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Posting for a friend. Her uncle passed away, leaving behind a garage full of audio and visual equipment that includes several camera lenses, lighting and sound accessories, speakers, carrying and protective cases, light reflectors, backdrops, a giant screen, boxes full of miscellaneous items, what looks like rigging, and a gazillion tripods. Based on some preliminary research, we think many of the items have at least some value. A sample of them can be found here. We're looking for someone in Massachusetts, or online, to take a look at everything and say, "Okay, I'll buy it all [or some of it] for this sum of money," or "Oh, I know a guy who'd be interested," or "You could try selling in at X." Thoughts or suggestions gratefully welcomed, we hate to just toss everything if we don't have to. Thank you!
posted by Melismata at 1:51 PM - 12 answers

I'm mystified by the idea that people would spend a significant amount of time playing a video game, ostensibly for fun, that promises sadness and misery. I regularly see comments from users that a game "wrecked" them, made them re-experience past grief or sadness, etc., and it makes no sense to me: what is the pleasure in feeling bad in a game? I'm familiar with the idea that games can and should provide different kinds of experiences and have goals much different from AAA-fests. [more inside]
posted by cupcakeninja at 5:56 AM - 17 answers

I want a bike! I have not had a bike since I was a kid. I'm going to go to my local bike co-op for advice, but I process info best by reading things on my own time, so I'd like to do some reading ahead of time. Hit me up with "how to choose a bike for dummies" resources, please and thank you. [more inside]
posted by the primroses were over at 5:37 AM - 24 answers

I played a card game - sort of like golf - called Hanif and I want to confirm the rules. [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 10:53 AM - 3 answers

I'm interested in ways to keep my eyes busy while I listen to audiobooks/podcasts. Where can I find interesting photos and video (or maybe even games on my phone) that don't involve any words or sounds, which would distract me from the audio I'm listening to? [more inside]
posted by luzdeluna at 7:14 AM - 17 answers

I want to add to my matchbook souvenir collection during an upcoming trip to Japan. Do you know places that hand out branded matchbooks in the Tokyo/Kyoto/Ishikawa or Toyama region?
posted by schamper at 7:55 AM - 2 answers

My boyfriend and I recently went to a country western bar and took the complimentary “nothing but the basics” two step dance lesson. We got really hooked and went out dancing a bunch of times that week. We’re interested in taking lessons, but not sure where to look. Country western was really fun, but we’d be interested in related styles as well. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 4:27 PM - 9 answers

So I've been wanting to get a surfswing to take camping and set up at our camp site, or maybe even take to the park sometimes. The problem is that hanging method isn't really designed for easy removal. But I just saw this method for hanging a bear bag, and I have no need to hang a bear bag, but I'm wondering if I can do something like that for hanging a surfswing. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:40 AM - 9 answers

My almost-5-year-old is discovering board and card games. He has not tried chess at all, mostly because I doubt I'd be able to make it interesting. What are some variants that will pique his interest? Also interested in computer game versions! [more inside]
posted by Acari at 2:59 PM - 16 answers

Do people still sell physical tickets outside arenas day-of-show? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 10:55 AM - 14 answers

I'd like your recommendations for a beginner's Rubics Cube tutorial—well produced with a competent teacher. thx
posted by partner at 6:47 PM - 5 answers

I am awful at fixing bikes, but I thought I could manage to change a couple of tires. Overconfidence got the better of me, so I didn't even bother to take a photo first. I am simply trying to put the front wheel back on the bike, but the black bits here and here (sorry don't know what they are called) are not leaving me room to get the wheel back on. The back wheel has similar black bits, but the wheel slots between them no problem. Am I supposed to force the forks apart to give me room? It really doesn't feel like that's the right idea. I can't get the black bits closer together, but I could loosen them to put them farther apart - but that would make it worse? How do I fix this? [more inside]
posted by cincinnatus c at 10:56 AM - 8 answers

I feel like there should be good options in 2023 for something that runs off a rechargeable battery/pack, and is loud enough to cover a gathering of about 100-150 people in a small outdoor park. Do you have direct experience with a unit you'd recommend? [more inside]
posted by Shepherd at 8:48 AM - 6 answers

I have an extremely cheap pocketknife with glued-on wooden scales. Twice now, the knife has gone through the wash and the scales have fallen off. I'm willing to reglue them again, but I wonder if there is a heat-and-water-resistant wood-to-metal adhesive that would be worth picking up. (I believe the last one I used was Gorilla Glue, and it didn't hold up.) [more inside]
posted by restless_nomad at 8:39 AM - 10 answers

I ran my first marathon a couple of weeks ago and loved it. I’m thinking of starting another training cycle for a fall half or full marathon. I have a music playlist, but I’m kind of burnt out on it. I would like to give audiobooks a try. I’m looking for suggestions. I’ve found good reads from Metafilter suggestions before so I’m hoping y’all can help me with this. [more inside]
posted by August Fury at 10:20 AM - 9 answers

I'm thinking of resurrecting a campaign we had going several years ago (none of us have played any TTRPGs since). We were using Pathfinder back then, but I'd like to move to D&D. From what I've read, D&D One will be out next year. Should we wait for it, or should we just start with 5ed first? [more inside]
posted by destrius at 4:13 AM - 14 answers

I have an old microwave, I would like to use it as a kiln. There's a lot to take in and a lot to compare. Maybe you've already done some of this work and will spill the tea. [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 10:07 AM - 9 answers

A relative has a few hospital visits scheduled, and I'll be accompanying them. Can you help me brainstorm ideas to pass the time? [more inside]
posted by xenization at 7:55 AM - 17 answers

I'd like to make a wicker man costume for Halloween, but I could use some advice on basketry and fake fire. [more inside]
posted by McBearclaw at 11:08 PM - 7 answers

Are you a member of a hobby group with a good website that’s easy to use? Please tell me about it. [more inside]
posted by AMyNameIs at 2:58 PM - 4 answers