2451 Ask MetaFilter answers by cortex (displaying 101 through 150)
I just started in a new role and there is a big opportunity for someone to attend a conference in February. My supervisor put himself down but I think it should be me. I don’t trust him to help me advance my career, it seems he is too keen to advance his own career instead. How to handle?
comment posted at 11:38 AM on Dec-19-19
In the last 6 months I've occasionally heard a quirky, not-quite grammatical use of the phrase "the [blank]of it all."
comment posted at 5:50 PM on Dec-18-19
comment posted at 6:17 PM on Dec-18-19
When you thought you heard a faint noise, and you strain to hear it again, are you straining some physical part of your ear, or are you straining your brain to filter the noise and pick out that sound from the background?
comment posted at 9:44 PM on Dec-17-19
I am in Canada. My health data may have been stolen in a cyberattack on lab test provider Life Labs in late October. The company paid ransom to get data back and is offering potentially affected clients one year of free identity theft insurance and dark web monitoring through American consumer credit reporting agency TransUnion. This probably seems like a silly question, but I’m tired and stressed, and feeling suspicious of everything at the moment: Are there any downsides to accessing this service? Reassurance about the Canada/US cross-border info privacy angle particularly welcome.
comment posted at 4:29 PM on Dec-17-19
y'all, I need metafilter at work. all of the sudden it is blocked! i know squat about computer stuff and am hoping theres a simple solution.
comment posted at 9:11 AM on Dec-13-19
comment posted at 11:42 AM on Dec-13-19
This is long, so just jump to the extended explanation if you've got a warm cup of tea in hand and some time. TLDR: new relationship after disastrous end to old relationship, pouring anxiety into age gap, that's a red herring, tell me what my brain is doing (and why?)?
comment posted at 1:57 PM on Dec-6-19
Any good strategies for a person with a disability to avoid standing in line?
comment posted at 12:07 PM on Nov-29-19
UK (England) question. I've known of and worked for a couple of successor small businesses which were regularly (every other year) sold or reconstituted under extended family members. The figure of £17,000 has come up several times as the impetus for the change in reference to unpayable debts accrued by these businesses, e.g. as a utilities bill or as monies owed to suppliers. For curiosity more than anything, does this figure have any particular significance, e.g. some threshold for declaring bankruptcy or for de facto unpursued debts or something?
comment posted at 5:36 PM on Nov-17-19
I am very early in pregnancy and have been taking in a lot information and advice about what foods to eat and not to eat, but there appears to be a huge variance in people's personal risk tolerance as well as in whether they happen to have a more laid back or uptight OB.
comment posted at 9:06 PM on Nov-6-19
I have a friend in Toronto who owns a rental property. She wants to evict the current "excellent tenant" so that her pregnant granddaughter can move in. Ontario law says that she cannot do that unless it's her daughter, not her granddaughter. As a result, she now wants to change the title to put her daughter as co-owner so that she can then do the eviction. I believe this is unethical. I'm curious if it's unlawful.
comment posted at 6:18 PM on Nov-5-19
Unexpected trip to Lisbon and I need to have the following to present at restaurants: Allergy Alert I cannot eat any food which contains: Fish Sesame Lentils Peanuts Any kind of nut I would be very grateful for help with this, especially that last phrase. Thank you so much!
comment posted at 12:33 PM on Nov-1-19
So I'm trying to be more responsible in having sex with my genital HSV1. I've never had an outbreak (as far as I know) but, based on a recent bad incident, I now know I DO shed. So...responsibility. I've just been prescribed some Valtrex. Unfortunately it seems like they only gave me two weeks of it. So two questions related 1) how soon after taking it is there a preventative effect? One day? Two days? And 2) is it as effective to just take it a day or two before having sex and while having sex instead of every day?
comment posted at 7:36 AM on Nov-1-19
comment posted at 2:32 PM on Nov-1-19
I have money in the budget to buy some Safety Training videos. Most of them are very not good - outdated (clothing/styles clearly from 30+ years ago, not the info) , corny, dry, unengaging. Do you have any that were memorably good, and that you'd recommend?
