June 28
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]
Eclipse 2026 - where to start planning?
After missing the last two I am absolutely hell-bent on seeing the 2026 eclipse but have not had time to plan thanks to waves at everything and an impending relocation, plus extreme stress levels at work. Prefer 6-7 days max, but otherwise flexible. Was thinking Spain but open to Iceland. Open to tours but there's way, way too many options and they are filling up fast. Any tips on how to do this easily without going nuts? [more inside]
Advice on Making Peace With How My Life Turned Out
Canadian man, mid-30s, autistic and ADHD. My family members look like film stars and have impressive careers, while I feel average in comparison. Promotions feel like luck, higher-ed attempts fizzle, and chores drain me. My supportive partner and I may never have kids, which hurts. How can I build lasting habits, keep confidence, and accept the life I actually have? [more inside]
Help me solve a mystery!
I found a bunch of debris in front of the dining room cabinet this morning. I'm baffled as to what it is and how it got there. Photos are here [more inside]
cell phones and SIM transfers
What's the current process for transferring a SIM between iPhones. [more inside]
Needed: SIMPLE video splicing software
I need a very simple, free system for cutting and splicing MP4s (other types OK but MP4 required). My goal is to take four segments, each with their own title, and make one segment, with only one title. That is all I want. I have found plenty of systems that offer lots more, but find them too complicated. So, please, the simplest systems you know of that can, for free, cut and splice MP4s. Thank you.
June 27
Condo Shared Space Reno
I want to put a gym in some unused shared space in our condominium. Nothing spectacular, just a machine, treadmill, and some free weights. What are the steps I should undertake? [more inside]
Insect bite on hand
YANMD: Should I be worried at all about this insect bite on my hand? [more inside]
Getting an elderly academic's last paper published
A very elderly family friend is in failing health and has approached me to get his post-retirement work published. He was attached to a very prestigious research group, but he hasn't had any formal connection with them for 30+ years. Help me work out a way to at least get his work out there and readable, if not published in a journal. [more inside]
Civilization but it's just the discovery phase
Yes, I know, I'm pathetic, but the best bit of Civ for me is always the initial phase of discovery, without any significant martial or social challenges. I wish it could last and last. What games manage a similar sense of discovery either as their whole reason-for-being or at least as a long phase in their game process?
10yr old girl camp care package ideas!
My good friend's totally precocious 10 year old daughter is at sleep away camp for the first time and I want to send a care package! Some parameters inside... [more inside]
Where can I stream/watch the 2025 performance of Broadway Bares?
Where can I stream/watch the 2025 performance of Broadway Bares? I'm happy to pay for it, but I can't find out where?
Undetectable smoke damage: do we really need mitigation?
There was recently a fire on our property that damaged an exterior wall of the garage. Some small windows in this wall were blown out, but the fire did not breach the interior and there was no sign of smoke or fire damage inside the structure immediately after the fire. We were very fortunate. The contractor doing repairs states that smoke mitigation is required. He states that a "chem test" he performed showed the presence of soot. However, we have not observed any smoke damage or smokey odors. [more inside]
Quakerfilter: What does your spiritual practice look like?
Looking for practical advice about expanding my contemplative spiritual practice as a sometimes Quaker [more inside]
Camping 101
I'm designing a short workshop to cover the basics of camping (with a car, at an established campground). The goal is that people who haven't ever been camping feel more comfortable going for the first time. Help me brainstorm what should be included. [more inside]
PAYG vs. day tickets for European cities' public transit
I have upcoming travel taking me to Münster (DE) and Brussels (BE), and unless I'm very much misunderstanding, day tickets for public transit are a bad idea. I'm trying to figure out if I'm missing crucial context. [more inside]
Incomplete Kiwi Crate Prize
6YO Little Esse won this "build it kit" at a camp thing.
It appears incomplete. We're happy to supplement with pieces, but we're not sure what it's even supposed to be.
Anyone remember this kit and recall literally anything about it?
June 26
I'm celebrating my 50th in the 50th state - help me plan!
I turn 50 next February and I want to do it in Hawaii. I've never been to Hawaii. Explain to me like I'm a 5 year old where we should go, stay, and see. We plan to go for a week. [more inside]
Have you seen this chair?
Installing a program from old laptop to new
I got a new (used) laptop and everything was going great with the installations from my Time Machine backup of my dying older laptop. There were two programs that I need for my work that didn't automatically work in the backup installation, and I had to go get my copy of Word from the MS site, but everything seemed fine. I cannot, however, get Adobe Acrobat 2020, which I have the license for, to install. [more inside]
Why is our new portable AC letting in smells?
We have three portable ACs. The new one is different from the other two and is letting in smells. Why? Can it be fixed or should just replace? [more inside]
Men's "tough" work pants but breathable?
Where can I find pants suitable for outdoor jobs like construction, which are breathable so it is easier to work in very humid environments without passing out from heat exhaustion? [more inside]
Thai food in a car for eight hours? With cooler packs?
