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

I can be annoyingly chirpy
Hope you are ok?
Not too much study, but it does give you a buzz when you get a good grade.
I got 71% for my talky thingy and research presentation!!
Better than 59% for the first crit, and I think it'll be something like that for the one on Monday.
In the end I made my cooker apron, and they seemed to really like it.
No one else makes the pile of old crap I do.
Going to try and do a surprise 40th for bro this July, but will have to ask D to keep him busy, but not book him for any weddings the weekend we do it. I have plenty of time, so we could secretly film him and make a montage, as I think he'd love a This is Your Life type thing.
Needed a treat, so I bought myself a Morrissey cd, as I really liked Irish Blood, English Heart.
I'm loving a bit of Hot Chip and Regina Spektor at the mo.
I do Virgin, and its fixed forever at £9.99 pcm, and the old broadband is so quick. At Uni they use Mac, and it seems very slow.
The next unit, is drawing, which I love, so I hope that goes well, then we break up at the end of May and don't go back til October!!
Hope you are well and happy
Yer ole chum
Soo

71%- good for you, that's brilliant Go for the surprise party and the montage; my sis arranged a party for her hubby's 40th a few years back and he had no idea she organised it. He was chuffed to bits and she'd managed to get a great display of photos on the wall. My bro, sisses and I have started trying to plan a surprise bash for mum's 60th in August; I hope we can pull it off.

Now that I'm replying to a different post, I'm struggling to remember what I was going to say in reply to your previous post!

You seemed concerned about my sleep and depression but I haven't been down for a while. My sleeping gets screwed up when I have things on my mind; if I'm depressed, I just sleep for hours and hours. Being asleep means I don't have to face anything. That's what was happening in summer. I stopped taking my pills about two weeks ago and I feel much better for it; it's like I can see things less fuzzily. The light is returning in the evenings (and we change the clocks in a few weeks- yay ) which makes me feel better at this time every year.

You do seem chirpy and you have done since you started your course. It's fantastic that you get a summer break; such a good time to recharge your batteries. You'll restart in autumn and go onwards and upwards It must also be good that it sort of fits in with your nippers' school terms- or does it not?

I was going to say something about women and just existing but I'll need to re-read your previous post to remind me.

Keep up the good work (I'd love to see some of it ) and take good care of yourself and the sootangclan.

Regina is (well, the one album I have is.) Bought a couple of Cat Power's early albums for £5 a pop and they're pretty I also pushed the boat out on series 2 of Waking the Dead on dvd for £16. I love that programme.

Repost with the other stuff soon

Van

I will not eat: seafood (except scampi; crab paste); mushroom (would make an exception for the kind); kidney; liver; tripe; heart; black/white pudding; sweetbread; brawn; rocket; coriander; egg white (unless in meringue form- *yolks* are yummy); melon; sweetly mutated rasberry things like jam & yoghurt (fresh raspberries are gorgeous); asparagus; broccoli; fresh-water fish; pears; olives; capers; anchovies; swede; parsnips; turnips; tuna, when hot; horseradish; English & French mustards (German, American, wholegrain, Dijon with honey & balsamic are good); most whisky; nearly anything from an Indian restaurant/takeaway; artichokes...

I wouldn't want to scare you by carrying on *but* there are two things that I would probably say that I hate.

Water- I can tolerate bottled stuff if I'm really thirsty (and I tasted water from a stream when I was 10 and it tasted sweet and lovely) but tap water makes me feel even when I clean my teeth.

CUCUMBER DISGUSTING Even the smell makes me want to vomit. I can taste it in a sandwich if someone has cut cucumber with a knife and then cut a tomato with the same knife and put the tomato in my sandwich !

When I buy a tuna salad baguette from Greggs, I have to take out the cucumber and leave the baguette open to 'breathe' for a while so that the taste has gone away for the main part. I once had an amazing lunch hour when I bought said baguette and they'd left out the cucumber- I felt blessed that day

This has turned into a massive food rant . I meant to ask how things had been and say the women/love stuff that I didn't say last time. At least you know what *you're* dealing with

May the force be with you and I hope you were appreciated properly on mothering sunday. My sister, brother and I cooked a roast for twelve again (& did better than last year)- other sis did dessert- so that ma could have a total day off. Went v well and all the kids were happy too despite adults sitting round the table for ages after dinner and natterin.

