Astrophysics and science geekery

(1) I'm doing some research into story ideas, and I'm looking at the whole big bounce -- the idea that there was a universe that existed before ours. Anyone have opinions, thoughts, information, etc. on this? I'm going to go dig around now...

(2) Still looking for fun and silly science and tech questions! Some of the ones you guys submitted made it onto my list, and some of those made it onto my editors list, so hopefully some of them will get answered by one of our experts!

London Areas

*sigh* finding lodging in London that doesn't suck is hard.

My London

* The B&B in the lower right corner, which is 0.7 km from Lee BR in Zone 3, is only £25, available through May 30.
* The B&B in the west end, which is 0.7 km from Boston Manor in Zone 4, is only £30, available for my whole visit.
* Park House Women's Hostel is near Earl's Court, and on weekdays it is only £36 (weekends it goes up to £42).
* Macdonald House, the only remaining one that hasn't told me if they are available, is £135 for the first four nights, and then £33/night therafter, and it is right next to Kings Cross St Pancras.

I'm wondering how crappy the commute from either of the first two would be. Anyone have any wisdom or thoughts?

UK folks: London May 30 and 31

OK, push has come to shove and I need to decide if I'm hanging around London or heading off to Birmingham for gaming geekery.

Is anything interesting going on in London that weekend that I'd be invited to?

Decisions are way harder than they should be. :(