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

*Has completely missed out on two or three conversations - except for the scribing).*

Sorry about the absence. I've missed you.

Belated happy birthday, Kelli.

Lil, is downstairs what is termed in modern parlance, fully accessable? Or are you harnessed up to in down there?

Oh, I'm wearing the harkonnen. It's good for me to straighten out my body.

I awoke to a snowstorm. Then the sun came out. Then it went dark again and we're having more snow. The barometer has been at 10 o'clock all morning, so I'm not surprised by this turn.

What is the harkonnen, Lil, and why do you call it that?

It's a sort of antigrav device that holds me up in the air. CLI first made one for Zeppo when he was into the ornamental pond a lot and tracking mud into the salon. I've had one made to fit me like a sort of corset. I have three little buttons on the front that adjust the levitation strength.

In the Dune series, the evil Baron Harkonnen had such a device because he was morbidly obese, so he floated around doing evil. And so I call mine a harkonnen, and I've grown to love it. I don't half wish I had something like it IRL! Think of the strengthening exercises I could do!

[mr]

If you're going in Lil, I'll cover you...

<>

Yep! Everything in the house is the cat's, until she or he decides it's not worth their attention.

Awake, and at work. Which is a better combination that not awake and at work, but not as good as awake, but not at work. That doesn't seem to happen much at the moment.

*Follows Lil*

[GT]

In the world of h2g2 it is no breach of continuity to be in two or more places at once. I am in the lobby and I am also here in the salon, trying to figure out how to maneuver with the harkonnen into a Lazy B chair whilst also holding a tray with a full cup of hot tea and a few slices of mbougatses.

*places a mufflewhump next to Lil, where it turns into what looks like an ordinary serving cart, until you look and see lots of little legs*

*Cart edges up to Lil and nudges her gently*

I'm not sure how smart it is, but I can promise it's not scary, like Discworld's Luggage.

I could do this if the tray had a gyroscope.

If I don't succeed with this gambit, I'll use the cart. *positions herself so she is 'standing' as if about to sit in the chair, then floats backward. Her legs drag against the chair and bend at the hip of their own accord. Now she presses the altitude toggle but leaves the accelerator alone. Her body settles gently, conforming to the contours of the chair, and she presses the de-activate toggle*

Right. Come here, cart, so I can put this tray on you. See, I couldn't put the tray down while I was at full stand-up height because I don't have a pitch control on the harkonnen. Can't bend.

*snuggles into the chair and considers what to name the cart*

*Cart settles happily next to the chair*

Completely and totally unrelated link, but at least it's on a topic we've discussed a few times before: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apostrophe

Good night all.

Great apostrophe explanation, Amy!

I will soon leave the house to get the 8.05 train to Folkestone so that I can rehearse for 10 hours. Mad or dedicated? You decide.

That's a dandy device you have there Lil.

Kelli, how lovely that J is being so considerate, and how clever of him to take you out for a meal *after* your Shrinking Class.

Right, on with the packing.

Ben