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

Unfortunately, both articles have still to make their way to the top of the BBC moderating queue but I'll pop by your page with that recipe.

Why does string theory have to be moderated? (I don't even want to know about the garlic soup...)

I learnt that there are people like me out there (this is the very best thing).

Red
Woof-woof-woof

...and some of them even like you and think you're very funny so that's gotta be a bonus!

But it's also good to learn that there are people out there who are completely different from yourself - diversity is a healthy thing, it helps us all to survive...

I think the most life-changingly important thing that I've learnt in my lifetime, is that rather than being created by some divine entity, we humans evolved from chimpanzees. For me, this is the fundamental insight that everything else I believe about the world stems from - without it, I would be a profoundly different person...

... that this little mudball we call Earth is actually full of friendly, intelligent, and enlightened people. And that a virtual is almost as good as a real one on a bad day.

Ooh, Oooh, Ooog

*eats banana with peel on*

I learnt that it's fun to search out old threads occasionally and revive them.

And I've specifically asked (and found out) why 99s are called 99s and why bodies are buried 6 feet under.

And loads of other bits and pieces of varying degrees of importance, usually when I wasn't looking for them.

And that there actually ARE other people in the world who share my warped sense of humour.

So how about sharing what you learned about 99s and 6 foot graves.
Seriously, this inquisitive mind wants to know. Please start by telling me what a 99 actually is first, so I'll know what you're talking about when you tell me why they're called that.
And the grave thing; don't forget the grave thing. I know what they are. But you're right, nobody ever says why they are traditionally six feet deep.

jwf

I've learnt that I should never greet a Kenyan with the word 'jambo' (thanks GTB)

I've also learnt that lots of people assume I'm male and in my late thirties. Whether or not they also think I have a receding hairline has yet to be determined, although I'd love to know.

Oh - I also learnt that if I meet a banana slug, I should lick it

You'd probably be quite disappointed when you found out what a 99 is, jwf. It's nothing naughty, but it verges on the decadent in the eyes of the British.

Too many things to think about at the moment but I'm bookmarking this conversationfor future reference.

H2g2 is a good refuge when you need a laugh and there's always one to be had around here

Orcus

Never stare into the sun for too long.
And if you do I hear you scream...

Migraines for life.
Incurable migraines that burn through you like a forest fire.
Migraines that sound like a claxon siren running through your head.

NEVER STARE INTO THE SUN FOR TOO LONG.

...that and there ain't no god.
There is only love.

No problem jwf - I've found that when you ask something here you generally get an answer - and this is no exception! ;-) Why is a 99 called a 99? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F19585?thread=134450 (the first post explains what a 99 is) Why are bodies buried six feet under? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F19585?thread=192135 :-D

>> I've found that when you ask something here you generally get an answer - and this is no exception! <<

Thanks for two of the most 'interesting-threads-I-hadn't-read' in a long time.

And to all of 'the usual suspects' who posted to them.

~jwf~

Contrary to the above, I would argue that there is not love.

I can't say I've ever met anyone who credibly claims to love someone in the sense the arts describe the phenomenon.

My children I am proud of/want to protect/like/enjoy the company of/enjoy looking at/feel obliged to feed, clothe, educate .... those things I can define. But love is not definable.

My husband I rely on/respect/admire/sympathise with/find interesting. etc.

Equally, my relationships to parents, friends, colleagues, I can define in many small ways. Is this "love" the sum of all these feelings?

A slightly smelly man in a Yorkshire Working Men's Club warned me several years ago that 'When tha starts courtin, tha pork pie costs twice as much'.

Consequently, I now avoid both women and pork, and am considerabley wealthier as a result.

Most useful thing I've learned? How to say no to people...I'm still working on how to say no to people without offending them.