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

At last! The 15-week-old stuff that I wrote when I first joined has disappeared into electronic limbo land.

Although the Pope says there's no such thing as limbo any more. So what happened to all those people who'd been in it for centuries? Do they get a compensatory three-month pass to heaven, or a tax-free lump sum against damages? Or will they all just fall to the ground in a great big heap one day?

Anyway, it seems like a long time since I penned my first words in here, and there's been some great developments along the way, like being able to see who's on line. I love all the community pages and on-line chat, and there's some wonderful loonies out there, even if they are no respecters of hedgehogs. And I've even got a doppelganger (note to editors, if they ever read this: why doesn't the server prevent two people from having the same name when they register?). So even if I can't sit up till two in the morning with the night owls because I have to rely on a computer while at work, I intend to continue to be all over these forums like a cheap suit...
 

Hullo, Spiney! Just thought I'd pop in and tell you how much I have enjoyed your contributions to the toy forum, and various other places I have seen you popping up.

This IS a really interesting place to wander around in. In spite of the doppelgangers...

Say, is that Edinburgh, SCOTLAND????? I have relatives somewhere there. Someday I am going to find them. But unfortunately the names I have to start with are Wilson and Thompson. And I suspect there are more than one or two of them over there.

PS About limbo and the Pope and stuff: I wouldn't worry too much about what the Pope [or anyone else] says about that stuff. Whatever happens at that point in life will pretty much take care of itself, regardless of what anyone believes in. Sorta like gravity; it will work if I believe in it or not, but I am not going to pray to it to make it work better.

I think DNA has a better grip on all that kinda stuff than the Pope does, anyway.

Anyway, drop in for tea sometime. Would love to chat.

Fondly,
the bluDragon

OOOPS!!!

*blush*

Am I ever embarassed!

Coming to visit and then spelling your name wrong!!
[and a lovely name it is, too]

Can you ever forgive me, Spiny????

My forgiveness knows no bounds. Go in peace, my child.

Well, thanks for all the kind words! When you look at other chat forums elsewhere on the web, you just realise what a pleasure this one is. Others just seem to want to show off or trash everybody, whereas here, everybody just wants to be friends and entertain each other. I'm gonna have to be careful in future though, as if my employer starts checking on my Internet use, I'll either get a huge bill or I'll have to resign! Since I don't have a computer at home, that would curtail my h2g2 involvement mightily. Given the time I DO spend in here, having one at home would surely mean the end of sleep as we know it, so all in all, I'll hang on to my work privilege but use it a bit more sparingly in future

As to the Pope thing, no, I don't have strong, or even any religious views. I just find it funny on an intellectual level that he decides no-one goes into limbo from now on, but neglects to say what happens to everyone who's already in there, I mean how can you be in a stste of "no longer in limbo"?!

Oh sorry, forgot to offer you some tea, although as we say in Edinburgh (which is indeed the Scottish one), "You'll have had your tea?"

My gratitude for your forgivness...soon we will be stumbling over our respective thanks and acknowledgments. *trip, stumble, ouch!* There! it's beginning already.

Thanks for the virtual tea. I am having 'real time' tea even as I write, so the virtual cup takes on an added dimension. What does one reply in Edinburgh when offered tea? I would so like to do this correctly.

If you hadnt already figured it out, I am one of those upstarts from the colonies. But I guess the Scots know about being upstarts, eh?
*wink, wink, nudge, nudge*
Michigan actually. Soon to be in the superior portion of the state. A log cabin in Sault Ste. Marie awaits full time habitation next summer.

About the shortage of computers in your life. Over here, the local public libraries are increasingly likely to offer internet access to those who are without a personal computer. My daughter keeps track of her email in just this way. Does anything like this exist over there? While not as convenient as using one at home or work, it might be an option. And would also help to manage acceptable sleep patterns, as libraries usually close around bedtime.

Re 'chat forums'. I find them for the most part useless--for many of the reasons you mention. On the other hand, the Guide is something wondrous that has occurred. It is becomming a community, without intending to. It is more than chat, more than message boards. And there is also another dimension which sets it apart. While many who spend time in chat forums are lying through their teeth about everything; there is no motivation to do so in the Guide. Indeed, one of the interesting things about the guide is that it is ageless, sexless, and [in my case] 'beingless'. You can have intelligent conversations with others without knowing their age, sex, or other background. Beings may even be non-human [dragons, for example] and be accepted. Although I definitely feel that I am outnumbered by the under-35 male group, it doesn't really matter. Shazz was even mistaken for a male by the Powers that Be. And the nice thing is that it make any difference; he/she/it was just as interesting either way. True 'women's lib' or 'human lib' or 'being lib'.

Well, I have really rattled on. Guess I will have to leave further comments about the conflicts between logic and religion to another post.

Thanks for the tea then.

-blu
}:=8

Aye, well, help yourself to some more tea from the big brown china pot there (the -only- way to make tea, and the bigger the pot the better, although I think all I wanted to say on the subject in that huge thread on tea elsewhere).

