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

I saw you in the nail polish thread, so thought I'd come by to say hi.
I don't do the civil war thing, but I've done some live action role playing, and it's quite similar. Sort of.

Gee, thanks for saying it was an "interesting" page - what a compliment!!!!!!!!!!

By the way ...... "Hello" back !

What sort of live action role playing have you exactly been involved with?

Wish I was still able to do the civil war thing, but them bones, them bones, them ...... are creaking & groaning!!!!

As some woman in a clothes shop told me yesterday - "that dress would look really good on a slim, tall, blond, under-30 something" - hmmpphhh! That REALLY counted me out!!!! Was I angry? yep

Call again, any time!

The LARP I did was fantasy. It involved running around in the woods hitting people with latex swords, it was good fun, but after the second game, I really couldn't be bothered to keep on with it. Too much running around!

Bloody woman in shop! I hate attitudes like that. I try to have a smart remark ready for times like that, but normally fail miserably and end up with Sod Off, or something.

Someone I used to work with, years ago, took part in live Dungeons & Dragons - he invited me on one of their escapades, yeah, wearing nylon cloaks, etc., I'm afraid I backed out of it!!!! Can't beat the feel of REAL metal (muskets, swords, pikes, helmets - oooh!)

I can never think of something quick to say back either, but I did manage to say to her "What do people of OUR age wear for best these days?" I don't think it sank in though! I reckon she was just jealous of how young I look ahem, ahem - coughs with sarcasm.

Real metal? I got whacked with a latex sword in the calf by a bloke who had not been taught to pull his blows. I had a sword tipped shaped black bruise the next day, and it lasted for weeks. I think he'd have had my leg off if it had been metal.

She probably was, and a lot of women don't like women who dress young. I can often be seen in New Look with the teenagers, and I'm 31. Don't let her put you off!

Oh, they're supposed to be specially trained! Only damage I ever received was a Parliamentarian horse coming under the trees where I was hiding & kicked, hence denting my tankard I have seen various bad damage from the pikes & pike crushes (where they all pile in on top of one another - like a rugby scrum), such as broken ribs, etc., but on the whole the swords are for the officers only & they have to have "permission" (yawn) to have a play act.

I won't, but when I asked her "what people of our age should wear", she said "slacks" (not even trousers - what a middle-age comment) were perfectly acceptable these days! I think alot of older women look dreadful in "slacks". Personally I prefer dresses & skirts (especially with a partial elastic waist- guess why!!) - & feel more feminine. Trousers are OK for day, but I prefer to cover up various bulges. I'm 45, but feel so much younger - I seem to have lost 10 years somewhere - & I'm not a large lady (size 12). Got any ideas where I can find a loosish black evening dress - calf length? Wish I could still do needlework - I'd have made my own

Sorry 'bout the grouse - I do buy from places like Select, etc., when I find something I like, but that's the problem!!

With LARP, there isn't any special training, but the good organisers do take new players aside and teach them to pull their blows. The idiot that hit me wasn't lucky enough to have had that quiet (and essential) word.
I think with your thing it's a lot more serious, and so need special training. I wouldn't fancy being faced with an excited bloke with a metal weapon. You're very brave!

My dad is always going on about me wearing 'slacks', cos I drive a taxi for him, and he moans that I always wear jeans and never look smart for the posh customers. When I tell him I have no idea what slacks are he thinks I'm taking the mick!
I think if you're a size 12 you shouldn't have any bulges? Mind you, I'm a 12 and I've put on a small pot belly since I turned 30 last year. Because I'm still wearing jeans that I've had for a couple of years I think a bulge is inevitable. I've just had a friend cut the waistband off one pair to see how that works, but really I need some new ones.
I'm not sure about where to get dresses, one of my closest friends is a dressmaker, so on the few occasions I need a dress I either borrow one of hers or I get her to make me one. I've been invited to a wedding in November, and she's already pressing one of her posh frocks on me! Bless her.

(And don't worry about grousing, we all need to do that from time to time. )

Hey, that's just my problem - a wedding in November!!! Crikey, suppose it's the same one!!! Whereabouts is yours?

Yep, I've the same tummy bulge - had it for quite a few years.

