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

Well I've just been very, very naughty! I've gone off on a minor shopping binge and it was GREAT fun, even if it lasted under five minutes.

Actually, I've indulged in a few things I've been waiting for ages to pick up. The reason is, I am getting a federal tax refund of $860. After I pay the online filing fees and the $11 I owe the State of Illinois, that leaves me with $800. I limited myself to $200 (though I still desperately want that DVD set "The Complete Monty Python". Maybe if I can work enough overtime between now and then I can convince myself to get it for my birthday?)

So, my acquisitions are:

Two books- "American Hardcore", a comprehensive guide to the US punk scene, with lots of good stuff I loved in the days of my youth. I'd checked a copy out of the library a while back, but I really wanted to own this one. And I also ordered "The da Vinci Code". I'd planned to wait for the paperback release, as I read far too much to indulge in many hardcover versions. But I have been really anxious to read this, and even more so after reading "Angels & Demons", so this time I opted to err on the side of frivolity... and I don't feel one iota of guilt about that, I've earned it!

Two DVDs, series one and two of Red Dwarf. I've been waiting over a year to spring for these, they're quite expensive at around $50 each. You know what, I don't feel guilty about these, either!

Lastly, a lovely CD box set entitled "No Thanks: '70s Punk Rebellion". Includes tracks by the Damned, Iggy Pop, Wire, Sham 69, the Boomtown Rats, and lots more. Yeah, I've already got a number of the included tracks on various other albums and compilations, but there's lots of stuff on these 4 discs that I've only got on mp3. Here's a set I can listen to from end to finish and not get bored. Oh, the frivolity!

These should all arrive in a couple of weeks. I've got one more thing to look forward to now!

And, to top it all off, I've found a copy of Luxuria's "Unanswerable Lust" LP, one I've been trying to get my hands on for over 15 years. Hurrah for eBay! I'd bought a cassette version last spring, and it turned out that it had been recorded over. The proprietor of the shop I bought it at let me pick a replacement cassette, but I'd yet to find another copy of the Luxuria album which didn't involve expensive international shipping. I really, really am anxious to have this one, too! (Now all I need is a needle for the turntable! ) Keep fingers crossed and hold thumbs I'll win it, and don't any of you dare go and outbid me or I'll be very upset!

After all that, I'm feeling quite good now. I'm indulging in a bit of cheap to celebrate Krispy's finally finding a good position which I think he'll not only succeed in, but enjoy. Hearing such good news and such a high level of motivation and proactivity from Krispy on a regular basis really eases my spirit. I love him more than anything, and seeing him happy fills my heart with joy. Soon, he'll be here with me, and we can celebrate together. I can't wait for that day to finally come!

In spite of the fact that it's "that time" again at my own place of employment- the work is coming in 10 times faster than we can get it out, the computer systems are wigging in spite of all of the debugging I helped with during autumn, tempers are flaring, morale is rapidly declining, and management has its collective head up its ass... I'm trying hard not let it get me down. I'm not sure I can get through another crappy season, and I'm definitely not putting all of my eggs in one basket. But the hell with it, when I'm not working myself to death, I'm enjoying myself as much as possible. And I refuse to allow myself to feel guilty about that for once. The majority of my tax refund is going toward credit card bills and to help pay immigration fees, but I am going to treat myself with 25% of it- I damn well deserve it!!

Hi PC! Someone has been having fun! LOL I do love a good binge now and again myself. You know that I broke down and purchased The Complete Far Side - did I give you ideas?!

On the serious side, I was so hoping I would get a valentine this year, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen.

JEllen

Oh and where has Abbi been this week? Is her instant messaging not working? I haven't seen her on my buddy list at all.

Well, your Far Side purchase didn't influence me unduly. Let's just say that girls just wanna have fun.

I'll send you a valentine this year, if you like. It wouldn't be the same as getting a "traditional" valentine, but hey, I love you. I'm sure lots of other people do, too... that's not what I meant. But I really do, and I mean that seriously.

I haven't seen Abbi on IM either, but I know she's said that when she's in a lot of pain, she can't do h2, IM, and email. She's been on h2 a lot this week, so maybe that explains her absence on IM. I got a little email from her today, so I know she hasn't disappeared entirely. I hope she's all right, too. Abbi's a real good egg.

Yes, you could send me a friend valentine, I would like that!

I can't find my beads tonight. I am hoping against hope that I left them at church last week, and that they are still there. I am going to call tomorrow. I thought they were in my car all this time, and when I finally checked tonight, I freaked, because they weren't there. If I can't find them at all, I hope I can find the same beads at the store again, so I can make some just like them.

JEllen

I will send you a valentine then, email your mailing address to me at my hotmail addy. I will go shopping this weekend for the perfect one.

Oh no... I hope you will find your beads! Did you misplace all of them? I really hope you did leave them at church!

Could I pay you sometime to make a string of beads for me? I'd love a bracelet, and one made by a friend would have even more postive energy and affirmation attached. It would be mutually beneficial.

I'll keep my fingers crossed all weekend your beads turn up. I don't want you to have to start all over.

