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

Long story, boring story: I am offline at the moment because being online using a modem costs on a per-minute basis: and the USB ports on my PC (which are needed to talk to the broadband connection) are b*gg***d.

I am going to have to contact Sony, and... yadda yadda yadda, all of which may take six weeks, cost me a fortune in carrier charges, and involve re-formatting the hard-drive, or of course it may take three days and cost me nothing and be a credit to Sony's investment in post-sales support. I will let you know...

In the meantime the sun is shining, I am out of work but cheerful. Hell, it IS summer, after all. My Private Life remains complex, intricate and entertaining, (for other people, if not always for me), and I have quit smoking but am still drinking dark rum like a good 'un. The cats are cute, (which is what they are paid for), the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and so far no-one is foreclosing, so I cannot complain.

Ben

about the internet, pet the cats from me, and we're missing you! will you be at the Nodnol meet>

Well, good to see that everything is back to normal in the world of Ben - ie as abnormal as you could wish for.

I hope your connection starts working soon Good luck in being a credit

Ben,

B*gger you live in England. Just set up the new Jag here with a 24 hour internet connection - not broadband unfortunately - that just costs me 21 euros a month. Ummm 12 pounds? I could get broadband for 36 euros, but am waiting a bit until I see if I actually get some summer classes.

Meanwhile, dark rum sounds okay (though I prefer rioja) and of course the cats *should* be doing their cute bit. Since it has been about 40º here the past couple of weeks I now seem to have three 'cat rugs' that flop somewhat bonelessly all over the place (though not unlike myself). I keep telling them they could at least do the washing up, but they never listen. They think being cute is all they ever have to do, which is why I seriously want to be a cat in my next life.

You should talk to Ste about your computer woes. He has really helped me a lot with my new computer - in fact he helped me choose the new Jag. And has given me lots of follow-up info. I don't understand how your modem could be causing such problems for you - don't they have flat rates for regular modems using regular phone lines in the UK? Meanwhile, have heard you can get plug attachments for USB. But anyhow, Ste knows way more about all of this than I do, and he likes to help.

Meanwhile, glad the sun is shining and birds are singing. Hope you don't stay off-line too long!

az

Hi Ben,

Bugger technology anyway, except when it works of course. Dark rum, there's a tonic. Like Az,I would generally prefer Rioja to spirits, but sadly, the vino tinto seems to get into my joints and cause havoc. So no Rioja, but Bushmills Black Label Whiskey, and good dark rum are real morale-boosters.

With the passing of the storm, not much in the way of poetry lately ( sound familiar?) So instead much doggerelling on the nonsense ballad thread I initiated ( Anyone for Nonsense, ...The Ballad of Grimley Moer ) which is raising a few laffs.

I'll give you a call. Hope this connection lasts and the modem behaves,

Loss of fluff,

o

Glenmorangie!!!

Yes, Az

Indeed, a close second to Black Bush. Hard to choose between them. Both are like firey liquid butter, or buttery liquid fire, or firey buttery liquid, or, or..........

But I do love a good Rioja, and bitterly regret that fact that I've become so sensitised, I think it's the tannins,( rather than the alcohol ) because strong tea is equally pain-producing. That's the trouble with hard-worked joints, they play up all the sooner, and pottery really makes demands on them.

Mooaann, sorry.





o

Chai,

Well, it may not be because you are an old worn-out git! Lots of people have serious reactions to the tannens in black tea and red wine.

And so! I suggest Spanish 'rueda' white wine if you can find it. Probably the most possible brand would be Marques de Caceres. Dry yet very smooth (not acidy) and a bit fruity. And no tannens.

Never heard of Black Bush. But Glenmorangie is definitely all that mess of adjectives you previously posted. And sooooooooooooo smoooooooooooth. . .

Unfortunately I love whiskey more than it loves me, so I have to save this for very special occasions , like Christmas, and just have a wee dram.

If I'm lucky!

az

A worn-out old git? That sounds horribly accurate, in some departments, like the wrists and knees. Which can be a bit of a pain when the other departments are are trundling along nicely, thank you.

I know Rueda, and Marquis de Caceres, but I've never been so keen on the whites ( I prefer de blues ). Actually, I find it easier just not to drink wine at all, and anyway, it's so obscenely expensive here in bleeding alcohol-soaked Ireland, because government tax on alcohol is about four euros on a bottle of wine!

Send me your address, and I'll send you a bottle of Black Bush for Christmas. It's stunning stuff.



o a.k.a. wallah

Ben!

You are my witness! Chai MUST send me a bottle of this fabulous whiskey next Christmas. Will savour it lovingly, Chai. Last bottle of whiskey someone gave me more than two years ago is still more than half full, but perhaps this is because it isn't Black Bush (it's 12 year old Macallan - find it too sweet somehow).

I also prefer red wines, riojas in particular, and - get this - a very decent rioja here only costs about 3.50 euros. Including taxes.

az

Sorry to hear of your difficulty with Sony.
Karen

Az,

I'm surprised you find Macallan too sweet if you like Glenmorangie. Tell you what, email me your postal address, or post it here and I'll send you a sample. Then you can see how you like it. OK?

o

In the immortal words of one of the Glaswegian branches of OddBins:

Ye canna knock a
good rioja

I have drunk a lot of spanish wine on the back of that!

Thanks for dropping by and cheering me up - I was feeling a little isolated - and YES! - I am going to the London Meet!

B

Ben,

Glad you're feeling cheered up. But shall move the whiskey negotiations over to my conversation thread with Chai, in case anyone else wants to talk to you here and gets confused.

Wish I could go to the meet. Maybe next time.

Good luck with the computer stuff!

kissitos,
az

Hi Ben, me agen,

If you're in a mood for silliness, and your computer is beahving itself, here's a link to the Ballad of Grimley Moer, which has become so damned addictive that my day is forming itself into ballad metre. But it's wonderfully light-hearted relief after the recent heavy weather.

Your versifying skills would be a glorious addition, if you don't mind slumming it with us doggerellers.

Here's the link. You can backtrack from there, as much, or as little as you fancy.

F19585?thread=283765&post=3601122#p3601122

Hi Ben, as you drink dark rum may I recommend the following...
Dark and Stormy - its dark rum with ginger beer or ale, both seem to work. I find its a jolly nice drink, I was introduced to it when I worked as a sailor.

Good luck with Sony.

Also dark rum hot toddies are lovely - recipe: large helping of dark rum in a mug, fill with boiling water, add a splash of lemon juice and a dollop of honey. Nice before bed, and especially good for curing colds.

az

[LIL]

You're missed at the atelier!

Oh you're going to the London meet, Ben. Great! I hope you have a brilliant time. Say hello to Also Ran 1 for me if you see her.

Unfortunately, I would like to go to the London meet, however I'm now unlikely to be able to get ther, which I am sad about, because I'm going to a farewell do and meeting some of my bloke's friends, which I'm happy about.

i don't know what it is about the 28th, but there are at least three things going on, including a friend's 50th party, which again I can't go to. Must be something in the planets.

Az,

I agree about rioja.

Chai and Az,

I like Glenmorange and the Macallan - not tried the Bushmills.

Chai,

There are diet things you can do to help with the joints, but they do involve giving up things I think you may like rather a lot, like alcohol, dairy products, citrus fruit and most meats. They also involve eating 'alkaline' foods like green vegetables, certain fruits, cider vinegar, molasses, etc - and taking epsom salt baths.

Ben (again),

I hope the modem thing sorts out.