May 14

Senior Security

How do I remotely hire and supervise a helper for my elderly mother without putting her at risk? Am I being the right amount of paranoid, too much, or not enough? [more inside]
posted by Lyn Never to Human Relations at 5:55 PM - 0 answers

U.S. National Parks this summer?

Our family (two adults, two kids under 10) usually road trips to a few national parks for summer vacation. Considering the staffing issues and budget cuts affecting the national parks, would you a) forego the parks entirely this summer b) stick to lesser-known parks or c) proceed as planned? [more inside]
posted by chimpsonfilm to Travel & Transportation at 4:56 PM - 1 answer

Bedbug early detection/control tactics?

My apartment is being treated for bedbugs and I'd like to never, ever do this again. What habits or tactics at home do you think would constitute being bedbug-cautious without being bedbug-obsessed? [more inside]
posted by actuallyquite to Home & Garden at 3:39 PM - 5 answers

Troubleshoot laser image transfer to wood

I just tried 6 methods to transfer a laser print to wood. All failed. I've done this successfully years ago. Help me troubleshoot? [more inside]
posted by Acari to Media & Arts at 3:28 PM - 3 answers

Airplane seat space question

How do you handle sitting next to a larger person on the airplane? [more inside]
posted by roaring beast to Travel & Transportation at 3:18 PM - 7 answers

Best NYC library branch for browsing sci fi in person?

Is there a known location where I'll have the best luck as far as discovering new sci fi books? I don't want to go in with an idea of what I'm looking for. I just want to browse and discover.
posted by octaviabutlerfan to Writing & Language at 1:02 PM - 2 answers

Seeking zyrtec redemption arc

Tell me your story if you take zyrtec even though it makes/made you sleepy. [more inside]
posted by umbú to Health & Fitness at 9:51 AM - 15 answers

Yoga book

Been doing yoga for a few years, various styles, and feel familiar with most common poses. Now looking for a static visual or written reference with the goal of helping me pick a series of poses depending on how much time I have or what I'm up for. Online references might work too but I'm not really into the apps - I would rather have something that a human has designed not that is algorithmically determined.
posted by latkes to Health & Fitness at 9:36 AM - 7 answers

What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need

to sue a hospital? And do you know one in Portland, OR, who is filled with righteous fury? [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry to Law & Government at 8:24 AM - 9 answers

Is my eye like a strobe light?

I have one of these bath spinners (the 4-lobed shape, if it matters). When I spin it, I see a pattern similar to the BP logo, with the inner regions being more saturated. This "BP logo" spins much slower than the spinner itself... [more inside]
posted by aws17576 to Science & Nature at 7:43 AM - 6 answers

Is this a thing I can do?

I would like to hire someone to make this dress for me. I have the fabric. Is this a thing people do? Or can I design it myself somehow? [more inside]
posted by Melismata to Media & Arts at 7:16 AM - 13 answers

Help me figure out impossible Charleston SC logistics!

I'm in Moncks Corners, SC and want to hang out in Charleston, SC tomorrow. Where can I go and what can I do? Lots of complications inside. [more inside]
posted by silverstatue to Travel & Transportation at 7:02 AM - 4 answers

East coast dog swimming in the summer?

My dream is to take my sweet little buddy swimming this summer, but where? I'm having a difficult time locating a beach/lake within a 3 hour drive of NYC that will allow dogs on the beach and in the water during the summer months, and is nice and large enough for me to in the water as well. I'm happy to pay for a day pass/parking, etc. I'm aware of Wildwood Dog Park & Beach but it's further than I can manage. I've also found some locations that will allow dogs early in the morning and/or evening, but am hoping for a location that allows dogs all day. Thank you!
posted by bahama mama to Pets & Animals at 7:01 AM - 8 answers

Movie ID from very bad still photos

Can you ID the movie from these three very poor quality still photos? I thought the one actor was James McAvoy but it doesn't seem to match anything in his filmography. Thank you! https://imgur.com/a/ie6NAKJ
posted by CheeseLouise to Media & Arts at 5:09 AM - 3 answers

Interactive AI-themed online indie musical?

