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

Hi. This is my first ever Journal Entry. I've been a small participant of H2G2 for nigh on 2 years now, but never had the urge to use the Journal. But let's start things afresh shall we? My name is Matthew. I'm in my late 20s and I live in England. I'm also Australian. I have a family of three, this being me, my beautiful partner and my fantastic daughter. They are English. This sometimes makes for interesting conversation, but more often or not just makes sporting competitions a little tense. I work in the Emergency Department of a large city hospital. I'm not a nurse, but I'm not a cleaner. I answer 'phones, make tea, clean dirty bottoms, mop up blood and save lives though. It's hard work, but it's rewarding. I never really thought I'd ever do something like it. Once upon a time I wanted to be a writer. Sure, I've had stuff published, poems, short stories, nothing amazing though. Then once upon another time I thought I wanted to write graphic novels, some people call them comics. Now I just read them an awful lot. After I did the travel thing, like many of us do in our late teens - early twenties,;hitchiking through the Netherlands and pushing people off trains with seemingly evergrowing backpacks, I found that England was calling me. I found myself in love, in utero (well not me, but my partner) and in a job that was exciting, every day different. All of a sudden I was settled. And happy. A shock to the system in some regards, never thought it would be me. But it was, and is. However, some days my job is...well, tough. And I thought that while I work in such a demanding place, where people depend on you for their very lives in some cases...well perhaps this Journal can be the beginnings of an autobiography? I'm terrible for writing letters, I can't seem to find a pen when I want one, and my fingers have a way of expending energy...so I think that this may be the best approach. So here goes...

Today - It's Armistace Day. Thought about my Grandfather. Felt proud, hoped he is proud of the work I'm doing. Think he might be. Not a pleasant day at work though. Not for loss of life, or horrors in the ER. No. However, no matter how hard I try to forgive, sometimes you can't. Were people ever so rude 5 or 10 years ago? What's happened to plain old respect? Manners? I saw the simple phrase "Ignorance is Bliss" in a different light today.

Hello Matthew. Pleased to meet you
Would you like some ? It was baked by a 12 year old but it's very nice.

Well, now I know all about you, except for one thing - where did our paths cross?

I can empathise with your "Missing you, missing me" entry. Still remember those heartrending partings, when they didn't want to be left.
Luckily the nursery and first school (and indeed the middle school) the last two went to used to let me stay and help out - read to sundry children/listen to them read/help with the music lessons/put up artwork on walls/do officey stuff.... Made things a lot easier when the kids knew I was still sort of vaguely around

Hey there Tef. Long time no see...as it was about 3 years ago I used to frequent a small space in Yahoo...a h2g2 Underground Thread if I recall...Amongst it's members were yourself, the infamous Wum, Li'l B and a few others I honestly can't remember. I used to go by the moniker Draeven back then I think... The Raven has always been one of my favourite things...all possible incarnations of the word and beast . I thought I'd come back to h2g2 now as my little ones got older and I have that little bit of spare time to contribute properly...and improperly when the muse allows...

Cheers muchly for the , I think a nice would go down a treat with that. Gives me time to look through the collection of drawings that the little one has bought home with her from nursery,ahh, this ones a I think...*turns it upside down* or a sub galactic fusion generator. I never can tell the difference.

Nice to see you again, no doubt we'll bump into each other regular like...

d Raven

DRAE!!!

Gosh, Drae with a kidlet.

How have you been?

it's good to see you again

We used to put up the artwork on the kitchen walls. We only took them down when we ran out of room. One day one of the littl'uns pointed out that a particualarly impressive piece was actually hanging upside down

Oops, gotta - kettle's ing.

? ? ?

Sorry, that should have been "had been hanging upside down for months"
Honestly - parents! Who'd have 'em?

I should have guessed from the word "Corvus" shouldn't I? Unfortunately I was thinking "Crow" rather than "Raven"

jeepers...didn't think anyone actually remembered me!! Nice to actually chat with one of the old schoolers again... Yeah, kidlet...she'great though, wouldn't have it any other way...our fridge is rapidly outdoing the Sistine Chapel...and I daresay she has more of an eye for colour than old Mike did...

Have't seen much of anyone I used to know much really, went and joined all these h2g2 sites, and by god some of them are more boring than a Oilrig.Few ideas for some entries into the Guide..."How Not To Be Sick" is one I'm working on right now...yes...I'm poorly...

How's yourself though? Good ons e hopes.

Poor Drae

I'm OK thanks. A bit stiff and hobbly 'cos it's winter but hopefully that will improve with the warm weather

I've told the others you're here (some of us are still hanging around on Yahoo) so you may have a few more visitors eventually

oooo! I'll warm the muffins and pop the tarts!

Having just visited the Doctor because I feel like a whiter shade of Death warmed up in a cocked hat, I am increasingly aware of the discrepancies in training future medical staff(myself being one you see).

"You appear to me to have a viral illness, take some brufen for aches and pains, and drink some hot drinks and get plenty of sleep."

Well done Sherlock, you've passed basic home nursing school, now how abouts a medical diagnosis. *sigh* And every GP in the UK has 2000 patients? No wonder every one walks around like their budgie's just died. *double sigh*

*Keeps on doing what he was doing to feel better, all the more after such a worthwhile visit to his local surgery*

Should I put the kettle on then?

Dr. Aeven,
How good to have news of you and the Cistine Refrigerator.
I still have a painting of a paddling pool in my office. It was created 17 years ago by a present university student. It's now on the inside of a cupboard door because daylight has had an adverse effect on the paper.

Sorry to hear your antivirus didn't work. Hope you feel better soon.
With your medical talents, you should press tefkat (Oooh, Matron!) a little further. Her dismissive comment about her health is reminiscent of the chap who having had his leg severed by a train says that he's having trouble with his foot.

Blow me down.
Almost two years since what appears to be your most recent (I deliberately didn't say "last" because we live in hope) contribution to the campfire banter:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/n2g2/message/7021

I intend to place there a portrait which will be of interest to all ANZacs, Welsh and Scots .......
Just as soon as I remember which hard drive it's on .....

Upon closer inspection, make it three tears ago.

Is that tears as in or tears as in "Oh dear, that's torn it!"?

well I'm sure we've got some "ripping" yarns to tell from that lost 3 years...