Who are your favorite audiobook readers? My favorites so far have been Stephen Briggs (reading Discworld, Terry Pratchett) and Lenny Henry (reading Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman). I really enjoy readers who do great, distinctive character voices. I tend to prefer the male voice, but I'm open to trying female narrators as well. Suggestions?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by SampleSize at 7:39 AM on January 4, 2012 (24 comments)

I'm in a phase where I'm craving brothy soups. I'll make a pot and keep going back and eating it thoughout the day and night and it makes me very happy. I have a very limited repertoire in this area, and have stuck mainly to various versions of chicken soup, Tom Kha Gai (yet another version of chicken soup), my version of minestrone, and Miso soup base with a variety of add ins. When I'm feeling fancy I will also make Giadas Cioppino, but that's more rare. A whole bunch of snowflake food preferences within.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by newpotato at 7:08 AM on December 6, 2023 (31 comments)

Do you have some glass containers that you take your lunch in to work (or the like) and can microwave with the lid on (or lid slightly ajar for venting) that have lasted a good period of time? If so, what brand are they?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Saucywench at 11:08 AM on November 9, 2023 (18 comments)

I have A(u)DHD and I sometimes struggle with cleaning. I live in a tiny studio apartment with a kitchenette and tiny bathroom, so less space to clean but more overwhelm and visual clutter as there isn't a break from the chaos anywhere I look. I'm having surgery in a few weeks and I want to deep clean and tidy the whole place in preparation (partly because my partner will be looking after me while I recover and he's disabled and can't do much housework). I've been trying every day for a week to clean up and it somehow seems worse than it was when I started every time and is now completely overwhelming. I'm a big fan of the Unfuck Your Habitat 20/10 method, but that doesn't seem to be cutting it right now for some reason. A collection of other neurodivergent friendly tips and tricks, motivation hacks would be useful.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by chives at 4:23 AM on October 7, 2023 (20 comments)

Bonus if it freezes well. Bonus if it re-heats well. Bonus if it doesn't include olives. Soup or main meal, doesn't matter.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by HeyAllie at 7:21 AM on September 26, 2023 (33 comments)

I may be starting Ozempic soon, and would like some ideas on what/how I should be eating to minimize potential side effects.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Serene Empress Dork at 5:36 AM on August 31, 2023 (13 comments)

My Parents Are Dead: What Now? A resource (aimed at Millennials, but useful to people of any age) for those who have no idea what to do when their parents die. From the last days through the funeral to probate and beyond, useful advice and links for folks who are working through one of the awful parts of adult life. US-centric.
posted to MetaFilter by gentlyepigrams at 9:48 PM on August 16, 2023 (55 comments)

I have ants come in my kitchen sink, on the counters, and even on the island right opposite of the sink. I've tried cleaning and Clorox'ing, but the ants come back, especially if there's food crumbs. It's driving me crazy.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by dubious_dude at 2:49 PM on August 15, 2023 (16 comments)

You had extremely dry patches on your knees from years of neglect. Putting lotion on them did nothing. You no longer have these dry patches. What did you apply/do? (You are not my dermatologist)
posted to Ask MetaFilter by sandmanwv at 6:58 AM on August 9, 2023 (13 comments)

Just browsing senior living websites, it seems that the first thing they want to know, before they explain any options or give any sort of pricing, is detailed information about the prospective resident's finances: annual income, net worth, etc. Is that sensible? I wouldn't normally hand over all my financials to someone that was trying to sell me something. It sounds like exactly the wrong way to start a negotiation.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by bfields at 12:48 PM on August 1, 2023 (14 comments)

I was at the store looking at the dozens (scores, even?) of toothpaste options, all with various formulations and claims, and it occurred to me that I know nothing about how much of it actually works and what I should be using. What's real, what's not, and how do I know which of the multifarious brands and models to choose?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Pope Guilty at 1:14 PM on October 9, 2017 (25 comments)