I'm trying to find an interactive musical that I saw during or just after the pandemic. I seem to remember an evil corporation, needing to follow clues to 'hack' into a message system, and a song called "Hello World". There were also some kind of luddite rebels involved. It's nearly impossible to find useful results when searching for "AI" and "Hello World". Any ideas?
posted by jpziller to Media & Arts at 1:07 AM - 1 answer

May 13

Permanently Embarrassed Pseudo-Landlords

Are there online support groups available for people who are dealing with the admin headaches of being a landlord via inheritance, for people who would rather not be landlords but can't discuss their issues openly without coming off as extremely obnoxious? [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Work & Money at 11:28 PM - 13 answers

How do I access a social worker in Toronto?

I have some problems that I think I need to speak to a social worker about, but I have no idea how to find one. [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Work & Money at 10:52 PM - 4 answers

Portland OR neighborhood

I need to rent an air bnb in a couple of weeks in Portland, Oregon, where I have never visited. [more inside]
posted by ojocaliente to Travel & Transportation at 5:14 PM - 10 answers

Who owns the copyright in this case? (UK)

UK jurisdiction. Book published 1956, rights reverted to the author in 1967, author died 2002 with no close family, estate divided between charities. Who would be approached about permissions to use parts of the book? [more inside]
posted by andraste to Media & Arts at 4:16 PM - 3 answers

Hosting a wiki for an online RPG in 2025: need recommendations

I'm looking for an inexpensive (not free; I assume I'm going to have to pay) site where I can host a wiki for a play-by-email we started in 2001, so lots of information, including old wiki output. Looking for recs/anti-recs. More under the fold. [more inside]
posted by gentlyepigrams to Technology at 3:49 PM - 3 answers

Feedback on two future career options (in Bay Area or Brooklyn)

While it's possible various hiring committees will decide this for me, there is at least a non-zero chance I'll have a choice between a job in Berkeley and one in Brooklyn. I'm struggling a bit to evaluate the options and am curious to get people's viewpoints, especially if you currently live in one of these areas. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Work & Money at 3:16 PM - 12 answers

Recommend me a "log me in" type of software/app

I (using a Mac) need to reliably be able to log in to my elderly mom's PC. I can physically go to her computer to install something. What program/app should I use? I don't mind paying, and hopefully it's something that'll be seamless between Mac/PC and also have the simplest possible interface. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa to Computers & Internet at 1:09 PM - 16 answers

10 days in Cascais

Our original plans mostly fell through for reasons so I’m looking for suggestions of non-obvious things to do in Cascais or Sintra (Portugal) starting this Sunday. We will have a car but prefer walking as much as practical. Could be restaurants, cool shops. We were in Lisbon last year so not looking at going there this trip.
posted by billsaysthis to Travel & Transportation at 12:24 PM - 9 answers

What to wear to an investment club summit in NYC?

Hey MeFites! Help a lady out. I have been given a ticket to a private investor club summit in NYC at the end of the month. My normal WFH wardrobe is not going to cut it. I haven't had to dress professionally in 7-ish years and non of those outfits fit me anymore. I would like to be taken seriously. Please help me pick an outfit! [more inside]
posted by ananci to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 11:27 AM - 6 answers

How to cry?

Do you have ways you can get yourself to cry on purpose? [more inside]
posted by chives to Health & Fitness at 11:19 AM - 32 answers

What was it like to be a queer person on MUDs?

Do you identify as queer? Were you on MUDs back in the day? What was it like, and did being on MUDs affect or intersect with your experience of being a queer person? [more inside]
posted by hapticactionnetwork to Society & Culture at 10:57 AM - 8 answers

Audio entertainment for long road trips that is not audiobooks/podcasts?

I'm looking for something to do when I'm driving during long road trips. I have a contingent of goto podcasts and audiobooks but I'm looking for something fresh. [more inside]
posted by aeighty to Media & Arts at 10:47 AM - 16 answers

finances for aging, declining, semi-estranged mom- what if I do nothing?

