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I'm looking for instances where an organisation has reneged on restoration ( either urban or rural, with buildings, e.g. a city block or neighbourhood, or with a landscape), and then been forced legally (and/or by protest action) to do the thing they had originally agreed on that was required as a condition of their original permit or consent. [more inside]
posted by unearthed to Law & Government at 5:32 PM - 0 answers

In a magazine interview in the 2000s, the fiction author Chuck Pahlaniuk recommended an excellent short story that I now can't find. I vaguely remember the author was female, with a name something like Robin Silver, or maybe the book was a little silver hardcover. I think the story was also the title story of the volume, or else the first story in it. It was a tricky short story, with several thematic moving parts that just perfectly snapped together at the end. Does anybody remember the title and author of the story I'm talking about?
posted by Deminime to Writing & Language at 4:41 PM - 3 answers

Within the last year, someone here posted a link to a book they wrote about cybersecurity/online privacy for activists or others worried about being surveilled. I can’t find my bookmark or remember the title. The book has a light blue cover with an origami-like structure. What was the book?
posted by Hex Wrench to Computers & Internet at 2:53 PM - 0 answers

Is there a streaming music service that doesn't also do videos now (or lets you turn off the videos)? This seems like it should be obvious, but I can't seem to figure this out. [more inside]
posted by cmm to Computers & Internet at 10:07 AM - 7 answers

My wife and I are in Berlin from June 17 to June 24, 2025. We love weird art, parks, street food, used record stores, thrift stores, cafes, walking and biking and other city stuff. We've got a decent list of stuff to do, but I'm just wondering if there are any current exhibits/etc. that are not to be missed? (We don't speak German, we haven't ever been to Germany before, but we've traveled all over Scandinavia.)
posted by chr1sb0y to Travel & Transportation at 9:03 AM - 9 answers

All of a sudden, all of my browsers send my monitor into a frenzy of blinking on and off, but only on certain web pages. It makes my desktop unusable for minutes at a time. Halp. [more inside]
posted by rabia.elizabeth to Computers & Internet at 8:06 AM - 7 answers

I live adjacent to downtown in Seattle and mostly walk or take public transit, but ~6–10 days per month, I need access to a car. I could probably get Lyft/Uber at least some of these journeys, but I don't like supporting those businesses. Is Zipcar the best option, or are there others I should consider?
posted by Cogito to Travel & Transportation at 7:46 AM - 5 answers

I'm doing a thing. I'm looking for accumulating an RSS reader that just holds things that won't make me hide under a bed, because there is only so much one can handle. I just want to be distracted and laugh occasionally so I don't forget how. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama to Computers & Internet at 7:44 AM - 3 answers

The 20” weed eater lawnmower was in my basement when I bought the house 18 yeas ago. Looked new then.I had it tuned up but never ended up using it. last week I got It started. Ran for a minute or so then Stalled. Can’t get it going again. Spark plug looks clean. New gas. Looking for a manual or user guide. 4hp weed eater combi-cut belt drive lawnmower
posted by pmaxwell to Home & Garden at 7:19 AM - 8 answers

A somewhat annoying/complex situation that comes down to a simple question: if someone asks me to help them sell something on a third party platform, and I do, and I get the money, if I do not give them the money (assume there is a good reason, explained within), am I legally liable? More context within. [more inside]
posted by damedeshou to Law & Government at 9:57 PM - 14 answers

I have about three long boxes of comics I want to sell or give away. A combination of trades and floppies with a few larger collections and some hardbound volumes. I’d like to make a list of everything so I have it for reference and to send to potential buyers. Is there an app that will scan things and generate that? What’s best practices? [more inside]
posted by Mizu to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation at 4:40 PM - 2 answers

I'm working on a novel, and wanted to get some advice on the best places to solicit SOLID feedback. [more inside]
posted by JPowers to Writing & Language at 3:44 PM - 4 answers

Can you recommend websites with very short articles about science and history - the sort of thing Smithsonian Magazine runs, but closer to 2-5 paragraphs? [more inside]
posted by kristi to Media & Arts at 3:28 PM - 4 answers

