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

What's the coolest thing about our journals?

They're a way for us to tell each other where our heads are at this moment.

See, we're all over the place - in space and time, in our journeys through life. Weatherwise and countrywise and problemwise, we're all floating, paddling, and struggling in different currents on the same broad, winding river. It's nice to touch base now and again.

Today, lots of h2g2ers are toasting absent friends - among them, of course, Douglas Adams, the creative force behind this website. His personal friends miss him, because he left them too soon. People (like me) who drew inspiration from his work want to pause to say thank you. We're proud of the Google Doodle, and we should be. We feel connected through concepts like the Babelfish, and the story behind 42, things like that.

Icy North's having fun with the French, who are staging a mock invasion of the Brits. Having fun with the French is an old British custom. Isn't it kind of our Romance-language friends to provide so much amusement? Even if they might want to brain 2legs with a crusty baguette.

Willem tells us his dreams - which I, for one, find edifying. Cactuscafe inspires us with daydreams.

I don't always remember my dreams. I figure they're doing their jobs, leave 'em alone. Yesterday morning, though, I woke up with one that had me scratching my head. Liam Neeson was portraying an old-time Fenian in it, and playing the world's strangest version of the elbow pipes. Bright green bag on the thing. There was a vivid close-up shot of a glass of whiskey. Go figure.

This morning, I woke up without a dream to remember. Instead, I got what I often get - a song.

The problem was, I couldn't remember the words. All I heard was the tune in my head, and the title.

The song is called, 'That's All'. I recalled it from my childhood.

Now, I tend to think of these 'song messages' as coming from some angel somewhere. I listen to them, because I think they're trying to impart something important. You can decide it's my subconscious, such as it is, throwing up ideas. That's fine with me.

Anyway, once I'd looked up the lyrics, I had a moment. I decided that the song was a message from the Holy Spirit. It pretty much summed up what that Spirit has to offer.

After all the talking, there's a still, small voice, as God said to Elijah once in a cave.

I read the lyrics to Elektra, and she asked, 'Did you remember this from church?'

'No,' I said. 'It's a pop song.'

For what it's worth, here are the words and the music. Maybe they'll do something for you.

http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/That's-All-lyrics-Nat-King-Cole/C451668381AB249A48256AF1001A55A4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3PrEItc3N4

'You'll be glad to know that my demands are small...'

Whatever voices you're listening to today, may they bring you what you're seeking.

And that's all I had to say.

Yes! Splendid! Now I remember everything! And I love that song and the way it inspires you, and the way that you say that it inspires you, if you see what I mean.

Thanks for reminding me to keep up with my journal, in fact I think I will go back there later, when I have eaten some chick peas, and wake up my page.

Sometimes perhaps I go all stupid and think that my journal is not a very good contribution to hootoo, but it's me and it's all I've got and it makes me happy, so yay! and chick chick chick peas call.

Enjoy those chick peas.

Journal-writing is part of what we're about. Always remember - somebody might have needed that thought.

(the chef, to whom I am wed, , has had a delay with the chicky chick peas, so time for a moment of incredibly interesting loss of self esteem)

Really? Even my thoughts?

You know friend, it's good you posted, seriously, , I want to support hootoo, I really do, and perhaps it's OK as a contribution to just be me and write my journal.

End of loss of self esteem moment.

How can you say that?

Go back and read the converstaions in your journal. Notice how many people have had how many discussions about how many topics...

And how many of the poems/stories/thoughts we have 'stolen' from there for the Post.

We're a writing site, yes - but that's not prescriptive or proscriptive or whatever...

Just, er, descriptive. We write to talk. We write to share. We write because we can't do sign language on a computer...we, er...

(Shutting up now.)

Yes! Yes! Of course! Thanks friend for reminding me of the rough diamond treasures within.

Everybody needs a scratch pad. This is a virtual one.

You seem very contemplative today, D.

It must be that durn time change. It makes old people sleepy, KB. This passes for contemplative...

'Are you resting your eyes, Grandpa?'

'No, just meditating on the meaning of life. Now, go away...'