:12 AM PST - 26 comments

My wife and I are going to be in London in October, and would maybe like to attend an EPL match. I have questions about the feasibility/logistics! [more inside]
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:48 AM PST - 23 comments

I was married a little over a year ago to a very sweet and gentle man. It seems though that his anxiety and impulsiveness level, even with new and increasing meds, cannot help him. Though I love him, I worry how I will ever achieve a family with him. But I made a vow... [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:42 AM PST - 18 comments

I have found myself in the most sexist environment of my career, and as I consider switching roles or companies, I am wondering how I avoid this mistake again? What are the questions to ask or red/ yellow flags to look for? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:42 AM PST - 7 comments

I am looking for the popular Writer's Market equivalent in the UK. If there is none, what do writers use?
posted by Yiba at 5:06 AM PST - 1 comment

I would like to create a playlist or two of songs to listen to during labor. The kind of "empowering" music I like is more fist pumping dance music, which from what I understand, isn't exactly conducive to labor. So what's like Beyonce's Flawless but a bit less sweary and a bit more mellow? [more inside]
posted by like_neon at 3:00 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm an active man with a large waist size, and my fatty+muscular thighs rub together when I walk or cycle (which is often and a lot). This rubs holes just behind the inseam on the crotch of all of my trousers that don't have smooth fabrics. It's not usually visible to the public due to the location, but it's embarrassing and it lets cold in. How do I prevent this? [more inside]
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 2:01 AM PST - 31 comments

What kinds of answers would a hiring manager want to see on a government employment "exam"/self evaluation? [more inside]
posted by agentofselection at 9:59 PM PST - 4 comments

I have a 17-month old son, who am I raising English-Spanish bilingual. He is saying words in English and Spanish. I am alternating languages each day (i.e. yesterday Spanish, today English, tomorrow Spanish). What should I do/say when he says a word in not-the-language-of-the-day? Obviously I want to acknowledge I understand and encourage his speaking and praise him for using a word, but I don't want to cut his exposure to the day's language. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:02 PM PST - 20 comments

I defaulted on my student loans. Location: United States (surprise!). If you've ever defaulted on your student loans and had to make a decision to commit to loan *rehabilitation* vs loan *consolidation*, what did you ultimately choose and why? And how did the process and subsequent payments work out for you? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:09 PM PST - 7 comments

Someone at work sniffs A LOT. Wet, runny-sounding sniffs. It drives me and at least one other person bonkers. How can I tell her to stop? [more inside]
posted by milque at 6:46 PM PST - 44 comments

What do you wish you'd known when writing an obituary? I need to write one. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:11 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm working through Nand2Tetris (building a virtual computer from the components up) on Coursera and loving it. Instead of being textbook/lecture/quiz based, it is essentially a puzzle to solve each week, and a tangible result. Please recommend some other classes that are more like solving puzzles, or are more than just memorizing an online textbook! [more inside]
posted by lemonade at 5:10 PM PST - 2 comments

Is there a site that breaks down networking into layman terms that a semi-technically inclined person can understand? I'm in the midst of switching careers and joining a family-member owned cyber security company. I'm cramming for a few different certs that I'll take over the next 6-12 months and I'm trying to get up-to-speed quickly. Let me state upfront: I'm happy to pay or subscribe to the resource. [more inside]
posted by photoslob at 5:00 PM PST - 6 comments

Thirty-odd years ago, a friend in SW Michigan gave me a bag of "Tea To Allay Madness," aka "King Charles' Water." I've lost track of both friend and recipe, and google is no help. Ingredients that I remember were comfrey and chamomile, rose hips, perhaps orange rind and cinnamon. Does this ring a bell with any herbal tea-lovers? Thanks!
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 2:22 PM PST - 4 comments

I made several different infused alcohols for a party a friend is throwing this weekend. Help me turn them into simple and great cocktails? [more inside]
posted by centrifugal at 1:18 PM PST - 14 comments

We have a new baby at home, so sleep is challenging to begin with. Add on our three year-old's resistance to bedtime, and it's a nightmare. Halp. [more inside]
posted by craven_morhead at 12:48 PM PST - 17 comments

My wife and I want to travel somewhere warm and relaxing in late December/early January. Cartagena and several of the Caribbean resorts were top of the list but as we're considering trying to have a baby in the first quarter of next year, we're not sure it's a smart move. More specifics inside. [more inside]
posted by rbf1138 at 12:14 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for child-friendly resources to help an elementary schooler learn to center herself and break out of an anxiety spiral. [more inside]
posted by madajb at 11:15 AM PST - 14 comments

I want to make cookies for an upcoming event and there are a lot of dietary restrictions but vegan cookies without peanut butter or any nuts should be okay (NB: there is at least one allergy to concentrated soy products so I have to be careful there too). I'd like to do gingerbread cookies but am open to alternatives. What recipes do people like and does anyone have tips for vegan baking, e.g. "this flour is preferred by vegans" or "don't use this brand of sugar"? [more inside]
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 10:30 AM PST - 21 comments

I have this (maybe false) memory of the Eurythmics song "There Must Be an Angel (Playing With My Heart" appearing in a movie. Is this true? Possible details within! [more inside]
posted by cakelite at 9:49 AM PST - 2 comments

Mr Bookish and I are getting married. According to the legal documents from our Scottish registrar, I need to have my Danish birth certificate translated. It is a handwritten document from the 1970s with distinct penmanship. I have reached out to translation agencies (as linked by my embassy) that all have responded in semi-broken English expressing confusion that I require their services. This makes me nervous. Fellow MeFites, have you had a certified translation from anyone in the UK? How did you find them? Did they require you to forward the original document? Any leads would be gratefully accepted.
posted by kariebookish at 9:40 AM PST - 6 comments

I read a few pages of this black-and white manga online: a man on a business trip enjoys his fancy hotel room, then suddenly thinks of his cat and is struck by guilt and sorrow. Please help me identify it. [more inside]
posted by What is E. T. short for? at 9:09 AM PST - 4 comments

I want to offer simple ways for staff and guests to share gender pronouns at events. [more inside]
posted by rockyraccoon at 8:58 AM PST - 27 comments

My new hobby is memorizing recitables and I'd like help selecting poems and prose to learn. I found this AskMe, but I have some very specific criteria that aren't represented in it. [more inside]
posted by windykites at 8:57 AM PST - 39 comments

I've been pushed around a bit by someone at work who is senior to me, but not my "line manager", and I've pushed back by resigning from the committee that he chairs. I am female, he is male. I was an active member of the committee and contributed significantly to it, and I became fed up when the chair kept expecting more and more from me, wouldn't take no for an answer, and ignored my concerns and suggestions regarding increasing the participation of women and minorities. [more inside]
posted by stinker at 8:40 AM PST - 21 comments

My twenty-five year old furnace died, and its buddy air conditioner should be replaced too. Looking for general advice. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 8:39 AM PST - 9 comments

I am having trouble deciding whether it's worth it to me to move for a new job. How do I figure out what's more important to me, career or community? [more inside]
posted by BooneTheCowboyToy at 8:32 AM PST - 15 comments

I’ve been volunteering with a small non-profit for a couple of years. I believe in the mission and like the people but am fed up with the dysfunction. Should I quit or help fix the problems? [more inside]
posted by epanalepsis at 8:19 AM PST - 10 comments

How do you build professional relationships with colleagues? I spend most of my work day alone or with people whose company I don't enjoy, and I want to change it. [more inside]
posted by marfa, texas at 7:50 AM PST - 12 comments

Even though many events in my past were happy, sometimes when I think about them I get a sadness. I'm not sure where this comes from. Have you had this experience? What would be some ways to process that sadness? Can joy be recovered from nostalgic sadness? [more inside]
posted by storybored at 7:20 AM PST - 17 comments

When I was a kid I used to read these horror anthologies (probably aimed at teenagers?) that scared the shit out of me because the kids and their parents often were killed in the end. My feeling is that I most have found them at a book fair or something, so they're probably published by a well-known publisher, but I don't think they were ever very popular (not thinking about the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books). Can anyone help me figure out what these books were? I'm pretty sure my parents gave them away when I moved to college and no amount of googling has got me any closer to finding them. [more inside]
posted by coolguy#1 at 6:42 AM PST - 7 comments

Is there anything like a hotel with 24hr child care, or child care services that can temporarily accommodate overnight stays? I think I need help sifting through the search results I'm finding relative to some specific details I'll provide below the fold, and perhaps suggestions from parents who have used this sort of service or child care workers who have provided it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:38 AM PST - 7 comments

I've never read Lydia Davis's short fiction. Does anyone have strong opinions about which collection to read first?
posted by Morpeth at 5:49 AM PST - 7 comments

Was looking through earlier AskMeFi questions of this situation and could only find answers from about a decade ago. Updated thoughts about female solo traveler getting into Amsterdam during evening (9pm-9am) layover? [more inside]
posted by orangesky4 at 5:38 AM PST - 4 comments

Woodworkers and artists: How would you create a wood piece with text printed on it (not vinyl)? Link below. [more inside]
posted by sealee at 10:51 PM PST - 17 comments

This is a music notation question. How do I notate an "orchestra hit"? Basically, a sound in which everyone in the orchestra is directed to play a loud, random noise/sound on their instrument. [more inside]
posted by aielen at 9:13 PM PST - 8 comments

Urgh. Didn’t think I would be asking a question about this person again, but a certain ex who I’ve asked about before is in terrible health. I know I’m not obligated to help, but I also feel like I should help in some way. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by socky bottoms at 9:11 PM PST - 36 comments

I braised a pork shoulder yesterday. What's this stuff that formed a layer between the lard and the gelatin I reserved? [more inside]
posted by fedward at 8:20 PM PST - 7 comments

I found it in my stash and I am really enjoying it for mixed media. But I don't know what kind of paper it is, and I am far away from the art stores in Seattle where I bought it. It is kind of slippery, like Yupo, but only a little. It is very thin, and it seems to have an organic texture, like a watermark, throughout. But there is also a dot pattern that seems machine generated. [more inside]
posted by macinchik at 7:34 PM PST - 5 comments

My sole outdoor space is a tiny staircase landing outside my 2nd-floor back door, most of which is taken by my camp chair. I have to move very carefully when I rise from it to re-enter the apartment. [more inside]
posted by goofyfoot at 7:25 PM PST - 6 comments

I've come to know a 10 month old chocolate lab that needs a home, but I'm not sure I could give her the life she deserves. I'm a single person who is away from the house at least 11 hours/day four days a week (with a somewhat shorter day on Friday). I have somebody who's good with pets who could walk her once during the day, but she'd otherwise be on her own in my (ridiculously large) apartment. Is this irresponsible? [more inside]
posted by exutima at 7:06 PM PST - 15 comments

Hi All. I'm looking for a unique solo vacation for my 50th birthday. I'd like a vacation that involves doing something or learning something. (Lots) More below. [more inside]
posted by bluesky78987 at 7:05 PM PST - 12 comments

I moved from one of the sunniest states in the union, to one experiencing record rain. Tonight I cannot see the full moon and it is depressing me. I realize I do not only miss the sun but also the night sky. Thought on how to combat this?
posted by turtlefu at 6:10 PM PST - 7 comments

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes” - really? I am going to Norway next month from overseas, and have 10 days there. Am I better off spending only a few days in Norway and then booking a cheap flight to somewhere warmer? [more inside]
posted by gemutlichkeit at 5:02 PM PST - 9 comments

I AM THE LORD is basically the biblical equivalent of a mic drop for when God really wants to make a point. Is there equivalent for Mary, Mother of God? [more inside]
posted by Jilder at 4:45 PM PST - 11 comments

To those of you in healthy relationships, how do you conceptualize issues as you and your partner versus a problem, instead of you versus them? [more inside]
posted by hazeleatscarrots at 4:30 PM PST - 14 comments

Google is discontinuing its Inbox app. The Gmail iOS app is comparatively a trashfire. Now what? [more inside]
posted by Andrhia at 4:24 PM PST - 7 comments

Need a birthday gift idea for a good friend [more inside]
posted by cali59 at 2:58 PM PST - 8 comments

My kids are doing Wizard of Oz costumes. My teenage son would like to be the lion/scarecrow/tin man or ? (coordinating with his sister, who will be Dorothy). We live in hot weather and he hates being hot, so warm costumes are bad. I was hoping for a simple costume that involved shorts and maybe a hat or mask. Any recommendations? Happy to make the costume, just need inspiration for something that won't make him sweat. [more inside]
posted by stewiethegreat at 2:53 PM PST - 13 comments

My Kinesis Advantage Pro (KB500) is acting strange. I'd like to find a replacement main USB cord for it, but the model is old (circa 2002 I think) and I can't locate the part. [more inside]
posted by mr_bovis at 2:38 PM PST - 7 comments

Though we have an MS mail server, colleagues won't/don't use it and have set up a bunch of Google shared calendars. I set up a Google account with my work e-mail address as the Google ID, but appointments sent from the Google calendar never make it to the Exchange server. So I sometimes miss stuff or have colleagues say I never joined events. Halp?
posted by scruss at 1:48 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm looking for a cooking class for 2 adults on making pasta from scratch, somewhere near Massachusetts. [more inside]
posted by tocts at 1:42 PM PST - 6 comments

I want to try to understand why picky eaters are picky. A weekend spent with my 11-year-old niece is prompting the question, but this kid's issues are clearly shared to an extent by one of her parents (and some, but not all, of her siblings) and it seems to be an innate thing, not a kid being stubborn. She has been this way virtually since birth. [more inside]
posted by something something at 12:37 PM PST - 56 comments

A fitness studio near me is coming up for sale and that's got me wondering how profitable they are (in general) as a business. The business type is that they don't have exercise machines or open-gym hours, just classes in the early morning and throughout the evening.
posted by xo at 12:15 PM PST - 5 comments

Do these look like bed bugs (three photos here)? Location: New York City [more inside]
posted by crocodiletsunami at 11:55 AM PST - 13 comments

I need to punctuate something very similar to the following: "Buyer must notify Seller of changes within this three (3) day period." Does the hyphen go after "three," after "(3)", or after both? [more inside]
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 11:35 AM PST - 9 comments

This should be SO simple: is there a Safari extension that will replace a word or phrase with one of my choosing? Fake example: whenever the word "dog" occurs on a page, replace it with "fluffy happy beast" so I never have to see the word "dog" again. Searching the Safari Extensions hasn't yielded any results for me but surely this exists. [more inside]
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 9:58 AM PST - 5 comments

Last year for my annual Halloween party I did a "make your own" macaroni and cheese bar, where I made a few pans of fancy mac and cheese and had a buffet of toppings available. It was a huge hit, and I'd like to do something similar this year. What are some other dishes I could do? [more inside]
posted by tryniti at 9:28 AM PST - 31 comments

What is this what stuff on my parent's plants? [more inside]
posted by Slackermagee at 9:14 AM PST - 4 comments

I've met someone I'd like to get to know, but I'm not 100% over my last relationship. Also now sure how interested he is. [more inside]
posted by Willow251 at 9:04 AM PST - 10 comments

Toddler T. has been asking about the Moon and stars and planets. I don't know enough, or have the right kind of knowledge, to talk about what we can see. Can you recommend good eyeball and backyard astronomy guides aimed at toddlers and small children? The books and other resources I can find are geared to about 7 and up, which is too old.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:58 AM PST - 6 comments

My son is not having a very good experience with school so far this year, and I think doing a long-term activity with him after school every day would help a little bit -- so that he has something fun to look forward to. [more inside]
posted by trillian at 8:45 AM PST - 18 comments

Imagining a scenario with income drying up and wondering if there's an ideal way to plan for that. There might not be a way to plan for a situation with no options, but I have very little familiarity with financial planning. [more inside]
posted by Geameade at 8:40 AM PST - 14 comments

We have a beloved tree in our backyard which may be sick or nearing the end of its natural lifespan. We'd like to take a berry and plant it in an open space in our yard where there used to be an apple tree about 15-20 years ago and grow a new tree. What I know about gardening you could fit in an acorn cap. How can we do this successfully? [more inside]
posted by Reverend John at 8:03 AM PST - 14 comments

Where can I buy ethically-produced Halloween candy that kids (and I) will still enjoy? And yeah, it's gotta be the good stuff. Preferably chocolate.* Looking for suggestions of both products and retailers (both online and bricks-and-mortar). *My mom gave out boxes of raisins. I am not going to be that person.
posted by the_blizz at 7:30 AM PST - 10 comments

I've been asked to create a new certification course to be used internationally. How do I calculate my consultancy fees? [more inside]
posted by Telf at 7:25 AM PST - 5 comments

This was me. After a crazy year, I've met most of my half-sibs, tracked down the sperm donor, and he's coming to Boston to meet with all of us next month (!!). Where can six people go on a Saturday afternoon near Brookline and/or the Mass Pike to get to know each other that has some good gluten free options? [more inside]
posted by danapiper at 7:23 AM PST - 2 comments

Unresponsive Firefox on Windows 10 machine. Can I recover bookmarks (or get them back, if I download a new version of Firefox)? [more inside]
posted by dbirchum at 5:36 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm in my mid-30s, female, never given birth. I have rather recently felt a bit of pee come out sometimes when I have a big sneeze or cough really hard. What's up with that? Is this normal? I thought the pee-your-pants thing only really happened to women who had given birth, but apparently not....? [more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 5:35 AM PST - 16 comments

I found two jobs I'd like to do at a British Embassy, but am unsure whether applying for both would hurt my application. Advice, especially from people who have used the UK government's online job system, would be appreciated. [more inside]
posted by LoonyLovegood at 2:47 AM PST - 2 comments

Does your normal vaginal discharge (mucus, period blood) increase when pooping? Does it ever feel gurlgey or queefy? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:46 AM PST - 10 comments

I have recently realized that a lot of my anxiety stems from comparing myself to other people ALL THE TIME. This was recently triggered by a parents' event at my kids' school. How can I keep this from affecting my life? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:46 AM PST - 11 comments

I just got my first tattoo -- it's a very small one (project semicolon) -- and most of the instructions I've found online advise removing the bandage after 2-3 hours, then cleaning the area with mild soap and applying lotion. But the tattoo artist today applied a Tegaderm (transparent, waterproof, breathable) bandage and told me just to keep it on for several days. Does that sound right?
posted by wutangclan at 2:20 AM PST - 9 comments

I am doing the seasonal clothing storage swap and found some larvae, I think, in my daughter's clothing storage container. What are they? Not-great pics inside. [more inside]
posted by methroach at 9:43 PM PST - 8 comments

I saw a meme the other day which compared Trump point-by-point to the villain of the Evangelical pot-boilers from the '90s, Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkin's Left Behind series. My Google-fu is failing me now, though, and I can't find it again. I think there was stuff about a television star becoming president, and cooperating with Russia, and most of the American church following him instead of Jesus, etc. Has anyone else seen this? Or able to find it? Thanks!
posted by clawsoon at 5:11 PM PST - 14 comments

I will be in Boston in two weeks for work. One of those days I will need to get myself from downtown (near Federal/Franklin Street intersection) to North Shore Medical Center in Lynn. What is the easiest way for me to make this trip without renting a car? [more inside]
posted by little mouth at 4:21 PM PST - 10 comments

Here's a pic Recently I'm finding the top part of my fridge totally frozen up. Not the coil itself where the defroster is but the area above where the refrigerant lines come in. Any ideas?
posted by zeoslap at 4:12 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm working on a rent vs own evaluation for Silicon Valley, and my input of least confidence at the moment is the cost of home insurance. What's a good rule of thumb for insuring a home in the bay area? [more inside]
posted by pwnguin at 3:21 PM PST - 9 comments

I've moved into a furnished apartment with an open floor plan, and the style and cabinet hues in the kitchen area don't gel well with the trim and furnishings in the living/dining area. Can you suggest one or more paint colors that might look okay in both areas and/or with each other? [more inside]
posted by exutima at 3:06 PM PST - 7 comments

So blade roasts are on sale at the grocery store, but I am not very familiar with this cut of beef. I also just inherited a slow cooker from a kind friend -- I have never owned one before. Please help me combine these two things and make a delicious dinner! I haven't got much slow cooker experience, but I am otherwise pretty confident in the kitchen. No allergies or restrictions, all flavour profiles welcome, all ideas gratefully entertained. (Note: it's a plain ol' Crock Pot brand oval-shaped slow cooker, not an Instant Pot, if that makes any difference.)
posted by halation at 2:01 PM PST - 6 comments

I've been out of work for a few months, and a few promising job leads have fallen through. What are some ways I can make money until I find a full-time job? [more inside]
posted by Transmissions From Vrillon at 1:36 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking for voices on the left that are critical of unions in general, or certain aspects of the union movement. Any recommendations, MeFites? [more inside]
posted by The Toad at 1:26 PM PST - 6 comments

Are you a man or a masculine-of-center person? What do you wear when you're hanging around the house? Where do you buy those clothes? [more inside]
posted by Narrative Priorities at 12:34 PM PST - 55 comments

I'm looking for books to read to or with my preschooler that tell stories that take place in the kinds of places he's familiar with. Basically, picture or early chapter books or graphic novels, that have plots and young child characters, and take place in a recognizably 21st century city. [more inside]
posted by sputzie at 12:07 PM PST - 20 comments

What is or was the cheap/basic local beer where you are? Is there an index of regional beers? I am specifically not interested in the more upscale local breweries. [more inside]
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 11:57 AM PST - 69 comments

My daughter (11) and I are going to be spending time each day with a boy who has just been adopted from China. He's 13 and he arrived three weeks ago (!) He is deaf. He does not know sign language, ASL or otherwise. He reads/writes Mandarin at a third-grade level. What is my best path to learning some Mandarin so I can communicate with him? [more inside]
posted by orsonet at 11:12 AM PST - 19 comments

