November 22
Hard (to find) candy
Do you know a place that sells Claey's hard candies in Manhattan? Looking for licorice flavor but other flavors will do. [more inside]
How to celebrate - complication: tired introverts
I got a new job! My partner doesn’t have the medical issue he was worried about! This is good news. But my partner and I are mildly depressed introverts who have forgotten how to celebrate things. How to celebrate? [more inside]
Easy and delicious, but maybe less common Thanksgiving sides?
I always make the same thing: Large turkey leg, rice dressing, potato puree, asparagus, mixed green salad. Usually apple pie, but maybe pumpkin / butternut if we're up to baking and scraping a large gourd since we don't have pumpkin in a can here. Thinking about changing this up a bit... [more inside]
Paying an online Mary Poppins to redesign a reading nook?
Does a service exist for me to provide photos of an unused, chaotic living space and someone will tell me how to make it cozy? [more inside]
Recommend me some vampires!
Recommend less well-known (possibly but not necessarily less-recent) vampire tales, print only. Picky criteria within. [more inside]
Software for recording a screen presentation?
I have to create a video presentation that will be partly me talking, and partly slides. I guess screen-recording software would work for this, but what software is recommended, and how could I go about setting this up? For a Windows computer.
November 21
How to pronounce “Cynara”
What is the right way to pronounce “Cynara” in Dowson’s poem?
The case of the disappearing lug nuts
Sunday, my step daughter felt an odd wobble from her right front wheel. We parked it in the garage to inspect and found a lug nut had fallen off, which my wife found on the garage floor. I replaced it and tightened all the others on the car as much as I could.
Tonight (Thursday) we discovered two more missing after the wobbles returned. [more inside]
Is there a phone hotline you can ring instead of googling something?
Like an AI assistant I can call? Or even better, a live human. #DumbPhoneLife [more inside]
Live Streaming Airports
I'm looking for live streaming video of airports.
What can you suggest? [more inside]
What gift for a someone who cleared my driveway of a fallen tree?
The recent PNW bomb cyclone knocked two large limbs of a tall tree into our driveway. Amazingly, neither of our cars were damaged; one limb fell between the cars, the other was still barely attached to the tree suspended over the front of one of the cars. Also amazingly, a contractor, doing construction across our street, without our asking said he'd "like to play with his chainsaw" and offered to cut up the limbs for no cost. We now have a manageable pile of debris in our driveway. What sort of gift would you suggest for him? [more inside]
Where to get a medical screening body scan or something similar?
I've been in physical hell for a couple years after much milder issues for about 5. Doctors sort of shug and suggest maybe Fibromyalgia despite saying a lot of my symptoms don't line up, do yoga, keep moving, try this diet or that. I went gluten free, anti-inflammatory , etc. Doctors aren't concerned but I am concerned it could be something bigger and want to rule it out. Where can I get a private pay test for the cheapest? [more inside]
Could I Have Handled This Better?
Today I found a guy in the street opposite my apartment. He was in like a prayer position, with his knees in the street against the kerb and his torso held up by his elbows on the sidewalk. He had two bags of groceries which he'd dropped and looked out cold/ nodded out. I called local non-emergency police and the fire dept came and got him up and moving. I don't know if I should've just tried to do that myself first, or if calling for help was the better option? [more inside]
How to download all photos and videos from a Facebook group I'm in?
I've tried various tools found via Googling and none of them are working. [more inside]
Recommend me a cute, modern craft kit, please
I want to get a little crafting gift for a college student, and I'm looking for a full kit that includes everything. I love Subversive Cross Stitch, but none of her messages are right for this giftee. Who sells a cute, modern kit that might fit my needs? Doesn't need to be cross stitch; could be another type of stitching, but overall needs to be something you can do by hand in a dorm room.
What insurance do I need when I'm in Canada for several months?
(Asking anonymously because people I care about don't yet know about my plan)
I'm going to be splitting with my spouse soon and plan to take about six months in Quebec to heal, plan my next steps, and work on some long-overdue writing projects. I'm a US citizen though, and I'll be there on the automatic tourist entry (up to six months without a visa). I have both (1) health insurance and (2) car insurance in the US. Please help me figure out what insurance I'll be smart to have during the half-year when I'm away. (Details after the jump...) [more inside]
Are there drawbacks to installing a Ting (not phone carrier) sensor?
We've received an insurance company offer for free installation of a Ting sensor to monitor potential arcing or electrical hazard issues on our home wiring. Are there any downsides to accepting this offer? [more inside]
TEAch me
Hello, it is dreary outside and I want to indulge myself by upgrading my tea time. I have a kettle with temperature control and I have a variety of tea bags from the grocery store and nice mugs that suit me. What's the next stage or two of being a hobbyist tea drinker? Loose leaf tea? A sophisticated brewing technique? Some knowledge to make me appreciate it more? Teach me! Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
Help me find these two half remembered movies based on two scenes.