I am not a computer-games person - at 45 years old, I've probably spent less than 100 hours of my life playing a computer game of any sort. But for some reason, the game Flow Free does something for me. What other games might have the weird effect on me it does?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by dmd at 12:31 PM on July 30, 2023 (15 comments)

Low thyroid runs in both sides of my family. For the last year or so I've been feeling just really slow, physically and mentally. At my annual check-up this year my thyroid levels were still within the normal range. My understanding from Dr. Google is that it's not that unusual for folks to be within the normal range but also to benefit from treatment for low thyroid.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by forkisbetter at 9:43 AM on July 21, 2023 (15 comments)

Every summer our home gets visited by lots of small ants. In the past we've had success with Terro Liquid Ant Baits. Now we have a cat, though, and it looks like there's some risk associated with using borax-based products around cats. What should we do?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Winnie the Proust at 8:01 AM on July 18, 2023 (22 comments)

specifically, i'd really love to do non-fiction audio book narration but open to other kinds of voice over work. i'd love some advice on equipment i should consider as well as advice on how to get started and anything else you think would be helpful for me to know. ty!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by violetk at 12:51 PM on July 3, 2023 (8 comments)

Talk to me like I am five about what you do to keep yourself from always heading out to mow the lawn.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by openhearted at 8:07 AM on June 6, 2023 (33 comments)

You all came through in my last clothing related Ask Me. Maybe you can for this one too?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Kitteh at 11:53 AM on June 26, 2023 (6 comments)

Middle-aged lady goth would like you to help dress her the way she thinks she would like to dress. Crone Island Give No Fucks details inside.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Kitteh at 5:47 PM on December 27, 2021 (22 comments)

I foster failed with an incredibly sweet feline leukemia virus positive cat a few years ago. She has started declining very rapidly over the past week (eating litter, lethargy) and I'm looking to hear more from folks who have gone through this.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by forkisbetter at 12:54 PM on June 25, 2023 (3 comments)

While a number of audiobooks are narrated by celebrities or by their own authors, the vast majority are read by unknown and unacknowledged literary workers, at once subordinated to the text and responsible for it, unseen but audible. Narrators represent an entirely new role in the literary field, variously performing the functions of author, text, and reader. Like the author, the narrator is the person from whom the text emanates. Given that the material of the audiobook is not the printed page but a recording of a voice, narrators likewise serve as the embodiment of the text itself. And yet, they are also that text’s reader—in many cases, one of its very first readers. from The Work of the Audiobook [LARB; ungated]
posted to MetaFilter by chavenet at 2:14 PM on May 23, 2023 (42 comments)

Does anyone have experience with Night Eating Syndrome (NES)? This is not snacking after dinner, rather waking from sleep with a strong urge to eat in order to fall back asleep.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by guessthis at 4:59 AM on June 9, 2023 (25 comments)

I need blackout curtains that totally darken my bedroom. They do not need to be noise-reducing.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by bookworm4125 at 6:39 PM on May 29, 2023 (9 comments)

I'm prone to bouts of quite intense anxiety and once my nervous system gets hijacked, I find it hard to come down. Besides the obvious meditation, medication, exercise, deep breathing techniques, and sleep, what are your best methods for calming a buzzing nervous system? I'm interested in anecdata here.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by figaro at 12:30 PM on May 18, 2023 (42 comments)

TomboyX is no longer selling the long, lightweight pants I love, so I'm looking for other options. Snowflakes within.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by FencingGal at 5:16 AM on June 7, 2023 (20 comments)

With a few exceptions*, most bean-based recipes I've tried turn out almost inedible because they're so bland and boring. Especially beans and rice, but other recipes too. The reviews will always say it has tons of flavour but it's a lie. I want to eat more beans but I need flavour. Do you have a recipe with a lot of beans that actually tastes like something?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by randomnity at 7:37 AM on May 17, 2023 (65 comments)

Semiglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, etc.) are the new, popular weight loss drugs. Insurance covers them only if prescribed for diabetes. For weight loss, they're generally not covered -- definitely not covered by Medicare. Without insurance coverage, they are very expensive in the US. They are much cheaper in the UK. Is there any way to get a prescription that could be filled mail order in the UK? One would want to be sure they are actually getting the real drug, of course.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by DMelanogaster at 2:18 PM on May 12, 2023 (13 comments)