V glad to be properly back in the kitchen for hours (especially knowing that mum could do what she wanted all day.) I must admit that I'm keen to get back into the swing of cooking having watched Masterchef (and Emily )

Van

Oh, and broad beans, kidney beans, trifle, rice pudding, ratatouille, steak less than medium, fat on meat (I'm a regular Jack Spratt)and ham.

I think that covers it!!

Wow!!
I hate garlic, cheese, sauces with too much tomato, and fish.
My bro can't stand the smell of cucumber!!
I'm eating a lotus caramelised biscuit at the mo, the type they give you these days with coffee at the hairdressers.
Trouble with getting good grades, is lady who gives me a lift, is getting miffed, and has been muttering that she may not want to stay for the whole course.
So, wise one, do I get crap grades and keep her happy, or go for it and maybe have to go for the nearly two hour each way journey??
Bought a 50s coffee percolator to cheer myself up today, as rampant female hormones have made me feel very crap the last couple of days.
Don't know if boys experience the same joys but you know its crap, and just have to wait for it to pass.
I have sent you my last biscuit...
Bro had an interview today, well second and hes gone all moody.
Hes 39 and paid for their house a couple of years ago, and has n't worked since leaving Vodaphone a couple of years ago now.
I can understand why, but hes so much more calm and nice when hes not working, and I hope he does n't slip back into his moody ways.
I was put out that he let slip that he'd chatted to Doug last week, while I would not want their friendship to end, I do feel that he did n't stick up for me as well as he could.
You understand better than anyone what its like to have someone so cross with you, when you really did n't merit it!
When this thing subsides I will be fine and as rational as we gels can be.
Hope you are ok.
All that sleeping sounds wonderful, and I was called the Dormouse at Uni, as every chance I got I went back to my room to sleep!!
Scared the living crap out of the cleaner!!
Nothin for mas day, as they have no cash of their own, but was a bit sad to be honest that there was no card.
Send me some of your food, as I hate cooking!!
Mustard sucks.
I also hate people reading over your shoulder, and when daughter leaves her very long blonde hair in the hairbrush!!
And, if I hate pretention and arrogance so much, why do I seem to end up being drawn to it? art and crap men?
Take care treasure, and hope you and your lovely family are all well and happy!!
Soo, who does n't really like biscuits?

Gotta go to nite nites, van man,
Take care
Soogal

Sleep well dood. Just wrote a long post to you but I got cut off and it's all vanished

I'll post again soon
Van

Thank you for the biscuit- I need it. I bought a pack of four chocolate shortcakes from the WRVS shop at work today but when I got them back to my desk I noticed that they were 98% sugar-free

Definitely go for the grades unless it makes your life too difficult . It may be a pain now but the last thing you want is to think back and know you could have done better if you'd done this or that. I think I know what you mean about buying things. I bought some clothes last weekend from TKmaxx (avoided the shoes though ). I didn't really need them but I *wanted* them and it felt real good when I got back home and tried them on.

Hope you're bro gets his job but stays . It doesn't make it any easier but he might not have realised if he was being insensitive- he is a man after all! Girlie is a guide leader in my sister's unit and my other sis goes on camps with them. I've asked them not to talk to me about guides and guide camp because it gives me pangs. One sis has done very well but the other is either trying to desensitise me or wind me up because she seems to talk about it more than she used to. Maybe she doesn't realise?

My bro was made permanent in his temp job today so our plans for going on holiday in the next month or two are gathering pace. Jersey, Egypt, Crete and the Canaries seem to be our favoured destinations but a lot depends on price and weather. Not sure if I can afford it but I do have room on my credit card. It'll be good to get away especially if it means I'm not here when she's back at easter. I really don't want to bump into her in the village as unlikely as it is. She may stay in Cambridge to write her dissertation and revise for her finals but I won't know either way so it won't help if she does. So it means another six weeks of walking round like a nervous rabbit

I'll cook for you any time. Sounds like you wouldn't be up for my silky smooth cheese sauce or my arabiatta with much tomatoness but I bet you'd wolf down my chicken marengo . I make a mean too!

