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

I'd like to ask you to take photos.
After all, there's no guarantee that the weather will be nice on meet-up day.
And
If we have photos in the Edited Guide of the places on the Meet-Up's itinerary, then those photos can be used on the meet-up page itself to encourage people to come along.

So if there are any other pictures that are linked to but should be included, let me know!

<BB<

*Wearing Chief Scout hat for a second*
I don't suppose I can be cheeky and ask if you can go along to:
F43882?thread=8302665

<BB<

Hi <BB<, I'm not ignoring you, honest. I just am so busy in RL that I barely get online, and when I do, I have a list of jobs. Now, about Scouting, I still make my picks but right now my BATS for July is at the top of my list, with a deadline of Monday

I did notice your Solo tally yesterday after I made Sinbad's 4 entries edited. You're right on my tail!

I'll have to stop writing things, as once I reach 250 I lose my 'Number of Edited Entries' badge!

<BB<

I took the kids to Winchester's planetarium on Saturday, and thought of you. Have you been watching the ISS programme at all?

<BB<

How wonderful for them
I was beyond 40 before I got to visit a planetarium (on my first London meet).

You bet. I was a bit doubtful about the sending of Dermot O'Leary for such a mission but have to say he did it justice, didn't let the side down and had exactly the right amount of reverence. I enjoyed the interaction between Prof Stephen Hawking and the crew on the ISS, and meeting the ground crew in charge of everything. It's not a job I'd like!

My only issue was last night's programme began at 7.30pm, and on Sky One from 7-8 was the first of the new Cosmos programmes, as I don't have Sky I could only watch that at the time as it's not on my playback feature. Glad I did though, it contained the life story of Giordano Bruno (in cartoon form) which was one of the very first entries I ever wrote for h2g2. I had even quoted him in my latest, Extrasolar Planet Groundbreakers!

I was one of the first to visit the Island's planetarium, before it had fully opened and they hadn't had their seats installed, but as a member of the Vectis Astronomy Society I got to go in early for half price, and lie on the floor. See: http://www.islandastronomy.co.uk

My son's now built his own planetarium, which consists of his Buzz Lightyear space-themed duvet held aloft on the back of 4 chairs, giving him enough room to sit beneath and blutak planets he's drawn and cut out on the back of the chair legs. We've also made an International Space Station, consisting of lots of kitchen rolls and cereal boxes wrapped in kitchen foil and stuck together. We recorded the programme for him, and are watching it at a more child-friendly time in half-hour slots. Not seen it all yet, but enjoyed what I did see (including a second's glimpse of the Isle of Wight) Alas, I've only got Freeview so can't watch the Cosmos.

<BB<

Are you still a member of the Vectis Astronomy Society?

That all sounds great, what your son is doing, and I hope he has a fantastic birthday!

I'm sure Cosmos will be on terrestrial telly soon

Sadly not - I don't have the time or money any more

But my son had a great 6th birthday, with a party on Saturday and yesterday he and I ran in Eastleigh's Under 9's 2k Fun Run. It hailed.

<BB<

I guessed as much - children kind of take over a person's life, don't they? But there are benefits, I mean, you get to enjoy Disney all over again

Well done on the Fun Run were you sponsored?

That's true, I do get to enjoy Disney all over again, although I didn't get to enjoy Disney that much first time round - certainly none of the theme parks, and the films were only when they were on the telly. I think I've had a bit of a Disney overdose if I'm honest...

I wasn't sponsored for the fun run - it was very much last minute. I had hoped to enter the Eastleigh 10k Fun Run, but as I was in hospital earlier this year that didn't happen (hope to next year, and still have the London-to-Brighton bike ride to look forward to this year). But James' school were encouraging children to enter, and we assumed that it would be more organised than it actually was, and would have a fenced-off course and lots of race marshals directing children. Instead they were relying on parents to guide their children round, which meant I got to enjoy running too. I didn't get a medal, though.

But what have you been getting up to?

<BB<

I'm still caring for my mother. Although I only go round 5/7 days a week now (as my appeal for a petrol allowance failed) I am still on call 24/7 if I am needed. Her health is a continuing cause of worry, we're feeding her up but she has all the stamina of a baby bird. She weighs just 42kg. I have an appointment with the District Nurse this morning as I've ordered full blood work to test her liver function, my brother who visits once-in-a-blue moon mentioned to me that he thought she looks yellow. During the last lot of tests her liver was "borderline". I don't know a time they will call this morning, anytime from 8am, so I've got the car out ready.

My joy is my relationship with Ian, he truly is a gift to me and brings me much happinessand I have the bonus of being a part of his (expanding) family too. His second great-grandchild is on the way

When Mum got ill last January, I was half-way through painting the anaglypta in my living room. It kind of stalled as I took on the job of visiting daily, then caring full-time. As I now have Sundays off, I'm going to restart the decorating this weekyes I know it's Mothering Sunday but I'm not expecting any visitors, and if I do, they can pick up a paintbrush

Must fly

I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope that the appointment with the goes well, and at a convenient time.

I'll be seeing family on Sunday too – my dad, step-mum and half sister are coming over as it was my son's 6th birthday last weekend, so that'll be good. Still have to plan my wife's Mothering Sunday surprise, though. I sadly don't get to see as much of my parents and old friends as I'd like, hope to try and improve that this year.

<BB<

I'm enjoying your latest entry - in the 'Saturn's Eclectic Satellites' section, did you want to say that one (possible) moon is currently nicknamed 'Peggy'?

<BB<

oooooh, that's not finished, I am still searching for other names of different cultures, by the way, anything that's not already listed!and I didn't know that about Peggy. Is it one of those monikers which gets labelled by the team until an official one is chosen? I've already tweaked the Dwarf Planets entry (removed 'Santa' and 'Easter Bunny') as two catalogue objects have been named now, but not reported it to CF yet as I may come across others in my research for my current entry. It's not going into PR until my other two are scouted/picked. It seems to me that the other scouts are on a go-slow? Or are there just no pickable entries? I wondered if you'd like to go pick some if there are any, now we have a third hand, I can agree/disagree with your picks later today if you get chance.

I get to do picking again? Yay! I'll have to have a read through and will pick some later.

I think 'Peggy' is just an unofficial name until they've decided whether it actually is a confirmed moon and seen whether it survives. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27056698

<BB<

that's current! No wonder I hadn't heard about it

I've added it to the Saturn moon menagerie

I think you were asked to hold off picking when you were appointed the Chief Scout (and accepting Ed). As there's two of us backing you up now, if you do some picking I can second, or if you pick my entries (not a hint ), then Sasha is there to accept/reject as he sees fit

I've done some picking now, so I'll let you have a look...

<BB<

great choices

You might as well accept those you can, as it's Good Friday bank holiday tomorrow, unless you're busier today than you will be tomorrow

I've just added Hanny's Voorwerp. I'm sure there are others. I'll keep looking until Zeta Reticuli is picked