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We started watching Friday evening - managed two episodes a night and just watched the final episode. Breathtakingly beautiful, captures so many aspects of my life but through the eyes of five 18-year-olds moving to London in 1981 and living through the crisis. HBO picked up the rights in the states, supposedly already streaming in Australia... a preview video ... ... just make sure you have lots of tissues and a comfort animal nearby...

I don't recall who first said it - but humans need narrative, and humans are exceptional at finding patterns where there are none... as reality of infinite universe and random events have a way of messing up the day.... Anyone have a clue how to bribe the random gay sex fairy to improve ones chances ? Vodka martini's and boxes of chocolates left on the mantel mysteriously disappear overnight, and no trace of glitter left behind...

This was after her surgery which severely impacted her singing ability. At least a third if not half the venue walked out before interval. It was advertised as Julie singing her greatest hits, but was actually Julie singing the first line and then a quartet of backing singers kept the song going as she walked off stage for another costume change. Afterwards one reviewer said it would have been an incredible evening if she had dropped the backing singers and instead billed it as sing along with... and let the audience help her through the songs.

traveled Europe in my mid-30's following an itinerary put together by friends, the top two museums during that trip was Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, the experience was dramatically transformed with the audio guide/tour and Uffizi in Florence, (though I lost count after the thousandth Madonna con bambino)... but as I've aged I find myself returning again and again to the British Museum.

The worst? has to be "The Gift of Music: An Evening with Julie Andrews" at the O2 in London... went with a number of friends, half of us walked out at first interval, the remainder during first song after the interval. Much drinking followed in an attempt to erase what we had seen.

For those who have responded with lengthy open relationships; I'm now wondering if there is a common thread within our common experiences which made both long-term and open relationships work ? In my case - the relationship started as a tourist-visiting London one-night stand; evolved into email and long distance phone calls where we both opened up to each other about life changing events in our private lives - he was someone I could say anything to, and vice-versa. We honestly could not have been more different: introvert vs. extrovert, vanilla vs. leather/rubber, American vs. disliked Americans... we both believe if we had lived in the same city it would have stopped at one night... but for the open/honest communication before our relationship began... and now 26 years later... still introvert/extrovert, vanilla/so not vanilla, etc... but it works... in our case, communication, the first relationship where I really talked openly and honestly... in retrospect, what do you think has enabled your relationships to last so long ?

Thanks, I keep reminding him ? And congratulations as well to the two of you - it's quite an achievement! When I was single I thought long-term relationships extremely rare, but, since settling down I've found long stable relationships more the norm than exception (as we have quite a few friends who've been together over 20-years). I've googled, but cannot find originator of my favorite quote... but the one attributed to Jack Benny is probably closest "... I've been married for forty-seven years and not once have we had an argument serious enough to consider divorce; murder, yes, but divorce, never...."

My husband and I have been together 26 years - have had an open relationship from the start... I'm 60, he's 56; we met when I was in London on business. There was a fascinating book written in the early '90s called: The Male Couple - How Relationships Develop (McWhirter and Mattison). They followed all types of couples (young/old, young with old, same age, been together 1, 5, 10, 50 years), living together, living apart -- and from it deduced the various phases that relationships go through over time as each partner both assert their independence and then pull back together. I haven't read it for a long time; but certainly can now look back at both learning and unlearning skills the longer we're together. (he wouldn't recognize the dishwasher or washing machine if I glued flashing lights to them)... I'm not allowed to cook anything since an experimental beef stew with a dozen star anise cloves went horribly wrong 20 years ago.... From the start we were open and honest, the only rules were to try to avoid the same person more than three times, to always communicate if one of us was not showing up for dinner, and regardless of how late one of us were out the agreement was waking up next to the other the next morning. In my experience the open relationship was never an issue (and, to be honest, it was nice to be able to control the TV remote control on those rare nights).

Highly, highly recommended. I bought tickets for my husbands birthday when it opened in London... he likes to know the soundtrack before going, so we downloaded and listened a few times (actually a few dozen times bordering on looping it non-stop for six months). When the night arrived it was the best theater I've ever seen: the music, the staging, acting singing was riveting... was able to follow the brutally fast dialogue/rap without my brain melting.