Stay well and I'll post again soon (broadband or no broadband!)
Keep up those grades.
Van

Don't be nervous about girlie but I know what you mean!!
New Milton where Tug is, is not far as the crow flies, but places like this, I might never see him again, which is a sad thing.
I don't think I fancy him much, his behaviour is too offputting, but being lonely makes you weak.
Trouble is they panic and even just casually being a friend makes them nervous, as we might get the wrong idea...?
They may have a point, but its harsh, and I would like to be friendly, but I don't need the negative crap, when you and I know they really should take us having liked them as a huge compliment, not an excuse to say you like me too much go away!!
I really can't get my head around these head games...
I really like the sound of your Garth Merengues Chickenplace...
My favourite prog for a while now has been The IT Crowd, and its really lifted my spirits, many times.
Its a lovely sunny day here, so will drag the doggys oot soon, but I have an essay to write.
We get to choose, and I really like George Shaw, if you get a chance, do look his stuff up, as it really reminds me of growing up!!
I've really loved researching Photorealism, love all those Americana things gumball machines and all the 50s style things and urban landscapes!!
I have found loads of beautiful paintings of freeways, so don't mind me, but I can see a project in all this!!
I am so glad you bought yourself some clothes treats, as it may be weak to crave material things, but I find such comfort in all my little bits of crap.
I don't know what we'd do without TKMaxx, bloody marvellous shop!!
Your sis is cut from the same cloth, so she really won't mean it.
The wheel of Karma turns so bloody slowly sometimes, but I'm hoping bro gets this job and he has some nice new mateys for me to meet.
Its 10 yrs this August since my ex ran off, and although I do know I hav n't wasted the time bringin up the kids, college etc,and I don't need a bloke to be good in the world, but it does get lonely the day to day on yer own.
Makes you value yer mates, and I am so blessed weith mine!!
Take care dood
Let me know what you thnk about George Shaw, just a bit bloody marvellous!!

Very bloody marvellous I particularly liked one of his pictures in humbrol (called something like "the blossomest blossom"); I did think it was a photo to start with. Such a simple subject but breathtaking And his pencil drawings that I've seen are brilliant- I wish I could draw; you arty bods don't half make me jealous at times.

I've been cracking on with my Complementary & Alternative Medicine stuff (not v interesting at the mo) so that I can write my essay at the weekend. Then I have loads of brain stuff to gen up on for Bio Psych in preparation for another essay because it looks like I'm off to Lanzarote *next Thursday*!! I don't care if it's tacky, I want some sunshine (why isn't there a sunshine smiley?)

The IT crowd is great (though I missed most of the past series.) It's always good to see Chris Morris and Richard Ayeodo (can't spell his name) is fantastic. Did you watch Garth Marenghi? I got the DVD and the commentary is hilarious because it's the actors playing the actors commenting on a fake show. I liked Man to Man With Dean Learner too.

I'm afraid I can't help being nervous. It's unlikely our paths will cross and normally I wouldn't mind if they did because I don't have a clue why we couldn't just say hi and, heaven forbid, maybe even have a cup of tea and catch up. However, she obviously has a major problem with even that concept so it means that, if we did see each other, I'd get upset about not being able to say hi. That's why I get nervous and end up doing things like running to the shop and back so that I'm even less likely to see her. The thing I find saddest is that, if she ever did want to see me to explain how it all went so wrong (not that she ever will) I don't think she'd be brave enough to contact me. If it helped to think "her loss" I would but it doesn't.

Anyway, shouldn't be talking about her- it's not as if she's even part of my life. I understand what you mean about being lonely but I don't often feel that way myself, probably because I spent so long getting used to my own company. I'm quite content reading my books which is why I can't wait to finish my course so I can read what I want, when I want.

Those nasty men from Tiscali *still* haven't delivered my modem but I can survive on dialup for a bit longer. I'll let you know how the holiday plans take shape.

Take good care and I'm glad you've got good mates.

