If it is just the language issue then you could use google.co.uk as opposed to google.com.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 2:31 AM on September 21, 2008

From my experience on the recruiting side of things Mutant is bang on with regards as to how to approach them; put the ball in to their court saying you'd be willing to take some leave at an appropriate date if they want to fly you over.

I'd be very surprised if they were not willing to foot the bill for the trip, and if they aren't I'd discount travelling on your own dime as they likely wouldn't have the budget for relocation costs for you even if the chemistry was... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 6:03 AM on September 13, 2008

For Prague then can recommend highly checking out Vysherad castle (the less touristy one but still very central). Regarding walking then get the train to Karlstein- 20 minutes on train and great castle and walking country.

RE good coffee- this is the most difficult thing to find in Prague. Would recommend Kava Kava Kava if you need a fix of the black stuff. The stuff sold in cafe's in Prague is generally very bad.

Be aware that the Czech crown... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 8:46 AM on August 19, 2008

Variation upon a theme but Ginger Ale (available from a lot of off licences) is very pleasant and I prefer it to ginger beer.

Schweppes Bitter Lemon is very nice (though may contain sugar).

If you go to a large supermarket the mixers are kept near the spirits aisle will stock a variety of different drinks, a small percentage of which will not be sweet.

Marks and Spencers used to have (and I believe still do) old fashioned... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 3:58 AM on August 16, 2008

w0mbat's Radio 4 link is good. You can find more on the BBC iPlayer (which opens when you click any of the links on the Radio 4 page) and filtering by comedy (this gives you a view of all the comedy on BBC radio that week that you can listen to to).

Armando Iannuci has been involved in a number of ground breaking radio shows (ie worked as producer on On The Hour mentioned above and Alan Partridge). Anything that involves him is worth a listen.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 3:31 AM on July 13, 2008

neblina_matinal's answer was the one that sprung to my mind when I read your question.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 10:44 AM on May 24, 2008

A similar device can also be used when one person is speaking- I walked into a bar... needed six stitches. If anyone can provide the terms for both types of verbal misunderstanding for humour's sake then much obliged!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 5:29 PM on April 19, 2008

2nding jtron's recommendation- Norman Davies Europe. Very thick and covers everything. Despite it's length and scope it is extremely readable and has inserts on different issues that break up the narrative every few pages to give inspiration for your further reading.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 4:04 AM on March 8, 2008

2nding callista's guess of the Earthsea Wizard by Le Guen- immediately sprang to my mind when I read your description.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 9:02 AM on February 14, 2008

As a European if I saw a link for "skeet" I'd not click on it. Don't know the word, too similar to scat, and I'd steer clear in case too gross for words. Others might click on it because of the very novelty/uncertainty/hoping for something bizarre, but if it's fairly mainstream site you'd probably disappoint those looking for something bizarre and scare off those with mainstream tastes.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 3:41 AM on February 7, 2008

Both Glasgow and Edinburgh would reward more than one day but if intent on seeing gorgeous scenery then game warden to the events rhino is bang on the nose with the Skye suggestion (and quickly leaving Inverness). A B n B in Skye will suit very limited budget also.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 1:40 PM on January 28, 2008

I think the wording means that if you are ill while on holiday then you have used up your leave days (irrespective of how much you enjoyed it)- rather than subsequent to the holiday, subsequent to booking?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 1:14 PM on January 7, 2008

Pepicka a Jenda- Pepicka is a girls name- Josephina- female name and, Jenda is a diminutive of Jan, a boys name

"Pan (or "Pom" or "Pam") a Pani Jaroslav a Damuska Osecki" Probably Danuscka (Dana) so it'd be Mr and Mrs Jaroslav and Dana Osecki

The third card reads: "Pepicka Kalusova"- Pepicka as above, demographically likely to be an older woman. Given the card to the boy and girl and the third one having... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 4:02 AM on December 28, 2007

I'm reading an excellent book just now 'A History of the Arab Peoples' by Albert Hourani- I've just gotten to the chapter on the Ottoman Empire and it gives a good perspective on why Turks (who were the main power in the Ottoman Empire) could feel they have claims to areas outside their present borders. The Ottomans also acted as protectors of Muslim interests outside their direct sphere of rule and this may well give some explanation of what carmina states regarding making claims on areas with... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 2:31 AM on November 23, 2007

Thanks all so far. To clarify question previously- yes female so good point regarding hormonal changes.

