I lost myself somewhere in the fray - help me draw a map to get myself back.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Eudaimonia at 1:53 PM on July 8, 2008 (31 comments)

We've all encountered, if we are lucky and blessed, someone who transcends the definition of friend -- a truly simpatico soul (as in friend, not "soul mate"), someone with whom you can and sometimes do speak for hours, someone who "gets you." What accounts for the connection? Shared beliefs? Shared values? Shared aspirations Shared stage-of-life? It's got to be more than mere shared interests.
posted to Ask Metafilter by adamrobinson at 7:08 PM on June 28, 2008 (34 comments)

How much time does being a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for children) really involve? This relates to Seattle/King County.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tristeza at 12:49 PM on January 24, 2008 (5 comments)

I'd like to stop using plastic grocery bags, but I use them as liners in all of my garbage cans (including the kitchen, where stuff thrown in tends to be moist food detritus). Any ideas on what to use as garbage liners in lieu of the plastic bags?
posted to Ask Metafilter by backseatpilot at 4:14 PM on January 24, 2008 (21 comments)

Stickk.com allows people to undertake commitment bonds: promises that they will do something (lose weight, quit smoking, etc.) or else forfeit a pre-determined amount of money to a charity. Either the honor system or a referee can be used to decide if the goal is met. The idea is related to Nobel prize-winner Thomas Schelling's concept of strategic precommitment. More here, here, and here.
posted to MetaFilter by shivohum at 7:05 AM on January 18, 2008 (17 comments)

What's your favorite thing to make under the broiler?
posted to Ask Metafilter by sugarfish at 2:55 PM on January 17, 2008 (44 comments)

I'm descending into procrastination-by-browsing meltdown and finding it nigh on impossible to drag myself away from certain sites but it's draining my productivity. I'm covered for firefox with Leechblock but I have to use IE to access our CMS. I checked other answers here, and googled a bit but all I could find was temptation blocker, I installed it but as far as I can see it only blocks apps rather than urls. Anyone know of any other options (beyond developing some backbone!)? I don't have any admin access to my PC so I can't meddle with the settings and I don't really want to alert my employers to the fact that I'm trying to curb my non-work usage!
posted to Ask Metafilter by freya_lamb at 10:38 AM on January 14, 2008 (13 comments)

My girlfriend and I are looking to go on vacation to somewhere cheap with nice beaches (preferably white sand/clear water) in early October. We live in New York City. Any suggestions?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Edible Energy at 2:35 PM on August 23, 2005 (23 comments)

10 Places to Get a Free Business Education Online
posted to MetaFilter by nickyskye at 7:25 PM on January 2, 2008 (12 comments)

JazzMe. I want to like jazz more but feel quickly overwhelmed by the genre so I'd like your recommendations, particularly for the albums you come back to time and again, the ones you listen to because you love, not because you feel you ought to. So far Kind of Blue is the only thing that's really stuck, not that I'm trying to find another KoB, just your favorites.
posted to Ask Metafilter by 6550 at 3:02 PM on January 1, 2008 (55 comments)

James Beard Chef of the Year (2004) Judy Rodgers espouses the benefits of salting early. She is the chef-owner of the Zuni Cafe in San Francisco, and the author of the incredible Zuni Cafe Cookbook. Her Roast Chicken with Bread Salad is a revelation, and really not that hard to do at home.
posted to MetaFilter by AceRock at 3:24 PM on October 25, 2007 (23 comments)

I want to learn how to draw.
posted to Ask Metafilter by rtha at 12:00 PM on October 19, 2007 (18 comments)

I want to read Russian literature - what do I read?
posted to Ask Metafilter by beezy at 2:24 PM on October 17, 2007 (41 comments)

What are your favorite online forums in which to talk about books? Say why you like each so I can get a good idea of the different kinds of communities.
posted to Ask Metafilter by snortlebort at 3:49 PM on October 17, 2007 (9 comments)

"Here is what makes the rise of supply-side ideology even more baffling. One might expect that a radical ideology that successfully passed itself off as a sophisticated new doctrine would at least have the benefit of smooth, reassuring, intellectual front men, men whose very bearing could attest to the new doctrine's eminent good sense and mainstream bona fides. Yet, if you look at its two most eminent authors, good sense is not the impression you get. Let me put this delicately. No, on second thought, let me put it straightforwardly: They are deranged." Feast of the Wingnuts - How economic crackpots devoured American politics, by Jonathan Chait. Counterlink: Arthur B. Laffer explains his curve.
posted to MetaFilter by Kattullus at 9:31 PM on September 5, 2007 (43 comments)

Help, I can't swim the front crawl stroke without becoming completely exhausted in less then 20 seconds.
posted to Ask Metafilter by ShootTheMoon at 11:07 AM on August 31, 2007 (33 comments)

In a few weeks I'll be moving into a new apartment. I have the option of painting the walls (as long as they go back to white when I move out), and I'd like to do something really cool. What should I do?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Quidam at 2:18 PM on August 23, 2007 (18 comments)

I'd like to go on a day trip to eastern PA this upcoming weekend. Caves, hikes, waterfalls - what is nice in the area?
posted to Ask Metafilter by skwm at 6:35 AM on May 23, 2005 (8 comments)