If I get a couple of Thai entrees tonight and put them immediately in the fridge and then, tomorrow morning, put them in a cooler bag with cooler packs, will they be safe to heat up and eat 8ish hours later? I am driving to visit a relative in a Thai-food desert. Relative is immunocompromised.
Kitchen faucet aerator in junior size
I'm looking for a kitchen faucet aerator like this but in size "junior." The faucet is "male" and about .75 in in diameter, which I have learned is junior sized. It's hard to find a regular aerator in this size and impossible to find one that swivels and allows you to direct the spray. [more inside]
New Haven food and scenery
I'll be in New Haven, CT with a friend next week and we want to know where to eat some of our meals: a weekday brunch, a lunch or dinner place with lobster rolls that are worth the price, one fancy dinner place. [more inside]
Monetized blog?
What platform do you recommend for me, a person who knows nothing about her options, as I’d like to keep an online diary and would like for readers to donate (“buy me a cup of coffee”) if they’re so moved? [more inside]
Lisbon with Teenagers
My wife and I will be in Lisbon with our 14 and 16 year old kids in a few weeks. What are some cool things we should do over the 3 days we are there? We are up for anything. Wandering, eating, watching, participating, interacting, etc. What must we do during our time in the city?
Guys, how do you carry your epipen?
That's the question. The big thing I got for my 61st birthday earlier this month was an allergy to dairy products. I'm seething about that, for all the good it does me. My doctor wants me to have an epipen at hand. I've looked online and seen lots of cases, but I'd like some practical advice. Do you use the cases? Do you clip them to your belt? Do you carry them? What works for you? Thanks!
June 25
Take my tape away
What is going on with this eBay order? [more inside]
Cold herbal infusion bags—what makes them different?
I love these Bigelow “cold herbal infusion” bags as a not-overly-sugary summer drink but find that they’re sometimes priced higher than standard herbal tea. Is there some property of these ingredients/mixes that makes them uniquely suited to cold water infusion, or could I be steeping any old herbal tea in cold water without paying a premium for the novelty factor? [more inside]
What's your local Choir Choir Choir?
Does your area have a pop-up chorus, ie, people show up, the leader(s) teach a pop song in harmony, then everyone sings it together? Choir Choir Choir is one of the more famous ones, and they tour extensively, but I'm curious about more regional ones. [more inside]
In search of scenic TV shows
I just discovered and really enjoyed the 2020 BBC show "Us," starring Tom Hollander -- in large part because it was shot on location in Paris, Barcelona, and other European cities and really showcased their beauty. Are there any other TV shows/limited series that are set in Europe and show off the streets and architecture of the cities in which they are filmed?
Travel filter: Portugal/Andalusia in September (Help me Ronda)
I am traveling to Northern Spain via Porto this September to attend a friend's wedding. I am giving myself 2 weeks to explore Portugal and Southwestern Spain. Hope me prioritize some of my time. [more inside]
Brooklyn! I will be in you! What to do?
I will be in Brooklyn, staying near Carroll Gardens, for all of August and the first two weeks of September. I would like suggestions for solo activities, experiences, and mini-adventures suitable for an active senior lady. [more inside]
Baking autism-friendliness into tech
You're autistic, like I am. Which apps, websites, gadgets, and so on do you love because of good design principles that "agree" with your autism? And which ones have you had to walk away from? [more inside]
Starting an account on EFTPS (can’t choose “new internet password”)
Help! I have an LLC and just hired my first employee. This requires me to pay my taxes through the EFTPS website but…I can NOT figure out how to get past the screen that says “choose new internet password”. [more inside]
What's up with this weird pain in the ball of my foot?
Runner with a sudden onset pain in my foot that went away once I stood up [more inside]
How can I stay motivated before leaving for a new job?
I have been informally offered a new job, yay! I'm not being super public about it at work as I wait for the official offer letter but the process is moving forward and I anticipate leaving my current job soon. I am leaving in part because I am extremely burned out and I absolutely cannot make myself do any of the stuff I need to do before I leave. How can I make myself do this work? [more inside]
Why are texts sending so terribly these days?
In the past few months, I’ve noticed that a lot of my texts don’t send, or I don’t receive other peoples. Other people I know have been having the same issue. What’s going on? [more inside]
What instructions are included in early Lincoln Log sets?
Please help me be that guy at bar trivia. The question was "What plans were included in the earliest sets of Lincoln Logs?" The answer was "Abraham Lincoln's birthplace and Uncle Tom's Cabin". I believe the former, but not the latter. [more inside]
Burning it down. How do I rise from the ashes?
Well. I have set major life changes in motion and will see them through somehow. On good days, I know there will be another side to get to. On bad ones, I'm afraid. How have you found, conserved, or maintained your confidence when you have voluntarily given up your safe but unhappy way of living? [more inside]
Microphone doesn't work in Chrome when using FB Messenger
This is driving me bonkers but my microphone doesn't work when using FB Messenger in the Chrome browser, windows 10. I have restarted my system. The microphone works fine for Voice Recorder and Zoom. I have checked microphone access privileges in Chrome and it is enabled. What to do?!