comment posted at 8:06 AM on Oct-17-19
I learned this morning that traffic signal engineering specifications for DON'T WALK crosswalk signals in the US require that "Portland Orange" be the color used. This appears to go back to at least the mid-1950s as a specification, but I'm having trouble finding out (a) when exactly that specification came into being and more to the point (b) what the etymology of the name "Portland Orange" is in the first place!
comment posted at 12:30 PM on Oct-1-19
Songwriters and pop music theory folks out there--help me out. I think that there is something very particular about the New Pornographers' chord progressions.
comment posted at 5:19 PM on Sep-28-19
comment posted at 10:10 AM on Oct-16-19
comment posted at 6:01 PM on Oct-17-19
As an early-30s lady, it would be nice to date again after sitting out for a couple of years. Only trouble is, I'm kinda bad in bed and it's been a real relationship-killing downer for everyone involved. Help? This is as NSFW as can be. There's more inside, but it's :(
comment posted at 3:17 PM on Sep-26-19
While helping a friend move his office, we came across a shelf full of antique typewriters.
comment posted at 3:47 PM on Sep-23-19
A question for the Nutritionists/ dieters: what is the nutritional value of orange pith? Specifically, the white spongy stuff between the bitter skin of the orange and its flesh. I like to eat this and can’t find a calorie count for it. Thanks
comment posted at 3:14 PM on Aug-28-19
I'm looking for books to read!
comment posted at 3:41 PM on Aug-28-19
Which non-fascist extreme metal or punk tune would be the best one for me to "sing" on an xlerator hand dryer?
comment posted at 10:43 AM on Aug-18-19
I am a public librarian, where can I go from here?
comment posted at 4:40 PM on Jul-25-19
My Mom has late-stage metastasized pancreatic and liver cancer, and is stuck in bed with very low energy most of the time. I bought her an iPad, and she likes simple puzzle/word games, can you suggest any games that a senior citizen with low energy would enjoy? Also, can you suggest any things we can do or buy to help her be more comfortable? Thank you.
comment posted at 4:42 PM on Jul-18-19
We are just starting to think about our wedding, and have decided to do a destination wedding. Please tell me about the best destination weddings you've been to (location included if you have it) and what was memorable about it.
comment posted at 4:34 PM on Jul-10-19
Need advice on what to get with Nintendo Switch to make my children happy and leverage all my Wii U stuff.
comment posted at 6:16 PM on Jul-9-19
So, I have this PTSD thing going on with a lot of presentation of physical symptoms when it's bad. Part of those symptoms are nausea and vomiting. One particular thing that I have a question about is... I'm a side sleeper. When my symptoms are being bad and I'm lying on my left side to sleep I'm fine but if I change to be on my right side I'll be up and vomiting within 60 seconds. This doesn't happen if I'm not having nausea as part of my expressed symptoms but does happen about 99% of the time when I am. Is this indicating something I should have investigated (like a known symptom of a disease) or is this just part of the annoying raft of symptoms that my PTSD is presenting?
comment posted at 12:16 PM on Jul-7-19
My boyfriend and I have been together for nearly 2 years, and I'm finding that I am dreading our upcoming anniversary. I am very tempted to end things with him for a few reasons, but I do love him dearly and don't want to back out without giving the relationship a good try. However, I am running out of steam. Since I have no one to share my doubts with I'll have to publish them here in the hope that some kind stranger will offer some advice. Buckle up, because it's a novel. To save boring the pants off you I haven't included every single detail, but I'll make any clarifications you like in the comments. I'm sure I'm not perfect and I welcome insight into my own behaviour, but be kind with me please! I'm only human.
comment posted at 10:19 PM on Jul-4-19
I'm traveling to UK in August for work in Southampton, but heading over early to take in some of the AONBs and other sites in the (South)West England region. Requesting lodging and any other recommendations / must sees - must dos. Thank you in advance!
comment posted at 3:20 PM on Jul-2-19
Where can I find these shoes?
comment posted at 4:55 PM on Jun-25-19
I occasionally have a need to solder. When I do, I wear a paint and odour mask, I have the window open, I hold my breath when actually making the joint and I try not to have my face over the action! I also solder very seldom and for no more than about an hour at a time.