I'm getting married in 2 months. I have no clue what to wear. I'm really quite bad about finding clothes at the best of times. It's my second wedding and I'm 42 so the easy option of just buying an actual wedding dress is out, and frankly that whole process was stressful as hell last time. Help me? [more inside]
posted by billiebee at 10:00 AM PST - 30 comments

I have been on Luvox for 6 months for my lifelong OCD and depression. I have had a ton of side effects and felt like I wasn't getting better. I went to a different doctor in NYC who made a recommendation that i am second guessing. I am not sure if it is my anxiety and OCD, or a legitimate "disagreement" with the course of action. details inside [more inside]
posted by kbbbo at 9:29 AM PST - 6 comments

How best to respond when my experiences with racism as a person of color are questioned or dismissed by white people? [more inside]
posted by jnrs at 8:20 AM PST - 42 comments

I am middle-aged and was recently officially diagnosed with (high-functioning) autism, what would previously probably have been called aspergers. Our kids are teens. What/how/how much do we tell them about autism and my diagnosis? [more inside]
posted by at home in my head at 7:01 AM PST - 12 comments

I am glued to the bed after sleeping ten hours. In five hours I will take over as the solo toddler parent and I have negative spoons. If you struggle with autoimmune flares, especially the fatigue, how do you flare-proof your life? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 6:47 AM PST - 3 comments

I am looking for blogs, collections of short stories and novels either fiction, or nonfiction that entail how one has survived and tell the tale of life after emotional and psychological abuse. [more inside]
posted by Sequined Ballet Flats at 6:28 AM PST - 11 comments

A teacher, years ago when I was 14/15, was in an inappropriate relationship with me. Physical boundaries were crossed but not necessarily legal ones. I don't know what to call it. [more inside]
posted by ahundredjarsofsky at 5:45 AM PST - 8 comments

Yes it's that old chestnut again. I have a crush on a co-worker. How do I navigate this within a professional environment? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:07 AM PST - 21 comments

I need to spend, say, 12,000 USD on a (Mastercard) credit card in the next 3 months (not cash advance, not a balance transfer) in order to get a benefit i really, really want. I don’t need to spend this much money in real life……..How could I go about making a purchase like this for someone else and getting the money refunded to me by that person/entity quickly in the most reliable way? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:07 AM PST - 22 comments

There is a child, a boy, approximately 5 who enjoys hurting others, zero remorse, very violent behavior all around. I've seen him ram a toy into his mother's legs repeatedly from behind. She is oblivious, thinking the child will grow out of it. A phase. I've heard him say some disturbing things the other day when I visited. [more inside]
posted by watercarrier at 8:47 PM PST - 29 comments

To make a long story short, I changed my Facebook password about two months ago, promptly forgot it, went to change it again, and the "change password code" never arrives. [more inside]
posted by zebrabananafish at 8:32 PM PST - 6 comments

I have a friend who is afraid to fly, but is going to have to go on a long flight in a cargo plane for work reasons. She likes stuffed animals, so I wanted to give her a small stuffed plane to hang onto if things get rough. However, my Google-fu is completely failing me! Surely such a thing exists? (Snowflake details of exactly what I'm looking for inside) [more inside]
posted by LadyOscar at 7:08 PM PST - 10 comments

I've recently discovered that hearing someone being in pain will give me a panic attacks. [more inside]
posted by sheepishchiffon at 6:58 PM PST - 5 comments

There was a short video about a man with a device which changes what genre he's in every time he presses the button. It turns out to be an ad for digital effects. [more inside]
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 6:36 PM PST - 3 comments

I have back spasm and a deep massage is the only way it's going to come out. Can you recommend anyone in the East Bay (Berkeley) who might be available on short notice?
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 5:21 PM PST - 3 comments

I need help figuring out what I can eat for lunch and (and some) dinners on campus that nutritious and easy. Easy is a priority. [more inside]
posted by raccoon409 at 5:07 PM PST - 16 comments

So I'm obsessed with wristwatches. It's taking over my life. I need to find a new hobby. Or maybe start living life a little better. Help. [more inside]
posted by lecorbeau at 2:19 PM PST - 16 comments

I need to make a giant paper mache head for Halloween this year. I tried blowing up a balloon as big as I could, but it wasn't big enough. What else can I use as a base? Or do you have other suggestions on making a big monster head? [more inside]
posted by too bad you're not me at 2:15 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm obsessed with Hounds of Love by Kate Bush (the song, not the album) (the album too tbh). The sentiment behind the lyrics really speaks to me. What other songs are there about how scary it can be to fall in love?
posted by Jellybean_Slybun at 2:13 PM PST - 18 comments

There's a strong possibility I'm going to be driving from Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA the weekend of 9/28. I'm trying to do the whole drive by myself that weekend. I'm curious if anyone has any route advice. [more inside]
posted by jeb at 2:10 PM PST - 17 comments

Fashionistas/sewing experts of Metafilter: Can any competent dressmaker/tailor replicate a blouse I love? And how do I go about commissioning it? Snowflake details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by Preserver at 1:29 PM PST - 8 comments

My Time Machine back up is to a WD 2TB Elements USB 3.0 Portable Drive that’s over three years old. There are many reports of this model dying just after its 2 year warranty expires. I'd hate to lose the data (wouldn't be catastrophic, however), so should I swap in a new one before this one dies, or stick with because this one's proven itself?
posted by Quisp Lover at 1:05 PM PST - 11 comments

I have a 2 year old son. I am a 35 year old guy. Is there somewhere online that sells matching clothes for toddlers and adults? I'm looking for a place that ships to Canada.
posted by Proginoskes at 12:08 PM PST - 6 comments

This is a strategy question. I'm giving myself a window of 3-6 months to get rid of my unnecessary possessions. I'd like to sell as much of it as I can (and then donate or recycle/curb alert/junk the rest). What is the best way to plan and organize this so that I'm efficient, don't lose my mind, and make as much money back as possible? [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 11:46 AM PST - 12 comments

I adore The Avocado's Let's Read Old Magazines. Lileks is okay, but I've mostly gone off of it. I'm craving more 20th-century ephemera -- what are your favorite sites? (Books acceptable too, but I'm really looking for instant gratification/something I can browse of a weekend morning with my coffee here.) [more inside]
posted by kalimac at 11:09 AM PST - 9 comments

Made a delicious-looking beef barbacoa this morning, assembled everything in the crockpot and sealed it up. 4 hours later, I wondered why my house didn't smell good. Facepalm. Forgot to plug it in. Should I still cook and eat it? [more inside]
posted by Otis at 11:07 AM PST - 10 comments

I have been to multiple dentists, otolaryngologists / Ear Nose Throat specialists, a gastroenterologist, an allergist to try to identify and treat my medical problem. Does anyone know of a doctor in the Midwest region of US who treats gum infection that won't heal? I've had my salivary glands inspected, but no one can figure out what's causing my constant pain and whether it's originating in my lymph nodes or if something else is causing it and the lymph pain is a side effect of whatever the actual problem is. It feels like one of my submandibular glands is constantly in pain, but I have sores near my back molars that don't seem to go away. Is it gingivitis and is there a comprehensive treatment for that besides having excellent oral hygiene practices which I implement already? Or what else causes a gumline painful lesion that could make my lymph glands swollen chronically? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:03 AM PST - 9 comments

I recently found out that a member of my extended family sexually molested members of my immediate family. I don’t know what to do/how to think about this. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:58 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm updating my wardrobe and I would like some help finding a decent small bag with some internal structure as well as a nice exterior. Must be available in the UK. [more inside]
posted by fearnothing at 10:34 AM PST - 4 comments

Asking for my parents: this plant has sprouted in their front garden and covered the open dirt. They’re not too worried about removal, but would like to know what it is. Leaf shape details Thank you in advance!
posted by lesser weasel at 10:27 AM PST - 6 comments

So I bought a vintage mid mod couch and chair off craigslist a few years ago for a crazy price because the guy lived in a third floor walkup and had horrible pics. But now it's time to part with them. Only I'm not sure what I should be asking for them as someone said they seemed like real Milo Baughmans. How would I know? PICS: PIC1 PIC2 PIC3 PIC4
posted by rileyray3000 at 10:02 AM PST - 7 comments

A new mama in my life is about to head back to work after her maternity leave, and she's having a tough time, so I want to send her a little care box. What should I put in it? [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 9:53 AM PST - 6 comments

Where in Manhattan could a person go to get THC free CBD oil or gummies for anxiety, preferably below 42nd street. Anonymous because job and abusive extended family plus some other...stuff. Email if you have questions teapot.problems@gmail.com. I need a friendly place with lots of knowledge and without a hard sales tactic. I also need to not be sexually harassed at this place, if at all possible. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:30 AM PST - 6 comments

I recently started working a new job that's pretty much doubled my income (hooray!). But now I'm not sure how to spend it. Obviously I should save some of it, and I should finish off my student debt, but how? And what else? [more inside]
posted by Trifling at 6:26 AM PST - 12 comments

My friend thought that the film big (with Tom hanks) ended with his teacher going missing and a new student joining the class who is clearly the teacher de-aged. It's not big, it might be a false memory. What film is this?
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 6:24 AM PST - 6 comments

I feel like I often say the wrong thing. Things which (when I think about how it would feel to be on the receiving end) I later realise would be hurtful. I don't mean to hurt, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm failing to put enough effort into considering other people's feelings, and maybe that makes me a bad person. I'm looking for practical advice on how to be better (e.g. I'm unsure if it's feasible to take 5 seconds before I say literally anything), and also, I guess, some sort of comfort (because right now I am feeling like I don't really deserve to be in human society). [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:39 AM PST - 16 comments

A former professor helped get me a job. Immediately after I was hired, I had the opportunity for a much more exciting job. But I turned that down because I didn't want to hurt my relationship with my professor. I've been at my job a month, and I hate it. I wish I'd accepted the other option, but I don't know if it's too late to do anything about it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:39 AM PST - 12 comments

The one where you learn you must respect inanimate objects belonging to others as a direct extension of their person. Or is it particular to certain people and their cars? [more inside]
posted by rocketbadger at 8:43 PM PST - 70 comments

So I am the proud new owner of a Ducky One White LED Double Shot PBT mechanical keyboard, with Cherry MX White switches. I'm thinking about putting o-rings on the switches to dampen the bottom-out sound (and feel) and thereby make the actuation click more noticeable. Should I bother? [more inside]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 6:18 PM PST - 4 comments

Does anyone know of a really good textbook buyback site? I would like to sell a used textbook for the best price I can get. I paid 96.00 for it. I made markings on 47 of the 556 pages.
posted by htm at 6:15 PM PST - 6 comments

I have been thoroughly convinced to hire a cleaning service. Which one is REALLY good? Yelp and Google and personal recs aren't helping much. [more inside]
posted by colorblock sock at 6:01 PM PST - 10 comments

Severe generalized + social anxiety suffering individual here. I work online, and am I am currently doing a job where I have absolutely zero face-to-face interaction; it's all online. I just negotiated a pay raise which went smoothly - but it happened while I was inebriated, as I have been told multiple times in the past "You are better/more personable when drunk." The thing is, these comments seem to be spot-on since I have a stellar track record of acing interviews/etc. after downing a few beers, vs. my sober self who clams up whenever the pressure is on. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:07 PM PST - 28 comments

I'm dating a guy from the US, Wisconsin to be precise. It's early days... but I want to be cautious. And maybe cautiously hopeful it might be a thing worth pursuing. He's been separated from his wife physically for at least 6 months (living in UK, she's in Madison). What is the process for divorcing in that state? Is there anything I should be aware of as a clueless Brit? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:01 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm trying to write a script involving a group of characters in a confined space but I am struggling to work out how to advance the plot and move the story along. I could really do with some examples. [more inside]
posted by ihaveyourfoot at 11:48 AM PST - 44 comments

What is the equivalent of the verb "walk" for wheelchair users? [more inside]
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:47 AM PST - 21 comments

Much-aforementioned flight coming up soon. I am thinking up all kinds of distraction strategies that may or may not help (plastic crochet needle, familiar movie on phone maybe) but also for fun am thinking about putting a fly-o-centric playlist on spotify. [more inside]
posted by Smearcase at 10:17 AM PST - 55 comments

I'm going to a Broadway play this Sunday, but will need to eat first. What's a decent, non-awful place to go to with my family that's near the theater on 41st Street? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 9:44 AM PST - 9 comments

Looking for a way to view/magnify objects, books and documents with fine print up-close like a scanner, but via video capture such as a hand-held USB camera. Degree of difficulty Linux, VLC, no phone or onboard-laptop cameras. [more inside]
posted by zaixfeep at 9:43 AM PST - 7 comments

I am terrible at meal planning. I would like to be provided with a meal plan. I would like a site that takes our dietary preferences into account. I want to make a single grocery shopping trip per week with a pre-provided list. I DON'T want to buy 87 ingredients because no meals in the plan share ingredients or care about "using up" what you bought. Is there a website or app that can provide this to me? [more inside]
posted by FakeFreyja at 9:40 AM PST - 10 comments

Our second daughter is due in less than 3 weeks and we still don't have a name. We like names that are fairly short and/or traditional. The baby will be Jewish, so a Jewish name would be great, but is not required. Help? [more inside]
posted by vakker at 9:16 AM PST - 79 comments

I would like to learn two or three magic tricks that I can perform with simple every day objects (e.g. a non-doctored deck of cards, coins, newspaper, etc.). Strong preference for card tricks, but open to other ideas. Free is best (youtube videos, web tutorials) What would you recommend?
posted by davidstandaford at 9:06 AM PST - 9 comments

Thanks to the answers to my AskMe about sinister Bildungsromans, I read and devoured Tana French's The Likeness. SO GOOD! However, when I went to read the first book in the "Dublin Murder Squad" series, "In The Woods," I couldn't stomach the graphic violence to children, and couldn't finish the book. Are there other books in the series I would enjoy? [more inside]
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 8:50 AM PST - 7 comments

I work part-time at a tiny (three person) company in IL which has had to cut my hours in half and now to zero. I am an actual employee, not a contractor. I’ve never filed for unemployment before, and I can’t figure out if I should considering the circumstances: [more inside]
posted by velebita at 8:30 AM PST - 10 comments

Trying to help a friend who somehow locked their phone and now can't unlock it. 2 attempts left before it erases. [more inside]
posted by one4themoment at 7:19 AM PST - 8 comments

The mall near me has these large display boards for local businesses to advertise. One of them is an organization called “ABBA pregnancy resource center”an anti-abortion organization and the ad says “pregnant? Lost? Come to us for answers” and on first read appears to provide legit prenatal care. Last august, 13 months ago, I complained to the mall under the “contact us” form on their website, and made a Facebook post asking other local people to do the same. I went back to the mall yesterday and it’s still there. What else can I do ? [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 5:27 AM PST - 21 comments

Does anyone know any communities online centered around fibromyalgia that are active and supportive? I checked out r/fibromyalgia and it seemed kind of active, but not as active as I'd like. A discord would be cool too.
posted by starlybri at 3:52 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm 6 days late, and took a home pregnancy test that came up positive twice today. Going to confirm this with a doctor soon. This is happy if somewhat unexpected news, but I'm stressed that I had some alcohol about two weeks ago at a wedding (1/2 glass of champagne, and 1/2 glass wine). [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:28 AM PST - 17 comments

For about a year now, I've been suffering from near constant tiredness (and protracted periods of melancholy). At first, I thought I was just overworked, but a long relaxed summer did nothing to improve my condition. A few weeks ago, I went to my doctor. Our first meeting was great: he drew up a list of hypotheses about the cause of my symptoms, and ordered some tests. However, none of the tests gave us a diagnosis, and in our second meeting, the doctor said that I was probably just stressed out, and (rather unhelpfully) recommended a few early nights with a glass of wine. I think the doctor has concluded that there's nothing medically wrong with me, but I'd like to keep looking for a diagnosis. So … what now? Details below ... [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:27 AM PST - 31 comments

What products can I use to soften the effect of short, straight, coarse transplanted hair? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:27 AM PST - 7 comments

I used to listen to a couple of CDs all the time, and I don't know how but I've forgotten the band name and practically all details of the albums. Now I really want to hear the songs again... help! [more inside]
posted by KateViolet at 2:47 AM PST - 7 comments

Mr Fish and I are expecting a fry in London. Yay! But we're not from the UK originally and have tons of UK specific questions. We can't in good conscience support Mumsnet due to the hideous transphobia prevalent on that forum. Are there any alternatives? Details below. [more inside]
posted by nerdfish at 2:13 AM PST - 12 comments

At many points in my adult life I’ve used front-loading washing machines. Invariably -invariably!- the timers on the washing machine run slightly slower than the actual clock time. One example: I started a load the other day that was supposed to finish in 30 minutes. I came back after ~35 minutes (33 minute timer + slosh) and still had 3 minutes to go. Is there a design reason for this? Do coin-op washers just have bad timers?
posted by Going To Maine at 9:06 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm starting my master's degree and need bibliographic management software. Here's the catch - my new laptop is a pixelbook and so downloading software is a no go. (Only chrome extensions and apps are possible. Not even Google Play apps are allowed on this machine.) What's the best bibliographical management tool that's entirely cloud-based? [more inside]
posted by greermahoney at 7:40 PM PST - 17 comments

Previously, I have described an odd sort of physical hunger that doesn't make any sense (i.e. I feel hungry but should not be). I could swear I've also talked about what I think of was "water-hunger" which is a qualitatively unique kind of hunger I get after swimming. I am now starting to believe that though I'm interpreting this as hunger it is actually a need to burp. Do I need to burp? Teach me how. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:36 PM PST - 12 comments

I toured a house today (looking to buy). There is a pipe in front of the house. I don't know what it leads to. The realtors don't know either. Do you? Images below the fold. [more inside]
posted by mr_bovis at 6:07 PM PST - 15 comments

Do most or all portable (i.e. battery-powered) devices absolutely require a minimally-functioning battery to work properly? I ask because my ca. 2012 ebook reader's screen is now going black about a minute after turning on, and continues to do the same after disconnecting power and then reconnecting. [more inside]
posted by tenderly at 5:57 PM PST - 7 comments

Please hit me up with your recommendations for an everyday moisturizer with SPF that won't slide off my face at the first hint of heat during my bike commute. [more inside]
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 5:45 PM PST - 9 comments

What is the best way to sell a $4000+ guitar? Ebay? Craigslist? Some niche site? I know nothing about selling guitars or guitars in general, and have been tasked with helping a friend who knows about guitars, but nothing about selling them. [more inside]
posted by Grandysaur at 4:57 PM PST - 9 comments

Not sure if I should push to see a specialist or just follow the advice of my GP. Details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by onecircleaday at 3:57 PM PST - 21 comments

A sour experience has led me to have second-thoughts about an "clever" agreement I have used with my direct reports. Please come inside for the details... [more inside]
posted by fjom at 3:13 PM PST - 17 comments

The short version: I was promised a promotion by my boss, but was passed over for a candidate with less experience/training but who's been at the workplace longer. I'm pretty pissed, and feeling a bit slighted/used. How can I talk to my boss about this? I don't expect to be offered the job but would like to express my frustration with his broken promise, especially as I turned down other offers based on his promise of a job (and he knew about those offers at the time, so it feels especially crappy). [more inside]
posted by robertthebruce at 12:57 PM PST - 25 comments

Last February, I attended a conference where a rabbi opened the event with a Shabbat service and suggested that we say "Shabbat shalom" to each other during the length of sabbath. This was to a large group of folks, most I assume were not Jewish. It worked well to get folks interacting — a small and easy invitation to engage with each other. In a few weeks, I'll be helping with a conference (about 200 academics that study contemplative practice/mindfulness) and would like to create a similar sort of invitation. I'm looking for something that invites that same friendly and kind interactions, while preferably being secular and not culturally appropriated. Suggestions?
posted by 10ch at 12:44 PM PST - 17 comments

Best patch for the spot where my Patagonia rain shell liner is delaminating? I called Patagonia and they can't repair the lining (they offered to replace it, but that seems like a waste when the rest of the jacket is in perfectly good shape). Any recs for an adhesive or iron-on patch? Photo inside. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by brozek at 12:22 PM PST - 6 comments

I’ve always worked in the private sector and now have the opportunity to get a “dream job” with a federal agency. The location, commute and pay are all roughly equivalent to my current job. What are some other things to consider? Details within. [more inside]
posted by drawfrommemory at 12:17 PM PST - 21 comments

T Bone Burnett's 1983 album Proof Through The Night is superb — gnomic, comic, angry, and full of beautiful music, crisply produced. I appreciate some similarities [and in some cases the formal connection] to artists like Steely Dan, Elvis Costello, Richard Thompson, and Warren Zevon. But who else would I like if I love this? Always a bonus if I can be directed to female artists, because the algorithm of cultural reproduction is so very broken.
posted by Glomar response at 12:15 PM PST - 16 comments

I want just above the knee or shorter all-cotton or mostly cotton A-line skirts -- American Apparel used to have good ones, & H&M occasionally has them. Where else can I get them in the UK (online or not) right now? Further details below. [more inside]
posted by diffuse at 11:45 AM PST - 8 comments

Can I effectively model reading for my young children while mostly using a Kindle or iPad for my own reading? [more inside]
posted by skewed at 11:11 AM PST - 27 comments

