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

He was the same chap that would show us what NOT to do in the lab. Such as grinding certain blends of chemicals, while trying to explain to NOT apply too much pressure, it would blow up in his face.

No one was certain if he was born without facial hair at all, or if it was the result of repetitive explosions.

I hope that you will forgive me for unsubbing from your 'romance' thread. I found that the novels were great fire-starters, but nothing else of use to me.

Oh, and just because it seems to apparently be in the better interests of popular crowds, I have finally opted to stay out of public 'fora', including book clubs, ASK, The Forum, Misc Chat ... I'll just be in here daily for the one-to-one chats and journals that won't actively bring in some folks who bristle at my mere presence.

I'm sorry to see that though (not the unsubbing, I regularly unsub from convos where I have nothing to add - and I don't go round my friends list making sure they are subbed to my journals... do people do that? )

I have a very open mind, and I'm very upfront and open about who I talk with and to. Lots of people.



so... getting closer to your Big Holiday... packed your bags yet?

I had dropped a mail to a very wise man Bob Stafford and he was good enough to bestow great wisdom on me. Well, enough of an opinion to remind me that there is no reason to retreat and sulk ... Once in a while, I need to be reminded that I am far too sensitive to the wants and whims of others.

As to the other ... A week ago today, we collected the various e-tickets for our journeys. And Wednesday, after attending the funeral service for the father of my best friend, we stopped at the bank and came home with what seems a stupid amount of UK currency and UK-term traveller's cheques. Of course, I won't mention that suitcases have been out for 3 weeks already, nor that my sock and undies drawers have been depleted for that long. It might make my wife seem anxious and impatient to begin the whole affair.

I always always pack at the absolute last minute. Although I am very very very good at making a list in my head, and generally making sure on an almost subconscious level that things are clean, pressed and available to pack when I finally get the nerve to do it.

I blame it on a lifetime of moving and boarding school. A recurring nightmare of mine, which has me waking panting in a cold sweat more often than is healthy is that i am going on a trip. I have to leave to catch a plane/train and someone (usually my überpunctual dad) is waiting by the car and doing the toe-tapping thing. I just "give my drawers a quick last check" knowing that I have packed everything - only to find that they are full and my suitcase is empty.

So, should I tell that to a trick-cyclist?

Nawww, their chaise-lounges are occupied with important folks with names like Paris and Brittany.

Milady wasn't so bad until one occassion when we visited my parents. A quick throw-together the night before had been our routine. And then on the first morning, I did my wash-up and found ... socks, shirt and ... an absence of unmentionable under-thingies. She felt soooooo bad, though it was a joint effort. She is "the woman" and feels herself responsible for some traditional things yet. Silly girl !!!

oh no. I pack for me, and for the Gruesomes (because I _know_ how to pack - thank's mum!!! - and I can fit loads more into a suitcase or bag than anyone else I know, except my mum)

But has to pack for himself.

My dear woman forgets that I wore the uniform far longer thab her. And could fit all-season changes, and a clothes iron and what-not ... ALL into one duffle-bag. And magically, not a wrinkle during the unpack.

It makes her feel very supportive and necessary. She ought to know by now just how necessary she is, as friend, partner, love, ... basically about 75-odd-per-cent of my entire world atleast ... But if it makes her feel good, who am I to argue?

she and I need to have words

It is probably NOT a wise idea, ... but you are welcome to drop a land-line number by mails. I do chat with quite a few folks that I have met here, having found an amazingly stupidly cheap phone plan. And my dear Lady has spoken with many of these friends. Including those that will host us during our travels. She even spoke with "lil ol' me" a couple of times, when times were still good. The pair of them are not only both July-babies, but share an astounding amount of visual similarities.

Yeah, yeah, I ain't a typical guy ... I can't keep friends and chats a secret.

I must apologize again from having let some of your journals slip away ... My hours have become tight, and the pages fill up far too fast in my absence.

Your one about the power-point necessity and all that is attached ... I'd love to glibly suggest that you simply not do one, and tell them that you have been far too busy keeping their business a-float for such silly stuff. But it isn't my livelihood on-the-line. I know it must all be a very tiring and stressful time, and can only hope that the fates and fortunes smile on you sooner, rather than later. All things do seem to trun around, but sometimes, it is a very hard ride until then. "Been there and done that" ...

I just wanted to let you know that I am not ignoring your posts and crises ...

thanks


I notice Blicky has come over all onelove in the returning troops thread.

There's a surprise!

Really, eh? I tolerate his stuff about 'faithers' and 'god-botherers', because he isn;t even the worse of the vicious anti-believers. I once had faith and that has lapsed. But my wife and many of my family are still bound, and I sort of see a lot of that vitriol as an insult to them.

But when it comes to those who are doing what they can, to make the world safer or better, I feel a bit more obligated to speak out. While trying to not descend to the same levels.

well, i'm ignoring everything he says - he gets on his hobby horse and it's like watching a clockwork mouse going round in circles.

But he, despite what he said later, called it dumb to sign up for the military. And whatever he said afterwards ("I didn't call the people dumb") he meant it, and it was a definite dig at me and SWL. hehehehe

it's a shame, sometimes he talks sense, and it's good to get his pov on things that look different to him than to me.

Anyway - I'm on my jollies this week. Just bought about 20 metres of various material and am now going to be The Lady Who Sews for quite a while.

I've burned off all of my holidays already for this year. How-ever, this is a 3-day week-end coming up, one that is totally void of sewing machines.

Mind, it also includes another one of those horrible things, a birthday. I think this makes me 29 for the 20th time.

birthdays? I try to forget 'em (except that the office always has a collection for us, so I have to bring cake as a thank you)

and so far my holiday has mostly consisted of Tidying The Gruesomes' Pig Sties For The Umpteenth Time.

Oh, but don't you just know how to have so much fun.

I'd happily forget birthdays, but milady won't let it happen. We met on my 25th, coincidentally the same bank holiday as we are seeing this week-end. Our version of "Thanksgiving Day" ...

yep, we sure know how to party Chez Sho!
There will be More Tidying today, plus I've offered to pay the Gruesomes to do some weeding and some dusting in the living room (the weeding, before you ask, is out front of the house )

and then there will be sewing. Lots and lots of sewing. And seeing as the gruesomes have to argue about everything and couldn't decide whose turn it was to have something from my sewing machine - I'm sewing for me which is even better.

So, you're celebrating another anniversary this weekend? sounds

Well, probably not celebrating as such ... Milady is working Saturday and Sunday. But we will take Monday as a quiet, lazy 'just-us' day. We do that so rarely.

oh I remember those...
*wistful sigh*