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

I've never really understood how The Thaw works. I still don't. Or I do know how, but not why. Or vice versa. Or something.

It goes like this.

1. You do something. Or maybe you're *perceived* as having done it. Or maybe you did it and didn't mean it, or maybe you did mean it, and you deserve it.

2. Boom! You're in purdah for an indeterminate amount of time. Now, it's human nature to try and alter this; to appeal it maybe, or to try and reduce its duration. But forget it. The length of time is predestined, and your behaviour cannot change it. It's like a spell in solitary - all you can do is wait for the clock to tick down. Just "wear your convict's uniform, and meekly serve your time", as the song goes.

3. Boom! Purdah expires, for no apparent reason. Communication opens again. A smile is flashed or a joke or friendly greeting is made.

4. Be warned! Stage three is a false dawn. If you respond too affectionately, you're back in solitary! You're still serving your time, and will be reminded of the fact, bucko!

5. A day, maybe, after the false dawn, the real dawn comes. You're allowed out of solitary for real, and all is sunshine and happiness!

And that's the Thaw. Don't fight it, don't hurry it, it'll come when it wants to. It's like Godot.

Until the next time trigger step one!



I think I've just served my time. The time on the clock's expired and I've been released.

I thought Godot never came at all....

He can't come today, but he should be along tomorrow.

He might, you never know...it's beyond our ken!

Tread carefully and you will manage to sustain the relationship. Oh dear that sounds like a trite generic horoscope line. I hope you know what I mean.

I can't explain the phenomenon. Everyone has their own grudge-bearing pattern. I've never really understood it.

its like walking a very fine line or something.... probably... I'm not sure I'm very good at doing grudges though, so I'm not realy sure.... In some ways I think I'm probably just too lazy or stupid for the more complex emotions and stuff ... they all seem way so much effort

I've found it almost impossible to stay mad at people who aren't alive any more. This is particularly true for Presidents I used to be angry at. Not that they even knew or cared how I felt about them.

Extreme stupidity that the other person apparently can't help is another factor in my cutting some slack. Mel Gibson *knows* he's a disgrace when he drinks. I don't waste any energy being mad at him. He wouldn't know I disapproved anyway. Tom Cruise? Few of his recent movies sound at all appealing to me. I'm not boycotting them, they just sound awful.