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

Hi Jen,

I just read your rant on word play and I thought I'd leave my response here.

There's no need for me to answer all your questions because I'm sure you know the answers already. The fact is that won't always get what you give on this site; particularly if you're a getwriting regular.

In my view, the majority of the people who use this site come here for an ego massage. This site caters mainly for the hobbyist and it's more of an end than a means.

When I first arrived, I was reviewing frantically for a week. I spent hours on detailed short story crits and in return I received hardly any reviews for my first few works. I didn't care though because I actually enjoyed doing something for nothing.

I've been through moody spells too. Back in the summer when I was hyper I would review almost everything I read (that's how I met you). I rarely got more than a handful of reviews back for my efforts and that did p**s me off. So I started concentrating my efforts on the people who did respond.

These days I occasionally comment on newbie work but I don't enjoy it because I feel like I have to be nice (back in the old days I'd just speak my mind and I think that's why I didn't win many newbie friends).

The best way to get by on this site is to have low expectations of others; otherwise you end up disappointed (just like in real life). That sounds really negative but I think if you understand it then you can turn it to your personal advantage.

I really like the idea of being a good willed charitable person and I've really made an effort to be that way (voluntary work in Africa etc). I started to have high expectations of other people; expecting them to treat me in the same way that I treat them. But, I've learned since coming back from overseas that it hardly ever happens in the UK (particularly where I live) and on occasions people treat you very badly for selfish reasons.

The best way for me to deal with that is to look internally rather than externally, so, the world isn't at fault it's all down to my approach. There's nothing wrong with having a good moan but then again, what's the point? Few people listen to you and it doesn’t change anything. You're better off looking at your own approach and thinking about things in a different way.

I'm not really saying anything new here. I just wanted to say that I feel that way too sometimes but I'm trying hard to cut down on the rants.

Don't feel disheartened Jen, you know the truth; you're making a positive and lasting contributing to this site. So hold your head up high, think of all the freinds you've made and be proud of your achievements

Awh thank-you sweetie!

I probably have gone a little OTT, but it pisses me off the selfish attitude of others. I feel obligated to read so many folk's stuff and It can become too much at times, both time-wise and mentally. You know, sometimes I feel really guilty if I haven't read a friend's latest work that they've posted up a few days previous. Silly really, but I'm a silly sensitive soul!

Your thoughts and lovely words have given me comfort and you'll be glad to know I'm back to normal happy mood/mode know! You're a wee dote!

Jen

Poeple can be quite selfish and I think half the challenge is getting into the mind of a selfish person and understanding why (there's usually an insecurity of some kind).

You don't have to be in normal mode/mode with me Jen. In fact I'd encourage you to experiment with all the moods/mode because it benefits your writing.

Why the guilt? I don't think any of your friends expect you to read all their works. Just like in real life your friends don't expect you to go on every night out etc. It's unrealistic.

I don't understand why my words comfort you. I'm actually in miserable sod mode myself and poetry has been far from my mind lately (no new oferings). I'm feeling more empty than depressed; I have no motivation to do anything including the things I really have to do.

My support worker told me today that I need to get out more and I think she's probably right It's funny because in the summer she kept telling me I was going out too much. So we've come full circle

So things have been a bit boring in Lancashire but that's set to change. I'm off to London again this weekend to see my aunt. I like London, it's so diverse (there's no shortage of Irish people).

I don't think I mentioned to you that my favourite secondary school teacher was a Northern Irishman called Mr Lindsay. He had an outragous accent and so nobody behaved in his physics lessons but I always worked hard for him. In the end I got the highest marks in class and I went on to do physics A-level and a physics type degree. So, I've got an Irishman to blame for my qualifications.

Anyway, I'm wobbling off subject yet again; how selfish of me

Kieran

Hey Kid,

Sorry to hear you're not top dog at the moment. Have all been there. I'm swamped with so much other stuff at moment and just can't get motivated. Just not enough hours in the day and this place seems to eat me up, although I do enjoy the feast.