My mother has experienced significant physical and cognitive decline and, after a qualifying hospital admission, will likely be in skilled nursing for the rest of her life. Her finances are terrifying, and she made no plans. I've become the default but... I don't want to. In Illinois. [more inside]
posted by obfuscation to Human Relations at 9:57 AM - 10 answers

Planning for old age

What it says on the tin. Not yet 70 but headed there, with luck. I live in a two bedroom apartment at the moment to make it easy for the grandkids to sleep over. I moved to this town in central Sweden to be close to my grandchildren, but I am not going to want to live the rest of my life here. Let’s pretend I have 10 healthy years ahead of me. Not that any of us know. But if I did, I would probably want to figure out how to live out the rest of my life in Stockholm in 4 to 6 years. But I have no idea how to think about that in terms of planning for what I want and need but also for making the life of my only child easier. [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna to Health & Fitness at 7:26 AM - 15 answers

Switching from Shopify to Squarespace on a time crunch

I've been procrastinating moving my website from Shopify back to Squarespace and I'm not sure what to do about the domain transfer. I requested the transfer today, but it takes 5-7 days to complete and my Shopify plan expires in 2 days. Do I need to switch to the most basic plan for the domain transfer to go through? Shopify warns that "Any domains connected to your account will be disconnected if you cancel your plan."
posted by stinker to Computers & Internet at 7:18 AM - 2 answers

Revisiting Solo New Year's Travel - Three Years Later

Seeking an update on this question I asked three years ago for ideas about New Year's Eve travel, because some of the circumstances are different this time. I'm picking a place to go between Christmas and New Year's, and this time I'm on an even MORE conservative budget. [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos to Travel & Transportation at 7:14 AM - 5 answers

Backpack for those Downtown Sporty Rugged Fancy days

I need a sturdy but cool backpack for stylish events. Oxymoron, I know. [more inside]
posted by vanilla.extract to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 6:23 AM - 12 answers

What is lego for adults?

I've been making a lot of weird software things and am now tempted to try my hand at weird hardware things. Outside of 3d printing, are there companies that make the components so I can build the enclosures? [more inside]
posted by history is a weapon to Technology at 4:28 AM - 15 answers

May 12

Writing by the very old?

Two long pieces of prose writing that have interested me lately are Robert Ashley's Crash and Samuel Beckett's Worstward Ho. Notably, both were finished when the authors were unquestionably -old-; Beckett was 76, Ashley 83. I am interested in the shared feeling between these works, and would like to read other works by people who were 75+ when the work was finished. What can you recommend that meets this criterion?
posted by solarion to Writing & Language at 10:41 PM - 29 answers

Opening two text files in split view in Notepad++?

I use a program called Notepad++ that allows viewing text files in a split view. Is there a way to use the command line to open two text files such that they appear together in a split view in Notepad++? I've tried googling, but unable to find the answer.
posted by NoneOfTheAbove to Computers & Internet at 10:19 PM - 4 answers

Searching for old biblical psalms website from 2010

I'm searching for a website I visited several times during 2010 that had the capability of viewing the biblical psalms from the Old Testament of the King James Bible. The format was similar to the paragraph style of the BibleStudyTools website, and had an image of a sunrise or sunset at the top. I have tried to search for it using the WayBack machine, but have had no luck. I'm hoping my description sounds familiar to someone out there. Thanks!
posted by LilithSilver to Religion & Philosophy at 8:19 PM - 2 answers

Help me stay well-fed til my new refrigerator arrives

The frig went out a couple days ago (curiously, the freezer still freezes, but as you know, you can't freeze everything.) The weekend was fine, 'cause I was on a retreat which included all my meals. Help me stay well-fed until Friday when my new frig is delivered. I can do one meal a day eating out, but no more. Filters: gallbladder diet, FODMAP diet (no peanut butter or nuts, sigh), gluten-free diet, milk-intolerant diet. This is the entire question.
posted by intrepid_simpleton to Food & Drink at 7:35 PM - 12 answers

Which Star Wars show to watch when I'm not watching Andor?

