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

Gordon Bennet, good luck saving your ass!

Bombay Mix is stunning

Good for you Agapanthus, and for the Iron Maiden!

B

Agapanthus, s*d it! it's your day, not your Mums or your sisters.. and besides you can always take them out shopping for bridesmaid's dresses.

I've had an odd birthday, so far, nice but odd. For the last six years I've been to Manchester pride this weekend, but I didn't fancy going this year.

Went out for a lovely meal at a french resturant with A, and got drunk on a bottle of wine, which took up the best part of the afternoon. I'm going out for a drink later with some other friends. I say 'a' drink, an 'all you can drink for five pounds' night.

for Z

Agapanthus, I loved your description of the consequences of getting the dress Don't worry about the lightning, though - I did sleep in the very same bed as my bride-to-be the night before our marriage (as for the very many nights before that ) and afaik it hasn't hit us...*touches wood*

And please promiose me to enjoy every moment of your wedding when it comes to that. I still very much enjoy remembering what I can of mine - but the thing is, it whizzes by so quickly - so hang on to it for all you can!

(only piece of advice I'll ever give about weddings, btw )

Congrats, Z!



The costs to the NHS for patients not turning up is pretty much like hotel guests not turning up despite having made a reservation...

The maximum profit you can make is if all... say 100 rooms, are occupied.

So the hotel is fully booked - whopee! Only... some people just don't turn up - and don't let the hotel now, right?

There's usually a deadline - in Sweden it'd be around 1800 hrs - after that, the front office staff will start calling all the people on the waiting list to let them know that there *are* rooms available after all.

And at the end of the day, you usually end up with several emtpy, non-occupied rooms after all, because there were some 'guaranteed arrival' reservations who never showed up.

So, of course you charge them for the room anyway (what's usually known as a 'no-show' charge)

...and people get upset and start complaining!!! Oh come on - if the hotels were to charge you *in advance* just like - say - the airline companies - you'd never even think of launching a complaint.

If you bought a ticket and paid for it and never bothered to cancel the reservation, you'd still have to pay for it. But when a hotel charges you *in arrears* then you suddenly think it's wrong?



Don't mind me - I've just had one too many arguments with guests who don't think they ought to have to pay for *not* staying in a hotel despite having made a) a reservation and b) guaranteed arrival.

for Hati

About Coley feeling that her postings are being ignored: Did anyone at all notice that I wished Zeppo a happy birthday several postings ago? Just wondering, because I never saw anyone else wishing d'E's a happy birthday... not in this thread at least, possibly elsewhere

Keep lurking, Coely!

*buries her nose in Ripley's fur and can't smell anything but... the smell of unau* Well done, d'E!

Happy Birthday Z!

Translations of books - P G Woodehouse was very lucky when it came to translating his books into Swedish - one of the translators was *really* dedicated and managed to translate English humour very well, but she claims he's the reason for the gray hairs on her head...

Congrats to TIM!

*collapses on sofa, exhausted by backlog*

Look at it this way, Agapanthus, you will look positively stunning in the dress when they bury you in it!

Happy Birthday, Z!

*Slips Zeppo a dried pig's ear.*

IMike, I had a feeling you wouldn't much care for the idea of factory work as a career. University is a whole different kind of learning, which I think you'll like better.

*Matina comes out of the kitchen bearing an all-vegetarian carrot cake with cream-cheese icing, and birthday candles formed into a Z*

Mmm I am touched.. truely.

Indeed, I'm sure you'll enjoy university it's much more being talked to, rather than down to.

I went to buy a new notebook in woolworths this afernoon and I think I was the oldest person (other than a parent) in the back to school section... that was quite scarey.

Yummmmmm. I'm so glad Z is having a birthday because I love carrot cake.

Agpanthus, have you considered a lightening rod?

It isn't sunny, but it isn't raining, either. Newest trauma.....the popcorn machine has gone awol. I may hve to go home and pop it on my stove and put it in plastic bags. And I have no health department permit for my whirly pop.

The most important thing is ~you~ like the dress, Agapanthus. H drove me to our wedding and to say that we are crackingly happy is underrating it

Hello, all. Probably don't remember me, it's been so long. Goodness, never thought the backlog could build up quite that quickly. I'll just lurk here quietly till I get my bearings.

When did you first stop by, Penny whistle? The name's familiar...

http://www.asterlil.com/vin/epicbattle.htm

Sounds vaguely familiar to me also.

Home from the block party. The band was good, the trucks were ugly and the food was adequate. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

I'm, really tired. I'm off to bed.

TIM, I forgot to say that, my commiserations that you didn't do so wll in your As as you hoped, but glad Uni still beckons

Welcome back Penny Whistle, it has been a while hasn't it? I don't think too much has changed since you last had a chance to drop by.

Happy B-day, Z!

My Frida went to visit her grandmother with her mother. I guess that'll be quite a sight - 3 scotties running around. If they are lucky aunt will step by, too.

Hey, Z, Happy Birthday!

I am still shattered, and very aware that the flat is filthy and needs cleaning. I am interspersing half an hour's cleaning with an hour or so reading and getting through it that way.

Anyone got any suggestsions about books to read to chill out with?

B.

It's amazing how much better I feel when the bathroom is clean. On to the kitchen....

In the meantime, I have just been stood up for tomorrow! On the other hand I was making the poor sod travel 100 miles to see me on a bank holiday when the central London station which serves the west is closed, so I guess it is allowable.

I have to say, it takes the pressure off, somewhat, and we have rescheduled for a weekend I am in London anyway.

Ben

*waves to Penny Whistle*

Are we still allowed to do quizzes? This is an interesting one. http://www.politicalcompass.org/

I come out as:

Economic Left/Right: -3.88
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.79

Which makes me slightly leftish and slightly more libertarian, and which puts me nearer the Dalai Lama than anyone else, which is

Ben

[ltp]