Who needs words? Suprised that this hasn't been mentioned yet, but I find an angry animalisitic roar ("argh" with attitude) to be very theraputic, especially when coupled with a pounding of the steering wheel (or more often, desk) with my hand. At least in situations like you described.

Agreeing that scheisse is a good substitute for shit, but the really is no word as satisfying as fuck when the world implodes on you.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 11:29 PM on August 7, 2008

Exercise videos. You should be able to get them at the library, or a nearby video store. Doesn't matter whether they're any good for only two weeks, but reviews are available here.

As for the food, this may be way off, but it sounds like you've managed to get addicted to sugar/salt/fat/overeating. For me, I find it takes a few days to a week of eating healthily to lose the desire to eat my body weight in icecream. Eating fruit, increasing the amount of fibre I eat,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 10:47 PM on August 3, 2008

Some aussie girls:

Clare Bowditch
Sarah Blasko
Holly Throsby
little birdy
george (half the songs have a male singer, but all are beautiful)
Missy Higgins
New Buffalo
The Audreys
Blue King Brown
Killing Heidi

If you like crowded house, this is an awesome album of covers.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 8:30 PM on July 20, 2008

Just one thing, if you got Cubby from a breeder, they will have kept the "best" pups for future breeding, so Cubby's genes will continue within the gene pool.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 6:30 PM on July 8, 2008

If you have a van key, then surely the van is begging to be filled with something! balloons, newspaper, packaging.....
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 4:25 PM on June 26, 2008

neenish tarts
lamingtons

Both technically brown and white, but still delicious.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 2:21 AM on June 23, 2008

Little Birdy
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 9:24 PM on June 22, 2008

Perth, the australian version, is pretty darn flat. It's mostly coastal plain, so there's a few sand dunes, but apart from the eastern edge which goes up to the grand height of about 300m, it's a rare learner driver that actually has to do an actual hill start.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 9:51 PM on June 17, 2008

lial's basic college math gets a good rap as a self study refresher course.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 10:50 PM on June 6, 2008

I imagine it's also because they're designed to be adjusted to fit everyone, not just to fit the median. So the length will be much too long to allow extra tall people. Also, and this is pure speculation, I would imagine that each dress would be designed to fit at the most complicated part/most difficult to alter part of the dress and be too big for the rest so it can be taken in to fit just about everyone whatever shape they are.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 10:09 PM on May 20, 2008

That guy who drew the london underground map? Harry Beck.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 4:34 AM on May 18, 2008

My grandparents are in their early 80's. My grandpa is (and has always been) a grumpy pessimist. My Grandma on the other hand is almost obnoxiously happy. Both have health problems, but my grandma has always had debilitaing health issues, so has had lots of practice in being happy when in pain.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 12:04 AM on May 16, 2008

I had cheap and nasty brake pads fitted to my car that started squealing horribly about a year and a half after they were fixed. I took it into the mechanic, and they told me that were cheap and nasty and the stupid amount of rain we'd had had caused them to start rusting which made them squeal. He put something on them (for free) and they stopped squealing (they still had lots of wear in them).

A week later and it starts raining again and the start squealing again. Sigh.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 10:44 PM on May 13, 2008

My sister became an event planner via another job within the same hotel.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 12:07 AM on May 13, 2008

- Wash with soap as you ran out of shampoo awhile back and never remember/have time to pick up more.
- Do not brush hair as hairbrush is missing. If hair brush is available, brush half of head, get distracted and forget to finish, leaving hairbrush in ridiculous place ensuring it can't be found tomorrow.
- When stressed/frustrated/concentrating, run hands through hair. This is most of the time.
- Allow hair to grow naturally. When it gets too long, cut off the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 3:00 AM on May 2, 2008

If you get their card, it'd be worth writing their question on their card. (make sure you have a pen)
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 12:36 AM on April 30, 2008

I make use of "requisite" and "proverbial" on a fairly regular basis. And I've always had a soft spot for "verbose" as it is what it is.

And nthing the idea to learn a romantic language. My sister said that french was often just long english words with a french accent.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 6:28 PM on April 22, 2008

Suggest testing anything you use that's stronger than cooking oil on an inconspicuous bit first. You really don't want to take the finish off.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 5:09 PM on April 17, 2008

No impact man is trying something similar. I would nth the priorities of Car (particularly the commute), Electricity (particularly hot water and heating) and Food. Note that many of the changes you make will, in the long run, pay for themselves.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 5:06 PM on April 17, 2008

Finding south from the south pole

I was taught the second one, which is pretty straightforward.

