May 17
Can anyone recognize the mock up of this flag?
What is this flag? Neighbor - a MAGA type - just put basically this flag (my mock up) up in his yard. He's still got his campaign sign out visibly too. [more inside]
How can I get a new car to just appear in my driveway?
I need a new car. I have no idea how to make this happen. Should I buy? Should I lease? Should I finance? Talk me through this like I'm a child. [more inside]
Wait Wait Ask Me Another
We like listening to these NPR podcasts on a Sunday morning, but since AMA has finished we need to find more podcasts like these. Recommendations ?
Maths app/game from zero
A lovely young friend of mine has no math skills. She has some learning disabilities, which have lead to her being very undereducated. [more inside]
Looking for album of female vocalist covering pop songs
Yesterday I was at the airport (SEA) and there was music in the background: a woman singing. I couldn't hear the music super clearly, but she sang several songs in a row so I figure the airport was playing an album of hers. I'm hoping to identify the singer/album but I don't have a lot to go on. What little I know is below. [more inside]
May 16
ipad games like Holovista?
I recently played through Holovista on my iPad and loved it so much. The music, the lush scenery, the story, the fact that it doesn't require honestly a lot of skill or any fiddly timing. What else do you recommend? [more inside]
Crazy condo insurance increases
I'm on the board of my condo building. The insurance premiums had already more than tripled in the last two cycles. We recently got an offer for a new premium rate that is something like 6x what it was a few years ago. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this normal? We are in the PNW. [more inside]
Stick vacuum that actually works well
Looking for the best cordless stick vac with motorized beater bar and floor attachments with an eye on the use case of a 1 bedroom apartment. [more inside]
My wall outlet made a popping sound when I put the second plug in.
First, the outlet had the old refrigerator plugged in it forever, a lovely friend lent me a dorm fridge and I unplugged the old frig and plugged in the dorm. Then another, both three pronged below that. Tha's when the pop sound came and I quickly pulled the second one out.
Is this ok to leave as is for a while or do I need to see an electrician now? This is the whole question. (The net holds all manner of frustrating and confusing information.)
Help me reclaim my time and sanity
I don't feel like I'm in control of my time, and this is causing me unnecessary stress. Please help. [more inside]
Installing solar on a 2-family house in Massachusetts
I'm looking to install solar on a two-family home in Massachusetts. My family occupies one unit, and we rent the other unit. Each unit currently has its own electric meter, and our tenants currently pay their own electric bill. How are solar installations for two family homes typically configured and managed? [more inside]
How can I teach my cat to get out of the way when I walk?
I've never lived with a cat like this before. Every other cat I've known has scuttled out of the way of human feet. This one will get in my way, let me step on her, and either scream or scratch me. [more inside]
Odor suppression, temporarily?
I need to get rid of a really bad odor, just for like a week. [more inside]
Do you have any resources to recommend for self guided DBT?
Recommendations that you have personally used or know are good please! Books that cost money are fine, free podcast/video/websites would be better. I have a decent level of knowledge of what DBT is and what it's used for and have found the basics helpful in the applications I've put them to. I'm looking for things that will help me learn more skills and practice them.
Hose bib leaking from spout
We have an outdoor water spigot/hose bib that began leaking recently. We tried looking to see if there was a worn rubber washer inside, but hit a dead end and aren't sure how to proceed. [more inside]
Women’s tall size shirts
Is it just JC Penney for me? [more inside]
My laptop is going it again...strange noise
My laptop is making that noise again. Now it's pretty solidly on instead of on and off. I did, based on advice on the last question, open it up and blow it out with canned air, though I should say it wasn't really visibly dirty at all on the inside. There were a few dog hairs, but I was expecting a coating of dust like a haunted house (like i've seen inside my desktop) and this was nothing at all like that. There was no visible dust or debris. BUt I blew the canned air at it anyway just in case. Now it's making this noise again. What do I do? [more inside]
Recent visit with therapist
Recently had a visit with therapist. Now am having strong emotional backlash and can't figure out why. [more inside]
May 15
Why does the intro to “The Ballad of Tom Jones” sound so familiar
The Ballad of Tom Jones was a hit for Space featuring Cerys Mathews of Catatonia in 1998. I just recently listened to it again for the first time in about 2 decades and it occurred to me that the intro is incredibly familiar like it’s something I’ve heard a lot more since. How do I know this piece of music? [more inside]
End my window saga!
I finally got our picture window (double paned) replaced because the seal was broken and it was all fogged up. Great! Yay! But the glass folks did an awful job with the glazing bead, using the old brittle pieces that broken (understandably) when they took them off. I’m not at all happy with how it looks and need to know what I should be asking for as a fix when I talk to their office tomorrow. [more inside]
When did airliner pilots stop drinking, on-the-job? Did they ever?
This week's news concerns two 747s. (USA Today compares them.) But in 1973, on his first solo record, Roger McGuinn had a song called Draggin' about two 747 pilots racing cross-country which contains the lyric
At 40,000 feet the weather's looking fine, Waiting for the stew to bring my glass of winewhich makes me wonder... they were drinking alcohol up front? When did that stop? [more inside]
Cookie recipe modification question
I made a batch of these chocolate chip cookies a couple of weeks ago and they were incredible. I'm planning on making a batch but with some modifications to size and ingredients, and I'm wondering if they'll work... [more inside]
Better brow brown
I love Revlon's ColorStay Semi-Permanent Brow Ink, but the applicator is annoying. Are there any similar products in different packaging? [more inside]
Any recommended meal delivery services in Brooklyn?