comment posted at 11:10 AM on Jun-20-19
I’m concerned that I’m not getting the proper nutrition and would like to start taking vitamins. One of my doctor’s suggested I get a Spectracell test. Does anyone have experience with Spectracell, and if not, can you tell me how you came to terms with a vitamin/supplement regime that works for you?
comment posted at 8:17 AM on Jun-17-19
Looking for a very low cost database to replace a massive spreadsheet of names and contact information.
comment posted at 11:52 AM on Jun-16-19
MeFites, I need help. I spent the other day home from work because of a mental breakdown. I've had a series of mental breakdowns over the past few years and I need help figuring out what to do.
comment posted at 6:23 PM on Jun-6-19
My son is dying to play Skyrim - he loves RPGs and this seems right up his alley but when I look at reviews I've seen mentions of rape potentially in the game. Looking at other RPGs, like Octopath Traveller, there is some major objectifying of women. Is there an RPG that is appropriate for an 11 year old on Switch?
comment posted at 11:06 AM on May-24-19
So I have a depressive friend, he has been a good friend, but his depression has worsened over the last two years, to the point where he just doesn't care about anything but playing video games anymore. That's all he wants to do every day and that's what he wants everyone else to do as well. There's really no other way we ever communicate.
comment posted at 10:58 PM on Apr-25-19
Is it possible to block someone via text ONLY- and not calls? I have an android.
comment posted at 12:28 PM on Mar-15-19
Is there a way to prevent people from tagging you in photographs on Facebook? Or, a way that you would have to approve each photo tag individually before it is allowed? I'm not asking about whether or not the tagged photo appears on the timeline, but about tagging the photo itself.
comment posted at 5:36 PM on Mar-12-19
My spouse and I can't decide whether to go to France or the Netherlands on our honeymoon this spring on our somewhat limited budget; help us decide and whether our budget is realistic!
comment posted at 3:50 PM on Apr-12-20
Asking for myself and anyone else who keeps seeing Internet dudes citing the fact that mothers are sometimes (often?) given precedence in custody cases. Since I never see a number of states or more specificity associated with these claims, I wonder if it’s more complicated than a simple checklist. I have a few more specific questions as well:
comment posted at 4:11 PM on Jan-24-19
I work in the middle of a 90s beer commercial, or at least that's what it sounds like from over the cubicle partition. I'm looking for articles or other resources that might help encourage a more inclusive (and maybe quieter) work environment.
comment posted at 3:57 PM on Jan-17-19
If one wanted to do a little under-the-radar skidding around, does anyone know of a large parking lot/paved area that's unused/unmonitored at certain hours or just abandoned (but not to the point of endangering tires with road hazards)? Asking for a friend who is about to replace their tires and wants to have a little fun with the old ones. ;) In San Francisco (ha), Peninsula, East Bay, North Bay (ha).... ?
comment posted at 4:47 PM on Jan-16-19
Women: Have you shaved / buzzed your head? Are you glad you did it? If you have grown out your hair since, was the growing out period worth it?
comment posted at 2:06 PM on Apr-2-20
After my kid's preschool holiday show included a drag performance mocking the idea of a man in a dress, I would like resources to give to the school about why this is a problem.
comment posted at 6:33 PM on Dec-25-18
I'm a cis woman in my 30s, I started taking an antidepressant (Trintellix--similar to an SSRI) a month ago, and it's working but also giving me the same anorgasmia I've gotten from SSRIs in the past. The inability to release built-up tension via an orgasm--I guess the equivalent of blue balls--is hard to bear.
comment posted at 5:28 PM on Dec-20-18
Over the past year I paid down significant debt and have more savings than I've ever had in my life. Out of nowhere I have a sudden, irresistible urge to buy a house. There are reasons why this is not a good idea, at least not immediately. Talk me down. First time home buyer horror stories solicited.
comment posted at 5:40 PM on Dec-16-18
I am a Hungarian/Romanian who married an American from the South. Why do the harmonies in bluegrass and country music sound so beautiful and so different from anything else I have known? What is it about the way they are structured and sung that makes them unlike other music?
