July 3
Reasonable job transition request
What can I reasonably ask from a potential employer to make the transition smoother for the organization I'm leaving, including training my replacement? [more inside]
Why are you screaming so loud?
I did something bad a few times. In my work parking lot inside my car I screamed and shouted with some very colorful language. I didn’t realize people heard me it’s a very large parking lot. Now there’s a rumor going around that I am unhinged and need to be avoided. [more inside]
Six Figure Side Hustle
My instagram is full of ads for ecourses for every variety of job all promising six figure salary for part-time work. Like all good ponzi schemes, I'm guessing these mainly make six-figure salaries with part-time work primarily for the e-course developer.
But it does make me wonder: If you had to replace a six-figure salary with minimal outlay of time and money for retraining, what are your options? What would be the most reliable route?
Creating my own perfume
Ever since I was young, I loved perfumes and I'm interested in creating my own and perhaps creating a side hustle around this. [more inside]
Help me give my husband back his bag
I need a black sling bag that's just like the one I'm using but slightly different (for starters, belongs to me). [more inside]
Is there a word for this?
Is there a word for this? If someone struggles with reading, they might have dyslexia. If someone struggles with numbers, they might have dyscalculia. If someone always struggles with remembering which way round two sets of something are eg stalagmite/stalactite, heterosexual/homosexual, left/right, convex/concave, hyper/hypo, Equilateral triangle/Isosceles triangle, unless they have a mnemonic, is there a word for that? [more inside]
Savannah Bananas in Pittsburgh 8/29
Other than paying a lot of money, is there any way for 2 people to see the Savannah Bananas in Pittsburgh on August 29? Plans recently changed and we will be there over the weekend.
College for music-loving kid
Our college-bound kid is compiling colleges to consider and is feeling overwhelmed. We have access to a tuition-exchange list of schools. Can you personally recommend any on this list that a) have a music school or program, b) are academically well-regarded, and c) are in a "shielded" state (I'll list below). [more inside]
Where to find out about anti-trump protests in the US?
Is there a site, news feed, or social media network that provides ongoing, comprehensive updates about anti-trump protests in the US? [more inside]
Best Pitch-to-MIDI Conversion Tools and/or Workflows?
Hi Hive Mind! I hear music in my head more or less constantly, and I would like to start capturing some of it in MIDI (melody, plus harmonies, in separate tracks). [more inside]
I would like to acquire a personal torturer of my very own
I have acquired a minor lower-limb injury, which is healing fine as far as I can tell, but I'd like to get some physical therapy to make sure everything's in order and there are no lingering joint weaknesses or asymmetries in my gait. I have never had PT. How do I go about acquiring this therapist, an appointment with them, and (ideally) getting insurance to cover it? [more inside]
July 2
Walk me through Audacity workflow for my task, please.
I have many hours of conversational audio, in a variety of file sizes. Some with little background noise, some with a lot, and some with long silences. The end result I need is selected parts of these audio, as clean as possible. I'm not looking for fancy. I'm looking for intelligible and simple and easy to organize. (And I need to retain the original recording date somewhere in the file's metadata, if possible.) I realize I have a lot of work ahead of me, but it'll be worth it. [more inside]
One-ingredient salads
Okay not literally one ingredient but one star ingredient, like that famous cucumber one from TikTok. Other qualifying ones would be shredded carrots with toasted coconut, or red cabbage with sunflower seeds, both excellent.
I’m just tired of salads where I chuck in whatever is in the fridge/garden.
Who Is Feeding the Kids?
I feel very strongly about people not ever going hungry. I regularly donate to my local food bank and do other related things as well. But with the current US administration the current methods of getting nutrition to kids at school and summer programs is getting attacked. Who is doing the work to get these kids fed otherwise, and what do they need to be effective? [more inside]
Vitamin & Supplement Book that I’ll enjoy to read
Would you recommend me a vitamin and supplement book that I might enjoy? Criteria within [more inside]
Leisure Suit Larry's sad bachelor outpost
My fourplex was built in the '70s. It smells like it. What can I do? [more inside]
Dumb phone criteria for tween
As my kid gets more freedom to roam the neighborhood semi 80s-style, I’m wondering about getting him a dumb phone. What sort of criteria should I be considering? [more inside]
Tips to find a refurbished Windows Surface machine
We're looking for a lightweight device for traveling. Uses will be very minimal, web browsing, email, simple word processing, etc.
We've decided to go with a refurbished Windows Surface machine and I'm trying to identify a reliable vendor. [more inside]
Bruises in art, history, literature, etc.
