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

Hey Chris, I'm glad to hear Lorraine is doing fine. We went through that same thing about 25 years ago, and fortunately turned out well. It looks like we'll be sending photos out about the same time. I found some of my photos of my paintings in the Prestonburg science center. I must say they look real good there......... My shin is improving quite well, but the ankle is still sore and swollen. It seems like its going to be a while before its healed. We are taking some walks, but very short ones. They probably are not helping the healing time, but ya gotta do what you gotta do..........They are building a giant Harry Potter Theme Park at Universal Studios in Florida that is supposed to open in 2009. I have a feeling it will be very popular. Now kids will get to experience the Harry Potter experience.......We are starting to get the pages designed and were trying to decide on a style we want to use for my book. This is getting into the fun part, though we're entering uncharted waters for us. Kathi is using parts of photoshop she never used before, so I'm still hoping to start printing the books around the end of this month, or early July....Take care...........AL

Hello Al,

I have to admit I was quite worried for Lorraine, but she went on about her business undaunted, or so she appeared.

Any knocks to the shin is painful, I remember that from playing soccer and a couple of accidents during my teens. Your problem is twofold seeing as you’ve a swollen ankle also; but like you say Al, you’ve got to keep on trucking some how!

A Harry Potter Theme Park indeed; I never realized Harry Potter is popular in the States, I thought it was purely an English phenomenon. Cara has most of the books and CDs of HP; strange thing is a lot of adults buy the books. I know of colleagues at work who can’t wait for the next book as soon as they have read the last one, I’ve never felt inclined.

Wow! Photoshop is very deep territory indeed; I’ve never ventured that far. I understand it is a fabulous piece of software, but it takes a lot of learning. One point when doing your own publishing with a PC, you can keep on trying until all works out and it does not cost you anything but time. So good luck, you’ll all do just fine I’m sure. How many copies will you print on the first run and are you printing them from your PC? It would be good if you could have it ready for the 4th July!

One of the top supermarkets in the UK has started publishing its own software for a number of applications; claiming certain software companies have an unfair monopoly (here,here) on the subject. I was at one of their stores the other night and I read the packaging on their photo software, it sounded rather good. The info was impressive, with filter tools, different air brushes, layering (whatever that is) and a range of other features. At only £9.99p (less than $20 US) I shall be investing in this as a taster

I’ve just had my shower and I will be getting the girls up shortly; L has her weekly physio treatment this morning so we’re a bit pushed for time.

Take care Al and Pearl and again good luck with the book.

Chris

HI Chris, That software sounds like a pretty good buy. Those things you mentioned are some of the main things Kathi is using on my pictures. I have been doing what you might call cell paintings, that is painting figures on plastic and laying them over other pictures to get a finished picture. Thats how Walt Disney did it but not on computers. That is what they meant by layering. In the computer you can make a bunch of layers if you want................I know this sounds strange but the books I am making is not going to make me any money. I probably will loose on them. The materials are going to run around 12 to 15 dollars to make and I'm going to sell them for 19 dollars. The equipment is going to run around 500 dollars. This does sound crazy but I want to make my own books before I try to find a publisher. I'm going to make about 100 books for family and friends and then I will try to find a publisher. There are several locally that I will hit first, if no luck there I will try elsewhere. If no luck at all I will still have made my own and nobody can take that away from me. I never judged success by how much money I made. I can't print these and sell them to stores because there is not enough profit in them. They would have to be made in China like all the others are to do that...............................As I said earlier that piece of software sounds well worth the price, since photoshop runs way up in the hundreds of dollars............................What can I say, Harry Potter is as big over here as over there. Your Ms.Rawlings is going to be even more rich. How rich can you get.................Al.

Hello Al,

Photoshop is out of the question for me, but there are others I believe would fit the bill for future projects at a quarter of the price; I’d rather spend the difference on the Nikon Kathi suggested... The main thing about Photoshop would be the time needed to learn how to use it.

Next time we go to that supermarket (I know you don’t have this supermarket in the States, they are going to try to come over there this coming year) I’ll be treating myself to that package. I’ll see if it is as good as their blurb claims; though I did see an independent write up about it before I saw it in-store and it got good reviews. If it’s any good would you like me to send you a copy?

Cell paintings? Do you mean on the computer? I’ve heard of some thing similar, I think where cellulose was used; I have to admit I did rather like the results.

$19, well under £10, that is really inexpensive for a book, especially when the author includes his own art work; I think you're under-selling your self a bit Al. Strewth, $500 is not throw-away change is it, which is some investment. When you get a publisher they would be able to produce far cheaper runs, so this could be your best bet.

