Stansborough - alpaca and a unique grey wool from their own stud of Gotland Pelt sheep. They sell woven fabric by the metre online, which you could take to your tailor.
You might also like to look into NZ possum fur. (Ours are the cute fluffy brown type, not the stringy grey rat-tailed type).
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 2:30 PM on June 15, 2008

My Happy Days In Hell by György Faludy - autobiographical novel based on Author's time in Hungarian labour camp. Great title. On my to re-read list.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 6:46 PM on February 8, 2008

Wow, never thought this thread would be so fascinating.

Always called them face-cloths or flannels, never even occurred to me that people use these for body-washing. Except for babies, but I hadn't given much thought to baby washing until recently.

The revelation makes the grotty flatmate I had at University seem so much worse! He always kept The Same damp facecloth in the shower, and it never dried out.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 4:33 PM on January 24, 2008

Lady Hester Stanhope.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 3:46 PM on January 9, 2008

The animal shelter/clinic/rescue org I worked at sold the tip traps neustile linked to. One of the possible benefits of these is that they are not see-through, so possibly a little less stressful for the mouse. We had a sweet little old lady who lived pretty much next door who would bring her traps in for us to dispose of the mice cleanly. ANd we saw her fairly regularly, so I believe they work.

Some thoughts:
Consider where you are going to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 9:03 PM on January 8, 2008

"And my lower back is killing me"
Does the lower back pain feel like it could be your kidneys?
(I am possibly a bit over-sensitive about kidney infections after being hospitalised just over a year ago. But that was a NASTY 18 hours in Emergency, and two week recovery, so if I can spare anyone else ... The 'I've been sitting/lying wrong' sensation sounds ooh very familiar)

E. coli can find its way to your kidneys through the bloodstream... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 7:01 PM on January 2, 2008

Congratulations!

Weddings can be so complicated, and I found that having a very simplified idea of what you want to achieve on the day can keep you (relatively) calm and sane. Anything you achieve over and above the bare basics is jam! Most things that go "wrong" are window dressing. You can apply this to everything, including vows.

I agree with posters above who have said that the idea of writing your own vows can be overwhelming... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 5:12 PM on December 19, 2007 marked best answer

Good Hunting!
/junglebook
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 5:34 PM on November 28, 2007

My sister-in-law makes wonderful large chocolate meringues - once they have cooled and set she dips the base in melted dark chocolate, and drizzles streaks over the top. They look and taste fabulous. The bonus factor is that they can be made they day before and transported easily, if you are travelling.
All you have to do on the day is whip cream (or maybe make onoclea's chocolate cream?).
There are tons of recipes online.

On a related... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 9:54 PM on November 14, 2007

"Alternative costume ideas are welcome"

Not going to get into the offensive quotient part of your question, but I had GREAT fun one friday 13th as "Pope On A Rope" (Easy! Pope outfit from costume-hire shop, ghastly 'dead face' makeup, rope-burn make-up around neck, and noose*), and I make you free of it.

*If things get rowdy, watch your rope-end. If you decide to go clubbing/barhopping after the party, do not wear the rope.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 9:09 PM on October 23, 2007

"I'm feeling torn for some reason"

If it's not the morality of attempting to pick up an 'old flame' behind your current girlfriend's back that is bothering you, then what is?

"What's wrong with me?"

Here's what's wrong with you, and what (I am assuming here, Schroedinger, forgive) has prompted what you see as "almost gratuitous character assasination" :... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 6:37 PM on October 9, 2007

(Smoker) - I was going to suggest "get a yoyo" too! But I do cherish my little "breaks" sometimes as a bit of me time, so sticking to the three's a crowd suggestion made by MayNicholas above is a good idea.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 9:59 PM on June 28, 2007

Thanks Everyone!
Kathryn, accessibility is mandatory here, (NZ). It's forcing change, but I have a misty-eyed vision of making converts and whipping up some enthusiasm for it amongst public servants .... (picture me at my desk wiping away a single tear)

I'm going to mark a couple of best answers but I really appreciate everyone's help.

Don't Make Me Think was one of the few decent books we had already.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 4:38 PM on June 26, 2007

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell.
I still love this book. And it led me on to read his animal-collecting books, The Bafut Beagles, etc.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 6:36 PM on June 20, 2007

Maui's brothers, in their impatience to carve up a great fish, caused great evil.
(Perhaps the original "it was this big" fishing yarn.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 6:42 PM on March 7, 2007

My only hangover advice (and I'm a pro).

If you have to throw up there's a good reason for it. Face the fact that you're going to have to get rid of the stuff that your system can't process. The worst thing is dry retching when your stomach is empty of everything but that thick, frothy, radioactive-yellow bile, which it must get rid of.