Van

I really liked the way Garth Marengi was like Space 1999, shaky sets, lowish budget and the one with the alien baby eye was crackin.
We saw the second series first, as I'm embarrassed to say, I had dismissed it at first glance.
I love Gay, The Musical and I did n't know until a few days ago that "There's somebody at the door, there's somebody at the door" comes from Rod Hull and Emus Pink Windmill.
I do like Douglas Renholm, especially the bit with his hand in the statue, and I have been known to look at that bit several times on You Tube!!
I think they remain terrified we may get the wrong idea, if they are even a little bit nice to us, so its easier and simpler to have nothing to do with us.
Are we a pair of dangerous psychos??
I don't think so, but it just escalates, to try and explain that you can be cool about things, you don't get the chance.
My ex never explained anything, did n't even refuse to talk, just drew a line and started a new life without us, he just could n't be bothered.
Its the injustice of it, on hormonal days when I let it bother me, but most of the time I'm just too busy to dwell. I don't really care most of the time.
I've got two in my collection, and I do think if I can be really good buds with someone I lived with for 5 years, he's going to tile my kitchen for me!!
I would love to be friends, or even to know he was n't hiding.
I helped my sis and bro get back on track, when they had fallen out and refused to have anything to do with each other for nearly 5 years.
I would love my bro to do the same about me and Doug, cos its horrible to know hes feeling he has to block me.
He says just forget it, but I'm damn sure it would niggle him, if the situation was reversed!!
Doug did say when I turned down his kind offer of casual sex, that the trouble was I liked him too much (big head!!) and theres something superior in that.
Maybe its a power issue?
I don't have any!!
I wish I could tidy up these threads, but maybe we can't and time will lead to acceptance?
I sound like I'm ranting, just I know you know...
Arty people??
I am so glad you liked George Shaw!!
I really like the pictures of the back alleys, garages, like the ones we mooched about in when young. He has to weara balaclava when he paints, due to the reflection of the paint.
Could n't do your voodoo stuff if I tried!
Alternative medicine! Sounds like a bit of Prince Charles to me!
You do strike me as a very creative person, van, but sciency stuff is a cool feather in yer cap!
Have a lovely time in the sun!!
My nippers mates dad is the local Baptist minister, but they are surprisingly ok, he even works at costa coffee a day a week, to keep in touch with the real world!!
They are trying to get dads to spend more time with sons and so do a 7pm to 10pm adventure thing in the forest. So my bro stepped up and is taking his mate Bradley too!!
Hes got night vision goggles!!
Take care lovely van man,
Get out there and Pineapple in the sun...but be careful

Wow, I'd love to have night vision goggles

We booked our holiday- a week in Tenerife leaving next friday I'm having a good weekend so far. Cooked myself an all-day breakfast, done my washing, cleaned a bit, read some Prince Charles stuff and watched some rugby.
I hope you're having a good one. Will write more soon.

Van

He got them at a car booty!!
They have gone and taken my mates lad, whose dadis worse than useless.
Its bucketin but I hope they have a good time.
We are watchin The Fifth Elephant...
Have made fajitas for when the wet and cold return...
Got my dresser, and its wonderful, so have spent a long and very tiring day, cleaning it and looking in boxes that I hav n't been able to even think about getting out in years.
I have got so much Sooty, Gremlins and Magic Roundabout stuff...
Going to look on ebay for a good second hand kitchen, as bro says he'll fit it for me.
Have a really lovely break, you deserve it!!
Only cheery stuff from now on, just remember, you and I are on the up!!
Your ole buddy
Soo

Fajitas Qesadillas are my favourites though

Off to work in a few hours (not sure if I'll sleep much because I am very excited about holiday ) but should only be there for a bit and then back to my bro's to go get euros and last minute supplies. We're getting the train down to gatwick tomorrow eve and have a hotel room booked because we have to checkin for our flight at 4.30 am friday! Though hopefully we'll be sunbathing with cocktails by 2pm I just wish 'out of sight, out of mind' worked but I'll try my best not to think about her

Have a good week and I promise to be careful.

Van

I am so glad you and yer bro are off to have some fun in the sun.
Take care and see you when you return
Soo

Hello soo. Just a quickie to say that I'm back, safe and much better for a week in the sun. I'm in the middle of an assignment frenzy and broadband connection confusion but I'll be in touch soon.