Y'all helped me with this question about screaming, and now I have a similar one about bruising. I'm looking for significant references to bruises in art / literature / whatever. Ideally, the context would not be strictly medical/ forensic. Examples would be someone being identified by a bruise or a plot featuring a magic bruise, an interesting portrait of someone with a bruise, Roller Derby names like Punky Bruiser, or the songs "About a Bruise" (Iron and Wine) and "This One's Gonna Bruise" (Beth Orton).
gonna eat a lotta peaches
I see a lot of recipes online for peach custard pies, where you put peaches on the bottom and pour custard over the top. I'm looking for a recipe for peach flavored custard. [more inside]
Awnings for summer solar gain reduction: Northern Hemisphere edition
I want fixed, non-cloth awnings for the windows in my home in order to reduce solar heat gain in summer but still get some in winter. Search results for any related term are largely AI slop. 98% of the detailed resources I am finding are from Australia, which is the wrong hemisphere and also does not have blizzards. Do you have personal experience with this (or know someone who does) and can you point me to detailed resources on how to design and build these?
Tall MeFites, small cars, good posture, can't see
I like to practice better posture* in the car, because there's not much else to do sometimes, and nice cues built into the seat for head and hip position, plus if I don't do this I end up slumped this way or that, or heavily leaning on my elbow or some other nonsense. But I'm tall, and I drive a small sedan, and when I come to a red light, I often can't see the light without doing something awkward. [more inside]
Help me find this book by Elizabeth Moon
Many years ago I read a book by Elizabeth Moon and I can't remember anything about it except the following details: [more inside]
July 1
Keeping packed meals at a safe temperature in a lightweight way
How do I keep packed meals hot or cold in a lightweight way? [more inside]
Fun near(ish) Tillamook, OR with a tween?
I’m bringing my rising 5th grader camping at Cape Lookout State Park for almost a week this summer! I’ve lived in Oregon and spent a lot of time in that area, but many years ago. What’s fun nearby? [more inside]
Bring On the Noise: Improving Audio from iMac
I just got new desktop speakers. They sound way better using iphone Bluetooth than the iMac from three sources: USB-C, aux-in and Bluetooth.
Is there some thaumaturgic or app approach I need to use to improve the sound? [more inside]
American Peaky Blinders?
We've really been enjoying Peaky Blinders lately, and we're already looking for more U.S.-based stories like this: colorful, lesser-known gangs that operated in the early 20th century, outside of the obvious New York and Chicago-mob stuff (including Boardwalk Empire). Doesn't have to be TV shows or movies--the more obscure the better, actually.
What are *all* the risks of cosigning a lease?
A family member wants me to cosign a lease because their credit score is bad.
Beyond owing rent for the duration of the lease, what else can go wrong? [more inside]
Achilles tendinitis & unfamiliar treatments
Have you tried (or know about from training/study) additional treatments when the basics (walking boot, ice, rest, basic stretches) don’t seem to be helping much? Questions about unfamiliar treatments follow... [more inside]
Fitting a kid's bike helmet
I'm struggling to find a bike helmet that properly fits my almost 8yo's head. She currently has a Smith Zip Jr. helmet that's getting too small. I ordered a Giro Fixture a since that was frequently recommended, but we couldn't get it to fit properly. It fit her head, but it doesn't have a way to adjustments the ear strap, so there was no way to tighten it to keep it from easily sliding back. What should we try next? [more inside]
How to find court dates and/or results
How do I find out when someone's court date is, or if it has already happened, what the outcome was? [more inside]
Photopea vs. Photoshop
So i am considering purchasing photoshop (am currently and for another two years a student and qualify for their student discount) or, alternatively use Photopea.
I have never used either program. [more inside]
Car-free toddler swimming vacation in Germany
I'm looking for destinations for a vacation in Germany with my 3 year old with two main requirements, 1) car-free, 2) some kind of swimming in a beach, pool, lake, or river to help them get more comfortable with water. First two weeks of August. [more inside]
June 30
Looking for excellent M. C. Escher book
This is for a gift. My ideal book would have excellent reproductions, a biography of Escher with pictures of places that inspired him, and a foldout of Metamorphosis. I'm looking for $50 or $100, but I could go somewhat higher.
Where might I find piano accompaniments for Great American Songbook?
I've done a load of searching, but to no avail. [more inside]
Good place to eat in LA's Little Tokyo?
We're gonna be in Little Tokyo and will want good food. Any suggestions? [more inside]
Best Way to Make Auto Repair Claim
I need my front bumper replaced from an old accident. What do I tell the insurance company? Details inside. [more inside]
E-Reader recommendation, with a twist
Since a car accident that weakened my neck, I do most of my reading on the Kindle app on the iphone. The twist is, I screen share with the living room TV, so I can read with my neck in good posture, using the iphone to turn pages.
This works great, and I love it. But, I hate supporting the Bezos Hegemony. [more inside]
Dog newbie seeking advice
I'm considering bringing a dog into our family (two adults and a kindergarten aged kid).
I'm not that experienced with dogs, what advice would you give me? [more inside]
Black lights for detecting cat piss: lifehack or horseshit?