comment posted at 8:56 PM on Dec-2-18
comment posted at 11:38 AM on Dec-19-19
In the last 6 months I've occasionally heard a quirky, not-quite grammatical use of the phrase "the [blank]of it all."
comment posted at 5:50 PM on Dec-18-19
comment posted at 6:17 PM on Dec-18-19
When you thought you heard a faint noise, and you strain to hear it again, are you straining some physical part of your ear, or are you straining your brain to filter the noise and pick out that sound from the background?
comment posted at 9:44 PM on Dec-17-19
I am in Canada. My health data may have been stolen in a cyberattack on lab test provider Life Labs in late October. The company paid ransom to get data back and is offering potentially affected clients one year of free identity theft insurance and dark web monitoring through American consumer credit reporting agency TransUnion. This probably seems like a silly question, but I’m tired and stressed, and feeling suspicious of everything at the moment: Are there any downsides to accessing this service? Reassurance about the Canada/US cross-border info privacy angle particularly welcome.
comment posted at 4:29 PM on Dec-17-19
y'all, I need metafilter at work. all of the sudden it is blocked! i know squat about computer stuff and am hoping theres a simple solution.
comment posted at 9:11 AM on Dec-13-19
comment posted at 11:42 AM on Dec-13-19
This is long, so just jump to the extended explanation if you've got a warm cup of tea in hand and some time. TLDR: new relationship after disastrous end to old relationship, pouring anxiety into age gap, that's a red herring, tell me what my brain is doing (and why?)?
comment posted at 1:57 PM on Dec-6-19
Any good strategies for a person with a disability to avoid standing in line?
comment posted at 12:07 PM on Nov-29-19
UK (England) question. I've known of and worked for a couple of successor small businesses which were regularly (every other year) sold or reconstituted under extended family members. The figure of £17,000 has come up several times as the impetus for the change in reference to unpayable debts accrued by these businesses, e.g. as a utilities bill or as monies owed to suppliers. For curiosity more than anything, does this figure have any particular significance, e.g. some threshold for declaring bankruptcy or for de facto unpursued debts or something?
comment posted at 5:36 PM on Nov-17-19
I am very early in pregnancy and have been taking in a lot information and advice about what foods to eat and not to eat, but there appears to be a huge variance in people's personal risk tolerance as well as in whether they happen to have a more laid back or uptight OB.
comment posted at 9:06 PM on Nov-6-19
I have a friend in Toronto who owns a rental property. She wants to evict the current "excellent tenant" so that her pregnant granddaughter can move in. Ontario law says that she cannot do that unless it's her daughter, not her granddaughter. As a result, she now wants to change the title to put her daughter as co-owner so that she can then do the eviction. I believe this is unethical. I'm curious if it's unlawful.
comment posted at 6:18 PM on Nov-5-19
Unexpected trip to Lisbon and I need to have the following to present at restaurants: Allergy Alert I cannot eat any food which contains: Fish Sesame Lentils Peanuts Any kind of nut I would be very grateful for help with this, especially that last phrase. Thank you so much!
comment posted at 12:33 PM on Nov-1-19
So I'm trying to be more responsible in having sex with my genital HSV1. I've never had an outbreak (as far as I know) but, based on a recent bad incident, I now know I DO shed. So...responsibility. I've just been prescribed some Valtrex. Unfortunately it seems like they only gave me two weeks of it. So two questions related 1) how soon after taking it is there a preventative effect? One day? Two days? And 2) is it as effective to just take it a day or two before having sex and while having sex instead of every day?
comment posted at 7:36 AM on Nov-1-19
comment posted at 2:32 PM on Nov-1-19
I have money in the budget to buy some Safety Training videos. Most of them are very not good - outdated (clothing/styles clearly from 30+ years ago, not the info) , corny, dry, unengaging. Do you have any that were memorably good, and that you'd recommend?
