At the age of 50-something, it appears that I've seriously failed at life. Some years ago, I left a stable and well-paid career for one that I thought would be more interesting. It did not work out.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 1:24 PM on January 10, 2014 (21 comments)

I'm a few hours from the end of a very successful Kickstarter campaign, and as a result I'm suddenly in charge of a company with nearly 2000 customers and a lot of work to accomplish. I need to hire some help, but not having done this before, I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for or how to find it. Basically, I want to use some of my project funding to make it so that I can focus all of my efforts on project goals that only I can accomplish. I think that means hiring a secretary and/or a personal assistant, and someone who I can trust to answer my emails, tell me when I actually need to deal with something personally, and potentially even have access to my credit cards for buying groceries, outsourcing project-related tasks, etc. What's involved in finding someone who does good work and is trustworthy? (I'm in Los Angeles, though I can imagine having someone do much of the secretarial work remotely)
posted to Ask MetaFilter by sdis at 9:14 AM on January 2, 2014 (16 comments)

*BOOP!*
posted to MetaTalk by Room 641-A at 1:47 PM on December 26, 2013 (37 comments)

"Tell me what you eat, and I'll tell you what you are." -- Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
posted to MetaFilter by zarq at 5:39 AM on December 22, 2013 (150 comments)

For younger fans of electronic music, the Essential Mix archive* is a time capsule that allows them to listen to sets that took place before they were born; for others, it’s a treasure chest of musical memories that allows them to re-visit the glory days. And what better way to celebrate 20 years than with a party? Rather than the usual broadcast from Tong’s studio, fans had the opportunity to join in on the fun at the Manchester Warehouse Project, with an absolutely stellar line-up pitting veterans of the scene back-to-back with rising stars.
posted to MetaFilter by filthy light thief at 2:40 PM on December 14, 2013 (34 comments)

I have a tendency to automatically dissociate from/"forget" things that are stressful or anxiety-provoking. How can I better focus on these scary things so that I can better address and resolve them?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by rhooke at 11:48 AM on December 13, 2013 (11 comments)

♪ Why do we always come here?
I guess we'll never know.
It's like a kind of torture
To have to watch the show! ♫

posted to MetaFilter by zarq at 4:11 PM on November 10, 2013 (118 comments)

Presenting Reddit's most adorable, most tentative, cutest hyper-specific subreddit: Boop. Best of Boop.
posted to MetaFilter by The Whelk at 5:38 PM on October 22, 2013 (38 comments)

It seems like every time I find a pair of jeans I like, they stop selling them. Most recently, I found these at Target, and they were perfect! Just the right length, bootcut, dark wash, with some stretch in the material so I can move (very important), and NO obnoxious glitter or weird stitching or fake whisker marks. Of course, they are not currently available. So, short mefites, where do you go to buy your jeans? I'm not willing to buy pants that I can't try on first, so the internet is out, but I'm in Phoenix, AZ so we have most of the stores. I work, so I'm hard on jeans and don't really want to spend more than $30 or $40 a pair. Oh, and I usually wear a 14P or so (the Target ones are "fit 4" designed for people with curves and that's perfect) so places that only have tiny people sizes are out. Please give me some suggestions so I'm not driving all over the place wasting my whole day trying on pants! (I've seen previous questions, but what's available seems to change on a weekly basis...)
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Weeping_angel at 2:24 PM on October 6, 2013 (23 comments)

It appears to be raining only in in 20-foot circle on the street in front of our house. Yes, I know how weird that sounds. It's going on right now. Hoping someone can think of some reason why.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by lpsguy at 7:45 AM on October 6, 2013 (20 comments)

I've had the same hair for a few years now and am looking for a change--however, I'm completely stuck. I'm thinking about bangs to help give structure to my face, but curly hair and bangs don't easily mix, do they? I'd like a style that's compatible with both straight and curly hair. All length suggestions welcome, but I feel my face won't suit a super short 'do. If you have pictures of your own great curly manes, please post! Pictures after the jump.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by rhythm_queen at 8:49 PM on July 14, 2013 (16 comments)

