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

Hi Sho - I have been tidying up and, among other things, have found loads of VHS which you were kind enough to record for me over the years. Well, they weren't exactly lost, but I was going through them, looking for that version of "Peter and the Wolf", as my middle son has decided he'd like it for his teaching practice.

I spent the entire day yesterday going through them all, watching them on fast forward, and slowing down to watch in real time occasionally, because I thought I'd go epileptic. From 8 in the morning till my husband wanted to watch the 8 o'clock news in the evening. Got loads of ironing done in that time, but my back was killing me!

Anyway - the search was fruitless. Have you any idea which of the tapes it was on? I have 2 Rome tapes, 2 Dr Who (Eccleston version), 1 Dr Who Christmas Special, and the Mayor of Casterbridge. I did mention it somewhere to you that we'd found it (P and the W) and you said you'd recorded it for the gruesoms). I suspect that little conversation was in the Drool Thread, but that's such a major task, trawling through that thread, I haven't found it yet.

Anyway, I also suspect that you aren't really interested in having the old-fashioned VHS tapes back any more. Please say yes, if you are, and I shall send them back to you. If not, I shall replace them with a set of empty DVD's to record on and a DVD of your choice as compensation. Maybe "Random Hearts", which is on the tapes somewhere. I never realised how sexy Harrison Ford's real voice was. Even in the snippets of Star Wars which are also on the tapes - and he was really young then.

Here is a list of what I've found on the tapes

All the Eccleston Dr Who's and some of the "Confidentials" to go with them.

The early Star Wars films, but not complete,

"Random Hearts" with Harrison Ford and Kristin Scott Thomas.

"The English Harem"

"Sweeney Todd"

"The Mayor of Casterbridge"

an Episode of "Casualty"

A Programme with Amanda Tappett explaining the Science of Stargate.

An episode of "The Sentinel"

All the "Rome" - Season one.

etc etc.

Sorry - I should have written an e-mail, but I'm on the wrong computer for that - haven't got your address to hand, and am not sure which one you are using now.

Oh my! sorry - I totally didn't see this here.

We don't have a video recorder so you can recycle them or whatever you like. I can't remember which tape that Peter & The Wolf was on - I think it was over Christmas one year if that's any help?

And you really really don't need to send me any DVDs - that's lovely but really not necessary. Unless... you want me to record something for you?

I thought you said you didn't have a video machine any more, that's why I asked. If you want any of that stuff for your own viewing, I can copy it onto DVDs for you. Slight loss of quality, of course, but easier to navigate!

Yes - I remember the P and the W being around Christmas, but I've literally watched all the relevant tapes from beginning to end and not found it. So either there's another tape somewhere which I haven't found, or I've erased it (heaven forbid!)

I don't intend to repeat that sort of activity (12 hours watching the box!) in a hurry!

Anyway - looking forward to hearing how work is and how the promotion will go.

ah work... well it's totally horribly hectic. Which is marginally better than being bored.

As for the promotion - no announcement yet. I have heard on the grapevine that I'll be the last and after me only people with a degree can be assistant managers. It remains to be seen if they tell the rest of the saps working there.

So... until there's an announcement, I still don't believe it. If it doesn't come this Friday I'm going to tell them I'm assuming it's a joke, like all the other times.


how are things with you?

How's things with me? Well, OK I spose. I have really cut back on what I do at work - no career girl, me. Not that I couldn't have, mind!!

So I make sure I POOT a bit better, and generally don't get my knickers in a twist about things. I haven't done any real housekeeping or home-making for about 15 years (just imagine what conditions my kids have grown up in!) - so I'm trying to make the place look nicer, keep on top of the ironing etc.

I'm also trying to renew old friendships which went by the board in those dark, busy days.