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On a scale of "go for it" to "run, don't walk away"... How hard is it to replace the radio in a 2015 Nissan Leaf S? [more inside]
posted by rouftop at 9:34 PM PST - 11 comments

Is there a better way to make a sketch, apply marker over the sketch, and then erase the sketch? [more inside]
posted by polecat at 8:43 PM PST - 20 comments

Movers we hired damaged structure within the apartment complex we were moving out of with their truck. Landlord is billing us for the repair and the moving company only wants to pay for 15% of the $1000+ repair cost. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:01 PM PST - 11 comments

I was a depressed and anxious youngster with a lot going on. I threw myself into work + lots of coping strategies and tools. It worked too well and now I'm entering mid-life "stuff" with a weird lack of emotional-and-life landscape. I don't know what to call this? Snowflakes Inside. [more inside]
posted by mah-flaming-alt at 7:52 PM PST - 13 comments

I have a LibreOffice spreadsheet (actually saved as .xls) (sample file here). I'm struggling to figure out conditional formatting. [more inside]
posted by kathrynm at 5:57 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm going to be in Philadelphia next week, and will be meeting up with friends to celebrate my birthday, a new job, and one of my friend's birthdays. We would like to do a nice dinner out, but outdoor seating is a must. [more inside]
posted by pumpkinlatte at 5:45 PM PST - 4 comments

I need to track my hours at job, preferably on my iPhone, what App do you suggest? Details inside! [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:33 PM PST - 4 comments

What's some good hip-hop (or any rap music) with Arabic-language lyrics? Current is best, but good albums from the past are good too.
posted by 4th number at 3:40 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for recommendations for a menopause practitioner in Seattle or South King County. Difficulty level: should be nonbinary-inclusive (e.g., able to deal with health/wellness for people with uteruses without enforcing norms of femininity), and not at Swedish (Polyclinic/UW/VM ok) due to insurance network limitations.
posted by matildaben at 3:21 PM PST - 3 comments

All of a sudden, like today, my wife and I are being blocked from accessing around 50% of the websites we try to link to. How do we fix this ... since we can't Google the answer. [more inside]
posted by lpsguy at 3:09 PM PST - 13 comments

My wife is having her hysterectomy today and while trying to be supportive I already made a mistake by suggesting that during her recovery I could take her for lots of long, scenic drives to areas that she loves... [more inside]
posted by McNulty at 2:50 PM PST - 24 comments

I have a recorded Zoom meeting with an auto-generated transcript file. I have to trim off the first 15 minutes of the video. When I upload to YouTube, I can't get the video to sync with the transcript. Is there some way to make this work? [more inside]
posted by radioamy at 2:22 PM PST - 3 comments

What hardware and distribution should I get instead of another MacBook? [more inside]
posted by signal at 11:49 AM PST - 29 comments

I grew up regularly going to Joe's Shanghai in Chinatown and eating a dish I believe was called "Braised bean curd with pork" I have ordered many a bean curd dish in the twenty years since then but never found one that seemed at all similar. Is there a way I could make it for myself? [more inside]
posted by you'rerightyou'rerightiknowyou'reright at 11:38 AM PST - 13 comments

I have an employee who tries her best but every poster or piece of web content seems...off. As in the call to action is a smaller font than the date. Her sad commemoration posters are in bright colors. If I were guessing, I would say it's because it's her first gig and there's a lot she just doesn't know. It would be great to point her to a site to give her samples to work off. Does such a place exist?
posted by rileyray3000 at 11:31 AM PST - 14 comments

I have an opportunity to move into my boyfriend's house and save a serious amount of money but am torn because it would mean moving away from a close friend/neighbor whose illness is now terminal. Snowflakes below the fold. [more inside]
posted by JaneTheGood at 11:22 AM PST - 23 comments

Looking for comedy like Saiki K or Welcome to Demon School... suggestions? [more inside]
posted by xarnop at 11:09 AM PST - 11 comments

I've been working with a psychiatric nurse practitioner for the past two years, recommended by my (very rational, intelligent) therapist. This nurse practitioner has been great - helping me find the right medications for my mental health challenges (anxiety + depression). However, she just recommended a lab test from a provider that is setting off some scammy alarm bells for me - how should I handle? [more inside]
posted by Uncle Glendinning at 10:05 AM PST - 11 comments

Simple question: What are these two connector types called? I need to order an adapter that will let me join these cables end-to-end. They're both GPS antenna cables. In case it matters, this is for a Verizon network extender that requires a GPS antenna to be mounted in a window.
posted by alex1965 at 9:51 AM PST - 8 comments

I had a Tdap booster in 2014. I just stepped on a rusty screw. Do I need to go get a tetanus shot? [more inside]
posted by bluloo at 9:16 AM PST - 11 comments

I am happy with Ubuntu in every regard but I don't feel like Googling for peripheral-related help, so I was wondering if you all knew the easiest way to get a USB webcam working. Logitech etc? It could be that it's no problem at all, but it'd be great to get some simple guidance! Thanks :) [more inside]
posted by vocativecase at 8:58 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm trying to track down info on meaning of the tattoo on this woman's wrist and Google is not working well for this. Thanks.
posted by gfrobe at 7:25 AM PST - 3 comments

I work on a collective project with some colleagues, one of whom set up a shared OneDrive folder for us (from a personal account). I can't get this to recognize my OneDrive account (institutional, so a business account), or vice versa. This means that I can't edit the folder or the files in it. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by lapsangsouchong at 7:20 AM PST - 3 comments

My iPhone told me Sept. 29 that I had possibly been exposed to COVID-19 some time in the previous two weeks. When I look at the relevant screen in the Exposure Notifications system, it says "You may have been exposed to COVID-19 / September 21, 2021." What's that date for? Did it detect it eight days ago and not get around to notifying me? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 7:07 AM PST - 13 comments

I’ve been grinding my own beans and using a French press lately, but I’m finding that many of the whole bean coffees I buy have a molasses smell and taste and I’m not a fan. I bought super fancy Onyx coffee and it was just all molasses all over the place. I’m assuming this is something to do with the roasting process of the beans but I can’t identify whether it’s light or dark or whatever. What beans or roast should I buy that don’t have this molasses-y component?
posted by tatiana wishbone at 6:35 AM PST - 9 comments

Winter approaches, the pandemic continues, and I want to increase my stamina. Looking to buy some kind of cardio equipment, but not sure what. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 6:23 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm noticing a lot of new cars who look like they missed a color coat of paint. What's up with that? [more inside]
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:12 AM PST - 14 comments

Looking for a family retreat center for vacation in August 2022. Need your help finding options! [more inside]
posted by ChristineSings at 9:46 PM PST - 5 comments

I’ll be in Carlsbad on Friday. I need to be in Albuquerque by Saturday afternoon. Can you recommend things to do or places to eat in between? We’ll already have seen White Sands National Park.
posted by ldthomps at 9:00 PM PST - 14 comments

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good marriage counselor in the Boston area? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:19 PM PST - 3 comments

I would like to recommend my Professor a few books (through email) they may like, but I am not sure if it's too forward or best to wait until after I have finished their course? I don't wish to come off as a teacher's pet or anything, but I genuinely think they will enjoy it as it relates to their academic work.
posted by RearWindow at 7:29 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm trying to mildly reduce my family's sugar intake, but not by swapping in "natural" sugars. What are some good books or websites for sensible, slightly less sweet baking recipes these days? [more inside]
posted by slightlybewildered at 6:04 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm in the middle of a writing project about tech and I've reached the point were I need to discuss Heidegger, whose Question Concerning Technology is considered one of the cornerstones of the philosophy of technology. I don't know how to address his Nazism. [more inside]
posted by not_the_water at 3:47 PM PST - 8 comments

As it says. [more inside]
posted by firstdaffodils at 3:45 PM PST - 3 comments

My mom is just out of the hospital and needs to be hooked up to tanks of oxygen at home. She needs one of those small handbag-size devices (a POC) that she can move around with more easily -- to go to the store, etc. [more inside]
posted by zenpop at 3:38 PM PST - 5 comments

I’m off for a play soon (not Hamlet!) but it’s by a playwright I adore. I haven’t read this particular play - it’s kind of brand new. Should I read it before I go or after I’ve been for it?
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 2:51 PM PST - 28 comments

I put all of the music I have in a single folder on an external hard drive. I want this to be my iTunes library. When I open iTunes and go to the Advanced section to reroute it, it just... doesn't do anything. Apparently I'm missing this vital document and I don't know how to create it. Apple refuses to help me. [more inside]
posted by tzikeh at 2:36 PM PST - 8 comments

What kind of lightbulbs do I need for these sconces? This seems so silly but I've spent a fair amount of time googling and come up empty. [more inside]
posted by wuzandfuzz at 2:26 PM PST - 6 comments

I unfriended some people on Facebook. I regret it. What would you do in my situation? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:32 PM PST - 36 comments

I’m very, very likely going to quit my job soon, without a backup plan. How do I explain this down the line to a potential future employer? [more inside]
posted by otenba at 8:26 AM PST - 26 comments

In preparation for our vacation in the woods by a river, I'm looking for everyone's favorite 1) non-fiction books that meditate on nature, and 2) collections of nature-focused poetry. [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 8:00 AM PST - 32 comments

18:9 screen + Android + Chromium + Youtube desktop version + Fullscreen = Pain + Fail. Why? How fix? [more inside]
posted by Otto Franz Joseph Leopold von Soxen-Puppetten at 7:22 AM PST - 1 comment

I roasted a whole kabocha in chunks last night, and it came out unpleasantly slimy. Help me remediate it! [more inside]
posted by Lawn Beaver at 6:57 AM PST - 7 comments

There is a new Hulu show called Only Murders in the Building. The show gets its title from a true-crime podcast created by the three main characters that is also called "Only Murders in the Building". The show seems to think this is an obvious reference to something but neither I, nor anyone I've asked, nor folks on FanFare, seem to get the joke. Any ideas? [No major spoilers in the question, but I can't speak for the answers, obvs.] [more inside]
posted by Rock Steady at 6:00 AM PST - 14 comments

Is there a way to set a Google custom search engine to a specified website and follow links on that website for one hop to return results from those pages as well (/only) [more inside]
posted by mathiu at 4:03 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm in charge of fundraising at my child's school's PTA and we have been approached about accepting cryptocurrency. I'm not sure what to think, details inside. [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 2:27 AM PST - 43 comments

I have downloaded a few packs of brushes for procreate and have been wildly disappointed. Most of them are just patterns that you can over or underlay something with. I am doing mostly cartooning, pop art, painting and realism. Does anyone have any packs with actually legit brushes that they’ve tried? Which ones?
posted by jitterbug perfume at 2:26 AM PST - 2 comments

I've been following some of the lovely animations on the #GLSL Twitter feed, which I'd like to try out and tweak on my own, so that I can perhaps figure out how they work. My efforts to bring the code posted within the tweets into online tools like GLSL Sandbox and twigl.app result in syntax errors and seem to be dead ends. Am I missing something about using these tools? Are there easier ways to explore these?
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 2:22 AM PST - 4 comments

Success stories only: do you live in a cell service dead zone? Have you had success with a cellular antenna/booster? If so, which model, and where do you have it installed? [more inside]
posted by al_fresco at 10:11 PM PST - 13 comments

Where are the leggings of my dreams, right now? (As opposed to the leggings I loved before, which are no longer available.) Parameters inside. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:20 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for any books, articles, or documentaries about pre-2000 DIY subcultures (but not music genres/scenes) that had an active life of at least 1-5 years and had some sort of impact or influence on society or eventually became mainstream.
posted by perhapses at 7:17 PM PST - 21 comments

My favorite iOS calendar app has been abandoned and I need recommendations for a replacement app. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by karizma at 3:21 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm 38 years old and contemplating a career change into medicine, from a completely unrelated non-STEM field. I've just started with the prerequisite biology and chemistry courses and am having a tough time. I need some tips on how to adjust and acclimate. [more inside]
posted by averageamateur at 3:16 PM PST - 15 comments

I want to create non-stop mixes from my music library, for walking/jogging. Like, a solid hour of one song transitioning into another, with matched BPM. [more inside]
posted by xedrik at 1:47 PM PST - 10 comments

I want to stop yearning for a relationship with my father, or, barring that, accept that I will just keep having this unmet desire. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:27 PM PST - 12 comments

Why did this checkmark appear on my phone? [more inside]
posted by FJT at 1:12 PM PST - 5 comments

Why aren't our late-stage-capitalist overlords savvy enough to know she's 10? Also, how is she even in their database SHE IS TEN YEARS OLD? Is there some kind of illegal information leak I need to plug? Is this normal in America? Am I overreacting?
posted by MiraK at 12:22 PM PST - 15 comments

Long story short (snowflakes below the fold &c &c), I left a CS PhD program at one university about a year and a half ago. This was partly so that I could live with my then-fiancee, and now my wife, and partly because I wanted to branch out. But after a year and change of trying to work with my new advisor, I'm realizing that changing programs was a big mistake. I'm not sure what to do. [more inside]
posted by phack at 12:19 PM PST - 17 comments

What is this picture? I found it online as a right-wing meme labeled "Obedience is Not a Virtue." Is it real? [Content warning: Holocaust / death camp imagery] [more inside]
posted by Rash at 12:07 PM PST - 3 comments

A friend is considering their first smart phone, mostly for ebooks and podcasts. They have some neuropathy (numbness and discomfort in the hands). Is there a lightweight, comfortable iPhone? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 10:19 AM PST - 26 comments

I'm seeking Mefite recommendations for European tour companies and/or specific summer tours you've taken geared toward families. [more inside]
posted by rabidsegue at 10:15 AM PST - 5 comments

I’ve come into some tasty apples I want to preserve so I’m planning to make this recipe for preserving apple pie filling. However I’d be mostly eating it in oatmeal and on ice cream instead of baking it into a pie. Do you think this recipe would result in a sufficiently cooked filling to be tasty without the step of baking it in a pie crust? Thanks!
posted by skycrashesdown at 10:09 AM PST - 5 comments

I am the proud new owner of two kittens and totally in love, but now want to make sure house stays super-clean. (This is one reason I put off animals for a long time, b/c I kinda got ick'ed out visiting dirty homes of people with cats and dogs. I am now realizing that cats are actually very clean, but their humans were kinda dirty.) [more inside]
posted by namemeansgazelle at 10:00 AM PST - 37 comments

I have an important travel document that I need to use next week. It is only available as a PKPass file. I need to open it on my iPad. Every guide I’ve found online tells me to open it in Apple Wallet, but it isn’t available for iPad, it seems. I have tried three different apps, but I can’t send the PKPass file from Files or Drive or Dropbox to any of them. How do I open a PKPass file on iPad?
posted by Kattullus at 9:26 AM PST - 10 comments

We drink a lot of cans of Bubly^TM sparkling water in our house. A lot. A case or two a day, and we have since the start of the pandemic. Bubly cans come with colorful little pull tabs with friendly greetings on them. We've saved all of ours, thousands of them in various colors. Kiddo wants us to make a chain mail suit of armor from these tabs for Halloween. How do we go about this? (Additional pertinent info in "more.") [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:43 AM PST - 25 comments

Biologists/virologists/science types: If one were able to collect MANY MANY MANY individual particles of the novel coronavirus, and one were to, well, bake them in a pan, what would it be like? [more inside]
posted by millipede at 8:14 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm reading "Girl Mans Up" by M E Girard. I've reached chapter 18 which describes a sexual assault. I would like to know if this story is building towards further escalation of sexual violence, so I can decide whether or not to continue reading. Spoilers follow... [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 8:03 AM PST - 2 comments

So I have a finite collection of random stuff I want to sell on eBay - a graphic novel series, a couple of other collectible books, a couple of random collectible doodads. I have never sold anything on ebay before and am looking for advice - but all the sites I'm finding are geared more towards someone who's going to set up an ongoing storefront as a side hustle. I don't want to do that, I just want to sell off four or five things that could potentially make some money, and then be done. What's a good guide to help me do that?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:00 AM PST - 11 comments

there's lots of stuff I need up there, and also stuff I need to put up there, and at the moment because of fear of falling down a two floor drop, and not being able to carry things and climb the ladder, I'm waiting for my male friends to visit to do this for me which is pretty unsustainable! [more inside]
posted by starstarstar at 7:19 AM PST - 14 comments

I have an unopened bag of chopped-up Dole mango that’s been in my fridge since Thursday. I just read the back and found out it should have been frozen this whole time. Is it still safe to eat?
posted by pxe2000 at 5:59 AM PST - 4 comments

A couple of years ago I read about an artist that had some cool graphics and stuff for a 2D platformer, but no programmer to implement the game itself. They taught themselves to program and managed to cobble together a working, enjoyable game that was a modest success on Steam. Then they released the source code, which was, ahem, "unconventional". IIRC, the concept of loops in code had eluded them, and the resulting solutions to overcome this little lack of understanding was nothing short of glorious. [more inside]
posted by Harald74 at 4:02 AM PST - 2 comments

Currently really, really suffering with seemingly non-allergic (or non specific?) rhinitis. If I'm not dosed up on antihistamines, which make me really groggy and sleepy, I'm sneezing uncontrollably blocked up and/or dripping out of my nose. It's horrible and debilitating. I've got an appointment with my doctor in a week's time but until then I'd love to feel better without feeling half dead from groggyness. [more inside]
posted by dance at 2:48 AM PST - 20 comments

An interior wall has a few spots where the paint has come away and the underneath is crumbling (see images on Imgur). The wall doesn't have any pipework or anything behind it. Feels dry to the touch and there's no water damage visible anywhere around the wall. Is this a localised issue that I can sand, polyfil and repaint? Or is something more disturbing afoot? The building is an ex-local authority maisonette, built in the 70s.
posted by Cantdosleepy at 2:05 AM PST - 6 comments

I react emotionally to things. Most humans do, but my emotions overtake me too easily when dealing with negative feelings. I would like to understand the therapeutic treatment approach(es) I ought to be exploring and considering to improve this side of myself. Details below. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:12 AM PST - 24 comments

I work in post secondary education. My boss has asked me to come up with a list of graduate degree programs and choose one I would like to pursue. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:11 AM PST - 5 comments

My partner often doesn't believe things I say- usually trivial things, until now (CW ill/dying pet). Please help me verbalize/address this... [more inside]
posted by rose-selavy at 9:49 PM PST - 33 comments

Our bath tub plug got lost and I can't seem to find a replacement for it. It's an older style I guess, so my trip to Home Depot was fruitless. Photos are here, I'd even I guess be open to replacing the mechanism if it were easy enough to do, but I can't see a way to remove the bar. [more inside]
posted by Carillon at 8:17 PM PST - 13 comments

Hi Ask Me, I've been wrestling with a very weird Steam issue for the past few days, and wondered if anyone here had any ideas. The client is basically not displaying its UI as I'd expect, which makes interacting with it rather difficult. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 7:31 PM PST - 6 comments

I want to know of any mythological/fictional characters that are doomed to search for something and never find it. [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 7:03 PM PST - 22 comments

Where can I find a small beaded coin purse like this? [more inside]
posted by extramundane at 6:04 PM PST - 5 comments

I lost the handle to a gas ball valve on the gas line to my grill and I am going crazy trying to replace it. [more inside]
posted by Mid at 5:11 PM PST - 13 comments

I work in residential design and I want an easy way to share a link to the "latest and greatest" version of documents for all the tradespeople who work on a project. I heard of an idea to do a QR code which would be an easy thing to print up, plaster around the job site and/or put on the documents as well. [more inside]
posted by amanda at 4:16 PM PST - 7 comments

Need local knowledge for two 50-something totally chill friends convening in Madison WI over Oct 15-17. Where to stay? We'd love to share a place on or walkable to water, bonus if somewhat central and able to access some great places on foot, but not a must. [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 3:29 PM PST - 10 comments

My family is planning a little reunion for Thanksgiving in Niagara Falls, NY. We don't have valid passports so we need to stay on the US side. Aside from The Falls, what else should we see? Especially seeking Covid-friendly activities like walks or even outdoor dining.
posted by underthehat at 2:28 PM PST - 6 comments

What to do to make it flourish again? [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano at 1:22 PM PST - 8 comments

My partner and I split about a year ago. It has been mostly amicable as these things go. We have a six-year-old son. My partner wants to occasionally spend time with the three of us together. She thinks this will be good for our son. I don't *hate* the idea, but I'd be happiest not to, and it's not obvious to me that it would be good for him. Advice? [more inside]
posted by PersonPerson at 1:07 PM PST - 26 comments

I manage a small hotel that is trying to a) get more direct bookings and b) increase its positive reviews, and need to provide a report to the higher-ups on what we can/should do. [more inside]
posted by slater at 12:33 PM PST - 9 comments

I am two years out of an emotionally abusive marriage and about one year into a much healthier partnership. I still sometimes react (more so emotionally, less so outwardly) as if my partner is my ex husband. Give me tips on how to get through these reactions, and tell about how you healed from relationship trauma and how long it took? [more inside]
posted by bridgebury at 12:19 PM PST - 7 comments

My partner and I are at a potential impasse and want to try couples therapy. I haven't had the best experiences with individual therapists, so would love your suggestions on how to find someone who can properly support us. [more inside]
posted by internet of pillows at 11:53 AM PST - 5 comments

We’re driving a 2WD Honda Element and a 20-lb dog. We're new to winter car travel in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. We’re planning day visits and hikes only, no camping in the park, November 8-12, 2021. The Park Service website has lots of information. So much. I’m continuing to research and attempt to filter it down to fit our plans and aspirations, but it’s time to ask the Wise Ones. [more inside]
posted by conscious matter at 11:37 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a very smart, talented academic for a father-in-law, who has overcome a lot of trauma over the course of his life. To cope with the latest tragedy to befall him, he's been working on a novel. He's also been enjoying spending time with his granddaughters, who are around the age of 10. He shared his novel with me and other people. It contains some sexual content that I find very disturbing. [more inside]
posted by theefixedstars at 11:32 AM PST - 50 comments

My whole life, I've had a problem where I continue to "hear" quiet sounds long after they're gone. I had a hearing test that came up as normal, but I have concerns about how the test was conducted and how it interacts with this problem. I have another hearing test coming up and want to figure out how to verbalize this or if there is an alternate test I can ask for. [more inside]
posted by brook horse at 11:20 AM PST - 5 comments

I e-filed our US Federal Income Tax return in early March, and just got our refund a few days ago. Should I be worried? [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 10:28 AM PST - 4 comments

I was doing some paddling in the Lachine Canal this summer and for about 10 minutes at sunset (could be sunrise too, I don't know), lots of these very small fish would jump out of the water, presumably to get insects. This happened every week. What fish are they?
posted by jeather at 10:21 AM PST - 2 comments

In math, there are two basic ways to describe a set: (1) Directly specify what is in the set, either by simply listing the contents or by giving a rule to directly generate them. (2) Start with a larger set, and describe which items in that set are to be retained. I'm looking for a memorable pair of contrasting terms to describe these two approaches broadly to students. These terms do not need to be in existing use; be as creative as you like. [more inside]
posted by aws17576 at 8:57 AM PST - 26 comments

