The Banter Thread / Banter Topic / Sean Bean

[Big Seany]

Yes, classic Simpsons episode. I still enormo-lol at the bit which ends in the Captain saying "Have you got any spare change?"

[funkydan]

Sounds like it should be a sketch from Big Train - set in an office with some new guy starting and it turns out he's a giant crab who doesn't get on with anyone and everyone else in the office winds him up and takes the piss out of him! hahaha - stupid crab people (like in South Park). Love that ep when they're trying to out-do Craigs video about cats and dogs in amusing hats and Cartman says: "I'm just saying....we still have crab people!"

[fuse]

Anyone have any experience with market research firms?

One's e-mailed me today, looks genuine enough, and although they've not named where they got my info from, them saying "a major online payment intermediary" has made me think it's to do with Paypal. It's a 90 minute informal discussion group, with a £50 honorarium for participants to "thank them for their time and opinions, and as an incentive to attend".

[VR46]

Wife went to a few coffee/food/chocolate tasting, discussion groups many years ago, money was very good for the actual amount of time she was there.

[Rossco]

I've done one once as my mates aunt was working for them or something, got 3 pints of Magners I think it was and paid £20. Nice warm up for the night ahead!

But I'd always be weary of online stuff like that.

[^Katsu]

Anyone have any experience with market research firms?

One's e-mailed me today, looks genuine enough, and although they've not named where they got my info from, them saying "a major online payment intermediary" has made me think it's to do with Paypal. It's a 90 minute informal discussion group, with a ?50 honorarium for participants to "thank them for their time and opinions, and as an incentive to attend".

They should state where they found you, who they are and where they are from... Sounds sus tbh

[fuse]

The guys who have contacted me have been forward about who they are - London Focus (http://www.thefocusnetwork.com/) - just have not said specifically which company has hired them to do their research. The e-mail said if they don't get a response in a few days they will try to call me, but might try dropping them an e-mail first.

[Spatial]

Why is it that I'm finding the spam emails I'm getting are better written / worded than the replies I'm getting from online shops for queries about my orders?

[VR46]

http://kotaku.com/397911/dualshock-3-and-xbox-360-frankencontrollers

How I would love to be able to use a 360 shaped pad on the PS3

[TommyG]

Massive w00t!

Finished my exams!

Off to Gordan Ramseys Claridges in London with my girlfriend for some food today, then back home to see friends and family in sunny Blackburn. Then seeing Jack Johnson on Monday evening in Manchester, then flying to Barbados for 5 weeks!!!!!!

MASSIVE w00t!!!!!!

[VR46]

Crikey, talk about celebrate in style enjoy yourself.

[Rossco]

Too true, that is a MASSIVE w00t! indeed! Enjoy!

[Big Seany]

Tommy - I would love it if you could provide us with a report on your meal at Claridges. Like, what you had, what the service was like, etc. I have never been, am genuinely interested. Don't report back from Barbados though, that will make me jealous to the point of red mist!

[Sarkster]

On a food tip. I ate at Raymond Blancs restaurant last week. Le Manoir au quat saison in Oxford, or something.

Was ok.

[Big Seany]

Blanc has just opened a restaurant up the road in Winchester. I must get around to going to the Fat Duck at some stage too, might suprise the missus for her birthday this year.