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

Welcome to H2G2!(He-he!...had to, you know!)

With what you do, I can tell you need no help in codeing....if you need anything....well....eerrrmmm....else(?)...just ask!

If I can't help, I'll find you someone who can!


Oh.....and yes, I hail from the somewhat mediocre state of Alabama, in the southern US.....But the surname is Wallace.....(about all I got left of the "Bloodline").....but I still love a Bagpipe!

NM

There are not many who love the old Bagpipes!

This is only the third time I have visited the Guide now - so I am still just wandering about - looks a wicked site tho' - an encyclopedia indeed!

Anyway, why is Alabama a mediocre state? All I know it is one of the more southernly states - all I can think of is Gone With the Wind (I know - probably not even set there but y'know ignorance is bliss)

Cheers for the reply,

C

There are not many who love the old Bagpipes!

This is only the third time I have visited the Guide now - so I am still just wandering about - looks a wicked site tho' - an encyclopedia indeed!

Anyway, why is Alabama a mediocre state? All I know it is one of the more southernly states - all I can think of is Gone With the Wind (I know - probably not even set there but y'know ignorance is bliss)

Cheers for the reply,

C

(I loves me some "double-post"!)

First, Alabama actually isn't mediocre......it's normally at the bottom!!! Don't get me wrong....I like where I live, but it is an odd place in the US......most folks here are about 25 to 30 years behind the rest of the country.....and they LIKE it that way!!!!!

Second....sad to say, you're right......Gone With the Wind was set in Atlanta, Georgia!(There is a God!!!! If we were stradled with that AND being the Birthplace of the American Civil Rights Movement....I don't think the state could survive it!!!!LOL

I can see it now.....*Sherman burns down Birmingham.....the firemen bring out the hoses to quench the fire....accedentally blowing down a few African Americans in the process.......*

You see where this is going?.....And I haven't even gotten to the Sheriff's dogs yet!

As I said......Ol' Bammy' is an odd place to live.....but never dull!

NM

Thats a terrible thing to say - lol. But if you are at the 'bottom', then things can only get better!!

So I am guessing Alabama is getting rocked by the onset of computers, even as we speak. I suppose they are lucky, they haven't probably seen the devil yet (ole Billy G)

And living in a dull place, that ain't no fun (DoH!) - I have to admit, I never thought of Alabama like that at all - I still cannot remove visions of those boat-ay-ma-jigs cruising down the river and weeping willows by the wayside..!

Can't see any shops...?!

"boat-ay-ma-jigs"......by that I take it you mean "steamboats"!!!!! That's Mississisippiiiiiiiiiiii(Never could spell that states name!!!LOL)

Sorry...no steamboats here! Got a few weeping willows, though...if that counts!

I'm afraid there is not much romantic about Alabama....and yes, it is dull. The great advantage to that is that the rest of the world tends to forget us....so we get to do what we want.

That's sometimes a good thing, and sometimes not so good!

NM

that could mean a lot of things

And as for me confusing Alabama with Mississippi, well, I think I am going to give up with verifying my knowledge base of Alabama, and just let it go its own merry way!

Actually, we have a couple of steamboats here......they run them on the lakes for the tourists!

We do appreciate Mississippi here in Alabama.....(you notice we like to repeat letters in southern state names? Saves on the amount of the alphabet one must learn!!!LOL).....Mississippi keeps us from being 50th in EVERY vital statistic in the US!!!

NM

so you are always 49?!

Yeah - I had never noticed the spellings before, but now you mention it - you are a lazy bunch! I mean, if you don't have a tonguetwister and half to spell, where is the fun in life?!

Nope....not always 49th......we have some of the highest paid politicians in the country(State Education Superintendent is #2....Birmingham CITY Education Super. makes more than him!!!LOL)

That's just a couple of them....our state legislature is among the highest paid in the US......our average income as a citizen of Alabama...?

44th in the US!!!!!! Go figure. When we are not at the bottom of the list, it's in something we wish we WERE at the bottom for!

NM

NM

grass is always greener, mate....

I was actually thinking, recently, about tops and bottoms and stuff. You wonder where this is giong. well...

Right - 80 years or so ago my grandmother was working in a factory making bits and bobs for lamps. Today, I am sitting in front of a computer earning a load more than her, but in reality my job responsibility is no more than hers was, although it seems like such a menial job when I was younger.

The only reason I am thinking this is cause a few of my workmates are being replaced by unskilled staff - cause they don't need us anymore

They ya go. Tops and Bottoms. Wierd. I'll work them out one day.

Years ago my father was a foreman for a utility construction crew in New Mexico.....back in the 1950's. It was hard, laborous work.

I've been a foreman in a similar job for the last 20 years now.....there is no labor involved anymore. It's all done with machinery!

They like to say it's been that way for many years...and in a way, it has.......but not like this!!!

It's rare that I work up a sweat, and then only in hot weather!

My son is taking over from me....I can only hope there is something for him to do in twenty years!!!

NM

I suppose there always has to something to move on to - technology can't completely usurp us - I think there would be a revolution - although it does astound me sometimes how one mans greed (not literally male) can just totally blind him to the fact that other people suffer so much because of it.

Phylosophy has never been one of my stronger traits, but your point is well taken.

That is the way of humans, I'm afraid. Self-service and self-preservation is instinctive......(and yes, we are animals with a full bag of instincts, I don't care what anyone says!!!)

NM

s'alright - bit depressed yesterday - my work is a bit horrible at the moment (re: last comment) but I am more chilled today!

In fact the BBC are coming round my work today maybe I will be on TV!!!

BBC.....He-HE!!!....WE have BBC/America.

Monsy was going to watch "Changing Rooms" a bit earlier, but it was interupted by a celebration of the Queen Mother. They played it up as if it were a live broadcast....would have worked, I suppose........


Is the sun still up over there at 9:45 PM?....LOL

Hope the BBC did you well!!

NM

Well, my opinion of the Queen Mum ain't too high - Changing Rooms you at least watch with no brain - I do feel sorry for the people whose rooms are (sometimes) trashed by these madmen they call designers!

Saying that, i do like Laurence Llewellyn Bowen - he at least is funny!

And have you ever noticed the scottish presenter, Carol Smilie is always pregnant? I think that is mystery in itself!

The one that kicks me is the fellow who loves his red purple and blacks!!!!! Who could possibly like those combinations!!!???

NM

Exactly!!

We have millions of these bloomin' programs on the BBC - I don't if you get all of them but we have Changing Rooms; Fantasy Rooms; Real Rooms; Homefront; Ground Force; those are just the ones off the top of my head.

Give me a historical documentary......

The only one of those we get is Ground Force. I dearly love that show!

Can't say if I like it 'cause of the characters in it, what they do to the lawns, the surprise factor involved, or the fact that the blonde girl never puts up her hair or wears a bra.....and loves to wear tank-tops!!!!

Nevermind....think I just found the reason!!!

My wife refers to the show as "Charlie and Her Bouncing Boobs"!!!LOL

NM