7yo has some recurring anxieties / flashpoints for anger. His therapist suggested we make a "worry book" or a "feelings book" where he/we can record what he was worried or angry about, and what helped him feel better. Obviously the best tool is one you like to use - so I'm seeking suggestions for how to set this up and make it appealing. I'm curious whether anyone else has tackled this sort of project with their kids, and what worked for you. [more inside]
posted by telepanda at 10:30 AM PST - 5 comments

The advent of Google Maps on CarPlay is a game changer for me. So what aftermarket unit should I get? [more inside]
posted by wnissen at 10:19 AM PST - 3 comments

I am starting to make the switch to biking in all weather and I'm needing recommendations for waterproof jackets and pants to wear. I also am in need of a new helmet and would love any recommendations you have. [more inside]
posted by anya32 at 10:11 AM PST - 22 comments

I'm wanting recommendations of things to do while visiting Prague from Oct. 11-20. [more inside]
posted by cjorgensen at 9:25 AM PST - 14 comments

Have you found good food recipes on GitHub? Show them to me, please! [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 8:49 AM PST - 8 comments

A couple years ago we bought a tempurpedic Up bed. This is different from the fully adjustable base. I found out that the headboard attachments that tempurpedic sells is not compatible with the Up base. So we have the mattress and base on the floor. This creates a problem because there is a gap between the wall and the bed. How can I get a headboard attached to this base? [more inside]
posted by amy.g.dala at 7:22 AM PST - 6 comments

Myself and co-worker are going to be in Phoenix for a few day of training (actually in some community just outside apparently) the third week of October. While we'll be busy most of the time we'll be there we do have one day and potentially one evening free plus a rental car to get around. Looking for recommendations of must see things we could fit into a relaxed day off whithout consuming all day driving. [more inside]
posted by Mitheral at 7:13 AM PST - 15 comments

My friend is living in Brooklyn and has a car she doesn't really use or need; my roommate (who is also her friend) needs a car for the winter. Roommate and I are in Pennsylvania. What could go wrong? [more inside]
posted by gold bridges at 7:04 AM PST - 23 comments

What is the piece of music playing in the first 9 seconds of this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iELWZ2_rXc
posted by Obscure Reference at 6:47 AM PST - 4 comments

I ordered something which was shipped from the local postal service in central Europe and delivered by USPS to me. It arrived broken. I took pictures of the well packed item, squished box, etc. Seller asked me to go to my post office and file an insurance claim is it is fully insured. How do I go about doing that since they didn't buy the insurance from USPS?
posted by arnicae at 4:51 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm visiting Detroit for a few days next week. What's good to eat, and where do I spend my time and money? [more inside]
posted by heatvision at 4:42 AM PST - 27 comments

We're having friends over for dinner on Saturday night and I need some suggestions for things to make, both for a main course and a dessert! Special circumstances: must be gluten-free, kid-friendly and not too involved. [more inside]
posted by meronym at 3:41 AM PST - 18 comments

We are going to visit a Very Deeply Catholic relative for a long weekend. She recently became the carer for an elderly relative who requires constant supervision due to advanced & terminal, but slow, illness. She does not want us to cancel the trip. I want to get her a gift that doesn't require time for her to appreciate (e.g. no books) and which travels well (not flowers). Chocolate/food delivery gift cards are my first thought, but if there's something a Catholic woman would especially appreciate I'd like to hear about it?
posted by flibbertigibbet at 2:44 AM PST - 17 comments

I have something I want to make into a necklace. The design would be sort of like a two-sided coin or a religious medal, probably cast in silver, and would have simple, specific iconography on each side. I would be willing to spend a fair amount of money on it. Where could I get such a thing done? [more inside]
posted by hungrytiger at 11:27 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking to purchase a looper as a gift. I'd love to hear stories of your favorite such setups. I'd like to get one that is easy to use, yet also extensible and a perhaps a notch or two above "basic" (unless basic can be made delux via daisy chaining a few together, if that's a "thing"?) [more inside]
posted by elgee at 9:34 PM PST - 12 comments

I just got back from the ER tonight where the doctor took one look at the large rash on the left side of my neck and said, "You poor thing. You have shingles." Got my meds, got my treatment plan, got a question about why my main rash is on a previously insulted area of my neck. [more inside]
posted by maudlin at 9:06 PM PST - 20 comments

I'm trying to figure out what resources are worth investing in upfront before I apply for editorial positions, and how much my experience is worth. [more inside]
posted by ahundredjarsofsky at 8:46 PM PST - 2 comments

A short-term gig I worked on lost some paperwork I'd filled out, with personal info. How bad is that? [more inside]
posted by pseudostrabismus at 8:39 PM PST - 4 comments

Looking for recommendations for some very simple F/OSS mind-mapping software. Absolutely not Java, because reasons. It doesn't have to have every feature under the sun, I simply want to make a few circles/oblongs and drag around a few coloured lines round between them plus any words input. Ability to export to .txt is absolutely fine (.csv a bonus). Really simple, doesn't have to be a big project or even currently maintained but would like recommendations from people who've used the software they're suggesting so I know it's functional! Platform: Windows 7
posted by I'm always feeling, Blue at 8:30 PM PST - 5 comments

I am a dual US/Canadian citizen residing in Canada. My Canadian identity documents have been updated with a different name and gender marker and I need help/advice to do the same with my American birth certificate. [more inside]
posted by Pong74LS at 7:29 PM PST - 3 comments

Help me build my library of books about the financial crisis, money/economics, and business gone bad! As examples, I love Michael Lewis’s work and I most recently enjoyed “Bad Blood” by John Carreyrou, about Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes. List of books I already have inside! [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 6:13 PM PST - 24 comments

I have a Macbook Air. This morning, I could log into my account using a password at start-up. Now I can't - it gives me an error message. This is the administrator account; the other account's password doesn't work either. What to do? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 4:33 PM PST - 23 comments

Any recommendations for year-round or seasonal haunt or horror themed events or activities to check out in London in October? [more inside]
posted by Unsomnambulist at 4:07 PM PST - 7 comments

I want to be an angler fish for halloween! I am pretty crafty, but i dont know anything about making masks or fake teeth or anything like that. I need advice on how to execute some fake teeth, attach them to my face, or make some sort of mask thing. I probably also will need some make up advice! [more inside]
posted by miss so and so at 3:33 PM PST - 11 comments

When should I celebrate this year's Great Bugpocalypse? [more inside]
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 3:14 PM PST - 7 comments

I purchased flooring from Lumber Liquidators about 9 years ago, and now need just a few more pieces, but they don't carry it and don't know what it is. I have pictures, and if someone can help me identify it to see if I can get more, I'd be eternally grateful! [more inside]
posted by markblasco at 2:35 PM PST - 7 comments

In a few weeks my raggedy crew is making our annual pilgrimage to Charleston to celebrate our friend's birthday. This year we've coalesced around the idea of adding a "pamper day" to our routine and it's fallen on me to plan. The problem: we're a granola group that's better versed in setting up tents than scheduling spa treatments. Can you help me plan an awesome pamper day? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by matrixclown at 1:20 PM PST - 4 comments

I want to be able to delete photos from my iPhone, even if I just took one, and then quickly access it and view it and/or download it from the cloud. What backup or storage service should I use, and how should I best configure it? Help me simplify and streamline a backup workflow, that can transfer from phone to (new) phone each year and save me in case my phone breaks or is lost, too. [more inside]
posted by rbf1138 at 1:19 PM PST - 12 comments

This is a follow up to my previous question about cities for living downtown and car free. I really need to emphasize that I'm asking about living in these downtowns, not near them but in them. I'm a downtown loft urbanite kind of guy. I'm originally from the east coast, so I feel like I have a decent grasp on what Cleveland is and isn't, but I haven't been there in a long time. I've never been to St. Louis or Kansas City. How do they compare? [more inside]
posted by Mr Ected at 12:55 PM PST - 29 comments

Where can we watch the Liverpool-Napoli Champion's Cup game in southern France on October 3rd? [more inside]
posted by DoubleLune at 12:14 PM PST - 1 comment

I am looking for excellent books, websites, articles, and other resources aimed at parents of teenagers diagnosed with major depression (non-psychotic). Personal advice for family members is also welcome. [more inside]
posted by bluedaisy at 11:54 AM PST - 8 comments

If you are familiar with soroban training for kids - popular in the southeast Asian community - or if you are an elementary teacher, can you please tell me if you think it's worthwhile as a method to teach a child who is struggling a bit with simple adding and subtracting (what her third grade teacher calls the math facts? [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 11:16 AM PST - 11 comments

For all you married or living together couples out there, do you and your other half wake up together in the morning at the same time or does one wake up and leave before the other gets up? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 11:13 AM PST - 47 comments

I usually go AirBnb but for this trip I'm looking for something a bit more all-inclusive. [more inside]
posted by ohsnapdragon at 10:03 AM PST - 3 comments

Hi All! A month ago the cooking gas in my building was shut off by ConEd. I was hoping that service would be restored quickly, but ConEd says that the landlord has to do something, and the landlord says that making the fixes is too expensive, so they're just going to supply everyone in the building with a hot plate and call it a day. That's not acceptable to me, and I want to figure out what to do – somewhere between asking for rent abatements / repairs vs. just moving out. [more inside]
posted by =d.b= at 8:18 AM PST - 30 comments

I've been thinking about the shade thrown at potlucks, where people judge one another on the way they prepared their dish – like, if someone has dared to put raisins in their rice pudding (or not.) Trying to come up with other examples. [more inside]
posted by profreader at 8:08 AM PST - 91 comments

Hi all - can you help me identify organizations that are like this one? The key things that stand out to me are these: the work of the organization involves data science to some degree; the mission is a beneficial one; the people employed by the organization are diverse and have different but complementary educational and professional backgrounds; the projects seem intellectually challenging. The context for my question is that I am trying to help someone with a background in economics/data find a new job that makes the world a better place, is interesting and engaging, and offers the possibility that coworkers will become friends.
posted by prefpara at 7:51 AM PST - 9 comments

About once every 3-4 weeks, I get a sort of dull mostly-persistent headache. I can't figure out what the trigger might be (other than unspecific stress, I guess), or any reliable way to deal with them except wait it out. I am looking for suggestions on how to deal with them, and perhaps prevent them. [more inside]
posted by sockofdreams at 7:38 AM PST - 28 comments

I keep track of a bunch of media for songwriting purposes. YouTube videos, full songs or audio samples (mp3s), visual art, lyrics - full or fragments, poems, quotes. Does there exist a Pinterest-like tool where I can assemble them all in a grid and sort by various criteria, create new boards, etc? Does Evernote do this?
posted by 4midori at 7:17 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm dragging my wife and preschool-aged daughter to LA next week for a conference. We're (unfortunately) staying at the conference hotel, the Loews Hollywood at Hollywood & Highland, but will have a car. A trip to Griffith Park is in the plans, but what else might they want to do while I'm schmoozing all day Thursday and Friday? [more inside]
posted by uncleozzy at 7:05 AM PST - 19 comments

My partner and I have wildly different levels of comfort when it comes to cleanliness in the house. I have some major gaps in my housecleaning education. Can you help me come up with a list of chores and the frequency with which to do them? [more inside]
posted by coppermoss at 6:03 AM PST - 32 comments

For the last three months I've been running a tool tracking program for a mid-size fabrication and engineering company. We design, build, and maintain liquid process systems like dairies and breweries. I have exceeded expectations, and the senior management is looking to hand over more responsibilities incrementally. I'm curious about whether AMCL certification and ISO 55000 training would be useful. [more inside]
posted by jwhite1979 at 4:38 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm working on a game about flying saucers set in (an expy of) 50s USA. I'm trying to find references - images, movies, TV, comics, etc. for the visual style and general feel of the game. This is not an era I'm actually very familiar with, so I'd love any pointers for things to look at, especially obvious ones.
posted by Zarkonnen at 1:37 AM PST - 18 comments

I report antisemitic and racist tweets using Twitter's browser interface. I can usually find several tweets to check off in the first up-to-five box, but when I find an abusive one further down the timeline, subsequent boxes show the new tweet along with the same few recent tweets. It gets quite tedious to report an account with many abusive tweets because it takes six clicks for each one. Is there a tool or plugin that makes this easier? When I do a Twitter search for, e.g., "jew: @account" it would be nice to be able to select and report many at once.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:13 AM PST - 5 comments

My debut novel came out six weeks ago. Hooray! It got an enthusiastic starred review from Publishers Weekly. Hooray! Then nobody else reviewed it, and it sailed into oblivion. What do authors of weird small-press literary fantasy novels do to find readers? [more inside]
posted by thesmallmachine at 10:31 PM PST - 29 comments

Isn't there a famous logo with two hands cupping a ball of some sort? I can't seem to place it. It looks vaguely like this or this.
posted by Spiderwoman at 9:19 PM PST - 12 comments

In Australian arts terms, I'm probably now a "midcareer" artist. What can I do to make the best of my current career path? [more inside]
posted by divabat at 9:04 PM PST - 2 comments

If I have a 2015 Civic and I think the whole way it connects with my iPhone, plays music and does Handsfree really sucks (some being Siri's fault and some being the car's fault), would switching to Android help? And/or could I think about replacing the entertainment unit? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 7:15 PM PST - 22 comments

Applied for a marriage license today. When I asked the clerk how to fill out my parents' names in the form, she explained that "normally, in this country" the man does not change his surname upon marriage, and "normally, in this country" the woman does. She spoke loudly and slowly, with unusually simple sentence structure, and repeated herself nearly verbatim three times until I gave up asking for clarification. Is there anything I can do that would be likely to reduce this sort of behavior? [more inside]
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 6:08 PM PST - 20 comments

We have a sudden mania for logic puzzles in our house! What are your favorite sources for logic puzzles? (Online, print, whatever.) I would double extra love a site with a "logic puzzle of the day" (or even week) that I could put in my RSS reader. A range of difficulties would be great.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:32 PM PST - 19 comments

I have a mysterious nerve-like pain in my left shoulder blade. Help me figure out what it is. [more inside]
posted by raspberrE at 4:06 PM PST - 7 comments

Dear all, after my mum and best friend died this year I am struggling finding space and getting understanding from my flatmate. I wonder what is ok for me to expect and how I can best deal with the situation I am in when I have very little energy. [more inside]
posted by eternitypost at 3:30 PM PST - 13 comments

I am not a fashionista by any means and don't aspire to be, but I've recently decided to stop looking sloppy all the time and ended up purchasing some nice blouses and dress(ier) pants. However, I have no idea how to wash them. This is where you can help! [more inside]
posted by Forty-eight at 3:18 PM PST - 24 comments

My wife and I are shopping around for a pediatrician to take care of our forthcoming progeny. What kind of questions should we be asking during a meet and greet appointment? Thanks.
posted by Fister Roboto at 3:13 PM PST - 12 comments

Job hunting and wondering if I should ask about an employer's commitment to diversity, or how to navigate a possibly great job as one of the only POC in the office? (No, I will not actually propose watching Insecure to the office, y'all brazy.) [more inside]
posted by socky bottoms at 2:47 PM PST - 4 comments

There's an Etsy pattern that I love that is depicted on this green Aida cloth. I can't find that color of Aida on sale anywhere... is there some place I'm not looking?
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 2:33 PM PST - 10 comments

Once every few months, I get a pound or so of shaved steak in my meat CSA. I know it's beef, but I'm not sure of the cut other than what it says on the label -- "Shaved steak." It's cut extremely thin -- so thin that it's often torn. Over the past year, I've made the obvious (Philly cheesesteaks), and have also tried it in pho and in gyudon, but I've run out of ideas. What else can I make with shaved steak?
posted by dcheeno at 2:30 PM PST - 16 comments

My partner isn't sure if he wants to stay in this relationship, but he's going to therapy to figure it out. How do I handle the wait while my partner decides if he wants to stay? All the details inside. [more inside]
posted by pantheON at 2:09 PM PST - 19 comments

I need a checklist of exercise tracking app that works specifically for PT exercises. [more inside]
posted by GuyZero at 1:31 PM PST - 4 comments

In search of recommendations of audiobooks to listen to in bed as I fall asleep. Characteristics I'm looking for and good examples under the cut. [more inside]
posted by telophase at 12:56 PM PST - 17 comments

I have a hearing (by phone) with a Healthcare Marketplace Appeals Federal Hearings Officer. This is the last stop on the appeals train when your coverage is terminated. Not seeking legal advice- just any other experiences, tips, or wisdom before making the call? [a bit more inside] [more inside]
posted by moonbird at 12:46 PM PST - 3 comments

I have researched on askme and reddit and have only found answers that are over my head or don't sound like what I want. I am so fed up I am looking around my house thinking where can I shelve 500 cds? In 1995 I never had any problems listening to my music. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ [more inside]
posted by 58 at 12:07 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm looking at taking some time off of work the last week of October to try to relax before the stress of Nov/Dec. I'd like to stay in the US, but I'm willing to take any suggestions within that limit.
posted by blurker at 11:59 AM PST - 12 comments

I need readable novels or popular history to help me prepare for a trip to Japan. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:46 AM PST - 19 comments

I'm looking for a nutritional shake powder that I can use on a semi-regular basis as part of a meal with greek yogurt, milk, and frozen fruit blended into a smoothie. I need something that focuses more on micro/macro nutrients than necessarily on protein (which is what most seem to.) It also needs to be something that doesn't use dairy (the milk I use is lactose free), nuts, beans, or soy. I realize I could just take a multivitamin but I've had a lot of trouble digesting them in the past and I'd prefer to see if I can integrate it into a meal. What is out there that I should be looking at?
posted by Socinus at 11:30 AM PST - 5 comments

I'd like to find a book to help me stop mindlessly binging on food. A couple of books that showed up when I searched on Amazon were Breaking Free from Emotional Eating by Geneen Roth, I Can Make You Thin by Paul McKenna, and a book called Brain Over Binge. Are those any good or does anybody have any other suggestions? Also open to things like podcasts, websites or other sources of info. To clarify I'm not really looking for books that suggest diet plans or snacking on low calorie foods or anything like that, I'm looking for books focused on the root causes. Thanks!
posted by iamsuper at 10:57 AM PST - 13 comments

Any particularly recommended day hikes near Portland, OR? Mount Hood, the Gorge, the Coast? [more inside]
posted by cycleback at 10:53 AM PST - 6 comments

I deal in (rare) vinyl records. Each day, I list 3 on my site for sale. When I list the records, I send a text to my subscribers (which I've gathered into a "Group" on my texting app, Textra). "Today's records are up!" and then they all have the same opportunity to purchase. Some literally sell within 30 seconds of being listed. Lately, multiple people have complained they're not getting the texts and they're missing out on records. I fear I need another solution, especially as the list grows, but what? [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 10:28 AM PST - 14 comments

I am aware of the downsides already and think the positives outweigh them [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 9:53 AM PST - 18 comments

I'd like to listen to more instrumental music like Depression-pasillo by Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire; Ctzar by Rhapsodija Trio; and [untitled] by Neutral Milk Hotel. (Spotify links) [more inside]
posted by davidjmcgee at 8:59 AM PST - 9 comments

My two-year-old and I will be in Providence for four days next week to take care of a relative. I will also be working from home during that time. Is there a drop-in daycare or a childcare provider in the area who would take good care of my precious kraken for four days next week? [more inside]
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 8:27 AM PST - 4 comments

I am currently unable to lift anything heavy, so I need to have it delivered to my home. I am also unable to drive at the moment. I need this cat litter, and no other, and I need it now. I screwed up by not ordering in advance (I thought I had another box in the house). I need it today. Unfortunately, I am striking out on the usual same-day delivery options.... [more inside]
posted by tzikeh at 8:18 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm going to be in Las Vegas for a week in October. The first three days will be climbing at Red Rock Canyon, the last three days will be a conference. The middle day I'll be by myself and I'm trying to decide what to do! Not as interested in the typical Vegas strip type stuff, and also willing to do a longer day trip... [more inside]
posted by geegollygosh at 8:08 AM PST - 16 comments

Hi folks; I work nights & do a lot of driving. I need to buy a dashcam. I don't want wifi, or GPS--just a front facing cam. Small,discreet,and really good for nights,and removable.All for city driving. Any suggestions? Thank you all :-)
posted by LOOKING at 7:46 AM PST - 4 comments

After a few weeks of searching in a hot real estate market, my wife and I are under contract for a house, a few issues have come up during inspection and I would like some real world feedback or advice beyond the DIY online forum arguments my google searches have turned up. [more inside]
posted by token-ring at 7:31 AM PST - 18 comments

I've been googling this a lot and I feel like the answer is somewhere, but I can't find it. Long story short: can anyone point me to a federal or national website or contact person that can confirm that the latest extension of REAL ID implementation expires in 2020 and not 2018? [more inside]
posted by Janta at 5:31 AM PST - 8 comments

My mother died this weekend, just shy of three months after my father. She'll be buried in the same plot as my father, which is presenting… problems. Help me work out which is the least-worst option, and how to communicate with my extended family? [more inside]
posted by t0astie at 5:02 AM PST - 18 comments

Hi gang, My family and I will be in Orlando, Florida during Halloween. I'd like to take my kids (both under 8 years old) to a local neighborhood in/around Orlando for a real American trick or treating, as they've never experienced it before. Can you guys recommend places or neighborhoods to go to? Thanks in advance!
posted by JiffyQ at 3:35 AM PST - 6 comments

My cousin is intellectually disabled and my Aunt's recently asked if she can list me as a trustee on his living will. I don't think they have any other good options, so I'd like to agree to it. But I don't know much about wills or trusts, so I just want to be sure I'm not accidentally committing myself to something way out of my league. Is being a trustee generally a big deal or not that major? [more inside]
posted by Gravel at 12:42 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm trying to find a desk for home that has some specific criteria. I'm not sure where to shop or how to find what I'm looking for - snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by bendy at 11:38 PM PST - 9 comments

