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

No points for guessing what is also playing here!

How is that!

I am going to go to Ikea tomorrow as part of my sorting out the house project but luckily no imminant mother arrivals my end!

Ah Ikea... Please enjoy planning your new kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and dead cool new sofa on the way there. And can I suggest the name "Eric" for the pot plant that you will actually leave with

* giggles *

Thanks for that. I was feeling a bit vulnerable. My mother had been e-mailing me about her arrival and her worries for the couple of weeks she's going to spend in England.

The thing that concentrates the problems within the family is its size. There are only three of us in the team, Grandma, Mum and me, so there is nowhere to hide from the problems and no independant party within the family to talk things over with.

You asked whether I saw much of her. Not as much as I would like. Because of her deteriorating eyesight Grandma moved into residential home a couple of years ago, which means if I visit I have to stay in hotels and all that sort of s**t. Its just somehow awkward for both of us and I rarely go through with the visit. Perhaps if I went more I would feel better. Yes, I think I should do that.

On a lighter note. The cleaning project carries on a pace. Tonight I did half the bathroom. Including throwing out the half used pot of paint what has been sitting behind the toilet for the last two years

You are more than welcome - and if you need to talk you know where I am (here or email)

I can understand how difficult it is for all of you

When does your mother arrive? Are you at work this week?

Sounds like your sorting out project is going better than mine. I did manage to get to Ikea and acquired most of what I went for, as well as some things I was not! Eric the plant pot and I had a row however - he did not want to live in a cottage but fancied a more cosmipolitan flat! I also picked up a few things for a friend so took them round when I got back and ended up spending far too long chatting and drinking coffee! Ce la vie!

Hello, you went to Ikea and actually bought what you went for So how is your new lamp? And did you enjoy your hotdog on the way out

I got an e-mail earlier this evening from Mum giving me the full details of her visit. She arrives a week Friday and stays for three weeks (not all with me) I think she will disappear off to my Grandma's on Tuesday (I hope). I expect that at some point whilst she is here I will also go down and visit Grandma. There and back in a day sort of thing.

Work, very busy, very long hours, much to do, many people asking me to do stuff. In fact today I was given responsibility for the financial planning of Hospital's Research & Development directorate. Hmmm 100 or so projects, all with Doctors, and their egos meddling in things. Looks like fun

Sounds like you are in for a hectic few weeks!

The new lamp is... well giving off lots of light which makes seeing what I am doing on the computer much easier - but does not seem tohave improved my typing

W**k - I remember that! I have my freedom until Tuesday then who knows ... 100 projects with Doctors with egos bigger than their budgets sounds like you will have to be a diplomat extrodinaire and like they are pleased with the work you do

Catch you soon

Just thought I'd check in briefly. I've come back from a disappointing football match against Wimbledon. A funny way to spend a friday night I know, sitting in the freezing cold in an unfashionable suburb of Croydon, but it has to br done.

Disappointing because they equalised in the dying moments of the game. But hey a point is point, and its an away point, and we finally scored a goal

You scored a goal!

Does that make sitting outside in this weather worth it?

to warm you up

Well if Santos, our chunky French striker, can now start finding the goalmouth a bit more often, then I for one will start feeling really warm inside

* watches for chunky French Footballers ... *

OK! When is the next game?

Well if you want to chase after chunky French footballers the next match is a home game against Birmingham City. The next realistic fixture for me to go to isn't until mid January, when I will have the pleasure of standing in some Kentish dump called Gillingham. A very depressing ground and very unpleasant supporters

Not till January Sounds like you will miss it!

How has your day been?

Quiet. A bit of reading (I never seem to have a chance to read the papers and stuff these days - too much time spent around here I suppose)
Bought a dead nice birthday card for Mum.
Got my head shaved again - the hair had reached an undecent length you see

* admires the new haircut (or should that be lack of hair cut) *

Will your Mum be here for her Birthday?

I dont seem to read as much anymore either - least apart from here

Yes. Her birthday is the 18th, don't know what present I'm going to buy her though.

The hair is lovely right now, its like stroking a small furry animal My lack of hair should not be construed as a political or sexual statement, its not even done to disguise premature male pattern baldness. No, its down to a deep seated fear of hair care products. My bottle of shampoo will be three next February

* strokes GD's head *

Hmm not bad

I can understand a fear of hair care products - scary things - so many of them all to do what exactly? What is the difference between them all? They definitly aim to confuse? And I have never understood why blind hair needs a different shampoo to non blond hair ...

If you think buying a gift for your mother is hard wait till you come to buy one for a three year old bottle of shampoo!

Strange as it may seem I buy my car presents.
After every 10,000 miles I buy her a cream cake and then drive over it. As the mileometer is now reading about 99,000 I'd better start saving up for the big one

* giggle *

What a lucky car! What do you call it?

Rachel. Or when she won't start, "you f*****g bitch".