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

Hello Emmily,

I'm new here and I hope that I'm not overreaching, but I would like to be keeper of the first cup of coffee in the morning *soothing sound of an angelic choir*, please .

I know that VIP is the Keeper of Laura's coffee and that Duma is the Keeper of the Coffee Bean and all the Goodness that derives from it. So, I suppose there may be some overlap - you can probably have Laura's coffee first thing in the morning (although I've not had the pleasure of meeting Laura, she may not be a morning person, so this is not necessarily a conflict) and the first cup in the morning certainly falls within the range of all Goodness that derives from Coffee Beans.

However, coffee is such a big thing *more angelic singing*, and I'm only asking for the first cup in the morning. In the end the decision is yours of course, so I'll leave it to your deep and abiding wisdom and sound judgment. (Instead of toadyish flattery I could arrange a bribe if you prefer).

Thank you for your consideration.

PS my number is U1443035.

Fanfare

Congratulations Abderian_sophist It is my pleasure to bestow upon you the Official Keeper Title of *Keeper of The First Cup of Coffee in the Morning *



Hope you're enjoying exploring h2g2

Emmily

Emmily,

I'm beside myself with joy and the both of us are very grateful .

I shall endeavor to keep the First Cup of Coffee in the Morning hot and fresh.

Mark

That first in the morning is the best one of the day I can't wake up without one.

Emmily

Coffee is one of the simple pleasures in life. It satisfies consistently and honestly, and, if taken in moderation and not too close to bed time, it does no harm. You would be hard pressed to find another vice that fits that description.

The First Cup of Coffee in the Morning , of which I am the proud newly appointed keeper (thank you again) , is a gift from heaven. It's aroma soothes, its warmth comforts, its flavor satisfies and its chemistry restores the mind and body. * the men in white jackets return, administer the appropriate meds and tighten the straps *

Where was I, oh yes, , can't get enough of it.

My partner has decaffeinated coffee when coffee is his last drink before going to bed. Sorry, but I just can't see the point in drinking decaff coffee.

A few years ago, a work collegue and I were drinking lots of and getting headaches. We even had the workplace checked for toxic leaks, as two of us were getting the same symtoms. The mystery was solved when we discovered the coffee we were drinking was decaff, so we were not getting our caffine fix and suffering for it.

I'm off to bed, it's 2.40am here

Emmily

Goodness, 2:40 am? You really are a dedicated Keeper of the Keepers . I feel ashamed that my responsibility as Keeper of the First Cup of Coffee in the Morning , as far as I’ve been able to tell, amounts to little more than drinking the stuff at the appointed time (which I would be doing anyway).

Regarding your opinion on decaffeinated coffee, no need to apologize, I completely agree. Decaffeinated coffee is weak, tastes vaguely medicinal, and smells funny. If you don’t want, or can’t have, caffeine there are better things to do with your senses.

I also stand corrected, I claimed that coffee does no harm if taken in moderation. As you observe, the body develops a dependency that subjects the abstainer to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. This effect probably falls within the definition of “harmful” for most people, but given the offsetting benefits, IMO, the minimal harm is worth it.

Yours in Keeper-ship…

Mark

OOhhh I don't know, I think being keeper of the beverage that helps so many people to feel awake, it pretty important.

And take no notice of the stereo-typing that all Brits drink all the time, I work in a coffee bar and sell just as much, if not more coffee than tea.

Emmily

Thank you for those kind words .

While I really am a big fan of coffee in all its forms: hot, iced, as an ice cream flavor etc. (I'm drinking a cup of right now). I think that in many ways tea is a more refined and sophisticated drink. Preparing a good cup of tea is an art and the custom of stopping everything for a quiet afternoon tea with all the trappings, crustless sandwiches, biscuits and scones, is up there with Shakespeare and the Magna Carta as one of Britain's greatest gifts to civilization. (What does a cucumber sandwhich taste like anyway?)

Mark

OOOpppss Mark, I think I mistook you for someone from the US I was chatting to.

I don't watch Eastenders anymore, haven't done for about 3 years. I used to wonder what the rest of the world would think when they saw just about every situation was solved with a , which was why I made reference to stereo-typing tea drinking Brits.

Though, I do drink during a heatwave, I find it more refreshing than any other drink, don't know if that's just my peculiarity.

Emmily

That's OK, all us Americans look alike (online anyway).

Regarding the stereo-typing, I wouldn't worry about it. Didn't Britain cobble together one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen with little more than bright red uniforms and a belly full of Earl Grey? I think the stereo-tying was working for you.

You've just reminded me of two of my favourite characters/actors in that post.

"bright red uniforms" - 'Sharpe' Played by Sean Bean. Although he wore a green uniform, the South Essex, who he (sometimes) commanded, wore red uniforms. You may not have heard of Sharpe, it's one of my favourite programmes, and I have the whole series on DVD.

"Earl Grey" - Captain Jean-Luc Picard played by Patrick Stewart. Star Trek TNG. I used to be a big fan of Star Trek TNG, I've lost count of how many times I've watched the series, gone off it a bit now.