I am thinking of buying a pair of used skis in Denver, and bring them back to Vancouver. The price will be $999 USD, i.e. approx $1300 CAD. The personal exemption is $800 for my 2-3 day trip. There are no duties on skis, but do I pay PST/GST on the excess ($500) or the entire value ($1300)? Just trying to figure out whether I'm really gonna be saving much.
posted by wutangclan at 9:57 PM PST - 11 comments

Inspired by this post about developing perfect pitch and musicality in a child by playing complex music during their window of language acquisition- can you suggest complex music that might help? [more inside]
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:30 PM PST - 22 comments

The sound on my cell phone goes crazy when I try to use headphones! It immediately drops down to zero, no matter what I do. Has anyone else had this problem and found a fix? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 8:12 PM PST - 8 comments

My husband's favorite wooden cooking implement has worn down, and he said "it would impossible" to find another one. "Oh ho," I said, "clearly you don't know the magic that is Ask Metafilter." He said the spoon is called a "Pumpkin G Mother" spoon and may be from Japan. It is a wooden implement with a slanted top. Here is a picture of the thingy in its current, battered form. Can you find this spoon, or a reasonable facsimile thereof?
posted by Threeve at 7:56 PM PST - 21 comments

This was me. They replaced my transmission and I've had the car back for under a week. Today as I was parking, I suddenly lost all power steering. After wrestling the car into a parking spot, I got out and saw red fluid all over the ground. Pools of it. [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow at 7:43 PM PST - 5 comments

My 8 year old dawn simulator lost all of its magic smoke this summer, and now that darkness is looming, I'm looking for a replacement. Since incandescent bulbs are out of the picture, what are my best options? [more inside]
posted by cowcowgrasstree at 7:32 PM PST - 8 comments

In the midst of a massively over-scheduled month from hell, my car (which I absolutely need for work/school/etc.) needs to go to the mechanic for at least a week. A friend is very kindly lending me her car. My question: how do I thank her? I have no time to do anything thoughtful (wash it, detail it, etc.), but I'm so appreciative. I'm happy to spend some money for this, but on what?
posted by papergirl at 7:00 PM PST - 13 comments

I’ve just moved into a new rental apartment. I’d like to put up shelves capable of holding a desktop computer, monitor, books, and myself as I lean against it as a standing desk. The problem is I have no idea how to determine what kind of shelving I can put in. [more inside]
posted by johnnybeggs at 6:37 PM PST - 4 comments

If I send emails to potential clients that I haven't made contact with before to let them know about my services, would that violate CASL? My potential clients are people who are accountants and I'd only be contacting those who had their information available on their website. Is this something that would that be allowed under "implied consent, conspicuous publication", assuming that what I'd be contacting them about is relevant to their business?
posted by Proginoskes at 6:35 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm contemplating whether I want to have a baby in the next three to five years. Obviously, it's a lot of work. It also seems interesting. How do I decide if it's worth it? Looking for books relevant to thinking this through. [more inside]
posted by triscuit at 6:34 PM PST - 14 comments

So I got back from a round the world trip where I took a lot of photos. Normally I shoot RAW but as I'm going through all the pics now on my mac in Photos they're showing up as JPGs. And there's no option to edit in RAW. It's possible I reset the camera and it went back to a raw default but I don't think so. Is there anywhere else these shots would be in RAW form on my computer?
posted by rileyray3000 at 5:52 PM PST - 4 comments

I have an unexpected opportunity to visit South Africa in late October/early November. I have work stuff for a week and then I can stay on for up to a week and do some sightseeing. I really want to see lions and elephants in the wild. But the number of possible places and tours to do this on is overwhelming. Can anyone give some personal recommendations? [more inside]
posted by lollusc at 4:17 PM PST - 9 comments

I've completed level 550 of Dots & Co. Yay! Wait, no, boo! Can you suggest games for Android (free preferred, but happy to pay if its great) that scratch that same itch? [more inside]
posted by atomicstone at 2:56 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking for an article (Buzzfeed, maybe?) that contained a bulleted list of tactics (some) men (allegedly) use when debating with women. It included items like "shift the goalposts" but it was *not* a generic list of debate fallacies. It was, admittedly, a biased listicle, but boy did it describe a very specific situation I observed recently, and I'd like to reread it while cursing and shaking a tiny fist at the universe. Perhaps you can help me find it? [more inside]
posted by instamatic at 1:23 PM PST - 10 comments

It need not be new, and I'm genre-agnostic on this one, but it needs to be something that makes you want to dance (or run - gym music is fine too). Some very minor further comments inside. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 12:55 PM PST - 27 comments

I'm working on a project where we take an automatically generated object, load it into Materialise’s Magics then use the Split Part by Color [sic] function to make it into multiple parts. I'm trying to write up our procedure for other people to use, but Magics costs something like $40K. Are there cheaper/free alternatives that can do the same thing? [more inside]
posted by Canageek at 12:39 PM PST - 8 comments

I recently bought a new vehicle (well, new for me). I have some stickers on my old truck that I would love to transfer to the new one. I realize that it might be an exercise in futility! However, I need to remove them before I sell the truck anyway, so why not try? What I would like to know is whether I should attempt this on a hot afternoon when the stickers/adhesive are softer or in the morning when everything is cool? Any success stories out there? Thanks!
posted by Don_K at 12:35 PM PST - 18 comments

What to do with kiddo gets pushed around at the playground? [more inside]
posted by EtTuHealy at 12:29 PM PST - 18 comments

Sort of a long follow up from this question: I would like to learn how to do hand lettering like they did back before computers. My ultimate goal is to make signs or posters that are evocative of the era. Maybe even some amateur sign painting? How do I learn how to do this? [more inside]
posted by kendrak at 11:49 AM PST - 11 comments

I am very comfortable traveling in the Muslim world (have lived in South Asia for several years). However, I am now in the position of organizing a professional exchange, whereby an Indonesian policymaker (a Muslim woman) will be spending two months at a U.S. organization doing a job-shadowing experience in a very specific scientific field. The organization has asked if I have any guides they could pass out to their staff on "do's and don'ts" for interacting with relatively conservative Muslim women. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by GorgeousPorridge at 11:18 AM PST - 15 comments

I have been using a Moto X 2nd generation (~2014) for the last 3-4 years and it's been a great phone. Lately though things have been iffy, and I can't seem to figure out what the problem is. [more inside]
posted by kilohertz at 10:59 AM PST - 7 comments

I would like to get a meaningful gift for a man who is in his 60's and has expressed a great amount of passion around the idea of someday going to Israel. He is Jewish. I am about 25 years younger, and consider him a friend/mentor. I would like to give him an appropriate gift (or group of gifts) that might inspire him to take the plunge and visit. I am not Jewish or Israeli. Please help!
posted by cacao at 10:43 AM PST - 8 comments

I'd like a replacement remote for a six station orbit system. Link to a picture of the controller.Thank you for your time.
posted by notned at 10:35 AM PST - 0 comments

My teen daughters looks good in, and like to wear, revealing clothing. Help me guide them and figure out my own feelings about this. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:34 AM PST - 26 comments

I need to insulate the ceiling of my unfinished garage. I'd like to hang 2-inch Expanded Polystyrene but instead of installing nails or screws with foam washers, I'd like to install with tracks like this (another view and the YouTube video where I saw them). The problem is that I can't find these tracks for sale anywhere. Can anyone help me figure out what this product is called and/or who manufactures or sells it? I've already reached out to the company in the video, but it's been a couple weeks with no response.
posted by maniactown at 10:13 AM PST - 7 comments

Our tiny, 7/8ths scale adult 16y/o cat has been having hairball like coughing episodes for several weeks. Our vet did a routine exam/blood draw & we played them some footage of a coughing episode. The vet more or less shrugged. Since then, we have been regularly treating her with hairball paste with no improvement. [more inside]
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 10:07 AM PST - 14 comments

I've read tons of the puppy biting questions and they are so helpful. However, we have the added twist of a 5.5 yr old super active and physical young boy. I'd love some advice or even a pep talk that this will work out. [more inside]
posted by jdl at 9:56 AM PST - 5 comments

My kiddo, who is almost four, was in the car with me this weekend when a local station's Jamaican music show (which is pretty genre-mixed) came on. Kiddo usually likes music but in a pretty non-specific way, but she lost her mind with joy at every song and demanded we stay in the car for the rest of the show, grinning from ear to ear the entire time. She clearly needs some more of this kind of music in her life. Direct me, please! [more inside]
posted by centrifugal at 9:46 AM PST - 15 comments

I grabbed the wrong passport on my way out the door this morning, and no one at security noticed. I have a second valid US passport, but it's sitting in a drawer at home. I land in 10 hours. What can I do between now and then to help rectify this situation? Or am I just amazingly screwed.
posted by jasonsmall at 9:42 AM PST - 16 comments

A: ReGenesis. I want to get a copy of my very favorite TV show before it's lost to the sands of time. I fear I may be too late. That show is ReGenesis. [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 9:30 AM PST - 9 comments

I've had pretty severe insomnia for the last four years. I've tried medications, sleep restriction, intense exercise, meditation, and nothing has stopped the 2AM wake up. After I wake up, I generally can't fall back asleep. [more inside]
posted by Thesisaurus at 9:28 AM PST - 28 comments

I'm trying to compile a list of improbably brash, would-be paradigm-shifting, broadly integrative theories from otherwise brilliant and respected figures that have been neither definitively/universally proven nor disproven. [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 8:50 AM PST - 11 comments

I would like to give my dear friend a mug with a cute photo of us on it, but I despise the type of mug most photo places use because it's so cheap and thick and inelegant. My ideal mug is thin-walled, taller, and has a more delicate handle. Have you ever seen such a thing available as a photo mug? Or anything else you like better than the generic mugs widely used?
posted by HotToddy at 8:48 AM PST - 4 comments

Based in Berlin and trying to narrow down a few options. [more inside]
posted by treetop89 at 7:59 AM PST - 7 comments

I recently closed a credit account. [more inside]
posted by ebesan at 7:57 AM PST - 4 comments

About 10 years ago my sister read a science fiction novel, and wants to find it again. She read it about 10 years ago, but it could have been published any time before that, she doesn't remember if it was a recent publication. It possibly had the word "Pegasus" in the title. Plot below the fold [more inside]
posted by FirstMateKate at 7:54 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a nice home shop and I know how to use it. My problem is that when I'm designing things, I feel like I'm always reinventing the wheel, and usually doing a worse job. Googling stuff is always really hard because I don't know the right term for what I'm looking for. [more inside]
posted by RustyBrooks at 7:40 AM PST - 19 comments

This past week with the anniversary of 9/11 got me wondering, what was life like for civilians living in Hawaii during the Pearl Harbor attack? [more inside]
posted by lharmon at 7:26 AM PST - 8 comments

Our ten-year-old is a reluctant reader. I gave her some of my Gunnerkrigg Court books and she tore through them. I'm looking for other books that might have the same appeal. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by marfa, texas at 5:52 AM PST - 12 comments

Lately, I've been struggling to deal with Terrible Tasks with eloborate procastination and dodging reasons. How do I learn to overcome my flaw? [more inside]
posted by chrono_rabbit at 5:49 AM PST - 17 comments

I have a number of hard drives, both internal and external, attached to my old desktop. Some are getting old, and are somewhat small by today’s standards. What’s the lifespan of platter hard drives? What about drives that are off 99% of the time? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 5:30 AM PST - 7 comments

...Snacking. I snack a lot. Protein bars make me lose my appetite, but otherwise I graze all day and it makes me bloated. Any tips? [more inside]
posted by Crookshanks_Meow at 12:47 AM PST - 19 comments

So the next 49 days are going to be really intense for me, and I need music that will keep my spirits up, and that I also don't have a lot of previous associations with. Please hope me! [more inside]
posted by dogheart at 12:05 AM PST - 26 comments

My employer is strongly pushing for us to do everything on a workplace Google Docs account. Should I still keep backups on my personal computer? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 7:46 PM PST - 10 comments

For those who have a Go Pro, what are your experiences and advice for the Go Pro and essential accessories . Also, software questions. [more inside]
posted by jadepearl at 7:17 PM PST - 5 comments

So my best friend, in a medicated haze, logged herself out of Gmail in Chrome on a Mac, and doesn't remember the password. She is still logged in on her iPhone, but that's inconvenient for many reasons. Help me get her logged back in -- I think this is simple but there are some mitigating factors. See inside. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:40 PM PST - 8 comments

So I'm screwing some hefty drywall anchors in the wall, managed to get two in and putting in a couple more I accidentally tear a few smallish-biggish holes (1/4 inch about) that I'd love to fill up and screw back into and hang a guitar from. Is it possible with just some sort of filler/spackle?? I'm reading a MILLION different solutions, some even conflicting with each other, and I cannot for the life of me figure out which one's correct.
posted by dr handsome at 5:58 PM PST - 10 comments

I just finished a novel that I enjoyed and found a type in the Kindle ebook edition. To whom do I report the typo so that it will get correct in future editions?
posted by plinth at 5:09 PM PST - 16 comments

I want to start writing again. I want read/write access to my content via both my iPhone (with and without a Bluetooth keyboard) and my Windows 10 laptop. This makes me think I need a web-based application to allow for syncing between devices. What apps/services/options work best these days? [more inside]
posted by melissa at 5:02 PM PST - 12 comments

If I'm starting from a Word doc, how can I maintain one document and minimize the amount of work to turn that document into both an eBook and a Print book? [more inside]
posted by kokaku at 4:55 PM PST - 5 comments

So, I have a new job starting up soon, and with it, a commute that cannot be done with public transportation. I currently have no car at all, but I have reliable anytime-access to a RAV4 when I need it for grocery runs or long road trips or bad weather, etc. I have started the test drive process. A couple of top contenders: The Chevy Bolt, and the Mini Cooper. [more inside]
posted by instead of three wishes at 4:18 PM PST - 29 comments

Hi, I'm a first time 27 yo American male solo traveler and have the last week of October and first week of November off. I'd like to plan a trip to Italy, but I have no idea what I'm doing and am lowkey terrified. [more inside]
posted by bookman117 at 3:06 PM PST - 16 comments

My wife and I have acquired a six-pack of beer that is too sour for us, but we don't want to throw away the other 5 cans. Any suggestions on ways to make it more palatable? Fun cocktails or milkshakes or what have you? [more inside]
posted by DynamiteToast at 2:11 PM PST - 17 comments

I often have to give my boyfriend money to see him to the end of the month. It isn't his fault that he can't make ends meet at the moment, and I have the spare cash to do this without feeling the pinch. But increasingly when I do this I feel resentful. I feel an utter heel for feeling this way (which unhelpfully can feed back into the resentfulness). Any advice on managing these emotions would be most gratefully received. [more inside]
posted by Vortisaur at 1:01 PM PST - 34 comments

Seeking books (especially in a series) for my advanced reader first grader that portray school positively. [more inside]
posted by Xalf at 12:24 PM PST - 12 comments

My parents are heading toward separation or divorce, and I believe my dad is stealing maternal estate assets and inheritance from my mom and hiding them possibly in preparation to leave the country. She is overwhelmed and has asked for my help. How do I intervene and secure the estate? This is in central Virginia. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:12 PM PST - 15 comments

So my last living parent needs my signature for a mortgage on the parental house, so another house can be bought urgently for older sibling, and gave me one week for this. Family relationships are complicated and I have chosen to have only little contact for the last 10 years. I want to do this carefully since I cannot count on other parties in that regard. What information should I ask for, and what should I consider before signing? [more inside]
posted by Litehouse at 12:00 PM PST - 35 comments

The cat who allows my caregivers' family and I occupy the same home as he does is an asshole. He wakes my primary caregiver up between 3 and 5 every morning to eat. It's affecting her quality of life, which, in turn, affects mine. [more inside]
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 10:44 AM PST - 26 comments

My workplace has no culture or history of evaluating supervisors/managers. I'd like to change that, starting with myself. About six months ago, I took over a team of about 40 people, and I'd like to conduct some kind of evaluation of my work as a manager, identify weak spots, etc. I think this would have to be a largely anonymous exercise - my organization's hierarchical nature make me think that my team would be reluctant to be sincere about my shortcomings to my face. Are there any resources/guides for carrying out this kind of evaluation? I have identified another section of the company that would be willing to carry out the process itself, i.e., organize a survey, tabulate results, what have you, but we feel at a loss as to what kinds of questions are most important to be asked, etc. Any pointers?
posted by LingeringMoon at 10:30 AM PST - 8 comments

Help us weigh the economic vs the social and environmental impact of natural gas. [more inside]
posted by schrodycat at 9:18 AM PST - 8 comments

What are the best Bollywood music videos of all time? I would love to watch some pop music from India.
posted by mortaddams at 9:01 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm interest to learn more about rise of uniformity during 17th and 18th century and its application in the culture, science and society. [more inside]
posted by salowski at 7:58 AM PST - 5 comments

What are the best magnetic hooks I can buy on the internet that withstand vertical sheering? i.e. Putting the hooks on the side of something vertical and hanging something heavy from them. Looking to hang a shelving unit that will be about 15-20 lbs. Science questions inside. [more inside]
posted by juniperesque at 7:57 AM PST - 7 comments

I am buying a bookcase and a dresser from Brooklyn IKEA for my Brooklyn apartment. Please throw ideas/annecdata/sage Wisdom at me re: transporting them home. [more inside]
posted by redwaterman at 7:34 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm looking for a fully washable coffee maker (i.e., all parts that come into contact with water and/or coffee should be removable, or at least accessible with a sponge). [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 5:15 AM PST - 18 comments

When people are asked the one thing they would save in a house fire, it’s usually photographs. [more inside]
posted by jacobean at 5:09 AM PST - 9 comments

Something to stand up to a lot of punishment [more inside]
posted by mrbenn at 3:03 AM PST - 2 comments

I work for a small family-run business (<10 employees). There is a friend of one of the employees who was hired for their marketing/SEO experience to establish and maintain our social media accounts, and manage SEO on our website. I was informed what this person is billing and wondering if this sounds fair. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:14 AM PST - 12 comments

I’m an artist working in the field of digital arts. I was invited as a guest jury at an art gallery which is currently preparing a show for Black History Month. As I’m white, I feel uncomfortable at the idea that I will be judging artworks by POC. I cannot refuse the position (I did not know about the show before accepting), and I do hope that I’d be able to showcase great art by talented artists. I’m afraid however that my “good intentions” are not enough. Is there anything I can read/do to prepare? To be sensitive to realities that escape me? Thank you very much
posted by anonymous at 12:14 AM PST - 7 comments

This is our grill, the Spirit II. It's Tuesday, and I work all day, and so does Mr. Llama, but we'd like to make it nice for him. I do not have much experience with grilling. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 11:17 PM PST - 7 comments

Assume, hypothetically, I can afford to make as much of my life as easy as possible for my burnt out, chronically ill self? What do I do? [more inside]
posted by colorblock sock at 10:43 PM PST - 25 comments

My partner is a nurse on a psychiatric unit at a hospital (ie. without the types of isolation precautions or materials you might find on a medical/surgical unit). Last night she was exposed to two patients with possible C. Diff. I really don't want to get C. Diff. What precautions are reasonable? [more inside]
posted by unstrungharp at 8:51 PM PST - 17 comments

Would you please talk to me about strategies to promote adult education programs in public libraries? Do you know of any good articles/research on this topic? Have you designed successful engagement aimed at adults? Can you point me toward programs you think are being promoted particularly well? [more inside]
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:22 PM PST - 11 comments

Is a bad kiss indicitive of poor chemistry or can things be changed? Anecdotes? [more inside]
posted by bearette at 8:21 PM PST - 19 comments

I was taught to let leftovers cool to room temperature before putting them in the refrigerator or freezer, but it has occurred to me that I have no idea why. Is it for food safety reasons? Is it to help the tupperware last longer? Is it to save on refrigerator electricity bills (this seems the most plausible, but how much of a difference would it actually make?)? Is it something else entirely? Or is it just one of those entirely baseless pieces of "wisdom" that gets passed down forever?
posted by 256 at 7:29 PM PST - 21 comments

I have a monocle and a tophat. What should I 'go as' for Halloween?
posted by this-apoptosis at 7:05 PM PST - 14 comments

I have 3 light bulbs on a switch with a dimmer. I accidentally bought non-dimmable LED bulbs to replace the incandescents, turning my entryway into a discotheque (warning: strobing lights). However, when I put in a single incandescent and 2 LEDs, all the lights function fine - the LEDs take a half second longer to switch on, but no discernable flickering after that. Why does this work? Is it okay to keep them like this, or do I need to go back to the store and buy some dimmable bulbs? (I never use the dimmer so this is is a slightly annoying extra cost for me)
posted by btfreek at 6:37 PM PST - 9 comments

I am planning on selling my old Macbook pro (2013 ish.) I erased the drive so well the software is completely gone. I tried holding down the option key so I could connect to wi-fi but it won't successfully do that. I am guessing I need to create a bootable disk to re-install the ios? I can't even find a spot where the software can be downloaded and the help videos are less than clear...at least for me.
posted by ashtray elvis at 6:32 PM PST - 4 comments

I recently started a job that is, in many ways, an absolute dream. However, it can also be demanding, taxing, and the hours can be long. How can I keep up my energy and stamina while working an intense job? [more inside]
posted by rodneyaug at 5:39 PM PST - 17 comments

I was originally planning to vacation in Tokyo for 2 weeks end Oct, but having been there before, figured Seoul would be a more adventurous option. But now I find myself swinging back in favor of Tokyo, and I think I need some help. [more inside]
posted by 7 Minutes of Madness at 5:12 PM PST - 8 comments