Hope you've been well and happy.

Van

So glad to hear it
Will chat soon, but I must be the thickest buddy you've gto, and don't you forget it!!
Soo, with no brown bits anywhere!

Hi dood.

I can't believe how scarce I've been round this place recently. Wasn't it John Lennon who said that 'life's what happens when you're busy doing other things!' Too true

So, my holiday. It was great to get away. Tenerife was warm and sunny most days (& we got a wonderful rainstorm one day- I like rain.) Bro and I got upgraded to a great complex with three pools and a fab poolside bar. We spent most of our days hanging by the pool and then either hung in our apartment for the evening or went out to restaurants & bars. We ate some gorgeous food but nothing that was Canary Island specific (the only local speciality I saw was a pizza with prawns & banana on!) We did see some flamenco dancing and there was a power cut during the show. It was quite cool because we all carried on as normal with the oil lights on our tables and, when the power came back on, they started the dancing again. All in all, it was a great holiday and great to spend time with bro.

You'll be proud that I've been brave at home. I like walking round the village and walking's my main source of exercise so I decided that girlie or no girlie, I wasn't going to hide. I like to go to the shop and then have a wander round rather then come straight home. It wasn't likely that we'd see each other and, even if we did, I can cross roads with the best of them, so I walked when and where I felt like it. I did stay out of the chemist where she works but I can go in now she's gone and eventually get some photos developed I did see her one day. I was waiting for the bus and she came out of the chemist opposite to put things in the bin. She looked gorgeous as ever but it didn't make me feel sad, just got my pulse racing a bit. I don't know if she saw me and I don't care.

Dr Who's been good but we've had a few probs with bro's tv. He hasn't had one since he got back to England more than a year ago but he got a new one for the new series. We missed half the first episode because of tuning issues and his digital goes dodgy around 7pm so we've had to watch parts of it with a crackly picture. Mind you, the first tv I remember us having was black and white so I don't mind the odd crackle or two.

Anyway, I seem to have gone on about not very much so I'll sign off. Broadband sorted, OU going ok and work is bearable.

How's things with you? Hope everything's
Van

Listening to my boot sale bargain Nellyville cd, as its got a couple of tracks I like, but its given me a headache, or could it be the galaxy choc I have had for breakfast???
Sounds like a brill holiday for you two boys, nuthin wrong with food and sunshine.
You have been brave and I am proud of you, as it takes a lot to do what you've done.
What a blow about Dr Who!!!
Been interviewing at the comp for a new asst dept head over two full days and the mental stress was unbelievable!!
Two of the candidates were internal, one stevie's maths teacher and the other a youngish but exceptional teacher.
Two ladies also were invited to interview, one too lacking in confidence, and the other who wanted to take over the world!!
Needless to say, no one warmed to her and many of the staff felt they could not work with her.
I was with the pupil panel, 4 lovely kids who gave them a right grilling, real rottweilers!!
When they made their decision and gave their reasons, they were spot on.
In the afternoon we sat and watched them work together on a task for over an hour, it must have been hell!! There were twelve observers, inc senior managers and the head... and me!!
I always think the are nice to me, but I'm just a thicky parent, but they listened and respected what we said.
I felt honoured to be included, in what must have been one of the most important days in their lives.
The maths bloke fell apart in the interview, and just could not articulate so well under pressure, and you just wanted so badly for him to come out with the right stuff...
It was lovely to invite the History bloke back and share in his good news!!
I thought I was just in to monitor the kids for the morning, and ended up doing two full and emotionally draining days!!
I am delighted to find I'm not as inarticulate as I thought.
Now comes the hard work, as I'd love to work there, if this art course comes together, or as a teaching asst, if I can become a rich mans plaything!!
The Juniors are a bunch of well off old battleaxes, and would n't even have considered me to interview, or much else, so I've decided to hand my notice in there!!
Still want to go into school as I love it so much!!
Got to go and draw some stuff now dude, and try to paint some very kitsch piccies, and still no essy, which just makes me very apprehensive!!
Take such good care of yerself dood!!
Soo