I seem to be concentrating on the lesser important things and falling behind in reality rituals. Such is life.
Have applied for a 'dream job' last week as I need to dump on one boss, although I adore the other. Feel like I'm living a double life working two places; never mind all the free-lancing I do, ('free' being the operative word). And it is damn important to get out once in a while too! Sip the golden amber, have a little dance, laugh with friends, let the hair down then fall off barstool and get up again. My latest foray - yesterday (Monday) after work. Was worth it although hangover was from hell. (Vodka & Red Bull after about 8 pints. Not good. ).

As for the moods/mode, it's good to experiment. Had to have that little rant this eve. You cheered me up with reflection and assurance. And as for the poetry, I'm there in the corner with you. Watching everyone else firing out all the little gems and I haven't even got a pebble of a thought. But I've been there before and know I'll return. You too will embrace that rock. Hey flintstones, beware! Fred and Wilma are coming!

Well done on the physics, thanks to your mentor. Fair play to ye!

And as for your w'end in the 'Big Smoke', hope you get 'physical' and have a wickedly selfish time. Why? Because you're worth it! Ha!

Jen
x

Oh Jen, I never get 'physical', even when it's handed to me on a plate. I'll happily fall asleep in a strange womans bed but nothing more. And, that's not because I want to be a good catholic that's because I can be a power trip person sometimes.

As for going out, it's not as simple as that. My friends don't live around here (my Uni friends have scattered around the UK). When I got ill back in may I was given a choice by my psychiatrist of either going to hospital or moving back in with my mum. It was an easy decision but I left behind my worcestershire freinds.

When I got back to Lancs, I used to go out by myself and I had some crazy nights out. One time I gatecrashed a random wedding reception and sang Karaoke. Another time I went out in Birmingham using a magic eight ball to make all my decision. I had all sorts of adventures in the space of a few months but nothing ever lasts for ever. These days I can't go out in my home town on my own because I get bored too quickly. It's exactly as I said in my last poem, I used to find meaning and beauty in everything. Now I don't and it's makes me feel low.

So what's your 'dream job' Jen? I applied for a job at QVC (the shopping channel) on monday but I wouldn't call it my dream ticket

Kieran

dEAR jEN
a DROP IN THIS THREAD HERE (HOPE ALL DON'T MIND).
And my IT SKILLS ARE SHY-TE. Sorry.
I would say I welcome a good hard crit and prefer them to ego-boosts, but I will say that, giving feedback for most requires delicacy and should be placed into context of aspiration. There is nothing wrong with having no ambition to be published - I dont but I want to write as well as I can and perhaps one day thanks to the constructive feedback I recieve I may write a half-decent piece!
Horses for courses. State your wish for strong critique and others will hopefully give.
Gordon

P.S. Love the intro Jen, develop it!

I would never drop in on somebody elses thread.

Hi PJ,

Thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks, ,

There.

And one or two in credit should I need them in the future :

thanks, thanks, diolch yn fawr

Well hello there gentlemen,

Thanks for the reassurance, kindness and making PenJen smile. She's allowed to wave here wee fists in the air now and agian, sorry ye's had to hear her rant and rave!

Kieran, have you ever thought of wring your autobiography or comedy for that matter? Not meaning to offend but you sure live a colourful existance! And as for my so-called 'Dream Job'. Got 'Dear John' letter today and heard tonight that job has already been promised to someone else and the advertisement was just a fecking stunt to comply with equality etc laws. Bleeding typical! The bastords! Admit I'm dissappointed but will get over it. Another time, some place somewhere else, (where nepotism does not exist. You gotta be kidding me!). Watch this space...

And Gordan,

You are always most welcome to drop by and thanks for your thoughts. I agree totally. And I think I'll stick to those I know and value. That way I won't get so hetted up!
As for the 'fiction frock' and 'verbal vest', we'll have to see about that!

Thanks to ye both. owe ye's a or

Jen

Ach me wee sharkman! WHERE did you come from?!

And what do I owe the pleasure for all the gratitude? (Cheeky!)

I have just replied to this and you come swimming in with the Guinness, and I think, 2 'alka seizures' in water to help ease the hangover I will dually have amarach!

BTW, thanks for the support on 'that thread' too. Must plant a little print before i toddle off to bed. (It's now 4:03am). Was going to pop round yours with a bunch of , but yer Ma said you were grounded. I see you're trying a wee bit of 'Welsh', what does it mean?