I recently enjoyed volunteering on a campaign and would like to get more politically involved. Any recommendations for Brooklyn-based Democratic organizations? [more inside]
posted by ferret branca at 5:05 PM PST - 2 comments

Are there any passages from a piece of writing about food or wine which you would read at a wedding? Food- or wine-centred fiction also acceptable. [more inside]
posted by Pallas Athena at 4:50 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm making pawpaw ice cream tonight, and of course, there's no listing for it in the flavor bible. Help? [more inside]
posted by tedious at 4:40 PM PST - 5 comments

Please recommend great enterprise level anti-virus/anti-malware options for a rapidly growing business with 200 users spread over 12 - 20 sites. [more inside]
posted by glonous keming at 3:02 PM PST - 5 comments

I am a playwright developing a story about a character that keeps the books in a small retail store. I know nothing on this subject. She’d be in charge of payroll and paying bills. I need a basic introductory book on whatever category of accounting this falls under. I mean, real fundamentals so that I can get ahold of the proper language and better understand core responsibilities. Suggestions welcomed! Thanks.
posted by captainscared at 1:54 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm participating in a U.S.-style wedding soon and my fiancee wants me to find a meaningful passage and a vow to read aloud during the ceremony. I'm looking for something which speaks of marriage as a alliance of two families, as a partnership in the work of caring for ourselves and our parents and our children, as a considered union of our previously separate prospects, skills, and desires. Hope me? [more inside]
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 1:11 PM PST - 5 comments

Am I even being reasonable here? Should I just let this one go? [more inside]
posted by Amy93 at 12:52 PM PST - 38 comments

It turns out that implicit bias makes it harder to do many things when you're not a white male, including getting interviews for jobs, riding the bus, and even getting restaurant recommendations from your hotel. How do you actually deal with this? [more inside]
posted by chernoffhoeffding at 11:35 AM PST - 13 comments

I bought this gift bag filled with lavender-scented goodies at the farmer's market primarily for the oil and dried lavender. It came with these (what I assume are) dried stems. What do I do with the stems? Are they purely decorative?
posted by onecircleaday at 11:18 AM PST - 4 comments

Found a couple weird worms(larvae??) in my dog's crate with him, which is also coincidentally underneath a giant houseplant. Not sure what kind of worm it is and whether it came from the plant or the dog. Pics included inside. [more inside]
posted by Orca at 11:16 AM PST - 6 comments

I've realized that I have fallen completely out of touch with Black TV over the last couple decades but I just read the hollywoodreporter article on Kenya Barris, the creator of Blackish, and he mentioned being a writer on 'The Game' and I had never heard of it so I looked it up and it is definitely something I would at least try. What else should I queue up? [more inside]
posted by srboisvert at 10:56 AM PST - 17 comments

What's a song that you can sing over another's tune that fits impeccably, unexpectedly well?
posted by Sterros at 10:19 AM PST - 27 comments

For a white person, is Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy an acceptable Halloween costume? [more inside]
posted by Mallenroh at 9:21 AM PST - 7 comments

We've been doing woodworking projects lately, but we're relative newbs with no idea how to decide how much load any given structure can hold. So we tend toward overengineering. Are there some standard calculations or rules of thumb people use when deciding what size wood to use? [more inside]
posted by aniola at 9:07 AM PST - 10 comments

I would like to start messing around on my bass again. I'd like a recommendation on an amp that I can use at work so I won't disturb anyone else, for those times when I just want to keep my fingers busy when I'm thinking. [more inside]
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:30 AM PST - 6 comments

We have two tall, lanky lamps (Imgur gallery) and that have insufficiently long lampshades. One is passable, but the other looks a bit Seussian in proportions. Where can we get better proportioned shades? [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief at 8:22 AM PST - 2 comments

I am very fond of Margaret Drabble’s novel “Thank You All Very Much” (also published as “The Millstone”), but when I have tried Margaret Drabble’s other novels I have found them relatively uninteresting. Can you recommend any other books with commonalities to “Thank You All Very Much” (in particular, with a similar voice and/or wit to its narrator), whether authored by Drabble or not?
posted by Mr. Justice at 7:46 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm looking for recommendations of audiobooks/books on tape for a young child where conflict/tension is about as low as a functional plot allows. For example: The Gruffalo is okay, except that the "slice of bread" line generally gets a comment, and we often are asked to skip the page with the "terrible beast" in Room on the Broom. [more inside]
posted by teremala at 6:14 AM PST - 15 comments

My mother-in-law’s new-ish friend “Charlie” has borrowed money from her several times, but always returned the loan. Now Charlie is abroad and in trouble and needs money sent over urgently. I have concerns. [more inside]
posted by Catseye at 4:16 AM PST - 22 comments

Qigong exercise has captured our interest; now we would like to pursue Qigong more deeply. Dead ends abound. Guidance sought. [more inside]
posted by KneeDeep at 4:14 AM PST - 2 comments

Pretend to still like friend's abusive spouse to help her leave? story beneath the fold [more inside]
posted by Jenny'sCricket at 3:38 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm travelling from overseas to California for meetings, flying into LA and out of SF. I've only been a handful of times, so I wanted to drive between the two cities, ideally along the coast, but I have super limited time and only one night to break up the drive. Where's the best place to stop along the way for some quality R&R overnight? Happy to splurge here. Spa/water features a bonus!
posted by LongDrive at 2:27 AM PST - 11 comments

Has anyone worked for a school? Not as a teacher but as other staff. Did they offer you health benefits? How do I estimate salary asks? Also, if you've lived in the place below the fold, could you give me insight for cost of living? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:33 PM PST - 4 comments

Are there any downtowns in the U.S. where it's possible to buy a condo for under $150K (or rent for under $1,000), where somebody can live completely car free? It can be a small town or a big city. My main criteria are: walkable for everyday life stuff, like groceries, and a decent place to live. [more inside]
posted by Mr Ected at 10:18 PM PST - 35 comments

I've received literally no music instruction at all in my lifetime. I didn't even know the difference between rock and pop until I was 18. I want to make my own music, but I've struggled to put the bits and pieces I'm learning (synthesis, music theory, composition, etc) together into an integrated mental framework. [more inside]
posted by perplexion at 10:00 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm considering going to law school. When would I need to submit my application to start in fall 2019? When is the latest I would need to take the LSAT?
posted by davidstandaford at 8:17 PM PST - 8 comments

Can caffeine sensitivity symptoms show up inconsistently, and hours after consuming caffeine? The last two times I've had coffee or black tea after mid-afternoon, I've noticed anxiety and elevated heart rate, and feel my blood pounding... four to six hours later. However, I have a cup of coffee with breakfast daily and feel fine. [more inside]
posted by zeptoweasel at 7:13 PM PST - 10 comments

I use Insight Timer for guided meditation almost every night before bed. I found some meditations that I enjoy but, I’d be really interested to experiment with a wider range. If you use this app, what are your favorite meditations? What about them appeals to you? How and for what do you use them? Thanks!
posted by jeszac at 7:04 PM PST - 7 comments

Friends: received a gross of these for free to pass out as gag gifts (decorated with lights). Now feel uncertain - what is F.O.G? What is the logo? Internet says Fear of God and Fat Oil and Grease, not very festive.
posted by garbanzilla at 4:20 PM PST - 7 comments

Help me tech support my dad: last couple months he keeps running out of cellular data. I'm visiting and checked his iphone and it says the Uber app used 1.5 GB, and App store used 13.1 GB. Everything else is in the MB or KB range. I just turned off data use for the App store (so he can only use when in wifi) but he needs to have data access for Uber since he uses it out and about. Why would it suck up so much data? Lyft used much less this month. [more inside]
posted by latkes at 4:09 PM PST - 8 comments

Should we just get large lights? [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 12:53 PM PST - 6 comments

Next week, I have two free days starting in the Denver area, and I'd like to explore the Rocky Mountain National Park. My main interests: viewing stunning wilderness and sensible solo hikes. Is there a tourist-friendly loop I could drive? I was thinking Denver - Loveland Pass - Aspen, but Google Maps suggests heading back to Denver along the same roads, and I'd like to get a change of scenery if possible. [more inside]
posted by roger ackroyd at 12:34 PM PST - 14 comments

I am shopping for cremation services for a death that'll happen in the next few days/weeks, in Los Angeles. What do I need to know? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:14 AM PST - 23 comments

I've found that Chromebook can offer (or handle) Microsoft Office, and Adobe Premiere, and a Final Draft-like app called Writer Duet, which all sounds good. But the one problem I'm running into is iTunes. [more inside]
posted by Flying Saucer at 11:12 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm a Humanist Minister creating and performing weddings, funerals, baby namings, and other rite-of-passage ceremonies in New England (U.S.). My current identity/name covers all of the above. After hearing from a number of wedding vendors that the name is a buzz-kill for engaged couples, I've decided to separate out the wedding identity from the rest. [more inside]
posted by cocoagirl at 10:48 AM PST - 27 comments

I've read that the fair market value of life insurance must be calculated for "business valuation, estate planning and business succession". What exactly does "business valuation, estate planning and business succession" mean? I guess I'm wondering if someone can explain like I'm five what these circumstances mean and why the calculation is needed in these cases? Also, I'm not sure if it matters or not, but in case it does, I'm located in Canada. Thanks!
posted by Proginoskes at 10:39 AM PST - 1 comment

Soon to be father here. Wife is due first week of November. I work as an IT Project manager for a big company but I'm contracted through a consulting agency. I work full-time at least 40 hours a week and I've nearly been with them a year this mid-December. I'm looking into what my Paternity options would be. [more inside]
posted by PetiePal at 9:26 AM PST - 8 comments

If you can spend 3 to 4 weeks at a lake which would be a better option: lake Chelan or Lake Wenatchee? Which is more beautiful, has more wildlife, more liberal and tolerant people, has more technical amenities such as internet access if one has to work? [more inside]
posted by SookieLogan at 9:03 AM PST - 8 comments

If I move too close to an election for a change-of-address to take effect in time, can I legally vote at my old polling place? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:23 AM PST - 9 comments

It has been 16 years since I last had to find an apartment. I used the newspaper and printed guides to find one! I need to find one now, and I have no idea where to start. I am in the metropolitan DC area, and do not want to live in the city. I'd like to live in Montgomery County MD or Fairfax County VA. How do I find an apartment? What websites do I look at? What information do I need to have for applications?
posted by OrangeDisk at 7:52 AM PST - 5 comments

I use Mood Log to track my feelings, and have 2 years of data. The app allows you to export to a CSV file with columns for Date, Time, Mood (a number from 1 to 10), Tags (which is a list of adjectives separated by commas for each entry) and Notes. How can I garner insights from this data, like what days or months I am most or least happy? I have average proficiency in Excel and am willing to consider a use a paid service if one exists.
posted by ITheCosmos at 7:36 AM PST - 10 comments

Anyone have experience with appliance cords? Can we use an appliance cord (or range cord) with a dryer without causing safety concerns? We bought a new dryer and in the process discovered that prior owners had installed a range outlet instead of a dryer outlet. The dryer is here and has a proper 3-prong dryer cord attached but cannot be plugged in. We could either get an electrician to swap out the outlet, or buy a range/appliance cord for the dryer and continue to use the existing outlet. Anyone know enough about this to say if this is a safety hazard or just a compatibility/future convenience issue? [more inside]
posted by moshimosh at 7:19 AM PST - 15 comments

I just found out that there is a super-stripped down version of the npr.org homepage and was wondering if there were other news or popular sites that have something similar? [more inside]
posted by gwint at 6:41 AM PST - 14 comments

I have a beautiful new deck. The moisture level of the boards is below 15 percent, but water beads up on the surface. Should I stain and seal right away or wait? [more inside]
posted by ndg at 6:31 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm finally ready to apply for tenure track jobs in my field, creative writing/English. My question is, how are letters of recommendation typically handled for these jobs? Is it enough to get my recommenders to write a single letter and upload it to a dossier service like Interfolio, or does the letter need to be tailored to each individual job? [more inside]
posted by toomuchkatherine at 5:21 AM PST - 15 comments

I live in the Richmond VA area - a suburban house with a heavily wooded backyard and a large deck. The last few nights when taking the dog out at night I've come back in with 3 or 4 red, itchy welts on my legs. [more inside]
posted by COD at 5:07 AM PST - 7 comments

I was really inspired by the "question on children books with intricate illustrations". Following on- what are your favourite young children's books that cover 'difficult to describe' concepts? Examples follow... [more inside]
posted by iiniisfree at 4:48 AM PST - 29 comments

I might be in the market for a folding bike to speed up the walking parts of my train commute. This is in the Boston area, and I’d be looking for something largely year-round. What’s good? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 4:34 AM PST - 10 comments

I was about to go to bed when I happened to notice what looked like some powder in the corner on the floor. Upon closer inspection, the powder is coming from the walls. Photos after the jump. [more inside]
posted by AppleTurnover at 2:03 AM PST - 11 comments

I have fragmentary memories of a late-70s TV movie featuring a haunted precolombian mask found in the course of the narrative by the tween, male, protagonist while freediving a reef in the Caribbean. [more inside]
posted by mwhybark at 12:27 AM PST - 5 comments

CPAP machines; please tell me it gets better with these things or that there's something I can do differently, because I'm at my wit's end and getting worse. [more inside]
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:09 AM PST - 26 comments

Obviously, I am not going to take your advice instead of that of my local government officials. With that read: We live 150 miles inland, in the track of Florence. Rainfall estimates are 10+ inches. Our house sits high on a knoll. I honestly can't imagine flood waters here. We do have max flood insurance, which I bought on a whim after watching Houston last year - I kicked myself after doing it, because this is not a flood plain and we are on high ground. So very thankful now. Deciding whether to stay tomorrow or go. Anyone have been there-done that type stories to share? We have bottled water to last probably five days, and water purification tablets for the lake nearby. [more inside]
posted by heigh-hothederryo at 10:58 PM PST - 23 comments

I have a colleague who tends to speak really quietly, mumble, and trail off at the end of sentences. This leads to people (including me) asking her pretty much every time she says something to speak up so we can understand her. As her mentor (and for everyone's sake), I want to find ways to help. Tips/advice/resources? [more inside]
posted by ersatzhuman at 8:31 PM PST - 18 comments

In the POA, there is a statement "If John Smith is unable or unwilling to serve as my Agent for any reason..." My question is this, how is John Smith deemed unable or unwilling to serve? If he is no longer alive, I understand how the assignment flows. If he is alive, who or what determines that he is unable to serve? And if unwilling, how is that substantiated? Is there another legal document required to pass over the first assignee in a POA chain of assignments? Any insight would be appreciated! SandPine
posted by sandpine at 7:29 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm interested in how Abraham Lincoln self-educated with specific regard to the books he chose to do so. The common story is he got most of his education from "Euclid, Shakespeare, and the King James Bible." I'm want to read books that have extremely high auto-didactive value, that have historically been influential and preferably can instruct in more than one area. More follows. [more inside]
posted by iffthen at 7:12 PM PST - 24 comments

Help. My husband has a crazy-high variable interest rate (14.5%!) on approx. $25K private student loan from his first attempt, which ended in 2010 without graduating. We're being told that since he's back in school now (different university) he can't refinance. We're racking up over $300/mo on this loan, alone. Are we really trapped? [more inside]
posted by inatizzy at 7:06 PM PST - 7 comments

My Dad and his wife are currently visiting and we can't think of anything to do on the weekend. His wife uses a walker and can't really navigate steps or walk for more than a block or two. They went to Niagara Falls today and are doing a half day city bus tour tomorrow, which I assume covers most of the touristy stuff downtown. Help me! [more inside]
posted by Kris10_b at 6:39 PM PST - 13 comments

There are dead roaches in my attic. I want to know how long they've been there. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:02 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm part of a community of let's say professional teapot makers. The male owner of a teapot manufacturing firm who is an event organizer treated me Very Badly in a gendered way several months ago. This happened when I was volunteering at a teapot event that he organized. I finally made a formal complaint to the national group of teapot event organizers and teapot standard setters and am waiting to see what comes of it. Help me be calm and be prepared for what might be coming. throwaway email - teapot.problems@gmail.com [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:04 PM PST - 10 comments

I admin several pages on Facebook, which happens through my personal account. I also have Instagram, through which I've logged in to those Facebook pages in order to have the Instagram post go to Facebook automatically. But as a result I think Instagram is encouraging people who know me *on Facebook* to follow me *on Instagram*. I'm not happy with this. Any options? [more inside]
posted by rockyraccoon at 1:54 PM PST - 4 comments

We don't keep our doors open. Windows all have screens. No food left out. Dishes done daily. Trash taken out regularly. Litterboxes clean. The house in GENERAL is clean. No dead bodies in the basement. And yet we are still bothered by flies and have been for weeks now. Where the heck are they coming from? [more inside]
posted by rabbitrabbit at 1:20 PM PST - 30 comments

I'm looking for first-person memoirs by people who lived in fascist countries, but were (at least initially) members of the group in power, not a persecuted minority.... that is, I want to hear from the Germans, not the Jews. [more inside]
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 1:12 PM PST - 21 comments

I’ve been through the previous asks on the subject, and watched various performance videos, but my needs are not typical. I could use some insight from Folks That Actually Own Them. How wobbly is “wobbly”? Can you use a manual eraser while standing? And will bringing my monster Cintiq to the front edge make it unstable? [more inside]
posted by Nancy_LockIsLit_Palmer at 1:06 PM PST - 4 comments

I have one bookshelf's worth of large graphic novels and space for one bookshelf in my living room. What can I get that looks better than a Billy or Kallax shelf from Ikea but will be able to handle the weight of the comics? [more inside]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 11:35 AM PST - 8 comments

Many decades ago, I remember classrooms had a file cabinet of "reading cards" which were a single page of text -- a story followed by some comprehension questions to check to make sure a student understood the story (or at least parts of it). What exists like this now? [more inside]
posted by mhh5 at 11:33 AM PST - 11 comments

There is a sweet, elderly lady who lives in our neighborhood who occasionally stops by, has some water, chit chats, borrows a bottle of wine, and goes on her merry way. This used to happen once every month or so. It has happened three days in a row this week. What is our best course of action? [more inside]
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 11:24 AM PST - 13 comments

I’d like to get the new Apple Watch and keep my existing phone at home as much as possible (using little data, hopefully.) What’s the cheapest way to do this in the US? I’m currently on prepaid but have the credit for post-paid, and I live in a big enough city that pretty much any carrier or MNVO should work. Speed isn’t as important as reliable connectivity. I potentially can move to a Verizon family plan as the 6th member.
posted by michaelh at 11:10 AM PST - 5 comments

I have t-mobile and am sick of how they auto-delete my voicemails. [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 10:56 AM PST - 17 comments

We have a bunch of friends that we like to play trivia with, but we are scattered across Ontario and getting together at pubs isn't convenient. I wonder if there is an app or website where we can each take turns being QuizMaster, and set up our own questions, teams, and the like. [more inside]
posted by Ftsqg at 10:24 AM PST - 5 comments

Our hot water heater is old and we’ve decided to replace it. We’re trying to decide between swapping it out for an updated version of what we have or replace it with a more efficient (and more expensive) tankless water heater. Our plumber recommends a Navien NPE-A series heater. [more inside]
posted by thursdaystoo at 9:55 AM PST - 14 comments

Search on Mail.app seems completely broken for me, and the posted fixes I've found don't work. Google, as far as I can tell, does not offer a desktop app, only an iOS app. What is your favorite program for reading Google mail on your Mac?
posted by musofire at 8:52 AM PST - 16 comments

Within the last six months or so, I read an article (probably a blog post) written by a member of an underrepresented minority about hiring for diversity and inclusion and now I'm having trouble finding it again. [more inside]
posted by Cogito at 8:18 AM PST - 2 comments

I want to make Aloo Gobi, preferably in a pressure cooker! I'm a complete Aloo Gobi novice! Do you have a recipe you love that you'd like to share? (caveat that I probably won't be able to source every ingredient, so somewhat less complicated is probably better than high-difficulty) [more inside]
posted by taz at 7:14 AM PST - 12 comments

Is sleeping on a satin pillowcase going to be offputting to skeptics? [more inside]
posted by blerghamot at 6:38 AM PST - 76 comments

I signed up to make a meal for a coworker going through a rough time, but I'm not a very confident cook and now I'm not sure what to do. What's a good go-to recipe that I can make the night before and bring to work with me before stopping at their house? [more inside]
posted by lilac girl at 6:01 AM PST - 20 comments

I have a pot of clotted cream in my fridge. I mixed in some almond butter, which made an extremely satisfying 'fat bomb' snack - a teaspoonfull is all you need - but I can't eat a whole pot before it expires! A lot of fat bomb recipes involve mixing ingredients together (the fat is usually coconut oil) and then freezing them, can I do the same with this combination? The company doesn't advise freezing clotted cream alone, but would it be possible to do it if mixed with nut butter?
posted by mippy at 5:43 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm really struggling with how to have a relationship with my mother/family when my mother is emotionally immature and prone to anger/belittlement/abuse. I've had to put up a friendly/nice facade of having no feelings in order to continue being around her but this is proving increasingly difficult and she is becoming exasperated at not being able to connect with me. Meanwhile, she relies on me as one of her only (or perhaps her only) real source of emotional support. Finding this very difficult at the moment, with the result of provoking more exasperation/disappointment/anger from her. [more inside]
posted by fantasticbotanical at 2:49 AM PST - 19 comments