I applied for an administrative assistant job posted on Craigslist and a man offered me a position for a start-up business in the small mid-western city we live in. We exchanged some e-mails and agreed to the terms that I would run some errands for him (for pay) while he was overseas for 3 weeks. He sent me a check for $2500, $300 of which is my pay and the rest is to complete some tasks. The check is a cashier's check from a third party who owes him money. This all feels fishy and I feel stupid. What's really going on?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 7:53 PM on May 31, 2013 (20 comments)

I need to go to the doctor, but intense shame is keeping me from seeking help.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 5:43 AM on May 18, 2013 (45 comments)

Where can I buy the mp3s from Stephen Fry's wonderful Voco alarm clock? There are about a dozen hosted here, but back in 2010, Apartment Therapy claimed Voco sold a collection of 70 downloadable ones for $14.95. The Voco site isn't up any more, anyone have an idea where to buy a them?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by arnicae at 7:47 PM on May 5, 2013 (2 comments)

Has anyone here genuinely moved from a sense of low self-esteem to a sense of high-self esteem? How did you do it?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 7:10 AM on December 20, 2012 (28 comments)

January 13, 2013 marks the 125th anniversary of the National Geographic Society. The Magazine is celebrating by taking a yearlong look at the past and future of exploration.
posted to MetaFilter by zarq at 2:20 PM on January 8, 2013 (10 comments)

How do you go back to school as a 'mature' student - with bills to pay?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by thermonuclear.jive.turkey at 7:05 AM on January 1, 2013 (19 comments)

James Lipton interviews Dave Chappelle. Dave Chappelle interviews James Lipton. And while we're at it....
posted to MetaFilter by zarq at 7:59 AM on December 17, 2012 (48 comments)

It's December, and that means it's time for the Miss Universe pageant! Which means it's time for Tom and Lorenzo's hilariously snarky rundown of the National Costume portion!

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

The Miss Universe pageant. For all your apocalyptic fashion needs.
posted to MetaFilter by KathrynT at 9:55 AM on December 20, 2012 (111 comments)

I'm unemployed, and probably depressed. Any help?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 1:47 PM on December 18, 2012 (9 comments)

What TV shows consumed your life?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by frizzle at 8:52 PM on December 17, 2012 (139 comments)

Practical advice for accepting a part of my body I hate?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 8:19 PM on December 13, 2012 (34 comments)

How do people learn to do things alone? Is it normal to be anxious about going places and doing things on your own?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Papagayo at 9:06 PM on November 20, 2012 (29 comments)

Summer is coming and I'll have a lot of time on my hands. What are some of the tastiest spicy foods you've ever had? I'm thinking Indian, but Cajun, Mexican and so forth are all possibilities. I'm after interesting, involved recipes that can be spicy, but are above all TASTY. What should I make?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by ninazer0 at 1:40 AM on October 25, 2012 (25 comments)

A few days ago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art published online 368 full text titles also downloadable as pdfs. They range from major exhibition catalogues such as the 1983 Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomical Drawings from the Royal Library or the 1992 Al-Andalus: The Art of Islamic Spain, exhaustive lists of holdings (European Post-Medieval Tapestries and Related Hangings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Volumes I and II), art books like Degas: The Artist's Mind or The Great Wave: The Influence of Japanese Woodcuts on French Prints, facsimile editions such as The Cloisters Apocalypse: An Early Fourteenth-Century Manuscript, social history titles covering subjects such as fashion or dance, technical manuals for those wanting to know how The Care and Handling of Art Objects works and much, much more.
posted to MetaFilter by Marauding Ennui at 7:39 AM on October 22, 2012 (19 comments)

Coming soon to a red planet near you, it's the Mars Science Laboratory! On Monday, August 6 at 05:31 UTC (other times around the world), NASA's Curiosity rover is expected to land on Mars in search of conditions suited to past or present Martian life. Live coverage begins on NASA TV at 03:30 UTC. But this mission has been years in the making, so if you have a little catching up to do...
posted to MetaFilter by ddbeck at 9:11 PM on August 4, 2012 (138 comments)

