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

I feel old. When I joined up, the place was half that age. It's strange how one can feel old at 19, but I was 14 when I started here. Holy shit, man, things change (can you still say "shit" here?).

I was talking to some people at a dinner for a famous writer at my university last month. I got invited through friends of friends. There were a lot of literary types there, people whose names you might recognize, who are well-known in the writing world. Towards the end of the dinner, most people had left, and a small group of us were talking, I can't remember what about. The issue of British vs. American grammar/style came up, and I spoke authoritatively on some point about the distinction, a point that even a British person there wasn't aware of. The assembled masses expressed surprise that I knew whatever it was. "Well," I said, "I got my start writing and editing on a BBC-owned website; I was what they call a sub-editor there for three years, so I got good at British style and going back and forth." "But... you're only a college freshman..." they said. "Yeah," I said, "this was when I was in high school, like between the ages of 14 and 17." "Wow," they said.

Thanks, h2g2. Everything that went on to help me in the writing and editing world, now that I have professional writing jobs, I learned from you. And what's more, you'll always have a special place in my heart.

Right. Back to university-land.

This place comes in handy! Knock 'em dead.

Woohoo!

Nice to see you EMR, and I've learned all my writing and sub-editing skills here too. I wish hootoo had been around when I was a teenagerI might have done something with my life other than raise children and now mind grandchildren and elderly parent.

and best wishes in the big bad

GB

echo, there's not many of your calibre. Keep dropping by, please.

TRiG.

True, h2g2 probably helped you hone your skills, and help you have a very good knowledge of British vs American English.
On the other hand, you are a very mature, intelligent young woman who could have learnt many skills from many different places. We are just lucky that you picked h2g2 to learn from.

Vip - very well put. I echo your sentiments.

TRiG.

Aah guys, our little girl is all grewed up

And it's the fantastic people like you who are now kept out by the silly age limit rule and best wishes

Nice to see you popping in, EMR! How is university going for you?

Doesn't time fly!

Great to see you dropping in here, EMR.

Don't miss the next on Thursday in a week.

Thanks so much, all!

GB: raising children is one of the most wonderful things any of us can do. That's definitely doing something with your life.

Elentari: university's fantastic, albeit freakishly busy. I never have a spare moment, but my courses are amazing and I've made some wonderful friends. I'm going to be a history major, I've decided, with a certificate, which is sort of like a minor, in American studies. Right now I'm at the end of the last week of classes for spring semester, and I'm taking a few days to breathe before I launch into three weeks of final papers and exams. But really. It's wonderful. Getting out of my tiny suburban world has been the most incredible thing. University is its own tiny world, but at least it's one I find more amenable.

Well then. Enough about me. I'm about to go read , for the first time in months! (Sorry Rich, Bel, lil, etc. At least I'm reading this issue!)

Don't be sorryor you'll start to feel guilty then stay away longerjust don't completely and drop in to say Hi occasionallyand we'll all run for a

GB

Yay! Sounds like you found just the right Uni, EMR.