Where would look for publishers? We have the Writers and Artist Year book over here, do you know about it? I’m not certain if it is an international publication. I’ve just checked some of Cara’s books (various stories) and they were all published and printed in GB. I have not found one printed in China; what’s more they are mostly small, independent publishers, most I’ve not heard of; some are quite popular children’s’ books. I’d be willing to find UK publishers’ addresses if it would help. Just let me know O.K.

Yeah, Ms. Rawlings is going to have a real hard time counting all her cash! Boy! Do I feel sorry for her? When she first started writing she was turned down by a few publishers, I’d like to bet they are crying in their pillows now. At least she earned it by the sweat of her brow, or pen, or word processor. I can’t help but admire some one who does their own thing and succeeds more power to her elbow!

Al, did I ever send you pictures of Brimham Rocks and the ‘money tree’ at the waterfall? I’m blowed if I can remember.

Take care Al and Pearl.

Chris

Hey Chris, I've been looking over all the Bob stuff the BBC offers. They have lots of interesting bits about the man................You have to remember, my book is just a small kids book with not many pages. It will be similar to all the Disney kids books that sell around 12 to 15 dollars. When I'm done with making my little edition, then I'll see what else is out there. Not to many people have written a story, done the art work, and made their own book. But, just remember, its only a small kids book,and kids books are not accepted as adult books are. Though I will be as proud a parent as Ms Rawlings is of hers. I don't think they will build a theme park around it.HA!....................... Those names don't ring a bell, but I wish I had a money tree..........................................AL

Hello Al,

I think kids books are very important, it sets them up for life if they are taught to appreciate books from an early age; I was and have been an avid reader all my life. I’m pleased to say Cara would rather read a good book than play on the PC.

Kiddies’ book sales are enormous, and there is always room for another good tale no matter how long or short it is. As you say Al, it’s all your own and that’s what matters.

Had to take Cara to the hospital this afternoon (our Doctors no longer do house calls or surgeries at the weekend); she had a high temperature and a rash appeared. According to the Doctor she has a viral infection and we should keep her away from school for a day or so this coming week. School is the main source of all these infections; one kid gets it and gives it to another. It just keeps on doing the rounds.

The hospital we took her to (where she was born) has been extended over the last 4 to 5 years at a cost of millions; we’ve learned to day Tony Blair and his gang is to close it and make all the staff redundant! I think there is a fight on the books about this ridiculous proposal.

I’ll send you the money tree. I could not remember what pictures I had sent, so I’ll add a few to what I am already sending.

We are having rather nice weather at the moment, nice lovely summer evenings. I hope we are in for a nice summer then we can get more weekends on the beach looking for fossils and beach fishing – just the ticket! We all love the beach, trying to get Cara off it to go home is the main problem.

Take care Al and Pearl

Chris

Hello Chris, I hope Cara is doing better. It would be a shame to miss out on nice summer days. We are having some very nice days ourselves, brought on by the usual stormy approach of a cold front a couple days ago. I bought the Chieftains 40 year celebration cd at a yard sale yesterday and was amazed at all the guest musicians that took part, even the rolling stones. But there was one song that was a bit disturbing so I looked it up on the internet and was disturbed that I had not heard of this story before. Louisville just went through its troubling history of sexual abuse of children by priest, a situation the has become common in many cities across the USA. It has cost the church about 50 million dollars just in Louisville. Then I hear this song by Joni Mitchell called Madgalene Launderies on that cd and I couldn't believe I had never heard of all this before, or the movie. I guess you are familiar with it. What happens to peoples minds to do these things. I just sometimes think there is very little hope for the human race, if that kind of stuff lingers down in the dark recesses of our spirit.....................Do you have many hospitals in your vicinity? I hope Tony has a good reason to eliminate it. We have so many in our area, maybe we could send you a couple. We probably have 10 large ones within 20 miles of us.I hope you get some good shelling and fossiling in soon with this nice weather.......................AL

Hello Al,

Cara was feeling a lot better today (Sunday). It was a beautiful day so she asked if we could go for a drive; we went to the North Yorkshire Moors (NYM) and had a couple of nice easy walks and picnics also. I was surprised by the lack of traffic, but the roads are not what you’d call good, so during our first picnic we only saw five cars in an hour! We were late getting home and as soon as we arrived Cara went straight to bed; to catch up on the sleep she’s lost due to coughing over the previous nights. I think the fresh air would have done her a lot of good.

I don’t know the Chieftains, though I have heard of them; the same for Joni Mitchell, I’ll have to check them out on the net. The ‘Magdalene Laundries’ or the movie I’ve never heard of.

