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

Hi Ron,

You left a couple messages on my space on h2g2, I was going through my old stuff here...thank you again for the encouragement on my writing...I have now a collection of 9 short stories which I wish to get published sometime soon...looking for a publisher.

How are you and how's your reading going on?

Thanks,
kk

Hello kk,

Well, you will find this hard to believe, but this is the first time I've been back to h2g2 since December 1st 2005 !!! And you are the first I've contacted since that date. I'm surprised to find myself allowed to sign in again after neglecting my membership for so very long.

Thank you so very much for your kind enquiry as to my health, and for telling me of you latest exploits, in which I wish you all the very best of luck.

I still read a lot, nearly all auto-bi. and biographical stuff. But I've got a taste for Antony Beevor's works. I started with his 'Stalingrad', which is an amazingly detailed factual history of that noble, ill fated city, named after that dreadful dictator Stalin, as you know. I couldn't put it down (only to sleep and eat) until I'd finished it. I am now just half way through his 'D-Day', another of the same highly factually detailed studies. I've already bought 'Berlin' to read after the current read.

I now need to establish myself back in the h2g2 saddle, and (at least metaphorically) ride to see some of my other old friends...

I'm fine thanks, but 5 years older than when I last spoke to anyone on hitch-hikers.

I'm surprised though that you remembered my name, and flattered thereby!

All the very best of luck, until I next 'see' you.

Ron

Hey Ron,

it is so nice to see your reply I am so glad!
Well, as for this gap of five years everyone on the planet got that much older during that time ... My dad wondered once if we could study sea turtles and find the secret behind 300/400 years of life on earth. There is so much to explore and I am still just figuring out the nuts and bolts of relationships

In the last five years I changed four jobs moved between five countries got married became a mom to my son and now struggling to stay in the marriage happily

if someone asked me to summarize my life so far as to what I have leanred as a secret to a good life I'd say 'don't know yet'. Would you have something else to say?

Hi again K K,

I'm pleased to have received your reply so soon. I thought that probably you, too, only came on h2g2 from time to time, and I'd need to wait to hear from you!

The last five years have seen lots of changes in our lives too, mostly for the better, with only minor set-backs.

On November 9th, 2007, we were made grandparents again, this time by our younger son and his wife. Alice is a lovely little girl, and now a toddler of course, rather than a baby. So now we have 3 grandchildren. We are well blessed by God.

I am a little puzzled by your phrase: "struggling to stay in the marriage happily". I don't know whether you really mean that, but if you do, you should seek some help or advice from family and friends near home.

In my social, domestic, and business experiences it is wise to think about the meaning of every word before you utter them, especially in a fraught or argumentative situation, because once spoken they remain so, and can't be 'unspoken' if you regret them later when tempers have cooled, even immediately afterwards. Words are very potent and dangerous 'tools' of communication. They can be utterly beautiful, charming and captivating utterances, poetry of great import that can 'transport' one mentally to wonderful events, real or imaginary, to any time and place; but they can also be very hurtful to the recipient, especially if that person loves you (and your son). They can destroy relationships in an instant. Such words have a negative and permanent effect on the marriage, or other relationship, such as a work colleague or supervisor, or one junior to you in the workplace.

All marriages have their moments, both good and bad! All families argue, and the individuals in them have different ideas, aims, ambitions ,dislikes and problems, so we all have to learn to cope with our differences to ensure the endurance of our family units.

Life is good though: look at those poor people in Haiti. We have; and we realise just how lucky we are in the UK.

I hope my little note doesn't misinterpret what you have said, and you mean something quite different. Like all people, I can sometimes make mistakes! My apologies if I am wrong though.


Ron

Hi Ron,

First of all Congratulations!! on your becoming grandparents one more time !

And second of all, I appreciate your words on 'words' especially in relationships of many kinds. In fact, I had shared my story hoping that you'd reply with words of advice since I knew I have comparatively less experience in Life Universe and all that ...and sometimes we need a detached outside perspective on a situation...so thank you so much!! I will definitely remind myself of the power of my words before I even speak them.

Yes, I meant I am trying to live happily AND trying to stay in my marriage without having to sacrifice or compromise a lot. I had not expected so much work in order to keep both of us happy.

Any advice is always welcome.

Hi k k,

Your words are well chosen at all times, and your English is superb and sophisticated, as I already knew from reading your work on the Under guide writing section. I shall look at those pieces again k k, just to refresh my impressions of your compositions.

Bye for now,

Ron