As long as there's no mirror around I'm fairly certain I'm still in my mid 20's....

concur, this is absolutely brilliant advice. three years ago we had builders in; to shorten the build (from 12 to 7 months) we agreed to pack/store everything, and moved to a one bedroom apartment. like @MscleLovr advises, close friends also advised us to be ruthless; clothes and kitchen items not used in the past year went to charity... the futon in a guest bedroom we were going to replace some year - gone... three quarters of books collected since university (which I might reread some day) - all to charity... the most shocking find was six boxes in the attic containing toiletries, dishwasher/washing machine soap, and other cleaning supplies, which were accidentally put in the attic 20 years earlier when we bought the house... All in all we probably reduced possessions by half, repeated the process when we moved in, and haven't missed anything we gave away. honestly, we could and should have been more ruthless in the process. we kept two spiral notebooks to keep from being overwhelmed by the process... in one we wrote absolutely everything we needed to remember, key phone numbers, tasks, anything we needed to deal with - but without concern of order or priority. In the second one we wrote the 40-60 most important issues to deal with this week (two-page spread), and moved to the next two-page anything that could be pushed briefly into the future... crossing out anything we accomplished, and moving forward anything important for next week... crossing off items is extremely cathartic, and getting items out of our heads and onto paper (and yellow sticky notes), meant that even fleeting ideas could be tracked.

I want to also throw dental into the mix... (obviously not just a good dentist, but....) a few years back my dentist recommended switching from normal floss (string or tape) to Philips sonicare airfloss... it was a brilliant recommendation, a number of issues disappeared and haven't returned; I wish someone recommended this (or something like it) years earlier....

In London the next step is President Butter (French).... melted on toasted sour dough from Gails' bakery -- almost a substitute for sex....

https://www.webuyanyporn.com is a London company that will purchase old collections, but recent experience found other friends quite willing to help make items disappear when we had to quickly de-porn friends flats...

we started it last night - absolutely LOVE it, we've watched through episode five. It's set against the world of competitive chess, but it's more about how the young woman slowly fits into a man's world in the 60's and (at present) into her adopted family. I'm a geek and absolutely love some of the scenes precisely correcting placement of pieces, the high speed blurred play showing what's going on in her mind, and sleep scenes of playing games again and again...

Well, the weeks of comfort eating have taken their toll... I stood on the scales this morning, unaware that my husband walked up behind... only to hear him mutter "... that's it, we're back on the no-carb diet starting Monday...". I accept the fact that I can't be trusted if any flavor of Ben&Jerry's ice-cream is in the freezer (it calls to me at 3am)... I know that I'm going to start dreaming about pasta and lovely roast potatoes... and don't get me started on the fried rice... The last time we did this we followed recipes out of Tom Kerridge's Dopamine Diet book (and the follow-up whose name escapes me)... Besides a straight-jacket and heavy sedation - anyone have any other recommendations for sticking on a carb-free diet for long periods ?

Identical - we've asked her not to come since early March and have continued pay weekly. We talked to her over the weekend and said we're likely to continue this pattern until July...

I suspect others have asked similar, but cannot find appropriate threads.... Spending a lot more time on my iPhone the past few weeks; and find that using Safari (or chrome) for the forums, rentmen, sleepyboy, and, we’ll, porn, is a bit limiting... anyone have any apps to recommend??

Oh, no - living there would be a nightmare; 9 months of the year packed with tourists till all hours; very little green space, tourist restaurants... further afield (e.g., by the British Museum) or if of infinite wealth (Mayfair) would be better locations....