I have the opportunity to have custom furniture made for a house in the Yucatan. I am personally a fan of big solid pieces of glass and wood. What wood to use is the question. [more inside]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:31 PM PST - 10 comments

Should I drive from Asheville, NC to the Florida panhandle this weekend, with a pit stop in ATL seeing as Hurricane Florence is moving in? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Rocket26 at 6:38 PM PST - 13 comments

Is there any way for me to watch the BBC miniseries of China Mieville's The City and the City here in the US? It looks like it's not streaming in the UK any more, so a proxy service wouldn't help. It doesn't appear to be on Amazon, Hulu, or iTunes.
posted by moonmilk at 6:25 PM PST - 10 comments

Hi! Boyfriend and I are driving around this beautiful state for about 8 days and I'm looking for some good audiobooks to listen to. Problem is, I don't think I like audiobooks? [more inside]
posted by namemeansgazelle at 6:25 PM PST - 20 comments

I've got a great bed frame that I like a lot, but it's quite low. I'd like to raise it by a foot or so and put some rolling storage under there. Unfortunately it seems like every bed riser out there is incredibly ugly or only "rises" a couple inches! I want to extend the wooden legs with... well, more wood. But how? [more inside]
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 6:02 PM PST - 14 comments

It looks like the 15-year-old leather sofa at Chez DrGail will need to be replaced. The seat cushions are so broken down by now that I can't sit straight and it's very uncomfortable. While neither I nor Mr. DrGail (nor assorted dogs who join us on the sofa) are particularly heavy, the sofa gets near-daily use in our TV room. Is 15 years the most we can expect from a sofa under these conditions, or are there things we should especially look for in a replacement to assure a longer life? [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 5:26 PM PST - 9 comments

I am due with just_duckling in 11 weeks. It will be our first. What should I be doing in my spare time between now and then to prepare? [more inside]
posted by just_ducky at 5:23 PM PST - 35 comments

I have a new one-piece swimsuit which has no padding or built-in support, and the fabric (while technically lined) is so thin I may as well go topless. I have some inserts that would solve the problem, but how do I attach them to the suit itself? More details within. [more inside]
posted by lovableiago at 4:19 PM PST - 4 comments

I've had (diagnosed) hypogonadism for several years now. I first was treated with a testosterone gel which was ineffective, and then later with injections at 200mg of the cypionate ester every two weeks. You are not my doctor. How do I talk to one about this therapy not really working for me? [more inside]
posted by arimathea at 3:53 PM PST - 4 comments

My landlady provided me with notification that my rent check has been withdrawn from her account and I'd like to figure out next steps. We bank at different institutions, but I've always deposited a check with her bank at my local branch and never had an issue until now. [more inside]
posted by Carillon at 3:41 PM PST - 9 comments

A close friend and I are flying into the Cancun airport at the end of the month. We have two weeks, Saturday to Saturday (to Saturday?) and there's so much to see and do. My friend will be working remotely during the day for all but 4 of the weekdays we're there, around the weekend in the middle. Where should we go and what should we do? [more inside]
posted by iliketolaughalot at 3:33 PM PST - 6 comments

Trying to make holiday plans.... [more inside]
posted by sprezzy at 2:49 PM PST - 0 comments

I'm about to start assist editing on a feature documentary. Seeking advice on the set up and technical things. [more inside]
posted by monologish at 2:40 PM PST - 1 comment

So, how can an all-thumbs dad build a mailbox for his daughter's fairy friends that will survive the elements? [more inside]
posted by selfnoise at 1:10 PM PST - 13 comments

I want to collect money to fund meals for a colleague who is ill. How do I accomplish this without a manila envelope of small bills on my desk? [more inside]
posted by a moisturizing whip at 1:05 PM PST - 6 comments

Trying to put together a simple video of iphone clips. Below the fold is what I need. This is on a Windows 10 laptop... [more inside]
posted by Brodiggitty at 12:46 PM PST - 3 comments

Just as a thought experiment, what would the Earth be like if all the land was in the northern and southern poles, and the equator was a giant, uninterrupted ocean? [more inside]
posted by fimbulvetr at 12:37 PM PST - 8 comments

Recently, I've enjoyed tinkering based hobbies like building a budget gaming PC and upgrading car audio. What other kind of things would I enjoy as a hobby? The only requirement is that it is low budget. For example, the PC build was for about $50 total using scavenged and used older parts. I don't want to spend a lot on tools or materials. Part of the enjoyment is trying to find good deals as well as learning through the tinkering process. Does not have to be electronics related.
posted by roaring beast at 12:29 PM PST - 7 comments

I love to do "Geeks Who Drink" when I can, but I can't swing it most weeks. Help me find a trivia game app for my Android phone that satisfies my trivia craving. (More requirements inside) [more inside]
posted by cross_impact at 12:10 PM PST - 2 comments

Does anyone know where the bakery chain Paul sources their teas (specifically the vanilla one)? [more inside]
posted by Kreiger at 12:06 PM PST - 1 comment

Sometimes when I drag the little man onto the map, I get taken to some user-uploaded photo of the inside of a store or a photo somebody took of a park or something. Is there any way to turn this off and only see Street View?
posted by iamsuper at 11:57 AM PST - 1 comment

I've come into possession of a trailer made from half a pickup, wondering what sort of maintenance I need to keep it in working shape. [more inside]
posted by AzraelBrown at 11:30 AM PST - 2 comments

Sometime in the last few months, I read a blog post by a woman who's either a professional economist or blogs about economics that recommended several podcasts and audiobooks. I now can't remember the name of the writer or the website. I'm pretty sure I first saw the site after Tyler Cowen linked to it on Twitter. The blog post in question specifically mentioned the audio books for Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series as outstanding. Does this ring any bells for anyone?
posted by Joey Carrots at 11:21 AM PST - 0 comments

I recently got a wee Wacom Intuos tablet and (Formerly Manga) ClipStudio Paint Pro with the intention of developing my (Quite poor) drawing/cartooning abilities. If you have recommendations for tutorials/resources, neat tips, links to interesting resources (Palettes, etc.), I'd love to hear them! I'm particularly interested in comic-related applications; currently I'm farting around with colouring old black & white comic art (Hence palette recs), but anything you suggest would be appreciated!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:15 AM PST - 6 comments

I have two five-hour train journeys coming up over the next three days and I'm looking for some fiction to read. The last three books that totally captivated me were The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison, The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell and Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and I'm looking for something similarly enthralling. [more inside]
posted by terretu at 10:43 AM PST - 19 comments

My family has Taco Tuesday and Mac-&-Cheese Monday. Do you have any other Alliterative food days?
posted by chickencoop at 10:38 AM PST - 34 comments

Attempting to move to new city to be closer to family. Was looking into Raleigh/Durham or Charlotte. I am a UX designer with 4 years experience and have had a few out of state phone interviews but no bites so far, which I believe are due to being out of state. [more inside]
posted by gregjunior at 10:29 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm a private tutor in Massachusetts, and I've recently started problems from the Interactive Mathematics Program Year 3 Activities book. While I'm familiar with probability, I'm not used to extended word problems like these, and I need to check my and my student's answers! How do I get a copy of the teacher's edition of IMP 3? I don't have a .edu email.
posted by Alex Haist at 10:21 AM PST - 3 comments

There's a pond in the tidal marsh near Emeryville that I see most weekdays, and my question is about that pond's pattern of water levels. Here's an aerial image of it. [more inside]
posted by salt grass at 9:12 AM PST - 7 comments

Our traditional league has sputtered out, but some buddies and I want to make a mini weekly "pop-up" game where we each pick 1 QB, 1 RB, and 1 WR. It's a battle royale, and most points wins that week. You can change players each week, and you can have overlapping players, so a traditional site won't work. Is there a site where I can just put in some players and it will track their scores in real time so that we can see all of the teams and who is winning? [more inside]
posted by AgentRocket at 8:48 AM PST - 1 comment

After nine months of trying unsuccessfully to conceive, I'm beginning to consider our options for fertility testing, but I have no idea how to begin. Complication: rural area that's underserved healthcare wise. [more inside]
posted by the turtle's teeth at 8:08 AM PST - 24 comments

My new company includes 8 hours of paid volunteer service per year as a perk. I'm project manager for a small team of developers (mostly web applications and Python scripts) working in Southern California. We're trying to come up with a project we could work on together. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by bunbury at 7:53 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm kicking around the idea of law school because I think it would open doors to careers that would be more fulfilling than the one I have now. But: I'm already 40. Is this a Very Bad Idea? What about Master of Laws/Master of Science in Law vs. a full JD? [more inside]
posted by elizeh at 7:31 AM PST - 19 comments

I've rented the upstairs apartment in an old (100 years?) 2-family house for 8 years. The landlord is terrible--non-responsive and unwilling to update or repair various typical issues. When he does respond to my very infrequent complaints he uses awful contractors who usually seem not to know what they're doing or use cost-cutting methods that often make the problem worse. I'm sure it's because they were the cheapest contractors he could find. [more inside]
posted by primate moon at 6:27 AM PST - 25 comments

I'm 26 years old Asian female, and mom is 52 years old. I'm her only child and I lived with her and my dad in their house until about a year ago. I now live 2 hours away with a fiance, and we would visit a couple times a month. Mom and I used to be very close and we had very little boundary. She doesn't have good relationship with my dad or any relatives, so she sees me as a source of entertainment, demanding mother-daughter trips to the mall every weekend. [more inside]
posted by missybitsy at 5:55 AM PST - 9 comments

So, a cardiologist says he thinks I had a heart attack. Humoring him. I am looking for the best books written for both medical professionals and laypersons on heart healing, disease and everything in between. [more inside]
posted by watercarrier at 5:33 AM PST - 7 comments

I haven’t filed my taxes for an obscenely long time, like a decade. Fear, procrastination, periods of unemployment, laziness, etc., etc. I stopped filing when I was a realtor as filing taxes became much more complicated and I needed to track expenses. It piled on from there – I can’t file this year because I need last year’s info and I can’t do last year’s cause I didn’t file the year before that and so on. About five years ago I was garnished a huge sum against my savings account which I probably didn’t really owe had I filed and claimed deductions. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:16 AM PST - 16 comments

Hi all, I've been having some medical issues for a few years now and seen a number of doctors - but not sure where to go from here. Gross details below! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:16 AM PST - 1 comment

Our 14 month old girl has been diagnosed with a mild egg allergy, and the allergist recommended that we regularly feed her foods in which the eggs have been baked, such as muffins, in order to help her grow out of the allergy as she gets older. [more inside]
posted by melorama at 11:28 PM PST - 18 comments

In your experience, how well do children transition into public high schools when their prior education has been in a Montessori setting through the 8th grade? I'm also interested in hearing from those who have personally had that experience.
posted by Sunnyshe at 11:13 PM PST - 3 comments

How do I deal with a bill from a collection agency for money I have already paid to the hospital? [more inside]
posted by insoluble uncertainty at 9:21 PM PST - 10 comments

As someone trying to maintain a small diversified portfolio, financial theory suggests that it is prudent to hold a mixture of asset types, with bonds especially often proposed as an alternative to more volatile equities. Is it worth the risk of diversifying into bonds and, if so, what's a good investment vehicle? [more inside]
posted by sindark at 8:44 PM PST - 9 comments

Ham, turkey, roast beef, tuna salad, chicken salad, egg salad. After years of the same six sandwiches for lunch, both at home and at work, I'm dying for sexier variations of each, as well as completely different sandwiches altogether. I'm thinking unconventional ingredients and unconventional pairings, things you wouldn't think go together but totally do, grilled and hot versions, etc. Thanks
posted by BadgerDoctor at 7:35 PM PST - 84 comments

I have leftover equipment from when I was a massage therapist. Anybody have ideas of how to donate specialized equipment such as this? I'm looking for options OTHER than Goodwill, freecycle and craigslist. [more inside]
posted by nirblegee at 7:08 PM PST - 9 comments

BF and I will be taking a 10 hour (~12-13 with food and bathroom breaks) road trip from Kalamazoo to Memphis next month. Give me your tips for a fun, relaxing, enjoyable road trip experience! [more inside]
posted by misanthropicsarah at 6:27 PM PST - 14 comments

If you watched the Carol Burnett Show in its heyday and recall the sketches involving Mr. Tudball and Mrs. Wiggins, what nationality did you understand Mr. Tudball to be? [more inside]
posted by Horace Rumpole at 6:26 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm on a low dose of Adderall. I also plan to start trying to become pregnant in the new year. I'd like to discuss this data with a doctor who's familiar with the latest findings/research and formulate a treatment plan, whether that includes staying on Adderall, switching to another medication, or going off medication. What kind of doctor do I need, an [specialized?] ob-gyn or a [specialized?] psychiatrist? Is there a name for the subspeciality of either field that I should be looking for? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:19 PM PST - 10 comments

I recently moved into a more rural area and would like to have a generator backup power supply. The house is wired for a generator and there is a twist lock receptacle in the garage. [more inside]
posted by silsurf at 5:55 PM PST - 8 comments

How to get rid of carpet moths? [more inside]
posted by kittensofthenight at 5:31 PM PST - 2 comments

I need to find a daycare or nanny in and I could use some help in what my criteria should be. I'm brand new to this and completely lost. [more inside]
posted by Attackpanda at 5:22 PM PST - 11 comments

Years ago I saw a set of personal ads that purported to be actual personals from the Jerusalem Post. The only one I remember was something like "Observant female, fasts on Yom Kippur, Fast of Gedalia, Tish B'Av, Tenth of Tevet, Fast of Esther, etc, seeks observant male for life in the fast lane." First, does anyone have a copy of these they could send me, or a link to them? Second, can anyone verify that they were actual personals that appeared in the paper? Even if not, they're still funny, but even funnier if true.
posted by ubiquity at 5:17 PM PST - 4 comments

My city, which is nowhere near the coastline, is likely to get slammed by Hurricane Florence. I live alone and am terrified. Help? [more inside]
posted by basalganglia at 5:12 PM PST - 27 comments

I work on a team where we're going to need a number of semi-generic images, sourced by various people for various things at various times. What's the best stock image site out there right now? Money is not no object, but we're willing to pay for quality and variety. We're in Canada, if it matters.
posted by Shepherd at 4:57 PM PST - 6 comments

For Reasons I may need to fly Christmas morning - Sydney to LA, and a short domestic connecting flight. Due to time zones we'd leave at 11am and arrive at our final destination at 11:15. What are airports like Christmas morning?
posted by jrobin276 at 4:15 PM PST - 23 comments

What is worth doing in Sarasota this time of year if you've got a toddler and a dog with you? (The dog can be left at accommodations if needed.)
posted by crunchy potato at 3:05 PM PST - 7 comments

Yesterday, I accidentally cut myself with a razor in the bathroom of a person who had babesiosis (Babesia microti) from a tick bite several months ago and was treated with the appropriate antibiotics. They finished their course of antibiotics about a month ago. I'm slightly worried because I donate blood, and babesiosis can spread through blood donation; however, we still don't screen blood for it. Ironically, I just had a blood test about a month ago for babesiosis after having been bitten by a tick in New England (thankfully it was negative). Should I be worried, or is it safe to say that any parasites on the razor died long ago?
posted by Seeking Direction at 1:44 PM PST - 2 comments

My wife is leaving her job at the end of this month and her health insurance (which currently covers both of us) is ending September 26. I have signed us both up for my job’s health insurance plan and that takes effect October 1. Is it worth it to sign up for COBRA for a whole month when we only really need it for a few days? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:13 PM PST - 9 comments

I've figured out a few "yes"es and "no"s, and I'm hoping MeFi can help me put the clues together to choose the right meditation practice [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 12:01 PM PST - 20 comments

I’m in Barcelona for the next 4-6 days, and so far I kinda hate it. Please help me find the real city hiding within the toxic tourist mess. [more inside]
posted by panama joe at 11:22 AM PST - 25 comments

Please introduce me to the job and temp landscape in Portland, Oregon and surrounding cities in 2018/2019. [more inside]
posted by wonder twin powers activate form of a sock puppet at 10:30 AM PST - 6 comments

I want to rewatch The Good Place before the new season. I also want to listen to the podcast before the new season. Do I want to watch the episode before the associated podcast or after? I do not want to watch each episode twice more.
posted by jeather at 10:11 AM PST - 8 comments

I’ve wanted to do a Patreon for my writing and art, and I think I’ve narrowed my focus to a theme that really excites me. I’d love to get feedback and ideas for fine-tuning it/figuring out reward structure. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 10:01 AM PST - 1 comment

There are two musical battle movie scenes that I love: the guitar duel at the end of Crossroads and the Katayanagi Twins battle in Scott Pilgrim. Can you suggest others? More on what I'm looking for inside. [more inside]
posted by gurple at 9:40 AM PST - 21 comments

We're driving from Boston to Langhorne, PA this Friday morning to bring our twin 2-year old boys to Sesame Place. The park isn't open on Friday, so we'll have some time to kill in the afternoon. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by eggman at 9:08 AM PST - 8 comments

What is the number one most efficient way to firm up the area where your ass meets the top of your thigh? Or is this just going to be one of those things I have to learn to accept in middle age, like my mutinous armpits?
posted by HotToddy at 8:47 AM PST - 24 comments

We are buying a house we have been renting for the last 2 years. It's crazy hot during the summer time. What is the cheapest and most functional solution? [more inside]
posted by Sara_NOT_Sarah at 8:43 AM PST - 16 comments

I (28F) can't tell if I should optimize my schedule or soldier on. The devil is in the details, of course. [more inside]
posted by mesija at 8:18 AM PST - 21 comments

I am very hard on footwear. I am a special snowflake. Would you consider recommending me something for my feet? [more inside]
posted by TomMelee at 6:40 AM PST - 11 comments

The USDA implies that you can leave uncooked chicken out of the fridge for up to 2 hours before cooking: "That’s why the Meat and Poultry Hotline advises consumers to never leave food out of refrigeration over 2 hours." [PDF] This sounds gross and unsanitary, but maybe my intuition about safety is wrong. Is it really safe? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 4:08 AM PST - 17 comments

Over the summer there was news of sites of archaeological interest being discovered in the UK and Ireland via aerial photography as a result of the unusually dry weather (as mentioned in these posts on the blue: 1, 2, 3). In order for archaeological digs to be conducted at 'new' sites like these, what has to happen, and who is responsible for making it happen? [more inside]
posted by misteraitch at 3:43 AM PST - 4 comments

I've started having really vivid dreams, after an (adult) life of not having them, and it's kind of upsetting. [more inside]
posted by Gin and Broadband at 1:40 AM PST - 15 comments

I need help with being clear about my situation and reacting to sharp, blunt responses in professional settings. [more inside]
posted by norwegianleather at 12:11 AM PST - 19 comments

I listen to a ton of audio, but probably 85% of it consists of podcasts. And I love podcasts! But I keep thinking how I should listen to more music - it's just that I get a little overwhelmed with what to pick, or how to find new music I'd enjoy. And I love podcasts that take me to other places around the world. What radio stations should I explore to broaden my horizons? [more inside]
posted by Synesthesia at 11:55 PM PST - 21 comments

A friend of mine is relocating next weekend and looking for a second driver. I think this sounds a little crazy but also could be fun. The plan is SF-Flagstaff Saturday, on to Oklahoma City Sunday, and into Nashville Monday. I can either stay in Nashville for a day and relax, or catch an early flight home so I can work on Tuesday. Recommended worthwhile nearby sights on the route? Is this doable in anyone's experience? What could I do with most of a day free in Nashville?
posted by OneSmartMonkey at 11:10 PM PST - 9 comments

Does anyone remember McCormick Classic Pizza Seasoning (Italian Blend)? This seasoning was the exact combination of added flavors I never knew I always wanted on pizza. It's been discontinued. Can you recommend a replacement? I'm open to buying a pre-mixed blend or blending my own. The listed ingredients are "red and green bell peppers, garlic, and spices (including red pepper, oregano, and basil)." I can get the listed stuff, but that gnomic "spices" stymies me. Help?
posted by Fish, fish, are you doing your duty? at 10:32 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm supposed to leave DC (flying) on Thursday mid-morning. Hurricane Florence is supposed to make landfall in the Carolinas sometime Thursday. Should I try to get a flight out Wednesday afternoon? [more inside]
posted by lunasol at 9:49 PM PST - 16 comments

Asking for a friend who like me, despises the roach: I haaaaaaaaaate roaches. Hate! What should I do if I see one in the common area of a building right before signing a lease? Snowflake: I’ve already lived in the building for a year without incident. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 8:13 PM PST - 8 comments

My phone's headphone jack is broken, as is its microphone, and so I'm in the market for a Bluetooth device that I can use to listen to music and make calls. There's a lot of devices on Amazon that make that promise, but all of the ones under $50 (and a good number of the more expensive ones, too) have a pile of one-star reviews indicating they gave out after a few months. What are the available budget Bluetooth devices that don't have that particular issue?
posted by LSK at 8:07 PM PST - 13 comments

There's good trivia and bad trivia. Bad trivia is mere fact (e.g. the population of Toronto is .....). Good trivia is entertaining, surprising, insightful. What's your favorite bit of good trivia?
posted by storybored at 7:51 PM PST - 92 comments

Can you help me think through my misinformed idea/question re: how the 4th dimension would manifest in 3d/ours, and what implications that has for being alive? [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 6:57 PM PST - 10 comments

Can anyone suggest a website that can help me come up with a name for a small business that I'm starting? [more inside]
posted by Proginoskes at 6:29 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for ideas on the quickest and cheapest transits between Las Vegas and Tecate, BC, MX. I've been looking at a few options, but am hoping someone has ideas or specifics I hadn't thought of. [more inside]
posted by BenevolentActor at 6:18 PM PST - 4 comments

