Jeremy

Loz, it's different. As I said before, a girl slapping a guys arse is not the same thing as the other way round, for obvious reasons.

I'm interested in hearing your reasons for equating derivatives with pyramid selling. I think we'll see a reduction in people using the higher risk instruments purely as a speculative investment, but that doesn't mean that the financial industry is finished. Financial products are always going to be needed to some extent, both on a corporate or retail level.

Pistachio Club always give you a glass of something after the dinner. Although it didn't taste like port last time... more like watered-down Tia Maria!

Alethea's husband - interesting post. Of course taste is very, very subjective, and personal experience will come into it too. But nevertheless, I think you can be objective up to a point... not too greasy, depth of flavour (not just heat, and you can actually taste the meat), something that doesn't leave you with curry flavoured burps 24 hrs later...

Macroban also uses the rental yield method to deduce the value for a property... I'm not sure if it's that simple though.

Yeah... there are times when it seems appropriate. Like at a student type party, or a gig at the Camden Underworld.

I would guess not from the above post. Quids' post reminds me of the nonsense the readers contribute to BBC news and the free papers.

I don't think it's fair to imply that jollybaby is in some way guilty for not having a go at the kid. She was clearly taken aback by the whole thing, and didn't get a chance to react. That's not the same thing as encouraging the kid. And it's OK for jollybaby to feel flattered, but she's not saying that it makes it all OK. I think most of us would agree that the kid was out of order (by how much is a matter of opinion). It's pointless comparing the situation to a girl smacking a guy's bum - apply some common sense and you'll realise that it's not the same thing!

Snakebite & Black (or is it just called snakebite... not sure) Baileys, and other similar sickly sweet revolting liquers Fishfinger sandwiches with cheese, ketchup and tartare sauce all melted in together Roast lunch sandwiches Most bisuits and cakes, sometimes an entire packet in lieu of a meal Knight Rider Van Damme / Seagal movies Shannon Tweed (oh, the shame)

Yeah, I remember a friend telling me that someone had gone over the balcony at a... ahem... Pantera gig. He seemed to think it might have actually been intentional...

Ingenuity - it's called "Equilibrium". A lot of people like it, I think it's a bit rubbish.

I've watched it several times, and still enjoy it. Don't think of it as "dreaming", I think that's an over-simplification. I think the bulk of the film is supposed to be set in a parallel universe. Then at the end, Donnie closes up the parallel universe, and returns to the point where it originally branched off - i.e. when the engine falls through the roof.

>FT? Cross-posting... was referring to the evening standard! >but first-time buyers are now borrowing only about three times their salary HSBC still willing to offer over 4 times when I checked last week.

Let's please stop posting low quality tabloid articles in the pretence that they have any value...

OK... yeah the 100%+ mortgages were madness. How do you know that the rates will be high? They're still historically pretty low.

Most high street banks have only been offering 4 to 4.5 times salary, so I don't really buy what you're saying. House prices have been large dictated by investors... shortage of property to buy, excess of property to rent, etc.

They venonous, yes - apparently the bite is very painful!!

Bravely admitted, Asset. http://www.queenmania.net/images/fotografie/freddie_mercury/freddie_mercury_102.jpg

I go past it all the time... I must be blind! Will have another look on the weekend, thanks.

Asset, nasty creepy crawlies *always* make a good news story. Still, it is a relief to hear that they don't jump on your head and bite you to death on a whim.

I would have to say... Yulia Tymoshenko.

Has anyone seen any more of the green-fanged spiders this year? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7573530.stm "In spider terms, it has to be said that this is an aggressive spider. If you approach it, it raises its legs and bares its fangs. Most spiders will back away - this one will jump at you and bite."

SeanMacGabhann Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > And people saying the housing market will bounce > back as A Good Thing rather suggests the lessons > of the current situation haven't really been > learned either Depends what you mean by "bouncing back". Prices returning to 2007 levels wouldn't necesarily be a good thing. But it will be a good thing when people start buying and banks start lending (albeit more repsonsibly) again.

What is the name of this shop, which sells these cakes on a Saturday only?

dc - because most of them are picked for their looks?