h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Is that "Puttin' on the Ritz" I hear in the background? The original--*not* that Taco remake? Super duper!

Thanks FG, I had to fire up my winamp to listen to a different version of that song. Mine is by Wolfgang Parker.

Look at this! I've never seen a finer looking group. You see Houndstooth, you fit right in in your tuxedo and cape.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I got carried away with the cooking. I'm afraid that there isn't a table in the dining hall large enough for the food, so I have taken the liberty to remove all of the furniture in the lounge and have set up in there. You can give your orders to Houndstooth and he or one of the serverbots will bring you selections to you. Or you can go in there and help yourselves.

In addition to all of the dishes mentioned earlier, you will find a whole calf roasted Texas style, a whole hog that I wrapped in banana leaves, buried in a pit and covered with live coals Mayan style, several dozen whole Maine lobsters and a 127 item salad bar.

Now, if you'll step aside please, Houndstooth will wheel in the cake. It has four tiers in honor of the Atelier's Fourth Anniversary. If you look closely you will find small figures of yourselves crafted from spun sugar decorating the cake. So if you notice an ant, don't panic. Just leave it alone. The figure on top wearing an artist's smock is of course Lil. I have selected an Italian cream cake filled with coconut and walnuts and topped with cream cheese frosting.

If I may I would like to propose a toast. May we always be fortunate enough to find here reasoned discussion, sage advise, a sympathetic ear and the company of caring friends. To Lil and the Atelier.

Thanks Wolfgang. I hate to be a bother, but does anyone have an epi-pen? That cake looks divine, but I'm afraid I'm allergic to coconut...

Happy Birthday everyone!

*heads to the salad bar with a baker's torch in his hand, an evil glint in his eye, and cilantro on his mind*

Bryce has recovered an interesting book from the girlfriend of our slumlord. It is a book published in 1918 for American Soldiers that contains phrases in other languages, map markings for other countries, rank insignia etc.

I am going to read through this and then protect it.

http://marvthegrate.afraid.org/pics/war%20book/
Sorry about the quality, I took the pics in a hurry.

Affy, look at that! Ivan has invented backlog-leaping boots! Now everyone will be wanting a pair. Mind you, I don't know how the rest of you girls can wear stilettos. *pulls up her long dress just enough to display a pair of Ecco sandals*

Wolfgang, I'll join you in that toast *holding up * To the past, present and future! To absent researchers and future researchers! To better living through techno-magic! To us!

*quaffs her and holds the glass out for a refill* I think I will require everyone to give a toast in turn.

The cake is just gorgeous, and I'm not allergic to anything you've put in it. Houndstooth, be a dear and repeat the menu, would you? I can't remember what all there was, and as hostess I really ought to stay here, especially as I plan to get rather tipsy.

To backlog-leaping boots!

A toast to you, my friends.

You've helped me through bad times, celebrated through good.
A salve are your words saying what I never could

A bastion of wit in a sea of nonsense
The days spent here laughing I can not recompense

May old friends be remembered as new ones we meet
And lurker come forth as you all shall we greet

The knowledge we gain helps us all become wise
Even if some is by proxy as seen by child eyes

Four years have we been here, and many more to come
Adventure awaits us anywhere it comes from.

That was a nice poem, Marv...

Sorry I'm dressed so informally for the occasion - I'm dressed in a large green poncho and a floppy straw hat. Good for gardening, not so good for these haute cuisine moments. However, any food I spill on myself can be hosed off later, and the floppy straw hat is good for batting people's hands away from my plate.

Since I'm the keeper of non-sequiturs, this seems like a good moment for one (any moment is a good one for a non-sequitur!) My husband plays in a Celtic band, and the lead singer has to frequently admonish the audience: "Those of you wearing kilts in the front row, please remember - knees together!"

Nice one, Marv.

Will my grading never end?!

To Lil and the Atelier

Oh

my

good

goddess!

Will *somebody* please get Greensleeves away from that mike? She is *far* to oiled to sing "Putting on the Ritz"!