I found something on the street yesterday I'm going to mail to Terri for her cheese boxes. I can't say what it is here in case she comes along and reads. I did poke around a craft store not far from home recently looking for beads for you, if I ever find any neat ones I'll send them along.

Well, the bad news is, I'm going in to work tomrrow till noon-ish, so I have to get to bed soon. Can we IM one night this week?

Sure, what about instant messaging Tuesday? I see Linda that afternoon, so I will be up early (for me) and not groggy, etc. LOL If that should change I'll post here too, and let you know.

sure on the braclet too, unless you would rather have a necklace?

Tuesday it is, I normally phone Chris when I get in, but he will have work so I shan't be on late. I should be able to pop any around, say 6:30-ish my time?

Unless I hear from you otherwise I'll talk with you then, but I can't say I won't be on posting before then.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, have fun with Linda, and I still have my fingers crossed as far as you-know-what. Keep me posted and I'll talk with you Tuesday!

Nighty night, sleep well tonight, and sweet dreams.

A necklace would be lovely too, I'd have to measure the one I've got that Krispy gave me so they don't interfere with each other. We'll negotiate a deal soon, I'd love something you made. Thanks!

I'll post at you on the weekend and speak with you Tuesday night. One day soon I'll even give you a call, too, how's that for going completely crazy?!

Goodnight!

Hope you find your beads Ellen!

Hi PC
Glad you treated yourself by shopping, sounds like it was fun.

Hi, Abbi. I did have fun, and I got a better deal than I realized- the DVDs include seasons one through four, not just one and two. Woo hoo!

How have you been feeling? Thanks for all of the links you've sent me by email this past week. I'll write you back soon.

Oooh, ooh! And I've just received another nice surprise!

One of my h2 friends, superdogmonkey, who hasn't been posting much recently but still keeps in touch, has been swapping CDs with me here and there.

*note to self: be sure to post the CDs I've had for superdogmonkey since before Christmas next weekend, when I post Krispy and Terri's stuff...*

Well, I woke this morning to find yesterday's mail on the dining room cabinet, and imagine my surprise at discovering a package from superdogmonkey containing a little note to wish me well, along with two really cool CDs by the Saints and the Bad Brains. You could have knocked me over with a feather! How cool (and thoughtful) is that? My friends ROCK!!

Yoo hoo! *waves hanky* I'm online.

JEllen

Argh! Sorry I missed you, I was in bed already. Long day.

I'll try to catch you online tonight or tomorrow.

Funny, when I first read your post, I thought you were waving your *towel* at me... I can't possibly be spending *too* much time on h2, but as it took me three attempts to get my shirt on the right way around just now, I could probably do with more sleep.

Have a good day, dear, talk with you soon!

Hello all you nice people! I'm happy to hear some good news from you! Anyways I've been having a spot of trouble with h2g2, logging in and such ... I'm using this evening to catch up on the journals of some of my friends. Anyways I'm still going strong and I'm going to try and post a lot this weekend. Right now it is about 10h30 the evening here in South Africa. I've had a good day ... sold another framed portrait, worked on proofreading the SA Journal of Philosophy (almost finished now), read some Asterix comics, slept a lot, and now browsing the 'net a bit.

If I get money - as I did today - I usually try and save all of it. Occasionally I will spoil myself with a little something, though. Music is high on the list ... though here in South Africa it's quite difficult for me to find the stuff I like. Most of the stuff available here is commercial mainstream stuff whereas I'm more into alternative and indie music, though these days I'm totally behind the times... sigh.

I love books as well! I would go nuts if I could get the complete Far Side! I enjoy Gary Larson a lot ... as well as Calvin and Hobbes, and some other cartoon stuff! More serious stuff also, especially about art, as well as science. There have been lots and lots of books published that I would have bought if I had the money.

Hiya Willem! Thanks for visiting my journal, it means a lot to me.

I like reading all kinds of books. I've been re-reading "Foulcault's Pendulum" this week, when I'm finished it's going to be "I, Clavdivs" again. Hopefully by that time my new books will have arrived!

I've also found a DVD of "The Decline of Western Civilization" for $10, great deal for an interesting documentary on the punk scene.

Willem, I've always been very much into alternative and indie music. If your selection there is a bit dry, perhaps I can contribute a little bit to your collection? Give me an idea what you like, and if I've got anything that interests you perhaps I can share some.

I'm trying hard to save money and pay off some bills, but once in a while I need to have a little fun. Otherwise I wind up feeling like I'm working myself to death for naught.

It's good to see you've made it online in spite of the login troubles. It's always wonderful to hear back from you!

Hi PC. Hi Willem.

We ordered Chinese food tonight, and wound up with several times more than what we could eat! LOL We will be eating Chinese leftovers for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the next couple days! It was tasty though.

Busy weekend coming up. Tomorrow night is Spiritual Growth Group - I am really looking foward to that. Saturday there is a Valentines celebration at church, with couples renewing their vows. And Sunday the Creative Spirit group meets in the afternoon. Oh, and I FINALLY got my hands on a copy of Angels and Demons from the library - I'll be plunging into that shortly too.

JEllen