Also a flabby bot - daughter told me to do squats (as if you're going to the loo) to tighten up the bottom - OK, I'm trying!!

We've just put together this exercise thing that we've had for a few years, but that got taken apart & put away, thought we'd try again - as long as I don't strain my arms too much.

You're really lucky having a dressmaker around. My mum used to make all my clothes when I was "growing up" - teen party time we'ed go out, find a pattern & material & hey presto a dress that fitted, suited & was reasonably in date. She's too elderly to do it now though & unfortunately my probs mean I can't do needlework any more - never mind, I'm sure I'll find something!

Gotta go - left arm is a real pain at present.

I'm in Essex, that's were the wedding is. I hardly know the bloke, and have never met his bride to be, but he's a good friend of my young man.
I've never been to a wedding before... well, not what I'd call a proper one, anyway.

Good luck with the exercise thing, sound far too drastic for me! I try to lay off the beer, and that seems to help a bit.

It's odd, but my mum made a lot of my clothes (including school uniform) when I was a kid and I hated it. I swore I'd never have anything homemade again, but it is useful for fancy dress, and my friend has got a great eye for colour and style. I would say fashion as well, but that's never interested me anyway. She makes much more interesting things than my mum did.

Exercise is not good for you - my back's killing me!!!

Bruv & wife live in Essex (near Romford).

Just wear waterproof mascara if you get sentimental about things!!!

Felt the same about wearing home-made clothes, but as I got older I realised they last longer & you could get what you wanted without trapsing round the shops or sending off from catalogues & hence returning them!!!! Still got the prob. of no dress, but haven't been anywhere to look yet. Hmmmmm, if I don't eat I may just fit into my daughter's little black dress

That's not far from me.
I've had the wedding invitation now, or rather, my bloke has, we've been invited to the church. Luckily I'll have my son that day, so what I might do is tell him to go all day, and I'll join him at the reception, as otherwise I'll have to take my son with me. And I know damn well that I'm going to be bored (I do not know either of these people), and if I am, he will be! He goes to stay with his dad in the evening, so I can join my other half later. And it solves the problem of what to wear for me.
If you come visiting your relatives before the wedding, I might be able to sort out something with my friend? She's an excellent dressmaker.

Hey, thanks very much! We won't be going to "visit" my bruv, but are going to the coast for most of October. Thanks for the offer. Wedding 2nd weekend of Nov. I'll find something, somewhere, somehow, sometime ....!!!!

Yeah, quality time with your son instead of singing/listening to hymns & standing around for ages in the pouring rain while they attempt to get the pictures done!

Sounds like a good plan to me. I guess you're d.i.v.o.r.c.e.d., but have a current beau (isn't that beautifully old-fashioned!!). How old is your son?

My ex has never been in contact with my 23 yr old daughter since she was 4, apart from a court meeting when she was 18) - no pressies, cards or anything. His mum & sister have kept in touch though & she visits them sometimes.

It's really great that your ex has kept in contact with your son - he'd really miss that relationship.

Gotta go ....

I spoke to my other half and he was suprisingly ok about it. I thought he'd complain about being left to go by himself. I guess that saying I would join him later eased the shock of me declining!
I am divorced, I left my husband 3 years ago this autumn, and I'm actually on my 3rd young man. Not what I'd planned, I wanted to stay with the first one, but he had other ideas. I then had a casual boyfriend for a while before I decided on the one I've got now. I'm not sure how long he will last, but I'm happy for now.
My son is 6, 7 in a couple of months. When I first split up with his dad he wasw him every day, but it's worked out now that he has him 2 nights a week and a weekend. I'm very pleased that he sees his dad, as I think it important that children have a father figure around. Even if he's not a top quality dad. But he does his best, and there's no doubt he loves our son.

It's a shame that your ex didn't want to keep in touch, but I think it's really good that his family does. Kids need to know where they come from I think, and as my son has ADHD I really need the break from him! Plus it gives me a chance to go out to the cinema or for a boogie when I can afford it.

What bit of coast are you going to?

Hi

We're going to Norfolk, but not where there are flood warnings - it's near Hemsby (Yarmouth way). View of the sea from the bedroom window & easy steps down at the bottom of the garden onto the dunes to take the dog for a walk - usually twice a day when we're there!!!!

