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

Hi Thomas

(Couple of practical points about h2g2 that may be useful.. (a) I find that when I try to "Reply" it shows me the penultimate post not the last one. So I copy and post the one I want to reply to and then wipe it out as I go along (b) If you are trying a substantive reply the page tends to expire and when you press Preview or Post you lose it. So I always 'copy' before just in case.. And this proved necessary in my reply to Peanut... These things may or may not apply to your PC)

Thanks for "if I didn´t know your profession I´d rather think that this was written by an historian than by an history teacher". I think that I really worked over the introduction endlessly refining and re-jigging in order to try to achieve a coherent over-view.

As for trying to start a conversation, I may have ticked the submit for "Peer Review" box in a fit of semi-optimism. Perhaps that means you need to go through another channel.

As I have written I do feel that Mrs. Thatcher does give my writing an external focus. I was never a "Thatcherite". But the Conservative Party chose her as their leader and the British People chose her as Prime Minister as the best choice available. As you know the Labour Party has been a lifelong disappointment to me since as an allegedly "progressive party" and one reason why Mrs T. won three General Elections (and then John Major won a fourth) was because the Labour Party in effect offered itself as a government that would not accept the awesome responsibility that fell upon modern governments in the age of the Cold War, merely wishing that the world could suddenly be a place of "Love and Peace". But I will go on to argue (as others have done) that Love and Peace are not the job of the State, not what it is designed for. Above all else the Modern State has always been a war machine- with great political leaders those who can say "the struggle is my life".. But their struggle is only to create, nurse and nurture the conditions in which others can embrace "The Angel of Life" and make 'making the most of Life itself' their own struggle. Only when everyone is struggling genuinely for the best that Life can bring will we have anything like Love and Peace on Earth.

As for my future on h2g2, as you may notice regarding my recent participation on the Humanism conversation, I get very little encouragement, when I do spend more time on this site.. But I can not foresee closing my Casserleon page because it is very useful to be able to refer people to my 'essays' by email, and also on my Facebook "Wall". I did get some thumbs up reactions on my Mrs T.first piece from old pupils and will update my wall each time I add a new piece. It does mean getting more exposure- and you never know!!

As you say some of the reaction in Ireland has been difficult to take. Almost immediately Gerry Adams gave an interview in which he referred to all the pain and suffering that she caused in Northern Ireland. But in that as in much else her judgement was that it was about time that Britain showed some fight, with (as I wrote) the pain and suffering that led to 'Civil War conditions' being [part of the New and powerful Britain that emerged at the end of the Seven Years War (during which British money had helped to raise the power and standing of Frederick the Great and Prussia- our ally in the struggle on the Continent). I may have mentioned before life in London under the threat of IRA bombs that might kill our children or pupils. Some years after the Billingsgate Bomb I met the widow of the one man who died, whose daughter had just come up from our Prep Department.. She said how ironic it was that she had been born and grew up in Beirut, and thought that she would be safe married to a Brit and living in London. Over the next few years the trauma had an obvious impact on the girl's life and development. Trauma that has been part of the legacy of Ireland North and South- but a legacy that "lovers of hate" only serve to perpetuate and 'globalise' as the IRA did.

As for publishers I suppose I have made a few unsuccessful initiatives, but (in fact) my Mrs Thatcher piece (as I have said) started off a few weeks ago as the letter to publishers re my "Economics.." book.. But then I decided that it might be a more commercial option in itself. It (hopefully) will be much shorter- and will serve to almost sum up my thinking for Now.

And for now a priority is to have tea-time and get ready to go up to this evenings Prom- Elgar-Falstaff and Tchaikovsky 4.. Meeting up with our daughter and partner who are really committed "Promenaders" and have got us hooked over the last few years- either side of our Summers in France.

Good to be back in touch.