Is there a good veggie chili recipe?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by hairless ape at 8:47 PM on May 13, 2023 (30 comments)

I’m currently recovering from brain surgery. Screens are a no-go for more than a few minutes at a time. I need podcasts or other audio type things to listen to while I’m not napping…
posted to Ask MetaFilter by cgg at 1:31 PM on May 10, 2023 (26 comments)

What are some on the go breakfasts to give to kids (and parents) who commute.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by donut_princess at 10:57 AM on May 8, 2023 (13 comments)

I'm looking for awesome, fun cinematic fiction audiobooks. I've heard Baldacci thrillers novels with sound effects, looking for something a step up in literary value but with something similar. Thrillers, mysteries are good.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by sandmanwv at 1:16 PM on May 3, 2023 (7 comments)

Can you recommend a toning shampoo for silver hair that reduces yellowness and dullness, but also doesn't make me feel like I just showered at a Super 8 Motel? Also, it should cost less per pound than filet mignon.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by DirtyOldTown at 3:26 PM on March 20, 2023 (16 comments)

I have a small rash, and I've been cycling through ointments but not seeing any improvement. What should I try next?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by walkinginsunshine at 4:58 AM on March 20, 2023 (11 comments)

I made this amazing vegan Thai Peanut Tofu Wrap recipe, and would like more. But faux substitutions for meat and dairy are a little… eh, to me.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by functionequalsform at 1:25 PM on March 6, 2023 (25 comments)

First, I looked at some of the answers from this question but our situations are mostly different. I adopted my 14 lb shih tuz, Dice on December 1. On Feb 23, he just started barking in the evenings when he hears something in the hallway. More inside...
posted to Ask MetaFilter by bookworm4125 at 5:20 PM on February 28, 2023 (12 comments)

My wardrobe needs a refresh. I want to support queer designers and affirm my own queer style. Hope me!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by thetarium at 4:25 PM on February 5, 2023 (11 comments)

I'm looking for recommendations for the best tomatoes for use in: * sandwiches (big and tasty) * making tomato sauce (best for pasta/pizza sauce)
posted to Ask MetaFilter by GernBlandston at 8:19 AM on February 21, 2023 (17 comments)

There's a long history below the fold to explain some details but the bottom line is: I rent an apartment, been here for 28 years, ants have always been a minor issue but now they are becoming intolerable. I have cats and I'm not the property owner and the stuff about providing them with food that they take back to the nest and the entire nest dies is not nearly sufficient. What do I do that will kill the ants dead and yet will not endanger my relationship with my landlord (an individual, not a property mgmt company)?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by janey47 at 11:17 AM on February 9, 2023 (16 comments)

I would like to find a pair of pants that I can wear frequently-- at home but also when going to bars and restaurants. The casual level is between jeans and work khakis, so nothing athleisure with zippers etc. Slim fit, not super long but also super comfy. I kind of hate wearing jeans, but that's what I wear since I'm sort of expected to. I'm a preppy dude but don't want to look preppy all the time. Want to spend less than $75. What should I buy?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by sandmanwv at 8:28 AM on February 10, 2023 (10 comments)

Apple has discontinued the iPod. Can I still make use of an ipod from ebay? Ideally i would just use it as a dedicated device for audiobooks and spotify in a dark bedroom at night. Realistically, how long can i expect to have access to ipod technology if I get an old one now? What is the best model to ensure the lengthiest-possible access?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by wowenthusiast at 10:30 AM on January 18, 2023 (7 comments)