Solitude on the Atlantic Coast or Gulf of Mexico? I am looking to get away for about 4 days sometime this month for some R&R by myself. I would prefer to be by the water, away from crowds, maybe in a hammock or sitting by a pool. I will spend most of my time reading, writing, napping, and maybe walking. I wouldn't mind some healthy food. A massage would be a bonus. It could be at a hidden away resort, a cabin, or a spa. Price isn't really an issue. I would prefer to be within a few hours drive to a major airport. I am just looking for somewhere to chill out and find some much needed solitude. Where should I go?
posted to Ask Metafilter by jasondigitized at 9:29 AM on June 27, 2007 (9 comments)

Anybody want to play chess?
posted to MetaTalk by felix betachat at 3:28 AM on June 20, 2007 (70 comments)

I am about to receive a huge crate of broccoli. Please send me your best vegetarian broccoli recipes! (Preferably those that use a lot of broccoli, not like a stir-fry, for example.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by rmless at 1:50 PM on February 1, 2007 (30 comments)

My fiancée and I are looking for an isolated honeymoon cottage on the coast, in a temperate region. Can you find it for us?
posted to Ask Metafilter by TrashyRambo at 7:14 PM on February 4, 2007 (18 comments)

Need to kill many hours in philly
posted to Ask Metafilter by Attackpanda at 7:23 AM on January 3, 2007 (24 comments)

Any suggestions for a DC agency for temporary legal work?
posted to Ask Metafilter by ibmcginty at 3:02 PM on December 4, 2006 (10 comments)

Who loves sandwiches? I do! But I'm tired of sandwichs designed in the vacuum of my mind. My question is thus: What are some great sandwichs?
posted to Ask Metafilter by TwelveTwo at 10:28 AM on December 1, 2006 (94 comments)

I'm about to buy a new pair of eyeglasses. For my prescription I want high index progressive lenses. I want the high index so the lenses will be as thin as possible. I keep hearing that Zeiss lenses are better than other brands and would like to know if this is true before I spend my money. Costco does not sell Zeiss. Is whatever Coscto sells as good optically?
posted to Ask Metafilter by dclawyer at 7:01 PM on November 17, 2006 (8 comments)

Online family game night: I would like to start up a "family game night". My extended family is very close, but lots of people have moved to different areas. There is a general want to stay closely connected and I want to do my part to help foster that. Help me out.
posted to Ask Metafilter by buck09 at 11:29 AM on November 10, 2006 (11 comments)

i am taking an unplanned visit to philadelphia THIS SUNDAY and i was wondering if anyone in philly knew of anything particularly fun/cool/artsy/weird/foodie going on? i may also try to stay for monday.
posted to Ask Metafilter by metasav at 1:37 PM on November 2, 2006 (20 comments)

Help me make the perfect cup of coffee.
posted to Ask Metafilter by jourman2 at 12:27 PM on October 24, 2006 (65 comments)

I need to buy a car for under $3000 to get me to and from work (11 miles each way). Any suggestions for the best make and model?
posted to Ask Metafilter by gogomickey at 10:17 AM on September 28, 2006 (32 comments)

I shall walk into the wild maybe for a week or so, depending on the weather, blisters, etc. Who has recommendations for (relatively safe) *long* solitary walks in the U.S. or Canada? Specifically, I'm looking for a hike/trail/path that I can follow -- walking 7-10 hours a day, for 5-7 days in a row. No cell phone, no computer, no schedule. This would be a sort of annual retreat/walk/vacation/time-to-reset-my-body, that I'd like to do every year. Time to think, lose a few pounds, kick-up my metabolism, detox, chill out, regroup, spiritually recharge, etc. Assuming I don't want to carry a gun into the wild (to protect against critters or humans), where are some interesting, safe destinations??? I'm not a survivalist and I'm not looking for an adventure per se. Prefer a minimum of life-threatening hazards and/or 100+ degree temperatures or freezing nights.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pallen123 at 6:25 PM on September 25, 2006 (23 comments)

I have been told by many (including boss) I need to take a vacation...so I am looking for somewhere to go this wknd...within a 3-4 hr drive of DC area where I can relax and not spend a ton of cash either. I am a 30-something female who likes a little bit of everything (not a nature nut, but I appreciate it, same with museums.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by psususe at 8:28 PM on September 25, 2006 (13 comments)

What are your favourite pasta recipes?
posted to Ask Metafilter by oxford blue at 9:13 PM on September 24, 2006 (36 comments)

I need some badass vegetarian Indian cooking tips and recipes.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kaseijin at 8:45 AM on September 18, 2006 (12 comments)

Recommendations for good books about the aftermath of WW1, the between-wars period, and the buildup to WW2? I'm looking for a good follow-up to Barbara Tuchman's The Guns of August.
posted to Ask Metafilter by shortfuse at 9:54 AM on September 14, 2006 (22 comments)

For those of you that make own yogurt, do you have a favorite yogurt maker? Which work best? Favorite recipes? Tips? Is it better to get a single, quart jobbie, or is it better to get the one with the individual containers? I'd like to start making my own yogurt, but I want to make it as easy as possible.
posted to Ask Metafilter by GernBlandston at 9:12 AM on September 6, 2006 (10 comments)

Cooking and shopping for one: What are some good resources? Google is helping some, but not giving me exactly what I want.
posted to Ask Metafilter by twiggy at 2:28 PM on August 12, 2006 (14 comments)

Can you teach me how to mop?
posted to Ask Metafilter by anastasiav at 9:00 PM on June 18, 2006 (25 comments)