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

Well folks - it's been too long since I had a natter with you all - you must have thought I had dropped off the planet!

I have been sooooo busy with work (which is a good thing!), however one of the down sides of working for oneself is that everything has to be done by me! Which when there are three different courses to deliver, then that's three lots of writing and three lots of folders - the other day my landing and hallway looked like a stationers - there were boxes of folders, paper, card everywhere - the printer was working overtime and both the laptop and desktop were in use. The man-in-doors was commissioned as a handout gatherer and the visitor from Oz was press-ganged into action as a folder stuffer!

But all done now, and some time for R&R - I wish! I have now got the accounts to do, and the filing and I must get on with my NVQ - I have only a couple of reports to write and then another 2 units will be completed! And then I can apply for another course to run, which will need quite a lot of input and research!

The man-in-doors has finished barn building and is now working on our house & garden - at the moment he is building a patio at the end of the garden for a retreat when the building work in the house is in full flow - it's going to look marvellous! I have been busy taking pictures for the before and after shots!

But now to settle down with some and and do the filing!

Welcome back, Ruth.

We're going to Sheffield in a mo, need first. Magna Science Museum then Meadowhell.

Corrie

Hi Corrie

Hope it wasn't, hell I mean!

Helen.

Hi Corrie
the science museum sounds interesting - my niece and nephew live in Yorkshire - so could think of meeting them all there one day for a day out!

Have a good day!

Ruth

Hi Ruth,

Yes, I've been wondering where you were. I am reminded of you every day, because when I go to the CB the opening-page says: "Ruth 100th Post-afternoon ladies!" oh, and the subject was: "Anybody seen Alan?" It was posted in February, but there it is every day. I don't think anybody else has this, because I once said: "Yes, I've seen Alan" and had a few replies by people wondering what Iwas talking about.
Have you been looking in at all? Nothing much's changed. SC is still in residence although yesterday he said he was going to keep away from R2 and come to CB every night. Aren't we lucky?

Must go and do some shopping.
Nice to see you back.
Don't trip over all those papers!

Hi

Had a quick in the CB earlier - Mike & Jason are threatening to appear in thongs - had to have a lie down at that image! But haven't looked at R2 - if SC is in full flood its hardly worth it!

Well what did you think of the Bahrain GP? Boring for MS to finish 1st again, but brilliant for Jenson to get another podium! I thought the production was excellent - most races we are subjected to what's happening in the lead, even when its blatantly obviuos that minus a wheel or 2 falling off we know who is going to win! I thought that this time with the cameras and the production team concentrating on what was happening in mid-field, and with very few advert interruptions - we were given a fantastic programme - reminded me of the BBC1 days!
Am definitely looking forward to the next GP, although I do think it falls on St Georges Day Parade - so no doubt I'll have to tape it and not listen to any radio or TV until I get around to watching it!

Enjoy your shopping - the filing is almost finished - hooray!

Ruth

Hi Ruth,

Glad you mentioned the Grand Prix. Told you I was going shopping, well, it was mostly to get a T.V. Times to see the times of the next race. On the ITV F.1. page (Internet) they were still talking about Bahrain. Got home with my mag.,no mention of any Grand Prix, couldn't believe it. Fished out the schedule I'd printed weeks ago and there it was: nothing until 25th April.
Yes, it was a brilliant race, I felt quite tearful to see Jenson on the podium again. People who never watch say: "How boring it must be for you, seeing Schu. win every time", they have no idea that it is exciting to see how the rest is getting on. Yes, I'd like to see it different one day, but in the meantime, as you say, forget who's up front.

I had a look at the CB and saw the thread with the thongs etc. Trouble is, Ruth, I've become quite paranoid about SC. don't want anything to do with him. Apart from his endless arguments he's been so smutty most nights, I don't even want to read it. It's not even funny. And some people encourage him. It's such a pity, I wonder if we'll ever be back to "normal", if that is a phrase one can apply to the CB.
But maybe you will be able to tame him. You were described as "a very classy lady", remember?
I'll keep an eye out and will join in if there is a chance.
See you there then. Dustbin day tomorrow, must get wheelie out!

Hi everyone,

Didn't make Magna or Meadow-hell, that will be Saturday now. By the time we were ready it was lunch-time. We've been to some woods near-by and walked with the dogs.

Lovely to see you all.

Hi

what fun we all have - wheelie bins v bin liners!

There is a huge argument over this side of Surrey at the moment, some people have been given 2 wheelie bins (one for refuse, one for recycling) as an 'experiment' to see if it will increase the recycling! However there are some people who think that the wheelie bins are completely unsightly and that black bin liners littering the pathways are more hygenic and safe! Some people have even taken their bins back to the council as a protest! Living in one of the outlying villages, I would really appreciate a wheelie bin! The foxes and other wildlife think nothing of ripping the bags open and littering the refuse all over the road, gardens, pathways! OK - down off my soap box! Time for another I think!