Here's a 30-second Video of a Snoring Dormouse. [SLYT]
posted to MetaFilter by Devils Rancher at 7:05 AM on January 26, 2012 (36 comments)

Do you over think things? How do you channel this power for good while avoiding research-driven procrastination and anxiety?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by deludingmyself at 10:59 PM on January 25, 2012 (10 comments)

The Great Shift in Japanese Pop Culture: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.
posted to MetaFilter by subdee at 3:12 PM on November 30, 2011 (35 comments)

Lately I have been binging on self-help books, surfing the internet for articles on family issues -- I just want an answer, to know what went wrong and how to fix it. But everything seems hollow. I feel horribly stuck and I desperately want to move forward and I don't know how. Lots and lots of details inside.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by bunderful at 9:59 AM on November 27, 2011 (18 comments)

Archived past meetup photos and a video from MeFi's 10th Anniversary in New Orleans.
posted to MetaTalk by DaShiv at 8:43 PM on October 31, 2011 (52 comments)

How To Dress Like Edward Gorey (And everyone he ever drew)
posted to MetaFilter by The Whelk at 11:02 AM on October 28, 2011 (54 comments)

Ever wonder what breakfast in Pakistan looks like? How about Uganda? According to some hostellers, breakfast in Pakistan typically involves Aloo Paratha, perhaps with a side of salty buttered tea to dip it in. In Uganda, it's katogo, this particular example being green (non-sweet) cooking bananas, mixed with cow organs.
posted to MetaFilter by lonefrontranger at 6:01 PM on October 12, 2011 (86 comments)

I've been coping with the realization that I've been struggling with depression for twenty years. Did you escape? How? And how did you reconcile with the time in your life that you had lost to it?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Kosh at 5:28 PM on July 12, 2011 (10 comments)

Over 143 episodes of audio, Mike Duncan has covered the founding of Rome through the Crisis of the Third Century in his History of Rome podcast [previously], having now reached the last pagan Emperor, Julian The Apostate. Enlivened by drawing on comparisons to popular culture, from The Empire Strikes Back (when Hannibal makes his appearance) to The Godfather (as a metaphor for Rome's social client system), Mr Duncan's work makes for fun, informative 25-minute sessions with the greatest empire of the ancient western world. If you're interested in more, the podcasts could be handily supplemented with...
posted to MetaFilter by Bora Horza Gobuchul at 2:32 PM on July 10, 2011 (42 comments)

Hey Mefites, I need help figuring out how to buy casual clothes for my "new" body style!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by bebrave! at 8:16 PM on July 7, 2011 (9 comments)

Otto von Habsburg-Lothringen, son of Charles, last monarch of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, died on July 4 at the age of 98.
posted to MetaFilter by dhens at 4:40 PM on July 5, 2011 (24 comments)

What has helped you get through the identity crisis that sometimes occurs in your twenties/thirties? What has helped you form your sense of who you are as an entity separate from your parents/schooling?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 1:44 PM on April 25, 2011 (30 comments)

Office-lunch-friendly South Beach food for vegetarians?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by c'mon sea legs at 4:53 PM on April 25, 2011 (4 comments)

Locus, the Magazine of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Field, is the paper of record in the science fiction community. Every year the editors and reviewers at Locus publish a recommended reading list which includes novels, YA novels, first novels, anthologies and collections, related non-fiction, art books, and three types of shorter work (novellas, novelettes, and short stories). If you are at all interested in the current state of the SF&F genre you can't do better than Locus' yearly effort. The list for 2010 appears in the February issue.
posted to MetaFilter by Justinian at 3:33 PM on February 18, 2011 (25 comments)