As noted in my last question, I will be on the UWS in NYC this weekend and will depart via Amtrak at NYP. I'd like to eat before my 7pm train. I don't plan on eating inside, including any of the semi-enclosed outdoor dining "sheds." Patio or takeaway required. There are a million options, of course, but do you have anyplace you'd recommend in particular at this point in 2021? Any cuisine is good! [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 8:51 AM PST - 9 comments

What kind of hobbies could I have "Around" to entertain my father while he visits us in a few weeks? [more inside]
posted by bbqturtle at 8:21 AM PST - 33 comments

So I'm about to list my condo for sale. The first weekend it's on the market, I am taking the cat and we are going to my partner's place from Friday through Sunday to let people have an easier time just seeing it since it will be empty. I have questions/concerns/thoughts about the entire showing process. I've never been through this, so I was hoping those of you who have, would be able to answer my concerns. [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:16 AM PST - 14 comments

Please recommend good, recent(ish(<=10y)) pop/rock/whatever songs built around or heavily dependent on their bass tracks. [more inside]
posted by signal at 7:43 AM PST - 16 comments

My pepper crop is coming in, and I've definitely planted too much. I've never made hot sauce, but I figure this is a good time to try it out, but I don't even know where to start. [more inside]
posted by Ghidorah at 6:28 AM PST - 15 comments

I have a pair of Cat boots - leather upper, rubber sole, the kind that look like Redwings but cheaper - and they're in perfect shape except that one sole has peeled away from the upper in comical Charlie Chaplin fashion. Looks like it should be a fairly easy fix with the right glue, but which should I use? [more inside]
posted by BlueNorther at 5:49 AM PST - 7 comments

I've been reading some of Irvin D. Yalom's vignettes and a novel, and while I enjoy his style, he personally annoys the shit out of me. It's the relentless male gaze on all his female patients and the coy, humorous allusions to his own vanity. So I was wondering if there's someone I could be reading who's not quite as white male genius about it. I have read Lori Gottlieb and found her book all right.
posted by Omnomnom at 4:12 AM PST - 3 comments

I have been friends with my mother for all my adult life. I now need to go forward by being their offspring without being a friend. I have no idea how that kind of relationship looks, and would appreciate descriptions or insight from people who've done the same: a distanced filial relationship, no friendship but not a cut-off of contact. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:01 AM PST - 6 comments

I've struggled with debilitating social anxiety for the longest time, since earliest childhood I was very very shy, partly ( I believe) due to a traumatic an extremely overly controlled childhood and teenage environment. I was on SSRIs for a long time (almost a decade) which helped take the edge off, but I've come off them as I realised they were functioning as a band aid on wounds and I wasn't dealing with the roots of the problem. I am currently in group therapy which I think is helping somewhat, but - and I know this is speculation, I almost feel like this is in my DNA, if that makes sense. I've never not felt like this, so it feels near impossible to overcome. It boggles my mind to witness and experience people who are able to function effectively and not worry too much what others think of them, it feels like a superpower. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 2:05 AM PST - 12 comments

Is there a piece of furniture that magically fits our requirements and could act as a dresser and landing space for guest's cosmetics? [more inside]
posted by socky bottoms at 7:25 PM PST - 17 comments

If you have a nightstand that you like that’s less than 16” wide, please tell me about it. Other desired criteria: 1+ drawer (ideally full extension), less than 24” tall, not white, Shaker / MCM / Danish modern style, solid wood or plywood (higher quality MDF not a dealbreaker, but particle board is). Up to 20” deep is ok. No IKEA (not even Hemnes). [more inside]
posted by supercres at 5:47 PM PST - 19 comments

I need to find a reliable, inexpensive cloud-based file sharing service for between 100G - 1T of files where ~10 people have upload rights to a shared location and 40 more people have read-only access. [more inside]
posted by roue at 4:09 PM PST - 10 comments

Perennial student of voice, female, in menopause. My voice tears and breaks up in the midrange. How do I get B3 to F4 not to sound like Mel Blanc doing Elmer Fudd? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 4:05 PM PST - 7 comments

Looking for "current live stream theater plays" finds articles from last year, earlier this year, and one free broadcast of the Tony awards. Is there some kind of listing somewhere? Or can you recommend a specific web broadcast? Must be live - the theater controls the timing. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 2:31 PM PST - 3 comments

A Child's Christmas in Wales and what else? For last book club meeting of the year please suggest a short novel or collected short stories themed to year's end. [more inside]
posted by xaryts at 12:41 PM PST - 9 comments

I just finished Contradiction and I loved it. I also liked Her Story, Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, and Dear Esther. I loved exploring a mystery, with no urgency or time pressure. I tried Erica, but it was too bloody and horrible. So I am not interested in horror games, but murder as a theme is OK. Beautiful graphics and good acting ideally. Can you recommend others? I'm on a PC. Thanks for any suggestions!
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 12:22 PM PST - 31 comments

Last time I made hot fudge sauce, the flavour came out way too syrupy for my tastes. I want to make it again, but I'm not sure what parts of the recipe or ratios to tweak to make it taste closer to the way I want it. [more inside]
posted by terretu at 11:02 AM PST - 9 comments

What sorts of DIY phone diagnostics/analytics can help me troubleshoot a really weird iPhone problem? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 10:21 AM PST - 12 comments

I remember watching a sort of "how do they do that" show about movie visual effects that would have been on Sci-Fi Channel somewhere between 1995 and 2000-ish. What was it called and can I watch it anywhere? [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter at 10:12 AM PST - 4 comments

Our home has tile on its main entry walkway, but it’s not outdoor tile - it is incredibly slippery when wet or icy. Short of tearing all of it out, are there any solutions that could improve this situation and - bonus - not look like garbage? [more inside]
posted by hijinx at 10:11 AM PST - 13 comments

I want to hang two 10" planters from my ceiling, which is (kind of old) plaster. I need to locate the joist, and have some thoughts about how to do that. What I'm really stuck on is what kind of screws I need: How long do they need to be to go through the plaster and into the joist securely? [more inside]
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 10:09 AM PST - 8 comments

Sometimes when I use text to speech on a PDF file on my Mac it will read by spelling the words, rather than saying them. This makes it nearly impossible to understand the meaning. Is there a way to prevent this? Does anyone know why this would happen? Are there strategies that I should know that can prevent it from happening?
posted by mortaddams at 9:17 AM PST - 6 comments

Three of my last 4 phones (Note 5, 8, and Note Ultra 20 5G) have stopped accepting charge via their charge ports and can only be charged wirelessly. Why? The most recent one is only 5 months old. [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 8:04 AM PST - 13 comments

I received my weekly screen time notification this morning for my iPhone SE and it said I had an average of 13 hours per day last week, which I know is wildly inaccurate. When I looked at which apps were being used most, it said I was continuously spending time on Egnyte, which is not even installed on any of my devices. What could be happening here? [more inside]
posted by Fuego at 7:44 AM PST - 8 comments

I know that two people have a longstanding (25 years) relationship that was not declared when one of them was promoted to a senior job that the other created for them and arranged the appointment. This is potentially illegal and might go to a tribunal due to abuse of process. A quick online search for their names doesn't reveal much, perhaps one or two documents. My question is, is it possible to hire someone to dig deeper into their online presence to find strong proof of their relationship? [more inside]
posted by slimeline at 6:13 AM PST - 24 comments

I shuffle a deck of 52 regular playing cards. I draw two cards, then another two, then another two. I don't return any cards to the deck. If the two cards I draw match in value, they're a pair and I set them to one side. By the time I finish the deck, how many pairs can I expect to have?
posted by some little punk in a rocket at 4:54 AM PST - 14 comments

YANMD. What could this uncomfortable vaginal thing be? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:01 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm a few hours into an audiobook of The Name of the Rose and I'm having a hard time following some big chunks of elaboration on pertinent details. Not ideal. Can you recommend a blog or read-along sort of resource that recaps each section so I can make sure I'm getting all of the details? [more inside]
posted by snerson at 9:24 PM PST - 3 comments

I know there are a bunch of cat name questions, but I have six foster kittens and one momcat that need names! I'd like to name them after objects/things instead of people, and hopefully fairly accessible/cute names (I would probably want to name my own cat something weird but it needs to be easy for potential adopters to fall in love). I was thinking like... types of nuts? types of cheese? Something like that? There are two orange and white kittens, one tortie, and three tuxies. Any ideas? (Kitten tax)
posted by catcafe at 7:50 PM PST - 36 comments

Hello; I have a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. I thought the trunk light was burnt out, so I bought a new one-and it does not work. Anyhow, perhaps its the fuse, but I cane seem to find the location for is in the fuse box in the car. I'm hoping someone here knows where it is. Does anyone know? Thanks :-)
posted by LOOKING at 4:04 PM PST - 11 comments

I might need to use two pairs of eyeglasses with different prescriptions. That is, one pair could be for distance vision and near vision (reading). In that case, the other pair would be for intermediate vision (computer use). [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 3:35 PM PST - 26 comments

Is there a way to identify the manufacturer of a carpet if all I have is the name/number of the color?
posted by bookmammal at 2:59 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm looking for a sturdy hoodie for my outdoor job. What are some companies to be looking at? My usually beloved Duluth has let me down in my quest for the perfect hoodie, and Dickies and Carhartt seem more about fashion than functional clothing. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:49 PM PST - 24 comments

Fonts in Slack, and sometimes in other apps like browsers, word documents, PDFs, etc, are always blurry. It's not my eyesight. They don't start out blurry, but sometimes they become blurry when I switch windows. I thought it was just that it blurred fonts in the background, but switching back to the blurry app doesn't result in non-blurry fonts; I sometimes have to actually mouseover the fonts to make them sharp again - and even that only works intermittently. In Slack, one message will unblur when I mouseover it, while the others remain blurry until THEY are moused over; and as I go, the ones I unblurred re-blur. Help? [more inside]
posted by invincible summer at 1:26 PM PST - 7 comments

I teach a Theatre Arts class in high school and am interesting in putting together a short show of recitations for the actors to perform. They will perform near Halloween, so I'd like a theme of supernatural, spectral, gothic — Poe's or "Annabel Lee" or the witches of Macbeth being prime examples. Please help think of more. [more inside]
posted by argybarg at 12:09 PM PST - 16 comments

What are some bands/musicians that perform in a wide variety of genres and sound good doing all of them? [more inside]
posted by aws17576 at 11:12 AM PST - 37 comments

I think that in the past Best Buy accepted broken/out-dated tech gear. I've got three laptops that are dead, other misc tech gear also. The laptops still have batteries. Drives removed so no worries about personal data. I *think* Austin library accepts batteries but ideal would be to go out all in one location
posted by dancestoblue at 10:25 AM PST - 6 comments

I can't recall the name or URL of a mental health website which was been helpful in the past. [more inside]
posted by Desertshore at 9:38 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm shielding during Covid and am very risk averse, but would like to meet up with a couple of friends in Victoria Park, East London tomorrow. I'm not familiar with the park, so am not sure where to suggest we meet. [more inside]
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 8:49 AM PST - 5 comments

I am a full time mom for an awesome,smart young man who has autism.He has multiple allergies which have restricted us this year from going out on vacations(which we all enjoyed to reset and refresh our life).We were planning to go somewhere this year but had to cancel because of this new delta variant .We try to go out to stores/library once a week.My wonderful husband is working from home and very busy with his new irritating boss.He helps a lot with the household chores and also with my son.He is a great husband and a great dad. [more inside]
posted by SunPower at 8:44 AM PST - 18 comments

I've been having trouble in the UK finding a covid mask that I'm sure fits and is effective. Ideally I'd like a qualified person to assess and fit me and find the right mask but this service doesn't seem to exist. What's the next best thing? What mask might work? [more inside]
posted by Flitcraft at 8:07 AM PST - 12 comments

How do I prevent fruit flies/gnats from laying eggs in my trash? They laid so many eggs in my trash can (lid, sides, nooks, crannies), I had to throw away my trash can. Luckily I caught it before they hatched because I would stop breathing forever if I saw that many maggots. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:29 AM PST - 18 comments

How to deal with the court system in California, when I live in the EU? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:28 AM PST - 7 comments

I opened my kitchen utensil drawer last night and found a big ol' cockroach skittering amongst my knives, spatulas, etc. [more inside]
posted by lulu68 at 10:10 PM PST - 6 comments

Where can I find The Sims 4 with all expansion packs for a Mac? I’ve googled to no avail. I really would like to play this game and it really needs the expansion packs to be super awesome.
posted by jitterbug perfume at 9:00 PM PST - 12 comments

I need to buy a dishwasher. I don’t know anything about dishwashers. Where do I start? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 7:13 PM PST - 24 comments

So I've learned that moth numbers are declining all over the place and that's affecting lots of animals that depend on them. I live in the countryside with some outdoor space and I would like to breed moths and release them. What type of moth should I breed? [more inside]
posted by PercussivePaul at 7:06 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to dating and I'm not really sure when I should be letting these guys go when I'm not feeling it. [more inside]
posted by sheepishchiffon at 5:39 PM PST - 12 comments

I am using Google Drive to facilitate teaching a class. I created a folder for each class, a folder for each student in that class, and for each student various other folders with their assignments, mostly on Google Docs. I want to know the ideal way to manage the grading of these files and folders. [more inside]
posted by zardoz at 5:30 PM PST - 3 comments

How long can I keep homemade tomato puree refrigerated before freezing it for storage? Does the length of the refrigerated storage affect the frozen storage life? Reasons why I would want to do this and details on the procedure are inside. [more inside]
posted by Juffo-Wup at 4:59 PM PST - 4 comments

All my life (mid 30s F), I have noticed having less energy for routine activities than others. It might run in my family; my parents and siblings are the same way. Am I stuck with this genetic lottery or are there hacks I can incorporate into my diet or lifestyle to make better use of my 24 hours? [more inside]
posted by redlines at 3:32 PM PST - 18 comments

Hello. I would like a recipe for a mac n cheese cookie, please. The flavor (and ideally texture) of mac n cheese, the handleability of a cookie. [more inside]
posted by aniola at 12:47 PM PST - 31 comments

My mother and sister live in Canada, and I have not been to visit in over two years. My mother is 97, and I would like to see her, especially given her advanced age. However, my sister and her family are unvaxxed. I do not want to spend time with them because a) they are unvaxxed and b) *I am really angry at them for being unvaxxed -- and don't see how seeing them will be in any way productive considering how I feel. [more inside]
posted by nanook at 12:42 PM PST - 21 comments

Do you know of a coat company that puts a brass letter "P" on the "aglets" (or tips) of their coat drawstrings? Trying to track down a dream waterproof. [more inside]
posted by doornoise at 12:26 PM PST - 7 comments

I have a fancy microphone, an EV RE20. Being full-time remote, how I sound on Teams calls is kind of important so it would be nice to incorporate it into the setup. I don't, however, want to look like a geek and have it visible on camera. If it's positioned above the camera out of frame and I'm not talking directly into it, since it's a directional mic, is it going to sound any good? Would there be a better option for a mic for this situation? [more inside]
posted by hwyengr at 11:53 AM PST - 5 comments

As per my previous comment, I am looking to sell my used and cracked iPhone to get maximum money. Have you done this (or sold $100+ items) and NOT been scammed? How did you do it? [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 11:45 AM PST - 7 comments

I want to roast some delicata squash and maybe some apple slices tonight, and take it to a potluck lunch tomorrow. What would be the best way to reheat the dish before serving? Assume there’s an oven and a microwave but no toaster oven. Thanks!
posted by skycrashesdown at 11:23 AM PST - 2 comments

My computer keeps defaulting to me being on mute, resulting in others not being able to hear me during video calls (on both doxy.me and simple practice video) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:09 AM PST - 13 comments

My folks need some help and so do I. Parents are in their 70s/80s. Mom has Parkinson's, Dad has diabetes and some complications related to that. They live in the house I grew up in, independently, but are starting to really need some support to stay there (or else they need to move). They probably need some limited personal care (e.g, someone to supervise showers), housekeeping, meals. [more inside]
posted by shadygrove at 10:14 AM PST - 9 comments

Recently I received a course of post-exposure prophylaxis treatment for rabies exposure. I am in the US, so it was expensive, with the bulk of the cost being the human rabies immunoglobulin. The cost is high because it must be filtered from blood from the vaccinated. Is there any way for me to sign up to sell my own immunoglobulin? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:13 AM PST - 3 comments

Do you have online sources for bulbs and plants that you're happy with? If so, please share. I'm specifically looking for tulips, hyacinths, and hibiscus bushes, but general sources are fine too. I am aware that local nurseries exist. This question is about finding reliable companies that ship in the continental US.
posted by FencingGal at 10:12 AM PST - 8 comments

Help me find a zoom yoga or tai-chi class for a rigidly inflexible person. [more inside]
posted by Xurando at 9:31 AM PST - 7 comments

Would someone be able to paraphrase the following so it reads well in a modern Egyptian vernacular? I'm hoping for something along the lines of, “My deepest admiration and gratitude go out to the Egyptian craftspeople who developed and executed this beautiful piece so long ago” [more inside]
posted by brachiopod at 9:04 AM PST - 4 comments

I am just about out of patience with Google as a search engine. As an example, a search on the "Instacart strike" returns results from 2020 for the entire first page. (It's been like that this entire week.) [more inside]
posted by toastyk at 8:57 AM PST - 19 comments

The previous owner built a deck before we moved in. It's aging unevenly and starting to look not so good. Is this a problem? If so, how bad? And what do we need to do about it? We're in the pacific NW so we have a month or two to deal with this before it will get drizzled on nonstop for 4 months.
posted by tylermoody at 8:26 AM PST - 7 comments

Out of historical interest: how have far-right and Neo-Nazi election posters been in the Past speedily and neatly defaced? [more inside]
posted by runincircles at 8:05 AM PST - 6 comments

My friend won the lottery for a year from now, but is terrified of heights, and is too scared of riding a mule or walking down the path. I have tried to show how amazing, unique and once-in-a-lifetime this will be, but the fear might win out. I have tried to explain how adept mules are, even showing videos, but to now avail yet. She has 2 days to confirm.
posted by ebesan at 6:33 AM PST - 31 comments

What are these mushrooms I saw yesterday? Picture here. I tried a couple mushroom ID sites but wasn't able to get a close match. They're in someone's yard so I didn't want to get any closer for more pictures. Thanks!
posted by cozenedindigo at 5:30 AM PST - 6 comments

My friend, UK-based, took a COVID-19 PCR test yesterday. At 6:30 this morning she got an email to say the test came back negative. At 9:30 she got another email to say the test came back positive. What might be going on? [more inside]
posted by Beverley Westwood at 5:11 AM PST - 12 comments

Hoping to make sure that my business e-mails do not go into clients' spam, I have become obsessed with my score on Mail Genius. It claims my domain appears on one of several blacklists. How seriously should I take all of this? [more inside]
posted by johngoren at 4:59 AM PST - 7 comments

So my dad is 76, only recently quit smoking after years of COPD, and is double vaxxed but has just tested positive for COVID after 10 days of feeling shitty but not seeing his doctor because he's an idiot. He's getting monoclonal antibody infusion today, and they are talking about hospitalization. [more inside]
posted by DarlingBri at 4:31 AM PST - 12 comments

There are a great many "unofficial Minecraft" series being published, many of them self-published on KDP or from small presses, but others from well-known publishers (e.g. HarperCollins, also Feiwel & Friends [a MacMillan imprint]). But I'm not seeing anything in the official Branding guidelines saying that this is okay; to the contrary, it looks like--as of 2015, at least--they've clearly been saying "don't do this." Am I just misreading the document? [more inside]
posted by johnofjack at 3:42 AM PST - 5 comments

The only person I ever speak to on the phone is my mom and she doesn’t have the patience for all of the “can you hear me now?”, “is this louder?”, and so on. Is there a phone number or other service that I can call that has either a person or a bot to tell me if they can hear me or not? No more inside.
posted by bendy at 9:52 PM PST - 10 comments

I have Adobe Premier Elements, but I need a frame to put multiple videos on the screen at once. I don't think elements can do this. But Premier Pro CC can. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 9:37 PM PST - 5 comments

I take pen-and-paper notes for work. For the past couple of years a 150 page notebook has held all my notes. As it’s nearly full, I wonder if something different might better suit my workflow... details follow. [more inside]
posted by Monochrome at 9:15 PM PST - 18 comments

I’m currently feeling a sense of dread when I contemplate a future with my long-term partner. How can I figure out if this is my depression talking or a sign that it’s time to move on? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:50 PM PST - 12 comments

Recommendation request [more inside]
posted by j810c at 6:32 PM PST - 2 comments

Looking for anecdotes from people who tried psylocibin in a monitored, therapeutic environment who were skeptical that was going to change their life. What happened? Did anything change ... and stay changed? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 4:55 PM PST - 9 comments

I currently have a mail slot that goes into my garage. I'd rather have some kind of wall-mounted box (perhaps like this?) by my front door. Can I just buy and install the new box, board up my old slot, and move on with my life? Do I need permission from USPS and if so, how do I get that? This is a single-family detached home in San Diego, California. (Bonus question: if you'd like to recommend a good outdoor wall-mounted mailbox, please do!)
posted by hansbrough at 4:21 PM PST - 10 comments

I’ve been enjoying playing board games with a group but find it really socially demanding as an awkward introvert and in other situations, it’s rare for me to have 3 or 4 players. What games are fun for just 2 adult people? Any complexity level, price, or style is fine.
posted by Aranquis at 4:05 PM PST - 39 comments

What tips and tricks do you have for navigating alternate side parking in Brooklyn? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 2:09 PM PST - 10 comments

When you're feeling blue and constantly thinking about someone after a breakup, is it harmful to hook up with someone just to get over them? [more inside]
posted by thesockpuppet at 1:37 PM PST - 19 comments

I have to leave town for at least a month and probably no longer than 3. I had been planning to leave the car in an uncovered storage lot with a cover. Looking around it sounds like covers can do more damage than good if they are not high quality. The car is a 95 Mercedes E-class. The paint is already oxidizing. I'm not sure a cover is worth it. A few more details inside. [more inside]
posted by Che boludo! at 11:40 AM PST - 5 comments

I keep clashing with my rhetoric professor. Antagonizing her is the last thing I want to do, but I have to ask questions and participate, and it keeps happening anyway. How do I change this dynamic? How do I communicate with her so that my questions are answered and I learn the material, without our communication devolving into these weird, unproductive arguments? How do I cultivate a positive, respectful relationship with her? [more inside]
posted by nowadays at 11:40 AM PST - 31 comments

I am working on developing a new career, and there's a lot of weird stuff at the top of Google search results when you search my (unique) name. I know the basic tricks like set up your LinkedIn account, etc. but some of this might be more advanced than what I can do on my own. Is there a company that can do this for me, a random individual? Any recommendations? Or is there a Mefite with experience in this area that I could hire? [more inside]
posted by ThreeSocksToTheWind at 11:30 AM PST - 8 comments

