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

Christmas comes early to the Sussex coast

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4402234.stm

I hope all those cats and dogs like their presents

phasr's to stun!
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8275

oops, sorry for the misplaced apostrophe!

"A French woman has admitted attempting to open an aeroplane door mid-flight so that she could smoke a cigarette."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4456076.stm

I'm glad I wasn't on that flight...

What goes around....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/4456416.stm

Here, she was reported as a sleepwalker (and sleep-smoker, obviously).

You must do a lot of flying to be able to operate a plane door in your sleep.

Some couples may disagree, but romantic love lasts little more than a year, Italian scientists believe

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4478040.stm

Hey, check out the link on that news page:

Psychoneuroendocrinology journal

What a word!

Supposedly to keep children safe, a New Zealand airline will no longer allow men to sit next to unaccompanied children on their flights.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10357510

That's unbelieveably ridiculous.


This story made me laugh:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4483926.stm

There's been a heap of discussion about this in the newspaper and on the radio, since it came to light. IMO, the airline has done the right thing. It's worth remembering that Mr Worlsley kept quiet about it for a year, until the opposition party created the position of 'Minister' for abolishing 'political correctness'.

Considering the surly service, ghastly food and advanced luggage-damaging facilities offered by Qantas, it's nice of them to come up with a reason why I *should* fly with them. I'll be able to travel in peace, knowing that the airline is keeping small children away from me! Now, if only the local bus company would do that...

Yes, I admit it, I have an untidy mind - but I'm childless and I like it like that.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/12/02/mosquito/

anti-youth (as in anyone under 30 apparently) sonic gun invented!

Hmmm, from what I remember even though you can't hear a sound it might still damage you. Interesting idea though.

Fun things from outer space


A beautiful picture of a nebula

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_450.html



and a meteor over Australia (realplayer video)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolavconsole/shared/player/player.stm?title=Meteor%20light%20show%20shocks%20Australian%20city&clipurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/avdb/news_web/video/9012da68002d380/bb/09012da68002d5b2_16x9_bb.ram&cs=news

I've just found a way to protect my garden from the local raiders...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1524251.htm

Calling all Petes

http://www.thepetecollective.co.uk/

A group of people called Pete are being asked to meet up in a pub to try and break a world record. They aim to get over 2000 Petes into the Metropolitan Bar in London to nab the record.