You should try to see the local soccer team, the , who've recently acquired Darren Huckerby, late of Norwich City. The level of play can be pretty poor, but we have a nice cozy stadium and occasional flashes of mediocrity brilliance.

I...am trying to think of other things to recommend in San Jose besides "go to San Francisco".
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 5:24 PM on September 12, 2008

oops.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 5:25 PM on September 12, 2008

San Bruno/Millbrae, near the BART or CalTrain station. It's sleepy, but you can be in the city in ten minutes on BART and can take CalTrain from Millbrae down to Santa Clara.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 12:27 PM on August 7, 2008

You sound like you already know the answer.

Quit.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 5:50 PM on August 1, 2008

Alien. Not the Ripley/Ash conflict, but the Ripley/Mother conflict.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 5:41 PM on August 1, 2008

When I quit smoking I went through insane amounts of wintergreen Altoids. I didn't really even like them, but they were satisfying in some awful way. Now, I'm still hooked. I've also tried the ginger and licorice varieties, but wintergreen always wins.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 3:54 PM on July 11, 2008

The Time Out Film Guide is my stand-by (well, sit-by). Also useful are books written in little snippets like Vonnegut's Breakfast of Champions.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 12:28 PM on July 9, 2008

Book 1:
A Small, Good Thing - Slim Westerns
Mojave 3 - Excuses for Travelers
HEM - Rabbit Songs
Cowboy Junkies - Trinity Session or The Caution Horses
Black Heart Procession - 2 and Three
Bob Dylan - Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
Dirty Three - Ocean Songs

Don't have much for Book 2:
Roxy Music - Stranded
Ulrich Schnauss - Goodbye

also,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 12:48 PM on June 26, 2008

I think the best way to deal with this is to think about it rationally. If you were a ghost and could walk through walls, why the heck would you be hanging around the same apartment building for eternity? If you want to convince yourself about the non-existence of ghosts, I recommend reading some of the ghost sites that abound on the net.

On the other hand, if it turns out you are indeed the victim of a haunting, you should snap into action immediately and call the TLC... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 11:53 AM on June 18, 2008

1. New German Cinema - Ain't no party like a Fassbinder party, yo.
2. Literary Posthumanism - Burroughs and Sterling and Alien, oh my.

at UC Santa Cruz lo, these many years ago.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 5:08 PM on April 25, 2008

Brie on chocolate chip cookies.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 5:39 PM on April 2, 2008

Most of the Maneki Neko material I've read refers to a background story of a monk saved from a storm by a beckoning cat. The beckoning gesture in Japan and China is with the palm down, as opposed to the western version with the palm up--hence the Cat Power salute.

On a personal note, I have a collection of Maneki Nekos or Super Happy Fun Cats, as I like to call them. The different colors can symbolize different purposes, as previous commenters have mentioned. Black cats,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 5:18 PM on March 28, 2008

The very beginning of Amused to Death by Roger Waters has a dog barking, on the track "The Ballad of Bill Hubbard". Not badass; more incredibly depressing.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 12:38 PM on March 7, 2008

I would eat anything for love

But I won't eat that.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 5:47 PM on February 14, 2008

A guy gave me a Dylan mix tape about twelve years ago, and it really got its hooks into me. He wisely culled some of the best material from the first album up through Blood on the Tracks. I still remember being moved by Visions of Johanna on the first play, and the song still stops everything else I'm doing when it comes on.

The first full album of his I bought was Highway 61 Revisited and, if CDs could have grooves worn into them, that one would.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 2:33 PM on February 8, 2008

Bringing It All Back Home, obviously. Brining It All Back Home is one of my favorite DIY Thanksgiving cookbooks.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 2:34 PM on February 8, 2008

Definitely Swans. I recommend the album Public Castration Is a Good Idea.

Curiously, a lot of Swans is quite listenable, particularly Omniscience, White Light from the Mouth of Infinity, Great Annihilator era. But anything from the Filth era will suit your needs well.

I also agree that it'd be easier and eviller to wake them up with a little Debbie Gibson.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 2:35 PM on December 3, 2007

Perfume had an atrocious ending, I thought. Not that the rest of the movie was great.

