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

Has anyone read _Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff_ by Christopher Moore?

Started it. Stopped.

That answered your question?

*sits on sofa having commenced Operation Make Front Garden Look Cared For*
There are now marigolds in the half of the small strip that I have just cleared. My parents run a garden centre so there is some Professional Pride (TM) involved. This is a terraced street with cared for front gardens so the weeds in ours look out of place. I've also met the neighbours in both sides in doing so, and been offered tools if I need them. Having a garden is making me feel grown up.

Z, good luck with your new house.

Don't mention the TV coverage of garden shows chez parents-the directors have too bad a case of presenteritis to actually see some decent shots of the gardens and plants IOHO.

I know someone whose hair started going silver at 16, so grey at *ty-something isn't too bad. And my knees have already started misbehaving on occasion.

We saw some interesting driving on the motorways on my way back to Coventry yesterday-to the extent of praying the said cars didn't crash in front of us. There were also a lot of signs that just said 'end' without a preceeding speed limit-apocalyptic visions perhaps...

I also found a dead queen wasp on my bedroom floor at the parental home a couple of days ago-judging by how brown it was I think it had got too close to the light in my room.

The Tour came within a mile or so of the parental home-the Sissinghurst roundabout actually, but we didn't see it. Saw the TV helicopters though.

In other news, I have the pattern for my wedding dress-there are very few off the peg ones with short sleeves (sp?) and Mum is going to make it. We're getting some fabric samples to play around with. Cream suits me best, but I don't want it to be too yellow.

Goodluck Ag with your op.

[]

And the plant pics...ones that haven't definitely been IDed
5 is a Verbena I think, 6 definitely a Lantana, as is 13. I'm wondering if 7 might be a daliah from the centre, but I might be wrong.
8 is I think, judging by the buds and foliage, 'Million Bells' a small flowered trailing petunia. The silver foliage is helichrysum (can't spell off-hand).
11 might be another Verbena, but I'm not sure, as I can't see the foliage properly-Verbena has feathery leaves.

[]
Must Make Dinner.....

My electricity keeps going off. This has been happning two or three times a day since Sunday. It is just a tad annoying.

Better hit post before I lose power again.

Without getting in to the comparative merits of Rand's works, may I ask what is so repugnant about the "selfishism" of objectivism? Are humans morally required to tend toward collectivism?

Now I want to read Atlas Shrugged just so I am on firm ground here.

[GDZ]

See? That's what I mean. I said nothing about collectivism (i.e. Communism or Socialism), and yet that's how Rand's fans construct their opposing point. If you don't like Ayn or her philosophy (condensed version: whatever Individual Man strives for must be inherently good, as opposed to the evils of the State or the Collective) you're automatically a pinko Commie. I know that you don't think I am, Marv, but that's how Objectivists always frame their arguments. Ad hominem city.

And I think the focus on individual desires always superceding the greater good is inherently selfish. What else would you call it?

I haven't read Atlas Shrugged either, Marv. But now I think I will. Well, not read, listen. I have the audio book in the collection. It is 12 hours long, which is how long it will take me to get to my friends out in Oklahoma and back. I will take a second book along in case I don't care for it.

Our copy of the book is awol.

[RNick]

I have read Atlas Shrugged, twice. I recommend it highly. However, there is a small caveat. Just skip John Galt's speech, which is 75 pages of hyperbole that is not necessary to the plot. Or skim it quickly. Otherwise, a book that is worth reading and thinking about.

Have I won the cattle prod?

I used that term because I see it as the opposite of what I understand objectivism to be. As I said, I have not read Rand and I don't fully grok her philosophy.

While I agree that it's selfish, I don't see how that makes it *morally* wrong. Those people that I know that actively loathe Rand and her works typically fall to the left in general. They typically hold the view (that *I* cannot agree with in general) that the welfare of the group is more important than the welfare of the individual.

Since I believe in the idea of personal responsibility it's quite likely that I will see something in Rand's philosophy as it's taking that idea to it's logical conclusion.

Dunno, but here's a

Where in tarnation have you been?

Ooops Sorry Marv, that was for hh

There is no Cattle Prod any longer hmh. Instead, you get the furry blue trousers, they make you look like Cookie Monster (sort of).

Have to take my car in for a looksie at the transmission, I think it is gone myself. Fortunately, I have a number of people whose cars I can borrow while mine is in the shop and a father who is likely willing to help with the costs of repair.

[Bagpuss]

Just flying through on my way back from a meeting. Have never read Ayn Rand. Nor do I think I've even seen an Ayn Rand book - maybe I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic?

Hope all goes well with Ag's op tomorrow. *crosses wings*

*waves to everyone*

*crosses wings again*

*checks calendar*

Tomorrow is Thursday! Of course. Yipes my deadline is Friday but before I go, a hug and a for Ag. All will be well. I've started crossing everything from now

I want to spend the rest of my life doing things I love... I couldn't bring myself to waste a few hours of it reading Ayn Rand! I do believe in spiritual and mental enrichment, but I think I'll look in other fertile pastures.