h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Ah, they're no longer allowed to advertise prices without the taxes here, which is why that sort of thing doesn't bother us

Yes, Mala, the 'authorities' are talking about doing that here, too, but the British Government's wheels grind exceeding slow and unless there's something in it for the MP's who put it forwrad, fat chance of it getting anywhere.

Not that I'm cynical or anything

"British Government" and "inviting the wheel"? You´re a bit of an optimist. And ours finds using flintstone for tools a pretty neat idea, but still are bickering about how to tax it.

Yes, let's go back to window taxes, instead of inheritance tax - or what has been called 'widow tax'

Give me a merry widow anytime, instead of what decent windows would cost.

For some reason, whenever I come across the words merry widow, I think of Anna Neagle, presumably because I imagined she had played the part in the musical of the same name. But on looking her up in Wiki, I can't see that she was involved in that at all. So I admit I was wrong and am a complete failure . She wasn't one of my petty hates, in fact, when I did see her on stage or tv, I thought she was a good actress.

The actor I DON'T like is Kirk Douglas - I think he is rubbish.

And I'm waiting for the Terry Gilliam film before I pass judgement on Heath Ledger - everyone says he was SO talented, but I'm not sure that isn't just because he died so young. At the moment I would say he is so-so. I'd have to have a closer look at "The Patriot" and "A Knight's Tale" to compare him in two very different roles to check that, I suppose.

Hell, didn't you see Batman?! The guy could give you nightmares....

Whoops - yes, of course, I should watch that too. People really raved about him in that. OK I'll take Heath Ledger off the list of potential petty hates because overrated.

However, some time back, I promised to quote the Amelie lists as they were quite quirky.

Amelie's father dislikes:

- pissing standing next to someone
- the way you stagger when walking along a moving train
- the way your swimsuit sticks to you when you come out of the water

He likes (this belongs in the Inexplicable Pleasures thread, really)
- cutting bends without braking when driving down a hill
- lining up his shoes and carefully polishing them
- emptying his tool box, cleaning it and tidying everything back

Amelie's mother dislikes:
- getting wrinkled fingers in the bath
- being touched by someone she doesn't like
- having imprints of the creases from the sheets on her cheek when she wakes up

Amelie's mother likes

- cutting bends without braking when driving downhill (but when she's in the passenger seat and her husband does it, she is terrified)
- polishing the parquet by sliding about on it all day with polishing cloths
- Emptying her handbag, cleaning it, and tidying everything back.

Amelie herself takes particular pleasure in pushing her hand into a bag of rice as deep as she can, playing ducks and drakes on the Seine, and breaking the crust of a crême brûlée with the back of her spoon.

I adore that film. It's as close to perfect as any film I have ever seen.

Some if them I agree with, Snail and some of them not:

1 pissing standing next to someone - Totally agree - one always feels a bit pervy if you choose not to look straight ahead at the tiles
2 the way you stagger when walking along a moving train
- Doesn't bother me
3 - the way your swimsuit sticks to you when you come out of the water - Nor does this

He likes (this belongs in the Inexplicable Pleasures thread, really)
1 - cutting bends without braking when driving down a hill - Oh Yes! How I love doing that!!
2 - lining up his shoes and carefully polishing them - polishing shoes is one my hates
3 - emptying his tool box, cleaning it and tidying everything back - Never do it, my workbench is an utter mess that I must get round to one day, but golf is more important

Amelie's mother dislikes:
1 - getting wrinkled fingers in the bath - Only ever shower
2 - being touched by someone she doesn't like - I particularly hate those 'space invaders' who get closer and closer to you when they talk to you - creepy
3 - having imprints of the creases from the sheets on her cheek when she wakes up - Answer - don't look in the mirror too quickly!

Amelie's mother likes

1 - cutting bends without braking when driving downhill (but when she's in the passenger seat and her husband does it, she is terrified) - Serve her right for not driving!
2 - polishing the parquet by sliding about on it all day with polishing cloths - N/A
3 - Emptying her handbag, cleaning it, and tidying everything back. - Believe it or not, I don't have a handbag Instead I have my Bill Oddie sleeveless jacket with about 15 pockets. That way, everything I have is in a separate pocket and doesn't get mixed with anything else. Also excellent for taking loads more onto the plane than you're supposed to as you wear all the heavy stuff

Amelie herself takes particular pleasure in pushing her hand into a bag of rice as deep as she can, playing ducks and drakes on the Seine, and breaking the crust of a crême brûlée with the back of her spoon.
What? All at the same time?

(And what is 'crême brûlée'? Do you mean Créme Brulée?)

I hate it when people think its a good idea to dispose of fat and baby wipes down the toilet or drain.I have had my garden covered in human waste 4 times in two years because of this and its me that foots the bill to get it all cleared.
I hate people who spit along the street.
I hate soaps like coronation street,east enders and so on.Even more so when the schools think it is a good idea to do an english lesson involving them.
The words innit,bro and high pitched bimbos screaching alrigh at you in the street.

Grafitti - in all its forms, even Banksy's - especially Banksy's as he seems to have legitimised the practice

~*~I adore that film. It's as close to perfect as any film I have ever seen.~*~

That it is, but what about these:

1. Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy
2. V for Vendetta
3. Van Helsing
4. Batman: The Dark Knight
5. Lord of the Rings Trilogy
6. Gone in 60 Seconds
7. Maverick
8. Shaolin Soccer
9. The Fifth Element
10. The Blues Brothers

Nobody likes peeing next to someone else in a urinal.

See http://blag.xkcd.com/2009/09/02/urinal-protocol-vulnerability/

Especially if they sneeze or someone calls them and they turn around in haste.

This to be found at a golf course in Scotland......

1. Back straight, knees bent, feet shoulder width apart.

2. Form a loose grip.

3. Keep your head down.

4. Avoid a quick backswing.

5. Stay out of the water.

6. Try not to hit anyone.

7. If you're taking too long let others go ahead of you.

8. Quiet please while others are preparing.

9. Well done.....Now flush urinal, wash hands, go outside and tee off.

petty hates my speakers crackling all the time

~*~I adore that film. It's as close to perfect as any film I have ever seen.~*~

"That it is, but what about these:

1. Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy
2. V for Vendetta
3. Van Helsing
4. Batman: The Dark Knight
5. Lord of the Rings Trilogy
6. Gone in 60 Seconds
7. Maverick
8. Shaolin Soccer
9. The Fifth Element
10. The Blues Brothers"

Mr X - 1 is a yes, but only the first one. 2 is good. Never seen 3. 4 is fab but not in my top faves. I love LOTR as much as Amelie. 6 is ok. Never seen 7, 8, or 9. 10 is quite good.

On topic - people at work who leave their monitors on standby when the go home for the day. I don't know why but I really don't like it. It's wasteful.