Can someone point me to lowest effort digital deletion services I can sign up for today? [more inside]
posted by latkes to Technology at 3:05 PM - 3 answers

All this week I have been receiving email notifications that the USPS is in the process of delivering packages (that I am not expecting) to my home, but no packages are arriving. It feels like a scam but I'm not sure what the angle is and I was hoping MetaFilter could help. [more inside]
posted by Parasite Unseen to Grab Bag at 2:18 PM - 8 answers

It's just me and my independent 16 yr old daughter tonight. We don't get to spend much quality time together. We don't have much heart to to heart dialogue these days as she leans on mom for that. We're going to watch a movie tonight. I'd love to watch something we can connect over. Old, new, comedy, drama, western, sci-fi, crime, doesn't matter. Looking for a great movie we can bond over. It's ok if it bring on tears as long as its not something too traumatic. Go!
posted by jasondigitized to Media & Arts at 1:41 PM - 35 answers

Our cat (previously) has been losing weight and the ultrasound he had yesterday pointed to three possible diagnoses [more inside]
posted by itesser to Pets & Animals at 10:18 AM - 9 answers

I need to rid myself of toxic people in my life. The first step for me will be to change my phone number, something I’ve been wanting to do for ages, but I’m terrified of getting locked out of various important online accounts which is the only thing holding me back. [more inside]
posted by GlassHeart to Technology at 7:46 AM - 14 answers

I'm looking for any recommendations from locals for 2025-era stops in Portland, OR, which are close in quality to the former Caffe Mingo (now closed) or other Italian-and-PNW-inspired cuisine. Thanks!
posted by They sucked his brains out! to Food & Drink at 10:31 PM - 17 answers

This seems like such a simple inquiry! I have slept well for a while, thanks to a combination of high quality earplugs and a set of Bose Quietcomfort 35 headphones that have been with me for 5 years. The brand name and model is important here, because they broke and the newest model is missing a feature: you cannot turn the external microphones off like you could for the 35 model. You can switch off noise cancelling, but the headphones instead pass-through audio from the external microphones, which makes them very uncomfortable in e.g. a bedroom situation where they are liable to rub against pillows. I just want a set of headphones that can have noise cancelling turned on or entirely off! [more inside]
posted by LSK to Technology at 9:15 PM - 7 answers

I am seeking sign ideas for No Kings Day. I think the planners' plan is for silliness and mock Trump. But I have no ideas in that regard. And I can't draw. In case it matters, I am a Marine Corps veteran, and this will be in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
posted by NotLost to Law & Government at 8:09 PM - 25 answers

I was laid off last month and I'm finding it difficult to accept the simple explanation (budget). Why? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain to Work & Money at 7:16 PM - 16 answers

I'm living outside the US temporarily and want to make sure I backup all my files and data before I return. I do not want to give US Border Patrol or Customs (or really any agency) access to my stuff. [There is nothing dangerous or illegal going on. I just don't want my privacy encroached upon, especially now.] I'm strongly considering signing up for Tresorit's SecureCloud PersonalPro service, but I want AskMe to weigh in. [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Technology at 4:20 PM - 5 answers

I'm seeking assistance with a technical SEO issue related to redirects. [more inside]
posted by diode to Technology at 4:00 PM - 1 answer

I'm on a quest for a new king size duvet and cover but I'm finding that a lot of my usual places (Crate, West Elm, even Ikea) are leaning real heavy into "quiet luxury" aka "here's eleven types of beige." Our bedroom is very white and unadorned so I'd like more color and pattern. Where are we getting interesting-but-grown-up bedding these days? Bonus for something that will stand up to a potential future doggo in terms of furs and drools!
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese to Home & Garden at 3:15 PM - 29 answers

This post has plenty of information about repairing old books and I don't need that kind of depth for this question. My question is much simpler. I have several old (50-60 years old) paperback musical scores that needless to say are looking their age. But they were originally bound very well (sewn, if that's the word), so I'd like to prevent further damage if possible. [more inside]
posted by JimN2TAW to Media & Arts at 1:44 PM - 7 answers

There's an indy artist who got a media boost some time around/after COVID. I can hear her song in my head, but need help: [more inside]
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens to Media & Arts at 1:01 PM - 5 answers