There's also the very important mnenomic "Never eat soggy weetbix", to help remember which way east and west go round. Also an important reminder to eat your weetbix quickly before they dissolve into slimy goo.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 8:31 PM on April 16, 2008

Exercise? I feel manky if I don't exercise at least twice a week. It generally manifests as a general tiredness behind the eyes.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 11:46 PM on April 10, 2008

Chocolat the book, not the film. The priest was changed to a mayor for the film.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 6:24 PM on April 6, 2008 marked best answer

Avoid camembert and brie unless you eat it quickly. Too many hours at room temp and it starts to smell like feet.....
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 10:13 PM on March 26, 2008

Could it be a noise thing? Maybe it's too quiet at night? White noise of some sort may help.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 2:21 PM on March 3, 2008

geitost. It's evaporated, caramelised goat's milk that tastes, well, terrible actually. Certainly unique.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 12:45 AM on March 1, 2008

I must say I find the husband's attitude hard to swallow. That much in debt means that it couldn't all have been her, and it's certainly by law his debt too. That being said, would he be conducive to using the 30 grand from his mum to pay off his mustang? I.e. use the money that is sentimentally important to him to enable him to keep something of his?
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 6:31 PM on February 19, 2008

Seconding "egal". I translate it as irrelevant, but egal has that long "a" to really put the full weight of your complete indifference and disdain into.

Another of my favourites is "geniessen". It means to savour or consume with appreciation. Particularly useful when eating, drinking or just looking at a view.

I must say that I find the translation of "doch" as "on the contrary" odd. I learnt it... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 3:53 AM on February 19, 2008

Wow, it sounds like your dad has managed to convince you that you'll never be able to survive without him. Which is absolute crap. You can easily find out how much money you'll need to move out. Most friends will tell you how much they pay in rent if you ask nicely, or have a look in the paper or even go and look at a few places. Car insurance is also pretty straight forward. Just call up a company and get a quote. (you know you should of course get more than one and compare them) Spend ten... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 10:03 PM on February 18, 2008

When I get truly stuck for my mum or dad, I get them a night away at a B&B somewhere. This may be difficult with his disability, but it's one of the few things that I know my parents would like that they don't get for themselves. Or maybe send them out to dinner somewhere? Movies tickets?
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 5:02 PM on February 18, 2008

Unless you can try it on first, and find an excellent bra, stay away from strapless. Also, as I hippy girl myself, i try to avoid halternecks, as they make the dress into a triangle, and make my hips feel much wider. If your abs are reasonably flat, then a high waist is good, but if you have a pooch under your breasts, it'll make you look pregnant. And those suck in everything underwear garments are great. (if for no other reason than you'll feel very drafty if you have worn a skirt for awhile.)... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 5:15 PM on February 14, 2008

You have four adults and two kids, so keeping control of them shouldn't be a problem. Worth having a chat with the adults to clarify expectations though. Sounds like you are just panicking a little because you don't know what to expect or how to plan. Can you call the airline and find someone to ask clarifying questions to. Or did you book through a travel agent? If so, they should be able to answer your logistical questions.

Some hints for general air... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 8:59 PM on January 14, 2008

Brick, Ben Folds Five

6 am day after Christmas
I throw some clothes on in the dark
The smell of cold
Car seat is freezing
The world is sleeping
I am numb
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 6:50 AM on December 26, 2007

You could possibly react the bicarb out, by using vinegar or heating the flour till it decomposed (above 60C), but according to wikipedia, this would leave the acids in the baking powder, which can affect the taste.

Do you not have a neighbour you could borrow some from?
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 6:45 AM on December 26, 2007

Another option, could you go and visit? It'd give you the opportunity to help her out a bit, get to know your nephews, and see the situation for yourself. Wouldn't have to be long, say a few days to a week.

I really don't think that encouraging her to move is a great idea if she's got rebelling teenagers living in the area. They'll just feel abandoned, even if they say they hate her right now. Plus you really don't need the drama.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 7:28 PM on November 21, 2007

If she's a texture freak, then how about some organic bamboo sheets. They're meant to be a great alternative to cotton, with a really great drape.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 5:37 PM on November 20, 2007

This chocolate mousse is the goods. I've made it twice with really good dark chocolate, and people have swooned.