Force down large glasses of water and let yourself throw it straight back up. Rinse and repeat. Try to make... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 2:16 PM on September 29, 2006

You don't have to be "effusive" to charm people. Like others have mentioned, insincerity is ick!. ptm has it - find something you like about the person you are talking to. You say you find it easier to be effusive around those you know well. So what you need to develop are your rapport-building skills.
People will always warm to a good listener, and you can extend that to being observant - is that obviously a new and daring tie that... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 1:43 PM on September 11, 2006

Circumcision.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 1:08 PM on September 11, 2006

Taking the cat! Wonderful!
Being a responsible owner and getting shots, etc! Magnificent!
But as an ex-shelter worker, I'd like to strongly advise you against the "get another cat" idea.
In a nutshell - 1) cats aren't quite like people socially - the 'companionship' factor may be less. You most likely will face having two cats who cannot adjust to the new cat in their home/territory.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 2:02 AM on May 4, 2006

(sorry ought to have read the thread properly, you can't have two cats, still - for future reference I stand by my argument!)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 2:07 AM on May 4, 2006

--disclaimer! theory --

Think of your cat as a Tiger who has killed and eaten its prey. And left the carcase rotting on the ground. (Even though we know it will be picked up and put through the dishwasher by you). Jungle Cat doesn't want to drink from the puddle beside its feeding place - it is likely tainted now. This is why Jungle Cat wanders off and licks the shower tray/flower vase/toilet. And why moving the waterbowl away from the foodbowl can work.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 3:52 PM on February 1, 2006

More info?
What type of voice was it, type of music (soloist, rock band, pop), can you remember any other lyrics, or if not was it:
into the quagmire blah blah blah/
or
blah blah blah into the quagmire/
?
And what year do you definitely remember hearing it?
I wanna help, really.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 4:50 PM on January 30, 2006

Maurice Gee? Fantasy/adventure with a bit of a dark twist.
The Halfmen of O is a good start.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 5:06 PM on December 28, 2005

ancamp: A kiwi author! You don't say!
There's this great site called Amazon.com, you should check it out sometime. Idiot.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 10:37 AM on December 29, 2005

(sincere non-USian question) is it absolutely unheard of to give a non-cash gift in these situations? Would that be offensive?
I always give my tenants a ham for Christmas.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 5:03 PM on December 28, 2005

Do they have children, pets? It's good to take a lavish but tasteful bunch of flowers (think of something lush and un-ordinary, paeonies?) for your hostess, and gifts for the little household members. Remember your thank you letter after your stay!
Bringing a gourmet basket can backfire when you face "that interesting relish The Melting Pot brought us" at the breakfast table everyday of your stay. They feel they must eat it in front of you to show their appreciation ....... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 5:00 PM on December 28, 2005

"Also - weight cutting in women would likely have the same effects as any other severe weight loss methods like anorexia which very often causes women to stop getting their periods"

And this is very much a YMMV point - I'm no athlete/anorexic, but mine stop if i get down to 132 pounds. (Hey, I'm tall, OK!) I'd be interested to know if that was 'normal'!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 4:51 PM on December 28, 2005

This was a good metafilter thread on this subject. Of course, I have now read all of these books and am looking for more ....

not really, at all
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 7:12 PM on November 21, 2005

Totally about agriculture:
ROU Xenophobe wondered if the orphaned lamb story was a real practise or purest bullshit.
I grew up on a fairly large (by NZ standards, even) sheep farm, and it is very common to have orphans at lambing time and foster them where possible onto a ewe who has lost her lamb. There are always more orphans than foster-mums, which leads to a lot of bottle-feeding!
Most ewes were relatively easy to persuade - they are so driven by the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 4:46 PM on November 21, 2005

I'm currently an HR admin assistant - I can tell you that here, (smallish Govt. Dept) at least, your nice bond paper/bound/perfumed resume is going to be photocopied for up to six people. So electronically submitted applications are very welcome. Your spiral binding is going to look very shabby ripped at the edges, and I am strongly tempted to just heave your every-page-in-a-plastic-envelope-folder (yes, people do this) out the window.
I'm not sure how small the nonprofit office is... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 2:05 PM on November 20, 2005

If the parent's attitude is "That's what they get!" it's up to you to decide from now on if they are welcome in your home. You are totally justified in asking them to leave the toddler behind. Simple as that.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 12:55 PM on November 20, 2005