I will take a same-day round trip via Amtrak Acela from Rt. 128 outside Boston to NYP (and then travel somehow to the UWS) for a memorial service in a couple of weeks. I'm fully vaccinated, but haven't really left my bubble or been on public transport since March 2020. Mostly Amtrak specific, but how does this work? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 10:57 AM PST - 18 comments

As a teaching project, I'd like to compile a list of poems that could be of interest to 10 to 15 yo ESL learners. [more inside]
posted by nicolin at 10:13 AM PST - 8 comments

Can you help me find some office-casual black pants that meet my criteria? I am a woman pushing 40, size ~8, not fashionable nor interested in becoming so. [more inside]
posted by juliapangolin at 10:04 AM PST - 12 comments

Who is commonly blamed for high house prices in your region/locale? [more inside]
posted by wutangclan at 9:55 AM PST - 76 comments

Do you have Philips Hue bulbs? Have you ever tried to set up the Philips Hue system including the Philips Hue Bridge and the Philips Hue Play? We're preparing to install all of this stuff but don't want to screw it up. Your wisdom and insight are needed. Help! [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 9:46 AM PST - 9 comments

I've finally found a therapist I LOVE, and I look forward to our sessions. However, I'm interested in MeFites' views about whether I am doing therapy 'right'; and how you approach your sessions with your therapist. [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 9:37 AM PST - 18 comments

My mother lives in the US, but my sister and her children live in the UK. My fully vaccinated mom has been planning on flying to London and back in October to visit them, and she says that she can't do this because the travel restrictions don't lift until November. I believe she is confused and those restrictions only apply to UK citizens going to the US. What are the actual rules for US citizens flying to UK and back as of October 20th? Is there a simple guide I can give to my mom to reassure her? [more inside]
posted by JZig at 9:31 AM PST - 7 comments

Actually, the weed farm is probably irrelevant. This is about an incredibly messed up vehicle title issue that my child (age 18) has managed to get himself into by virtue of being young and inexperienced. A few weeks ago, he bought a car from a friend and drove to the aforementioned weed farm in Oregon to pick it up (we are in South Dakota). Turns out, the friend had never registered it. Neither had the owner before him. Or the owner before that. Now what?! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:15 AM PST - 5 comments

This is a follow-up to this question from last month. [more inside]
posted by Joan Rivers of Babylon at 8:12 AM PST - 2 comments

I have chronic wrist/elbow/shoulder issues worsened by mouse clicking and to a lesser extent typing for my job. Have you found ways to mitigate this? Difficulty: I do lots of work in exam rooms, nurses stations and hallways where careful ergonomic setups are not possible. [more inside]
posted by genmonster at 8:04 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm interviewing for a remote job. The position lists the salary range for Colorado residents, per their law. How can I use this information to negotiate a salary? [more inside]
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 7:23 AM PST - 13 comments

How do you store your markers for maximum convenience and space saving? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 7:13 AM PST - 5 comments

I decided to "start fresh" with a new router for our house, considering how many devices we have on our network and the support for Wifi 6 that some of our newer devices support. We have gigabit internet that comes into the house to an ONT. That is connected to an AT&T modem/router, which outputs to 1. an ethernet switch in our basement that has a few runs of cat6e to several rooms in the house. I have my PS5, Apple TV, Xbox,etc. connected to this, 2. a desktop PC and, 3. currently a Netgear Nighthawk router. [more inside]
posted by rbf1138 at 6:34 AM PST - 8 comments

My partner doesn't want to move in with me after 3 years and is willing to go to counseling about it but I'm starting to feel like this is a lost cause...help? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:23 AM PST - 28 comments

I'm looking for sources of people sounding authoritative whilst deliberately saying nothing. [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 5:02 AM PST - 13 comments

I am looking for well-written Nordic Noir-style mysteries with a strong sense of place in non-urban, preferably isolated settings/closely-knit communities like islands etc. [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 2:59 AM PST - 13 comments

We’re moving from Santa Cruz to Salt Lake City, and it’s a culture shock. I’m used to a year-round farmers market with fresh produce. When I look for nutrition help in Salt Lake, I’m finding places that put you on a vitamin regimen.
posted by amartin at 8:29 PM PST - 7 comments

My mom and I routinely play a version of Canasta that needs six decks of cards. At her house, we shuffle them using a six deck shuffler but at my house, where we play much less often, we don't have a shuffler. How can we best shuffle the cards given that we can't shuffle them all at once? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 7:39 PM PST - 16 comments

Please help me identify this symbol or logo, if it has any association with anything. This was inside a derelict house that had been used as a squat.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 7:23 PM PST - 13 comments

Trying to identify / retain progressive / left leaning attorney to provide financial, RE, EP advice in a deeply red state. My state is presently Missouri, YMMV. [more inside]
posted by deCadmus at 7:10 PM PST - 4 comments

A couple of years ago there was a post on Gizmodo about a webstore for the defunct Verizon brand Oath. It was full of super cheap Oath-branded merch and I wish I had gotten a fun Yahoo! moleskine or a scented candle or something. Surely there are lots of nascent brands/companies that swag themselves out and then die; is there some place where these things get sold off in a fire sale? Or is there a Slickdeals type site that catalogs where to find them? (I know this is a niche but it combines my loves of cheap stuff and dead brands and gag swag.)
posted by AgentRocket at 6:15 PM PST - 5 comments

Killmonger is fighting Black Panther, he tries to stab him, and Black Panther says: “MY ABBOTT IS REINFORCED WITH A VIBRANIUM WEAVE” (scan here) [more inside]
posted by Hartster at 4:39 PM PST - 7 comments

Does this happen to other people? [more inside]
posted by alonsoquijano at 4:20 PM PST - 66 comments

What is the title of the often-heard ethereal music in this video "Watch cuttlefish migrate together in a defensive line with a lookout"
posted by ShooBoo at 3:19 PM PST - 8 comments

Is it genuinely safe to fly right now? Even vaccinated? More anxiety inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:00 PM PST - 18 comments

Hi everyone, was watching to Netflix series " Monsters Inside: The 24 Faces of Billy Milligan"The The Campus Rapist. There is a man I saw around the 30 min mark, and I would like to know who he is-I'm sure I have seen him somewhere before. Anybody recognise him? I uploaded a pic of him here: https://ibb.co/k0RBGSd Thank you :-)
posted by LOOKING at 2:49 PM PST - 3 comments

Do people who study dance formally (i.e.: University, Conservatory, high level Academy) learn time the same way a musician would? Time signatures, triplets, demisemiquavers, syncopation, metronomes, dotted eighths? If not, how is time formalized for dancers?
posted by signal at 2:41 PM PST - 6 comments

What do you do, in the immediate moment, to reset your sense of feeling okay? [more inside]
posted by danceswithlight at 2:02 PM PST - 34 comments

I have a guest from Canada visiting me in Seattle, Washington soon. When they return, Canadian border rules require a COVID-19 test which was administered no more than 3 days prior to crossing back into Canada, but I'm having trouble finding a good option for getting this test that meets all the requirements… [more inside]
posted by Cogito at 1:49 PM PST - 9 comments

I am hopefully about to buy a house (all my fingers crossed!) It has four different rooms that will need rugs, and rugs are expensive. How do I rug an entire house at once without spending thousands of dollars? [more inside]
posted by lunasol at 1:23 PM PST - 32 comments

What sources offer bundles of good media, like the games bundles at itch.io or the bundles of books or games at Humble Bundle? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 12:52 PM PST - 3 comments

I am just getting into gardening, but I think I made a mistake – I purchased 3 Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed plants. I got them because I wanted to add plants that attract pollinators. I looked for plants that are a match for Zone 5. But only too late have I researched that Swamp Milkweeds are called that because they like freakin SWAMPS whereas my soil is dry clay. Is there anything I can do now to do as right as possible by the plants? [more inside]
posted by Uncle Glendinning at 12:32 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm visiting NY for a couple months. I would like to purchase some edibles. Difficulty level: Nonresident without a car. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by wesleyac at 12:09 PM PST - 16 comments

It's been almost three months, and the moving company I hired still has not delivered my stuff. What recourse do I have, if any? [more inside]
posted by Space Kitty at 12:06 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm writing/drawing a memoir, and want to plan out the format now. Don't know what I'm doing. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 11:16 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm going to be in WA for two weeks and need to be connected to cell service. Roaming would be expensive with my provider. Is it feasible to buy a budget smartphone and prepaid SIM for a couple of weeks, or is the cost prohibitive? Where in Seattle would be the best place to look? [more inside]
posted by chappell, ambrose at 10:16 AM PST - 12 comments

I moved to San Diego almost exactly a year ago, smack dab in the pandemic. Everyone told me I would love it here, but I don't. It is fine, but it doesn't feel special or like home. Can you help me love it? [more inside]
posted by stormygrey at 9:57 AM PST - 23 comments

Most people hovering around 40 strongly remember a harvest festival song called 'Paintbox' otherwise known by its lyrics: "Cauliflowers fluffy, and cabbages green strawberries are sweeter, than any I've seen..." There are countless versions of it on YouTube and lyrics websites, but very little information as to its origins. Can you help me track down its history? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious at 9:39 AM PST - 2 comments

Can you help me find a good hypnotherapist who treats anxiety in NYC? [more inside]
posted by Dolukhanova at 8:56 AM PST - 2 comments

Where are excess or almost-expired COVID vaxx shots in/near NYC? [more inside]
posted by lalochezia at 6:53 AM PST - 5 comments

I recently engaged a disaster clean-up service (they specialize in fire and flood remediation, although this was not my situation) to help with a massive haul-out and deep cleaning of a hoarding situation in my parents' house. Not sure about tipping expectations. Location: OH, USA [more inside]
posted by tentacle at 6:01 AM PST - 9 comments

I work in higher ed and got an interview at an organization I very much want to work for some day. For lots of reasons, I really tanked the phone interview, though on paper I'm a strong candidate. Would withdrawing my application, with the (true) explanation that there are new extenuating circumstances that mean now is not the right time for a move, leave me in a better position in the future? [more inside]
posted by lillygog at 5:51 AM PST - 14 comments

I bought a headset that is quite useful, but I don't quite know how to travel with it. I'm looking for the lightest-weight solution possible that will protect this awkwardly-shaped, relatively expensive thing. [more inside]
posted by wooh at 5:38 AM PST - 6 comments

Guys, can you help recommend a game? I used to love playing Two Dots a few years ago, but gosh, it got so annoying, I had to uninstall. Looking for another IOS game in that vein. More inside… [more inside]
posted by ec2y at 5:30 AM PST - 11 comments

So ya’ll were right a couple of months ago... I should have listened. His porn addiction was more than that. It was a complete inability to be intimate or open up. I eventually found him arranging to have sex with strangers at the drop of a hat. I’m broken by all of this… I knew it was bad for me but I couldn’t stop. Even now I ended it when I found him cheating I can’t stop obsessing about him. [more inside]
posted by krisb1701d at 3:55 AM PST - 28 comments

We are moving to Los Angeles from New Zealand with our one year old baby. What should we prepare for mentally, or in practical terms to make the landing softer? [more inside]
posted by haemanu at 2:11 AM PST - 12 comments

What is the quote and the source about rotting or rotten meat in human interaction? [more inside]
posted by Quillcards at 2:02 AM PST - 1 comment

Can we change the types of people we're attracted to? Personality wise, not looks. [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 11:47 PM PST - 5 comments

My very smart cat can open both door knob and lever style doors, so we lock our bedroom door to keep her out. But that leaves my partner locked out if I go to bed early. I’d like a keyless locking door handle that is lockable and unlockable from both sides. Lever style preferred. I’m aware of double thumb turn deadbolts but I’d like to avoid deadbolts. [more inside]
posted by Pretty Good Talker at 10:20 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm preparing for a big move and want to vacuum seal everything. What is a good vacuum cleaner that has an attachment for vacuum-sealing bags? I can't seem to figure out based off of Amazon pages whether a given cleaner will or will not be able to seal bags.
posted by jtothes at 9:40 PM PST - 4 comments

Even if 16 Psyche is worth 1% of it's supposed potential value it would still be worth spending many billions to get our hands on it. What are the sticking points? [more inside]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:36 PM PST - 16 comments

I played the piano when I was growing up and would like to play again. I have a piano. Can you recommend a workbook or something that I can use to dust off my skills? [more inside]
posted by Charity Garfein at 9:30 PM PST - 7 comments

I am looking for a specific Med Sun brand weekly pill organizer. Here is a link to a "Not Currently Available" Amazon listing. I am pretty sure they no longer make this or no longer sell it in the Northern Hemisphere. I am hoping to find some "new old stock" somewhere, somehow. [more inside]
posted by AugustWest at 7:19 PM PST - 7 comments

I have an iPhone XS with a cracked screen which works fine and has decent battery (85%). I would like to sell it to a reseller to get the maximum money and least sketchiness (i.e can get the phone back if the quote is bad). Where should I go? I would like to get somewhat more than the what Amazon and Verizon are quoting (~$90), but no I'm not going to be getting the near $200 that some companies are telling me.
posted by sandmanwv at 6:11 PM PST - 8 comments

Another database question. Help me again, Metafilter! Mrs. Gefilte is currently involved in providing admin support for a large project. The gist of it is that many dozens of external organizations are being invited to participate in a series of workshops which are being held over Zoom. Participation in these workshops needs to be tracked for future reference/analysis (i.e. who was invited, who attended, which organization(s) do they represent, which workshops did they attend, etc.) The current setup isn't working well. [more inside]
posted by greatgefilte at 5:56 PM PST - 5 comments

If I keep my modem hooked to a UPS or battery, will the internet still work during a blackout? If so, I need help figuring out battery sizes and how long I can keep the modem on (volts, amperes, watts, watt-hours inside): [more inside]
posted by Tom-B at 5:11 PM PST - 18 comments

This will probably sound banal in the extreme, but I would appreciate a fresh perspective on my current work predicament. The short of it is that I found out that there was a new post created (easier work, better pay) that fits my skill set very well, but I am now told by my boss that it went to another colleague who is my bosses old friend. I was surprised to hear that this role was advertised as I follow the job announcements and I have never seen this post being advertised. Boss claims that it was advertised both externally and internally but is very cagy about the details. [more inside]
posted by slimeline at 5:08 PM PST - 13 comments

I need to lose 20lbs. I can’t seem to do it on my own. What do I need? [more inside]
posted by inevitability at 4:41 PM PST - 27 comments

Are you familiar with the ultra soft, warm and velvety plush synthetic fabric that "wearable blankets" i.e. Snuggies are made of? I'm looking for cold weather tops/jackets that are made of that fabric or similar BUT appropriate for wearing outside my home -- so not knee-length and hugely oversized. Softness is paramount to my comfort these days, and this fabric is key. [more inside]
posted by vers at 4:23 PM PST - 12 comments

I bought a Wahl Peanut a month or so back to trim my beard. The shortest guard it comes with is 3mm. I'd now like to get a closer shave with it---more like 1-2mm. Unfortunately, no one seems to sell shorter guards, and there's apparently no way to adjust the blade. Taking the guard off completely gives a bit *too* close a shave! I can't return it, and I'd really prefer not to buy another set of clippers any time soon. Is there any way to get a closer shave with the Peanut?
posted by ectopus at 4:01 PM PST - 4 comments

I lost a day's sent email. Can I get it back? What do you think happened here? [more inside]
posted by Countess Elena at 3:16 PM PST - 6 comments

Wanted: vintage yellow children's raincoat, green frog on back making a joke/pun. Difficulty: from circa 1980 [more inside]
posted by MasonDixon at 1:51 PM PST - 10 comments

Working on a TV show in Vancouver BC and I need some vintage leather pub chairs. Does anyone know (from LA through Seattle) , where used restaurant furniture goes? Is it all sold into auction? it's really weird, I've done a ton of searching and can't seem to find any warehouses that sell collections of vintage chairs and tables.
posted by cascando at 12:12 PM PST - 6 comments

I love to bake bread. I have an excellent basic white bread recipe. I like to stuff said bread with stuff like pepperoni. I need more ideas. [more inside]
posted by kathrynm at 10:49 AM PST - 21 comments

Here's a good example, where Thought Slime is responding to a video that someone else made, including actual footage from the video in their own video. First, in terms of copyright, did they have to get that person's permission before doing this? Second, technically, how would someone download or get access to the footage? Is it just like recording your computer screen while the video is playing? (And here's a second example.)
posted by overglow at 10:41 AM PST - 4 comments

Where can I find information on the format of the PSAT, SAT, and AP tests? When I search for information on the tests I find lots of links to test prep services and descriptions of the content covered by each test. I am looking for more specific details, such as whether the test will require any written responses, how long each section lasts, how many sections there are, etc. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 9:26 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm a vaccinated American who would like to vacation in Ireland in mid-October — will I be able to travel around the country without many issues, re: covid restrictions? [more inside]
posted by deern the headlice at 8:21 AM PST - 12 comments

I watched Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty and then read a good fan translation of The 14th Year of Chenghua, the novel it's based on. Now I'm hooked! Can you recommend more WRITTEN Chinese drama with lots of intrigue and people vying for positions and backstabbery? [more inside]
posted by Omnomnom at 5:43 AM PST - 9 comments

Asking for an elderly relative who is looking for some variation besides oatmeal for breakfast. Her teeth aren't great so she would like something that can be prepared quickly and doesn't require much chewing. Is there something like instant porridge out there?
posted by Forty-eight at 3:28 AM PST - 43 comments

My father's house is a mess. He is 67 years old and is almost certainly what you would call a hoarder. It’s not a “newspapers to the ceiling” situation but my sister and I are definitely concerned about his safety (i.e. tripping) and we want him to be able to have family, friends, etc able to come visit. My sister and I are out of state and trying to help him line up professionals to help him take control of the house. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:58 AM PST - 17 comments

I am moving into an apartment that is a floor-through, with a kitchen and a living room essentially being one long open space (though how the far wall angles does mark a "break" between the two). I am at a loss as to how I would paint this area so that it looks well-thought-out and harmonious, yet clearly demarcates the living room from the kitchen? Relevant details and snowflake specifics below: [more inside]
posted by virve at 10:10 PM PST - 21 comments

How do I keep an angry cat from starting fights with my dogs? [more inside]
posted by honeybee413 at 8:14 PM PST - 16 comments

Is there a list or map of where in the US one can watch the NFL team the Steelers on over the air TV? Specifically in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia?
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:16 PM PST - 8 comments

So that big security update last week has made my iPhone 6s Plus near unusable, because the battery drain is now on light speed. Is there anything to be done? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:34 PM PST - 20 comments

Friend saw the aftermath of a violent suicide while at work, how can I help? [more inside]
posted by Margot's Wooden Finger at 5:30 PM PST - 21 comments

I have a vacation (~1 week) coming up and I'd like to invest my time in a video game (or maybe more than one), but I'm not sure what to play. My favorites genres are strategy and RGP and I play on computer (Linux). What should I play next? It doesn't have to be The Latest Hotness. [more inside]
posted by at home in my head at 5:17 PM PST - 22 comments

My coworker bought a small wooden chest, this was the lock that came with it, she'd like a key. There appear to be two metal rods inside, hiding behind the vertical metal tabs that define the H's crossbar. They are a little way back. It looks like if one had a metal letter "H" on a rod, you could stick it in and rotate 90 and push. Before I go milling bits of brass, does anyone *know* what the key looks like? Photo links below the fold. [more inside]
posted by rudd135 at 4:48 PM PST - 6 comments

This question is super super similar to a recent question of mine, but now I am looking for good but short chapter book read alouds for third graders, starting in November (and beyond). Many many thanks! Current would be best, too. I see them 1x per week.
posted by bookworm4125 at 3:49 PM PST - 14 comments

We need to replace our failing Epson printer/scanner at home with something new. Must print color and black & white at 8.5" x 11", must have a scanner built in, must connect through wi-fi / Apple AirPrint / USB, and must actually print text at a decent quality and last a few years. Where's the affordable action these days on home printers? [more inside]
posted by Servo5678 at 3:19 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm hoping to find an extension that would cut me off from certain websites (e.g., social media) after a set amount of time has elapsed, followed by a cooldown period of a few hours before regaining access rather than the seemingly more ubiquitous "lose access for the rest of the day once your time is up" style. [more inside]
posted by space snail at 2:30 PM PST - 6 comments

It is September 2021. Please explain like I'm five where to buy an N95 or KN95 face mask online that ships to the U.S., that is approved by the CDC or FDA, and is not counterfeit. [more inside]
posted by fozzie_bear at 1:47 PM PST - 21 comments

I live in Brooklyn, NY and am having a terrible time with dating apps. I would love to meet more people IRL, even if it leads to just friendships. Does anyone have group things they do around Brooklyn that are social and fun? [more inside]
posted by critzer at 1:35 PM PST - 5 comments

I need to convert 2-3 touchscreen games in flash running on Windows XP to something that isn't those things for obvious reasons. These educational games are part of an interactive public space exhibit. [more inside]
posted by Maude_the_destroyer at 12:50 PM PST - 13 comments

Cisgender lady here who asked MeFi last year for advice on dyeing hair (thanks!). I since found a better colorist and have been getting highlights to cover gray. But... I hate coloring my hair. I hate the cost, maintenance and the fact that I can slowly watch the dye fade out/highlights lose their toner over time. Are you a femme-presenting person who has let their natural gray hair show in your 30s and 40s? Difficulty: office job and fear of age discrimination. [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 12:48 PM PST - 47 comments

I'm planning a solo drive from DC to Albany NY, over to Boston MA then back to DC in a few weeks. I have a healthy fear of long, tall bridges, especially those that go over water. (The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is my nemesis!). Is there a resource (i.e., app, website, etc) that will help me identify any such bridges along my route so that I can anticipate them...or avoid them altogether? [more inside]
posted by grateful at 11:50 AM PST - 20 comments

Please explain this aesthetic to me: the nerd who doesn't play by society's rules. They will wear a dark hat, often leather, akubra traveller style. Definitely carry at least one knife out on their belt. Big coat, also dark and usually leather. Think: Benny Watts in Queen's Gambit. [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 11:09 AM PST - 50 comments

I’m getting married this winter! Yay! We’re not having The Wedding Event with international family and friends til some time next summer because *waves hands at everything*, so it’s going to be just me and him and a magistrate and, if we’re lucky, our parents. I have all sorts of wedding dress ideas for the Big Day next year, but how do I figure out what to wear for the small legal ceremony??? [more inside]
posted by cabbage raccoon at 10:53 AM PST - 23 comments

My wife's current iMac is starting to show its age and, as it's a work tool, she'd rather replace it sooner than later. We have questions. [more inside]
posted by Mister_Sleight_of_Hand at 10:37 AM PST - 8 comments

Every politician - including the smart ones - uses the phrase “good-paying jobs”. Is there a term for a phrase like this, that isn’t grammatical but that’s just what people say?
posted by ftm at 10:25 AM PST - 18 comments

A close friend has recently been diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety. From watching her for several years, she has obviously been struggling with these for a long time, both at work and at home, even before the diagnosis. She has a confidential meeting with HR to discuss what possibilities might exist for workplace accommodations. Any thoughts?
posted by ClaireBear at 9:27 AM PST - 8 comments