I was in Tokyo many years ago with work (we have an office there), and it was the most amazing and simultaneously most surreal place I've ever visited... and the place I'd most like to revisit... when some friends were planning to visit I asked our Tokyo team where they took out of town visitors, and they didn't disappoint... I've found the original mail -- hope this helps. Day trips from Tokyo, · Hike/onsen in Hakone with views of mount Fuji · Hiking and/or Temples in Nikko · Hiking in Karuizawa · Hiking from Mitake to Oku-tama (long hike and takes a while to get there, full day) · Temples in Kamakura Tokyo Restaurants Tokyo is not just about Japanese food, all food is amazing. Small Japanese restaurants often don’t have English menus and the staff don’t speak English. If you’re open to trying new things, then don’t let this scare you, just point at things on the menu and play pot luck. Many more restaurants to choose from with maps and descriptions in english on http://www.bento.com Some tips on food styles here http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/japanese-restaurants and here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_cuisine Gonpachi, Nishi-Azabu · English Menus. Nice restaurant, worth booking, the staff speak english. Famous as was the inspiration for Kill Bill set. Also has a good sushi restaurant on the top floor open very late. there is also one in Shibuya, but not as good · http://www.bento.com/rev/1735.html link to map on website Ahirusutoa, Shibuya · Restaurant own by a brother and Sister who are making everything, form Sausage to bread. This is only open at night and have only 10 seats. It was the restaurant next to where we lived and loved it. · http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1318/A131810/13051357/ Kaikaya, Shibuya · Great Fish restaurant. Noisy, good fun. Again english menus. http://www.bento.com/rev/0211.html link to map on website Fuku, Yoyogi-Uehara · Simply the best Yakitori in Town, book ahead and stuff your face with things on sticks fresh from the bbq. English menus available Toriyoshi, Nishi-Azabu · Yakitori restaurant (chicken and veg on sticks), no english and no booking, but you can point to things on the counter to order. Akanoren, Nishi Azabu · Great late night Ramen place, open until 3am. Don’t miss the Siu Gyoza (Water Dumplings) to go with your Ramen Bikkuri Sushi, Ebisu · Loud, bright, great value Sushi, no booking required. Always try to sit at the counter. Has menus with pictures, so you can point. The 5 kinds of tuna set is my personal favourite Gyoza Lou, Harajuku, http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/venue/12853/Harajuku-Gyoza-Lou · Dumplings, Beer, the cheapest meal in town. Long queues and no booking, but that’s part of the fun Kitchen 5, Nishi Azabu · The chef Kobayashi-san spends a couple of months a year travelling the world and the spends the whole day cooking an eclectic selection of recipes that she’s picked up along the way. ANA Hotel Teppanyaki Restaurant, Akasaka · Go at lunch time for good value set menus and a nice view from the 27th floor. Booking recommended Jumbo, Yakiniku, Shirokanedai · Excellent Korean BBQ, used to be a butcher’s shop and became a restaurant. Booking in advance essential New York Grill, Shinjuku · For a good view of Tokyo, the brunch at New York grill in the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku is good value with views from the 52nd floor over Tokyo. Booking essential. Was the hotel used in Lost in Translation. You can also upgrade to the Wagyu steak as a main course, but it’s not cheap Atelier De Joel Robuchon, Roppongi Hills · 2 star Michelin restaurant. They have these around the world but Tokyo is the best example. Dinner tasting menus are excellent and I love the counter seating and open kitchen Gordon Ramsey, Conrad Hotel Shiodome · Great Champagne Sunday brunch, haven’t checked current pricing Aux Bacchanales · Chain French bistro, with restaurants by the New Otani Hotel, in Ginza, Akasaka Ark Hills and a few others. Great Salad Nicoise, Steak Tartare and Frites. As much free bread as you can eat Bar Two Rooms · Nice place to enjoy a lovely cocktail with a beautiful view on Jinjuku · http://www.tworooms.jp/en/ Le Savoy, Azabu-Juban · Perfect Pizzas, they only make Margarita and Marinara, but they are really something else. Couldn’t find better in Napoli! Cave, Takadanobaba, · Great small counter restaurant with friendly staff serving excellent French food and lots of well-priced wines to match. A bit of the beaten track, but worth the trip for the atmosphere and the food. Don’t miss the escargot or the scallop risotto. · http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130503/13001030/ Parks + To Visit In Autumn, there are many lovely parks and gardens in Tokyo. Shinjuku Gyoen · Really beautiful gardens with loads of cherry trees short walk from Shinjuku station Yoyogi Park · Good spot to walk around on a sunny day. Nice colours in Autumn. Nice to enjoy as well on the Week end on the Harajuku gate the Elvis and the Rock and Roll. You need to go as well around Harajuku street to see what it’s look like. Really easy to work from there to Shibuya and even Shinjuku. From inside the park you can have a really nice view to Shinjuku Asakusa + Hakihabara · The first one is the temple area. You can have a great view on the Tokyo Sky Tree( never been). Near there on train you have as well Hakihabara which is the Otaku town. From electronic stuff to Made café. Worth trying it. Museums, Clubs and Events For nights out, museums and full event listings in Tokyo, check Metropolis magazine available at bookshops and some cafes and bars. It’s free and in English, also has a webpage at http://metropolis.co.jp/ Hotels Not really the experts here unfortunately. If anyone has found good deals they would like to share, then please send them on. · Lots of nice premium hotels, the Grand Hyatt and Ritz Carlton are conveniently placed in Roppongi. · Air BnB has extensive listings for Tokyo for whole apartment or shared lets. · Nice areas to stay are Roppongi, Shibuya for the younger crowd. Azabu-Juban, Meguro, Naka-Meguro and Daikanyama are more suburban but really nice with shops and restaurants Granbellhotel, multiple locations · there is 1 in shibuya, 1 in akasakamitsuke, 1 in shinjuku (shinjuku is in the back of kabukicho so maybe not really good area..) · its a boutique/business hotel compact but very comfortable and good price. · here is the link for shibuya one http://www.granbellhotel.jp/en/shibuya/ Tokyustay, Aoyama (Gaiename station) · We use it in my company when some guests are visiting our office and we don't want to spend too much money like hyatt or cellulian tower in shibuya.. · All the guest always seem to be happy and I think you can get good deals if you book in advance . http://www.tokyustay.co.jp/e/hotel/AO/ Rosegarden Hotel, Shinjuku. · My friends from Spain stayed before and they were happy because of the price and the location. · As a hotel is really a business hotel so not much to expect but the location. http://www.hotel-rosegarden.jp/global-menu.html