{B4 enters the Atelier while the show tune still fills the air. A spotlight picks him up as he steps in, glinting off his white tux-and-tails combo. His top hat glistens with a dusting of sparkles; his coat and pants are trimmed with a satin line and edging. Even his patent leather shoes gleam under the rays of the arc light. His gait is supple and he melds his step into the rhythm of the music, picking up his pace and making very deliberate movements. He grins over at the fabulously attired hostess, Lil, and winks jovially at her.}

[He glides out onto the open floor of the Salon and begins to sing along with the tune as it swells in volume.]
Have you seen [flat salute while scanning the audience]
the well-to-do [chest puffed out, hands on waistcoat]
up and down Park Avenue [slide stage left, slide stage right, arms swing opposite movement]
On that famous thoroughfare [pantomimes driving a Model T]
with their noses in the air [mimics and struts with ‘regal’ grace]
[tosses top hat] High hats [and catches it]
and Arrow collars, [lets it roll to his shoulder, then flips it back to his crown]
white spats [taps uplifted shoe with cane] and lots of dollars
Spending every dime [rifling through bills and disbursing]
for a wonderful time [flings them into the air, head whips back in laughter]

[B4 does a swift tap to where MR is standing, bends at the waist, takes one of her hands in his]
If you're blue [sweeping gesture with free hand to indicate her dress]
and you don't know where to go to [free hand circles upward, points to his temple]
Why don't you go [holds MR’s hand high and begins to step-tap-step with her]
where fashion sits [stops and seats himself in mid-air, as if at a café table; oddly, MR is able to do the same]
Puttin' on the ritz. [while order from an invisible menu]

[Here he slides off the unseen chair, out from under the invisible table, and stands briskly]
Diff'rent types [snaps head side-to-side, to each shoulder]
who wear a day coat, [points and grips watch chain]
pants with stripes [drops hand to trace line of trouser leg as he steps forward]
And cutaway coat, perfect fits [spins round twice, cane clutched to chest]
Puttin' on the ritz! [plants feet solidly apart, arms spread wide, cane out]

[With great fervor, B4 does an agile slide step that moves him past Wolfgang and Sporky]
Strolling up the avenue so happy [slide-stepping all the way, tipping top hat]
All dressed up just like an English chappie [lightly taps Marv in the chest with the top hat, grinning and doubling back on his course]
Very snappy [taps floor with cane in time to music]

You'll declare [hand beside mouth]
it's simply "top-thing" [taps topper]
to be there [plants cane in front, both hands draped over handle]
And hear them swapping smart tidbits [swishing head from side-to-side]
[‘Wow’ face] Puttin' on the ritz!

[putting on imaginary gloves and coat] Dressed up like a
million dollar trouper [slouches hat low over eyes]
[hands on lapels, cameo shot] Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper
Super [flash grin stage right] duper! [flash grin stage left]

Come let's mix [spins on the balls of his feet]
where Rockefellers [chin up]
walk with sticks [struts and flutters top hat]
[swings cane to shoulder] Or "um-ber-ellas" [pops open from end of cane]
in their mitts [spins the umbrella down in front of himself to hide his face]
[umbrella on floor, B4 stands erect, both arms flung high in ‘V’]
Puttin' on the ritz!

Happy 4th Anniversary, Salonistas! May the good camaraderie of the Atelier bolster you all and help you keep a song in your hear!

heads4thefoodB4itsalleaten

[Irving Berlin’s lyrics, and several alternates are listed at this website:
http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/Berlin-Irving/Puttin-On-The-Ritz.html ]

"heart"

Okay, listen to my heart. Hear it...?

B4ibreakasweat

To you all! Nice poem Marv! * at B4*

* and cheers the performing Salonistas*

Excellent!

I do hope Munchers and Toc can make an appearance at the party.

*admires the *

Cheers to Lil - i've only just found the atelier but have had a great time already. Long may the conversations continue!

for the poetry and the singing. B4, that was pretty amazing!

* arrives rather out of breath and perspiring slightly *

I wish someone had told me about the backlog-jumping boots a little earlier.

And BTW have you seen the front page today. The lead item is Hati and Titania's wonderful entry on making a snow lantern. The Towers have blobbed the photographs that went with it and everything