the costs will mostly be borne by all wealthy people, whether risk takers or not, since they pay the bulk of Federal Income taxes.

I'm not sure that's true at all. Proportionately, wealthy people tend to pay far less in income tax than those on lower incomes. The wealthy, and particularly the risk taking wealthy, are very adept at avoiding taxes. There's no getting away from the fact that the cost of this bailout will be mainly borne... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 11:08 PM on September 25, 2008

Seconding 'The Fight' by Norman Mailer. It's more than just a book about boxing.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 6:50 AM on July 7, 2008

Viareggio is by the sea, and Lucca is lovely.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:07 AM on June 16, 2008

I'd second the Starry Plough. Open mic nights are on Tuesdays.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 10:48 AM on June 9, 2008

Here's a classic Two Ronnies sketch which uses this.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 3:06 AM on April 20, 2008

How the Dead Live - Will Self

Marabou Stork Nightmares - Irvine Welsh
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 7:14 AM on March 28, 2008

Lee Valley Regional Park.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 7:52 AM on March 5, 2008

Seconding the Japanese Garden. We got there by bus, so it's definitely possible. Beautiful views from up there too if I remember correctly.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 4:38 AM on March 4, 2008

Jupiter
Lanesplitters
Albatross
Pyramid
Becketts
Spats

Ah, happy days...
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 9:24 AM on March 3, 2008 marked best answer

Another shout for Dwarf Fortress. It should be right up your alley.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 3:44 AM on February 28, 2008

This question immediately made me think of John Wyndham's Trouble with Lichen. I'd also throw Libidan and The Calcutta Chromosone into the mix, the latter of which definitely meets your 'well-written' criteria.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:56 AM on October 24, 2007

Whistle While You Work. Which is odd, because I'm reading Ask to avoid doing any work right now.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 4:48 AM on September 17, 2007

Seconding the suggestions of the Jerusalem Tavern, Exmouth Market and the Eagle. The Jerusalem Tavern, in particular, is a must.

I work just round the corner from Clerkenwell, so if you need a guide for the Monday or the Tuesday evening, my email's in my profile.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 2:34 AM on June 4, 2007 marked best answer

MeTa.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:47 AM on June 6, 2007

The Bill
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 6:30 AM on May 29, 2007

On my one and only trip to the Yankees stadium I took the ferry. I highly recommend it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:39 AM on May 18, 2007

Time to walk away mate. Be a man about it and let her go. You taking her back isn't going to do either of you any favours.

Good luck.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:36 AM on May 18, 2007

Having recently had a tire blow out on me while on the motorway, I'd strongly recommend spending the money now. It's a scary experience.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 10:13 AM on May 12, 2007

Bookcrossing. It's a book swapping/gifting site with more of a community element. I've swapped quite a few books with other users on there and you can choose to only trade with people close to you if you need to save on postage. Has the added benefit of being able to find out what the person who you sent your book to thought of it. Which is sometimes interesting. And sometimes not.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 6:37 AM on May 4, 2007

Necessary - Never Eat Cress, Eat Salad Sandwiches And Remain Young.

I don't use that anymore, but I did for years until it rendered itself, funnily enough, unnecessary.

I still have trouble with 'definite' and 'separate', among others, but I tend to go with christinetheslp and type them into a Word Processor if unsure.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 2:53 AM on March 21, 2007

Just to add another voice to the 'give it a try' crowd. We went inside the Great Pyramid and I don't recall it being too scary. Yes, it's a cramped and uncomfortable, but you're inside the Great Pyramid for goodness sake. And that has to be cool.

My advice would be to find out when they open and aim to be there first thing. We went very early in the day and, for a moment at least, had the burial chamber all to ourselves. Which was kind of freaky.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:06 AM on March 12, 2007

Seconding Wilder's suggestion. I've dropped you a line.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:36 AM on January 24, 2007

Lived in Berkeley for a eighteen months and hosted numerous visitors in that time. Regular faves were:

Cycle the Golden Gate Bridge - Hire a bike near Pier 38 and cycle over the bridge and down to Sausilito. Get the Ferry back.