We'd like to get a hygrometer for the basement, and maybe one for the attic. My partner would strongly prefer not to have a wifi-networked one, but we'd like some kind of alarm (beeping or whatever) if the humidity gets high. Assuming these exist, can you recommend one that you personally found useful and reliable?
posted by wintersweet at 9:14 AM PST - 3 comments

I’ve reached out to a local skate crew about licensing some video from them for a two-minute music video. I have a small budget to get the footage. What’s a fair offer to license the footage from them? [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 6:08 AM PST - 2 comments

Hello Hive Mind! To our beloved residents of the Centennial State... what is the deal with Covid related masking in Colorado right now? [more inside]
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 5:53 AM PST - 17 comments

I want to watch college football (namely SEC games) through a streaming service(s). I'm completely out of my element here with the number of choices/options such services have. I'm hoping someone versed in this arena could simplify or guide me in a direction on which streaming service(s) to get to watch college football. ESPN+ ? Fubo? other? thank you!
posted by mrmarley at 5:34 AM PST - 7 comments

We have a double kitchen sink. When soapy water drains out of the one side, suds appear on the other side of the sink. This happens on both sides. I suspect that it's coconut oil that was mistakenly poured down the drain and cooled. I have tried using baking soda, vinegar, and hot water to clear it out, but it is still happening. Is there anything else I should try before I call a professional? (I'm not very handy.)
posted by synecdoche at 3:51 AM PST - 19 comments

Why does my iPhone show a countdown timer instead of the stopwatch when I'm running? [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 2:45 AM PST - 5 comments

Bought a house that had a serious cat urine odor in the partially-finished basement. Hired a contractor to treat it with chlorine dioxide (CIO2) and it worked wonderfully. No more cat urine. Unfortunately, it's been a couple weeks and the smell of the chemicals is still very strong. Strong enough that I smell like a swimming pool after being in the house. Anyone do this treatment on their own home? How long did it take for the chlorine/bleach smell to go away?
posted by coldbabyshrimp at 8:35 PM PST - 6 comments

I work in communications for a non-profit. The department has been restructured and I'm being asked to suggest a title for my role. [more inside]
posted by gfrobe at 7:42 PM PST - 18 comments

It's almost spring here in the southern hemisphere and I would like to plant a lot of bee and insect friendly flowers. Can I do this amongst weeds and so save the effort of cleared the be-weeded acres ? More inside ... [more inside]
posted by southof40 at 7:41 PM PST - 12 comments

How can I make a site that has a tagline/subtitle that's randomized from a selection I provide? Ideally, the platform would be easy, cheap, and good-looking: a fairly minimal two-column blog would be aces. My soul demands a randomized tagline and damnit I'll learn how to host my own wordpress.org site if absolutely necessary, but perhaps there's an easier & less time-intensive way? [more inside]
posted by Baethan at 6:28 PM PST - 6 comments

We have a Roku tv in our bedroom with a table underneath it. If a phone is placed below the TV the remote, which I assume is IR based on needing line of sight, barely works at all. Moving the phone fixes the problem. Any idea what would cause this effect?
posted by Ferreous at 4:24 PM PST - 7 comments

I have three short chants in Arabic from a protest. I'm wondering if anyone can help with the Arabic language, the phonetic transliteration to the English alphabet, and the translation in English. Chant 1, Chant 2, and Chant 3.
posted by andoatnp at 4:00 PM PST - 1 comment

My 4-year-old male neutered DSH hasn't been feeling well lately. Vet visits are ultra stressful. Should we go? [more inside]
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 10:05 AM PST - 15 comments

I want to bring a pint of ice cream to an outdoor workout and carry it with me for the hour or so, and still have it be palatable in the end. I can't leave it in one spot because we'll be moving through a busy public area. I could strap a cooler to my back, but that would be buiky. Ambient temperatures will be around 70 degrees, but if the container is next to my body, it would be even hotter. Do you have any other ideas? [more inside]
posted by Borborygmus at 10:00 AM PST - 16 comments

I was going to use JazzKeys but it doesn't seem to allow me to save and send my message any more. (Jazzkeys creates a jazz tune synched and shaped by your words and your typing speed). So I'm looking for a cool/goofy way of sending a Happy Birthday message (jazz not mandatory :).
posted by storybored at 7:41 AM PST - 13 comments

German-speaking Mefites - what German language blogs or (non-news) websites do you follow? SFW preferred. [more inside]
posted by M. at 5:47 AM PST - 3 comments

What are some great ideas for musical instruments that grade 4/5ers can make? [more inside]
posted by transient at 5:29 AM PST - 16 comments

I am seeing more and more supply chain issues. Our preferred grocery store had basically no cheese last time I went. I'm seeing articles like this one. I wonder how bad will it get, what supplies are impacted, and how can I prepare with common sense? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 7:16 PM PST - 26 comments

I got the vaccine, and I don't have COVID now. But I am at high risk for COVID exposure, and due to other health issues, high risk for COVID complications. I don't have COVID yet, but I'd like to plan ahead. Where can I get monoclonal antibody treatment in Columbus Ohio? How do I go about setting this up now? I don't mind paying a lot of money. TIA!
posted by maxexam at 6:56 PM PST - 7 comments

At my last job, there were meetings that relied on 2-week Sprint cycles. We made a list of the things that need doing. Each person has X points, and self-evaluate and volunteer points towards item based on its effort. [more inside]
posted by ggp88 at 6:48 PM PST - 9 comments

Looking for historical headgear for a Lebanese person, without accidentally sending a modern or political message by choice of cloth / pattern. [more inside]
posted by GJSchaller at 5:44 PM PST - 2 comments

When I lived in Denmark, I fell in love with one particular salmiak-infused type of Haribo candy that I cannot buy in the US. What's the least expensive way for me to get some? [more inside]
posted by yellowcandy at 3:37 PM PST - 13 comments

There's a gender/sexuality angle, but advice need not take that into account 🤷‍♀️ [more inside]
posted by typify at 12:05 PM PST - 17 comments

I spent most of my late teens and twenties stuck at home, suffering from depression and severe social anxiety. Now I'm in my thirties and things are a lot better, but I'm spending all of my time ruminating about things that happened back then. [more inside]
posted by Chenko at 12:04 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm getting a new MacBook Air. My current machine, from 2012, is badly scratched on the bottom - what's the best way to protect the new one? [more inside]
posted by hilaryjade at 11:51 AM PST - 16 comments

I signed up on the first available day (at the first available hour), for tickets to see Saturday Night Live in person. They say they'll send an email if approved, which could come almost any time throughout the season. Has anyone here successfully gotten tickets this way -- if so, can you share some of the contents of the email so I can make sure it isn't filtered to my spam or other folders? [more inside]
posted by Unsomnambulist at 11:08 AM PST - 6 comments

Bathroom sink countertop annoyingly wet ALL OVER. Do I need to make miniature sandbags to redirect the flow? I'm looking for a solution, or ideas to lead me to one, for the problem where water from normal use of the sink (turning faucets, reaching for soap) gathers and spreads to the far corners of the countertop under which the sink is installed, setting everything else on the countertop in water. Difficulty level: rental apartment [more inside]
posted by armoir from antproof case at 10:59 AM PST - 7 comments

We are buying our first house, and one of the things we need to have fixed (or possibly fix ourselves if it turns out to be really easy?) is that the shower pan has a crack in it. We could use some help in figuring out if it’s repairable and if so, how! [more inside]
posted by unus sum at 10:50 AM PST - 7 comments

I have 16 years of bookmarks scattered across over 20 Firefox and Chrome browser export files. I would like to combine them, remove duplicates, delete dead links, and then organize them (and even tag them?). What is the easiest, most automated way to do this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:36 AM PST - 5 comments

My sister bought this watercolor in Belgium sometime in the last few years. Nobody can figure out the signature. Here is a photo of the whole painting. Can you help decipher it? The waterscape looks like Holland to me.
posted by mareli at 8:43 AM PST - 4 comments

I greatly underestimated how many persimmons would come in this box from Miami Fruit. I will be giving some away, but I also have questions about storage and please give me your vegan (or easily veganized) persimmon recipes. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 7:14 AM PST - 10 comments

Is there a Diet Mountain Dew shortage? My sister can’t find her drink of choice. [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:48 AM PST - 15 comments

Looking for fairly short (< 10 pages) fiction, essays, or poetry for high school sophomores. Don’t overestimate how much these 15-year-old readers can take in; good clear narratives or vivid imagery are necessary. [more inside]
posted by argybarg at 4:57 AM PST - 12 comments

I have gastritis, probably caused by anxiety. I suspect some foods might be exacerbating it. I've gone on a bland diet. How can I judge whether a certain food might be irritating my stomach? Pain minutes after eating? Pain only starting the next day? Please don't suggest alternative diagnosis to gastritis for my problem, if you don't mind. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 4:48 AM PST - 7 comments

I've been getting a "Network Error" when trying to translate text using the iPhone Google Translate app. This started about a week ago, about the time it was upgraded to version 6.23.0. [more inside]
posted by Wet Spot at 10:31 PM PST - 2 comments

Looking for suggestions on vegetable-heavy toppings that can be made in advance and would be good on roasted sweet potatoes. [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 8:53 PM PST - 23 comments

I'm incredibly bad at remembering to do shit about/for the house. This is annoying to me and more annoying to my wife. It's not that I want to procrastinate, it's just that stuff falls out of my life, stuff that's easy to do -- for example, it took me a whole month to call a sprinkler repair guy, and the call took half an hour, and my wife was annoyed at me for that whole time. Not optimal! We've tried systems for this before; whiteboards, note cards, email reminders... But systems fall apart. Any suggestions?
posted by insteadofapricots at 6:47 PM PST - 28 comments

We just bought a used car in Bozeman, MT and we’re planning on driving it to San Francisco. The car is having difficulties and we think it can’t make it, plus all the auto shops are now closed for the weekend (and potentially longer). We’re trying to figure out our options. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 5:33 PM PST - 23 comments

What on or offline media or outlet makes you excited for the future? [more inside]
posted by signal at 4:58 PM PST - 9 comments

I would like a small lamp that's easy to move from place to place that produces the correct UVB wavelengths for reptiles and amphibians. There are UVB bulbs that fit standard fixtures, but I can't find a battery-operated fixture like that (or 5v/USB, or 12v even maybe with a power tool battery pack - but that's going to be expensive). There are battery-operated lamps, but I can't find one that produces UVB (except for nail lamps? Maybe?). I'd like to spend not much money. Does what I want exist?
posted by amtho at 2:57 PM PST - 4 comments

I recently saw this art print hung on a wall of a store, 12 inches square (I tracked down the print by Caitlin Keegan here). I would like to buy the print and hang it in a similar frame, but don't know the words to Google for it. What type of frame is it?
posted by rogerroger at 2:45 PM PST - 6 comments

I would like to know more about bullet journaling. Is there a website or book that you have found to be particularly helpful for doing this? I am less interested in stickers and more interested in approaches to being productive.
posted by mortaddams at 12:28 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a paid, "licensed" zoom account. Per these instructions I should be able to set up a registration link for my scheduled zoom meeting. Yet when I click "Schedule a Meeting" I see no "Registration" section in order to set up registration. How can I create a registration link for my meeting? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 11:55 AM PST - 6 comments

I recently acquired a bunch of games on PC. Yay me! Unfortunately I keep running into the same dumb issue. Seriously, it's really dumb. So dumb that googling hasn't helped. [more inside]
posted by schadenfrau at 11:05 AM PST - 10 comments

What are your favorite recipes, pots & pans, and secrets for making a lot of food at once? Share with me your giant casseroles, swimming pools of stew, buckets of beans. What enormous caldron of plenty or just-use-frozen-instead-and-this-recipe-is-in-the-oven-in-ten-minutes secrets help you make a lot of food at once? [more inside]
posted by carrioncomfort at 10:59 AM PST - 22 comments

I'm looking for curtains which will cover a 36 in x 36 in area of four windows which let in as much light as possible but do not let people see into my room during the day. [more inside]
posted by catquas at 10:47 AM PST - 8 comments

I recently had a facial, and the esthetician said that the white dots on my face (on my forehead and below my eye) are milia. She was not able to remove them and said that I should have them removed by my dermatologist. [more inside]
posted by allison00 at 9:56 AM PST - 12 comments

What's the oldest human-made thing I can buy, just to have? I really want to own something that is hundreds or thousands of years old. [more inside]
posted by tiamat at 9:28 AM PST - 16 comments

If you are your only employee, what benefits does your company offer its employees (i.e. yourself)? [more inside]
posted by catesbie at 9:11 AM PST - 11 comments

I need to replace the sink faucet in my bathroom. The metals in the bathroom don't match, probably because things have been replaced haphazardly over time. What to choose? The old faucet is shiny golden brass, as is the light fixture, rim of the mirror, and tub faucets. The shower head, tub stopper, tub cleanout, and toilet flush lever are chrome. The toilet paper holder is rubbed brass. The knobs on cabinets are clear "crystal" and some kind of fake tarnished silver. [more inside]
posted by SandiBeech at 8:59 AM PST - 5 comments

I just moved into a one-bedroom apartment with two dogs (about 20 lbs each). I tend to steam broccoli (and cauliflower) a lot on the stove, usually twice a day, and this is what the apartment smells like every time I enter it. The kitchen does not have a window. In fact, there is no window near the kitchen. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by Glinn at 8:02 AM PST - 16 comments

After 18 months of using headsets for umpteen hours of video calls daily, my ear canals are unhappy--itchy, flaky, angry. My GP said it could be a dermatitis, eczema, or something else. Who is in charge of my ear canals--a dermatologist or ENT? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 7:52 AM PST - 12 comments

Asking this on behalf of my dad, who is in his 70s, and who hasn't managed to have a bowel movement in 27 days despite taking laxatives daily. He got a diagnosis of dysmotility, and is on the waiting list to see a neurogastroenterolgist, but that will likely not happen until next month, hence this long-shot question. More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by coffeecat at 7:22 AM PST - 26 comments

I am trying to get this project to work so I can do it next week with kids at my library, but I can't seem to do it right.  The LED doesn't light up. Can you take a look? [more inside]
posted by Biblio at 6:38 AM PST - 4 comments

Looks like we can make a huge cut on my phone bill by switching my Verizon post-paid account to a verizon prepaid ($135 to $85 in month 10). Complication: We have three lines, one who lives in another state and want to keep our numbers. How do we switch without double paying, with as little tears as possible? Or anything else to keep in mind? What is the catch anyway?
posted by sandmanwv at 5:52 AM PST - 5 comments

I was given 200g baobab tree fruit powder. I don't drink smoothies, ideally I'd like to use it up in one or two cakes. All the recipes I've found so far have been vegan/gluten free or similar, with need flours I don't want to buy, and only use a tablespoon or two at a time. Can you help me?
posted by Braeburn at 4:58 AM PST - 1 comment

The iPhone says it is using "band 7" An LTE router reports "mcsDownCarrier1Code0:5 mcsDownCarrier1Code1:30 PLMN 45400" An Android phone says it's using "lte band 1800+" The specs of the Android phone and the router says that they support LTE 4G band 7. So why are they so slow compared to the iPhone? [more inside]
posted by TheGreenRye at 4:15 AM PST - 4 comments

What can I make with an extra 3 lbs of apples? [more inside]
posted by cozenedindigo at 1:16 AM PST - 25 comments

How can I set the EndNote Custom Fields to different things for different libraries? For example, in library A I want custom fields 1, 2, and 3 to be red, blue, and green, but in Library B I want custom fields 1, 2, and 3 to be yellow, orange and purple. [more inside]
posted by The Librarian at 7:42 PM PST - 2 comments

Why is brassy hair considered bad? [more inside]
posted by glonous keming at 7:01 PM PST - 23 comments

What is the best (or least-bad) drop-off donation box where I can leave a bunch of clothes in the Boston area? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:53 PM PST - 13 comments

I've spent my entire working life as a punching bag (retail, food service, teaching) for bosses, parents, and often the public at large. Now in middle age I am done being a punching bag. I do not need to make very much money. I don't really want to go back to school. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:53 PM PST - 30 comments

I've received strange e-mails persistently offering translation jobs -- but in languages I do not know -- from a member of a well-known electronic freelancers' clearinghouse. I am not using the company's name for obvious reasons, but it's one of the big ones. Has someone stolen my identity or is this. a spear phishing attack? [more inside]
posted by bad grammar at 5:08 PM PST - 4 comments

My grandmom, who is proudly left-handed, says that twice in the past few weeks, people have asked her if she went to Catholic school after they saw her signing her name. Is there a video about writing left-handed in Catholic schools circulating online that went viral recently? If so, I'd like to share it with her. [more inside]
posted by aniola at 4:19 PM PST - 17 comments

Probably around 10 years ago I read a short story about a pair of identical twins. The bulk of the story took place with the twins traveling together on a train. One of them falls asleep, and ends up meeting someone (?) and abandoning her twin. I think that maybe the person they met claimed to have some sort of opportunity that only one person could take, but I'm not positive of that. I'd like to read it again, but I have no idea what it's called — anyone know? [more inside]
posted by wesleyac at 3:59 PM PST - 0 comments

I'm about to buy my first house - yay! The kitchen is pretty new but not very functional. Fix it now or wait a while? [more inside]
posted by exutima at 2:55 PM PST - 19 comments

My mother-in-law's very old laptop died. She took it to a local repair shop and they replaced the hard drive for around $200. When she got the computer back, her Yahoo mail "didn't work." This is on the website through a browser; she doesn't use a separate email client or software or anything. [more inside]
posted by something something at 2:32 PM PST - 14 comments

What are these pieces attached to my glasses called? [more inside]
posted by plinth at 2:18 PM PST - 2 comments

I saw a trailer within the last ten years for a 2D computer game involving a ball and two noodle-people. I'm struggling to find any information about it. Here's what I recall about it: [more inside]
posted by pmdboi at 2:06 PM PST - 3 comments

Ah, teh interwebs... we have selected a new vendor to move our e-commerce platform (global, terrible UX), but checking for guides and tips only results in pitches and ads. Are there web sites or resources-- even print-- that would be good to use as we step from one platform to another? [more inside]
posted by Arch1 at 12:55 PM PST - 0 comments

My brother in Hawaii recently bought a 24-foot cabin cruiser that he keeps docked at a marina. He has a significant birthday coming up and I'd like to buy him something for the boat. I haven't seen the boat, but I presume it already has all the typical things a boat needs. So, I'm looking for something that he likely doesn't have but useful. The budget can be a few hundred dollars. Any suggestions?
posted by Sock, Sock, Sock, Sock, Sock, Goose! at 11:58 AM PST - 19 comments

My wife switched to box color and is now hilariously wearing a hat 16 hours a day. [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 11:34 AM PST - 36 comments

I am at the stick-figure level of drawing. But I need to be able to quickly sketch out storyboards to effectively convey my ideas for shooting a complex film sequence from multiple angles. Are there any books/online lessons/youtube videos that you can recommend to help me quickly improve my drawing humans in motion, in perspective, etc? I won't need to bother much with shading or detail, but rather conveying specific shooting angles correctly. Bare-bones simplicity and clarity are what I need to focus on, so bonus points for storyboard-specific resources. Thanks!
posted by egeanin at 9:51 AM PST - 4 comments

I was gifted a fancy LuLuLemon yoga mat last year. Yesterday, one of three cats (probably) barfed on it. [more inside]
posted by thefang at 9:45 AM PST - 3 comments

I need a color inkjet printer and scanner so that I can create xylene transfers for my bad zines and other low-quality art. I don't care much about speed or quality, but that's what all printer reviews prioritize. If you're an artist or a maker (or I guess if you are anyone!) do you have a reasonably priced color inkjet printer and scanner that you like? [more inside]
posted by twelve cent archie at 9:16 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm shopping for lights for a new home, and many of the light fixtures available nowadays feature LEDs integrated into the fixtures themselves, instead of accepting bulbs. I'm a bit wary of getting those, because I'm afraid they'll spoil in a few years time and then I'll have to change the entire fixture, instead of just getting a new bulb. Or am I being silly and are there good reasons to go with integrated fixtures instead? [more inside]
posted by destrius at 8:45 AM PST - 11 comments

(Inspired by this tweet) Some people are "using" Ivermectin, a horse de-wormer, to try and protect against Covid. Some use Xylazine, a sedative for horses. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic used in horse surgery (and also for badgers and people), is a popular recreational drug. Mane 'n tail shampoo was initially developed for equine use. So what other products, originally made for horses, are now used by people?
posted by Wordshore at 7:38 AM PST - 39 comments

I have a small mirror by my bed. It catches/reflects exactly the screen of the TV on the opposite side of the room, very comfy for watching TV in bed. [more inside]
posted by 15L06 at 7:21 AM PST - 8 comments

My best guess has been that this is some sort of hoya plant. Can you help me identify it, please?
posted by amtho at 6:54 AM PST - 3 comments

For eight years from 2010 to 2017, A.V. Club published a video series called A.V. Undercover featuring musicians covering a song from an ever-dwindling list chosen at the beginning of each "season." It was a fascinating showcase for both veteran and up-and-coming bands and cross-genre covers. Now, those videos have all been deleted from their website and official YouTube channel. Why? [more inside]
posted by skoosh at 6:10 AM PST - 5 comments

I want our 12-year-old daughter (Ontario, Canada-based) vaccinated. My wife does not. We are at an impasse, and I would appreciate some advice. [more inside]
posted by Tenacious.Me.Tokyo at 8:34 PM PST - 78 comments

This question is more about personal development than the relationship itself. My long-term, LDR relationship was relabeled from "romantic partners" to "someone I still love very much and want in my life but the 'partner' label isn't working for us now." Reason being, it's been kind of dead-bedroom syndrome for the better part of a year (for as much as an LDR can handle) and lack of romance. This has me doubting myself about what romance even is. [more inside]
posted by lesser weasel at 7:44 PM PST - 11 comments

Hey there Hive mind, As a weather layman, I understand that there are separate measurements for the local weather (temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation, etc). My question: is there a way of grouping certain conditions together in order to categorize them? For example: when the temperature is between 20-30°C, and the humidity is 80%, and this is that, etc, these conditions collectively are known as ABC. Thanks in advance!
posted by JiffyQ at 7:38 PM PST - 10 comments

So I pour hot (not boiling, in my case) water on my tea bag. During this process the water is really agitated so lots of water is soaking the tea bag and then mixing with other water. But then I leave the tea bag floating in a peaceful cup of water for another couple minutes. Nothing moving that I'm aware of. Shouldn't there be a strong layer of tea on the top of my cup, with the rest of the cup being less strong?
posted by lbergstr at 5:37 PM PST - 12 comments

What's up with Madison, Wisconsin? I'll be there for a few weeks - will be pretty busy but would like to make time for eating, art and history. [more inside]
posted by latkes at 4:17 PM PST - 26 comments