comment posted at 8:06 AM on Oct-17-19
I learned this morning that traffic signal engineering specifications for DON'T WALK crosswalk signals in the US require that "Portland Orange" be the color used. This appears to go back to at least the mid-1950s as a specification, but I'm having trouble finding out (a) when exactly that specification came into being and more to the point (b) what the etymology of the name "Portland Orange" is in the first place!
comment posted at 12:30 PM on Oct-1-19
Songwriters and pop music theory folks out there--help me out. I think that there is something very particular about the New Pornographers' chord progressions.
comment posted at 5:19 PM on Sep-28-19
comment posted at 10:10 AM on Oct-16-19
comment posted at 6:01 PM on Oct-17-19
As an early-30s lady, it would be nice to date again after sitting out for a couple of years. Only trouble is, I'm kinda bad in bed and it's been a real relationship-killing downer for everyone involved. Help? This is as NSFW as can be. There's more inside, but it's :(
comment posted at 3:17 PM on Sep-26-19
While helping a friend move his office, we came across a shelf full of antique typewriters.
comment posted at 3:47 PM on Sep-23-19
A question for the Nutritionists/ dieters: what is the nutritional value of orange pith? Specifically, the white spongy stuff between the bitter skin of the orange and its flesh. I like to eat this and can’t find a calorie count for it. Thanks
comment posted at 3:14 PM on Aug-28-19
I'm looking for books to read!
comment posted at 3:41 PM on Aug-28-19
Which non-fascist extreme metal or punk tune would be the best one for me to "sing" on an xlerator hand dryer?
comment posted at 10:43 AM on Aug-18-19
I am a public librarian, where can I go from here?
comment posted at 4:40 PM on Jul-25-19
My Mom has late-stage metastasized pancreatic and liver cancer, and is stuck in bed with very low energy most of the time. I bought her an iPad, and she likes simple puzzle/word games, can you suggest any games that a senior citizen with low energy would enjoy? Also, can you suggest any things we can do or buy to help her be more comfortable? Thank you.
comment posted at 4:42 PM on Jul-18-19
We are just starting to think about our wedding, and have decided to do a destination wedding. Please tell me about the best destination weddings you've been to (location included if you have it) and what was memorable about it.
comment posted at 4:34 PM on Jul-10-19
Need advice on what to get with Nintendo Switch to make my children happy and leverage all my Wii U stuff.
comment posted at 6:16 PM on Jul-9-19
So, I have this PTSD thing going on with a lot of presentation of physical symptoms when it's bad. Part of those symptoms are nausea and vomiting. One particular thing that I have a question about is... I'm a side sleeper. When my symptoms are being bad and I'm lying on my left side to sleep I'm fine but if I change to be on my right side I'll be up and vomiting within 60 seconds. This doesn't happen if I'm not having nausea as part of my expressed symptoms but does happen about 99% of the time when I am. Is this indicating something I should have investigated (like a known symptom of a disease) or is this just part of the annoying raft of symptoms that my PTSD is presenting?
comment posted at 12:16 PM on Jul-7-19
My boyfriend and I have been together for nearly 2 years, and I'm finding that I am dreading our upcoming anniversary. I am very tempted to end things with him for a few reasons, but I do love him dearly and don't want to back out without giving the relationship a good try. However, I am running out of steam. Since I have no one to share my doubts with I'll have to publish them here in the hope that some kind stranger will offer some advice. Buckle up, because it's a novel. To save boring the pants off you I haven't included every single detail, but I'll make any clarifications you like in the comments. I'm sure I'm not perfect and I welcome insight into my own behaviour, but be kind with me please! I'm only human.
comment posted at 10:19 PM on Jul-4-19
I'm traveling to UK in August for work in Southampton, but heading over early to take in some of the AONBs and other sites in the (South)West England region. Requesting lodging and any other recommendations / must sees - must dos. Thank you in advance!
comment posted at 3:20 PM on Jul-2-19
Where can I find these shoes?
comment posted at 4:55 PM on Jun-25-19
I occasionally have a need to solder. When I do, I wear a paint and odour mask, I have the window open, I hold my breath when actually making the joint and I try not to have my face over the action! I also solder very seldom and for no more than about an hour at a time.