Coit Tower - Unmissable views.

Alcatraz - If you've got to go, try and do an evening tour. The place is that much more atmospheric once the sun goes down.

And as no one's... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 6:34 AM on September 6, 2006

When we moved back to London from the USA, I packed up loads of shoe boxes with books and similar items and shipped them through the normal post. Books can be sent at a special 'printed matter' rate and that ended up being the most cost effective way for us. Some packages took ages to reach us though, surface mail being what it is.

I agree with k8t though. If it's a temporary move bring as little as possible. You can beg/borrow/steal the rest.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:02 AM on August 3, 2006

Candide - Voltaire

It truly is the best of all possible books.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 6:04 AM on July 21, 2006

Lived, but didn't work, in the US (Berkeley, CA) for a year and a half. Now back in the UK (London).

I can't believe no one's mentioned climate. As in the weather! Big plus in the US column if you're thinking of San Francisco.

Workwise, as people have mentioned, you'll get more breaks in the UK. And although London is horrendously expensive, it's not actually that far ahead of San Francisco or New York in my experience.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:34 AM on July 11, 2006

Take her for a cocktail at Harry Denton's Starlight Room. I recommend a Cable Car.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 7:11 AM on July 5, 2006

Unless things have deteriorated significantly in the year and a half since I moved back to London, you should be able to walk without a problem.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 3:22 AM on June 11, 2006

UK:
Old Speckled Hen
Marston's Pedigree
Charles Wells Bombardier
Pig's Ear
Bathams

USA:
Full Sail Pale Ale
Sunspot Gold (served at Jupiter in Berkeley, CA)
Blue Heron (I think)

This is a far from complete list, but I should point out that as a UK beer lover I was exceedingly pleasantly surprised by the quality of beer I got to drink while living in California.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:38 AM on May 24, 2006

Carter Beats the Devil.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 12:41 AM on May 14, 2006

All mentioned before, but just to reinforce them...

Father Ted
Spaced
Nighty Night
League of Gentlemen
Peep Show
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:16 AM on April 18, 2006

selton's right. 'Keepers always used to wear solid green. However, in these days of fast changing kits and even faster changing sponsors, pretty much anything goes for a goalie. There have been some really bad ones.

And no discussion on goalkeepers is complete without this [wmv file]. God I love that goal.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 12:58 PM on March 17, 2006

Just like to raise a word against using NTL. For anything.

And make sure you stay North of the River
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 8:07 AM on March 16, 2006

This is just raunchy, rather than offensive I'm afraid.

On preview: This is a bit lame.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 12:04 PM on March 15, 2006

What does 'never officially went out' mean? There was obviously something there. I'd question S's motives for getting in touch with you out of the blue. She could probably guess J wasn't going to like it. I'd step away from it. Save your friendship and find yourself a nice New York lassie.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 9:33 AM on January 8, 2006

Have to go with the current consensus. When I was truly unhappy with my job, I quit. I'd tried talking to the boss, but he was, how should I put this, a little set in his ways. Anyway, I gave in my notice and started searching for a company that I felt I would enjoy working for. Turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 9:56 AM on January 7, 2005

First up I would suggest flat hunting in Loot. If you can avoid going through an agency then do. It'll be cheaper.

If you know anyone currently based in London, then it's probably worth heading down for a couple of days to check out areas to live and maybe to look at a couple of flats/houses. Having a base there would be really handy.

Start looking for a 'Real Job' as soon as you can, but make sure you can provide prospective employers with a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 11:16 PM on December 30, 2004

Jonathan Richman, with or without the Modern Lovers.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 9:56 AM on December 21, 2004

Can't find a link to the actual song, but the lyrics to Keep Right On are pretty uplifting.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:18 AM on December 3, 2004

Erm, the song is actually called 'End of the Road'. There's a perfectly good explanation as to why I dubbed it 'Keep Right On', but I won't bore you with that here.
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:20 AM on December 3, 2004

Is Elmo emo?
posted to Ask Metafilter by MrMustard at 5:34 AM on November 26, 2004