What kind of TV progs do you like?

Emmily

My five all time favorite television shows, in order of preference:

1-West Wing (Seasons 1 - 4) - If politicians were really this smart, dedicated and likable I'd quit my job to work in Washington tomorrow. I'd fetch coffee and shine shoes, just to be near intelligent, decent people in power. If only it were true.

2-West Wing (Seasons 5+) - It's definitely a different show after Aaron Sorkin, the creator and original writer, left. It's still a great show, but has lost a lot of energy and the dialogue is not as witty.

3-Start Trek - The Next Generation - A family addiction for a number of years. I have this thing for shows that showcase competent people working passionately towards a common goal. Unfortunately, I've seen so many of the shows so many times I really can't watch it anymore.

4-Monty Pythons Flying Circus - Years ago, this show was on our Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) at 10:30 PM Sunday. It was the only thing that could vanquish the Sunday-night-tomorrow's-Monday blah's.

5-Who's Line Is It Anyway? - Some of the shows were so funny I hurt myself laughing. Unfortunately, the last few seasons have been dull and tired; the show needs to be put out of it's misery.

Other shows that are runner's up: Taxi, Mash, Hillstreet Blues and Law and Order.

Mark

Hiya Mark

This is the first time since I mentioned staying up later, that I've been up late. I find I sleep better when I read in bed, but that's not worked tonight, so I'm catching up on posts that I should have replied to days ago.

I've never watched West Wing, seen all the others you mention, but most long time ago. I've not watched Hill Street Blues for years, most progs. are repeated on cable channel, but don't remember HSB being on.

Another 2 I like, but you may not have seen are: Judge John Deed and Waking the Dead.

The time here is 3.15am and I feel wide awake.

Emmily

Hello Emmily,

West Wing is definitely worth seeing, especially the first four seasons - all of which I happily posses on DVD . You may have noticed that all of the others on my list are discontinued, some long discontinued (except for Who's Lines, which should be). There's not much on current TV, broadcast or cable, that I enjoy.

Sorry, but I've never seen Judge John Deed or Waking the Dead. Are they a court room drama and a horror series, respectively? Actually, that reminds me, our local Public Broadcastng Service used to show Rumpole of the Bailey which I really enjoyed - any similarity with Judge John?

3:15am aye? Definitely should start that "Any Insomniacs Online?" thread.

Mark

Hiya mark

Hmmm there's an Entry on West Wing, when I've got five mins, I read it, find out what I've been missing.

You're correct with Judge Johm Deed, it is a court room drama. John Deed (Martin Shaw) is a maverick judge, on the side of the people, and justice at all costs, no matter who he has to take on to get it.

I watched Rumpole of the Bailey a couple of times, didn't think much of it, was a bit slow for me.

Waking the Dead is a crime drama. It is about a group of detectives, led by Peter Boyd (Trevor Eve) who work on 'cold cases'. They use forensic science/evidence to solve old murders where a skeleton or decomposing body is found.

How could I have forgotten my all time favourite 'Sharpe' Christmas before last my partner bought me the the boxed set of the whole series on DVD I doubt you've seen Sharpe either. Richard Sharpe (Sean Bean) is a maverick officer in the Peninsular War 1700-1800s. Promoted from the ranks, he is not accepted by other officers as he is not a 'gentleman', and the men he commands see him as 'one of them'. That's putting it very briefly.

I think I went back to bed at around 5am that night/morning, had to get up at 9 for work.

Emmily

Hi Emmily,

I've read the Entry on West Wing, even took at stab at a Peer Review commentary on it, my first. I think it's a pretty good Entry, goes into a lot of detail - definitely worth a look.

Sorry that Rumpole isn't your cup o' - I guess I liked the show because I enjoy watching Leo McKern.

Your right, I've, never seen Sharpe, but I did a quick search on Google and turned up the Sharpe Appreciation Society: http://www.southessex.co.uk/main.htm -- apparently you are not alone in your love of the show. I didn't recognise the name at first, but after seeing his picture I see that Sean Bean is Boromir from Lord of the Rings - he did a nice job in that movie. It was one of the few movies that my wife and I, and the kids, enjoyed.

I envy you, your stamina, long gone are the days that I could go to work on four hours sleep .

Mark

it's taken a while to reply Mark, I've been a bit busy, my page gets over-run with posts and I loose track of some of them

I've got that Sharpe link on my browser favourites I did the quiz ages ago, and got nil points

I read the West Wing Entry, it sounds very political, which I don't take much interest in, would someone without a lot of political knowledge understand it?

Emmily

Hi Emmily,

No need to apologize, the Keeper of Keepers is an awesome responsibility

West Wing is political, but it does a nice job of providing both sides of most arguments. At least I think so, but then again, you can always tell which side of the argument the authors favor, and I'm usually in agreement with them. I don't think that you will have any problem understanding the show. It's fast moving, well written and informative.

Speaking of fast moving, well written and informative, my first attempt at a guide entry (A3871758) is in peer review - not that I'm looking to drum up readers or anything.

Mark