Tomm

Nooooo, you're so wrong! It's an acquired taste for sure but Sushi is possibly my favourite food. In Vancouver where I stayed for a little while, everyone eats Sushi all the time - it's like the equivalent of going to a curry house or a chippy, I.e. it can be dirt cheap (or expensive) and you can have it as a snack/takeaway/eat in. I was unconvinced when I went there but after a few weeks I was wondering when I was next going to get it. Everyone jumps straight to the raw tuna fish thing (although technically this is Sashimi) but Sushi is so much more varied than that. There are versions with prawns, crab, octopus, cucumber, avocado, tofu, yam (mmmmm). Dammit you're making me hungry and there's nowhere around here that does good sushi Ha, thanks for the offer but it's OK. Although if you are in there, find out where they get them from!

There's no real difference. It's slightly easier to get rims in 32h and it's what most people use so I'd stick to that. I'm fairly sure the Pro 2 can come in either 32h or 36h, but 32h is again probably more common. lol, it's not like it's a racist term like calling them "chink frames" or something! There's a guy called Deng who owns basically all the Chinese trials brands (Echo, Zoo, Adamant, Gu etc).

What they are talking about is on a higher level to anything I'd really envisaged before, so I may be getting this a bit worng. However, I don't think Hawkins is contradicting himself. Point 1: Our scientific "rules" and theories are based on observations of what happens within our universe. We don't have any idea what's outside of that - so it's inappropriate to extrapolate and assume that our laws of physics would apply outside of the universe. Matter cannot be created or destroyed - that's a fundamental law of our universe, yes. Even Christians don't argue with that one. But does it apply outside of the universe? If you believe in creationism, God "created" matter, right? Whichever side of the fence you sit on, you need an explanation for the creation of matter. Point 2: Hawkins talks of a 4 dimensional hypersphere which contains the universe. The 4th dimension being time. Our whole concept of time is based on observations we've seen and is entirely enclosed within this hypersphere. What existed before the hypersphere? There is no "before" the creation of the hypersphere because the word "before" implies a timeline, which we have already said is enclosed entirely within the sphere. If there is no "before", there is no start. If there is no start, there is no creation. Although to be fair, the guy makes some very interesting points. He has clearly thought about this and his argument is more substantial than "But I have faith!"

(Uh, you know that's a video with the audio track swapped for DnB, right? )

Wasabi nuts are the best snack... Ever! Can you get them in this country?

Ken Block knows how to have fun. There's a section in a DC snowboard film of his place - I'm not sure where it is exactly but he's basically got a massive snowboard park as his back garden, plus a garage full of rude cars / pickups / MX bikes / snowmobiles. And clearly bored by all the snowboarding with pro riders, he takes the Impreza out around the park, launching himself off some insane jumps. Hero. Thanks for posting this video, hadn't seen it before

Good use of English pedantry, Polish-boy

I'm not familiar with that hub, and you can't exactly see from the picture, but yeah you'll be able to replace the axle if that's the only bit that's broken. You will have difficulty buying an axle specifically for a Viz hub, but there's a chance it might just be a standard axle, the same as another hub. Go to your LBS and see what they say. The other option would be to have an axle machined for you by an engineering firm. Shouldn't be too hard for them at all. This would definitely work out cheaper than getting a new hub and wheel build.

I need to be more patient I guess. There are a few on eBay that look nice but I would be really worried about dropping that amount of cash on something that I don't know a huge amount about. At least if it's new or through a shop you'd have some kind of warranty. Thank you for looking anyway Anyone know what is the difference between a Classic and Standard LP? I presume the Standard is going to hold value a bit better?

Yeah, you're probably right. I've heard a lot about counterfeit LPs though, and also people replacing the pickups for cheaper ones. Hrmm. From what I've read, the quality control on the Studios is not as good as on the standard ones, so if I was going to buy a Studio I'd probably buy from a real world shop and examine it/play it beforehand. What I really want though is a shop in the North West with a 2nd hand Les Paul standard in good condition in Wine Red. I don't think that's too much to ask?

Although giraffes might be able to poke their head up and breathe better than a zebra

SG standard They're exactly the type of thing I'm looking for, except in the wrong part of the country Are those shops you knew about? I'm struggling to find anything via google, just wondered how you knew about them?

But this is the flying spaghetti monster theory. I tell you that all life's mysteries can be explained by a flying spaghetti bolognese with eyes - have faith! Hail FSM! With no actual evidence pointing you towards believing in FSM or something (*anything*) else, you wouldn't take me on my word. I can't speak for Dave but I find it bizarre that people blindly following something despite a lack of evidence. Whether or not you believe in some higher power or not, current major religions don't really make sense in today's world. Perhaps the bible was created as a way of explaining unknown phenomena (explaining the metaphysical in terms of the physical) in light of poor understanding, but it's no longer appropriate because our understanding of the world has developed leaps and bounds. That said, I'm also sure the bible is not meant to be read and taken literally. It teaches messages and principles in a language that people 2000 years ago could understand - there's not a whole lot wrong with that IMO. It's just that some people seem to take it completely literally and that causes trouble. There are stupid people in all walks of life that will blindly believe anything, it's not exclusive to Christianity.

