MrBen

Has anyone ever embarked on a multi locational chain bet to create something from nothing? Yesterday I found a long hidden ?30 in some old jeans I was throwing out. I reckoned this was free money and so stuck it into my Betfair account and rather luckily won BIG in three spins on online roulette (clearly not recommended). I then checked out, stuck half my winnings back into my bank and have transferred the rest to lay Higgins in tonight's final. Snooker is usually dull as dishwater but I'm much enjoying watching Judd Trump. He's behind (just) but either way, and thanks to my lucky Levis, I'm ?400 up. Or ?800 odd if the young chap makes it. I call this "random at home chain betting" and next week plan to start behind my sofa and head for the Champions League via some Greyhounds. I'll let you know how I get on.....

What's that? Hawaiian noises? Playing on those bongos like a chimpanzee....

This thread has literally had me rolling on my Habitat shag pile rug in laughter. I thank you all.

Well said Sir Jah of Lush.. Wonderful stuff tonight from Messi as a Barca v Man United final beckons. He's a joy to watch (I'm a neutral)- almost Maradonna-esque bvt without the bulging eyeballs. He's almost got me watching football again. Lovely stuff.

And to add further pain to your suffering...... Dan is smiling down at you from the wall in full Quarterback pose and trying to sell you stuff

No. You find yourself sitting at the bar in a Dan Marino's Steakhouse concession at the Marriot by La Guardia airport. Eating an overdressed salad which you've paid for with a $20 BA food voucher because the last flights been cancelled. Whilst trying to avoid the gaze of a Bulgarian hooker to your right and an oversized, hair twirling female baggage handler from the Bronx who's just clocked off to your left. Such was the glamour of my last trip.

*Bob* Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > MrBen Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > For a great value "authentic" burger (one of > the > > best in NYC) > > You've tried all the others? Impressive. *Bob*... pedant!....replace that with "local institution". The kind of informal place that local New Yorkers have been going to for years that does whatever it does straight up, consistently and has a bit of history. I like that about NY. What local eating institutions do we have in London? The Golden Hind in Marylebone? Claridges for high tea? Joe Allen's London place? For some reason we're a bit short and I'm not sure why.....

A bank? Or Sainsburys have a machine that will sort and count coins, spit you back the amount in notes.. and take 7% commission. ......why am I answering this? *heads for garden*

For a great value "authentic" burger (one of the best in NYC) I love the Corner Bistro in the Village. It's a pub up front with a back room serving McSorleys ale and really nice straight up, freshly ground NYC burgers that are pink in the middle. No need to dress up - and Terra Blues is just around the corner for some music into the night and great selection of bourbon. In fact I've just given you my ideal NY night (followed by a roof top DJ party). I will be in sunny SE22. So enjoy yourself!

Dan's right - his general point being this is typical US centric, protectionist litigation. And I'd guess that the US prosecutors interpretation of "bank fraud" is probably legal, standard practice elsewhere. It's just moving profits between different pots in the most tax efficient manner. It's what keeps Gibraltar, Dublin etc ticking....

I don't think it's a boring question. Today's Guardian concluded, rather obviously, that it's not about the accumulation of stuff and money. And that once you earn over a certain amount any happiness increase is negligible. It's like, about how you connect with the people around you man.

Also, Laddy, when I was clearing stuff out recently I found a poster of the Manchester United team from circa 1985 that is signed by the following people: Big Ron Atkinson (resplendent in gold bracelets), Jesper Olsen, Arthur Albiston, Gary Bailey, Norman Whiteside, Sparky, Gordon Strachan and Frank Stapleton (who appears to have appended "bullet" to his name. Is that worth anything?

My stepbrother is a massive Man U fan. Growing up in a small village in south east Scotland and now living in New York he fits the bill prefectly.

Rush hour. 8am. London Bridge station. Urrrrg. Except. It's Friday. And I'm heading to Tonbridge to go flyfishing. Is there anything better than getting an empty but quiet train south in rush hour? To go fly fishing?

Ted, Life is simply too brief and I commend you in thinking to follow your natural passion for children...... But listen again. Sounds kind of creepy, no? The natural suspicions harboured towards a man playing a traditionally female role are one of many hurdles you'll have to counter and as such I wish to impart some business advice to get you off the ground... Branding. A vulgar concept in these parts but necessary. You must be confident in your proposition but avoid unseemly innuendo. Make the mistake of the local handyman who has flirtatiously likened himself to Fleming's Bond and you will almost certainly be asked to tighten more than a mother's hinge. Names to avoid would include such alliterations as: Manny 'Nuff, Max(imum) Manny and All Manny. Second, know your market. I have glimpsed the Village and confirm it to be fertile territory but be shrewd with your targets (...a Canny Manny?). The old money will treat your commercially motivated attempts at role reversal with disdain. Aim for the newly moneyed liberals, and from personal experience, I should avoid the local yoga class. Good luck.

Grand National Day. And Aintree is hotter than LA.... I make no apologies for betting each year in this lottery of lotteries because my other half loves it. I'm Niche Market at 30's . MrsBen has wisely ignored all previous form and gone for the Mull inspired Calgary Bay at 42-1. Time to head to Betfred to annoy the grizzled regulars (who'll all still be there today even though they'll tell you its a mugs race). Enjoy.....

Reminds me of an early 80's horror film

In front of the telly all day with a big bowl of crisps. Or in Collioure in the south of France. I can't decide?

oilworker you're right. ?400 is an expensive spurge for most but in terms of handcrafted shoes and man hours involved this is actually bargain. I met someone recently who gets shoes made from one of Britain's best last maker, a sprightly man now in his 80's. They were a wonder of handmade craft, with many hours involved but will cost you near two grand.

Or would you prefer how to get to Heathrow again?

Indeed Jim. It predates the formation of the Recommended section circa 2009. But I'm happy to big up this wonder of local craftsmanship and shoe repair in the main section before it gets moved. They deserve it.

Merrifields is still going strong - they're the last of the old school cobblers. A real gem in ED and currently repairing another set of my favourites. Recommended.

The classes of insurance that cover natural disasters (Marine, commercial property etc) are usually ring fenced within composite insurers from "personal lines" (home and car insurance) so the effects of these on your average car owner are negligible. Insurers also have to ensure that their lines remain competitively priced so don't have too much leeway. Far more likely is a rather dull concept called the insurance cycle - which relates to the availability of capital available to insurers and the forces of market competition on profitability over time. Still awake? Then also note the recently reported shake up in the motor insurance industry as the EU are about to declare that women cannot be charged lower premiums than men by virtue of sex alone. Historically women have been charged lower premiums as statistically they are less likely have an accident and so insurers have priced on that basis. The new ruling will likely come into effect in a year or two but will force all insurers to change their pricing model (you may find that your premiums fall again at that time).

....TO EAT WITH THE POOR PEOPLE.

There are strict planning controls in place in the village that limit the number of commercial premises. So that will always strangle diversity and choice. As 'Nette says you'll also have a captive audience - all of the places in the village are overcrowded at weekends (the dog, pizza express, park cafe) so they don't have to try with the service either. A shame really given the rest of the village is a near perfect example of progressive conservation. I reckon a fair few villagers just pop down to ED anyway....