KimyReizeger

I agree with Rathen in saying I'd be less inclined to vote tactically under AV and would likely put a small party as my 1st preference with a main party as my 2nd preference. As I understand it, this is a step towards a system of proportional representation. The advert for the 'No' campaign was embarrassing and insulting too. 'laaake, If am in tha bettin' shop, an a put a bet on a horse which cums last, ah win? dat ain't right!' (or something to that effect).

Duncan Bannatyne: "So what have you got that others haven't; why should I invest in you? John W: Cheese and onion toasties...IN THE EVENING!

My word....

Your idea reminds me of The Bassment on Byers Road. Every weekend they used to have a DJ playing awesome music of a reggae / hip-hop / funk sort. It was all pretty low-key, in that you could still hold a conversation, but it wasn't like they were playing 'background music' - people were there to enjoy listening. Used to love that place and it was always packed.

Sounds like a fairly standard coffee shop. Do you think you could compete with Starbucks, Nero, Delibites, the music hall, Greggs? Maybe your 'angle' could be a dynamic and innovative approach to music. You could use your networking skills to have regular nights with good musicians. Beans coffee shop used to have jazz every weekend with decent musicians like Simon Gall et al, though I'm not sure how successful it was in the long run. Ultimately, good musicians will want to play to a crowd and not just the owner and three mates. Promoting music, I believe, is an arduous task.

In theory I would always like the idea of an independent cafe in my area. However, I would think that Kilau has nailed the market in cosy, 'alternative' coffee shops in Aberdeen. Otherwise I can't imagine the daytime, nine-to-five crowd being particularly interested in shoegaze music over lunch, particularly given their inherent preference for branded coffee outlets. To capture them you'd need to offer something truly different and innovative in terms of food and drink. Musically,how many acoustic performers in Aberdeen draw crowds? Few, in my experience. Without saying it's not possible, I think it would be very expensive to get right given the amount of competition around. Has anyone else noticed 'Sunshine Cafe' on George Street or 'Ruby Cafe' on King Street?

I saw this in a newspaper and thought it was really good. Two boys in the Gorbals. This is one of my favourites that I have taken:

Thanks for the advice. I will look into these places. The max I'd spend I suppose would be around 1000. However, if the right guitar came along I just don't know what I'd do on the day! I was in RnB on the weekend and tried a whole bunch, none of which really tickled me. At the moment I play a nylon string with a K&K pickup that I put in myself. The problem is that it doesn't transmit very well on stage. So I want a guitar that sounds great amplified. Just not sure whether to move over to steel string or not. I remember playing a 600 Yamaha nylon string in Celtic Chords which pretty much remains my benchmark at the moment.

Just a shame the whole market around it smells of boiled vegetables and drool.

I suppose, to further the argument a little, banning prisoners from voting acts as a very poor deterrent as few prisoners are of the mindset to exercise voting rights anyway (and therefore wouldn't necessarily view the loss of voting rights as a very tough punishment). Why then do we have such an issue with allowing prisoners to vote? They are part of society and this is a democracy.

Voting / political involvement could play a part in the rehabilitation of an offender - they could be encouraged to 'join in'.

Does anyone have any knowledge of acoustic guitar outlets in this country? Any recommendations? Wide selection and specialisation being the key here - I'm looking for a high quality electro-acoustic.

Nice to see some tries at least. Scotland did well to come back into it after very early blows and a frighteningly effective French scrum.

This country has poured money into education. Perhaps one reason we lag behind in international tables is the devalued role of the scoolteacher - talented people are put off going into teaching by the low entry requirements.

Really we should look to writers, philosophers and so forth for moral guidance in the secular age. Someone like Alan Moore (as mentioned in the comic book thread) presents valuable moral lessons and tools for life, as do, for example, Solzhenitsyn, Dickens and Orwell.

Well, it's a little better than Jeremy Kyle anyway.

Where do you look for moral guidance?

With ceremonies I was really referring to things like funerals, weddings, baptisms and christmas. By 'infrastructure...' I mean that religions have the apparatus upon which to reflect upon life in a deep and comprehensive fashion. Secular life perhaps lacks something comparable.

I'm sorry that my remark came across as overly pious. I had the idea that you had been finding some value speaking with these people. I also intended to link this notion with a broader idea that believers are often more attuned to ethical issues / general debate than the average non-believer. I too have had really good conversations with believers, who frequently have more developed and considered opinions on a range of subjects than many non-believers. This doesn't account for the substance of their arguments, merely that they possess a stance. The point you make, 'who sets the benchmark for global respect' is really apt and I think that believers have a greater infrastructure upon which to base moral choices or life decisions. They have leaders to teach them and fellow believers to consult. Their holy books contain moral guidance and valuable life support. Their traditions and ceremonies seem to contain a real reverence and respect for life itself. Where do non-believers obtain a similar service? At what point are non-believers encouraged to think deeply about life? There are few places more suited to contemplation than a church.

Nice that you invited them into your home and gave them the respect all humans deserve.

Just a Minute is good. Pre-dates and excels over the dearth of godawful panel shows currently out there.

There are aspects of religion which are hugely positive: Moderate religion encourages people to consider their actions and pertain towards a moral life. Perhaps the reason that Zeromisery enjoys speaking with Jehova Witnesses is because they represent an arena in which ethical issues can be discussed, an arena sometimes lacking in secular life (or perhaps hidden behind ivory towers). I think KarmaTsunami may have touched upon something similar in saying that she 'could' find something - something meaningful - in religion. Where in modern life would a deepness of meaning comparable to that expressed in the bible be found? In money? Television? A new car?

Cool, just got it in the post today I was really disappointed at the film version of 'V'. As it turns out, Alan Moore had no input into it and takes no royalties from any films made from his comics. Will Eisner and Joe Sacco are great for anyone who struggles with the superhero side of comics.

V for Vendetta and Watchmen may be worth a look. The films really don't do them any justice whatsoever, particularly the V for Vendetta one, which is really, really bad.

If it's a legitimate protest, why are you worried about anonymity?