We’ve also had similar scandals about Priests over here. I did know about the USA situation however as it has been widely publicized over here. There is nothing new in all this. My father went to Catholic schools and detested the Nuns and the Priests, saying they were, “…alcohol sodden sadists…” his words not mine. I believe it was one of the reasons he ran-away to sea. He was never abused in that manner, but he was often beaten and locked in cupboards; in the end he started to hit back.

These people are only a small percentage of the population, unfortunately they worm their way in to positions of trust and cause untold harm to innocent children. These perverts start at an early age, most probably because they had been abused, though that is no excuse; in my mind there just is no excuse for this animalistic behaviour. For these people I can find no mercy in my heart; you would shoot a mad dog that attacked your children, well I see no difference.

There are a few hospitals near us, but none the size of the one they propose to close, especially after they have spent millions on extending and refurbishing it. Tony needs the money so he can buy more cruise missiles and look for other countries to decimate; he’s led us in to war (not in person you understand) in three countries, but hey that’s O.K. his kids are safe and sound in their own apartments (which were bought under very strange circumstances, the police investigated this – outcome nothing – what a surprise!).

We would have gone fossiling today but the east coast was dull, damp and overcast, whilst 4 or 5 miles inland was bright sunshine; Cara wasn’t up to it though. She was happy just to have a gentle walk in the sun, so was Lorraine; I was happy enough to take a few photographs.

Well I’m away for a shower then chill out with a cool drink before bedtime.

How’s the walking going, any improvement?

Take care Al and Pearl.

Chris

Hey Chris, Well I'm glad to say the ankle is finally showing some improvement. By the end of the day it still has some swelling, but not as bad as before. So we are finally getting some serious walking in................During the 80's and 90's Irish music was really big in the states and the Chieftains were responsible for most of that, and all the Irish groups that followed. Plus the Irish have a very strong influence in American history..............The Madgalene Launderies happened in your part of the world, mostly Ireland, and was run by of all people, the Sisters of Charity. People brought their trouble daughters, usually pregnant, to these Sisters who had turned into brutal tyrants, and spent most of their lives washing clothes to make money for the Sisters. The stories these women have told make the bad priest seem tame. Most of the time their families completly disowned them for the rest of their lives. Now I'm sure most of the women who joined the sisterhood did not join to become these horrendous beast in these stories, but it just shows you how the nicest of people can be programmed. Thats why I can easily see why man can wind up destroying himself no matter how civilized we become.................. I also listened to a balladeer named Christy Moore. Boy can he sing those old folk tale songs.......... Kathi and I got alot done on the book in photoshop the last couple days and I'm still trying to get it complete by the end of June and start printing them in early July. If we don't make any big goof ups, and Kathi and I are good at that, I think we will be able to meet our timetable.,,,,,Take care..........................................Al

Hello Al,

I’m back at work this week. It’s good to hear your ankle is getting better and the walks are becoming longer; that’s a good sign all is healing as it should.

Irish folk music has always been popular over here, many Irish people came to live in England; as did my great grandmother along with her two daughters in the time of trouble in Ireland. My father loved all the old Irish folk music, though it never really struck a chord with me (no pun intended).

Now you have mentioned the Sisters of Charity, some thing rings a bell! Not long ago there was a documentary on TV about some charity run by nuns for ‘fallen’ women; usually young, unwed girls whose family disowned them, it was in Ireland though a very similar thing happened in England. The Church used them as slaves, how can this be I wonder? Though mans’ inhumanity to man is recorded throughout history so I don’t know why these thing still surprise me. Some of the things I hear and read in my occupation should have hardened me to these events, though I’m glad they have not; at least I have not become programmed to the evil around me, I still have compassion and know right from wrong.

Civilization and the quest for knowledge is not the same as wisdom. When you think of the short time span from the Wright brothers’ first flight to a man walking on the moon; the only reason for this was the necessity to improve flight during two world wars. The internet was first envisaged as a weapon of war (or at least to assist in war time). I some times wonder at what price knowledge?

Again you’ve stumped me Al; I’ve not heard of Christy Moore! What kind of folk songs, Irish or American? As I said before Al, I would have to win the national lottery to buy all the music I like; but then I would not have the time to listen to them all. There is a Conservative MP who has; I think, over five thousand CDs, how many years would it take to listen to them all at one a day?

You’ll do just fine with your book and the time table. Writing even a small book and publishing it your self is quite a time consuming, even daunting task. I tried to write a couple of times but I became impatient, and some times I just could not think of what to write next; I had the great ability to write myself in to a corner and could not get out! At least you’ve got yours out and that is the main thing.