Cheers

Cass

PS To the above

Of course Mrs. Thatcher famously said "We have a real problem in those inner cities".. (which is a major theme of "Economics..."A Tale of Cities") .. and some of us had deliberately gone to "The Front Line" (as a street in Brixton was called) in order to struggle in the "Inner City Mission" tradition.. like e.g. the Reverend 'Dick' Sheppard who gave his name to one of my longest-serving schools.. And writing of Gerry Adams I was reminded of those pupils who told me that they hated my guts, to which I replied that it probably proved that I was doing my job, since such pupils were bent on evil, on mischief, on destroying the chances and life prospects of their peers, in some cases aided and encouraged by ideological teachers who saw in their pupils potential instruments for their revolution - the Brave New World that would emerge once the Inner Cities had become synomymous with active evil, destruction and negativity- which just meant that all "progress" was handicapped and those with "get up and go" got up and left- as has been a theme of the Irish tragedy North and South.

I have just seen on Facebook a photo of a pupil from back then who I once witnessed from a save distance in a re-match gang fight over in the flats, who was one of the young men selected to be presented to Nelson Madela when he visited Brixton, and he is now a Head of Year in a Secondary School quite probably (from his still extreme physicality) doing whatever is necessary in order that his pupils may the better achieve what is possible.. And it has been said that "Politics is the art of the possible".. It is for others working at the human level (as for example through Art) to show that it should be possible to make the world a much much better place than it is.

Cass

Thomas

In case you have not seen it Ihave opened a Conversation thread..

Cass

Hi Cass,

Where have you opened it?

"As for publishers I suppose I have made a few unsuccessful initiatives, but (in fact) my Mrs Thatcher piece (as I have said) started off a few weeks ago as the letter to publishers re my "Economics.." book.. But then I decided that it might be a more commercial option in itself. It (hopefully) will be much shorter- and will serve to almost sum up my thinking for Now.

And for now a priority is to have tea-time and get ready to go up to this evenings Prom- Elgar-Falstaff and Tchaikovsky 4.. Meeting up with our daughter and partner who are really committed "Promenaders" and have got us hooked over the last few years- either side of our Summers in France."

These are interesting news, Cass.

I still remember your opinions on the Labour Party and what you told me about that from your own family background. I also can understand the point of Thatcher in this context. It´s just that there hasn´t been much room for a compromise to settle it in the middle and keep the balance. We in (West-)Germany had our "Soziale Marktwirtschaft" (Social Economy) which was the motor and the guarantee of economical and social prospect as well as the contributor to our common weal. I´m afraid that there isn´t much left since globalization took place after the cold war.

I´ve read through the second part of the Thoughts on Thatchers death, but couldn´t manage to finish that part. When I find the conversation thread on that, I´ll post there.

I hope you enjoyed the Proms. I´ve never been to that event, just watched the broadcast on the German TV, provided by the BBC.

I´ve seen the list of your new essays, many of them dealing with the middle ages. Well, that´s not so much the part of history I´m interested in, but occasionly I´ll look into them too.

Thomas

Hi Cass

Now that Thomas has added you to his list, getting rid of that message, hopefully it won't seem to unfriendly to take you off mine. Because of the way I like my space to be I don't like to have a list

and I wouldn't want my other friends to get jealous

It properly rained yesterday, not a storm, this morning the front garden smelt like jasmine and rain

Are you alright? Not doing too much, sorry to fuss, but with the dizzy spells, the bruised eye and the poisoning of the roof fixing, I am going too.

it is what friends do and * knotted hanky on head*

Peanut

Hi,

I wish you a speedy recovery.

Thomas

Hi Peanut

According to my quick peek "You have no friends" applies to us both.. But "what do THEY" know?

Actually much to Mrs. Cass's annoyance I have been trying to take it easy a bit yesterday and today.. Mind you yesterday I was aware of the Proms trip that I did not want to compromise by not feeling up to it.. And today there have been unavoidable things like my annual chat with the Nurse about my blood test results and general state of health: In fact we always have a nice general chat about things and she thinks that I have a few years in me yet. Unfortunately, however, I had forgotten that I intended to take my prescription renewal in order to have enough to last for the time we will be away.. Then thursday is our major shopping day, which becomes quite and expedition- and because of Mrs. Cass's timings we did not get back for "lunch" until about 4pm- by which time I could not wait for her to cook. A mug of coffee and a couple of tea-cakes. Then a trip back to the doctors to take the prescription.. I think I will now finally eat a meal.. No wonder the Nurse found that I had lost 9 pounds compared to last year. That's what comes of trying to be a bit more active I suppose.. But all to the good. Blood pressure included.