I regularly hike up and run down the local trails. Currently I wear a single pocket running belt which holds my phone, my earbud case + nutrition bar go in my shorts back pocket, and I carry a 750ml/ 25oz water bottle. I'd prefer to go hands free for the running section, but I'm struggling to find a good solution for carrying water but not having to hold it or wear it on my back. A few more details inside. [more inside]
posted by 7 Minutes of Madness to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation at 12:51 PM - 5 answers

In the novel I'm writing, a character is required to go to court-ordered drug rehab. He's a guy with not much money. Is there any way he could wind up in rehab with someone who does have money? This is in California, about 20 years ago. Essentially, could these two people with very different financial means end up at the same rehab facility? Is that at all plausible?
posted by gigondas to Society & Culture at 12:08 PM - 14 answers

I need to send a few thousand dollars from Canada to someone in the United States. What safe and reliable method has the lowest fee?
posted by mcbaya to Work & Money at 11:08 AM - 6 answers

Any location. Any style. Any price point. Be specific.
posted by vunder to Food & Drink at 10:37 AM - 14 answers

One of the characters in the book I'm writing (Science Fiction set in the far future) is a computer scientist who is obsessed with the idea that humans and machines have always been part of one another. That machines have always been extensions of human brains and bodies, and that they shape how humans perceive and exist in the world. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador to Society & Culture at 9:31 AM - 19 answers

My wife has decided she'd like to begin using tirzepatide (Mounjaro). We're UK-based, and we're looking for recommendations for an online prescription service. [more inside]
posted by samworm to Health & Fitness at 8:28 AM - 2 answers

I am looking for something to read or watch that can answer these questions: How can I tell what numbers to assign to costs and rewards in a board game? How do I make sure that the rare/valuable items cost the correct amount to contrast them with the common ones? [more inside]
posted by Hactar to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation at 8:10 AM - 10 answers

As an adult I have never, ever lived in a place with a dishwasher. So I've always had vintage plates and mugs. I may have a dishwasher in the next year or so. [more inside]
posted by Frowner to Home & Garden at 7:54 AM - 32 answers

What desk chair should I get for working from home? I prefer mesh-backed chairs to those that are cushiony or have fabric and I'm fat so I need something that will accommodate that and ideally last a long time (I want a chair with arms I just don't want it to squash me or fall apart when I sit on it). I don't have a hard budget cap and can spend some money on this (although of course I'd prefer not to spend more than necessary). Thank you!
posted by an octopus IRL to Shopping at 7:49 AM - 11 answers

Inside is a question/problem about servers, ports, tunneling, firewalls, VPNs, etc. I am relatively UN-interested in a specific answer to this question, and much MORE interested in learning to understand what I'm doing so I'm not just performing magic incantations. [more inside]
posted by heyforfour to Computers & Internet at 6:30 AM - 9 answers

I've got Youtube, and I just subscribed to Nebula. What video essayists should I look up? [more inside]
posted by meese to Media & Arts at 7:42 PM - 17 answers

I've had a number of health issues, svt's, kidney failure, and severe periodontal disease with numerous extractions. I got very depressed and am in the midst of a major episode stemming from numerous factors - the main one being my inability to find help and reprieve. [more inside]
posted by watercarrier to Health & Fitness at 12:46 PM - 5 answers

In college I went from "person who thinks opera is neat" to "person who is pretty well-listened and knows what to listen for." I'm curious to try something similar for Indian classical music but not sure where to start. [more inside]
posted by less-of-course to Media & Arts at 12:39 PM - 9 answers

BookFilter: Can you recommend books where the main source of tension is highly specific impersonation or deep cover? Examples and details inside. [more inside]
posted by BlackLeotardFront to Media & Arts at 10:58 AM - 40 answers

An x-ray couldn't rule out a tibiotalar subluxation. While I wait for a CT to confirm or deny, I'd like your experience on how you've managed an unstable, slightly swollen, and painful ankle? My doctor was not sure but is looking into it and may get back to me. Unrelated I already use an AFO brace (for foot drop for years) and compression socks (for swelling for months for which the x-ray was ordered).
posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness at 9:40 AM - 1 answer