Uh, no, the shipping forecast is definitely real. My Dad actually listens intently and gets angry if anyone interrupts him

I'm after some advice on buying a Les Paul - I'm hoping TF has all the answers as usual... Basically I've always wanted a Gibson Les Paul, and now I have some cash to buy one. I'm sure a lot of people will recommend other guitars, but I'm really not that interested, pretty much got my heart set on a LP. That said, I don't actually know that much about them. I play my guitar quite a bit, and have done for a while but I've never been that into looking at different guitars online etc like I know a lot of people do. I have about £1000 to spend, of course I'd rather spend less if possible. This means I can either buy a new Les Paul Studio, or try and find a second hand Les Paul Standard. Obviously if I bought new, I would have a better choice, but it would lose value immediately. I'm not looking for a guitar to keep for a few months and sell on, this one is going to be a keeper for sure, but I would definitely consider a second hand standard. They're just pretty difficult to find online. For what it's worth, I play my guitar on my own, for myself. I have no aspirations of gigging or recording, I just love playing. I'm also fairly reluctant to buy a guitar without playing it - I love playing my Strat but I've played others (more expensive ones!) that didn't feel half as nice so ideally I'd find a shop to go and have a play before parting with my cash - I'm in Manchester. So does anyone have any recommendations for second hand shops online (or near Manchester) for guitars? I'm trying to avoid eBay really. I'd also like to hear from anyone who has played both a LP standard and the Studio version (I've played a Studio LP before, but never a Standard one as far as I know) and just anyone that has advice/buying tips/what to avoid etc.

I hate the now show with a passion. Not just because it's usually very unfunny and way too try-hard, but because it displaces the best thing on radio 4 (The NewsQuiz) from the schedule. Although I am enjoying the concept of discussing radio 4 shows on TF

I don't think you're really answering too many of the questions. If you don't mind, I'll try and pin you down on a few key points... I don't think you understand the process of natural selection. Please tell me which are the bits you don't agree with. People have different genetic makeup (because of randomness of mating, of chromosomes splitting, and genetic mutations), therefore some individuals have traits that make them function differently to others. If this difference infers a survival advantage, these individuals will live longer and (crucially) will be able to mate and therefore pass on their genetic information. The people who don't have this particular trait will be at a survival disadvantage and won't pass it on. However, once the individual has passed the age at which they pass on their genetic information (E.g. aged 40, ish for most humans), evolution doesn't care what happens to them*. If they have a genetic disease (or propensity to develop a disease) that will affect them after the age of 40, there is nothing in the theory of evolution that says states that this disease won't be passed on. The fact that people are dying from these chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer) that affect them primarily after their childbearing years is actually supportive of an evolutionary basis for disease. So... What is your thinking? You must have an explanation as to why you think these things happen? I strongly believe it's coincidence, but you say it's not? How can you be so sure without offering any kind of alternate hypothesis? Your question doesn't really make sense, but at least you're starting to question something. Although the way you're asking it kinda seems like you think it's a rhetorical question. But let me explain. Evolution happens over millions (and billions!) of years - a timescale that may be difficult to comprehend if your belief is that the earth is 6000 years old. It doesn't happen overnight, so humans probably aren't going to survive if the world changes that drastically that quickly - there are many other (sea) creatures that would be much better suited to a life in the oceans. That would be natural selection right there, humans would die out. We (as a species) are very specialised for life on dry ground. As far as I know, there's no real evidence in any animal to show evolution going "backwards" - I.e. from a specialised air-breathing state to an amphibious state. But that's OK, because life doesn't need evolution to go backwards. Sure, it would suck for humans as a species (We'd be dead), but life would go on. With a huge shift in the earth's environment, many current species would die out and new ones would evolve and fill the new niches that develop. Also, what is God's stance on pornography? Real hardcore stuff I mean. I'm just curious and I thought I would give you a break from the evolution pop-quiz. *Technically, you might argue that it's a good idea to stay alive long enough to make sure you can look after your offspring until they can cope on their own. Therefore the cut-off might not be age 40 as I said, perhaps 55 ish.

But they're white, right? There are a lot of legal immigrants from india/pakistan/bangladesh/poland etc. How do you feel about them? Actually don't answer that, because that's not what this thread is about. I voted, I'm not sure why because I didn't know enough about any of them. But at least I'm doing my thing for the democratic process It looks like labour are getting pwned though.

The alternative view is that we absolutely could come up with the idea of God to explain things that we don't understand, or simply as a concoction to control a growing population. "If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him." (Voltaire). To me, the idea of a bunch of humans dreaming up a God and creating the bible just seems so much more likely than the idea that there is an all-powerful being out there who beamed his thoughts down to earth into Moses' mind etc. Nowadays we have who believe they are being spoken to by God and we give them medicine and they get better. In the past, perhaps these people were given a bit more credence (again, because we didn't have such a good understanding of the world and mental illnesses). Don't get me wrong, I know the bible isn't meant to be taken exactly as read. My post was perhaps a little sarcastic, but to me it's just so bizarre that people would believe these things. Anyway, I know I'm happy with my views, and it seems like you are too (although the parties and girls did sound pretty sweet!), so it's all good.

No, it's f**ked. Keep it if you want, but selling it would be really harsh, even if you somehow did straighten it.

I don't know anyone that uses a tensiometer for building wheels. Except for maybe Fatpants, but then he does have a Cytech level 1 mechanic certificate Seriously, just do them up nice and tight so it feels like all your other non-f**ked wheels.

Videora is the one I've used in the past - Google it. Seems to work fine, although I'm sure there are plenty of other ones available. You can convert most things in iTunes itself (Drag the video into iTunes, then right click the video, convert for ipod I think) but it's really slow doing it that way on my computer.

Parlez-vous français? I'd like to go to French canada, I think it would be funny. Think it would be funny. I'm sure you'll have fun though. I've just got back from Vancouver which is an awesome city but it's not exactly close to Montreal and they are supposed to be quite different.

You're right of course - I remember it now. Martyn's got an ace laughing accent, not sure where it's from. It's been a while since I watched Chainspotting, that's for sure. Didn't realise that both Martin Ashton and Hawzie had blasphemous parts in trials videos

Isn't that Hawzie in Evolve? He gets a proper funny look from Ryan Leech + Jeff Lenosky (who presumably are Christians?)