As an alternative to yoga you could try qigong. The advantage of either system is that you are not just performing exercises, you are (ideally) learning to become conscious of your stance, breathing etc.
The important thing is to stick with any method you choose - think of it this way - you have been training yourself for years to slouch, it will take time to retrain all those muscles to hold the right position.
Best of luck!... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 2:03 PM on November 16, 2005

Hey, thanks everyone. Just woke up. Things look a little better in the morning. From what people have said here, I may be heading for surgery. I think this is the third bout I've had this year, but never "clicked" that it was tonsillitis as such, just what I call my usual "putrid sore throat". (Smoker). But this time the fever shakes have been a bit hard to ignore. Going to see Dr Dave today, after breakfast - hmm, cornflakes?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 1:45 PM on October 25, 2005

Have you tried contacting 365.com and asking them?

(not a snark, just curious)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 3:50 PM on October 12, 2005

Arrowhead- excuse me if I'm being wa-a-ay too personal here...
I wonder why you feel you're sleeping too much and achieving little productivity. It may just be that your sleep/productivity ratio is fairly standard, and you want to crank up to super-achiever, I hope that's the case here. However, the sleeping too much/feeling I get nothing done are classic tell-tale signs for me when I'm depressed.
(It sounds idiotic, but I honestly don't realise I'm down until I'm at... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 1:55 PM on October 5, 2005

In New Zealand we have the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival in March which ties in with the nationwide Monteith's Wildfood Challenge (July/August).
In Hokitika you could try Huhu grubs - we'd like to kid tourists that we eat them every day, but they're more use as bait* for Rainbow trout which are much better eating.

*disclaimer - highly illegal... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 4:06 PM on September 22, 2005

Perhaps you could make up a nice flyer about Stevie, explaining the situation, and ask vets in your area to display it - they will have regular clients who are "good homes", they may for example, be able to recommend your cat to an animal lover who has had to have a pet put to sleep.
I worked at a shelter, and no matter how unhappy the cat may be at your home, a shelter is 100x more traumatic. The last resort, definitely.
Good for you for taking responsibility... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 3:00 AM on September 15, 2005

I think it's a Tee made by Huffer (as worn by Orlando Bloom, bless 'im) but I think it's probably out of print.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 8:45 PM on September 14, 2005

I remember seeing the Tshirt you describe in a store here in Wellington called Area 51 - you can try emailing them - enquiries at areafiftyone dot co dot nz.
They ought to be able to confirm the brand, at least
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 8:53 PM on September 14, 2005 marked best answer

D'oh! Close at least. My pleasure, etc.
If you need any local help acquiring 'kiwiana' drop me an email.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 10:04 PM on September 14, 2005

There's one of those T's for sale on TradeMe right now.
(Hi i_am_joe's_spleen)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 10:35 PM on September 14, 2005

For example, one can expect to pay as much as $80 for a single tab of e,
Beg pardon? We must shop at different supermarkets.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 5:37 PM on September 10, 2005

Sorry, to clarify that remark, I have never heard of anyone paying that much for a tab in NZ.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 5:40 PM on September 10, 2005

Well, Kaa in Disney's Jungle Book is a villian,
Euch! *spit spit*
That's one favour you can do him - keep him away from Disney bastardisations. And in a couple (3 or 4, maybe) of years he can read Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Books himself. Kaa is a wonderful snake character. Or you could read them to him - your own simplified versions, edited to his level. But The King's Ankus is a bit scary for a bedtime story - even for me.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 11:35 PM on August 29, 2005

As used by Modesty Blaise!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 1:38 AM on August 20, 2005

Anonymous, I'd like to Third the suggestion of finding a professional organiser. They will reassure you that you are not alone in feeling like this.

And if so, how do I deal with people's certain judgement of the condition of my house, and by extension, me?

This may be something you need to try therapy to come to terms with? It could be your Mother talking. You seem to be an intelligent, articulate and self-aware person - It... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 1:41 AM on August 2, 2005

Nothing as fancy as this?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 4:49 PM on July 22, 2005

This happened to me about a year ago when I was drinking HEAVILY ... I'd wake up at 1pm in my apartment with all lights blazing, fully dressed - fallen asleep on the couch, no idea how I got home ... and no hangover. I took this as a Very Bad Sign. Lunkfish - you may be (as I was) very gifted at drinking, but take my word for it - it is much more fun in the amateur ranks.
I'd love to hear if anyone else has experienced this?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 1:28 AM on July 17, 2005

All these fish!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 1:43 AM on July 17, 2005

Outdoors, "useful", meet some great people and get to muck about with horses. http://www.equitopia.peak.org/
posted to Ask Metafilter by Catch at 10:59 PM on June 17, 2005