But I realise that the computer troubles my eye. I have one distance eye and one reading eye, and this uses the reading eye and makes me aware of it not functioning properly.. My theory, however, is that some use of it is better than allowing it to be "lazy", which is what happens most of the time when the Right Eye lets the Left "take the strain".

Not quite Hedgehogs.. But our neighbour in France messaged to say that she let the EDF person in to read our metre and we seem to have a wasps nest between our roller-blind and the Front Door.. Usually the wasps nest in the garage. Perhaps they have aspirations to 'move up'.. The EDF "girl" apparently was not phased and did at least read the Metre (the once in the year)

Hope you have still got this nice "English" summer evening weather after the rain.

Cass

Hi Cass

I'm glad to hear that your check up went well and you have a good few miles left in you yet.

The aspirational wasps in your French house sound like they have set up home in awkward places this year, are you going to be able to have them removed before you get there?

I'm in an old skin (goo) so I don't get the 'You have no friends message' if I scroll right down to the bottom of my page it says 'Peanut hasn't added any friends yet'.

Hiccup and I are off to visit my sister for a couple of days, she has a few days of child free time so we all agreed while I adore my nephews and niece, some grown up time would be great, although how grown up we will be I don't know, I think she is planning to let her hair down and was saying something about getting funny photos for the family album.

I was a bit scared when she said she was going to take Hiccup shopping and they were going to buy me an outfit to wear out. I know they wouldn't choose anything horrible just something I wouldn't ordinarily wear. It has only been mentioned the once so maybe it gone to the back burner...

I'm expecting to have time to keep up with h2g2 but just in case I hope you have a good weekend

you too Stone Aart and Thomas


Peanut

Thank you very much Peanut and a nice weekend to you.

I hope your everyday is as good as the weekend I would wish you all to have

Morning Peanut

Another (late) night but one which was better for sleeping- and a pleasant summer morning with the Sun yet to burn through- and I feel to some extent in recuperative mode.. But then we need to get ready. Tomorrow our daughter is throwing a birthday-party come house-warming which will be a chance to catch up with some of her old friends plus also my brother's family (my sister-in-law and two of my nieces at least + hubbies). We have not managed to actually see now for some years with all our comings and goings.. Just hope to be in good form-

As for the wasps the neighbour did not think that it was much of a problem- and we have never bothered to destroy any of the nests in the garage. They are usually abandonned by the summer. And moreover if they are enjoying being tucked away behind the roller-blind, when we are actually in residence the blind is usually up (apart from when we are asleep) and I dare say the wasps will not like the greater exposure.

Good luck with your sister. I think that these summer days are conducive to looking on the bright and postive side. Perhaps (without the children) you will be back in bra and knickers and the paddling pool- if the weather permits.

But I know what you mean about other people buying clothes for you- especially things like an "outfit for going out". But perhaps they might do the search and then take you to try on the best options that they have found. That might be fun. Depends how near or far the shops are. But Hiccup might enjoy some time with her aunt. Girl talk and the right to a second opinion.

Have a good week-end.

Cass

Hi guys

Thank you for your good wishes for the weekend

Had a great time. Didn't get down to bra and knickers in a paddling pool, on account of being typically braless and no pool, so a bit difficult to work in

The shopping trip was something that Wren and Hiccup would do, time together and they both enjoy it. Me I'd rather wear anything they bring back than browse round clothes shops for 3 hours.

In the event they didn't get me anything, so it was a case of them going through my suitcase, discarding everything but my boots and knickers and dressing me up in Wren's clothes. It was very

We went to the harbour festival and took some photos with Gromits on the Gromit Trail. Got a huge falafel laffa, which Wren and I shared, it was delicious.

Chilled out at home in the garden and on Wren's very comfortable sofas having uninterrupted conversation. While I missed the kids sometimes, it was lovely to spend that time together.

We'll go up to visit them soon, apparently there was pouting going on when she told them we were coming to stay while they were away, bless

mmm, sorry yabbering on

How is everyone else?