Can anyone vouch for the efficacy of cat urine detecting black light products, either in general or with specific brands and usage tips? [more inside]
Need lock, will travel
What kind of outboard motor lock is compatible with an adjustable outboard motor mounting bracket? [more inside]
Get Firefox stuff over to new Mac
What’s a relatively pain-free way to get both my Firefox bookmarks and logins from an ancient Mac to a new one? [more inside]
UK Mobile Phone in the USA?
How might one acquire (and activate) a UK mobile phone for us in the US, without leaving the US? [more inside]
Small bowel obstruction experience with surgery
A relative is in the hospital with a partial small bowel obstruction. It is not resolving with conservative methods and I think we're up for surgery. [more inside]
What would be the Bluesky equivalent of reddit.com/r/tools?
Be Your Own Butler
What specific skills related to butlering would be useful to learn for someone who wants to practice such skills in their own household, following butlering methods? And where would you learn them, if not butler school? [more inside]
Books on the resilience of organizations?
Why don't we see more organizations just collapse? According to a lot of people, the organization they work for has the lousiest and most self-serving management teams ever. Yet when we open up the newspapers everyday we don't continually read about the organizations that have collapsed. [more inside]
city destinations in South America
Imagine that you were planning a 2-3 week trip to South America over the christmas & new year period, and hoping to enjoy culture, food, music & landscape. Which two or three cities would you consider as destinations? [more inside]
June 29
Coping mentally with bad weather
I live in Pittsburgh, where the weather has changed quickly quite a bit and had storms and been humid and hot. I thankfully have a/c but the weather is still getting to my fibromyalgia and mood. I have been so cranky for days that nothing is getting done and I’m miserable, and others report similar. Is there anything that might help me deal with all this better? I’m open to diet/supplement/lifestyle / anything tips. YANMD.
Dayton Metal Cutting Bandsaw - Model 4YG30A
I need to get some parts for this old bandsaw. Where to get these? [more inside]
Family reunion/celebration: clothing item for all
Ten years ago my family got together for my parents significant wedding anniversary which also happens to be a few days away from my mom’s significant birthday. My mom had asked for a Hawaiian shirt for that birthday and we all surprised her by wearing matching shirts. She’s like something similar this year. [more inside]
Appealing maybe-vegetarian throw-it-all-in Instant Pot stuff?
I really need to start cooking more but cooking for one is a drag and I don't do it. I'm thinking instant pot stuff would feel low enough commitment I might (plus it's summer and who wants to turn on the oven?) I'm not a vegetarian but don't love cooking meat and am trying to eat healthier anyway. Got any recipes you love? I have googled but the internet is too full of things so I'm crowd-sourcing. Bonus level: gluten free.
Rat. Bathroom. Arizona. Help.
Hi. There's a rat in my bathroom. I turned the shower on , and then I noticed a rat on the shower curtain rod. Now the shower is on, and the bathroom door is closed, and it's Sunday, I am at a loss about what to do. [more inside]
Cool but restful day in Vancouver for weary teen travellers?
I will be landing in Vancouver with two young teens. Alas, after 9 hours of traveling it will still be early local time, and we will need to occupy ourselves for the day before we can go to our lodgings. Any ideas for reasonably cool but low-key things to do for three weary travelers (with luggage, no less)?
How do i whitelist youtube channels or playlists?
I want to create a sort of kiosk out of an old windows laptop allowing only certain sites and apps. That part I think I can figure out. But then how do I whitelist certain yourube channels or playlists. Youtube, not youtube kids. [more inside]
Distinguishing anti-globalists
Help my brother understand why Antifa and MAGA both oppose international trade agreements but one is considered left-wing and one is considered right wing. [more inside]
Favorite trail mixes?
Y'all did so good on my request for pretzel recommendations, figure I'd ask about trail mixes.
What are your favorite savory trail mixes? I don't care much for the sweet ones, but also don't mind a little sweetness at times, so what do you recommend? Wild, unique, or DIY trail mixes are totally fine. [more inside]
June 28
What other dance songs use these chords? Tip of my tongue...
The song Pretty Green by Spinee was released on the hyperpop label PC Music in 2014. The song starts with a sort of electronic flute from an Em-U Emulator (also used at the start of Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer, and in Sadeness by Enigma, and probably many other songs.) BUT, I know I have heard the starting "electro-piano" chords in numerous other 90s dance/club/house songs. I'm not looking for a sample source, but just other dance song examples that use those simple "get on the dance floor!" chords that start off the song. [more inside]
Buying an Android Phone
I had an iPhone for the last 5 years. Have not loved it except build quality, battery life. It was hard to kill but I did. My previous android was a motorola power G7 - very good sound quality, good battery life, reasonably fast, good photos, great typing. I am hearing impaired and really enjoy good quality sound and loudness (iphone would not get very loud). Have hated being tethered to the Appleverse. I use air tags - will this be a dealbreaker? [more inside]
Hotel in Rome
I’m looking to book a place to stay in Rome and I’m frankly overwhelmed by all the options. Seeking recommendations of places you’ve personally stayed at and liked. [more inside]