A friend and I (U.S. citizens) have booked flights and an Airbnb for a six-day stay in Havana, Cuba, in November. I was confident that I understood the U.S. regulations regarding Cuba visitation, but my friend is getting pushback from her family about our trip. We could certainly use some wisdom from any American who has traveled to Cuba recently to alleviate our doubts since the current administration tightened the Obama-era rules on visitation there. [more inside]
posted by fenwaydirtdog at 6:16 PM PST - 7 comments

Growing up I had this table-top, sideways L shaped bookshelf. It's easily reproduced with 3 small pieces of wood, but let's be honest, I'd rather have one delivered to my door. Description and not-too-scale drawing inside. [more inside]
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 3:35 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm driving from Wisconsin to a concert in Chicago next month. The venue is 1200 W. Randolph St, in the Near West area, while lodging is in Lincolnwood. I don't want to drive all the way to the venue and dea with traffic and parking, but also don't want to spend 90 mins on the MTA to get back to Lincolnwood at 11pm. What's the best Park & Ride option to split the difference?
posted by 4midori at 2:28 PM PST - 8 comments

Is there any coin operated video game which is impossible to win on a single credit - even with perfect play - but is possible to beat with multiple credits (aka continuing)?
posted by JamesD at 2:28 PM PST - 10 comments

My retired parents are considering moving from Toronto ON to Vancouver BC in the next 2 years. We're going to scout out some neighborhoods this week. Where should we go?? Requirements and preferences inside. [more inside]
posted by bread-eater at 1:12 PM PST - 12 comments

What to do when a product you love and need is made by a company that frustrates you with its incompetence at every turn? Also, can you recommend a quality "barefoot shoe" that isn't made by VivoBarefoot? [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 1:10 PM PST - 20 comments

I found this recipe a few years ago in the web and now I can't locate it. It is essentially fondue/cheese dip inside a bread bowl. [more inside]
posted by soelo at 12:33 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm hoping to get an appointment with Emily Kaul, but that remains to be seen. I'm going to be there in late October. I also really love Alice at Wonderland Tattoo, but her books are closed. Do you have any recommendations for amazing women tattoo artists in Portland, Oregon? Bonus points if they're queer. I know really amazing artists tend to be booked out far, far in advance, but I can check on last-minute cancellations.
posted by sugarbomb at 11:17 AM PST - 11 comments

I've been using Flickr since 2005, and have had a Pro membership since 2006. Renewing my Pro membership has always been a no-brainer because, as a grandfathered member, I've been paying the same price ($25) for years. However, this year grandfathered Pro members must pay the standard membership price: $50. Should I renew? [more inside]
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 11:06 AM PST - 18 comments

I finally have an above-average gaming rig (Dell XPS 8000-series, just arrived last week), and I am in the market for something along the lines of "X-Wing Alliance meets Skyrim": a space sim with an open-world explorationy sandboxy feel. Elite: Dangerous seems gorgeous and seems to be what I want, but… [more inside]
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 10:39 AM PST - 8 comments

My mother - who lives in Chicago, whereas I live & work in Arkansas and can't be there for extended periods - will be having surgery in a couple of months and needs someone to take care of her cats; but she doesn't want a catsitter who stops in only once or twice a day. What options do we have? [more inside]
posted by anaphoric at 10:28 AM PST - 12 comments

I live in a state with legal recreational marijuana. Are CBD-based products likely to help me with sleep issues? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:14 AM PST - 18 comments

I'm a remote employee in the path of a hurricane. I'm curious about workplace policies for remote employees during events like hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, etc. Are you expected to use vacation or sick time? Are there protocols in place?
posted by anonymous at 10:13 AM PST - 4 comments

Is it possible to find a record of divorce online? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:07 AM PST - 11 comments

My older (and only) sibling is getting sucked into conspiracy theories and they have a particular fixation on theories surrounding rumours of rings of child abuse. At first, this was just frustrating and mildly concerning, but Sibling has now posted on social media about taking action and getting their hands dirty. After speaking with Sibling, I am more concerned about their mental health than Sibling actually doing anything--but that is still a concern. I live in another country. What are my options here? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:07 AM PST - 17 comments

Two wolves can meet without being afraid of each other, but two men meeting in a dark forest always will think ‘He is a robber.’ [more inside]
posted by little cow make small moo at 9:10 AM PST - 3 comments

This is billed as the fancy screen at my local dinner theater. The picture is a complete mess, and they seem unable to fix it. Is there a name for what's going on and is it more likely the projector or the screen? [more inside]
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 9:09 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm designing a public health research project for Central Asia next summer, and am hoping to find resources to guide me / new fellowships, grants, programs, etc to fund my research. Hope me...*** [more inside]
posted by erattacorrige at 8:49 AM PST - 2 comments

My wife's company is sending her to Melbourne to close a deal, and she negotiated airfare and lodging for me to tag along. Right now the plan is to arrive in Melbourne 10/17 (from Southern California), spend several days there on business, then tack on a week to 10 days of vacation before departing for home 10/31. What should we definitely see/visit/try? What's the weather going to be like? [more inside]
posted by notyou at 8:36 AM PST - 9 comments

I just got some confusing medical results the doctor wants to explore further here in the UK - but I’m due to return to Spain, where I’ve been living a week today. Thoughts? [more inside]
posted by Willow251 at 8:29 AM PST - 13 comments

Hi folks, I've been having bad allergies for the past week or so. I live in Brooklyn. What could I be allergic to? [more inside]
posted by catcafe at 7:59 AM PST - 10 comments

In my single state I am happy and confident, I embrace my flaws and can put aside what other people think. But once I start having feelings for someone (even if they tell me they have feelings for me and at first I am uninterested), I start feeling like an unworthy toad and feel like they deserve to be dating a supermodel, not me. Does everyone feel that way? How do I get over it? [more inside]
posted by Crookshanks_Meow at 7:32 AM PST - 9 comments

Does this already exist? Could I build it myself with minimal experience and only reasonable amounts of tearing my hair out? (Please say it already exists somewhere.) [more inside]
posted by schadenfrau at 7:03 AM PST - 19 comments

My friend just confided in me that he is a drug addict and suicidal. He says he wants help but doesn't know where to start. I don't either, to be honest. Can anyone help with SPECIFIC recommendations for what he/we can do today, tomorrow, this week? We are both in Chicago. Thanks.
posted by ohsnapdragon at 6:39 AM PST - 15 comments

I have a large collection of glass candy jars. I am looking for suggestions for non-edible things other than glass stones/pebbles/marbles that I could put in them for display. The jars are all clear, so they generally look better with things inside them, and I no longer want to fill all 20+ of them with candy. Thanks, hivemind!
posted by anastasiav at 6:25 AM PST - 58 comments

I’m allergic to my pets – mildly to cats, quite strongly to guinea pigs and their bedding – and it seems to be getting gradually worse with time. I’d like to know what the progression from allergies to asthma looks like in practice so I have some idea of when to start getting seriously worried and consider drastic measures like giving up my guinea pigs, especially as I’m seeing an increase in respiratory issues that may be related. [more inside]
posted by Otto the Magnificent at 5:18 AM PST - 9 comments

I have a friend/client who is writing something that he wants to publish in an interactive form on the internet, and I am looking for examples of good, innovative, interactive journalism to give him an idea of what is possible. Interactive websites whose purpose is to present information (not journalism but not, like, games) are also fine. [more inside]
posted by lollymccatburglar at 2:09 AM PST - 11 comments

In about a week, Mrs. Jabo and I are headed to Scotland. We’re spending a few days in Edinburgh and then driving to Oban, on to Portree, and finally Pitlochry before we return back to Edinburgh. About 7 days in all. Any recommendations for a nice spot, pub or hiking trail that we shouldn’t miss along the way? And hows the weather?
posted by jabo at 12:56 AM PST - 9 comments

The one thing my prenatal vitamin doesn't have is choline, which is in egg yolks. (1) How can I sneak egg yolks into food or otherwise disguise them from myself? (2) What can you tell me about the food safety of things like custard? [more inside]
posted by slidell at 12:11 AM PST - 28 comments

My dog tore his ACL. He's 15 years old. I need to decide whether it makes since to get surgery to repair his ACL. [more inside]
posted by pizzazz at 11:00 PM PST - 10 comments

I have an appointment tomorrow to tour an adult day program for my father, who has dementia. What questions should I be asking, and what should I be on the look out for? [more inside]
posted by sacrifix at 9:25 PM PST - 5 comments

The Mister and I are in DC. He wants to go to some museums. I am having hip and back pain and mobility challenges so I’d rather find a cafe with a comfy chair where I can read for a few hours. Where should I go that is within 2 blocks of Metro or bus lines, near to the Smithsonian complex, Dupont Circle, or points between? I found this question that’s 5 years old.
posted by matildaben at 8:42 PM PST - 10 comments

[Australia-filter specifically, World-filter broadly] OK, you’ve purchase an existing small to medium sized business. I’m very interested to know about your experience and the approach you took to become the new owner. [more inside]
posted by qwip at 7:39 PM PST - 3 comments

Apologies in advance for the lack of tech knowledge here! I got a Fisher Price Smart Cycle secondhand. It is basically a stationary bike for kids, that comes with game cartridges. You are supposed to connect it to a TV, so it has white and yellow audio and video output cables. I prefer to connect it to my laptop, which has HDMI and USB connections, not audio and video In jacks. [more inside]
posted by leslievictoria at 6:36 PM PST - 7 comments

Why does public radio always give disclaimers before stories it says has "disturbing" parts, but there is never a disclaimer for commercial or public radio newscasts? [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 6:05 PM PST - 8 comments

I need to find a space for a nonprofit very soon, but do not know how to begin searching as I've never done this before. Looking for either suggestions of spaces, or how to search more effectively. [more inside]
posted by corb at 5:49 PM PST - 4 comments

I need to book two business dinners for about 25 people each in Brooklyn in late October. What's new/good/reasonably priced? Our budget tops out around $90 but a little cheaper would be better. We'll be in the Brooklyn Bridge area and don't want to have to travel people too far, including not going to Manhattan. A short uber ride is fine; I don't know how comfortable this group will be with the subway. Any suggestions?
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 3:46 PM PST - 9 comments

What is the best book -- readable but not-dumbed-down -- about the social life of the Roman Republic? [more inside]
posted by lewedswiver at 3:05 PM PST - 6 comments

This summer a documentary on PBS aired that featured horses. I remember that it contained a discussion of how horses learn to stand head to rump, such that their tails flick flies off of each other. What show was this? I am having the darndest time figuring that out.
posted by mortaddams at 2:09 PM PST - 3 comments

I've been afraid of confrontation. I just don't know how to do it. As a kid I was bullied a lot by classmates, relatives, and even my own siblings and father. Most of the time I just take it and stay quiet. [more inside]
posted by CurioslySatisfying at 2:04 PM PST - 9 comments

I've been asked to be the managing software engineer on a small project at work. In exchange for taking on this role, I've asked to renegotiate my compensation package. I'm having trouble coming up with accurate compensation numbers for equity and other available perks. Does anyone have advice or resources to estimate what amount I should negotiate for? [more inside]
posted by Chicoreus at 1:05 PM PST - 6 comments

Asking for a friend: Is it a good idea for a healthy woman to breastfeed one baby while pregnant with the second? Prefer science, but anecdata is ok too. [more inside]
posted by pseudostrabismus at 12:29 PM PST - 16 comments

I've very sensitive to odor and just noticed that the area where my TV, and AV equipment (and multiple power outlets) is has that chemical odor I associate with newly opened electronics from China. I can't discern the source of ti and just wondered if anyone had suggestions of what it could possibly be?
posted by Jon44 at 12:07 PM PST - 5 comments

Once you've made a friend - how do you actually become close friends? What does it take to maintain close friendships for the long-term, as an adult? What's the secret sauce? [more inside]
posted by inatizzy at 10:31 AM PST - 25 comments

I'm looking for a specific kind of anatomy resource (book, online course, etc.). There are numerous resources that will tell me the location of muscles, their origin/insertion/action/etc. I want one that emphasizes patterns, comparisons, and the reasons why things are the way they are. [more inside]
posted by Questolicious at 9:52 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm clearly looking in the wrong places, because I seem to be oddly unable to find any information on the paths of Voyager 1 & 2 as they relate to the rest of the galaxy. [more inside]
posted by aramaic at 9:52 AM PST - 9 comments

Given the miracle of multi track recordings, has anyone singly performed a symphony as an orchestra for an album? Impossible live without pre-recordings. [more inside]
posted by filtergik at 9:41 AM PST - 7 comments

what are the laws in ny re: voting? i know ny has some odd restrictions. can independents participate in all elections? including primaries? why register with ANY of them? or will this disenfranchise me? what advantage is there, if any, to being an independent?
posted by ebesan at 9:21 AM PST - 12 comments

One of my kids and I stayed in an AirBnB home this weekend. They had a LoveSac in the living room, and my kid loved it. If we were to get one, would we need an actual LoveSac, or are some of the less-expensive knockoffs good enough? [more inside]
posted by Orlop at 9:14 AM PST - 10 comments

My dad is going to retire soon. He is a funny, smart, engaged with the world through his work, and interesting uber mensch (early 60s). There is zero chance he is going to retire into golf and fishing. Are there any good novels, historical fiction, or memoirs about people who've navigated this transition? [more inside]
posted by history is a weapon at 8:29 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm planning a trip to Athens + environs and on next Thursday we'll be arriving at Piraeus at dinnertime. Were can we go with 42 hungry and maybe noisy students? Nice if there's a view. [more inside]
posted by mumimor at 7:41 AM PST - 6 comments

I just soaked a pile of cedar in canola oil. I was oiling it! And then realized that it's going to go rancid. How do I fix this?! [more inside]
posted by aniola at 7:38 AM PST - 20 comments

Looking for an online version of gin rummy I can play with my husband. Not an app, which there seem to be plenty of. Has anyone found one they like?
posted by cozenedindigo at 7:15 AM PST - 3 comments

We have a Shark Rotator Lift-away Pro, purchased refurbished about 5 years ago. Recently it got wet when the basement flooded (not the motor, just the base). We took the base apart to let it dry and when reassembling snapped the little plastic piece that makes it lock upright. It’s annoying. We don’t want to keep using it this way. [more inside]
posted by Kriesa at 6:13 AM PST - 10 comments

I realize that I'm way out of step with modern times, and the masses are largely content with using phones for media players and syncing with cloud services - but I want to remain in full control of my mobile media playing. What is the best high-capacity media (MP3 & FLAC, mostly) player that can be had today? Curmudgeonly details inside. [more inside]
posted by jzb at 5:56 AM PST - 13 comments

Cusp/half of side of lower molar came off around old filling while eating, but it's Sunday in the UK, dentist shut, is it worth hanging onto the bit of tooth in milk to Monday or should I just bin it? What should I do? [more inside]
posted by Flitcraft at 5:53 AM PST - 9 comments

This summer I bought a house that has a natural gas powered whole house generator. Once a week it kicks on for a test run of about 15 minutes. My husband likes motors and has been out there to check the oil and inspect everything and it looks fine. We live in the projected path of Hurricane Florence and it looks likely we're going to need it for real for the first time this week. [more inside]
posted by something something at 5:22 AM PST - 16 comments

ProgrammingFilter. The short version: I've realized I'll be doing twice the calculation work I need to do in an operation, and I could use a hand cutting it down. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 5:21 AM PST - 14 comments

Which service has the best options for leaving someone long voicemails that can be downloaded in mp3 or easily playable format? [more inside]
posted by joyceanmachine at 5:14 AM PST - 2 comments

My puppy is mostly house-trained so I'd like to get her a dog exercise pen as she still can't be trusted if given free reign when I'm at work. I have questions though [more inside]
posted by Aranquis at 5:09 AM PST - 5 comments

I work in academia and am nominally the leader of a global open-source effort which has been going on for nearly two decades. We have many collaborators, and have published many academic papers. One of our most productive colleagues was just convicted of posession and redistribution of child porn. What do we do now? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:28 AM PST - 19 comments

Can you help me find a simple song that’s wedding appropriate, not religious, and that a kid who’s only been playing flute for a year could learn inside three months? [more inside]
posted by billiebee at 4:12 AM PST - 10 comments

I need to log my fragmented sleep in some kind of sleep diary; would like to use a device to help with this vs manually notating sleep/wake times (& having to clock-watch). My iPhone sucks at this (as do many trackers, apparently) - it only counts the last chunk of sleep (or movement-free time) as sleep. I’d like to pay less than more, but a bit on the more side is ok if that’s going to be necessary. TIA! [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 2:24 AM PST - 10 comments

Do you have a mental heath therapist that you really like? How did you find them? [more inside]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 12:38 AM PST - 10 comments

I run workshops with young teenagers where they get to solder small kits. They are very slow and it’s usually their first time soldering. We have decent budget irons but they really do take a beating from being left on and mainly unused for hours and hours at a time. [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 11:55 PM PST - 6 comments

So recently I have been going to a therapist, I've been going there since March. A lot of things from my past have been dug up and my relationship towards my brother was one of the things that became a very stressful and intense topic to speak about. So before I get into that, a little background, I'm going to a therapist because I've been dragging the demons of the past for a while now. [more inside]
posted by Braxis at 11:03 PM PST - 9 comments

One of my loved ones has the diagnosis of West Nile virus neural invasive disease. He thought is was tick-related and had health professionals working with him before he had all of the awfulness. Fever, lack of coordinated muscular movement, vision problems, the works. The diagnosis is based on testing and they can’t really pinpoint exposure. [more inside]
posted by childofTethys at 9:07 PM PST - 1 comment

I understand that forgiveness is good for the soul, my anger only hurts me and not the other person etc. But how do you actually do it? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 7:30 PM PST - 14 comments

Some friends and I are doing a trip in late September from Nakusp to Halcyon to Radium Hot Springs. I can't find any information for where to fly-fish rivers and streams in that route. Lots of lake fishing companies but it looks there are no fly shops or streams/rivers to fish?
posted by ITravelMontana at 7:07 PM PST - 1 comment

Papillon, came out in the US on August 24th, two weeks ago. Two weeks later, I cannot find the movie playing anywhere. It seems really odd to have a movie disappear this quickly and suddenly. Does anyone know what is going on? [more inside]
posted by eurandom at 6:29 PM PST - 6 comments

What are some fictional television series about ghosts, demons, etc that are not too network-TV or broad (a la Supernatural) -- but instead capture a certain Lovecraftian spookiness/eeriness? [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 5:20 PM PST - 16 comments

I've recently taken up hectography, and would like to replace pork-based gelatin with something more community friendly. Scientists of MeFi, your suggestions please! [more inside]
posted by scruss at 4:18 PM PST - 8 comments

I am responsible for (most of) the training of a new co-worker and I think she's made very little progress. What steps should I take to help fix this? [more inside]
posted by girlmightlive at 2:36 PM PST - 14 comments

We just moved out of a generally moist, humid, dark apartment where our stuff was beginning to be colonized by mold. Please help us keep our new place mold free? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 12:24 PM PST - 10 comments

Is there a way to control the color of Android's status bar? [more inside]
posted by counterfeitfake at 12:09 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm hoping to move in the next few months, and I'm planning on looking into apartment complexes to apply to. However, I'm worried about my credit score hindering an approval. Is my credit score okay, and do I need to do something with an ill-advised Equifax credit freeze before I can apply? [more inside]
posted by Mael Oui at 10:59 AM PST - 7 comments

As I learn about historical features in my neighborhood, I would like to trace them (if extant) or draw them (if destroyed) on a digital map. [more inside]
posted by delight at 10:21 AM PST - 4 comments

My niece is in the first grade, and I think she shows remarkable "talent" as an artist. I'd like to get her some "nice" art supplies for her birthday, what should I get her? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 9:39 AM PST - 23 comments

Do selfies convey self-absorption? [more inside]
posted by loveandhappiness at 7:50 AM PST - 59 comments

For the past six months, I've been doing some soul-searching about either looking for a new job in my current career or switching careers entirely, and I've settled on switching. Can you recommend any online resources or books to help me sort out this career change? [more inside]
posted by Mouse Army at 7:24 AM PST - 9 comments

What I'm looking for are recommendations for any work of art that evoked in you requiem-like emotions. Sobbing, heaving, moments of celebratory reverence that honour the profundity of death, dying, mourning. Doesn't necessarily need to be "a religious ceremony performed for the dead" just needs to have felt like one for you. [more inside]
posted by OlivesAndTurkishCoffee at 6:37 AM PST - 54 comments

As a parent, I could use some tips for explaning/dealing with death and your older child. There are so many resources for explaining death to young children, but what about your older teen, who is old enough to really grasp the horror? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:09 AM PST - 19 comments

I'm looking for a Psychologist recommendation, preferable located in either San Francisco or the northern Peninsula, who's able to perform the battery of assessments that would lead to a Differential Diagnosis. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:09 AM PST - 4 comments

I work full time in a job I like, and I have consistently great performance reviews. I also deal with PTSD and anxiety that I manage very well, but managing them also takes a lot of time and energy. I know that I'd be happier and healthier if I could work fewer hours, and I'm confident I could get my work done if I worked 80% of full time instead. How do I ask for (and get) this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:08 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm currently living in Hong Kong, and I'd like to buy a small apartment in either Rotterdam, Arnhem or Antwerp. This is a combination retirement option and investment. (It makes no sense at all to buy in Hong Kong.) I won't have much time to look, but I can ask local friends to help me by visiting places for me. Does anyone have any experience doing something similar which they can share? Difficulty Level: Dutch/US dual citizenship. [more inside]
posted by frumiousb at 11:26 PM PST - 4 comments

