simple

different patterns on animals such as Zebras all come from the same gene

the variety of patterns are not produced by a library of different blueprints, but by the timing of activation during embryo development. By the same token, different growth rates among different types of Zebra also cause variations in the patterns (in either case the pattern is 'applied' to a more or less developed Zebra). deep simplicity indeed.

so, all you raw denim heads thinking carefully about the timing of that first wash... you're in good company

ah, angrypork -

whether you need a flash depends entirely on what you're planning to take pictures of. But probably best to start off without one, learn the basics of exposure, the creative capabilities of an SLR etc first.

Don't go digital. Learn the B/W process if you can. Im serious, you will thank me later for it. Try and find access to a local darkroom...just find something, someone, but please don't learn on a digital.

Carl, what's your reasoning here? Do you just think it's easier to pick up the nuances of photography through the manual process?

Did learn with B/W film myself. I guess it's good to be able to foucs on the pictures and not get bogged down in the IT side of things. And it makes you concentrate on getting the exposure/framing right first time.

But won't a point come when the only practical option is to go digital?

may as well go digital, if only because you can then experiment at will and take a million photos at no marginal cost

camera choice obviously depends on your budget, but for a digital SLR, you can't go wrong with either Canon or Nikon. The Canon 350D and Nikon D50/D70 are the entry level SLRs. always important to hold the camera before you buy - get something you like the feel of.

check out dpreview.com for more advice than you'll ever need

pass and move? sorry vicky, you'll have to explain that one to me

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most messenger work bags are made of heavy duty cordura like the jack spade greene street bags and are all very light. most will have velcro w/ buckles though, but i'm sure smaller companies like reload or baileyworks would make one without the velcro.

cheers. know of any close alternatives to the js greene st bags? Think I'm after that sort of satchel style rather than authentic messenger style. Something that'll pass at the office when it needs to...

the term manbag ain't well defined so difficult to answer to the original post, but any messenger shape bag big enough to carry an A4 notebook has to be safe.

incidentally, can any of you bag obsessors suggest something functional, light and hard wearing for less than $100 / £50? My old bag finally died the other day... took a look at the Frietag ones but would prefer something that at least feels like natural material. [Have read the Freitag/Baileys/Jack Spade post on here a while back - anything in the Jack Spade type shape but more practical looking? and velcro don't do it for me]

I'd second the David Mitchell recommendation for any of you Murakami/Coupland fans. Ghostwritten, Number 9 Dream and Cloud Atlas are all worthy of your time.

ah, come on, my memory can't be that bad - Kudamm is central (if Berlin is a cluster of loosley spread areas, it's within the cluster). I remember bussing and walking to a few places...

But I completely agree it's not an area for drinks/clubs/trendy stores. So yes, go East for that.

Stayed at Kudamm101 last year for a few nights. Would recommend it for the rooms (if you like modern functional design) and breakfast penthouse (nice start to the day).

Not the liveliest area, sure, but it's still central Berlin and not a long way home wherever you happen to head out...