It does go through some odd phase changes though. Both times I've made it I've got to the point where I thought it was a lost cause, and both times it's worked. I added a pinch of sugar and quadrupled the plonk (cointreau) and put in an oranges worth of rind.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 12:23 AM on November 15, 2007

It's not a completely ridiculous hypothesis, as polonium-210 is a daughter product of radon which is the second highest cause of lung cancer after smoking in the US at least. It's a teeny tiny dose, but the problem comes that it's alpha, and it's inside your body, which means that it can cause signficant local damage.

That being said, I have no idea if the cancer in smokers manifests the same way medically. And the levels they're talking here are naturally occuring, so... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 11:36 PM on November 12, 2007

These remind me of the books by June Factor I read in Primary School, full of rhymes and poems. The titles were as follows:

Far Out, Brussel Sprout!
All Right, Vegemite!
Unreal, Banana Peel!
Real Keen, Baked Bean!
Roll Over, Pavlova!
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 9:51 PM on November 12, 2007

I think this is mostly an extension of your dislike of speaking French generally, so this is where you need to focus your energy. My suggestion - talk to yourself. Try to think in French, and when alone, keep up a running commentary out loud. "now I'm going to the fridge, now I'm opening the door, I wonder if the milk has gone off...." ad nauseum. As you write things, dictate them to yourself. Get used to the sound of your own french. Play around with words, sentence structure, and ask... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 9:22 PM on November 6, 2007

Madness. Maybe try going back to the NY office, somewhere fairly quiet on a less crazy day, as these are this is where the problem was initiated. And then beg and plead for some sort of written evidence that your licence has been transfered. As much as they'll give you. Get all the info they can give you: dates, licence number, even just a status: CT.

In a perfect world, you can also con them into calling the CT office and discovering that you don't exist in their... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 5:05 AM on October 15, 2007

Try the airport maybe?
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 3:01 AM on October 11, 2007

I was going to protest the Percy suggestion, as it is neither green nor small nor cheeky.

However, if you're in the US, it is both green and small, relatively speaking. Cheeky, sot so much.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 9:53 PM on October 9, 2007

Maybe your intuitively picking up on something off in his actions, but what you describe isn't all that odd. I think you're over reacting because you wrongly read his intentions in inviting you to visit him.

People like to catch up with people they haven't seen for awhile. Often, they can quickly fall back into their old interaction patterns, which leads to all night D&M's and much hilarity. After all, there was a reason that they got on so well in the first place,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 4:42 AM on October 9, 2007

For chemistry, this is a good read:

Uncle Tungsten by Oliver Sacks

Not a textbook, but captures the sense of wonder that the discovery of science can inspire.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 3:49 AM on September 9, 2007

I sent a lot of letters/parcels from Germany to Australia in 1996. They cost three times as much and took twice as long as posting a letter from Australia to Germany. Things may have changed since though.

Germans, however, would not tolerate a postal system that lost mail, so I'd say it'd be up there with the most reliable in the world.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 8:38 PM on September 2, 2007

Luncheon of the boating party, Renoir
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 4:37 PM on August 30, 2007 marked best answer

Hash House Harriers
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 6:09 PM on August 28, 2007

I detest shoe shopping, I'm not particularly fashion conscious, and I have my work shoes provided, just for reference.

I try to make sure I have:

1 pair flat smart casual
1 pair silly strappy heeled sandals
1 pair sneakers
1 pair summer sandals
1 pair good quality black leather lace ups with closed toe and sensible 1' heel.

The last pair are my go anywhere shoes. I've had a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 9:49 PM on August 27, 2007

The Goldfinger version of 99 luft balloon has both german and english.
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 9:08 PM on August 27, 2007

2. The caterer should be taken care of with the help of the two sets of parents.

Do what you can to change this, as it sounds like your parents and her parents are not able to negotiate effectively. From now on, your parents are giving X-dollars, and you are incredibly grateful. Her parents are giving a certain percent of the catering, and you are also incredibly grateful for this. If her parents complain about the lack of flexibility in your parents, remember, you are... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by kjs4 at 7:31 AM on August 26, 2007