I need to speak to a human at microsoft
Please help me talk to a human at microsoft before I smash my laptop with a hammer. I need support on my Office 365 account. I have a paid subscription and want to change the options. The receipt comes monthly to my work email. If I try to log in with my work email it tells me there's no account with that address. If I log in with my personal address it says I don't have an office 365 subscription. All attempts to get support lead to a log in screen. Calling the support numbers gets me pointed to their web address. Saying I can't log in just invites me to reset my password. [more inside]
June 24
Wednesday's child is full of what?
Looking for facts/trivia about the day of the week Wednesday. I've pretty much mined the Wikipedia entry, and searching just brings up a lot of AI lies, but maybe humans know some more things? [more inside]
Sweat is hurting my face
From a skincare perspective: how should I treat/soothe skin that’s been burned by the salt of my own sweat? [more inside]
What would you have done, baby bird question #62
While walking my dogs at lunch, I happened to see a live tiny baby bird on the ground under a bush. It is super tiny like no point trying to take it to a rescue. It was mostly bald with some wing feathers. Its legs were feebly kicking, and ants were starting to climb on it. [more inside]
What bulb to buy for this European lamp to work in the US with adaptor?
I bought a European table lamp which has a socket with these specs: E14 - 2W - 230V. I have an adaptor plug meant to let me use the lamp in the US, and I also have a lot of questions about how and where to find the right bulb. Please help! [more inside]
How do you reset your life when it should feel okay but doesn’t?
How do you reset your life when it should feel okay but doesn’t? [more inside]
does my heritage confer any benefit to getting Japanese nationality?
i was born in Japan to a Japanese national and had a Japanese passport when i was 18 but it expired. i'm in my 30s now and have spent almost my entire life in the US. practically, does my background confer any advantage to getting status in Japan for permanent residency or citizenship? [more inside]
Follow my dream, security, or something in between?
I am at a complete reset point in my life and need help deciding the next path to take. [more inside]
New baby gift for family in Tel Aviv
I am in the UK - my friend in Tel Aviv has recently had a baby.
I plan to send a gift is via a local retailer (rather than shipping something from UK, and recipient having to deal with customs/taxes etc).
Can you recommend a retailer to send a gift - either something delicious for the parents or something for the baby? It needs to accept international payments and deliver to a Tel Aviv apartment
June 23
Salad days
What are your best and favorite salad recipes?
All salads are welcome here! Including dishes that push the boundaries of salad into main dish category (rice salads, vegetable salads, bean salads, etc) with lots of stuff in them, but also just super yummy dressing for a nice side salad or whatever. [more inside]
good Good Book ebook
I, an agnostic, am often in discussions with people who are religious and who I respect. I would like to have an ePub version of the bible on my eink Kindle PaperWhite as a reference, and am asking for recommendations. At this point I'm not worried about which translation, or which version of the bible, just one that covers both the old and new testaments. Possibly with an index (concordance?). I am willing to pay a small amount, but I would prefer free since the book as far as I know is in the public domain.
Help make a list of leaders for my students
In the fall, I will teach an undergraduate business class about leadership, and I'm making a list of people, real or fictional, who at some point led other people. I’d really love to give my students a list that is full of people they’ve never thought of as leaders, or didn’t know about but might find interesting, from lots of different places and situations and times. [more inside]
Effing glasses begone
My current pair of glasses are hanging on by a thread after I turned my head and knocked into an airplane seat in front of me. I'm so tired of wearing glasses. I'm tired of having to tilt my head at a weird angle to see screens unblurred from both eyes, tired of having to pull my glasses off to get directions from my phone, and generally tired of having to drive a car and signs are haloed. New glasses never really seem to fix the problem, often making it worse despite a fresh prescription, and after the airplane debacle I'm wondering if it is time to look at surgical options. [more inside]
Win 11 update problem. I've tried everything, even what always works.
So new Lenovo laptop needs windows system update. Standard procedure failed (several times). Trouble shooting protocols don't help. "In Place Repair", supposedly reliable, runs, returns "We can't install Win 11".
What next? If there is no "next", then what's next?
Analog bookkeeping filing
How set up a simple hard copy filing system? [more inside]
Wifi router/mesh system for our family?
We need to update our wi-fi setup to get better wifi throughout the house (and outdoors) but I'd like to solve some perennial family tech issues in the process - do you have one to recommend? [more inside]
Looking for Slightly Fancy Things
I am bored lately and suddenly interested in seeking out what I would call "slightly fancy versions" of foods and durable goods. What are some that you think would be interesting? [more inside]
paper punchin products please
I’m looking for a way to stamp/die-cut small letters out of a piece of paper, with some specific criteria that have been hard to match. [more inside]