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

Named for which cat?

Well, that's sort of a long story.
In short, I'm not sure of where Douglas Adams came across the name "Zaphod", but in 63 my parents had a cat of that very name, and I was named after it when I was adopted in early 65.
Put that in Riply's pipe and light it for him.

Sorry, that should have been "Ripley's"

You mean your real name is *Zaphod*?



I just (finally!) read the Douglas Adams books. Zaphod is my favorite character!

Do you live up to the name?

I wish I did.
Unfortunately it appears that Bill Gates is going to beat to the Galactic Presidency.
However, I am reasonably accomplished at being cool, lazy, and smug.
There's not much on this particular planet which gets me down, save for the IRS, and at somewhere between 50,000 and 250,000 per anum they can be somewhat of a nuisance.

Plus that you have a cool name

don't worry about the Galactic presidency though.

I hated "Mostly Harmless". I keep thinking that if Zaphod was there he would have some crazy idea and saved *us* all.

May I call you by name? My RL name is Katharina - with K and 3 a's. I was named after my brothers' favorite doll.

Certainly, if I may be allowed the same honor.
As for cool name, you try getting through school with my name. Without the advent of Douglas Adams coming across it, I would still be trying to justify it. These days I generally go by my middle initial which is D.
No, there is no name to it, just D., which serves me fairly well.

Is there a story behind the doll? I am interested in hearing it.

Ooops.
I am interested yet I am being called into action. Please post it, and I will respond at my earliest possible moment.

Sorry about the delay - first I couldn't open it then I got caught in some delicious Saint Seiya fanfics :-D No, there isn't a special story about the doll, just that the boys had named her Katharina and said that if they have sister she should have that name. But I did have (still have)my share of problems with that name. If you haven't been to my home page yet, I'm from Iran and this name is NOT common there. I use the abbreviation common to a *real* Iranian name : Katayoon -> Kati, but each time I want to give my name for a legal matter, I have to pronounce it KATARINA and they write KATRINA. And then the questions start: Are you Christian? Assyrian? Armenian? Jewish? No you are not Iranian, we don't believe that you are Iranian. Yes I'm Iranian with a German mother. Then why are you in Iran, Germany is sooo much better! UGH!!!! Of course, these are nothing compared to your problems. I know that. But I'm willing to bet that when the other researchers find out (your choice!) you will find yourself mighty popular here ;-) Have you already visited Douglas Adams homepage here? He would be interested too. If you want to drink some pan galactic gargle blasters, go to http://www.h2g2.com/F57540?thread=95885&latest=1 it is party in heaven, people usually gatecrash, just say that I invited you. I'm in feline form, lying next to Kes' head on the floor :-D Everybody is in the progressed state of "spiritualness" ;-) so don't expect intellingent conversation :-) Bye