RE Bells Palsy- thanks for the links. She was asked if any exposure to ticks over the summer so guess from the Wiki article relating Bells to Lyme disease that ticks carry that may have been the way the docs and neuro guys were thinking.

We're in Czech and, while the health care system is in many ways excellent, the doctor's aren't the most... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 3:57 PM on November 22, 2007

Thanks all once again.

tamitang- the headache part of your symptoms weren't replicated. Hope the docs can clearly diagnose you. Sounds as though Bells is benign enough and eventually clears up.

limeonaire- thanks for suggestions- did occur to us that the lump could be having the impact but they seem to have ruled that out post tests.

monopas- sorry to hear that your syptoms recur, hope it dies down over time and the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 2:15 AM on November 23, 2007

Teen Wolf and Red Stripe
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 10:56 AM on November 16, 2007

Moving to Prague this weekend. Have a Czech wife and we know the place quite well. Never spent Christmas there, we always travel to see family but any specific questions I can help with feel free to MeFiMail or see profile.

It will be cold and dark fairly early but a romantic city to walk about in the evening and if it snows quite magical. Other plus points as mentioned is very international so English speaking no problem. Christmas markets and carol singing in old... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 3:34 AM on October 26, 2007

A FIFA report (pdf) considers your issue, afu, regarding a player being injured subsequent to a tactical substitution. Their rationale states that making allowances in this instance to increase number of subs post genuine injury would "increase the tactical scope for substitution" and alter the "character of the game". I take this to mean that the tiring of players and the limit to the coach's options is a desired aspect of the game. Can't find an explicit justification of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 9:14 AM on October 8, 2007

You're sure that it's your own wireless network that your connecting to?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 8:54 AM on September 18, 2007

Thanks for replies all and apologies for coming across as being 'that guy'. I do like the good stuff but not consciously trying to be a snob (I'm drinking this stuff on my own so no one to impress but me). The question concerns whether it is a one off or whether consuming something not very good on a number of occasions can lead to one appreciating it more, and if it impacts on one's taste long term.

With regards to ikkyu2's question it is not a case of getting good... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 7:10 AM on April 15, 2007

When marying a foreigner the Czech bureaucrats insist that the -ova is added to the end of all names (except those that end with a vowel I think- i.e. I know one Czech girl married to a chap named 'Bentley' that was allowed to take the name as is as the y functions as a vowel).

The hilarty ensues of course when you get a name like Bent.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 5:28 AM on January 31, 2007

Thanks for reply NekultrnY - I assume that you mean that people would know "I'm an odd number so should enter from the left" and therefore minimise disruption without having to know how many seats there are per row?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 5:06 AM on January 25, 2007

Vladimir Nabokov's The Defence ('spoiler' in link but you can't spoil Nabokov by knowing the plot) is a masterful account of mental breakdown. Well worth the read.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 1:35 AM on January 19, 2007

The Tugendhat Villa in Brno South Czech seems widely recommended as a modernist building. IANAA so recommending on strength of tourist board bigging it up rather than appreciating it myself.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 8:12 AM on December 17, 2006

Pretend to be gay and let the bf's be happy with that scenario. Sorry, no, in all seriousness you've done the right thing (in offering to scatter) and if the friend doesn't feel like that then that's her call. If the bf is so controlling to an extent where they can't understand your friend's wish to continue to be friends with people that don't share her genetalia then it's her call if she wants to take a break from seeing you.

The advice above to be friendly to the bf's... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 10:03 AM on December 16, 2006

Thanks for speedy suggestions, however ABC is screening out non Australian IP's. I have the Guardian's over by over report up so might be me and the refresh button again.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 6:51 PM on December 14, 2006

Thanks ibmcginty- essexjan's recommendation in previous thread seems to work!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 7:22 PM on December 14, 2006

At this time of year there will be Christmas markets throughout Prague (and I'm guessing Budapest). The markets sell mulled wine, have many unhealthy snacks and may have music in the evening for entertainment.

You may be too early to see the main Christmas delicacy- carp. Huge things swimming in paddling pools for people to buy and take back to live in the bath until the Christmas Eve meal.