My baby sister has been a firm believer in edibles for years, carefully making magical butter from which she bakes chocolate cookies and magical brownies... its a real treat when we come over to the states and spend time out on the farm, especially when there are puppies (chocolate and yellow labs)... I have to keep reminding myself I'm not used to it in this form, and it takes about an hour or so from consuming until the high kicks in... and though she can quite easily eat a whole cookie and get on with her day, something between an eighth and a quarter will leave me incapacited. A friend who lives in Amsterdam loves to tell stories about Brits visiting, over-indulging edibles, and spending the remainder of the weekend sleeping it off in the loo. @harlow - I guess my points being, (1) I have fond memories of my first time, thus am a bit jealous, and (2) like renting an escort, you rarely start with the 12 inch... start slow, save a few inches for next weekend... enjoy and report back :-)

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Had an umbilical hernia repair when I was 21, flying from Houston to Long Island for the op. My Dad (who worked in that hospital) arranged for specific surgeon and nursing staff to watch over me. No one bothered to tell me that pre-op included being shaved from chest down to the knees and everything between... by a stunning, lanky mid 30's orderly... with lots of lather... at the time I was quite closeted and used every trick I could think of to avoid the inevitable... To add insult to injury my then boyfriend at the time (in Houston) sent me a bouquet of tropic flowers, quite heavy on anthuriums, somewhat anonymously... and I had to explain to the parents they came from everyone at work as a get-well present... post surgery healing went quite well in Houston.... Many decades later I now realize why Latin American orderlies are quite my type in certain situations...

Apologies for geeking for a moment, there are a few, but I think you're thinking of "The Internet Archive", here: https://web.archive.org A good test is to put the URL of your favorite news site (e.g., www.guardian.co.uk) and then pick a date in the past. The archive appears to snapshot multiple times per day.

London - no problems on DLR or underground... a number of the overground and underground trains have been replaced with long articulated cars - where you can walk from one end of the train to the other, thus will never feel trapped.