comment posted at 11:10 AM on Jun-20-19
I’m concerned that I’m not getting the proper nutrition and would like to start taking vitamins. One of my doctor’s suggested I get a Spectracell test. Does anyone have experience with Spectracell, and if not, can you tell me how you came to terms with a vitamin/supplement regime that works for you?
comment posted at 8:17 AM on Jun-17-19
Looking for a very low cost database to replace a massive spreadsheet of names and contact information.
comment posted at 11:52 AM on Jun-16-19
MeFites, I need help. I spent the other day home from work because of a mental breakdown. I've had a series of mental breakdowns over the past few years and I need help figuring out what to do.
comment posted at 6:23 PM on Jun-6-19
My son is dying to play Skyrim - he loves RPGs and this seems right up his alley but when I look at reviews I've seen mentions of rape potentially in the game. Looking at other RPGs, like Octopath Traveller, there is some major objectifying of women. Is there an RPG that is appropriate for an 11 year old on Switch?
comment posted at 11:06 AM on May-24-19
So I have a depressive friend, he has been a good friend, but his depression has worsened over the last two years, to the point where he just doesn't care about anything but playing video games anymore. That's all he wants to do every day and that's what he wants everyone else to do as well. There's really no other way we ever communicate.
comment posted at 10:58 PM on Apr-25-19
Is it possible to block someone via text ONLY- and not calls? I have an android.
comment posted at 12:28 PM on Mar-15-19
Is there a way to prevent people from tagging you in photographs on Facebook? Or, a way that you would have to approve each photo tag individually before it is allowed? I'm not asking about whether or not the tagged photo appears on the timeline, but about tagging the photo itself.
comment posted at 5:36 PM on Mar-12-19
My spouse and I can't decide whether to go to France or the Netherlands on our honeymoon this spring on our somewhat limited budget; help us decide and whether our budget is realistic!
comment posted at 3:50 PM on Apr-12-20
Asking for myself and anyone else who keeps seeing Internet dudes citing the fact that mothers are sometimes (often?) given precedence in custody cases. Since I never see a number of states or more specificity associated with these claims, I wonder if it’s more complicated than a simple checklist. I have a few more specific questions as well:
comment posted at 4:11 PM on Jan-24-19
I work in the middle of a 90s beer commercial, or at least that's what it sounds like from over the cubicle partition. I'm looking for articles or other resources that might help encourage a more inclusive (and maybe quieter) work environment.
comment posted at 3:57 PM on Jan-17-19
If one wanted to do a little under-the-radar skidding around, does anyone know of a large parking lot/paved area that's unused/unmonitored at certain hours or just abandoned (but not to the point of endangering tires with road hazards)? Asking for a friend who is about to replace their tires and wants to have a little fun with the old ones. ;) In San Francisco (ha), Peninsula, East Bay, North Bay (ha).... ?
comment posted at 4:47 PM on Jan-16-19
Women: Have you shaved / buzzed your head? Are you glad you did it? If you have grown out your hair since, was the growing out period worth it?
comment posted at 2:06 PM on Apr-2-20
After my kid's preschool holiday show included a drag performance mocking the idea of a man in a dress, I would like resources to give to the school about why this is a problem.
comment posted at 6:33 PM on Dec-25-18
I'm a cis woman in my 30s, I started taking an antidepressant (Trintellix--similar to an SSRI) a month ago, and it's working but also giving me the same anorgasmia I've gotten from SSRIs in the past. The inability to release built-up tension via an orgasm--I guess the equivalent of blue balls--is hard to bear.
comment posted at 5:28 PM on Dec-20-18
Over the past year I paid down significant debt and have more savings than I've ever had in my life. Out of nowhere I have a sudden, irresistible urge to buy a house. There are reasons why this is not a good idea, at least not immediately. Talk me down. First time home buyer horror stories solicited.
comment posted at 5:40 PM on Dec-16-18
I am a Hungarian/Romanian who married an American from the South. Why do the harmonies in bluegrass and country music sound so beautiful and so different from anything else I have known? What is it about the way they are structured and sung that makes them unlike other music?
comment posted at 8:56 PM on Dec-2-18
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