Soundproof/sound-dampening divider needed for my small shared home office. My work life and very sanity may depend on it. [more inside]
posted by number9dream at 3:05 PM PST - 19 comments

I’m releasing a new single on the upcoming Bandcamp Friday that’s two covers. I’d like to price this so I get exactly $1.40 back (since I have to pay the music publishers $0.70/song). How can I price an item on non-Bandcamp Fridays so I get exactly $1.40 in return?
posted by pxe2000 at 2:23 PM PST - 2 comments

Starting with a chickpeas, lentil, and couscous base, what would you add? I have done one with roasted carrots and butternut, parsley, chili pepper, but need more ideas, all suggestions welcome. Does not need to stay vegetarian or vegan.
posted by tiny frying pan at 1:40 PM PST - 17 comments

I'm in the Chicago area and need a recommendation for a BIPOC employment law attorney or firm. It's for a non profit organization. Bonus if they can provide pro bono services but this is not mandatory.
posted by j810c at 1:23 PM PST - 0 comments

Looking for a shirt like this (beige or "fossil" in their nomenclature) but: [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 12:44 PM PST - 9 comments

I often watch TV for evening downtime, but I would much prefer to be reading. Whenever I have a lovely book, my life improves. Help me find the exact type I need; old stories about families. [more inside]
posted by toucan at 12:24 PM PST - 47 comments

Does #Blessed require a being or entity to *do* the blessing? Does #Grateful require being grateful *to* someone? I am curious about both the grammar and the philosophy. [more inside]
posted by rebent at 10:51 AM PST - 23 comments

In the Before Times, I was visiting a friend of mine and tragically, unfortunately, and accidentally broke one of her glasses. I'd like to replace it but . . . snowflakes. [more inside]
posted by fiery.hogue at 10:29 AM PST - 16 comments

I am about to interview a candidate for a job she's not (yet) qualified for. I work as a lawyer at a consulting firm in a specialized field. This person is a new law grad, with an impressive educational background and interesting - but unrelated to position - experience. What kind of meaningful questions can I ask? [more inside]
posted by Pax at 10:04 AM PST - 19 comments

I have moved my iTunes library from my very old MacBook Pro (2009) to an external hard drive, so that I can use it with my new(er) MacBook Pro (2016), but iTunes on 2016 doesn't see it. [more inside]
posted by tzikeh at 9:12 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for an iOs app for tracking fitness so I can self-motivate via streaks and improvements. Like Duolingo or Mindpal, but for exercise. I don't want to earn money or coupons. I want it to be able to gather movement data through the Apple Health app, but also I would like to enter other exercises, like number of pushups, number of squats, or that I've increased the weight I'm lifting. [more inside]
posted by xo at 9:04 AM PST - 1 comment

Meditative mefites, I seek your help in finding a specific kind of exercise. I'm looking meditations/visualisations/what have you, for building a better relationship with one's body. Specifically in terms of building trust, comfort, and compassion with the physical self. More details below the fold... [more inside]
posted by threecheesetrees at 9:02 AM PST - 19 comments

About a year ago I found an excellent visualization, then failed to save it and can't find the blessed thing. It was an animated graph of how different nations deployed new highspeed railroad capacity. As a graph, the vertical axis was for various nations (China, Japan, Germany, etc) and the horizontal represented mileage (or total kilometers). [more inside]
posted by doctornemo at 8:53 AM PST - 2 comments

Spouse and I have similar household goals, but different communication and planning styles. Looking for some ideas for how we can organize and communicate household tasks that will fit both of our styles. [more inside]
posted by DoubleLune at 8:25 AM PST - 17 comments

Due to increasing and incompatible personal and work demands, my wife is strongly considering quitting her full-time job, possibly consulting on a project basis for her current employer (or new clients), or possibly just taking some time off. We can live comfortably on my salary. If you've been in a similar position, what should we be thinking of as we consider this important decision? We're in the US. [more inside]
posted by 5845(f)(1)(D) at 6:38 AM PST - 20 comments

I am interested in improving my iMac storage / backup strategy. I have come from nothing 5 years ago to what I think is a decent strategy, but I would like to know how much further I should go to optimize it. [more inside]
posted by fairmettle at 2:34 AM PST - 6 comments

My old (2011) Mac Air and a non-smart Sony Bravia tv previously used to connect via hdmi cable, but this has stopped working (I think it's a faulty laptop port because I replaced the hdmi cable). I'd like a wireless streaming device that will let me watch all the services - netflix, prime, etc, as well as local streaming (sbs on demand, abc iview, tenplay, etc) [more inside]
posted by Zaire at 2:01 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a Big Wall of Books in my living room, filling the wall opposite the window entirely. I'm left with about 140 cm / 4.6 feet of empty wall between it and the sofa that I haven't been able to arrange in a pleasing way for years now. Searching for library wall corner ideas only gives me bookcases on two adjacent walls. Search term ideas also welcome! [more inside]
posted by I claim sanctuary at 1:52 AM PST - 11 comments

I gave my boyfriend an ultimatum about the future our relationship and got what I wanted, but I worry that by pushing too hard I've wrecked our relationship anyway. Do ultimatums ever "work" in the long run, or do they just poison the well for the future? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:02 PM PST - 43 comments

I need a grownup's backpack that is relatively light, and -- this is most important -- distributes weight in a way that doesn't hurt my back. [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 9:51 PM PST - 16 comments

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good therapist here in Hong Kong? Either English or Cantonese-speaking is fine. On HK Island would be great, but suggestions for therapists on the Kowloon side are also welcome. [more inside]
posted by yours in calendrical heresy at 9:21 PM PST - 2 comments

What unique observations, experiences or other weirdness can I only encounter at the poles of the Earth? What can one see at the poles that can be seen nowhere else? Any science experiments only work at the poles?
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 7:54 PM PST - 16 comments

I found a specific backpack somewhere online and was waiting to buy it til I had a little more money. It’s primary application would be going to the hospital with me for surgeries, and I have a surgery coming up Thursday and am hoping they’re somehow still open and I can overnight it to be here in time. I don’t remember the brand, but… [more inside]
posted by jitterbug perfume at 7:39 PM PST - 8 comments

We have an outdoor shower and the pressure and temperature increase at the same time. I want them to be separate so I can have less pressure but still hot, or more pressure and cold. My experience with plumbing is very minimal, but I have changed showerheads and replaced rubber washers and the like. Is this something that a novice can do? Could I purchase a new faucet, watch some Youtube videos, and do it? [more inside]
posted by 10ch at 7:08 PM PST - 13 comments

Trying to gradually transition my two cats to a partially raw-fed diet which I purchased from a local animal butcher that does raw food meals for pets. [more inside]
posted by antihistameme at 6:33 PM PST - 14 comments

Step 1: You squeeze a little mini tube of flea medicine on the back of your cat or dog’s neck. Step 2: ??? Step 3: The adult fleas, larval fleas, or flea eggs laid in your pet’s fur come in contact with the flea medicine and it disrupts a specific protein etc. (details described in the more detailed product information for vets that pet owners can also find on an internet search), so that any flea that comes into contact with the flea medicine for its duration of effectiveness is killed.. [more inside]
posted by eviemath at 5:38 PM PST - 6 comments

Saturday night I lost a crown. [more inside]
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 5:16 PM PST - 10 comments

I recently found out that I need to have a couple of surgeries over the next few months to the tune of about $8K altogether. Thankfully, I'm in a position where I could write a check to cover these surgeries. However, I'm considering getting a new credit card, putting the surgeries on the card, paying the card off in full when the bill comes, and collecting the rewards. Is there an obvious reason why I shouldn't do this? If I should do it, which card should I use? [more inside]
posted by Chuck Barris at 4:12 PM PST - 14 comments

Can anyone recommend a career coach in NYC?
posted by cosmic owl at 3:21 PM PST - 3 comments

I am still learning UX Design but I find myself enjoying the part when I start sketching, making wireframes (low/hi-fidelity), putting together design systems, noting specs for handoff...etc. a lot more than the initial planning and research. [more inside]
posted by lanhan at 3:07 PM PST - 6 comments

I have 6 billion or so DNA base pairs in each cell, and 11 trillion or so cells with DNA in them, and trillions of new mutations every day. What are the chances that all possible single-nucleotide mutations appear at least once in my body? [more inside]
posted by clawsoon at 2:48 PM PST - 6 comments

My mac crashed while watching a fullscreen disney+ video, the sound kept playing with no video and I coulnd't exit from fullscreen, so I turned the computer off. Now Sound preferences is showing "no output devices found", same for input, and there is no sound. [more inside]
posted by signal at 2:41 PM PST - 11 comments

I have a few hacked CatGenie 120s, and reusable cleaning-solution cartridges. I'd like to wash the litterboxes with something that will encourage usage. [more inside]
posted by jackbishop at 1:19 PM PST - 7 comments

I have an ancient 6s iPhone and love taking pics. I currently use the built in photo editing app as well as Instagram and Snapseed. Using some of these apps, though, seem to degrade the sharpness of the image quality. [more inside]
posted by HeyAllie at 1:10 PM PST - 1 comment

My DSL is frequently insufficient for the needs of Apple's updates, hence I have auto-updates turned off. I didn't realize the "patch" would involve a full update. I blithely started the patch and now my phone and all other devices have ground to a halt for approximately 8+ hours -- but I know from experience I am locked in a loop from which I will never recover! Blast! [more inside]
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 12:57 PM PST - 3 comments

I have a sit/stand desk, two laptops, hub station and single arm monitor mount using a clamp. I need help with cord management, laptop storage and general storage that meets my picky requirements. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 12:35 PM PST - 11 comments

My doctor has given me two options to help lower my A1C, and I'm wondering what experience people have had with metformin and Trulicity. I'm currently using metformin, and my doctor said I should either increase my dose or switch to Trulicity, and I'm curious how other people may have made a decision about these options. [more inside]
posted by davidstandaford at 12:16 PM PST - 10 comments

I've decided to resign from my tenure-track position. I aimed to leave at the end of this year but, largely due to continued pandemic circumstances, I'm increasingly inclined to give notice now and just finish out the fall semester. I am confident that leaving sooner is best for me and my family. But I fear that leaving mid-year will burn bridges with my colleagues. I'd rather not do this - in part because I like them, in part because I'm not yet certain that I want to leave academia altogether, and in part because I'm not sure how I'd spin a mid-year departure if I did luck out and manage to get an interview for a position in home country this year. My question: is there a way to leave mid-year yet maintain good relations with my colleagues? My situation is a bit complex and unusual - snowflakes inside... [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:50 AM PST - 13 comments

Thanks to a combo of prescription food and a couple of medications, my cat's litter box items smell astoundingly terrible and will continue to do so for the rest of her life. The odors take over my apartment and linger despite liberal use of baking soda in her box and in the poop bag and various Lysol products to combat the smells. How are you dealing with this issue if you, too, have a smelly cat? [more inside]
posted by Hermione Granger at 11:24 AM PST - 29 comments

Hi MeFis! I'm teaching English 102 online and my students are eager to discuss issues surrounding free speech, hate speech, and disinformation/fake news. All of my resources are a bit dated, and I was wondering if anyone had resources for teaching these topics in this our current moment of chaos? I'm looking for articles that can be used to frame the conversation, online activities, or other pedagogical resources/techniques. Thank you so much for your help!
posted by mmmbacon at 11:09 AM PST - 7 comments

Looking for an engaging read on the geology and rock formations of Pennsylvania. [more inside]
posted by bfranklin at 10:48 AM PST - 5 comments

Another "What the hell is this IKEA product called?" question: I shattered the smaller grey counterpart of this ceramic bird ... thing. I can't find an image of it/them anywhere online to replace. Naturally, they were my partner's favorite kitchen decoration, so I'm feeling the pinch. What is this called?
posted by mykescipark at 10:12 AM PST - 5 comments

Which phrase is (more) correct: "I wondered if he were ill" or "I wondered if he was ill"? [more inside]
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 10:01 AM PST - 24 comments

I have an old 401k from a previous job that I haven’t rolled over. Part of its holdings (like, less than 10%) are in a Wells Fargo fund. There’s a special shareholder meeting being held tomorrow for which I have to enter my proxy vote by midnight tonight. Should I vote yay or nay? Does it matter? [more inside]
posted by SomethinsWrong at 9:39 AM PST - 9 comments

The doctor in my novel is being sued for malpractice. I don't yet have the details nailed down -- whether it's a worthy case or not. What I'm most interested in now is the early stages of the process. How he finds out he's being sued, etc. Does he get notified by mail? What happens next?This is set in 1991, if that makes a difference. Details appreciated!
posted by swheatie at 9:38 AM PST - 5 comments

My doctor is officially at loose ends with this as is my immunologist. I have their blessing to Ask The Internets. Why might a person have a fever or elevated temperature for 2+ years? Especially when paired with extreme fatigue but normal blood work. Has this happened to you or someone you know? What further tests or avenues might I investigate? What on earth is going on here and how can I make it better? [more inside]
posted by jeszac at 9:11 AM PST - 16 comments

What's a good digital payment system for a family member making a monthly rent payment? Preferably something that doesn't consider this scenario a business use, so no fees incurred. Would Zelle work, or PayPal, since they have other ways they earn fees?
posted by cameradv at 8:02 AM PST - 19 comments

What are your favorite Instant Pot accessories, especially for PIP (pot-in-pot) cooking - and your favorite PIP combos (two or more foods that have the same cooking time)? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 7:59 AM PST - 10 comments

How do I help my friend figure out how to get her mom (stage 4 cancer patient) from the deep south to the northeast a) safely b) affordably and c) ideally covered by insurance and or Medicare? [more inside]
posted by seemoorglass at 7:30 AM PST - 10 comments

My soon-to-be 14 year old son has been taking piano lessons for the last couple years. We are upgrading from a very old borrowed keyboard. I would like to get him a decent keyboard and he has been interested in some type of music writing software. As for budget - I'm imagining about 500 bucks or so? I just don't know where to start - I never even played the recorder.
posted by beccaj at 7:19 AM PST - 10 comments

We got a tortilla press recently and are making the shit out of some tacos, but we're getting tired of our usual varieties. What are some creative taco fillings you can recommend? Do not have to be traditionally Mexican.
posted by something something at 5:53 AM PST - 46 comments

We have a v-e-r-y slow well, and also an older well that it replaced. The newer one is so slow to refill that we never waste water by using a hose to water the garden, wash the car, etc. There's (almost?) always water just sitting there in the old well. What pump would be good to put that water to use with a garden hose? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 5:40 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm downsizing, which involves clearing out unnecessary paperwork. I know to keep tax returns for seven years, but everything I'm finding about legal papers says to keep them forever. Can that be true? [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 5:31 AM PST - 9 comments

A close friend had too much to drink and confessed his attraction to me over text. Twice. He now won’t reply to my messages. What next? [more inside]
posted by rubbish bin night at 4:58 AM PST - 9 comments

I love T. Kingfisher's novella Nine Goblins, the all-goblin Critical Role one-shot, and Pocketss' goblin comics. Please recommend more goblin-centric media! Books, stories, comics, and videos all welcome. The sillier the better.
posted by neushoorn at 2:52 AM PST - 17 comments

One week ago, I placed over 20 notecards in a mailbox to address within my city. None have arrived yet. What could have happened and what can I do? [more inside]
posted by bearette at 6:30 PM PST - 19 comments

A recently-passed relative left behind nine boxes of well-regarded math and physics books, which I am being asked if I want to sell. Apparently, the books could be worth quite a bit to people who are interested in math and physics. [more inside]
posted by blueberry at 5:44 PM PST - 21 comments

So we have a couple of stone window sills that weren't installed properly. When it rains, water ends up running underneath the sill and down onto the brick wall. How can I fix this without removing and reseating the sill? [more inside]
posted by storybored at 4:51 PM PST - 6 comments

So Mailchimp, which I love and have used for years, has just been acquired by Intuit, a company I loathe and which is on my "Never again" list of companies I refuse to ever use again. What are my alternatives?
posted by dobbs at 4:17 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm using Firefox 92.0 on a Mac version 11.5.2. This is a recent update of the browser. In the last version the drop menu under file had a selection share page which would open my Gmail with a message form to send a web page to recipients. This has changed in the new version share now has several options by which a page can be shared including mail, text, and air drop. [more inside]
posted by partner at 4:04 PM PST - 6 comments

A friend is looking for help translating the middle column of this document. Our assumption is that it is in Arabic. Any input is appreciated.
posted by komara at 3:40 PM PST - 3 comments

Where can I get a body fat percentage test? Any reasonably-accurate method. [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 3:05 PM PST - 3 comments

My parents are getting distraught as a "lawyer" keeps calling them saying I'm in trouble and that I owe money to the IRS. The claim to not have answered but they keep calling me asking me to call the person back. I told them logically why would a lawyer from another state call them about my taxes? How do I get them to stop pestering me about it? It is now beginning to give me anxiety as I'm afraid my parents will give away my contact information and frankly it is leading to not pleasant conversations with them as they think I'm "up to something." [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 2:53 PM PST - 25 comments

I really do not like gofundme and similar sites. However, some coworkers have lost their homes in a recent hurricane and I would like to contribute completely anonymously to their campaigns. Is this possible? [more inside]
posted by Short End Of A Wishbone at 2:28 PM PST - 3 comments

Can you help me find a satirical article or graphic about the Gray Davis recall? It was a satire of the wide-ranging candidates running, included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Gravis, and “a swordfish” I can’t find it though, can you?
posted by vunder at 2:06 PM PST - 4 comments

I have the Apple TV app on both a Sony Bravia KD-43X80J smart TV and a Roku Stick 3810x plugged into a Samsung TV. On both, I can log into my account, scroll through the menu, and select a show or movie. But every time I hit PLAY, I get the message Video Not Available. There's a problem loading this video. If this continues, check your internet connection. [more inside]
posted by bassomatic at 2:02 PM PST - 4 comments

Why does mezcal taste very strongly like smoke to some people, but only a hint of smoke to others? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 1:30 PM PST - 6 comments

We have some unwelcome rodent visitors under our front staircase. Please let me know your thoughts on how to deal with this quickly! [more inside]
posted by Mid at 11:53 AM PST - 7 comments

My left elbow hurts.(1) I'm right-handed, and I play guitar. I fret with my left-hand, but pain is making it difficult.(2) Worried this may be long-term, I'm thinking about relearning guitar to fret with my right-hand. Looking for advice on set-up, technique, etc.(3) [more inside]
posted by Saxon Kane at 11:37 AM PST - 8 comments

I have a moto e4 phone - from maybe 2 years ago? - that has strangely "died" on me today. Any suggestions on how to resuscitate it? [more inside]
posted by RajahKing at 10:52 AM PST - 4 comments

I have had shoulder pain issues for 5 yrs. it is continuously deteriorating since then. Invested a fortune in physiotherapy to no avail. All the blood tests CRP, CK, ESR levels are normal - ruling out metabolic myopathy. CT scan of Cervical Spine show no pinching of the nerves. I have consulted extensively with orthopedic surgeons, Sports Medicine doctors, physiotherapists, Physiatrist, Acupuncturists. short of Genetic Sequencing, followed all leads. Hoping someone with similar problem could help me. Thanks [more inside]
posted by page123 at 10:30 AM PST - 13 comments

I’m looking for cold-weather clothing & base-layer recommendations for shorter men. [more inside]
posted by diamondsky at 10:27 AM PST - 15 comments

Can you recommend me some good Latin punk/rock bands? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 8:53 AM PST - 18 comments

For the last 5 years I’ve suffered from recurrent idiopathic neuroretinitis. About once per year I lose central vision in one of my eyes for 1-3 months. The first couple of bouts were short-term, the most recent ones have lasted longer. Has anyone else experienced this condition? [more inside]
posted by krunk at 8:49 AM PST - 3 comments

After September 30th 2021, Google Bookmarks will no longer be supported. I've got many bookmarks saved. Any recommendations for where to move all of my bookmarks? [more inside]
posted by Gray Duck at 8:49 AM PST - 14 comments

I’m working on a piece of fiction, so I’m in search of inspiration: stories (real or not) featuring escapes from prison (or the like). A few snowflakey details. [more inside]
posted by xenization at 8:48 AM PST - 24 comments

My son seems to be having some difficulty with the 50/50 custody. I'm not sure if this is an adjustment period that we need to power through or if it's worth changing the schedule? [more inside]
posted by CosmicSeeker42 at 7:50 AM PST - 12 comments

I recently came across a university offering online classes for rare languages. To qualify for a tuition fee exemption, I need to send them proof that I don’t work. I don’t work; I’m a grad student (part time). The university is in France and I live in the UK. I’m not sure how to go about this.
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 7:42 AM PST - 7 comments

I suspect the hot unventilated attic of my building is making it hard to stay cool in my rental apartment in the summer. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 7:30 AM PST - 11 comments

I am doing a chapbook of erotic haiku and am looking for resources for copyright free photographs, drawings, watercolors, etc to flesh out the book (pun intended)
posted by goalyeehah at 7:28 AM PST - 4 comments

I need help finding this standard Soviet-era battery if I can. [more inside]
posted by Tchad at 6:31 AM PST - 8 comments

Am hoping to gain some insight about an insurance problem I'm having in the United States, where the main provider says I'm covered, but the secondary agent/supplier (not sure of current term) insists that I'm not. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by clocksock at 5:18 AM PST - 15 comments

I have two in-person 2 hour sessions with a rota of support workers from a mental health charity each week. If for some reason the session can't happen (like this week I am self-isolating with mild Delta Covid) I get phone calls instead. Initially I used one session to get my apartment tidy and the other to go out for coffee and chat, but we seem on top of tidying. What else could we do that would be therapeutic but work around me being low energy? [more inside]
posted by AuroraSky at 4:21 AM PST - 7 comments

For a few different reasons, I've been thinking of setting up a VPN on my home network and connecting to it from my mobile phone for my internet on the go. However, I have a metered internet connection, and I'm not sure how much more data would be used due to the overhead of encryption. What could I expect the impact to be? Are some protocols (L2TP, WireGuard) leaner than others?
posted by rouftop at 9:42 PM PST - 6 comments

How many too-small lemons* does it take to make two small lemons? [more inside]
posted by aniola at 8:16 PM PST - 6 comments

Unpleasant gut reaction to CBD gummies. Airy details within. Apologies in advance. [more inside]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 7:24 PM PST - 9 comments

A month ago I was living in a little rental with no immediate plans to change that, and contributing 15% of my income to retirement and feeling really blessed to be able to do that. But I'm suddenly planning to buy my neighbor's house, and now I'm trying to understand the best strategy forward. [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 6:27 PM PST - 14 comments

My daughter has a role in an upcoming high school production of 12 Angry Jurors. She wants to wear a pant suit, but one that leans solidly menswear. I’m aware of brands like Wildfang, and their aesthetic would be perfect here, but I don’t want to pay $$$ for a suit that will not be likely to see much wear beyond this play. I would love to spend less than $150. [more inside]
posted by little mouth at 6:19 PM PST - 8 comments