Holy crap, Andor is good. And it's almost over, but I still have Disney+. What Star Wars TV shows should I watch now? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library to Media & Arts at 2:28 PM - 14 answers

Default colour palettes in Google Docs and Sheets?

I make a lot of Google Docs and Google Sheets. I always make customized colors for the text and spreadsheet features, so my documents will match my company's branding. Can I somehow get Google to save the color palette I use, so it's always an option, or do I have to adjust the colors from scratch every single time?
posted by vanilla.extract to Computers & Internet at 2:08 PM - 2 answers

What is this Miles Davis quote?

The interview guy says something about Miles' music calling for three saxophones. Then Miles says "I had three saxophones." (Referring to John Coltrane, of course.) Something like that.
posted by Lemkin to Media & Arts at 1:55 PM - 1 answer

What should I read to my kids next?

I just read Anne of Green Gables out loud to my two kids, 8 and 11. They LOVED it. What should I read to them next? [more inside]
posted by ohio to Media & Arts at 12:22 PM - 41 answers

CD box sets with historical themes?

I'm looking for CD box sets that tell the story of a time or an event. Examples would be: Atomic Platters - Cold War Music from the Golden Age of Homeland Security; ..Next Stop Is Vietnam - The War on Record - 1961 - 2008; Battleground Korea - Songs and Sounds of America's Forgotten War; Let Freedom Sing - The Music of the Civil Rights Movement; Songs For Political Action - Folk Music And The American Left 1926-1953; Songs of the Depression; Spain in My Heart - Songs of the Spanish Civil War [more inside]
posted by the sobsister to Media & Arts at 11:57 AM - 4 answers

Hot take: LOTS of movies are better than the book & I have proof

I am looking for ✨LESS OBVIOUS✨ books that have been adapted into movies and TV shows. [more inside]
posted by phunniemee to Grab Bag at 10:02 AM - 77 answers

Recommend me a multi-effects guitar pedal!

Looking for a multi-effects unit for my guitar. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by miltthetank to Media & Arts at 8:20 AM - 8 answers

Manners on the germaphobe spectrum

Someone dear to me wants me over for dinner. They want me to pick the meal and they’ll do the cooking. [more inside]
posted by shocks connery to Human Relations at 6:08 AM - 18 answers

Are there any kid friendly PC games similiar to Uncharted?

I recently let my 8 year old start playing Uncharted 4 and he's loved what he's played of it but I'm realizing I've opened up a can of worms and am uncomfortable with the violence level in it. I'm looking for something with similar climbing/swinging mechanics but with less gun play and fist fighting. I have a reasonably modern PC but no consoles. [more inside]
posted by Silentgoldfish to Media & Arts at 5:37 AM - 15 answers

Drag me through the streets of Baltimore

Might get to play hooky this week and take a daytrip to Baltimore to catch a ballgame with an old friend. Assuming I get into town by late morning, what should I see before the evening game? I’ll arrive by train and then walk and/or use bikeshare since it looks like the stadium is only a couple miles from the station. Interested in food, history, architecture, art, science, and hyperlocal cultural stuff. Definitely hoping to squeeze in a couple meals at worthy restaurants unless there’s something special I should save my appetite for at Camden Yards. [more inside]
posted by theory to Travel & Transportation at 3:11 AM - 13 answers

Sites that are just a URL with a simple question and a simple answer

I'm trying to find examples of a kind of website I am having trouble thinking of a name for. The URL might be something like "DoINeedACat.com." The body would then say something extremely simple in 36 point font, like "do you like having an annoying animal around," then the response to clicking No would be "No" and that's it, no other content. Not about cats but about other social issues.
posted by johngoren to Computers & Internet at 3:10 AM - 33 answers

May 11

Super scratch resistant glasses?

Someone I care about has a job working on the beach and their glasses are getting wildly scratched up from flying sand. "Scratch resistant" seems to be standard on glasses now, but is there some kind of special scratch protection they can get next time? Or some kind of special glasses care you would recommend?
posted by latkes to Shopping at 9:36 PM - 5 answers

What's doing in Copenhagen late June?