Lighthearted question: is there a specific name for this singing style? [more inside]
posted by St. Peepsburg to Media & Arts at 9:05 AM - 5 answers

I feel like I am drowning with stress and depression and life just keeps throwing me more things. I need help focusing on a seasonal job that is not at all ADHD friendly to pay the bills. [more inside]
posted by Malleable to Health & Fitness at 8:24 AM - 13 answers

I need a way to assess the entire content of our nonprofit's website to find keywords and language so that it can be changed and re-written. We are at risk of losing Federal funding. I am not a web developer. Help, please. [more inside]
posted by SoberHighland to Computers & Internet at 7:35 AM - 13 answers

Developers! How do you manage your own custom conda packages? Do you keep them in local channels or add them to the beast that is the conda-forge feedstocks? [more inside]
posted by vernondalhart to Computers & Internet at 6:09 AM - 1 answer

My husband and I (U.S) are renting a car and driving throughout Portugal for the first two weeks of July. Please share any tips and cautions as we are a bit anxious having never done this before. [more inside]
posted by archimago to Travel & Transportation at 6:08 AM - 14 answers

I'm trying to switch to using AOL as my default search engine instead of Google. I've made AOL my homepage and when I open Firefox on my laptop, that's what the new window displays, but when I open a new tab in that window in Firefox, the new tab still displays Google. How do I fix this?
posted by orange swan to Computers & Internet at 5:58 AM - 6 answers

I’ve been using headspace almost since it launched. I’ve interacted several times with consumer service and the dev team to request less gamification, for example, to be able to turn off the streak notification etc. But the app gets more and more invasive to pressure me to try features I have no use for or interest in. [more inside]
posted by toodleydoodley to Health & Fitness at 5:39 AM - 13 answers

I need hip-hop songs in 6/8 time. I know of three or four, but their rarity has me wondering how common it is. [more inside]
posted by goatdog to Media & Arts at 5:17 AM - 5 answers

I'm interested in learning more about what it's like, day-to-day, to live as a clinical NPD sufferer or just someone with strong narcissistic traits: how they model reality, how their interior monologue runs, how they experience standard life events. To cut through the mythos and stigma, I'd prefer honest firsthand accounts (nonfiction or fictionalized) from narcissists OR rigorously conducted empirical research. Where could I start? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph to Human Relations at 4:34 AM - 11 answers

I have a whole ton of family photos & videos that are all stored on a NAS disk. How can I best share them all with family members who use Apple devices? [more inside]
posted by rd45 to Computers & Internet at 3:05 AM - 4 answers

Gripping kids Book recommendations please! [more inside]
posted by St. Peepsburg to Media & Arts at 7:34 PM - 22 answers

I'm looking to see if there are any updates to this question from a few months ago. Where will donations be most effective in fighting Trump, preserving American democracy (either or both)?
posted by NotLost to Law & Government at 7:28 PM - 2 answers

McTeague, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, A Simple Plan... that sort of thing.
posted by Lemkin to Media & Arts at 6:02 PM - 7 answers

I'm curious about a few things regarding writing and posting fanfic on sites like AO3. If you're a fanfic writer and you could answer some of these or give it a shot I'd be so grateful. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by fairlynearlyready to Writing & Language at 4:18 PM - 18 answers

I live in NYC and recently had surgery. Looking for some advice on how to deal with a billing situation I really don't understand. [more inside]
posted by swheatie to Health & Fitness at 2:56 PM - 16 answers

My eight-year-old has suddenly become very interested in coin collecting. What do I need? Where do we start? [more inside]
posted by ficbot to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation at 1:22 PM - 22 answers

The DC-1 got a let of technorati attention when it was announced a year ago, but I haven't seen many reviews since it started shipping. I'm wondering if it has lived up to the hopes people had for it. More specifically, could a high school student use it for basic schoolwork: reading, writing, access to Google Classroom, calendar, etc. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust to Computers & Internet at 1:00 PM - 9 answers

Help me consider how getting arrested would impact my life? [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Law & Government at 12:41 PM - 14 answers