I think the reason for the 3 week break for the GP, is that they have Easter as a holiday, so we have to wait 3 weeks for the next one - I think it's Europe, but I could be mistaken!

As for me taming SC - I think he's beyond help! I've looked in on a couple of occassions but just recently have been engrossed in a whole pile of books to read in the evening, and we had a friend from Oz staying for 5 weeks! so entertaining was the order of the evening, after an absolutely frenetic 3 weeks with work!

Have you read the James Patterson - Alex Cross novels? A friend recommended them so have been ploughing through them, and Janet Evanovitch and Kathy Reichs! I am the worlds worst bookworm - when I find a new author I have to read all their novels from the very beginning! At one stage, before my office was an office, it was the den, and 6 x 8foot bookshelves were 2 deep with reading material! Now most of the books are in the loft, awaiting my wonderful man to put up more shelves in other parts of the house! - or build me a library!

Well best go and have a look at how the patio is coming along, and to see if he needs a refill! Been making and all day - have to keep the builders happy!

Catch you later

Ruth

Started reading 'The Davinci Code' by Dan Brown. It's gripping so far. It was highly recommended. Has anyone else read it?

My dogs go bonkers when the bin men come. Maybe it's the noise/activity but they can hear them long before I can so I know when they're coming down the street. Our bin men are nice guys and always say hello to Kipper and Connie.

Haven't read that Dan Brown - but have read Angels & Demons and it was brilliant! Don't even think it was a recommendation - I think I was doing a browse in Smiths before the skiing holiday and thought I'd give it a go - have to get the others now, after I've finished the 4th Kathy Reichs in as many weeks!

Hi Ruth,

I envy you, getting through all those books. Me, I'm such a slow reader. I can't help it, I go through all the actions. When I read: "He lifted his left eyebrow", I have to do the same, and "she looked at him through her eyelashes", yes..you've guessed it. It really slows you down. I don't know how I got that habit, but I put it down to when I was a small girl and when the teacher had to leave the classroom for some reason, I had to sit in front of the class and read to the other girls. I used to practise in my bedroom to make things a bit more interesting for them. Now I can't get out of the habit.
Sad, or what?

We have wheelie-bins for the rubbish, plastic boxes with handles for newspapers and others for plastic bottles and tins.(washed and clean please!)
Since about six months we have really enormous wheelies for garden refuse, which we all find brilliant. All the clippings etc. go in it.
I always think it's a wonderful thing to see it all disappear. Our bin-men are lovely and don't complain when you put "extras" out.

Your other half seems very busy. Yes, have to keep him topped up.

I have 2 Eva Evanovitch lined up, the first and the second of the series, One new book by my most favourite author Marika Cobbold (maybe an acquired taste, she is rather whimsical) then "the Good Wife" by Elizabeth Buchan and "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold.
For my book-group I have to read "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. I can't get into it and keep telling myself it's because the print is so tiny, it's making me cross-eyed, but the truth is that I want to read my own choices.
At the moment I'm reading "Tall Poppies"by Louise Bagshawe.
It's lovely sitting in my summer-house, reading, but I keep seeing all the work I'm supposed to be doing.

Ruth,

The next race is in Imola.
I didn't want to show my ignorance by asking where that is. Is it Italy?

Hi Corrie,

I was thinking of you and wondering what Meadow-hell was. But you didn't go after all. What is there to do there?
Haven't heard from you for a week or so, have you all fully recovered now? Hope so.

Lots of love

Catharina

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/15/1081998297855.html

Another one:
http://www.formula1.sm/menu_english.htm

Oh, I was being naughty - I call Meadowhall (the huge shopping place in Sheffield) Meadow-hell. It's brilliant there with some lovely shops but I get claustrophobic and hate all the crowds.

Very near there is a fantastic place to take the children called Magna.
I went on a school trip there last summer with my daughter but son and husband have yet to go. We'll do both on Saturday.

Another place to go near us is called The Deep. We went there last year and we thought it was the best £20 (for the whole family) that we had ever spent.

Hi Ruth
Nice to see you back in circulation. I am reading 'Four Blind Mice' by James Patterson at the moment. I have read most of his novels. They are an easy read aren't they with short chapters.

I have been trying to get into Kathy Reichs' 'Fatal Voyage' which I have started about 3 or 4 times now. Just can't get past the first couple of chapters. Don't know why. I find her novels genuinely scary !

I'm also about a quarter of the way through 'The Green Mile' by Stephen King and there is the brilliant Gerald Seymour by my bedside. The story is 'The Untouchable' and I'm saving it for a long, wet rainy Sunday. Which is probably this week end.
Take care

Jen

Thank you, Corrie,
That's a wonderful site, such a lot to read.
I've put it in my "favourites".
Don't know how you find these things so quickly, you are so clever.
XX

Is it America ?