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

Anonymouse is spot on but the freezing condensation was in Aberdeen, London normally is a mild mild place (it is well south and is basically a huge urban heat island
BCNU - Crescent

Hello, again. You do "wander" ..

There is a TV show in the US called "Antique Roadshow" or similar, its on the Public Broadcasting Network (PBS). They go around the country letting people bring in old "whatevers" and they put a price on the stuff.

I saw a pickle jar (a very special glass piece)from the mid-19th century that went for around $20,000.

Now, folks, I was born at night, but not last night. Gimme a break. Yeah, it was a nice work, but ... of course, that little music thing I bought on Amazon last night for too many $ ... but it sounds good.

That doll's house may be worth a fortune ... and may not be for sale - my music synths are not.

Still working on Caistor - we've had a death in the family, nothing unexpected or tragic, so I'm distracted. My suit (hmm, a ways back) does go in and out of fashion, tho. Tweed, a British thing?

Sympathies to you, Steve, for the loss. Even expected deaths can leave large holes. *hugs*

I've watched the show you mentioned (Antiques Road Show) on several occasions, and I tend to agree that the prices on some objects are a bit.. erm.. unbelievable. Many things I'd have expected to have a large value (even -after- hearing the comments) sometimes go for piddlings while something I couldn't give a hoot for will bring hundreds of thou on the market. But there, I've given away the key... it's all in the market. Whatever the collectors with the money have been convinced is -the- thing to collect this week.

I had a family loss myself over Christmas. It's a shame that people you care about don't always last a lifetime......

Houses in the UK used to be built to last, but for the last 50 years you would be fortunate to find an example that isn't listed for demolition within 25 years (assuming it hasn't already fallen appart of it's own accord)

I used to live in a 270 year old stable block, and old is NOT wonderful - it's cold and draughty, and it is virtually impossible to get permission to change anything because of the "nostalgia brigade".

Solid and, above all, soundproof walls though.

The "antiques" that have the most stupid prices are toys because they are worth more if still in the original packaging. Now - if you were given a toy as a child and kept it in its original packaging then it was obviously an absolutely useless toy..n'est ce pas?

A good watch (wind-up, swiss) should last a lifetime and makes a good heirloom.

Also - immunity to measles/ chicken pox?

Statistically a Land-Rover should last a life time as over 50% of all ever built are still on the road...but since I've sent one to the scrap heap and sold another into farm labour I can't vouch for this .


P.S. We lost a work colleague over Christmas which was a shock to most of us (those who didn't realise he left early for a kidney transplant not just a holiday).

The trouble with things that last a lifetime is that you miss out on how exciting the new version is. For instance, if a video recorder lasted a lifetime you wouldn't have an excuse to get the new one with indexing, VideoPlus and Program Delivery Control.

The only thing that I can think of that I've owned for more than about 5 years (I'm 26, in case that's relevant) is a picture that was given to me (and made) by my Grandad when I was about 7. So I would have to agree that it would be nice if the people you care about could last a lifetime.

Otherwise, I'm happy for the old stuff to wear out, since the new stuff is so much better, throwaway, MTV culture junkie that I am.

The omly thing I ask to last a lifetime, or preferably longer is my house

Many thanks for the sympathy . I just got back from the funeral trip, it went pretty well. I want to say that the man lived to the age of 86, and lived a life better than 99.9% of the world. He was a funny guy, a VERY talented (4 handicap!) golfer, and we had a lot of jokes together (he's my father-in-law).

Of course, I'm part Irish (he was Belgian), so when I die, I want none of this weepy stuff, I want a party. I really mean it. REALLY.

He did last a lifetime, and a wonderful lifetime. We should all do so well.

- Steve K.

Duncan -

Well put - "original packaging"? I've wondered about that myself.

Interestingly, I buy vintage electronic musical instruments - it is a plus if the seller has the box. I think its an indication that the seller might have the manual (important), AND did not ... ummm ... acquire the item under suspicious circumstances.

My best friend married an Irishman who died in his mid seventies a couple of years ago. He had a wonderful funeral, fitting his wonderful nature - packed church, raucous party back at the house including lots of Irish whiskey. When everyone else had gone, the immediate family (of which I am an honorary member) went ten pin bowling.
My nearest and dearest know that I want a PARTY as well, without the church bit as my body is to go to the nearest teaching hospital .Even if there are no usable spare parts by then to last beyond my lifetime, the knowledge gained by intending doctors might help someone. I'd have died several times in my late 20s/early 30s without some pretty nifty surgery.
Here's a very Ann Landers Question. "Will your good name/reputation last a lifetime?"

*chuckles* .. Sometimes a reputation is the -last- thing we want lasting a lifetime.

I have to confess to being a computer junkie - my new laptop arrives tomorrow, the specs read like the Starship enterprise. A 3D accelerator on a laptop? But I still have an old 486 PC that works fine for music. Since the software is set on it (and my favorite program on it is no longer published, the company went under), it may last a loooong time.

Some h2g2 threads outlast the life online of the posters.I thought we might get some further input on this if I brought it back to the top.
Having acted in 'The Importance of Being Earnest' this year, I can testify that some humour outlasts a lifetime. I find this very surprising.

Yes, humor is difficult and good examples are memorable, if scarce. My wife & I recently saw the documentary movie about Jerry Seinfeld's return to standup comedy. He paid tribute to many other comedians, in particular Bill Cosby. While Cosby's more recent televison shows have been a little iffy (for me), I still recall listening to some of his first work on vinyl albums - e.g. "Noah! This is the Lord, Noah!" "Right! ... Who is this really?" Great stuff from LONG ago.

It's bizarre reading old threads...I always try and think what I was doing during that time.

Ok. Lifetime things. My guitar will probably last me - if it isn't sold for food money anytime soon. I've had it since I was 14; a nice straightforward Epiphone Gibson Les Paul. None of my books will leave me during my lifetime. Especially my reference books; like the Mormon Bible I incited 6 months of scary-Mormon people stalking me for, and my Gavin Baddely books, and a 70's version (or perhaps older? can't remember) of The Hobbit, and a book of Irish faerie Tales. Hopefully, my mind will last me, my writing and words will grow and last me. HOPEFULLY h2g2 will last for a whole lifetime, and won't be corrupted or infected, or killed off. Also, I hope I will last a lifetime. As long as that may be, I hope I don't die having something to do.

Yes, guitars seem to have a life of their own, a la John Denver's "This Old Guitar". I would add guitar LICKS. A friend in gradeschool taught me the rhythm licks to the Kingsmen's version of Barrett Strong's "Money", and enough of the lead to fake it. You'd be surprised how that impresses some (non-guitarist) friends.

Lyle Lovett is one of my favorite performers - way cool if you give him a chance. On one album, in addition to the ping-pong scores during the recording breaks, he gave credit for a guitar lick. To paraphrase, "Guitar lick on Track 8 provided by Steve Fromholtz in the backroom of Anderson Fair on 3 July 1988." (Names changed to protect the guilty ... Anderson Fair is a fabled Houston, Texas singer/songwriter small venue).

Ahhhh...the intro to "Today"...attempted to learn it without success until a friend told me to flick the 13th fret/high E string with my little finger to produce the sound...

Memories

My mother's teddy bear and the one's given to me on the day I was born and on my first Christmas are both still being hugged especially now their is a new generation in our family.

They may be a little threadbare. And my little ted is a blind, receeding, double leg amputee but hge still sits proudly in my room at home and has travelled Europe with me.

Also my collection of mint UK decimal coins introduced the year I was born and just after are still in prestine condition nad may well outlast their legal tender life when the UK fianlly adopts the Euro.