Well as you're not from round here, you probably wouldn't get the reference. Glasgow and Edinburgh, as the two main cities in Scotland, have always had a degree of rivalry. Being double the size, Glasgow has never forgiven Edinburgh for being the Capital city, and Glaswegians often think Edinburghers regard themselves as slightly superior. So the saying goes that if you call unannounced at the home of a Glasgow friend, they'll ask "have you had your tea?", but if you appear at the door of an Edinburgh friend, it'll be "you'll have had your tea...?" You can maybe tell me what the etiquette for a Michigan log cabin would be.

I haven't been to a library for years - as I work on a radio arts programme, it's not hard to get the latest books to read if I want them, so I don't know if they offer internet access, but they keep the same hours as my work anyway, so that wouldna help. It's a thought for a day off, though.

Yes it's wonderful how nobody knows or cares about someone's personal details once you're in here - what a great leveller! Although I did once meet up with a fellow musician in Edinburgh at one of his gigs prompted by chatting here. He promised to come to one of mine on paper, and I went to his first. They weren't my sort of band, and we had a bit of a stilted chat. He was much younger than me, and I could see him thinking "what a fossil". Not only did he not come to see my band, but he hasn't written to me since! So maybe virtual life has something going for it after all.

Anyway, here comes the Evil Boss Man, so I'll talk to ya later!

Err.. What is all this obsession with tea to the embarassing exclusion of anything with C2H5OH in it?

Here now, that's not entirely true. There is clearly a reference to 'something stronger' in dear Spiny's introduction.

We just haven't gotten to that phase, yet. I mean, here we are sitting politely sipping tea poured from this lovely big brown china pot and getting to know one another. On our best behavior and all.

I'm sure that any second there will be brandy passed around.

Actually, now that I think of it, I have this nice flask right here. Brandy, anyone????

Spiny?
Wonko?
Blu? Yes, please! I'd love some. Just a touch, you understand.

*thinks to self* 'Musn't give them the wrong impression.'

*pours self some brandy into lovely little liqueur glass*

Ahhhhhh.... *smack*

Nothing like a brandy to settle the stomach.

You know what WC Fields said about alcohol, of course:
"I always keep a supply of stimulant handy in case I see a snake, which I also keep handy."

'Nother brandy, blu? Why yes, I b'lieve I will.
*slurp*
You know what ELSE WC Fields said?
"I exercise self-control and never touch any beverage stronger than gin before breakfast"
*tee-hee, tee-hee, tee-hee*

Jus' one more? *hic* Certainly!
*gulp* *urp* Ahhhhhhhh...
An' THEN WC Fields said
"Anybody who hates dogs and loves whiskey can't be all bad"
hahahahahahahahohohohohohohoohhohehehehehehehhe
*gasp*

Oh dear! *pant, pant*
I'm having SUCH a good time...

brandy, anyone?
Quick, before it's all gone!
Someone seems to be sneaking it right from under our noses. There was much more in the bottle when I got here.

Glad you like the old Courvoisier there. But don't worry - there's some particularly fine stuff in the cellar for when that runs out. Or is it better to get plastered on the good stuff and then go on to the cleaning products once the critical faculties have gone? Anyway, I'm more in the mood for a single malt whisky just now. Bowmore, anyone? WC Fields was once asked what his father would say if he knew Fields drank a quart of whisky a day. He replied, "He'd call me a cissy". Now blu, you're looking a little flushed there - drinking on an empty stomach, eh? Can I offer you a glass of fish and chips?

Mmmmmm....fish&chips by the glass!

*chomp...munch...gulp...chomp*

you just cant get this kinda stuff over in the colonies. The closest you can get is the chips they serve at carnival shows. It's one of the few places that they are actually civilized enough to serve vinegar with the chips!

But I really think that fish&chips calls for a beer. Sorry to say, my tastes tend towards the lighter, less assertive beers. [My husband loves Guinness, tho]

*rolls large keg of draft somethingorother in, and attaches tap*
There's a frosty mug for you!
*offers mug*
And to you, too Wonko, if you're still about. And any other passers-by as well...
*hic*
[gee, I hope my stomach doesnt realize that it is only 9:30 in the morning here. should be about lunchtime where you are, eh?]
========================================
Murphy's Law of conservation of alcohol:
The quality of the drink can be inversely related to the number of drinks with no apparent decline in enjoyment.
Corrollary:
The stiffer the first drink, the steeper the curve of declining quality can be.

Translation: only the first drink has to be 'good stuff'; the stronger the better. Bring out the cleaning products after that.

Mid afternoon here and well into available drinking time!

But what's this: a -frosted- glass? That would be for chilled beer I'm guessing. In Scotland in October? No no no, I think not. Maybe on two days in July would it be warm enough here to want chilled yellow beer in frosted glasses, but the rest of the year it's brown beer in a straight glass at just below room temperature. Caledonian Eighty Shilling, or Deuchar's IPA brewed right here in the city fit the bill very nicely. Or you could try Golden Promise if you want to go organic. Glad you enjoyed your first pint of fish and chips, blu, though here on the East coast of Scotland they are usually eaten with salt and sauce rather than vinegar, for reasons that are lost in the mists of time. Still, that's not to say I won't try some of your chilled beer with thanks - but I'll just turn the central heating up a notch first...

