Most Favorited Questions in the Past 7 Days (24 hours, 30 days, 12 months, all time)
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Recipes with high return on investment
I'm looking for dishes where the taste, appearance or "wow factor" is much more than the effort, time or money put into the dish. For the purposes of this question, there are no other restrictions.
What tech has upgraded your life even though you are not techy?
I am not a techy person. Puzzling through buttons and menus does not come naturally to me. I don’t hunger for new devices and when forced to use new devices I often get anxious and irritated. But if something is genuinely useful and labor saving and not too hard to learn, I will get the hang of it and then wonder how I ever lived without it. [more inside]
Your magic work phrase
Someone told me if you are late to a meeting, say “Thanks for your patience”. I liked that and use it often. A Mefi whose name escapes me, when put in the spot. suggested saying “I don’t want to give you my first answer, I want to give you the right answer, let me get back to you”. I also liked that and use it often. What are the phrases you use at work that help better communicate / frame / set expectations / lead / work with your colleagues?
Movies with very competent protagonists - difficulty level: no violence.
I am in the mood for a movie or series with an ultra-competent, good-at-their-job protagonist. Difficulty level: no violence, gore, or grave injustice (not even injustice that's overcome in the end).
I have seen this question but I'm looking for more and slightly different examples. [more inside]
Mystery books with something extra
I love books that might be described as "mystery plus." That is, they work as clever, well-constructed, and fair mysteries... but they have a distinctive additional attraction on top of the mystery. For example, The Tuesday Murder Club is a mystery + unusually charming characters and humor. The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is mystery + {SPOILER REDACTED}. Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone and West Heart Kill are mystery + narrative self awareness. Can you recommend other examples? [more inside]
How do you fit in exercise working from home while working long hours?
If you work from home and have a heavy workload with long hours, how do you find time to exercise? [more inside]
Butter and Flour and Convenience
My local supermarket carries this - frozen puff pastry that has been pre-cut into modest squares. I tried something with them last night and I'm a big fan now. What else can I do with them? [more inside]
Keeping whites white
I have literally never worn white clothes before. I’m starting to. The reason I’ve never worn whites is because I’m a messy puppy. I want and need to keep my whites nice, bright, unstained, and crisp. Please share your LIFESTYLE and LAUNDRY tips for maintaining pristine whites. [more inside]
In Search Of: Thin, Rough, Quick Drying Towels
Ok, this will probably sound weird but I hate soft and fluffy bath towels. They shed and never absorb moisture which defeats the whole purpose of having a towel. The only place I've ever been that has the perfect towels is my nearby spa and they don't know where theirs come from. Where can I get some that are thin, kind of rough, and also super good at drying? I need both body and hair towels. Microfiber is not a good fit.
What is most important in my job?
A lot of productivity advice recommends figuring out what the most impactful tasks you have are, and focusing more of your energy on these. This is good advice, but how do I know what those tasks are? (Aside from asking my boss.) I do a variety of things: is it most important that I do them quickly, or that I do them well, or that I am pleasant to the people requesting them? How do I determine what my focus should be? Please recommend an exercise to help me figure out what the values are in my workplace so that I can strive for excellence. I really want to do well in this job.
Creative kitchen storage ideas?
We have a pretty small kitchen and then a little area for the dining table. The existing cabinets of the kitchen are already filled with pots and pans, dishes, cups, etc. [more inside]
Good movie for romantic anniversary movie night?
A friend's celebration of their 23rd anniversary includes a quiet movie night at home. They have some favorite standbys they've already seen, but I wondered if the hive mind might have any great suggestions. [more inside]
What should I read about Quebec?
We're taking a family trip to Quebec Province, what novels should I read? [more inside]
Sensory friendly sweaters & sweatshirts for sensitive tender flowers
I'm looking for recommendations about the most sensory friendly sweaters and sweatshirts that will be oh so soft and gentle on my very sensitive skin. Example of at least one I like is within. Thank you! [more inside]
What is my best bet for reading in bed without back/neck/shoulder pain?
I love to start the day by reading in bed and end it by watching something in bed. My neck and back don't enjoy it. Right now, I sit propped up with a husband pillow, but this seems to round my neck and spine and cause pain. I don't know how to read ergonomically at all, because looking down is apparently bad and I'd be exhausted if I tried to hold a book or tablet at eye level! [more inside]
What should I make with these chicken thighs given the following...
What should I make with these chicken thighs given the following parameters: [more inside]
Have any science fiction stories been set in humanities departments?
What science fiction stories, short form or novels, have been set in university humanities departments, excluding satires? I’ll settle for stories where some of the principal characters are scholars of the humanities.
Lost in Color Space? Help me re-find an explanation of color.
A while ago, and I think this was on metafilter, someone linked an invective filled and thorough explanation of how color and perception worked especially with regard to computer displays and graphics, including all the different color models and spaces that had been invented over the years. It was very informative and now I can't for the life of me find it. [more inside]
Bad habit displacement activity?
Did you change or discontinue a bad habit partly or wholly by replacing it with an innocuous other activity? Please tell me more! [more inside]
Tokyo food recs for multi-gen family?
I'll be in Tokyo this summer (in Shinjuku) with my partner, elementary school kid and older parents. I'm feeling stuck on lunch and dinner spots to go to. [more inside]