Ian Mackay

ohhh yes

When I was 12, I had an English teacher who'd had a fascinating life - he'd been a diamond miner in South Africa, for example - and who had a real passion for his subject. He was probably the first person to make me realise that there were more ways to live than to go through school and university and get a job and so forth. Once a week he would take a lesson where he would just read aloud to us - usually American authors: Hemingway, Steinbeck, Harper Lee. I can hear his voice as I write this, putting on an American accent as Atticus Finch talks to his children. An amazing, inspiring man.

Film soundtracks - Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, Tron: Legacy, The Social Network. Maybe because the Oscars have just been and gone?

Reading dead-tree stuff. Maybe even outdoors!

I've got a bump on the back of my head from nearly cracking my skull open on a bit of tarmac whilst on holiday in Greece. Alcohol may have been a contributing factor…

Something like the ISO 216 & ISO 269 systems for paper sizes. Elegant but eminently practical. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_216

I don't think either of those are particularly sustainable options. I would prefer to have something I could use and maintain largely by myself.

If I'm only allowed one: Sabon by Jan Tschichold.

I'm OK for both just now, thanks.

I was born with it, I suppose. Like most people, I experience humour in the unexpected or incongruous but how funny I personally find something depends on how the specific context of that thing relates to my own knowledge and experiences. I particularly enjoy absurdity, flippancy, black humour, contextual humour and verbal humour.

Think of a better answer for this question in 10 years' time, because this one sucks.

Trick question. I don't believe in bears.

Yes, but I'm not sure it's mutual.

Nattō. I _really_ don't recommend it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natto

My local coffee shop does a lovely chicken, brie and cranberry number which I end up eating whenever I'm hungry and need lunch NOW. The bread is great, the salad is wonderfully fresh, it just _works_. The best sandwich I've had recently was at Peter's Yard: slow-roasted lamb, beetroot, gruyere and fennel on rye. Soooo gooood.