ADHD - I'm sorry, but I'm not familiar with this - is it a hyperactive condition?

I lived with mum & dad when I split, so she had a father figure in my dad. She was only 9 months old! Tomorrow is my 26th wedding un-anniversary!!! & she is now 23. I had a couple of very short flings, then one longer one until I found out he was an alcoholic & a liar. The whole family moved about 13 years ago, but now I'm with someone - this is our 8th year - he's a little older than me, but I feel very safe & he looks after me wonderfully!!! Hope the same happens for you someday.

I know Hemsby, I spent a lot of time there as a child, and went most recently in 1992 I think. A Lovely beach.

ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Although J isn't actually hyperactive, he looks it. He has got the attention span of a gnat sometimes, and finds it hard to concentrate. Sometimes when he wants to tell me something that is important to him, he bounces up and down on the spot. I assume as it gives his body something to do, his mind can concentrate on what he wants to tell me.

It's good that you found someone. Sometimes I think that my current chap is 'the one', but although we go well together, there is one area of life were we are totally incompatible. It's going to be a case of one of us adjusting to it (me I expect), to see if we can make a go of it. We're approaching a year now, so fingers crossed.

Yep, it is a beautiful beach & the dunes - the dog loves it - she jumps down the cliff & looks at me expectantly - even though it means me clambering down rather ungainly & having to walk miles to get up again!!!

Hey, I'm really sorry about your son. I had heard of hyperactivity, but not this particular disorder. It must really use up your energy & maybe, sometimes, your patience. Will he have to go to a special school or is there any chance of "growing out" of it? You must worry about his future. I really can't imagine being under that sort of strain all the time.

Rrrrr (as I call him on here!!) is 15 years older than me, so I have had to adjust a certain amount, although I think he has "loosened up" abit being with me - you know, little things. We've been together 7 years now & really I don't expect we'll ever bother to get married - or maybe??!! Sometimes I've heard it can ruin it!!

My daughter & I reverted to my maiden name when she turned 18 to try to lose all connection with the past.

Anyway, what I really wanted to say was: If you have an exasperating day, or need to talk, feel free to write any garbage to me - within reason I'll be away for about the last 3 weeks of October, but apart from that I sign on most evenings.

Take care of yourself & the lad - what's his name? Your son that is!

Lol
Shirps

Mina - are you still around?

I'm actually quite embarrassed to say yes. How's things with you? It brought back lots of memories reading this old thread again.

It is quite embarrassing reading through old stuff, which is EXACTLY why I've resurrected some of them!

My old page is still there, but I've now logged on as a "newie" & have a new page (which has absolutely nothing on as yet!), but transferred some old chats - u never know who might still be around - you for instance!!

Well, my news in brief - we were talking about weddings at the time: that one was the son of my partner(2001), New Year's Eve of that year my partner's brother got married. In Sept 02 partner's first grandson was born. The following March (03) we got married (after 9 years of "togetherness"). Then this year, the daughter of my "husband" got married, then MY daughter got her PhD & was married 10 days later (September) & finally, a second grandson was born to the original couple that were married!

We've just heard that another baby (partners brother's daughter) is expected on my birthday - next March She lives in Austria though!!

PS: I only had 6 weeks to sort out my wedding

Doh, apart from all that I'm I theeeenk!

So .... how are you & family?

You've been through a fair few weddings! Did you enjoy the parties, or was it all very stressful?

My son is now 10, and I'm single again. The young man that I mentioned above - we had an incompatibility problem I recall I mentioned. Well, it eventually split us up after a very happy nearly three years. We were on the verge of moving in together, but I just couldn't adjust to what I'd have to give up if I stayed with him. He's still on site as well, and although I don't bump into him much he told me he'd got engaged.

I tried another chap after him, but that didn't work out either, and now I've decided to stay single for a while.

Since I last spoke to you I changed jobs - I worked on h2g2 (and for the BBC!) for a while! I've left again now, and will be starting a new job in January.

Well, that's the last three years in a nutshell! A lot of it seemed much more fun and/or painful at the time.