Right now, I am having trouble focusing my eyes. This makes reading difficult. I want to know what has worked for others in terms of magnifying books specifically. [more inside]
posted by Orlop at 5:28 PM PST - 9 comments

I feel like the (exhausting) work I’ve done to get over issues stemming from having two very narcissistic and emotionally abusive parents has amounted to very little. I haven’t accepted anything and I’m still very very angry about it. Is all this effort just pointless? [more inside]
posted by Riverside at 5:25 PM PST - 31 comments

I became a citizen, gave up my green card, and now I have no documents for the I-9 at a new job [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:20 PM PST - 17 comments

I've never been great with multiple people talking to me at the same time but I think it's getting worse. If I'm trying to pay attention to someone and another person starts talking (to me or to someone else in my hearing), I instantly seize up mentally and can't process what anyone is saying, my attention goes to shit, and I have a ragey panicky reaction, which I mostly don't show externally. [more inside]
posted by Vatnesine at 4:08 PM PST - 18 comments

As it says on the tin. I’m also getting angry at other people’s trauma responses. People who tell me to go to therapy will be yeeted into the sun. Ive got one! She’s good! I’m looking for solid anecdotes and science! Then I’ll bring that stuff to the therapist. Thank you. [more inside]
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 2:48 PM PST - 43 comments

We have overgrowing weeds in our small urban garden space. How do I deal with the weeds in a safe, non-toxic way so I can grow vegetables next summer? [more inside]
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 2:06 PM PST - 13 comments

Why don't we dose over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen by weight, volume, or other bodily metric? I have a hard time believing that 400 mg of ibuprofen has the same effect on me as someone who weighs 70 lb less than me.
posted by Tehhund at 12:45 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm getting a puppy! Yay! I have 2 older cats! Hmm. I need baby/pet gates that keep the pup contained... but lets the cats pass. For the first few months, the cats will be larger than the puppy. My elder cats are still good jumpers on to things... but not so much over things. I am perplexed. [more inside]
posted by cgg at 12:28 PM PST - 8 comments

I can walk and run and jump. I’m a decent athlete (running, skiing, biking, etc.) and I can keep time when singing or playing instruments. But when it comes to dancing, it’s like my brain and body don’t connect. Why? And can I ever improve? [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 10:58 AM PST - 10 comments

Looking for books or articles that, either broadly or through examining a specific instance or phenomenon, illustrate or argue that society is governed primarily by subconscious, irrational or logically flawed forces: myth, superstition, dreams, deep cultural archetypes, mass hysteria, biological drives, viral ideas, closed circuit reference primarily to simulacra, etc. [more inside]
posted by ryanshepard at 9:42 AM PST - 12 comments

I miss reading personal blogs. Specifically ones by people living in situations that are very remote, from my perspective, and talk about their daily lives. What is out there, that's updated in the last year? Needs to be in English, preferably with photos. For example: Miss Chardy (Australian cattle station), Kuummiut (East Greenland), The Alaska Teacher (the Alaska bush).
posted by The corpse in the library at 7:34 AM PST - 10 comments

On the housing estate where I live (London, UK), there is a communal lawn in which I protect an area from mowing to create a wildflower meadow. I'm struggling to find a suitable and long-lasting barrier to put around it to protect it from mowing and trampling. [more inside]
posted by snarfois at 7:08 AM PST - 16 comments

I have recently moved in with family, meaning that my personal living space has shrunk to one room. Since all my devices (computer and peripherals, TV, surge protectors, outlet multiplyers) now live in the room where I sleep, that means there’s a lot of glowing LEDs at night. Even several layers of masking tape does a poor job of dimming them. What actually works to cover these lights so my room can be properly dark? [more inside]
posted by ocherdraco at 6:42 AM PST - 25 comments

I was going through my recipes and I realize that I have a lot. How can I organize them better? I'm not looking for software or app recommendations, but I am looking at ways to make recipe storage, organization, and meal planning easier and more efficient. [more inside]
posted by synecdoche at 5:50 AM PST - 11 comments

I know, I know, do we need another book recs thread? But I'd like to read books about treasure hunts or puzzle solving. [more inside]
posted by joycehealy at 8:37 PM PST - 30 comments

We have a couple household signature drinks that are delicious and easy to throw together from ingredients we have on hand. What should our next addition to the list be? [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 4:49 PM PST - 34 comments

I was promised tech would save me. I read about Periscope Lenses and Optical Image Stabilization and then I think about my options for eyeglasses, and I feel like I've been left behind. [more inside]
posted by soylent00FF00 at 4:27 PM PST - 9 comments

What's the easiest way to get a phone notification or email when the Presidential Proclamation prohibiting travel from the UK to the US is lifted? [more inside]
posted by Glier's Goetta at 2:12 PM PST - 7 comments

So, here's what I'm trying to do -- I have a simple database with a list of names and demographics. I'd like to be able to generate templated documents (e.g. letters) in PDF form that incorporate fields from the database (e.g. name, date of birth, etc.) I'm using LibreOffice for this right now, and it works okay but is a bit of a pain. Is there a standalone software product that will do this? Caveat: likely can't be cloud-based because of the sensitivity of the data and PHIPA regulations. [more inside]
posted by greatgefilte at 1:30 PM PST - 13 comments

I hastily bought this 1-Amp car battery charger/maintainer for my car's dead battery. Only to read in the manual that it is not supposed to be used on batteries with a capacity over 30 Ah? My car battery capacity is apparently 46 Ah. What is the worst that could happen if I use it? [more inside]
posted by muddgirl at 1:19 PM PST - 22 comments

Assuming festivities will happen next year, will the annual Pride Parade fall on June 26th or July 3rd? [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 12:58 PM PST - 2 comments

Short version: have you had experience with a consumer virtual credit card company that you recommend? Privacy.com is the one I'm considering, but open to learning about others. [more inside]
posted by jzb at 12:29 PM PST - 5 comments

I need some shoes for working out at home, but I'm not sure what kind would be best. I will be ordering them online and not visiting a shoe store, so I need some guidance. [more inside]
posted by Stoof at 11:15 AM PST - 3 comments

Two problems: Nagging night-time cough and inability to get to sleep within a reasonable time. I know about Benadryl and its generic equivalents (preferable) but I don’t have a cold or the flu. Yesyesyes, I know about drinking water and sleeping slightly elevated. I am not interested in valerian or melatonin. I’m retired, so I no longer need to be “sharp” in the mornings. A little fuzz-head the next morning is fine by me. What do you prescribe, pill lovers of Metafilter?
posted by BostonTerrier at 10:26 AM PST - 27 comments

Visits to the eye doctor cause me a lot of anxiety. I hate the air puff test, getting my pupils dilated, and the “which can you see better?” part of getting a new prescription. As I search for a new eye doctor, are there new exams or equipment I can ask about that would mitigate these stressful parts of the exam? I’m in the Seattle area if it helps.
posted by christa at 10:02 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm taking my MacBook in for service and I want to back up everything before I do. Mainly have a ton of Word files that I don't want to lose. Not much else. I have an external hard drive which I bought for some reason some years ago and have never used. Can anyone give me quick tips on how to do the back up? Is the time machine involved? Thanks.
posted by swheatie at 7:54 AM PST - 10 comments

Have you or someone you know successfully transitioned from academic work to something that is decidedly outside academia? [more inside]
posted by anhedonic at 6:45 AM PST - 21 comments

Over the past 18 months, I’ve bought two $70-$90 APX Vape pens from my local smoke shop in TX. I even sent them back to get fixed after they broke the first time and they broke again. [more inside]
posted by ggp88 at 5:16 AM PST - 11 comments

Looking for people's experience of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. My sister had this for about three months nine years ago; it has recurred in the last couple of weeks and is intermittently quite disabling. We can see from looking online that there are some movement treatments which she didn't know about last time (Epley and Semont). Interested in whether these have worked for people and whether there is anything else she could try. Thanks. (Posting with her permission.)
posted by paduasoy at 2:05 AM PST - 18 comments

What show am I confusing with "Crossing Jordan"? I think it was from around the same era, and also had a brunette lead actress. My guess is that it was also a crime procedural, but I don't remember for sure.
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 7:48 PM PST - 19 comments

Does ghee smell good? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 6:36 PM PST - 25 comments

MS pages show how to upgrade to WIN10 keeping the old drive but not with new drive. Or am I just not finding the right help page on MS site. I'm really tempted to set up an install ISO as WIN10 and finding out if MS will bark at me or let me go on my way. [more inside]
posted by dancestoblue at 6:12 PM PST - 9 comments

As an alternative to using live actors on Zoom in a staged reading for my play, I want to know if its possible to use a program like Sim City or Minecraft to create avatars with overdubbed, synthetic voices, to be the readers. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 5:47 PM PST - 6 comments

Could somebody explain to me how the "brew stop" system in this water bottle works? [more inside]
posted by archagon at 5:05 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm visiting an HMart for the first time and I'd like to buy convenient Korean grocery items that will give me the feeling of a home-cooked meal while reducing time in the kitchen, such as microwaveable rice, frozen banchan, pre-cut meats, noodle kits, premade sauces & marinades. [more inside]
posted by chara at 5:05 PM PST - 7 comments

I bought a house and after moving in noticed the strong smell of natural gas in the kitchen. The gas company came out and confirmed that the GE gas range, and nothing else in the house, had a gas leak. After two service calls with official GE repair techs, the issue is worse than ever and I'd like help figuring out what my recourse is. [more inside]
posted by WhollyMatrimony at 2:39 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm looking for movies, documentaries, recordings, etc. where I could hear how the Roma peoples in the early 20th century (1930s-40s) in Western Europe -- specifically France -- spoke. I'm not so interested in the language itself or their modifications of French, but really just the accent and how they sounded when speaking. Recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Saxon Kane at 12:40 PM PST - 2 comments

I would like to add a rack to my bike and get panniers so that I can carry more and heavier groceries. I do not want a bike cart at this time. What panniers do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 11:33 AM PST - 28 comments

Are there any Lao MeFites who could help me out? [more inside]
posted by oywiththepoodles at 10:41 AM PST - 1 comment

I'm writing an essay on George Harrison and trying to reconstruct some memories from my childhood about the movie A Hard Days Nights. More specifically its trailer. [more inside]
posted by zenpop at 10:00 AM PST - 9 comments

Is it specific to the country? Or, as a member of the EU, does Bulgaria have a process through that? And how long does it take?
posted by rileyray3000 at 9:59 AM PST - 5 comments

I received a Crabtree and Evelyn foot scrub a few years ago as a gift, stuck it in a drawer and forgot about it. I started using it recently only to discover that I loooooove the scent. It reminds me of a Fa bubble bath I used back in the 80s. Can you help me identify what the scent is so I can find something similar? [more inside]
posted by Frenchy67 at 9:40 AM PST - 2 comments

My wife's parents are foreign citizens currently living in their home country, and one of them has has a serious preexisting condition that appears to have been successfully treated (it's early), but at a minimum will need regular follow up visits with a doctor. At some point soon they want to visit the US on a visitor's visa, and I have a lot of logistical questions about providing healthcare in this scenario. [more inside]
posted by cosmic.osmo at 9:00 AM PST - 15 comments

This song usually pops up in my usual vintage Halloween playlists, but now that I'm trying to find it, it eludes me! Has a 50s/60s crooner vibe opener, then picks up the pace a little. The opening lyrics are along the lines of "Have you ever walked by a cemetery under full moonlight", "leaves all around (on the ground?)", "didn't know it could be so scary"... then as it picks up, lyrics may include "everythings gonna be alright", "ghost rock n roll (?)".
posted by Unsomnambulist at 8:48 AM PST - 4 comments

We want to setup a "multi-headphone" bluetooth connection to our TV, so our kids can watch TV with headphones without bugging others in the home. Any suggestions on solutions that work easily for kids (6 and 9) and aren't overly complicated and support at least 3 headphones [more inside]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 8:25 AM PST - 5 comments

Considering bringing an old dog into my home, which is ruled by a spoilt cat. [more inside]
posted by antihistameme at 8:23 AM PST - 7 comments

In my old home of Charleston, SC a certain demographic (native southern upper-class (but maybe also middle class?) whites and those who now are in those circles) would greet a new person they've met with "Good to see you" instead of "Nice to meet you". What other US regional subculture uses this phrasing, or what other cultures use this phrase roughly translated?
posted by sandmanwv at 7:02 AM PST - 16 comments

Do you have a favourite recipe for cannabis edibles? Would you tell me about it? [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 5:49 AM PST - 13 comments

A relative will be coming in to the United States in Newark with some luggage that is too heavy for her to easily handle. Does anyone have any suggestions on hauling this through customs. I figure that, at the least, she should be able to get a cart and ask another traveler to help move the bag(s) off the baggage carrousel. Is there any kind of luggage handling for hire at this airport? Thanks for any responses!
posted by metadave at 5:23 AM PST - 6 comments

I am on the board for a small nonprofit that is looking to move beyond email collaboration. We have a nonprofit license for Office365, but we are have heard complaints about how complicated it is to administer Office365. In the context of a 10-20 person volunteer "staff", what is the actual difficulty level in configuring the system and managing users? [more inside]
posted by philosophygeek at 3:35 AM PST - 6 comments

Some of the MP3s in my iTunes library won’t properly finish playing, and the play count and time last played for them don’t change when iTunes moves on to the next song in the playlist. [more inside]
posted by Grinder at 11:56 PM PST - 2 comments

Hi! We are trying to put together a portfolio of drawings for admission to art school. Are there any studios or other places near the LA Beach Cities (Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo) where you could pay a fee to drop into a studio that has a live model and do some life drawing during that time? Thanks!
posted by susiswimmer at 7:51 PM PST - 3 comments

My car is parked in the lot behind the house and since I didn't need to drive for ~2 years I never saw it - I always used the front door. A few months ago I needed the car to get a vaccine and discovered that this license plate light has been detached and is hanging down. [more inside]
posted by bendy at 7:35 PM PST - 8 comments

There's a book called "The ______ American." I can't remember the middle word. It's a not-at-all veiled satire about a US diplomat who travels abroad. [more inside]
posted by rockyraccoon at 7:12 PM PST - 4 comments

I really liked the Contigo Madison water bottle but it was discontinued. I loved that I could use it with one hand, that it was basically impossible for me to accidentally not close properly and spill all over my bag, the built in carabiner hook, and the fact that water flowed quite fast. For a while I was using the Contigo Chug as a replacement because at least it had the carabiner and I could drink fast, but now it looks like that's discontinued as well. Does anyone have any ideas? (no straws please)
posted by Salamandrous at 6:08 PM PST - 9 comments

I have been tasked to find a specific kind of pro-vaxx video, and I am failing. Badly. Nurse-spouse has asked me to find videos for her vaccine-hesitant patients, specifically testimonials from folks who have overcome their hesitancy because they wanted to protect other people, see grandchildren again, hell, at this point just to go to bars, but ideally because they wanted to protect other people if not themselves. [more inside]
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 3:42 PM PST - 18 comments

I have hooded eyes, I am utterly inexperienced with eye makeup, and I'm looking for a tutorial that covers both of those bases. Lots of stuff I'm finding about hooded eyes assumes you know some terms, don't mind a ten-step process, etc. That's not me. Pretend I'm your baby sister, I just bought my very first palette, and I just threw it in the trash in frustration because nobody's instructions matched my face — that's where I'm at. Where can I start that won't be invisible or smear off immediately?
posted by nebulawindphone at 3:05 PM PST - 22 comments

Why has my back tire flatted twice in nine days? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 2:17 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm looking for a combo space heater/fan/air purifier, and every time I find one I like [read: under $600] the evil shopping site tells me they don't ship to California. [more inside]
posted by Space Kitty at 1:28 PM PST - 8 comments

As a freelance writer, how can I research where to pitch articles? I'm new to this (two articles published so far), and I'm going to be writing about a wide variety of subjects. For each topic, how do I decide where the best place to pitch would be? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 11:53 AM PST - 6 comments

So my kid really loves toys that have a lot of switches or buttons that, when activated, give an immediate response, either visually or through a short sound. [more inside]
posted by thelasttango at 11:23 AM PST - 14 comments

I've had lower back pain since the age of 15 (F, early thirties now). After giving up on trying to get help for it for a decade because of various reasons, I've restated the process of actually identifying the reason/source and managing the pain. That's an ongoing process. I was hoping for help in fixing my sitting posture, which is definitely not helping. [more inside]
posted by Nieshka at 9:31 AM PST - 30 comments

I'm starting to learn guitar (currently on Justin Guitar Stage 2) with an acoustic guitar I got for my birthday. I really am enjoying it so far but am having a lot of trouble getting the notes to sound clear. [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 8:16 AM PST - 30 comments

Looking for any videos or books with a calming effect to help them transition without fear. Maybe documentaries about people who have their lives videotaped till the end, how they face death with courage, books that explain the process with a spiritual (NOT CHRISTIAN) perspective, practical advice coming from those who work in hospice is also appreciated. They are facing a disease that can quicken at any time and there is no cure. Thank you.
posted by watercarrier at 8:07 AM PST - 11 comments

I’m personally quite nervous about something like the Great Depression happening in my lifetime. All I find are prepper forums, but no, I’m not going to buy a ranch with guns and ammo and canned beans. I could, however, use some help thinking about investments, some level of self sufficiency, and cultivating skills that could help employability in that situation. Any websites or original ideas you can suggest are welcome!
posted by redlines at 7:14 AM PST - 37 comments

I read this piece on Slate about lawyers using the phrase 'ratchet' and its use as a slur (4th questions). I have a few queries. [more inside]
posted by socky_puppy at 5:45 AM PST - 18 comments

I don't know why, but I walked across the bridge, against a flow of people leaving Manhattan. I don't know what to do with the pictures. It seems like I probably have images of people that might mean something to someone? Or maybe they're just tragedy, and of no real purpose or use.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 10:29 PM PST - 11 comments

I have seen certain video effects on Instagram videos that I would like to be able to replicate with my own content. [more inside]
posted by jitterbug perfume at 5:32 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm a high school teacher and every 3 months I need to send mass text messages to 50-100 phone numbers. Please a suggest a free/cheap service that I can rely on. [more inside]
posted by gnutron at 4:27 PM PST - 5 comments

Have you made your own dill pickles? What recipe did you use? [more inside]
posted by Charity Garfein at 2:39 PM PST - 9 comments

I am not an avid cellphone user, I have never given anyone my number, I do not like speaking on the phone, and I definiely do not want a smartphone. Tracfone says my phone is obsolete, and due to changes in their carrier's system, will cease to function soon. [more inside]
posted by ackptui at 1:42 PM PST - 9 comments

I've mostly used canned chickpeas because I'm lazy, but I'm nearly out of them, so I went to the basement today to see whatever happened to that 4 lb bag of dried chickpeas that I bought in the beginning of the pandemic. When I got there, I found that the bag (last used at least 6 months ago) was open. Maybe I didn't close it right last time? The chickpeas look fine, and appear to be free of bugs—can I use them? [more inside]
posted by vitout at 12:56 PM PST - 6 comments

Lately I've been captivated by cyberpunk, Dune-movie-ish, Japanese tactical-looking street wear, or hippie harem pants and want to know where to look to find it. If it's flowy, baggy, tight at the ankles and black, so much the better. Brands I already know about: Demobaza, Schnittmuskel, Urban Society. But those are inspirations for what I'm on about here.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 12:53 PM PST - 21 comments

I need an explainer like I'm twenty-five about hiring an attorney to look at things like wills and contracts and documents, hiring an accountant or tax person to do increasingly complex taxes and talk me through financial decisions and considerations, and a financial person to help with things like 401ks, insurance policies and IRAs. [more inside]
posted by cashman at 12:42 PM PST - 7 comments

I want to start a new business. What are some ways I can find some co-founders? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 12:37 PM PST - 8 comments

I just ordered a new computer. I would like to protect my data/files with a back up. I'd been previously using dropbox to store things but a friend recommended something called "backblaze" which seems to provide a slightly different service. I'm struggling to figure out the difference/which one I want. Would you recommend dropbox or backblaze or something else? [more inside]
posted by azalea_chant at 12:05 PM PST - 9 comments

What is this scraping sound coming from my front wheel? [more inside]
posted by Jess the Mess at 11:45 AM PST - 14 comments

I subscribe to the rss feed of The Guardian and would like to replace it with another site that is left-leaning, not transphobic, and isn't behind a paywall. [more inside]
posted by bleary at 11:04 AM PST - 5 comments

Yesterday, I saw that my phone screen was on to a tab I didn't open, and clicking the back button several times showed me a pretty random-looking history. What is the best course of action here? [more inside]
posted by klausman at 10:56 AM PST - 9 comments

I would like to buy an automatic cat feeder for my furbeast. It must measure the food it spits out, and be programmable to dispense food twice a day. Ideally it would hold enough food for several days - minimum 1L. Budget is ~$100CAD, but can be a little flexible. Hivemind, please recommend some feeders!
posted by torisaur at 10:50 AM PST - 15 comments

I gather only Spaniards use the "vosotros" form in Spanish; everyone else uses "ustedes." How did this come to pass? Is it anything to do with Mesoamerican languages, the way the "to do" construction may come from Brittonic?
posted by musofire at 10:35 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm setting up a repeating series of Zoom meetings. If I'm giving my coworkers a clickable link, the Meeting ID, and the Password, is there any good accessibility reason not to trim the lengthy list of phone numbers and IP addresses that gets put at the end of an auto-generated Zoom invite? Especially if that Zoom meeting is only being used by people all living in the same US state? [more inside]
posted by HeroZero at 10:32 AM PST - 10 comments

I’m looking for US regional (state/county-level) data that characterizes the degree to which the climate in each region is stigmatizing toward or has identity-specific resources for queer and/or BIPOC people in that region. The data must (1) be immediately publicly available, (2) be available for all or most US regions, (3) reflect the current climate rather than historical climate, and (4) directly reflect BIPOC/queer-specific stigma or resources rather than a related topic (even if it’s highly related, like presidential election results). Ideally, the data should be updated regularly. [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 9:59 AM PST - 6 comments

I am trying to help an online friend identify some potential free or sliding-scale options to receive a likely ADHD diagnosis as an adult. The diagnosis should be portable, i.e. such that they will be able to receive treatment elsewhere without being re-diagnosed, including from state or Federal public providers. [more inside]
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:57 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm working on a short story where the villain gets killed in a particular setting. I'm looking for a city/town which has a lot of well-to-do people living close to a road that runs along a cliff or escarpment. The bad guy ends up accidentally, on purpose, falling to his death while on a walk from his house. Anywhere in U.S. or Canada would do but I'm also open to European locales too.
posted by storybored at 8:31 AM PST - 31 comments

I like Poem of the Day email lists. Can you recommend diverse, Art History 101 resources for daily doses of random (or even better, carefully curated) art? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 8:11 AM PST - 3 comments

I’m trying to identify a short story that I read as a teen in a US sci-fi magazine in the mid-to-late 1990s. It’s set in contemporary times. A widower librarian comes into work and discovers his research PC has been mysteriously updated and can objectively answer any question. [more inside]
posted by kaisemic at 7:05 AM PST - 3 comments