I have scenes from two movies, both older science fiction, that have been rattling around my brain forever and I haven't been able to find them, maybe you can help. Details within! [more inside]
Recs: personal essays, especially available on audiobook
Personal essays are heavily my thing right now. Have been listening to Best American Essays collections and branching out some from there (Sallie Tisdale's essay about memory and memoir writing got me onto her book about death, though I'm partial to shorter forms, essays over monographs) but I'd love some recommendations for "best of genre." They don't have to be recent, as the ones I've been listening to have. I'm happiest if they're available on audio as I just have lost all power of concentration for eye-reading. Thanks!
Pop/rock bangers with swelling horns
Looking for your favorite modern pop/rock hits with swelling horns, kind of like this song. If you have YouTube links, even better!
Anti-do-re-mi-fa
I remember honking into empty boxes of candy when I was a kid. Why did old boxes of candy make good kazoos and modern boxes of candy don't?
Nice but comfy shoes
What brands of men's dress shoes are most comfortable for wide, flat feet? Looking for special occasion shoes not everyday work wear. [more inside]
Have you ever tried cutting added sugars from your diet completely?
Or at least on certain days? Curious what happened, both to your mood and physically. [more inside]
Tech for early stages of dementia?
What technology smartwatches, apps, smart home systems, tools or similar could I set up to help keep my mum safe and comfortable in the early stages of dementia?
Difficulty level: She is also visually impaired.
More details below. [more inside]
White Elephant Gifts That Start With T
The office White Elephant Gift Exchange is quickly approaching. This year's theme is "Gifts that start with the first letter of your name". My name starts with T, and the max suggested spend is $30. Participants are all quirky, creative adults.
All ideas appreciated.
November 20
Support for “out of sync” child
What kind of exercises / videos / books would you propose to help a kid who seems out of sync in terms of non verbal communication and inadvertently gives off intense or defensive vibes to other kids, thus missing genuine opportunities for connection. [more inside]
Get my brain into hosting gear
I'm hosting a small Thanksgiving next week and because everything is a goddamned nightmare all the time, this is legit the first moment I'm thinking about it. So if you had exactly one week to prepare for one overnight (two nights) guest and a small dinner gathering, where would you start and what would you do? I feel a bit stuck and am thinking a little checklist might help me get moving! [more inside]
What should we name our greenhouse?
We put up a small greenhouse in our backyard as a COVID project but didn't end up getting serious about it till this year. This year we're making a real effort to overwinter some plants and he's really gotten into it with a heating system and remote monitoring. I'd like to make a sign for the greenhouse as a Christmas present for my spouse, who's doing most of the work, but I need a name for it!
Amusing is a must. Puns are welcome.
How to research presidential requirements
I am trying to answer some tough questions for the young people in my life, and myself, and guide them to where the information can be found. [more inside]
The Best X You Can Buy for under $50
#giftideasfilter - What are some things that represent the best quality of their category, but in a small enough quantity that the price still comes in under $50(-ish)? [more inside]
NYC Chiropractor for Pinched Nerve recs?
Does anyone know of a good NYC chiropractor (or other specialist) who could be effective in treating a pinched nerve. [more inside]
I need a recipe for a fancy leafy green salad and dressing
This seems silly, because doesn't one just....make a leafy green salad? But I'm making one for a crowd and my salad preferences are not universal. [more inside]
Help me make this shoulder bag more comfortable to use!
Found in the depths of my closet is this Strand bookstore shoulder bag purchased 14 years ago. I want to make it my main bag for everyday, but I need a lil help making it less uncomfortable to use. [more inside]
Anonymous career options?
I’ve recently been told by different people that for careers as diverse and seemingly not… self-promotey as ESL teacher and dietitian, in order to be competitive and succeed you need an “online presence” and a “personal brand “. Please tell me this isn’t true. [more inside]
Temporary fix for large rings
I have recently lost a chunk of weight, and my engagement and wedding rings are now too large. I'm terrified of losing them (this question promoted by them falling off as I was folding laundry!) but I also really want to be able to continue wearing them daily, preferably still as rings. How do I that, without getting them resized? [more inside]
Searching for a 90s/00s (Canadian?) environmental kids comic
Every time I see a character using the scary shiny glasses trope, I spend a while wracking my brain for where I first saw it. When I was a kid (so probably between ~1997-2005 somewhere), I remember reading a 1-2 page comic in the back of some sort of magazine - either something we subscribed to, or something that was omnipresent in dentist waiting rooms and that sort of thing. Hoping someone can help me remember what it was! [more inside]
Businesses to support?
What are good businesses to support, for reasons beyond their products or services, such as for good practices in: [more inside]
Where to source Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee in the UK?
Hello,
looking for Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, whole beans, FAIR TRADE or similar ethical certification. Not a subscription.
Where do you recommend probably online in the UK please?
November 19
It's a-trout time
I've come into possession of quite a lot of tinned, smoked, skinless, boneless trout fillets. Now what do I do with them? [more inside]
Can a dog be trained to not bark, or to stop barking?
So I was reading a book about Marines in Vietnam, and how on some missions dogs were sent out with the Marines to warn of other people, even approximately how many other people. Silence was imperative. Well, these were German Shepards, a pretty basic breed, smart as hell yes but common. Maybe my question is not if dogs can be trained for silence but how.
identify this 1990s American mail order catalog
I'm trying to identify the name of an American mail order catalog from the 1990s that sold primarily tchotchkes, personalized clothing, and as-seen-on-TV items. [more inside]
What was this story in a children's textbook anthology?
