Yes, but in the US there is Cobra, so you get to pay a huge amount of money to have health insurance while you are unemployed! Awesome!

First it is a 'safety hammer' then it is 'nothammer'. Can't you people make up your minds?!

Ha, ha - yes - the way I heard it was that 'hire at will' protects both the employer and the employee! As if to reassure the working stiffs that they are neither slaves nor indentured servants and can work for whom ever they please. Job security my arse!

And then there are those of us who don't like ale at all - especially American ale. This country is still 'in recovery' from prohibition when it comes to beer, IMHO.

Steady on old chap. Here: your 3,251st and last beverage. After that, be on your way home.

Sorry, not enough. Looks like I'll just die at the same age as someone who doesn't drink at all.

I think he has already had his moderate allowance of 3,250 pints, don't you? Perhaps a couple of thousand pots of coffee and a walk around the world would do him the world of good.

I see you have had the 3,250 pints already, but somehow it has not boosted your brain function. So, you are not a mouse - but a man?

a hogshead? a jeroboam? I don't know.

Well there you go. The boiling part is the problem as you found to your understandable distaste. About 10 minutes in shallow briskly boiling water should work better for you. No one likes green nasty sludge especially when you are told against all empirical evidence, that 'it's good for you'.

If you have not read the book, then do not comment on it. The film was garbage and an insult to the book. Read the book and then feel free to comment.

What country? I bought a copy in the US no problem. The big problem was trying to read the damn thing. So...very...dull

I disagree. I like the Subtle Knife a lot. Sure, a lot of the concepts are a bit fuzzy and inchoate and it doesn't end terribly well, but for writing style, overall concept, characters etc. I think there is not much that compares to these books.

I'm on my third reading. First time reading aloud to my older son, then aged five - he loved it. Second time just for myself. Enjoyable, but more fun to read it aloud. This time, reading to my younger son aged 6. He is loving it too.

I have been able to explain a lot of wacko real life religious beliefs while reading about the wacko fictional religious beliefs in the books. Bonus!

And seriously (not directed at you) if religious people feel threatened by books such as these, then their religion is not worth their wasted effort believing in it.

It is not wrapped in a 'candy coating' and that is one of the really good things about it. It is gritty and thought provoking. Have you read it? Or are you speaking like so many of your religious ilk from the propaganda of your church? Can you think for yourself? I think not from reading your comments. they do not belong here, in my opinion. I suppose the Life of Brian is a blasphemous film? I need to get out of this thread as you are making this atheist into an antitheist which I generally try not to be.

My attempt to read it ended quickly. Just...so...boring...but still a pity that he didn't stick at the painting or the writing full time. Might have turned out better for an awful lot of people.