I'm in Brno (south Czech and go to Prague regularly) so... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 8:13 AM on December 8, 2006

In order to 'prove' that the world is round some above have stated that you could get a rocket to outer space and look at the earth. It is possible however to prove the theory without taking off and spending billions. Eratosthenes did this (and made a very fine prediction as to the actual circumference of the globe) in the 3rd century BC and you could do it today without considerable expense.

The 'theory' held by some that a deity listens to them has no comparable test... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 5:22 AM on December 5, 2006

To armchair hypothesise even more; I'd agree with a_green_man above that one could take it as harking back to hunter gathering 'I found the food, I'm the daddy' but also we have to remember that we are social beings also. Being social beings then we want to be with the powerful, esteemed in-crowd. If an individual is seen as a conduit to the clued up in-crowd, the soon to be trend, then it may not be surprising that those we share it with value us for it and we get a kick out of being first.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 3:20 AM on November 11, 2006

Pulling folk around on sledges. Threatening to snowball someone unless they hand over the readies. Selling mulled wine, hot chestnuts, scarves or other things that will brighten (warmen) people's day?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 3:54 AM on November 5, 2006

"Shite and onions!"- a horribly vivid one.
"Doesn't know if it's New Year or New York" (alternatively "doesn't know if it's Shrove Tuesday or Sheffield Wednesday")
"Camp as a row of pink tents"
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 8:20 AM on October 31, 2006

There's a graph I remember from somewhere that chartered a number of mefi users on libertarian-authoritarian and left-right axis. Sure I came a cross it somewhere in mefi. Unsurprisingly the average mefi scored to the left and liberatarian to the 'centre' (the centre was allegedly the US centre score). Think the self administered test that may have been Politcal Compass or somesuch. Anyone remember seeing the graph?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 7:07 AM on October 12, 2006

After somemore trawling graph mentioned here.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 7:19 AM on October 12, 2006

Yeah the Kelvingrove has just reopened and would be good.

Given that you will want to be getting the train from Central again to Paisley then the museum of Modern Art is probably the closest attraction to Central.

If the weather is good then you could always hop on one of the open top tourist buses that leaves from George Square- the timing would fit in for getting off and having a pint/coffee or a bite to eat in the West End, and hopping back on... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 7:52 AM on October 11, 2006

What did you think when you first found out mum was pregnant with me? Though some people might not like the answer to that one.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 7:20 AM on October 3, 2006

I find this amusing (terrible design but funny nonetheless)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 6:51 PM on October 2, 2006

5 and a half mins. Marlboro Light, sitting inside, browsing. Less if standing up, outside, stressed. More if talking.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 2:10 PM on October 1, 2006 marked best answer

Dude condolences. People change over time. If you were not in a relationship and you met this girl tomorrow and were introduced to her views on reproduction, marriage, her family and her relationship with her family- do you think that you would fall in love with her and want to spend your life with her?

Best of luck in making the choice.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 3:01 PM on September 26, 2006

Appeal to his latent sense of superiority as an ex-pat Brit to not drink the worst of American beer. If he insists on the American experience how does Bourbon measure up bang for buck if you are economising?

As a Brit I can safely say that we are terrible when it comes to drinking fizzy alcoholic water (Carling, Fosters et al, "driving lager", yuck) but even at summer camp most of the student, and therefore strapped for cash, Brits turned their nose up at Bud... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 5:19 PM on September 25, 2006

Thanks for the recommendations folks (especially the encyclopedic YoungAmerican) and keep them coming. Will take me some time to plow through all of these, will mark as favourites where appropriate when checked out. As said my access to tinternet limited (hence the request for downloadable stuff) so might be some time before I recognise those that I am especially indebted to.

Plinth and EndOfInvention thanks for direct links will be checking out when back in... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 8:56 AM on September 20, 2006

Thanks for the tech advice, good wishes and Brno recommendations. Na zdravi!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 2:59 AM on June 14, 2006

How about a bit of a bad Eurovision songcontests theme to hold it together? Just a thought as a way to introduce any translations that are needed and opps for jokes.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 5:25 AM on April 4, 2006

Transport wise a quick Monty Burns like "Ahoj" (hello) to the taxi driver, name of the place you are going followed with "Prosim" (means please, pronounce "proseem") will get you there. Chances are the taxi guy will be able to speak fair English anyway. Receipts are mandatory- the government occasionally employ people to pretend to be tourits and go on rides to see if they'll be ripped off, if so a hefty fine.

Loads of things to do and see... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gratishades at 9:25 AM on January 5, 2006