The American remake of The Vanishing--the ending completely ruins the film.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 5:23 PM on November 8, 2007

I don't want to mess you up or scar you emotionally here. Please, those among you with weak constitutions, I beg you, DO NOT click this link:

Idaho Mashed Potato Ghosts

Aaaaaiieee!

May God forgive me.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 12:36 PM on October 25, 2007

Willard Grant Conspiracy - Right on Time from Mojave
Giant Sand (closely related to Calexico--John Convertino and Joey Burns used to be in Giant Sand) - When I Was Raw or Bottom Line Man from Chore of Enchantment
Sparklehorse - Spirit Ditch from Vivadixiesubmarinetransmission
Black Heart Procession - Your Church Is Red from 2, Ships of Gold from 3

I also think HEM could fit the bill, with Sailor or really anything off the Rabbit Songs album. Or Palace's Viva Last Blues.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 1:21 PM on October 10, 2007

I still think The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty is scary.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 12:41 PM on July 3, 2007

The right kind of earring is the one that doesn't get infected. Other than that, wear whatever you want.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 4:51 PM on July 31, 2006

Whatever you do, don't tell her you asked people on the Internet how to propose.

Seriously, you know the right way to do this, and where would be the best place. Relax and think about what would be the most meaningful and memorable for her and for you. The fact that you mean it is the important thing, not where or how.

Of course, I proposed to my wife in a graveyard, so what do I know?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 3:33 PM on July 31, 2006

If that's a worm, the infestation is fairly widespread.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 3:25 PM on July 31, 2006

How about living in the more remote sections of the city, like West Portal? You'd still have good access to Muni but it doesn't feel as citylike. If one of your concerns is schools, San Francisco may indeed not be the place for you.

I'm in San Bruno, ten minutes south of San Francisco on BART. Great schools and a quieter life, but not much in the way of excitement. Unless you count a really great sushi restaurant, and proximity to parks and hiking trails. I'd also... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 12:23 PM on June 26, 2006

I happened to be looking into the oft-covered Stagger Lee the other day, when I ran across this on Wikipedia:

A cover with different lyrics was a chart hit for Lloyd Price in 1959; Dick Clark felt that the original tale of murder was too lowlife for his American Bandstand audience, and insisted that they be changed.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 2:00 PM on June 19, 2006

Toy Dolls--Cloughy Is a Bootboy

Cloughy is a football hooligan, now Cloughy's only at his prime
With his fist in yer nose when the referee blows full time

Brian Brian kicks & slaps & he shouts oi!
Brian Brian Cloughy is a bootboy

also in the Oi! vein: The Business--England 5 - Germany 1
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 2:15 PM on May 25, 2006

My longshot is Cote D'Ivoire, btw. Unless Drogba hurts himself on one of those spectacular dives.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 2:16 PM on May 25, 2006

Ebony and Ivory
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 2:15 PM on May 23, 2006

The album, "Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Floating in Space" by Spiritualized might fit the bill.

A lot of Dirty Three would work, maybe some of their longer tracks like "Sue's Last Ride," "Indian Love Song," or the awesonely titled "Everything's Fucked."

There is no chance in hell you have heard of this, but I have an album called The Bloodied Sword, which features a couple of members of Ultravox in a wacko... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 10:06 AM on May 19, 2006

Blade Runner--J.F. Sebastian.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 6:40 PM on March 19, 2006

I had a downstairs neighbor complain to me when I had a particularly enthusiastic girlfriend. It never occurred to me they could hear us. I would bet your neighbor doesn't know either. Just ask them to keep it down.

