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

Welcome to the atelier! If you've not been here before, please take a moment to look over A304354, and the link offsite that you will find there. It helps, considering our galactically famous backlog, to know a bit of the backstory.

This pewter penstand with white egret plume goes to Marv the Grate for his salutary scribing activities over the last conversation. Additionally, we have a special award *holds up a medal depicting a small oaken log, hanging from a red ribbon* for GreyDesk, the OCB, or Order of the Conquered Backlog. ¡Que bravo!

We have new salonistas! Dave, whose name's appearance at the beginning of this sentence is the only time it is usually capitalised, has arrived and immediately ensconced himself in the computer lab, where he's talking about machines and hockey with Marv. Azahar did not get a proper formal announcement of arrival at the beginning of the last thread, so let us please acknowledge her worthy presence here. Welcome also to Kaz the Thoughtful, and to our first Antipodean since Looney graced these velvet sofas. Ivan the Terribly Average, we are glad to have you, even across all those time zones. I'm sure I have forgotten to announce someone, but that is in itself is becoming part of tradition...

Professor Tonks, absent these many threads, made an extremely brief appearance, having been scared speechless by the backlog, and sea has peeked back into the salon.

There were some fascinating debates and discussions in the last conversation, which I mention here in no particular order. The matter of Creationism (newspeakily re-named Intelligent Design theory) vs. Evolution had been broached at the end of the previous thread, and was picked up again as soon as everyone was comfortable in the new conversation.

Who in the Solar System had not been made aware of the breast of Janet Jackson? As it had in itself no special physical characteristics, and as its bearer has no special acting talent, one can fairly conclude that venue is everything. It was the breast that launched a thousand talk show diatribes and intense discussions, not least here at the salon.

The French finally upstaged The Breast by means of legislation. Their move to ban religious-oriented accessories such as Muslim headscarves from public schools was the fount of a long discussion that ranged from school uniforms, through religious obligations and wishes, to professional attire and women's rights.

Also threatening to upstage practically any other topic one could think of is the looming US presidential race. It was finally resolved to launch a separate thread for this topic, since it won't be going away soon. Who knows? The coming election might last as long as the last one! In any event, Demon Drawer (non-American, hence neutral in at least a token sense) kindly set up a debating arena in the gallery, complete with convention-style decor.

When Lil mentioned having read an interesting article about the politics surrounding the London Tube, we were all ready to discuss transportation, both public and private, and what to do about the so-far-still necessary evil of the internal combustion engine. Automobile control is a topic that pushes some more general buttons regarding freedom of movement and freedom from surveillance.

But where do freedoms end and obligations begin? Garius Lupus told the story of the neighbor's incessant car alarm, and this led to talk of community rights vs. personal rights.

All this time, Affi was sitting on the floor, tinkering with something. Garius and dave, themselves inveterate tinkerers, were soon absorbed in watchful commentary, as the talk continued to flow around them.

To dub or subtitle films? What are the ingredients for a White Russian, and would it count as stem cell research? What's to be done about real estate developers? Is society more tolerant of female bisexuals than male bisexuals? What were our first album purchases, and how can one deal with cross-infection from the songs in other people's heads? Should immigrants be required to speak the language of their host country? Whose bathroom is the coldest? Was it right for Telewest to be alerted about the h2g2 trapdoor? Do the residence-burbs of presidents deserve to be more discriminatory about protesters? What should be given up for Lent, and how does one dye eggs organically?

We only had one quiz, regarding our cynicism quotient. Results were largely unsurprising.


And so here we are at the new thread, very likely with ever more absorbing discussions to look forward to. Make yourselves comfortable; Matina has made hot cross buns and a samovar of tea.

*looks up from the sofa and her *

Is it possible I might actually be first? Nah. Never...

*Matina brings Gw7en an Irish anticoffee in a First-to-the-Forum mug*


MR, in my dreams, I do indeed have to go up a small hill to get to the town, or, better, wind between them, and the land is like open parkland with tall shade trees. Gray stone buildings.

The idea that dreams are composed of pieces of real experience is plausible, but not the whole story, I think.

Thank you ever so much, Matina. I knew that there were perks to getting connected at home. I just didn't expect to get to be the first to post...

It sounds like a lovely town, Lil. What identifiable buildings do you see and are there any people there?

Hi.

I don't suppose Matina could supply a hot brandy and lemon, or something similar? My throat's horribly sore and I'm not sure how long my voice will last...

I'm sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well, Ivan! Matina can provide just about anything you ask for.

*at just that moment, Matina appears with a hot toddy for Ivan*

*makes appreciative gestures*

Thanks.

*sips*

Z - off to stand on a freezing airfield...

Enjoy!

Lil, the only buildings I see are vague houses in the distance, with this entire landscape dominated by a large white clapboard Congregationalist church. I'm sure Sporky knows the type!

I'm currently writing the research paper. I've been procrastinating far too long on the damned thing, but it's so hard to get motivated, and I just can't write all in one shot. I have 12 pages completed, including the intro, background and definition section (7 pages) and am currently trying to plow my way through the theorhetical guts of the paper, trying to show how the conflict between John and the Spiritual Franciscans was a combination of personalities, the death knell of medieval religious understanding, and politics. It's all very interesting, and I think it will make for an excellent article, but I'm just feeling terribly bogged down by it at the moment.

Ah, sorry to vent there

Sure, I go bowling and miss the FTTF! Bowling was fun, the third game we just played around, you name the throw, we did it. Tomorrow we go to Wendover, Nevada for some gambling. Marv and I, at least will be armed with our chosen beverages we will try and get my brother and his friend to also arm themselves.

Hmm, only three hours late for trying to get to the convo. Eh, that's not bad.

Lil, could we put up a shelf to display FTTF mugs and Scribe awards once the conversations are done? They are all so pretty, and I still have my FTTF mugs from a previous thread or three.

Looks like I might have some blag to contend with upon my return to SLC after a breif trip to Nevada tomorrow. GDZ, some friends of ours and myself will be traveling the 100 miles or so to Wendover Nevada for some gamblin drinkin and cussin all in the name of charity.

Enjoy Wendover, gents.

I just watched Donnie Darko for the first time. Wow. That's a heavy hitter. Beautiful movie. I'm going to get a copy now that I know...

Matina you had better have a hot toddy ready for Z, it is very cold again today.

I can confirm that the RX-8 is exceedingly fast, not that H was speeding . The steering is very quick and the ride is fairly comfortable. The satnav is impressive, it is a proper map rather than just written directions and was only a a few feet out, but caught up with itself when the car was stationnery at junctions. H found it a bit peaky when acceleratingand there wasn't as much feed back from the engine and road as he would have liked. But all in all we were impressed and it is a contender. Next weekend H is test driving and Audi TT.

An RX-8, then a TT.

It is a strange little flick, isn't it G7?

Very much so. As long as I don't start talking to rabbits or seeing wormholes, I think I'll be fine.

It's 3 in the morning here, and I went to bed last night at 5 and got up at 8:30, so I think perhaps it's time for me to go to bed.



So good night all. Pleasant dreams!

G'night!

*wistfully thinks of her bed that will go unused till tomorrow afternoon. sips *

*wonders if she manages to hit the first page*

I have had lots of friends coming and going through the weekend. Two main topics for this b-day seem to be tulips and wine glasses. I am fine with both.