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In 1990 I spent a few weeks in San Francisco (at the end of 3 months in Alaska). One day I met an artist on Telegraph Hill and ended up staying with him a few days somewhere in the Castro or Mission (street name was something like Birmingham or Portsmouth, but I've not been able to refind it). [more inside]
posted by unearthed at 11:47 PM - 3 answers

When I put my laundry into my shared apartment dryer, I found a AAA battery in the drum. How can I tell if it has leaked? If it has leaked, how can I ensure the washer/dryer and my items are safe for my cat to be around? Difficulty level: anxious pet parent not prepared to go “eh, it’s probably fine”. [more inside]
posted by ceramicspaniel at 10:29 PM - 10 answers

I've lived in NYC for 27 years. Because of my health and disability plus the cost, this is no longer viable. I have to move next March. Where should I go? [more inside]
posted by miss-lapin at 3:59 PM - 21 answers

My mom has asked for "experiences" for Christmas this year. She's always been mildly interested in astrology so I thought I'd get her a comprehensive chart reading. Can you recommend someone in the Boulder/Denver area? [more inside]
posted by Fuego at 10:39 AM - 7 answers

Every year, I give my team at work a pop culture-themed gift to thank them for being awesome. My plan for this year won't work for political reasons, and I'm struggling to think of another idea. Please hope me, Metafilter! [more inside]
posted by commander biscuit at 6:12 PM - 7 answers

so. i've spent like the last 20 years or so getting unnervingly good at exactly one roguelike — that'd be nethack. but i think i'm finally bored of it. what's my next roguelike? [more inside]
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 12:57 PM - 8 answers

My partner recently inherited her grandmother's good condition Delmonico phonograph that was probably purchased sometime in the 1950s. I don't think it's a high-end model or anything special, but it's cool as hell. How do we get it in working order? [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter at 6:53 AM - 15 answers

I would love to put Christmas-y lights around my windows for December. Unfortunately, one of my cats will chew through any and all plastic-coated wires and cables unless they're simply too thick to get her jaws around. I'm not picky--All-white or multi-colored or several different colors, blinking or steady--it's all good. How we currently protect wires in the house under the cut. [more inside]
posted by tzikeh at 1:29 PM - 25 answers

So I came across an interesting suggestion I want to try: writing myself a letter, then leaving it in a library book for 20 years to come back and get. But I need some strategies. I know some libraries semi-regularly pull unread books. And I don't want that. But if I pick a a higher traffic book it might get read and removed. So what's a book that a librarian won't cull even if no one reads it? Also should I go with a big library (NYPL Main one) or a small one in a random locale (small town in Finland)?
posted by rileyray3000 at 7:06 PM - 22 answers

How do I become a Fairy Godmother for a living? [more inside]
posted by divabat at 10:48 PM - 19 answers

I was walking around Copenhagen, Denmark this afternoon and saw a King County (Washington State, USA) Sheriff's department black-and-white SUV driving around. It had the Martin Luther King Jr. logo and everything. It was from something like the traffic department, or traffic control department, I can't remember exactly. [more inside]
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 1:44 PM - 9 answers

Any good strategies for a person with a disability to avoid standing in line? [more inside]
posted by in278s at 11:31 AM - 17 answers

My 14 year old daughter wants to cut down the time she spends on her smartphone. What can she do in stead, while she's waiting for the bus, waiting for the teacher, sitting on a park bench while the dog does his business, taking a break from homeworks, etc... You know, all those moments when you just grab your phone and scroll through Instagram, go through your Snapchats or take a BuzzFeed quiz? [more inside]
posted by sively at 2:32 PM - 47 answers

I am on the Movember committee at my work place. My colleagues have decided there will be a mustache pageant to wrap things up. I am the designated MC. Can you provide a series of one-liners that I can add after I introduce each mo bro? Must be safe for work, and ideally funny - but I refuse to be cruel. Can you help me fill in the blanks? [more inside]
posted by nathaole at 3:23 PM - 10 answers

My mom is in a shared room in an assisted living facility. Her roommate is verbally abusive and harrasses my mother. What should I be doing? [more inside]
posted by fozzie_bear at 9:12 AM - 12 answers

What's the best affordable gift for bulk giving to coworkers and neighbors? And how do you package things? [more inside]
posted by Spokane at 1:35 PM - 18 answers

Dear Metafilter, my short vacation that I've been looking forward to for months is off to a bad start. I'm grouchy, tired, and deeply annoyed. I don't want to spend the rest of the day like this. Is there anything I can try to reset my mood? [more inside]
posted by whistle pig at 6:24 AM - 30 answers

I’m moving to a new apartment within my building. I have a double mattress I want to dispose of but I’m not able to lift it so I have to hire someone. Mattresses are meant to be put inside the building near the outside dumpsters. I don’t want the person I hire to see them nor my building manager who lives in the building. I prefer it’s not just sitting there in the open for everyone to see either. What’s the cheapest way to deal with this? Thanks.
posted by anonymous at 12:37 AM - 20 answers

Hi! My family is getting together this year and would like to have some sort of craft to make. Challenge: toddler friendly, adult interesting, can go on an airplane after, and is as green/eco friendly as possible. Food is OK so long as it's very low mess (decorating cookies is too much mess)
posted by rebent at 9:01 PM - 13 answers

Who was this man I'm thinking of and where did I read an article about his mysterious death? [more inside]
posted by quadrant seasons at 2:26 PM - 8 answers