I'll be in Copenhagen June 25-28. Looking for some reccos that's maybe not listed in all the tourist guides... Maybe a flea market? Special food spot. Special events? I do like a good boat tour tho (but not for many hours)...
posted by pmaxwell to Travel & Transportation at 6:57 PM - 6 answers

What's a Ronald Regan biography that explains his villain arc?

The punchline to a lot of 'why is this bad thing happening' can go back to Ronald Regan for a lot of modern US politics, and I'd like to read a really good biography on him. Not a 'fair and balanced' type, but more like how a biography of Leni Riefenstahl might go. (2009 question - but I want one on the human, not the administration.)
posted by dorothyisunderwood to Media & Arts at 5:58 PM - 11 answers

Easy to open treats

An elderly friend is in hospital with a broken right arm in a cast up to her shoulder, and she is right-handed. Dinner is at 5:00 and she wants a sweet snack or treat in the evening. There are no dietary restrictions. So far visitors are bringing her things she can take from a paper bag. A reclosable box or a ziplock bag are not doable for her. How can I bring her treats thst will last over a few days at least?
posted by uans to Food & Drink at 3:20 PM - 9 answers

Butter tarts

What's your preferred recipe for the quintessential butter tart filling? [more inside]
posted by sardonyx to Food & Drink at 2:02 PM - 8 answers

ISO article about the dawn of sexual reproduction on Earth

Looking for an article with a dramatic title like "the answer was sex, only sex" about the amount of energy put into sexual reproduction at it's dawn in evolution of life on Earth because of the improvement in adaptation. [more inside]
posted by ASCII Costanza head to Science & Nature at 1:13 PM - 2 answers

help me find THE Matching top, or at least A Complimentary top

i'm looking for a top that matches a specific Puma brand skirt in an unusual camo pattern. i don't KNOW that they ever made one, but i feel like they might have. [more inside]
posted by glonous keming to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 11:47 AM - 10 answers

Creatine and exercise-induced asthma

Creatine, yay! Creatine, boo? Stronger by Science's creatine roundup says that for people with asthma, creatine might not be a good idea. I have asthma and I trust SBS, so one would think I would not take creatine. But my asthma is exercise-induced, and I can't figure out if creatine has the same problems for exercise-induced asthma as it does for allergic-related asthma. Creatine has all kinds of good qualities, so I want to take it unless there's an asthma-related reason I shouldn't. Please advise. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library to Health & Fitness at 9:34 AM - 8 answers

Seek recommendations for a new desktop computer.

My desktop computer is a Dell Optiplex 780 that I purchased as a used refurbished back in 2018. It's time for me to replace it. Which new desktop do you recommend that I buy? (I don't do gaming, and my computer needs are basic.) [more inside]
posted by SageTrail to Computers & Internet at 6:29 AM - 11 answers

Experience and options for soundproofing an apartment floor

I have bought a 1930s apartment in the Hague. It currently has sisal flooring with some plywood backboard over the basic planks. I would like to add a parquet floor, but because of local law and building requirements I need to secure soundproofing. I also want to secure soundproofing so my small dogs do not cause my downstairs neighbors to feel like they live in a drum. I'm looking for advice, knowledge and experience about options. (details below) [more inside]
posted by frumiousb to Home & Garden at 1:56 AM - 10 answers

May 10

What are some best practices for building a printed archive of photos?

OK, so after two decades of shooting, I have many thousands of digital photographs that I would love to keep for perpetuity. I’m good on digital backups, but I can’t help but think there’s no substitute for printed photos. I’d like to create an archive of print photos that could exist past my death. Not for big, capital-A Art purposes, but just everyone who knew me. [more inside]
posted by flod to Media & Arts at 11:39 PM - 4 answers

Overwhelmed by daily current events newsletters. Need something weekly.

I thought I had a sensible news diet but three daily newsletters is a bit too much for me. Surely there must be a way to get a better weekly digest from specific sources? Ideally this would be something like NextDraft but just not every day... Is there anything out there that can do this, or any weekly news roundups that might be up my alley? [more inside]
posted by sxtrumpeto to Technology at 10:00 PM - 6 answers