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

Hello Shirps,

I gather you're a friend of Pandora - who I've only recently become aquainted with, and would who I would be privileged to call a friend - and just thought I'd drop by and say hi - so 'hi'.

If you don't mind me asking - is she the person you mention in your journal as having heard some really bad news about?

Like you (I suppose) I've spent my time moaning about what's wrong with my life, yet have now come across someone who has something to genuinely moan about - and she doesn't - but simply gets on with it instead!

Steve

Well, hello there!!

Yes, and yes - very astute of you!

Keep in contact - I'll go have a look at your page now

Hi Shirps,

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply - quite a few don't, although most seem to.

I've become quite friendly with pan recently and could see that you're obviously big friends with her and just thought i'd introduce myself.

It seems to be a great community here, and I was outlining a pet theory of mine to her in an email last night - the fact that everything's on public view takes a little getting used to! I feel that this VL is actually more honest than RL in that you soon realise that you like people (or dislike them), their tastes, likes and dislikes, sense of humour etc without knowing whether they're black or white, straight or gay - even whether they're male or female for sure.

Long time, no write:

Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, ................

I've been away a lot recently & although I have kept up with Pan on her "Chat with me her" & another line, I have neglected all others - that's really BAD of me!

As you were saying previously, sometimes I wonder how truthful people are when describing themselves: i.e. do you think some may make up a character? I don't blame them if they do, it's kind of working out an acting fantasy - all of us have an actor bursting to get out, but alot haven't got the ego to do it, here you can!

I'm afraid I'm rather boring & too honest. I never got on with those role playing games either, basically I haven't got that big an ego!!!

Anyway, am I forgiven for not getting back??

Shirps

Erm, yes I'll forgive you - just this once mind you!

Seriously though, it really is so easy to invent another character online - you can invent interests, a false background, lie about your age or even your sex, but the real 'you' will always show through.

I'll tell you a true story - the husband of a friend of mine spent his evenings chatting up women on ICQ, so I created a new (female) identity for myself on it with similar interests to him and then made contact. We got on really well, which wasn't surprising as I knew all his past details - plus I'm very alluring when I want to be ! He started emailing me all about his wife and I just forwarded them straight to her! I even had to turn down the chance of a dirty weekend with him! It was a good laugh until he started making things up about her then suddenly it didn't seem very funny.

An actor trying to burst out? I think I've currently got about three! I'll have to get the diet started before Christmas arrives.

Anyway, thanks for getting back in touch.

Steve

Hi Steve

Just in case you didn't know: Pandora's birthday is fairly soon, the date is 9th December (I won't give you the year, because she is a lady!)

Must admit, I'm not acting out at all, but just finding it great to say more-or-less what you want, without worrying about stutters, etc., etc!!!!!

It's a bit hard on the old fingers, so will have to limit myself to one message to someone per night - ooooh, how organised - uggh!

Nasty situ to be caught in, did he ever find out that you were the one he was chatting-up? Are he & his wife still married?!!

Hi,

Thanks for that - I'll make a note in my diary. Just in case you hadn't noticed it, there's a list of researchers' birthdays at http://www.h2g2.com/A293195 - why not fill in yours and Pandora's then others will see them too.

The chap never did find out about the deception, and the pair of them are still together - which is a real tragedy for her, but it's too long a story to go into!

When I was younger, I wrote to one or two penpals but lost interest because of the delays as it would sometimes be months between letters as I think people tend to save their ideas until they can fill a letter, whereas I find this much more interesting as you can fire off ideas, jokes etc sometimes several times a day, sometimes not very often at all.

As I think I mentioned, it's amazing how quickly you can grow to like people without having a clue what they look like, how old they are etc and on the three occasions I've actually met up with friends I've met online I've been proved right.

Steve

To Ace

OK, I apologise again - a whole 4 weeks!!!
Anyway:

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS & A VERY MERRRY NEW YEAR

Lots of Love
Shirps xxxxxxxxxxxx

A belated Merry Christmas Shirps

This conversation seems to consist of a series of apologies for not replying sooner Anyway, this time it's my turn as I haven't been on h2g2 at all for weeks and am now trying to catch up with everyone - sorry!

I've just been given a unicycle for Christmas so am going to be practicing that over the next few weeks, so if you don't hear from me for a while I could have either broken my neck or joined a circus

Love Steve
xx

Hi Steve

Happy 2001 New Year! Has your 'puter begun talking to you yet? Careful it don't get feeling murderous!! (S.O.)

Good luck with the unicycle, my neck wouldn't be doing with further damage at present, so I don't think I'll ask for a try!!

However, hmmmmmmmm, joining a circus - like that idea: just leave me with the animals & I'd be very content, together with all that travelling! Do you reckon you could cope with a big red nose though?

Ooh, Ooh, PS

I had the choice between a new radio/cassette player thingy for the kitchen (I've been whittering on about that for ages) or a leather coat! Well, which one would you have gone for? I remember having a rather neat mauve suede jacket in my teens, but I'd never had a leather coat, so ............. Guess I'll be putting up with the fuzzy crackling noise for another year!!

Hi Shirps and Happy New Year to you,

After the Christmas booze I'm quite getting used to having a red nose anyway

I learnt juggling a couple of years ago so when the unicycling's on the way as well I'll be down the High Street earning a few extra coppers at weekends.

I think I'd tend to go with you and get the leather coat - I treated myself to one in last year's January sales - as I've always liked them. I keep looking around for a long black leather trench coat - Gestapo style - as they really suit me, although I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or not.

So, what did Father Christmas bring you? Anything really good, or just practical?

Love Steve
xx

Well, the coat was my main pressie - is that practical?

My daughter bought me 3 CDs, which I had wanted, please try not to cringe: Cat Stevens ?! Ok, you can stop cringing now.

I've got just about all his LPs, but can't be bothered to play LPs any more. Seriously though, he wrote some really credible songs & I've just always loved his style - can't say more than that can I?

Unicycling juggler, plus red nose, hmmmmmmm ....... you could become very popular at fetes, carnivals, etc., around small towns. Very cheering for people out shopping on a Saturday too. There's a chap that plays guitar outside a supermarket in our town, usually one day per week (he prob. does the rounds) when it's not cold. He's brilliant & I love sitting outside a little cafe & listening to him - OK the cafe is in between a motor parts shop & Iceland, so it's not quite as idyllic as it sounded. Anyway, I reckon he earns heaps as it's on the way to the main car park!

So if I see a UJ plus RN around, I'll ........ hide!!!

Watch that gestapo look, you may just get some strange reactions!

Away to the coast tomorrow till end of the week. Then a week in "spring-like" weather in Madeira at the end of the month - my body is in desperate need of a little mild heat before it gives up entirely, neck, shoulders, arms, back, knees ........taradeboomdeay ....hate the cold, especially the damp.

Take care with that unicycle - try to avoid the ice!!

Byeeeeeeee for now
Shirps