I’ve just got time for a nice cup of coffee before I have to put my nose back to the grindstone.

Take care Al and Pearl.

Chris

Hey Chris, We just got in from our walk down at the river and it was as nice as it could get. The air was clear and dry with a light breeze. The water was a deep blue and Louisville looked beautiful on the other side of the mile wide river, right where I like it. But the entire scene was as gorgous as it could possibly be..........My friend Mary said she would try to work the book about me, the starman, in with her project at the art center. That has pleased me much since I read a couple things she has written down that were very creative, and I think it will be quite unique. She is both spiritual and scientific, and I feel about the same though a little less spiritual and a little more scientific. But she holds her own on scientific ideas and theories, so we have some pretty good chats.........I fear you are going to expect to much from my book. I think it will be a cute little book, but if I were gung ho on it, I could have done the whole thing in 2 or 3 months. So you can see how much I have been goofing off in my retirement. But I have no complaints, many people don't really get to retire, or really know how to. This can be one of the shortest times in ones life, so try to make the best of it. There are times when I wish I had more money so I could travel more, but one should always try to find something in their life to make them happy. Time runs out whether you are happy or not Besides, I have great memories and when its time for you to go, what else can you take with you?.....The first page of my book of the martian sandsifters will be on earth and in it will be my grandson, one of my grandaughters and Pearl, all getting to make an appearence in their first book.Ha!.............Take care................AL

Hello Al,

Please check your e-mail for a reply

Chris

Well Chris, I've tried everything to down play my book, but you will have nothing of it, so I guess i'll just have to go with it. You would be great in public relations somewhere. On the first page is a photo oa a night scene painting I did some time ago and Kathi took images of my grandkids and Pearl from other photos and put them in the night scene to make them look like they are staring up at mars in the sky. Thats their big role in the book. But I hope some day they will have pride in that. Who knows?.................I can sure tell Nov. 2005 was a big turning point in your life, but you seem to be doing as well as I would think someone could, so I hope you are able to work in some good things from it..................When you were mentioning you friend and his uniform you made me think of that beautiful song , the greenfields of France. Is there any tie in there? There are some beautiful versions of it on youtube. Speaking of back problems my daughter went in for an mri on her back because of severe back pains. This was planned before her last operation. And to throw my two cents in, I have on and off back pains going all the way back to when I was a kid. It's what kept me out of the army, but has been a problem all my life. Some things you just have to work around.................Al

Hi Al......I'll e-mail you if you don't mind...Chris

Hi Chris, Finally we made it toyour house, but the way was still difficult. I hade to get my daughter to get me on the right path. Actually what happened was the link would not work so she had to re-set it, that's probably not the right word, but she got it working and there you were, One of the older maps you sent for me to find your home got me as far as Morely, but no closer. I even had your street,but the maps did't so I couldn't find your street. I probably flew right over it and missed it. Are all those farm buildings? If so what are they used for. When you get up higher it all turns into a lovely green mosaic. Do each portions have different crops? It is interesting all the shades of green. If you go down Daniel a short peice you will se a field with lots of thing that look like little red ants. What are they, bushes, red sheep, hay, or are they really little red ants? I'm having trouble with this reply box again and I am not sure If it's going to keep working or not, it gets stuck and then it starts again. If you thought the Green Fields of France was sad, I want you to go to youtube again and watch....ANSAC Legend Begins and the band plays waltzing matilda.......It is written by the same guy Eric Bogle who was born in Scotland and now lives in Australia. It will touch your heart. As Joan Baez sang, there but for fortune go you and I. There are a bunch of versions of it but that one is my favorite. It's not the song waltzing matilda, but sort of uses it in his song. I like to know how you felt about it..................Al

Hello Al....Please check your e-mail ...chris

Chris, The reason for finding you on GE I believe is that Google has updated a lot of stuff for 2007 and since they put those street names on their maps I can find your cottage and zoom right in....Does't life like to play tricks on us...............I want you to know I appreciate your positive approach to my book. I have to admit my body is starting to have a hard time keeping up with my desires and it would like to get over this book one way or the other. Kathi is a really big help and we will get it done...............Our bodies are both suffering from the sins of our youth, each one taking a little chip off our bodies till our later years say, why did you do this or that stupid thing. And all you can say is ,well, it didn't seem that stupid at the time. I don't know about you but I wouldn't change things to much different, just tweek a few things here and there.......Take care my friend................................AL..............PS...Maybe a bank robbery or two to help the pocket book. HA!

Hello Al....I've just e-mailed you O.K. .....Chris