Had lumpectomy surgery on 11/29/22 and all went well, pretty good pathology report (clear margins, etc). But since my surgery I've had to have that breast aspirated twice due to swelling and just last week during my initial radiation appointment (the "staging" bit) the doctor said that the breast looked "red and angry" and I was sent back to my surgeon who prescribed a course of strong antibiotics. But I'm thinking that part of the problem is my lack of a compression bra. I've been wearing a stretchy cotton camisole (my usual undergarment; I'm not a bra-wearer) and from some other comments the doctor made it appears that if I wear a proper compression bra the support would help the fluid to drain and my incision to heal.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 12:28 AM on January 21, 2023 (11 comments)

I own many audiobooks as MP3s (they are quite vintage). I would like to get an mp3 player that plays well with audiobooks. Ideally, I could turn it off and have it start exactly where I left off or let me bookmark, but I would also settle for having it use folders and play the tracks in order with a reasonable ability to fast forward within a track. I’m not fussy about whether it has bluetooth or not. It does not need to support audible or checking things out from the library.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Bottlecap at 3:00 PM on January 9, 2023 (5 comments)

Have you tried Lume? Is it really "outrageously effective" in your opinion?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Saucywench at 11:56 AM on January 9, 2023 (21 comments)

I would love to know your favorite instant pot recipes that are as simple as humanly possible -- so, minimum prep, and only one step (close the pot).
posted to Ask MetaFilter by virve at 1:10 PM on September 13, 2022 (17 comments)

Unlike some time sinks, Wordle is a great way to stay connected with people, because its the same for everyone. I can’t stop playing Wordle! by Bill Gates
posted to MetaFilter by chavenet at 3:46 PM on August 30, 2022 (48 comments)

After the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago on August 8th (previously), the DOJ released the search warrant and property receipt on August 12th, and a redacted search warrant affidavit on August 26th. On August 26th, the Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines sent a letter to the House Intelligence and House Oversight committee chairs, saying the intelligence community and the DOJ are conducting a damage assessment of the recovered documents. An August 29th court filing by the DOJ said that a review of seized materials had already been completed. On August 30th, the DOJ filed a 36-page rebuttal to Trump's August 22nd motion requesting a special master, along with a detailed timeline of events leading up to the search. On September 1st, Judge Aileen Cannon said she would release her decision regarding appointing a special master "in due course", and ordered the DOJ to release the detailed property list, which the DOJ did on September 2nd.
posted to MetaFilter by orange swan at 9:39 AM on September 4, 2022 (273 comments)

I’m trying to help my sister find a full- or part-time remote job that doesn’t require a degree, has health insurance benefits, and isn’t too stressful. So many listings online seem scammy. Where can we find legit remote job listings for people without degrees these days? Links to specific jobs also welcome.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by woodvine at 1:47 PM on August 7, 2022 (13 comments)

Tchozz the Younger has diagnosed sensitivity issues - think neurological rather than, say, dermatological. They would like to go on more hikes and maybe run with me, but they usually refuse to wear socks and then have trouble feeling comfortable in anything other than loose slip-on shoes which fall off. Can anyone recommend brands or materials for socks to look for that work well for middle school aged kids with diagnosed sensitivity issues around clothing?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Tchozz at 6:42 AM on February 1, 2022 (11 comments)

In a couple of weeks, I will start a new job, fully remote. Do you have any advice?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by NotLost at 6:16 PM on January 5, 2022 (12 comments)

I've been using cloth masks the entire pandemic. Now they say they aren't nearly good enough. But how do people get K95s or whatever else is good enough when you literally cannot afford to buy any? Any suggestions? I live in Chicago. Thank you.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by tiny frying pan at 4:30 PM on December 24, 2021 (31 comments)

Sound therapies have long been used to help us cope. The 10 songs found to be the most relaxing on earth: “We Can Fly,” by Rue du Soleil (Café Del Mar) “Canzonetta Sull’aria,” by Mozart “Someone Like You,” by Adele “Pure Shores,” by All Saints “Please Don’t Go,” by Barcelona “Strawberry Swing,” by Coldplay “Watermark,” by Enya “Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix),” by DJ Shah “Electra,” by Airstream “Weightless,” by Marconi Union
posted to MetaFilter by folklore724 at 10:20 PM on December 24, 2021 (18 comments)