Oh, dear!
Yet another 'faux pas'!!! How awkward, these cultural differences.

And I know better, too. My aforementioned dear husband also likes his beer warm, and I am quite familiar with the preference on your side of the Atlantic.

Perhaps when we have moved into the True North the reasoning behind warm beer will become clearer. [We also have at least two days in July when it is actually hot outside] But at least you have central heating. We are hoping for some of that in our cabin in the next few weeks.

But I do like a frosty mug in the hot weather, especially after mucking about in the garden.

Salt and 'sauce'? Catsup? Other sauce??
I still like vinegar best on my chips.


too bad there is no h2g2 symbol for chips...

Well, I am off to the True North for an exciting weekend of pipe fitting and insulation.

Don't forget your nice little liqueur glass! Well have a nice weekend among the pipes. I too am off - to see the movie Buena Vista Social Club after tonight's programme - and since we're reviewing it on the show, our presenter has very kindly nipped out for some Cuban rum, some ice, chillies, and grapefruit juice to get us in the mood! Cheers!

Aha! Thought I hadn't seen Wonko around before. He lives in Paris, blu, and is an old university pal of mine, who, owing to having very young twin boys, doesn't get on the web much. (Sneaking in like that with a new nickname! You'll get sent to bed with no woman if you carry on like that, young feller-me-lad!) Anyway. blu, I have to tell you that Friday night's Cuban rum was drunk in quantities that were really too naughty to be on the wireless with, and a very hazy night ensued. I don't think it's an offence to be drunk in charge of a radio programme, but you have to watch those Scottish bye-laws. Can you get Cuban rum in your neck of the woods, or is it outlawed along with the cigars?

Hullo to Wonko if he is about!

Greetings from the wilds of the True North to all. Oddly, there was rum in my weekend as well, but not [I suspect] in the same quantities you enjoyed.

We cannot, alas, get genuine Cuban rum here. If I want the real article, I have to go on a Carribian cruise and purchase at one one the island port-o-call stores. Some friends brought rum back in this manner, but didn't share.

I had some Meyers dark, and some light rum called Captain Morgan spiced rum. I like my rum with hot water and a bit of butter. Sometimes a cinnamon stick if I'm feeling festive. Kinda a 'toddy' I guess. I never mix alcohol with carbonated beverages, so I dont drink rum and coke as some young whippersnappers do. What do you drink your rum with???

Oh and as for being drunk in charge of a radio programme...many listeners are probably in the same condition so I'm sure it doesnt matter terribly. Then, again, I really dont know what kind of programme it is...

In SPITe of the dopplegangers, you say? what would be wrong about the occasional doppleganger? Any one still has a unique number, right?

If I find out, I'm not alone in the Festiverse, I'll just include my number in my alias. They WILL be able to distinguish me from anyone who dares to pose as the one and true "Festival"

Hi Spiny,

TEA you say? Can I have some too, please? I'll behave

You want some carbo-hydroxites, Wonko? Would that be wise?
If you're not afraid of losing your sanity, then take some petrol
I'll stick with the tea, lacking a better substitute for my favorite drink...

Rightoh, time to fill the big brown china pot. Have a seat in the big green armchair, Festival, but be careful - it's so comfortable people have been known to stay for hours. That's why they call this place "The Home of the Just-Boiled Kettle." Might even be some biscuits in the cupboard, though if the band's been in for a rehearsal recently, I would doubt it. Oh look, some soft ginger nuts. Well, they'll be okay for dunking then. Seeing as it's you guys I'll just use mugs. Right, move your feet, blu, and let me in with the tray. Help yourselves, folks.

Well that was actually the first rum I've drunk for many years, since I had my first teenage vomiting experience from dark rum. This Cuban Gold stuff opened my eyes though, and grapefruit juice and plenty of ice could become the mixer of choice. I guess there's a problem with all things Cuban in the States then, blu, but if that's true, how on earth did Buena Vista Social Club get made?

Wonko may not know the chemical formula for alcohol, but I think he believes more in the practical approach to it rather than the theoretical derivation of it. Although having seen his home page recipe for G&T, I'm not so sure anymore. Certainly when we were at university his ability to drink two pints to our one made up for the fact that he wore a tie and tweed jacket while we were all wearing loon pants and cheesecloth shirts.

As to doppelgangers, "Spiny" is a genuine nickname that I've had since 1972, so I did a search before I registered with h2g2, and finding nobody had adopted it yet, went with it. I reckoned if anybody else had picked it at random, they wouldn't have a reason to hang on to it like I did, so could be persuaded to change. Yes, of course you could use your researcher number, but unlike the Borg, I don't want to be Seven of Nine.

Right, how's the tea doing, anyone need a top up?

Well, your nickname being from 1972 suggests we might be of comparable age

Becoming a borg-like numbered drone isn't exactly my idea of "having some fun" either. However, a nickname isn't the kind of thing that I'd like to risc a war over. I'm not going to try to persuade anyone to give me the exclusive right to that name. Their claim might be just as valid as mine (or more so, for that matter, in which case I might be subject to the suggestion that I should change it).

As for the tea: yeah, fill me up another, please!