Incidentally, the complaint was particularly enjoyable because my neighbor didn't speak English too well and sounded kind of like Ren of Ren and Stimpy. "You are having the sexing too loud!" he cried.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 6:30 PM on March 12, 2006

I used to use an iTrip on my Golf, and had quite good success on 87.9. I live on the peninsula in the Bay Area though...if I went down to San Jose, I was screwed. My wife uses a cassette adapter in her 97 Miata. I want to say it's a Belkin. She's had no problems with it, but I think the stereo is shite in that car anyway, so it's hard to tell. Overall the reliability and constancy of sound in the cassette adapter is magnitudes better than the FM transmitter, which I have occasionally wanted to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 5:43 PM on February 24, 2006

I think it may have something to do with contriction of the sinuses in response to the stimulus of pain. Curiously, looking at the sun does the same thing to me.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 6:43 PM on February 23, 2006

8 could be Q, The Winged Serpent. 10 is Phantasm.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 4:07 PM on February 17, 2006

Blade Runner
RAN
Apocalypse Now!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 12:45 PM on November 26, 2005

How about the Dirty Three? Their Ocean Songs album is beautiful. Instrumental violin, drums, and guitar only.

Sigur Ros might also fit the bill, though it might be too interesting to fall asleep to. Maybe also Mum, The For Carnation, Tindersticks, or an old This Mortal Coil album...It'll End in Tears is their best IMO.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 12:40 PM on August 16, 2005

My wifely friend has a 97 Miata and we only got a boot for it this year. No problems so far, except for the occasional wolverine attack, which I feel was unrelated.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 5:08 PM on July 1, 2005

Look Homeward, Angel, by Thomas Wolfe. And Steinbeck's stuff, especially East of Eden, would be up your alley.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 9:18 PM on June 15, 2005

Honestly, I am totally unprepared for any threatening situation. However, I do carry a corkscrew, cheese board and a cheese knife.

This has two purposes: helpful during sudden bouts of wine and cheese and very helpful should a horde of Frenchmen attack.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 8:10 AM on April 1, 2005

It's on Netflix right now. I am filled with trepidation after all the production delays, rewrites, etc. But I'll still see it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 4:50 PM on March 30, 2005

I'd recommend picking up Haruki Murakami and the Music of Words.

From what I know, Dunkin' Donuts are omnipresent in Japan, and I wouldn't read much into the "I" character of his novels eating there, except for the obvious: he likes donuts and coffee.

Having said that, it is interesting to note how many Murakami stories are food-centric, or at least spaghetti-centric. There is certainly a conflict between the complexity and ceremony of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 2:30 PM on March 30, 2005

Quadrophoenia may not be all that uplifting, but it's certainly beach-centric.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 9:50 AM on March 24, 2005

Dry food is better for cats and dogs because it helps to remove tartar on their teeth.

I have had the same advice from my vet. I do believe, however, that wet food is particularly bad for cats with particularly weak or sensitive teeth.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 9:41 AM on March 24, 2005

Jazz that bastard up with some radishes, bleu cheese, black olives...I usually add chicken too. Honestly, my salads are walking a fine line between health and unhealth.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 3:02 PM on February 28, 2005

If you happen to be on the SF Bay Peninsula for any reason at all, Jimmy's Rib Shack on El Camino in San Bruno is tasty.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 2:33 PM on February 28, 2005

Do you use the pistol grip spray nozzle, or do you just pinch your thumb right on the exit hole?

I used to cover the nozzle, but someone told me I'd rupture a --

*ahem*

I have the pistol doodlebob, but it's the hose kinking that is the problem. Thanks for the Sears recommendation. I'll try it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 7:45 PM on November 18, 2004

My wife says all the music I listen to is depressing. Here's some of my favorites:

Elvis Costello - The Birds Will Still Be Singing (from The Juliet Letters)
Eels - Electroshock Blues (The whole album really)
Nick Cave - Idiot Prayer (from The Boatman's Call)
Tom Waits - Georgia Lee (Mule Variations)
The Pogues - The Old Main Drag (Rum, Sodomy and the Lash)
Lou Reed - The Bed /The Kids / Sad Song (from Berlin)... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 8:52 AM on November 16, 2004

Not to mention Lick My Love Pump. It's in the saddest key, you know.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 8:58 AM on November 16, 2004

I would think the spawn of such a union would not live outside the mother. I have heard of a dachshund trying to birth pups from a large dog. Only one pup was delivered, it had a huge head and it was stillborn. Just anecdotal, of course. I'm no vet.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Kafkaesque at 9:53 AM on November 11, 2004