I remember reading a story in an anthology for children (maybe middle schoolers?) and it has bugged me for decades. No, it's not about the one day a year the sun comes out. It's something about how all students have to be equal, and that means smarter students have to wear headphones playing loud noises; there are similar impediments for children with good eyesight, I think, and other abilities. [more inside]
Oh the irony: Looking for a how-to guide to getting off the internet
Need a recommendation for a practical book on how to divorce one's life from the internet and be more "of the world". [more inside]
Sensory friendly wheelchair gloves?
Have you personally found wheelchair gloves that aren't a sensory nightmare? Looking for recommendations. [more inside]
Please help me grocery shop a bit better
Can you help me build a weekly shopping list of food that tastes good but is also good for me, i.e. not too high in carbs or sodium? I'm not looking for recipes, but for ingredients that I can combine OR that taste good on their own. [more inside]
Looking for a book about cats walking through walls-- NOT THAT ONE
Trying to remember a book where cats teach a girl to walk through walls-- it is NOT "The Cat Who Walked Through Walls" but of course that's all that comes up when I query about books with cats walking through walls. Help? [more inside]
The Beginning Of The End
It's time to move on from my current job, but I am 61, and after 30 years in IT support I need to find something else to do. Flat-out retirement has to wait a few more years. I don't really have good idea of what I might like to do, or what I might reasonably be qualified to do, or what employers will even consider from someone like me. My wife's job is the better-paid one with excellent benefits, and we aren't up to our ears in debt, so there's not too much pressure to find something to match my current salary. I just want to do something I might actually enjoy and won't invite a lot of stress and can make last for the next five years or so. Help me brainstorm this.
Mid-career job search - how is it different?
I feel like all of my past job searches have been dependent on necessity and almost always during an economic crisis or pending hiring downturn. How does one switch from looking haphazardly and taking the first job to having a career built on experience and expertise? [more inside]
Testing a short run of wiring?
I have a 50ft run of THWN wiring that I want to check for continuity while it's still in an unpowered state; can I do this given the usual selection of batteries and a multimeter? [more inside]
Show to me cool highlights
A few years ago, I asked for the best way to summarize everything that happened in baseball the last night and got a great answer. But for other sports I follow—primarily soccer and basketball—I want more video highlights so I can see cool plays breakout without watching 15 minute summaries of each game or seeking them out one-by-one. Is anyone still doing 20-30 minute highlight shows that cover the action of a whole league or sport? [more inside]
Help me keep dog out of cat's room while allowing cat to move freely.
My father and his large cat have recently moved in with me my wife and our 12 pound dog. Luckily his cat and our dog get along but we haven't figured out a solution to allow the cat to have free range of the house while not allowing my dog into my dad's bedroom where the cat's food and litter are. The cat is a grazer and the dog will vacuum up the food at any chance. Anybody have any tried and true suggestions? [more inside]
To what extent should I expect anti-depressants to help motivate me?
I'm new to taking an SNRI and I'm feeling great, but I also feel like I need to get over the final "hump" of taking better care of myself. Do I need to consider increasing my dosage or am I actually just a bit lazy? [more inside]
November 18
Seeking nonfiction book about Gracia Mendes Nasi/Beatrice de Luna Miques
I'm looking for a nonfiction biography or history book that covers the life of Gracia Mendes Nasi, also known as Beatriz or Beatrice de Luna Miques, a Portuguese Jewish philanthropist and businesswoman in the sixteenth century. [more inside]
How to cook food, mostly plants, not too much.
Looking for cookbooks/recipies that Michael Pollan would approve of for someone who absolutely hates cooking and has no time. [more inside]
Gift ideas for geography + history + gadget lover
Husband loves history and geography. Also loves gadgets that make life better. [more inside]
Shouldn't it be easy to keep my bedroom cold in the winter?
How do I keep my room cool overnight when it is cold out? I need my room 64-66 degrees Fahrenheit to sleep. I use a in/out air exchanging window fan to cool my bedroom before going to bed, but I can’t keep it in overnight because the streetlights shine in too much. We have central heat on to 65 (thermostat downstairs), but I have the vent closed with a towel in it. [more inside]
Samsung Galaxy S24 - will it work in Eastern Europe if bought in N.A ?
If I buy an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S24 in Canada as a gift for someone in eastern Europe, will they have difficulty with SIM cards and/or carriers there? I have read that this is sometimes an issue with Samsung Galaxy, as there is some kind of regionality to them - though this may apply to older models only. [more inside]
What are some PG boomer/silent gen insults?
E.g. “clown”, “chump”. TIA
Looking for old 1970s paperback fantasy about Romans and Mayans
I remember this old paperback c. 1990 in my old used bookstore where Greek or Roman voyagers end up in America and meet the Mayans. It was some type of old DAW paperback from the 1970s, or something like that. Does this ring any bells? [more inside]