My sister and her husband, who own no Apple devices, have received a free year of AppleTV+ from their cell phone provider. She has successfully set it up on her Fire streaming stick, but she says she can't share the account with her husband without going through an Apple device. Can I help her by adding her Apple ID to my iPad, signing in as her, and inviting her husband to Family Sharing with her account, all without impacting my own AppleTV/Family Sharing Setup? Or is there a way to enable/manage Family Sharing through Apple's website?
posted by lhauser at 7:01 AM PST - 4 comments

I am filming some informational videos with my iPhone 11 and I need a microphone to assist with sound quality. [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:52 AM PST - 6 comments

My primary-aged kids, especially my 8-year-old, are showing signs of intense anxiety around disease and death. I'm looking for resources that can help them cope with this in a healthy way. [more inside]
posted by sir jective at 5:33 AM PST - 12 comments

There is a certain experience I am hoping to have in the near future, and to help prepare I want to do more things that encourage a more regular sense of letting go and surrender. Can anyone help me brainstorm some activities or methods that might be helpful? [more inside]
posted by sxtrumpeto at 1:33 AM PST - 17 comments

I have a large (300+) excel spreadsheet of customer names and addresses. These people each need a package shipped to them. Is there a way to import the list into UPS, or am I stuck entering each one individually? I do have access to a CampusShip account, but all I see is an address book.
posted by Violet Hour at 12:40 AM PST - 1 comment

What are your go-to brands or products for affordable and sustainable self-care and home & garden upkeep? UK-based preferably, but if it's economical and sustainable to ship, further-afield suggestions are welcome too. [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam at 12:23 AM PST - 14 comments

Similar to the famous Airbnb cereal boxes. Curious if anyone here has attempted such a project — or received one as a gift! Would love to hear suggestions or even counterintuitive considerations. E.g., types of cereal to avoid.
posted by shrimpetouffee at 11:39 PM PST - 4 comments

Many of my coworkers are having existential crises right now and I guess it's my turn. We work in the fitness industry, though I am hopefully leaving for a different space in about a month that I like and care about. However, I don't feel like I have anything outside of work that makes me go, yeah, my life has meaning. If you've been through your own crisis of faith, what helped you move forward and find what gives you life? [more inside]
posted by Hermione Granger at 10:23 PM PST - 23 comments

My spouse and I plan to downsize from two cars to one, and also to replace the cars with one that is new to us. I realize that there is dearth of cars for sale in the USA right now. But, given that, we are debating buying a diffrerent car now or waiting until prices come down. [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 8:16 PM PST - 14 comments

I just bought a fifth of Fireball whisky at my local grocery store in Queens. In my 25 years of living in NYC, it's never been legal to sell hard alcohol in grocery stores. I don't see anything online about the laws having changed in New York and I feel like I wouldn't have missed that in the news. Is my grocery store just shady?
posted by Neely O'Hara at 5:26 PM PST - 20 comments

Let's say that someone had a project that involved a nonfiction feature piece of 4000 words for a well-known venue, starting now and aiming to finish by January, with 2 collaborators involved in the writing. If the collaborators were looking to hire a freelance editor to do developmental work + editing for craft for this project, what would be a fair rate to pay, and how would it be paid? (e.g. per hour, or invoice at the end of the project?)
posted by Rich Text at 3:27 PM PST - 5 comments

Five years ago I posted about my supremely uncomfortable mid-century modern sofa, and got some solid advice including borometz's first and only Metafilter post! Please help me cushion my butt. [more inside]
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 3:23 PM PST - 6 comments

Trying to find someone out there in the world who will do some basic custom canvas work for my new teardrop camper. [more inside]
posted by sewellcm at 1:50 PM PST - 8 comments

I need Wordpress help, just not sure what kind of help I need ! [more inside]
posted by lobstah at 12:36 PM PST - 11 comments

Pretty much what it says on the tin -- I hear people say that GMOs are cited as a cause of the global spike in peanut allergies, but I'm curious whether this idea stems from studies or just from a general intuition some people have that GMO=bad. When I google it, what I tend to find is pop science stuff that attributes it to lack of germ contact and too much indoor time, but not much reference to GMOs.
posted by kensington314 at 12:30 PM PST - 14 comments

I’ve given up caffeine and am having lots of headaches, which I understand is quite common. I’m wondering if you can tell me how long your headaches lasted, especially if you are a migraineur. [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 12:27 PM PST - 23 comments

I’m running a basic streaming setup through OBS. Every time I power up my PC I have to either bump up or down my audio settings by about 15db. Sometimes it is too loud so I turn it down, other times it is too low, so I turn it up. None of the settings on the mixer, usb interface or PC have been changed between startups. What could be causing this? I’d like to be able to just turn on my PC and have the settings the same each time, rather than having to make adjustments each time. (specs inside) [more inside]
posted by roaring beast at 10:59 AM PST - 7 comments

What platforms can a mutual aid group use to accept recurring monthly donations, if the group is not registered as a non-profit and does not have an official bank account? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 10:12 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a job interview coming up - over Zoom. What kind of outfit should I wear? [more inside]
posted by RajahKing at 9:25 AM PST - 20 comments

Reading McPhee on Alaska, and then Edward Abbey on Arches, Utah. I am curious about the discussion around preserving whole vast areas of country, which may mean few will ever get to them. [more inside]
posted by ebesan at 8:49 AM PST - 29 comments

I just bought this Ikea Bror work bench for kitchen use, as additional counter space and storage. How should I treat the plywood in the short term for food prep use? [more inside]
posted by andrewesque at 8:19 AM PST - 13 comments

Our 7-year old has been diagnosed with anxiety, ADHD, an a math-related learning disability, and some related issues by a private psychologist. We have some external resources lined up, but I could really use some help parenting. [more inside]
posted by myaskme at 7:33 AM PST - 13 comments

Should I move from my job of 3 years to a new much higher paying job for the money, despite not necessarily being the best job for me? Or stay and I hope I find a similarly good opportunity? [more inside]
posted by iamcrispy at 6:20 AM PST - 21 comments

I’m not sure if I fermented garlic the right way and now I don’t know if I should toss it. [more inside]
posted by archimago at 6:15 AM PST - 6 comments

Hello, Hivemind: I'm looking for examples of violence that has been done in the service of the belief that civilization and modernity have led to worse societal outcomes (e.g., so-called "primitivism" or "anarcho-primitivism"). [more inside]
posted by mrmanvir at 6:13 AM PST - 14 comments

For Reasons, I have several pounds of baking soda. What can I do with it that doesn’t involve baking, a craft, or a science experiment?
posted by bookmammal at 5:50 AM PST - 27 comments

How should I respond if my soon-to-be-former job asks for help after I leave? [more inside]
posted by Diskeater at 5:27 AM PST - 20 comments

I received an email notifying me that changes were made to my Marvel account . . . except, I don't have a Marvel account. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by NewShoo at 4:54 AM PST - 5 comments

My dog has seasonal allergies, causing skin itching. The vet treats this with Apoquel, which certainly helps. But the scratching resumes before the next dose is able to be administered. Do you have any suggestions for ameliorating the itchiness?
posted by mortaddams at 4:06 AM PST - 11 comments

Saul had just been released from captivity. He’s lying on the ground. Carrie is crouched over him, their faces close. Her pistol is tucked into the back of her pants. What episode was this in?
posted by cake vandal at 3:46 AM PST - 4 comments

Our new apartment has a ventilation system that automatically extracts and circulates air in response to the humidity level. However, neither bathroom has a dedicated user-activated extraction fan or exterior window. This works fine for controlling moisture build-up but leaves few options for managing "interesting" smells that can occur in bathrooms used by humans and a cat. Aside from the obvious like leaving doors open as much as possible for air circulation, how can we best "freshen" the air in these bathrooms? [more inside]
posted by 4rtemis at 3:45 AM PST - 13 comments

Here in the United States, there's a candy known as cherry slices (see photo at link). It's very sugary. Are there any versions of this that have less sugar and more cherry flavor? Or at least versions that have more cheery flavor?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:33 AM PST - 6 comments

I really like Everlane. I quite like Madewell. I live in Melbourne, Australia. I cannot really deal with the delays for Everlane of upwards of 2 months and then, sometimes, not arriving at all. Where should I shop online? [more inside]
posted by jojobobo at 2:57 AM PST - 8 comments

For real, preferably with sources: for what conditions is there a reasonable medical consensus that a patient shouldn’t get *any* of the covid vaccines available in the US right now, ever? [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 12:07 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm looking for essentially a clear stiff ribbon about 3/16" - 3/8" wide, and at least three feet long (a roll of a few yards would be better). I'd love silicone, but I can only find super thin/stretchy elastic, and that will be too difficult for my use case: using it with some thin double-sided tape to slightly extend the edge of glass terrarium doors. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 10:35 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm an advanced Japanese language student looking to get more exposure to Japanese as it is used online (as well as just general cultural etc exposure). But not sure where to look! [more inside]
posted by wooh at 9:46 PM PST - 5 comments

How do people who were raised Jewish but are no longer religious foster a sense of Jewish identity in their kids? Any good traditions or holiday celebration ideas? [more inside]
posted by Gravel at 8:26 PM PST - 10 comments

Do you have toy storage you love which is not a cube shelf? We have invested heavily in the cube shelf system and organizers for it, but it’s not going to fit in my child’s new room. What’s my next step after the cube shelf stage? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 8:01 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm so burned out that I'm not much able to do the things that would help. I'm ooking for some helpful books, videos, articles, etc. Snowflake within. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 7:50 PM PST - 6 comments

I was very happy with the job Ingram Spark did turning my interior files and cover into a print book. That was before 2019. In 2020, I was ready to turn the print book into an ebook. That has been nothing less than a nightmare. So I am looking to other ebook publishers, including Amazon. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 7:17 PM PST - 2 comments

We have a chest freezer in our basement. At some point in the past week or so, it became unplugged. How screwed are we? [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 6:33 PM PST - 5 comments

Would I be required to repay the SSA for continued SSDI funding received during their current review backlog, if they determine I no longer qualify for aid? [more inside]
posted by mochapickle at 4:49 PM PST - 2 comments

Is there a place to download or view album liner notes and booklets? Preferably newer music, not interested in a historical-only archive. Would be great if it plays nice or at all with Spotify.
posted by signal at 4:42 PM PST - 2 comments

How many Netflixes to the moon and back? How much Encyclopedia Brittanica can fit on the head of a pin? How long would you need to listen to Spotify to read all emails ever? [more inside]
posted by turbid dahlia at 2:57 PM PST - 19 comments

I live in a small condo building (>10 units) and the association has tasked me with replacing our 20-year-old doorbell/building access system. SOS! There are tons of options out there. I don't know where to start. Ideally I'd want a one-and-done installation without recurring fees, and the simpler the better. Security and reliability are paramount and I'm not convinced an app-based system is the answer (but please prove me wrong if needed). Thanks so much for your recommendations.
posted by lecorbeau at 2:44 PM PST - 6 comments

I made a batch of sriracha using Cook's Illustrated's recipe. However, I completely forgot to add the sugar and salt at the end of step one (or step five, in this non-paywalled version). I otherwise completed every other step, apart from letting it sit in the fridge for 24 hours. Is there any way I can save this sauce? Thank you for your help!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 2:18 PM PST - 5 comments

The house I rent has a small peach tree that produces lots of tiny, hard, thick-skinned peaches. They currently fall on the patio deck for several weeks making a mess. Some are eaten by squirrels and maybe rats, opossums or raccoons. They taste pretty good but the size, skin and bruises from hitting the ground make them rather unpalatable to eat out of hand. Making jam doesn’t really seem feasible or am I missing something? [more inside]
posted by shoesietart at 12:49 PM PST - 16 comments

If you test positive for covid, what's the latest on what might help to prevent a severe case/complications. I remember sleep on your stomach (and don't lie down except to sleep if you can avoid it). I remember breathing exercises. Are those still a thing? Is there any vitamin it's worth taking at that point or did that ship sail once you have the positive test? Medications to get from family doctor to prevent serious disease? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 12:18 PM PST - 15 comments

I have to wear Superfeet orthotics, which means I need shoes with removable insoles. Can you recommend cute, comfortable casual women's sneakers with removable insoles, available in the US? [more inside]
posted by radioamy at 12:07 PM PST - 13 comments

Google Forms is clearing forms instead of accepting responses and we don't know why. [more inside]
posted by firemonkey at 11:03 AM PST - 3 comments

Our child is too young to be vaccinated, and our school district is not taking any real steps to prevent the spread of COVID. As a result, we’ve chosen what we see as the least-bad option: enrolling her in Edmentum, the “cyber option” that the district is providing. Folks who’ve had experience with Edmentum: What do you wish you’d known when your child started with this program? How can we make this less awful? Or, maybe, even good? [more inside]
posted by TEA at 9:21 AM PST - 2 comments

In the opening bit for the final season of Attack on Titan, there's a section that shows soldiers marching in formation. It reminds me of something but I can't quite place it. Any suggestions? I'm thinking a video from Nine Inch Nails or something like that, from the early 1990s. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:51 AM PST - 12 comments

On Saturday night, I had a frustrating and confusing experience that I'm trying to unpack. I also have a short video of someone doing something uncool-but-not-illegal, and I don't know what to do with that, either. [more inside]
posted by Mayor West at 7:02 AM PST - 34 comments

If there are two people but only one can paddle, which would be more fun: a tandem kayak or a canoe? [more inside]
posted by geegollygosh at 5:20 AM PST - 11 comments

I will be facilitating an online writing workshop. I'm looking for the best way for group members to pay the group fee. [more inside]
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 12:11 AM PST - 7 comments

From a friend: I just remembered this book I read as a kid (So, prior to the mid-90s), and I can't remember the title, and it's starting to drive me nuts. It was set in NY, I think, and the main character was a black girl in junior high or maybe high school. Her father was a civil rights lawyer, maybe? Her uncle was a famous dancer, and her little brother loved dancing, but her father thought that it was degrading for black people to perform like that, and wouldn't let the little brother dance. The girl joined or started some kind of group at school for civil rights for kids. Anybody else remember this book?
posted by DebetEsse at 9:22 PM PST - 3 comments

The best way my sister feels loved is through a good laugh or delightful surprise.....and that often is via a gift. I usually go to thrift stores, estate sales, or ebay looking for vintage weird things. This past year I've been avoiding people, as many of us have, so my usual supply is low. (I keep a little cubby full of gifts I find throughout the year, so whenever a gift-giving event comes up, I'm ready!) What are some of your favorite items or shops that spark delight for you? [more inside]
posted by pdxhiker at 8:59 PM PST - 37 comments

I'm working on a design for a low deck (~18"/45cm above grade) with a gazebo above the deck, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to support both the deck and gazebo. [more inside]
posted by Ickster at 8:04 PM PST - 10 comments

I moved out of NYC and I miss Doughnut Plant yeasted doughnuts so much. I also just got a stand mixer, so I want a baking project, and I'm thinking doughnuts. Can anyone recommend a good yeasted doughnut recipe? [more inside]
posted by catcafe at 6:41 PM PST - 8 comments

For a potential future culinary experiment - I need recipes where honey is the star ingredient. What have ya got? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:37 PM PST - 16 comments

I'd like to find reading material about the nuts and bolts of the daily operation of ocean-going European sailing ships from roughly 1450 to 1700. Books on this topic would be very welcome. What were the different jobs on board, what did an average sailor do all day, what provisions were stocked, what things most often went wrong? [more inside]
posted by cubeb at 5:59 PM PST - 13 comments

My son is starting JK and I would like to use our two google home minis to aid in our nighttime and morning routines. In particular, I want A) A wake-up alarm that plays a specific song B) Some specific reminders (think "Bedtime routine starts in 20 /10/5/2 minutes" and "It's bedtime" etc.) that I would set up to happen either at specific times or X minutes after I trigger a bedtime or morning routine. Ideally I would like it to be possible to vary the start times or trigger times. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 4:13 PM PST - 3 comments

I want a thingy that will plug into my laptop and that will allow me to (1) have images from my laptop appear on its screen, (2) doodle on them in various ways, and (3) save the new layer as an image file on the laptop. What's the best but not too expensive thingy you've encountered to achieve these ends? [more inside]
posted by goatdog at 3:25 PM PST - 19 comments

We got this over-the-door mirror for our bedroom, and the door space in the mirror's brackets is bigger than our door is deep, which causes the brackets to sit kind of weird and keep our door from shutting unless you futz with it. (I took some pictures to try to show what I mean.) How can we get it so that our door will close easily again without it looking like a terrible DIY hack-job? [more inside]
posted by joshuaconner at 2:34 PM PST - 8 comments

As a retail investor, say I wanted to put a small monthly amount (let us say $1k/mo) over a long period of time expecting a 2007-2008 style financial collapse in cryptocurrency. Basically instead of investing long, I'm willing to make lose relatively small bets over a long period of time assuming there will be a crash at some point. Are there any instruments that allow me to do this as a retail investor? [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 1:36 PM PST - 10 comments

I need quality, supportive, long lasting, not too feminine cold weather shoes. I don't have to go to the office frequently but when I do, there's a ton of walking. I need good support or else my vascular autoimmune condition goes crazy. Help me narrow down brands to try based on what I like and need and what you've experienced with these brands. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 1:27 PM PST - 20 comments

I am looking for trans-affirmative, anti-sexist writing (or audio or video) that frame gender somewhat differently than is the current dominant [left] framing. [more inside]
posted by latkes at 11:28 AM PST - 19 comments

I recently purchased Phillips Hue Bulbs (as well as a Bridge). Bring on the sunrise! What will make my smart home smartest? [more inside]
posted by Mr Yak at 11:27 AM PST - 5 comments

Biological clock question inside... [more inside]
posted by knownfossils at 9:37 AM PST - 26 comments

I used to use a moka pot to make espresso for lattes, until the acid reflux became too much. I don't get acid reflux if I get lattes or coffee from coffee shops (what gives?!?) How can I get espresso (without the heartburn) at home without spending a fortune? I miss my lattes, but don't miss the heartburn. [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 9:11 AM PST - 17 comments

In reference to my previous question, I decided to forgo plastic surgery/an external magnetic connection for my replacement ear, and instead, decided on a skin medpor implant. However, my doctor warned me of potential infections, and said the rib implant would be the safest in terms of infection. However, there's some cons. More details inside the fold. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 8:43 AM PST - 5 comments

Pics and a short video. The first pic is for context. The mystery thing is at the bottom left of the awesome tree. [more inside]
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 7:40 AM PST - 12 comments

A friend asked me if it would be possible, at least reasonably possible, to rewire a switch in the bathroom. Currently, no pun intended, this switch controls both the light and the exhaust fan. [more inside]
posted by jtexman1 at 7:04 AM PST - 9 comments

I have the time and inclination to work out, but I don’t have the time and inclination to pick a program and meticulously spreadsheet out my workouts. For weightlifting I’ve found more than one app where you just tap a button and you get “this is what you’re doing today” based on a well-respected program (e.g., 5/3/1). Is the same thing available for training for a sprint triathlon? Free or paid is fine. [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 3:19 AM PST - 2 comments

Is there any precedent in academic or scholarly writing of using a Unicode character to denote that a specific passage of writing such as a phrase or paragraph is explicitly normative or prescriptive? [more inside]
posted by sindark at 11:49 PM PST - 21 comments

My spouse and I are coming up on our 30th anniversary of a wonderful and very nourishing partnership. In pursuit of her fulfillment, she has told me that she wants to have sex with other people, but there's a codicil... [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:31 PM PST - 32 comments

I am repurposing an Intel iMac to run a clean copy of Windows 10 for my Windows-loving parents. I have installed Windows 10 Pro and set it up with the Microsoft cloud/network/ecosystem account I use for regular work. How can I add a regular, local, administrator-level account (for said parents), such that the account does not require ties to the Microsoft/Skype/OneDrive/etc. ecosystem? [more inside]
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 10:53 PM PST - 6 comments

Last week I saw a mother and teen daughter wearing the same jumpsuit. I can't get it out of my head. Help me find it! [more inside]
posted by beyond_pink at 7:19 PM PST - 3 comments

This dish sponge is perfect. It's on the small side with plastic mesh bits that scrub really well but also don't scratch. It's sold in large multi-pack of mixed colors (8-10 sponges per bag) in a clear plastic bag with a cardboard closure at the top. Have you seen this sponge? Backstory below. [more inside]
posted by countrymod at 5:54 PM PST - 12 comments

I am curious about a wireless microphone headset for a teacher -- preferably with a remote speaker. Budget under $100. Battery should last the school day, but charging each night is fine. Can anyone suggest a specific unit, or general principles of the things, or pitfalls to avoid? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 5:36 PM PST - 7 comments

Have you embraced the breezy classic sleepwear of yesteryear? Help me find some pretty dresses to fall asleep in. [more inside]
posted by donut_princess at 5:21 PM PST - 13 comments

Several months ago (I think), I heard a podcast about the 1918 flu and COVID-19. IIRC there is a unique genetic origin for each, and the one from 1918 is the basis of all others since then except for COVID-19. I'd like to listen to this podcast again but I can't figure out which one it is. Can anyone tell me which podcast this was? [more inside]
posted by happy_cat at 4:24 PM PST - 2 comments

I’m trying to replace my bathroom vanity. It should be easy, but I need to replace the water shutoff valves and they’re so totally rusted on that I can’t unscrew them. One of them is leaking. Emergency plumbers can’t come til Tuesday, so I’m going to need to shut off all the water to my house until this is fixed. Please help me get this fucker off and replace it? [more inside]
posted by centrifugal at 3:56 PM PST - 14 comments

Mr. McGee currently has a mania for Korean food and has been cooking it at home, but internet recipes are of uneven quality! Can you suggest some good English-language Korean cookbooks that he might enjoy learning from and cooking from? [more inside]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 3:42 PM PST - 14 comments

So I normally don't sleep well. As noted on here nine years ago, on a bad night I awake after five hours and 45 minutes, which I think means I'm sleeping and waking up after four, 86-minute cycles. I have anxiety, and neurodivergent, blah blah who know. So the other day I was exhausted and feel asleep around 8:00-ish and woke up at 4:00 a.m. and today I feel amazing. According to my Fitbit I had one hr and 22 minutes of Deep and REM sleep, and 41% restorative sleep. I have so much mental energy today that I almost feel manic. Is this what life is like for non-insomniacs? Or did I juice my brain chemicals by getting up at 4:00 a.m.? Or is something else going on? How can feel this way ALL THE TIME? [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 2:17 PM PST - 12 comments

i dye my hair semi-regularly with overtone coloring conditioner i order online. my most recent box came with the seal open and dye on the outside of the jar. if this was a food product, i'd toss it, but it was expensive, and i'm not actually EATING it, just putting it on my hair... would it be an absolutely terrible idea for me to use it anyway? for what it's worth, i don't think it's been tampered with, since it is the correct color and scent.
posted by maighdeann mhara at 2:03 PM PST - 10 comments