Ever wondered how the Twelve Colonies of Battlestar Galatica fit around a single star? Then gaze upon a lovely map of star clusters that is the BSG universe, designed by writer Jane Espenson and science advisor Kevin Grazier
posted to MetaFilter by Brandon Blatcher at 3:01 PM on January 24, 2011 (77 comments)

So Mr. Attackpanda and I haven't had a TV in several years, but we watch netflix all the time on my laptop. This is getting old and we'd like recommendations as to what to get.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Attackpanda at 7:36 PM on January 8, 2011 (28 comments)

"They're not out to make a quick buck, they're looking to protect the integrity of the franchise and its mythology." 1998's Star Trek Insurrection went through a number of different plots before becoming the film we ultimately saw. Starting out as Star Trek: Stardust, the first take on the idea involved Captain Picard going all Heart of Darkness on a former friend from his Starfleet Academy days in a bid to find the Fountain of Youth. That treatment evolved into a remarkably Avatarish story called simply Star Trek IX in which Picard must go upriver to kill a malfunctioning Data as part of a Federation/Romulan alliance to displace strange alien natives from a planet teeming with a valuable and rare ore (spoiler: Picard actually kills Data in this treatment, and Tom Hanks was supposed to have a major role somewhere). Let the late Michael Piller guide you through the writing of Insurrection in his unpublished book Fade In: The Making of Star Trek: Insurrection (his "last great gift to the fans and to aspiring writers everywhere") in which he presents his original story treatments, story notes from his bosses at Paramount, surprisingly reasonable Trekker-type reactions from actors Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner, and much more. First made freely available by TrekCore.com, Piller's family has since asked that it be removed, but you'll still find the file roaming the Internet if you boldly go looking for it.
posted to MetaFilter by Servo5678 at 6:38 AM on December 31, 2010 (101 comments)

ELLE does it again. Indian actress and former "Miss World" Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is said to be considering legal action after becoming the most recent victim (previously on MeFi) of the magazine's skin-lightening addiction. In India color is strongly associated with caste, and lightening is a multimillion dollar industry.
posted to MetaFilter by hermitosis at 11:39 AM on December 29, 2010 (105 comments)

Director Blake Edwards, Dies at 88. A prolific writer and director, honorary Oscar recipient, and husband to Julie Andrews, Edwards died of complications from Pnuemonia. He was the director of such classics as Days of Wine and Roses, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Victor/Victoria and, of course, the Pink Panther film series. Does your dog bite?
posted to MetaFilter by Joey Michaels at 12:17 PM on December 16, 2010 (57 comments)

How can I be more careful/detail-oriented at work? I don't know how to fix something when I'm already trying my hardest at it.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 4:00 PM on September 19, 2010 (14 comments)

Is my job in peril? Should I be searching for another one? Why do I suck so much? These questions and so many more, answered after the jump!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 10:54 AM on October 18, 2010 (15 comments)

Where does art come from? How did early humans first learn to make visual symbols? Any and all perspectives welcome!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Griffinlb at 11:15 AM on October 16, 2010 (11 comments)

The elegant and sophisticated paintings found in the north west Australia, are claimed to be the oldest figurative paintings in the world, known as the Bradshaws, or Gwion Gwion. The Bradshaw Foundation website has an awesome online collection of rock and cave art paintings with extensive information.
posted to MetaFilter by nickyskye at 12:59 PM on September 11, 2010 (6 comments)

"In Japan, animation is not seen as the exclusive realm of children's and family films, but is often used for adult, science fiction and action stories, where it allows a kind of freedom impossible in real life. Some Hollywood films strain so desperately against the constraints of the possible that you wish they'd just caved in and gone with animation." -- Roger Ebert on anime, with this excerpt being related to Tokyo Godfathers. Ebert has been a fan of anime for a while, especially the works of Hayao Miyazaki. Ebert has reviewed 6 of the 18 Studio Ghibli films released to date, and even interviewed Miyazaki with a bit of fanboy glee. More reviews and videos inside.
posted to MetaFilter by filthy light thief at 7:46 AM on August 30, 2010 (92 comments)