Why might a partner suddenly seem happier away from you and bored when they're around you?

How can a population driven mad by the weather in Europe keep their sanity in the summer?
Why do guys say "nevermind" so fast when their date idea isn't enthusiastically received?
What resources or books would you recommend for someone looking to improve their writing and speaking skills, especially if they didn't learn it in school?
How do you balance expectations around aging with your personal experience of defying them?