We've lived at our current residence for two years. A few months after we moved in, we put up a 6 foot fence because we had to rescue my Mom's German Shepherd. We put it conservatively within our property line. The property that faces the longest length of said fence has new owners, who this past week put up a fence that they butted up against ours. We're pretty sure their fence is now on our property. We'd appreciate perspectives on how best to negotiate this. [more inside]
posted by Tchozz at 12:15 PM PST - 16 comments

For the past ~decade (over the course of my thirties) I've frequently gotten a tiny 'fissure' where the skin of my inner and outer labia meet. I don't think it's an STD, hygiene-related, or caused by soap/detergents. What is it and how can I make it go away? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:02 PM PST - 11 comments

So many opinions on this one. What are yours? [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 9:53 AM PST - 18 comments

Our freezer is/was full of lovely stuff. But in the past week, we have had two serious events. First, someone didn't close the door properly, and it was open for maybe six hours. Second, a fuse burnt out, and this may have left the freezer out of power for 24 hours or even more. Come to think of it, the two events are probably related, so perhaps the thaw went on for 36 hours or even more. [more inside]
posted by mumimor at 9:11 AM PST - 8 comments

Okay, I'm new to creating videos. I have some limited, old experience with desktop publishing software/Photoshop. My goal is to take this static image I have of a word (made here) and animate it shifting into creatures, like snakes or just weird critters. So a few questions: how hard is this to do? Is it feasible for a noob? What are the best software options for doing so? Any other tips? TIA!
posted by overglow at 9:11 AM PST - 4 comments

Basically, what it says on the tin. [more inside]
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 8:48 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm heading somewhere without cell service. Please recommend offline iOS games. Bonus points for being ad-free and in-app-purchase-free
posted by spork at 8:35 AM PST - 17 comments

Since we're fully vaxxed, as of many months ago, and will hopefully be boosted soon, the urge to test the waters with foreign travel has been ramping up recently. But the CDC's requirement for a negative Covid test to return by plane to the US is giving us the jitters. [more inside]
posted by Gordion Knott at 7:24 AM PST - 21 comments

I'm applying for graduate school and trying to apply for FAFSA and it looks like I can't even get an FSA ID or apply at all while I have an undergrad loan in default. Does anyone know if this is true? [more inside]
posted by asimplemouse at 6:03 AM PST - 3 comments

The title asks the question. I'm so lucky I discovered this community is , but I'm perplexed why it's not more popular. No other site, including Reddit, is as quick in answering my questions nor as rich in terms of answers and quantity of answers.
posted by ggp88 at 5:19 AM PST - 48 comments

Given enough evolutionary time and selective breeding for more social cats, could they ever end up, on average, as social as dogs? [more inside]
posted by ggp88 at 3:30 AM PST - 9 comments

I love to dream about my, well, dream home as escapism, and have always loved looking at pictures of houses, floorplans etc., sometimes to later build them on The Sims. I want to collect those, but also be able to add comments/lists. Where can I do that? [more inside]
posted by LoonyLovegood at 1:08 AM PST - 3 comments

I have a friend who is very inexperienced in romantic/sexual relationships. On the other hand, I have quite a lot of experience both in long term and casual relationships. Both of us are in our late twenties/earlier thirties. [more inside]
posted by kinoeye at 8:59 PM PST - 8 comments

I did all the right things for my cancer treatment when I switched jobs and called the hospital a couple weeks before my treatment for them to handle the pre-approval. They got pre-approved, but from the old/previous insurance. The new insurance that was in actually force won't cover the treatment. What do I do now? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:58 PM PST - 7 comments

A job in my field was recently posted on an industry message board. I replied in a PM that I was keen with a rough outline of my experience and the poster emailed me straight back and told me what the pay would be and asked if I still wanted to progress. It was on the low side and I’m overqualified for it but I replied yes because it WFH which is hard to get in my field. (I’m senior in my field and this is advertised as a mid level job with a very large organisation). [more inside]
posted by Jubey at 8:04 PM PST - 11 comments

I live in a small apartment with a smaller kitchen and an even smaller refrigerator (7 cu ft interior, with awkward layout). I like to keep fresh vegetables, a little bit of meat and a lot of cheese, my favorite condiments (i have a lot of favorites) and some leftovers in there, and it's a tight squeeze! What are your favorite tricks for maximizing storage in a little fridge? [more inside]
posted by moonmilk at 7:01 PM PST - 15 comments

I am looking for recommendations for art books that "work" on the e-ink Kindle, Paperwhite preferred but those that work on older Kindles would be OK [more inside]
posted by TimHare at 6:43 PM PST - 1 comment

I wish to buy a carbon dioxide monitor, that meets the following specifications: 1. portable/wireless 2. silent mode (some seem to have audible alarms?) 3. currently in stock 4. available to purchase in Toronto, Canada 5. ideally not shockingly expensive [more inside]
posted by lizifer at 6:27 PM PST - 5 comments

I’m a 46-yr old woman who is about a size 18. I’ve been falling deeper and deeper into being sedentary over the past year and am wondering if now is the time to started biking again, which I used to love. But what bike? [more inside]
posted by PussKillian at 5:37 PM PST - 14 comments

I have two male RCA output cables that I want to be XLR male outputs. I am not savvy at google for this kind of thing. I have RCA (F) to 1/4" (M) if that helps get to XLR male output. Sorry for the weird gender connector language, I'm not savvy with 'plug'/'jack' distinctions, etc.
posted by vocativecase at 5:12 PM PST - 9 comments

This is the most complicated thing I have ever asked Metafilter! Please see below for my attempt at a question! [more inside]
posted by Rad_Boy at 4:32 PM PST - 4 comments

A few years ago, I read a blog by an American man who had spent a year studying in England in the 1980s, and had taken his diary from that year and turned it into a blog. I’d love to re-read it. [more inside]
posted by penguin pie at 3:27 PM PST - 2 comments

Why does physical exercise feel fine for me sometimes, and sometimes feel so terrible? (Specifics below the fold.) How can I maintain a regular regimen of physical movement when my body just feels so crap sometimes? How do other Mefites tackle this? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 3:00 PM PST - 26 comments

There is noticeable dampness on and around the main waste water pipe where it exits our old house. Obviously I need to get this looked at, but how immediate a problem is it? [more inside]
posted by the primroses were over at 2:30 PM PST - 6 comments

I would like to attend graduate school (masters) in the social sciences (in Canada, since I'm Canadian) but I would like to take a gap year to bolster my application and experience. What can I do to improve my chances academically to compensate for the shoddy transcript? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 2:15 PM PST - 12 comments

I read an ultra-short story years ago, it couldn't have been more than a dozen words. It was about the end of the world/last man alive. Was it by Jack Ritchie? Any ideas?
posted by storybored at 2:12 PM PST - 2 comments

Why haven't the Democrats passed a generalised law allowing abortions up to, say, 24 weeks? [more inside]
posted by TheRaven at 11:51 AM PST - 21 comments

The practice where my doctors work is closing! The two I have seen there are moving to either Telemedicine only, or only taking Medicare patients. Do you have advice/strategies on finding a new doctor that takes my insurance after seeing the same ones for about fifteen years? [more inside]
posted by wittgenstein at 11:04 AM PST - 7 comments

YANMENT and I've reached out to my GP for an ENT referral, but I've had ear issues for years and I'm curious what it could possibly be. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by brook horse at 11:01 AM PST - 9 comments

I haven't seen any analysis on what reason the Supreme Court has for using the shadow docket so extensively lately. Why not decide the cases? The shadow docket makes complete sense to me for uncontested procedural matters and true middle of the night emergencies. But that's not what's happening here. Why? Who benefits from these unsigned decisions? [more inside]
posted by wnissen at 10:52 AM PST - 9 comments

I picked up this glue to repair this headband, but the instructions say not to use on felt or patches with plastic backing. That seems to be exactly what these 2 parts are. Any suggestions on what glue should be used?
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 10:34 AM PST - 4 comments

My poor boy Jet lost most of his teeth recently; all he has left are the canines and incisors. The treats of choice in the house before this were Greenies, but he's not allowed crunchy food until he heals, and even after that, I think it might be hard for him to eat them. I've been experimenting with various softer treats, but if they're too chewy he struggles with them for a bit and then gives up, after which he seems unwilling even to try them again. [more inside]
posted by velvet_n_purrs at 10:20 AM PST - 20 comments

In having a relationship with a man who lives in Texas, would I be safe from the new abortion law if there was an accident? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:03 AM PST - 12 comments

My mother-in-law is a cis hetero female in her mid-60's, and is seeking a long-term romantic relationship. She lives in the midwestern USA. She's on a dating site called Zoosk. One "man" she was corresponding with turned out to be a scammer(s), and now she's talking to another that's following the same patterns. What can be done to help her keep safe? [more inside]
posted by commander_fancypants at 10:03 AM PST - 17 comments

I need to get a new Windows-based laptop that will run two external monitors with different images on each of them. As in, I need to be able to see A on my laptop screen, B on the left monitor and C on the right monitor all at the same time. Can someone recommend a model or give me an idea of what specs to look for? [more inside]
posted by mccxxiii at 9:26 AM PST - 6 comments

A podcast I'm working with is considering an arrangement that would in part involve moving podcast hosting from LibSyn to Megaphone. Are you a podcast producer or publisher who has experience with Megaphone? Do you use the automatic ad insertion? What are those ads like? How do they sound in your show? How have your listeners responded? What else can you tell me about your experience with Megaphone? Thanks!
posted by Mo Nickels at 8:55 AM PST - 0 comments

I own a townhouse with a flat roof that needs to be redone. The options I see include SBS/modified bitumen, liquid membranes, EPDM, and TPO, but here in NYC, almost nobody does EPDM or TPO on residential roofs! I want to learn more about why this is and how opinionated I should be about these different systems. [more inside]
posted by goingonit at 8:48 AM PST - 4 comments

I've come to terms with the fact that Covid isn't going anywhere anytime soon, and rather than planning out how my family is going to survive the next 3 months or 6 months (because going back to "normal" is just around the bend!), we should make a plan for what the next 3-5 years with covid is going to look like for us. We are on the more cautious side, and plan to stay so. Have you done this? What decisions have you made? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 8:26 AM PST - 31 comments

We want to replace our "boiler" before the snow flies. We're interested peoples' experience with the newest tech, the condensing boilers with an AFUE of 95% or higher. [more inside]
posted by SemiSalt at 7:48 AM PST - 7 comments

Before you ask, I have brought it up in therapy; but it's a problem which is time urgent and I need to find ways to fix it and can't wait for 2 years of therapy to work it's magic on me. For the past decade, I've not managed to save a penny and have consistently been in my overdraft with credit card debt to the tune of 2/3k. I don't earn much, but what little I earn I spend. It's not a huge amount of debt, but I'm living paycheck to paycheck and it's not a comfortable situation at all. I have a problem and could do with some thought/advice on how to manage this situation? [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 6:22 AM PST - 33 comments

How do people deal with our situation in their wills? Please help us prepare to meet with an estate planning lawyer. [more inside]
posted by Other at 6:17 AM PST - 11 comments

I have been a light / easily interrupted sleeper for a long time now. Reasons include outside noise such as heavy rain or high winds, an important event coming up (stress, I guess), and a weird one where I sleep for an hour, wake up for no apparent reason, sleep for an hour, wake up again…all the way through, even though there’s no noise and nothing special going on the following day. [more inside]
posted by Calvin and the Duplicators at 3:32 AM PST - 11 comments

I recently started using antiperspirant wipes that I only need to use once a week. I just need a little something to cover up the small amount of odor/dampness that occurs overnight without being too heavy duty. And as above, I’d prefer if it smelled interesting and didn’t stain my clothes. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 12:19 AM PST - 10 comments

I haven't been to France since 1988. What's new -- mostly in Paris -- that I would want to show to a family with four kids (age 13-22) in the summer of 2022? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 8:09 PM PST - 24 comments

Hi, I'm looking to get Invisalign (good timing with masks!) and I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations of providers in Manhattan. I am also looking for a regular dentist as well. [more inside]
posted by bquarters at 7:54 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm looking for a videogame that simulates driving a small boat in and around an archipelago. Preferably PNW/San Juans vibe but anything works. Doesn't have to be realistic or a sim game, The Wind Waker kinda fits into what I'm looking for. Open to all kinds of art styles.
posted by kittensofthenight at 6:57 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm currently suffering with the first head cold I've had since the pandemic started, and I've never experienced one quite like it. It's definitely not COVID. If this has happened to you recently, how long did it last and what helped you feel better? [more inside]
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 4:50 PM PST - 24 comments

This is a hard question to write. The central question is whether to keep trying to convince them to get the damn vaccine or just admit defeat and end it for both of our stress levels. It's also too long, as all interpersonal questions are. [more inside]
posted by Grim Fridge at 1:36 PM PST - 68 comments

I need to attach a 1"x6" redwood board (ten feet long) to a stucco wall; it's to be flat against the wall, and run horizontally. What's the best way to do that? Redwood is fragile, and the stucco shouldn't be compromised; the edges will be caulked, and the board may be painted later.
posted by anadem at 1:27 PM PST - 9 comments

Basically, I don’t like many of the Halo, Assassin’s Creed, or those type of shooter games. I have a switch which I love but I really like either “cute” games (ie: Mario, Donkey Kong, Hollow Knight) or sports games (Go vacation, FIFA soccer, Tony Hawk, etc) [more inside]
posted by jitterbug perfume at 1:26 PM PST - 14 comments

I was reading/looking at this Esquire article about Kabul before the fall and am wondering about some of the clothing worn by the men. Specifically, these three men. What are these two-piece articles of clothing called? Is there a way to buy these from a person there? I would appreciate any information about this. Also would love to know about the scarf the first man is wearing. Thanks!
posted by gucci mane at 12:52 PM PST - 9 comments

I've been really busy lately so I have been using some timesavers with meals like making a quick smoothie for lunch or steaming vegetables in my rice cooker while I cook the rest of dinner. [more inside]
posted by massofintuition at 12:17 PM PST - 5 comments

My electricity bill is R$ 14,20 for 100 kWh (110V AC). The charger is 90W, and the output is 36V DC 2A. The battery is 36V DC with a capacity of 10.4 Ah. How much will a full recharge cost?
posted by Tom-B at 11:09 AM PST - 3 comments

I’ve been thinking of adopting a dog. My friend recently took in two strays and… [more inside]
posted by rw at 10:00 AM PST - 16 comments

Friend lives in Charlotte NC. I'd like to send a gift of healthy convenient food. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 9:15 AM PST - 4 comments

I have had this kind weird relationship with money where I am frugal in alot of ways but in the other ways not frugal (food,vacation, rent) that leads to conflicts with my wife. I think deeply it has to do with I was raised from a family of extremely frugal, but extremely well off (let's just call it, rich) first generation immigrant parents. Would like to hear people who've dealt with this as they grow older or with blogs books etc. Some details inside (warning #richpeopleproblems): [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 8:39 AM PST - 15 comments

This school year, much like last one and part of the one before that, we don’t want to put our too young to be vaccinated for COVID kids in any kind of group sports. What are your favorite online exercise videos for the 10/11 and under age range? Any genre is fine, we would like to try a bunch and see what sticks. Also open to purchasing a subscription or video series if you have specific recommendations.
posted by Wavelet at 8:20 AM PST - 4 comments

I have been diagnosed with ADHD by the NHS in England. I am now stuck in a loop with getting the Concerta XL recommended by the psychiatrist who diagnosed me. How do I get a private prescription? [more inside]
posted by ozgirlabroad at 8:03 AM PST - 2 comments

My son (almost 13) is very interested in communism. His info source is almost entirely you Tube videos. Most of them are however the type of "communism explained in 1 Minute" or similar. [more inside]
posted by 15L06 at 7:12 AM PST - 17 comments

I am looking for something that will pop up on my PC every 15 minutes and NOT LET ME CONTINUE until I tell it what I'm doing. [more inside]
posted by checkitnice at 6:29 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm supposed to fly out of Newark airport at 4:30pm today via United. I was planning to travel there via subway and NJ Transit from Manhattan. What's the best way to get to the airport? How can I tell how likely my flight is to leave before I travel there? What should I do? [more inside]
posted by earth by april at 4:30 AM PST - 12 comments

We have a Siemens washing machine (iQ100 model) and get an E17 error every time we start a new load. Supposedly the error is because the water is too slow to fill the machine. So why does turning it off and on fix the problem? And is there a better solution? [more inside]
posted by whitewall at 1:55 AM PST - 8 comments

I've taken up old carpeting and pad, and am installing a Pergo Vintage Linen Hickory floating laminate floor. Each board has foam underlayment attached. I've done a moisture test on the subfloor and see levels range from about 6% in most of the room to about 11.5% near three, floor to ceiling windows. Pergo says levels should be 12% or below. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 11:26 PM PST - 2 comments

Inspired by several MeFi recommendations over the years I just purchased the cookbook Cucina Fresca. If you have it, what are your go-to recipes? [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 9:53 PM PST - 1 comment

I can't find any shortcuts to fast forward, fast rewind on my new YouTube Premium [more inside]
posted by lometogo at 8:29 PM PST - 5 comments

We have a cabinet overflowing with random food storage containers. We would love a modular set. What's your favorite? Glass preferred but not an absolute necessity. We want long-lasting. And easy to store.
posted by bookworm4125 at 6:15 PM PST - 23 comments

Some questions regarding the physical process of US soldier pay during the Korean war. [more inside]
posted by Mitheral at 6:07 PM PST - 3 comments

Employer in California offered me a part time position, verbal contract with emails confirming this. I waited for 1.5 months, procuring multiple certifications/verifications in preparation. [more inside]
posted by hot_tea at 5:46 PM PST - 13 comments

Does anyone know an online used bookseller that ships in the US and prides itself (or at least, gets it right) in sending you the exact edition you ordered? [more inside]
posted by Meldanthral at 4:26 PM PST - 10 comments

Hi! So, due to life events, me and my wife have to stash all our stuff in storage while we sell our house and move around for a bit. Fridge, washer/dryer, two couches, bed, a couple of tables, rugs, a large hutch. Seems like we might need a climate-controlled 10'-20', which is like 4-700 per month in LA. A little expensive! Any way we can make this cheaper?
posted by insteadofapricots at 4:13 PM PST - 9 comments

I've been trying to find examples of Westerns (movies only) that are also ghost stories. I've found a number of Old West ghost story movies, but nothing set in the present day. Do you know any?
posted by egeanin at 2:50 PM PST - 10 comments

We're in the US and recently moved to a house with very slow AT&T DLS internet (0.5–1.6mpbs up, 0.3mbps down, 60–600ms ping, and almost no cell service). There's no hope of swapping to anything better for many months (if ever). Can you recommend ways in which we can improve our online experience given these slow speeds, and the bloated size of most web sites? I presume much of the world is in the same boat as us, so this must be a well-trodden path. [more inside]
posted by dunstanorchard at 2:45 PM PST - 37 comments

I need to confront my roommate about his constantly having guests over when I'm not in the mood for socializing. Which is most of the time. Advice? [more inside]
posted by downtohisturtles at 2:13 PM PST - 14 comments

I have a friend in New Delhi who went through a really traumatic experience with the pandemic there and needs help - but can't do therapy because money is so tight. Can you recommend books or online resources that could be a lifeline right now? Or a free or very very cheap (and feminist) therapist who could help? [more inside]
posted by congen at 1:31 PM PST - 6 comments

I am looking to buy a basic wireless doorbell - not "smart", no camera. The hard part has been finding one that plays a short sound, just one or two notes. "Ding-dong" would be fine. But the minimum I've found is two ding-dongs. [more inside]
posted by SevenSpirits at 1:27 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm starting some research into online communities, and one thing I've noticed is that some large internet communities/interests are much more welcoming to new/unestablished members than others. For some topics, if you publicly post "I really like X" you will generally get encouraging responses that assume you will positively contribute to the community. But for others, you will get accusations of being a "fake fan" and hazing/harassment behavior designed to keep you out. What large communities and subcultures seem generally distrustful towards strangers? [more inside]
posted by JZig at 1:07 PM PST - 17 comments

I have an urgent need to purchase a pair of 28" waist x 30" length navy blue dress pants. Boys size 16 may also suffice. Location - Toronto. [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 10:15 AM PST - 16 comments

What is the current best-practice for finishing exterior stucco on an old (1920's) home? I've recently had a repair done and need to finish the patches. I think I'd like to do a traditional whitewash as opposed to a latex-based paint, but I don't see a ton of step-by-step resources with product and upkeep recommendations. What do the preservation-minded professionals do?
posted by Think_Long at 9:36 AM PST - 4 comments

Can this TV be used as a monitor in the way that I desire? [more inside]
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 9:35 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm looking for fiction or creative non-fic recs on crossing the Med Sea to seek a better life. [more inside]
posted by moiraine at 8:40 AM PST - 5 comments

I've long believed that parking lots and urban road systems are designed by people who do not drive. After reading this from the Blue, and her comment that the kitchen was designed by someone who doesn't cook, I'm looking for the critical equivalent for roads and parking lots. [more inside]
posted by archimago at 8:06 AM PST - 18 comments

Hello, I will leading a cooking/baking workshop for middle school students for the next two months. We will be meeting once a week for about an hour. However, at least for the time being, I do not have an oven. I might be able to get a small electric one eventually but that is no guarantee so I am looking for recipes that do not need an oven or stove. [more inside]
posted by Blissful at 7:06 AM PST - 29 comments

Where did the Moderna vaccine go? [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 6:59 AM PST - 11 comments

Bright glare causes me physical pain which I feel in and behind my eyeballs. This has always been the case and I figured it was this way for everyone, but recently it occurred to me that it might be a manifestation of sensory sensitivity associated with my being autistic. So let me do a quick MeFite survey: do you experience this? (Yes and no answers both welcome.) [more inside]
posted by heatherlogan at 6:58 AM PST - 57 comments

I'm looking for ways to deal with — or at least let out — a lot of strong negative feelings that I'm experiencing right now. Exercise is one way, but I'm looking for others. [more inside]
posted by six sided sock at 6:36 AM PST - 35 comments

I'm looking for something to make the point that it's not "toxic" to express a dissenting opinion, and that what's actually toxic is to try to prevent someone from having opinions that don't align with your own. [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 6:17 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm very new to beatmaking (but not new to GarageBand or Soundtrap) and would like to learn how to make beats--just beats!--in a DAW. Details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 5:09 AM PST - 1 comment

I love luggage and bags. My old stuff is starting to break down, so I’m looking for some bags for different purposes listed inside. [more inside]
posted by jitterbug perfume at 4:09 AM PST - 14 comments

When I've done cardio and pushed myself a bit too hard, I get short of breath and can't take a deep breath without coughing for a few hours afterwards. I've always assumed this was normal but wanted to hear from the hive mind. [more inside]
posted by aussie_powerlifter at 1:38 AM PST - 19 comments

I have trouble holding pens, but I want to continue writing personal notes by post. Is there a “right” way to enclose a personal note that’s been typed (aside from adding a handwritten signature.) [more inside]
posted by Gusaroo at 12:31 AM PST - 10 comments