Why would it be more expensive to book two travelers on a flight than each one individually? [more inside]
posted by SquidLips at 9:46 PM PST - 10 comments

Help! I've researched myself into decision paralysis. Given my workflow, should I go for more CPU and RAM with a GTX 1050 at 4GB, or less CPU and RAM with a GTX 1070 at 8GB VRAM? This is mostly After Effects and Cinema 4D. The new version has GPU rendering in the default renderer. [more inside]
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 9:23 PM PST - 1 comment

Happy Friday, AskMe. I really didn't anticipate having to ask this, but… Mom has just been victimized by one of those IRS phone scams making the rounds. What should we do, beyond the obvious? [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 6:59 PM PST - 5 comments

Me, my lovely wife and our 10 year old son are thinking of going to Cuba next February. We're not having much luck with the usual trip advisors, booking or airbnb sites. Is there another online resource for hotels (or houses) around Cuba? Also, where specifically should we plan to go to? [more inside]
posted by signal at 5:18 PM PST - 11 comments

Today my dentist told me that I needed to start wearing a nightguard and I was immediately annoyed at having another thing in my life to deal with. In an effort to balance the scales I would like to hear your suggestions for things/situations/protocols that you’ve eliminated from your life with no ill effect. [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 3:14 PM PST - 87 comments

With some work-related changes (yay!) my partner and I may be able to afford to buy at the low end of the co-op market in New York, having rented for the last 8 years (we're mostly looking at northern Queens). Think listing price $200-$250K, maintenance usually around $300-500/mo. It seems straightforward, but is there some secret info I'm missing that will make this impossible? [more inside]
posted by zingiberene at 2:25 PM PST - 6 comments

Writers: what are you using to write with? I don’t like writing on a standard computer or laptop because the screen strains my eyes and the internet connectivity is so distracting. I need my writing to be saved digitally so old school paper and ink are out, although something almost as basic as that is the goal. Are there any good dedicated writing devices on the market right now? Like a kindle but with a keyboard? E ink and portability are pluses.
posted by RingerChopChop at 1:34 PM PST - 22 comments

Can I set Gmail to download attachments of certain file types to different folders? [more inside]
posted by ApathyGirl at 12:09 PM PST - 4 comments

For about a month starting Monday, I will be travelling to: Hong Kong (China), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore (Singapore), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and Hanoi (Vietnam). Any recommendations on things to do and where to eat, each time experiencing something new in every country? I am a woman in her early thirties traveling alone. [more inside]
posted by pleasebekind at 11:46 AM PST - 17 comments

I have (had?) a 2009-vintage 27” Apple LED Cinema Display on my 2009 Mac Pro. It was working yesterday, but as of this morning, its screen is black. The Mac can still recognize it, and the display’s USB ports still function. The Mac’s video card still is pushing a signal to a second monitor via DVI. I’ve unplugged the Cinema Display and seen a flicker of an image for less than half a second, but that’s it. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 11:43 AM PST - 5 comments

My boss has charged me with finding out if there's any factual basis to the assertion that more millionaires were made during the Great Depression than at any other time in American history. [more inside]
posted by southvie at 11:12 AM PST - 16 comments

I just moved to Maine and am interested in learning more about this state and its people. History, fiction, non-fiction--whatever you've got! There was a question like this back in 2009, and I'm wondering if anyone else has more to add.
posted by apricot at 11:04 AM PST - 22 comments

If someone owns or works in more than one company and you know the name of one, how can you find out the name of the other one/s? [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 10:55 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm helping with research for a wedding speech which will talk about the tradition of two people drinking from the same cup. In Scotland this is known as the Quaiche ceremony. Some Native American tribes have a similar tradition involving a wedding vase (which has been surprisingly hard to research - pointers to respectful and trustworthy sources of information on this would be very much appreciated). My question: are there any other similar traditions from cultures around the world that could be incorporated into a speech?
posted by simonw at 10:51 AM PST - 14 comments

I got great answers to my recent related question, so I'm back with a birthday-related edition: Tell me about your favorite rituals or special things you do/have done to mark your birthday. These can be things you do every year or things associated with specific milestone birthdays. [more inside]
posted by aka burlap at 10:22 AM PST - 44 comments

Can anyone suggest an ios app that can be used for recording phone calls and doesn't require a monthly fee? Most of the recommendations I've seen so far are for Android only or have some kind of monthly cost. I'm looking for a solution where I pay a flat fee for the app and don't have any other ongoing costs. Thanks!
posted by Proginoskes at 10:19 AM PST - 5 comments

These are two separate relatives who live together and co-caregive. We are slowly changing circumstances so that my husband and I can be there more often, but when we are not, I would like to know (without calling them constantly and worrying when I can't get through). Neither has a smart phone and please believe me when I say neither would adjust well (or at all) to one. [more inside]
posted by pammeke at 10:03 AM PST - 11 comments

I work in a technical field. I have a coworker – a direct peer – who is very bad at communicating clearly. Is there anything we can do to coach them to communicate better? (Please don't say "fire them". Assume that's under consideration. I'm asking what can be done as a last-ditch, good-faith effort before firing them.) [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 8:06 AM PST - 19 comments

My GP referred me to a specialist. (I've been dealing with shifting symptoms and pain.) The specialist has horrible online ratings. Should I trust my GP and go to this guy anyway? [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 7:58 AM PST - 17 comments

I've seen this mentioned in a modern-day environmental document but cannot find a more substantial reference. Any ideas?
posted by mareli at 7:13 AM PST - 7 comments

I want to bake things, but I live in a different country and have some weird set limitations. [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 6:49 AM PST - 20 comments

Heya, I've got a question about a political movement?/group?/cult that's started up in my organising circles. Firstly, it's difficult to find out out about it due to the vagueness with which it's adherents are operating. The main sign is the changing of their profile pictures to this or something very similar. [more inside]
posted by AnhydrousLove at 6:37 AM PST - 21 comments

I work at a small store and am around my coworkers all day. I say hi to them when I come in, but how often should I acknowledge or talk to them whenever I see them later in the day? Like if I'm going down the escalator and Jane is coming up the up the escalator should/do I have to look at her or talk to her? [more inside]
posted by starlybri at 6:17 AM PST - 22 comments

There are so many types of finance professionals, what type should we be looking for to help us with our household financial operations and planning? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:12 AM PST - 5 comments

I currently do freelance work for two companies that very much want me to work for them full time, and have both, in the last week or so, posted job openings for the job they want me to take. Neither is a dream job of mine. Both are marketing positions, but one is for a commercial business, and the other is for a non-profit. Not surprisingly, the commercial business one would pay about $15k more a year. But how much should I value the ability of being proud of who I work for? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:12 AM PST - 20 comments

A former colleague wants to use me as a reference for a job application. I would love to tell potential employers how awesome she was. However, I recently changed jobs too, and joined a stealthy startup. Is there an accepted way to handle giving a recommendation when you have to be cagey about your current role/title/employer? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:12 AM PST - 9 comments

We get a farm box. It's lovely. The produce is nearly all unpackaged. How do you store produce in your fridge with a minimum of plastic? [more inside]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 11:04 PM PST - 29 comments

I've tried this style of coat on before and it was wonderfully comfortable and now that I'm in a climate that requires them, I'd like to find one. The generalized name seems to be a "deel" and it's a Mongolian style coat. What I'm specifically looking for is something akin to what the character on the right is wearing. I've found at least one person who makes something vaguely similar but it's not as thick as the one in the photograph. Where can I find something like this?
posted by Socinus at 10:48 PM PST - 7 comments

One of my favorite rockstars "retired" in 2010 and doesn't play publicly anymore, though he is only in his 30s. I was thinking about offering to fly him out to where I live so he can play a show for me and my friends (and maybe anyone with $10?) I would arrange a venue somehow? How much would I pay him? (The guy is folk-punk, and has played for maybe 2k people as a headliner at most.) I have a few grand I could spend to make this happen, and the thought is totally intoxicating. Obviously I have no idea if he'd even be interested, but help me think through this!
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 10:40 PM PST - 9 comments

I have a Adcom GTP-400 Preamp / Receiver and a GFA-535 amplifier. I have had issues where a channel (it can happen to either channel) will drop low and have some static. See inside for further explanation, but how can I try to fix this myself? [more inside]
posted by apetpsychic at 9:19 PM PST - 2 comments

Despite repeated efforts to remove all jam-causing threads after removing the bobbin (during which I in fact pulled out several bits of thread) and from behind the the bobbin holder of a Centennial Singer Featherweight 221-1 machine, (mine is almost identical) once the throat plate is screwed down again, the bobbin mechanism refuses to turn. Why? [more inside]
posted by Armed Only With Hubris at 9:17 PM PST - 9 comments

Asking for a miracle: I believe this thread was posted within the last year, but it could have been the last two years. This comment thread was unrelated (or only semi-related) to the content of the actual link posted to reddit. [more inside]
posted by Oliva Porphyria at 8:40 PM PST - 5 comments

Help me find recent (2017-present), interesting articles or videos about chronic or infectious disease topics to share with undergraduates. [more inside]
posted by terrierhead at 6:47 PM PST - 4 comments

Our family will have this Friday afternoon and evening to spend in Washington, what should we do to keep our toddler entertained? We are staying a short walk from union station so can take the metro, but also have access to a car.
posted by skewed at 6:26 PM PST - 15 comments

I attended a college that has since closed its doors. About 18 months ago, I requested and received my unofficial transcripts. Last month, I requested an official copy, and my letter of request came back to me via snail mail, marked "Box Closed," and I don't have a receipt for the $45 money order inside the envelope. [more inside]
posted by little_dog_laughing at 5:20 PM PST - 7 comments

I bought a new dishwasher and was about to hook up the electrical (hard wired) and saw the wires on the dishwasher are silver while the wires coming from the wall are copper. I assume this is an aluminum to copper connection and i can proceed, but i should buy the purple twist connectors to prevent corrosion. Is this correct?
posted by skinnydipp at 4:55 PM PST - 5 comments

My wife is teaching her dream class: a Freshman honors seminar on the scientific method, skepticism, and . . . Mythbusters! How can she get access to more episodes for educational use? [more inside]
posted by dellsolace at 4:51 PM PST - 10 comments

Spouse and I need to move our savings from the US to Canada. It's not, like, a ton of money but it's our life savings. Some of it is in taxable investment accounts and some is in tax-advantaged retirement accounts. What kind of professional do we want to help us sort out how to do this legally and without incurring a bunch of penalty taxes? And, how to find one? [more inside]
posted by quaking fajita at 4:49 PM PST - 2 comments

Our org is dropping Mac support and forcing us all to Windows - please help me feel less enraged (and yes I realize it is silly how upset I am by this) [more inside]
posted by UMDirector at 4:44 PM PST - 23 comments

Friend of mine works at a major retailer, call it Lacy's Department store. Out-of-state customer comes in with a brand new credit card and buys about $8000 in jewelry-rings & watches. Because it's a major purchase AND a new card, it automatically goes to approval through Loss Prevention. Friend gets paid in part by commission, so she's wary. Sure enough, within a week, every single piece is returned. But across six different non-contiguous states. But Lacy's doesn't return cash, gives store gift cards. This HAS to be a scam. But HOW? [more inside]
posted by beelzbubba at 4:43 PM PST - 9 comments

My partner and I want to marry one another. I have been married once before. We also want to have a baby in the next year. When/how/if best to have a wedding? [more inside]
posted by coppermoss at 4:16 PM PST - 13 comments

I graduated with a degree in the liberal arts and now work part time at a bank as a customer service representative. I'm in my mid twenties and having a very hard time landing another job. I'm not sure where I should be at all. Which skills should I focus on that will make me more marketable? What resources on the internet will be able to help me? I have some experience with html and Microsoft word but not enough to make me feel that I can put it on the resume. I do not want to work in sales at all.
posted by sheepishchiffon at 3:38 PM PST - 8 comments

Asking for a friend: My current driver's license expires after the 11th. I renewed my driver's license online a month and a half ago, but it was sent to the wrong address; now it appears I need to go in person to update my address and renew it. What are my options for handling this as easily as possibly? I'm in SF. [more inside]
posted by you could feel the sky at 2:34 PM PST - 9 comments

We're shopping for a new couch/loveseat or sectional. We're replacing leather couches, which have degraded over the years due to pet scratches, etc. We like the idea of something that's more cruelty free, so we were looking at some "leather-ish" furniture that doesn't look terrible. But how durable are these materials compared to real leather? Is there any particular material that we should be looking for? What about recycled leather? Trying to optimize the cost/durability/cruelty equation and not getting good answers from salespeople.
posted by tonycpsu at 2:22 PM PST - 8 comments

Sending out formal letters to people I don't know with names like Charles Nutter Butter, no hyphenation. Is it: Mr. Butter? Mr. Nutter Butter? Mr. Charles Nutter Butter? [more inside]
posted by angrycat at 1:34 PM PST - 18 comments

Is there a reason why I should not premix Restoralax with water ahead of use? I usually sprinkle about 1/4 tsp of Restoralax powder on my senior kitty's wet food, twice a day. At first this helped her "go," but it has been less effective lately, and I was advised by a vet tech once that it's ideal to mix it with water. The label (which was written with humans in mind) says to mix it with 17g with 250mL of water for one dose. [more inside]
posted by to recite so charmingly at 1:27 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm a department chair at a small liberal arts college. Today, a student informed me that she had heard a rumor that she and a professor in my department were engaged in a sexual relationship. She stated very firmly that there was nothing to the rumor and that the professor had never acted in any way that could be construed as inappropriate but that she was also worried that the rumor might get around and that he might be negatively affected by it. I let him know about the rumor without disclosing the identity of the student. Do I also need to inform the Title IX office? For the record, I am positive that the rumor is completely baseless.
posted by mrspotta at 1:22 PM PST - 13 comments

I conditionally agreed to carpool another teenager to school with mine. Conditions seem to be changing. How do I handle this ethically, also practically the conversation with the other parents? [more inside]
posted by corb at 11:58 AM PST - 52 comments

It’s been a tough couple weeks for our household. Looking for advice on the most professionally and personally safe way for my spouse to leave a high stress job with frequent last-minute travel. We’re lucky enough to have several options, including medical leave, so I’ve provided many details inside, TLDR question at the end. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:15 AM PST - 12 comments

I’m mildly obese and have been for years. I occasionally get comments and advice about this, often well-intentioned, sometimes not. I always react to any comment that mentions the size of my body by visibly tearing up. Recently, a random elderly lady acquaintance told me, “you’re so skinny! You need to eat more!” and I cried. What I can I do to adjust my in-the-moment reaction? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:11 AM PST - 8 comments

My master Bathroom has a 5' by 18' area that has a bathtub square in the middle and no shower. I've never really done a bathroom renovation before, so I have several questions, but the big one is about the style and layout of the doors/curtain. Probably more than you need to know inside! [more inside]
posted by bbqturtle at 11:01 AM PST - 18 comments

I use a double edge safety razor and bought a strop to keep the blades sharp. However, I have been unsuccessful at developing the proper technique. Every time I use the strop, the blade is duller than when I started. I am using something like this: Strop Belt Are you using a DE safety razor and a strop successfully and what are your tips to improve my technique?
posted by GernBlandston at 10:45 AM PST - 7 comments

I recently accepted a job as a technical writer. This will include, among other new and intimidating things, the expectation that I verbally interview subject matter experts and/or take detailed notes at their meetings for the purposes of incorporating the information into reports. I am worried that my social anxiety is going to make this... challenging. [more inside]
posted by space snail at 9:23 AM PST - 11 comments

I would like to consume fruity muesli on a semi-regular basis. I would like to put minimal labor into it. Please tell me exactly how to do this in the way that involves the absolute least amount of effort from me but also has a good end product. [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 9:19 AM PST - 10 comments

Many Mennonite farms in the area display roadside signs like this. I'd like to identify the font on this particular sign and to know more about where such signs come from. [more inside]
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:56 AM PST - 7 comments

I’ve had the same email address for a very long time (associated with a local ISP who do email forwarding). For a number of reasons, I’d like to start using a new address at a domain I own: myfirstname@mylastname.com. I’m looking for advice and tips on how to transition to a new address. Also advice on using myfirstname@mylastname.com as an email address, when there are other people in the world with the same last name as me. [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 8:48 AM PST - 20 comments

My spouse has banned our 2-year-old from watching Adventure Time based on this scene. I want to push back – but maybe they're right? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:27 AM PST - 53 comments

My wife and I have been using the same Apple ID for the last 10 years. We would like to bite the bullet and migrate her to her own Apple ID. What is the least disruptive way to do this? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 8:24 AM PST - 7 comments

Do you know of a LSAT test prep class that you would recommend? I'm in NYC, and willing to invest what I need to. My goal is to get a score of 170 or higher. (Please do not recommend self-study as opposed to a course - your mileage very much varies from mine. Though I will accept prep materials you may no longer need!) Thanks, y'all
posted by anthropoid at 8:07 AM PST - 5 comments

I need to do some research on fandoms, and I could use some direction. Obviously Star Wars/Trek, Marvel, AT, etc etc have large followings, but I could use examples of fandoms supporting independent creators. [more inside]
posted by o2b at 7:42 AM PST - 13 comments

From Frankenstein. Why does the monster often use an archaic word-thou- when he talks to Frankenstein? What's the difference between you and thou here actually? I'd like to know its effect when the archaic word is used in the story.Thank you.
posted by mizukko at 7:41 AM PST - 10 comments

Where can I get a good manicure in Boston tomorrow near or in the South Bay train station? No pedicure needed. [more inside]
posted by bilabial at 5:46 AM PST - 7 comments

I bought the bottom part of a chandelier which has three hooks (for three chains). I'd like to use rods rather than chains (or rods with chains in them if necessary), but am not sure how to assemble it or what kind of chandelier canopy (the piece that attaches to the ceiling) I should get- can I use one of the vintage ebay ones with one hook or do I need to buy one that has three hooks, etc. If you've done this before, could you explain how I should proceed?
posted by arnicae at 11:46 PM PST - 2 comments

With Kindle books, is there still a way to access a file that can be transferred and read? [more inside]
posted by miss lynnster at 10:55 PM PST - 8 comments

I have an 80’s or 90’s 3D computer game stuck in my head that I swear I am not making up. Here is what I can remember: [more inside]
posted by q*ben at 9:58 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm thinking of driving solo from Adelaide to Cairns to visit a friend, then driving back. I've flown before; my reason for driving is to see a part of the country I haven't seen before. But my main aim is to get to my destination, not to stop and sightsee. Can you give me advice about how to manage the journey sensibly? How many days to allow? Best places to stay overnight? General tips for travelling through rural Australia? [more inside]
posted by paleyellowwithorange at 7:26 PM PST - 21 comments

Frozen pork breakfast sausage... how solid should I expect it to be when frozen? [more inside]
posted by pseudostrabismus at 6:57 PM PST - 8 comments

My mom is intense, and I have a hard time disentangling myself emotionally. Strategies on how to establish boundaries? Complication: I’m reliant on her financially to pay for school. [more inside]
posted by typify at 5:39 PM PST - 18 comments

For a friend: where do I suggest a friend go who has revealed to me that she is addicted to opioids (painkiller pills)? Would like to find a medical detox, preferably in New York City, that will give her appropriate medications as she detoxes. Would a hospital be her best bet? Which ones have this? She has what's considered good medical insurance (private; not Medicaid or Medicare). Thank you.
posted by DMelanogaster at 5:31 PM PST - 4 comments

A place I applied to as manager for a job two years ago has since gone through two managers. I thought I was qualified then after having just completed a successful project for the place as a contractor, and with a lifetime of related and specific experience. I have a good reputation for good work and get along well with everyone else when I do come in to do volunteer work. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:08 PM PST - 7 comments

I design and manage large and complex landscapes - I also work alone so don't have staff to manage this for me. I have quite a few on the go at any one time across a wide area - it's all becoming unmanageable. [more inside]
posted by unearthed at 4:32 PM PST - 7 comments

My brother is looking for a new career direction and would love some suggestions for directions to look. Snowflakes within. [more inside]
posted by forza at 4:27 PM PST - 13 comments

PhaseOne just emailed me to inform me that they are ceasing development of Media Pro SE, the Mac OS Digital Asset Management software that I've used to catalogue and find my photos and videos since 2004 when it was iView Media Pro. It's a 32-bit application, which soon won't run on the latest Mac OS. I need a replacement. [more inside]
posted by brianogilvie at 3:39 PM PST - 5 comments

My fiance and I have been in SF for about two years and we are not enamored. Would Oakland suit us better? [more inside]
posted by queens86 at 3:24 PM PST - 16 comments

What is the best way to approach car pricing negotiation? [more inside]
posted by gregjunior at 3:10 PM PST - 17 comments

I've read a bajillion things on sleep debt, deprivation, sleep apnea, etc, and how it can affect your health. While I realize people can have multiple conditions that may affect their weight and health, I have found zero data anywhere on anyone even suggesting that sleep deprivation can cause unwanted weight loss - only gain. Is this not considered possible? [more inside]
posted by bitterkitten at 2:41 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm relatively car-repair competent. I'm capable of doing maintenance like changing oil filters, brakes, and fan belts. What are good resources for increasing my automotive knowledge? [more inside]
posted by Grandysaur at 2:14 PM PST - 5 comments

I’m terrified. My life is about to fall apart. I am about to run out of money and have no source of income and nothing in the horizon. I’m freaked out and seemingly unable to do anything about fixing my life; rather it feels like watching a train wreck in slow motion. I have zero idea where to turn. What do people do these situations? [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 12:10 PM PST - 33 comments