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

Hi guys,

I've just stopped in to let you know that I've stood down as a judge.

Pin and I had a fairly minor disagreement at the weekend, of the sort that we've been having between all three judges since the start of the competition. In the past, this kind of discussion has been brilliant; we've argued the pros and cons of various things, and it's kept the competition exciting and dynamic. However, this time I took one or two aspects personally, and decided I was going to rather petulantly flounce off. I think my decision to pull out surprised the other two judges, as the debate we were having was certainly nothing extraordinary, but I made some significant changes in my personal life a few months ago and decided that instead of trying to do everything at once, I'd do only things that make me happy. That applies as much to h2g2 as anywhere. I'm not going to lie and say that I don't have time for this, because I do, but I realised on Saturday evening that there are a number of things that give me more pleasure, and I can't do them all. And I no longer feel compelled to do anything out of a self-enforced sense of duty.

And, of course, it wouldn't be fair on anyone if one of the judges was carrying on when his heart wasn't really in it. Once I realised my passion had gone, there was only one right decision I could make.

So I'm going back to concentrating on The Post and the Aviators, both of which are projects that make me excited to turn my PC on every time.

I've thoroughly enjoyed being a judge and thank you all for putting up with my nagging critiques. I should also say finally that I have no hard feelings whatsoever towards either of the other two judges; they've both been a pleasure to work with and have both been inspiring.

All the best to all of you in the remainder of the competition, and I hope this Stretcher is just the first of many. I still believe it's a real force for good in the site, and that it has the makings of being a new kind of writing workshop. Keep up the good work.

Thank you Skanks Both for your honesty and for your judging

I was stunned and shocked when I first got an inkling of this, but then, who knows what goes on behind any screen.

Thanks for letting us know, Rich: your comments were always fair as well as useful in improving my writing, so some honest and heartfelt appreciation for that.

Keep on doing what makes you excited - I'm sure there's a "secret of happiness" in there!

()

Ms GB

Yeah...well...respect, Rich.

Only you don't have to be quite so magnanimous. People will start thinking my profoundly insulting behaviour is getting a bit shallow.

'Til the next thing we very nearly agree about then

Oh, alright, then:

Pin's a ******* and made me cry. Please beat him with sticks with nails stuck in them, or he'll do the same to you. And nobody likes crying, eh? Gertcha sticks here, only a pahhnd...

Actually, Pin, you just nudged me in the direction of the right decision. That much is pretty clear to me now, and I've expanded my thoughts in a rambling sort of way in the Post editorial.

It's been a pleasure arguing with you, you cantankerous old git

Just to clarify:

'I've expanded my thoughts in a rambling sort of way in the Post editorial.'

Not about The Stretcher or you, but about taking on too much on the site. Sorry if that caused a little panic...

If it's any consolation, I've moved on to arguing with GB now

If we'd all agreed about everything, written the same reviews and given the same scores, it would have been crap, yes? It's the contrasting opinions that make it work and keep everything interesting.

I hope you do keep arguing. But in nice, polite ways

, anyone?

Great floor show

I'm gonna have to employ a team of bodyguards, I think

*gets the arnica ready*

"steady", eh. Well, I've been called worse things than that!

Now, what sort of boat has chaise-longues on the deck?

Ooh, a big one

Hmm, not sure about that seal cocktail waiter. He's bound to do a mean Sex on the Beach , natch, but I'm more of a dirty martini girl (any time, any place, anywhere...)

So shocked

Am I allowed to post a story?

Of course you are. It's the AWW.

Originally, everybody else was invited to join (be it PR or the AWW), so I can't see why you shouldn't write a story, mvp.

Thanks.

I don't think it's going to be sophisticated.