I'm impressed that you might live in the same house with a wasps nest, actually I didn't think Mrs Cass would like it all,I don't know why

My friend had one in their 'conservatory' roof, they were worried about the kids, but they didn't turn out to be the issue, it was the dog who kept eating wasps

Peanut

Hi Peanut

Glad you enjoyed your week-end. So did Wren and Hiccup actually go shopping- or just admit defeat at the outset. I have to say that I have little interest in clothes shopping. Don't see anything wrong with what I already have- for my habitual purposes. The harbour festival sounds good- as long as you had good weather. On Friday morning I got rather allarmed at the weather forecaste for huge quantities of torrential rain on Saturday when our daughter and boyfriend were holding a large birthday party-housewarming.. She phoned me back c4.10 Friday afternoon quite hopeful, and in fact it was perfect from the 1pm scheduled start until sometime between 5 and 6 when the parents with small children had largely gone and we could quite easily and comfortably all just sit in their Dining Room.

And if Wren has some nice garden furniture so have they- our son and dil particularly enjoyed a two-seater-rocker that moves almost like a swing in a children's playground.

It was a really nice occasion though our daughter kept stressing that she was not getting time to talk to people- at which we pointed out that this is often the way when one is trying to be a really good host and hostess, which they were.. What was particularly pleasing was that my brother's widow and two of his nieces plus hubbies came in soon after 4pm. We had not met since his funeral- but events there and then were enough to remind everyone just how difficult family relations have been in my family. But they are super- and we just got on like a house on fire.

And driving back into London on a Saturday was not bad at all. But to some extent both Sunday and Monday I have been trying to take it easy to some extent in theory resting my bruised eye, but also (because of Thomas' interest) working on the next bit of my Thatcher pieces.. I may or may not post it before we go on Wednesday..

But rest and an early night is really a must today, last chance of a good sleep before having to get up really early on Wednesday. Have to be on the road by 6.45- and tomorrow will be a big day, putting the allotment "to bed", loading the car, and shutting up shop here.

Feeling tired just at the thought..

Nite. Nite.

Cass

Hi Cass

Wren and Hiccup did go shopping and brought things for themselves, they didn't have so much time for browsing as they thought they might and didn't see anything that jumped out at them

Which left me a little scuppered. I had this cunning plan you see...

I packed a of load of random stuff, showed it to them, pointing out that I didn't really have anything to go with this lovely shirt that I got for 50p from a fete in Glastonbury, and this funky skirt I like to wear and would like to wear more if I had more that one top that went with it, that kind of thing

Then there is also the opportunity for them to give me advice on how to put my outfits together. Their mock horror and and knowing glances, you can't wear grey tights with a grey skirt, there is such a thing as too much green, put that poncho with that skirt, no, no, no, they both 'got too much life of their own'

There are also, well, you know I wouldn't have put that together 'but it works'

It is part of our familiaral bonding activities and I love it for that as well as enjoy it.

Sounds like a lovely family gathering you had, and wonderful hosts, I hope they are delighted at how things went, getting everyone together and making sure they are catered for and happy over a period of time is a feat indeed.

I'm glad their house was warmed in such a way

You are off then, I don't envy you the packing, the shutting up of shop at all

Hope you have a good journey and are soon settled in France.

Take good care Cass, look forward to seeing you when you get back

*knotted hanky*

Peanut

Hi Peanut

Well.. In the end we got up this morning both of us not really facing the prospect of spending the day getting ready to go, etc.. Mrs Cass asked me if I minded delaying. We have. And with the rain (mostly gentle) coming down for most of the morning it has been conducive to a bit of gentle indoor pursuits plus rest and recovery.. Soon off to cook lunch. Catch you later.

Cass

Hi Peanut

Back from a lovely long break.. Felt almost like "old times' of school holidays. Hope you have had a good summer.

Cass

Hi Cass

Good to see you and I am glad you had a lovely break.

We spent a few days in a welsh woodland last week very

I have been giving the house a sort out, Spiller helped in the garden and made chutney with our tomatoes and a random chilli that I found underneath a tomato plant. Cor it was a hot one

Other than that trying to work on my all round wellness, mental, physical and financial

Hiccup has started college this week

What did you do on your lovely break?

Peanut

Hi Peanut

Rather frustrated.. I replied yesterday.. But forgot my failsafe method to counter the h2g2 gremlin that means some posts just get lost.. probably because I spend too long.. Just off to the dentist. Will get back later.

Cass

Hi Cass

at the dentist

sorry you lost posts, looking forward to hearing from you later

Peanut