Primary family cook is sick, family of 4 with 2 small children. Anyone have a meal delivery service that they recommend in Brooklyn? Hoping to take care of cooking for a few days. South Slope area. [more inside]
Excellent job coach to get into financial planning
Hi! My partner is wanting to get into the field of financial planning. They have a 4 year degree and have been told to do a certification in financial planning which they would like to do, but the path doesn't seem quite clear. How would a person go about finding someone who can walk them through this process from start to finish? A job coach? Are there other terms for that? We are in Portland OR. In person or virtual is okay.
Therapist implied I was making a mistake by choosing childfree?
I'm 40 years old and always thought I wanted a big family. As I got into my 30s that changed to maybe 2 kids, then 1, then I had 5 years of torturous fencesitting, deciding between one-and-done or childfree. [more inside]
ELI5: Outlook without Copilot?
Until today, I was able to access my work email (Outlook, browser-based) on my iPhone. I refreshed my email only to get the message that I have to install Copilot in order to get my email. I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS ON MY PERSONAL PHONE. Is there a way around this? [more inside]
As a customer, what's your best food ordering experience & why?
What are your best (digital) food ordering experiences and why? With the advent of AI, voice and all the other gimmicks (sorry!) I'm trying to understand what makes a fast, accurate and pleasant food ordering experience. Thanks for sharing / providing examples 🤩
Light recentish fantasy and SF meeting certain conditions
I recently read not one, not two but three recent fantasy detective stories that I enjoyed for specific reasons and I am looking for more to take my mind off of virtually everything. I'm looking for stuff much lighter than I usually read, although not really romantasy. Details within. [more inside]
NA -> SA
What cities/towns in South America are similar to southern Rocky Mountains towns like Santa Fe, Taos, Colorado Springs (ecologically speaking)? [more inside]
Cool Maps?
I recently came into possession of this neat map of the Cascadia Bioregion Does anyone know of any other cool regional maps I might add to my budding collection? Prefer real places but not essential. Bonus points if it involves the Mid-Atlantic or Northeast US. These need to be maps it is possible to own either a paper copy of or a high quality image file for under $100.
Searching for non-traditional bar mitzvah ideas
We are a not-so-religious jewish family looking for non-traditional bar mitzvah ideas. Any suggestions? [more inside]
Matchmaker Dilemna
I signed a contract with a matchmaker which was quite expensive ($7k), and have it in writing in both the contract and email that I was entitled to two introductions in my city. After three months and as we're nearing the end of our contract, I've only been introduced to one person. What do I do next? [more inside]
What setting of the Canticle of the Sun did I sing?
Do any 80s choir kids happen to remember an upbeat, exuberant setting of the Cantico del Sole for full choir? I sang this in Washington DC in '89 or '90, so it would date from before then. We sang it with a synthesizer backing track which I think the composer had supplied. [more inside]
Did Windows remove my local account?
Today I needed to boot up an old Windows laptop that hasn't been used in months. 10 years ago I set it up with a local account. When I booted it up today it only had my Microsoft account. My local account doesn't even show up in the account listing. Did I swap accounts at some point without realizing it? Or did Windows sneakily force remove my local account and apply my Microsoft account? [more inside]
Please Help Me Refine My Sleep Problem Solution
I experience night sweats, which wake me up because I'm too hot. Recently I've been sleeping on my sofa, and because my comforter is draped over the back, it's partially suspended over me if I lie towards the back of the sofa, and covers me completely towards the front. This gives me a warmer area for normal sleep, and a cooler area for hotter sleep, and because I can move between these areas as my temperature changes, I don't wake up because I'm too hot: great! So how do I replicate this in my bedroom? [more inside]
Compensation for partner moving into the home I own?
My partner moved in with me and we're discussing how, if anything, I should be financially compensated for the house cost. They'll get a transfer of deed or something to make sure he is the next owner if I die first.
Do you have any suggestions or resources about how to go about handling that compensation? Another aspect is they will close on selling their condo soon, and I've put in at least 75K in remodeling my sweet lil house.
Thank you!
Red spots in the corners of your eyes?
Katie Holmes makes a guest appearance in the latest episode of the TV series, Poker Face. Her character is wearing makeup that seems unusual to me. Wondering if this look is a "thing" now. [more inside]
Is there an East African veterinarian in the house?
A friend of mine who lives in Mogadishu found some baby critters and is looking for TEMPORARY help to keep them alive. He is NOT looking to make them into pets. Kit tax inside. [more inside]
Banjo Kablooey
How to safely and relatively affordably ship 5 instruments to another state? [more inside]
Wanted - a very basic digital diary
What do I want? To be able to tap the icon on my android phone and a page opens with today's date at the top of the page clear and bold. Ready for me to write. Text only. When I click save, the date is automatically the title of the text note. Tomorrow when I tap the icon, tomorrow's date heads a new lovely blank page. [more inside]
May 14
Big move on short notice
In two weeks, the sale of our house will close, and my spouse and I are separating. Talk me through the logistics part of moving out and moving abroad. [more inside]
Cutting back time at work?
I am in my 60s and considering cutting back time at work. I am considering multiple options, such as: seasonal work (for the same company, different employers or self-employed), part-time work (likely in a different industry), or keeping my current job and hours. [more inside]
Converting .nrg to .flac
I have two .nrg files that I would like to convert into flac files. I am using Windows 11. What's the easiest (preferably free) way to do this?
Food processor lid stuck
Baking with my toddler, I was distracted and put the lid of my food processor (Kambrook, ancient) on wrong. Now I can't get it off. [more inside]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Airplane seat space question
How do you handle sitting next to a larger person on the airplane? [more inside]
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.
Seeking zyrtec redemption arc
Tell me your story if you take zyrtec even though it makes/made you sleepy. [more inside]
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.
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]
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]
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]
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]
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!
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
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?