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

Oh, I wasn't casting aspidistras at your reading rate Though I know some people... And classics... (it took me 14 years to read Portrait of a Lady...), but the six monthes limit is just, I dunno, so I get it back. I fitted the device cos I have just realised that I have lent 2 of my favourite books out and now have no hope of recovering them.

Deary me, now I realise that I am casting aspidistras at your willingness to return the books. Sorry. But in my own defence, you never know. The BBC might go up in flames, or something (god forbid, touch wood, touch wood).

Casting aspidistras? That's a new expression to me...

...and I don't mind, really, because you never know, do you?

There's one of my friends that I'm never ever going to lend a book too again - she borrowed 2, then she moved, and she's told me she can't find them after unpacking, and that she probably threw one of them away, because it was so worn!

...and that one was worn, it's true, but rather unusual and hard to find again... ...short stories by Agatha Christie translated into the most hilarious German I've ever seen!

You know how there are certain expressions, that can't be translated into another language, but instead you have to try and find an equivalent expression? Well - this translator hadn't even bothered trying...

Oh superb. Yes, that was certainly irreplaceable...

Actually, I am now paranoid about being lent things myself. Freind of mine asked me to look after a suitcase full of stuff, including CDs while she was out of the country. With permission, of course, to listen to said CDs if we wanted.

2 days later there was a big thunderstorm, and I'd left the window open. CDs got thouroghly drenched. I've never been so embarrassed... Butr luckily they still worked. The paper covers, however...

'Casting aspadistras' is a corruption of 'casting aspertions'. An aspidistra is a houseplants, but it probably isn't spelt like that... I read it in a book once, I think, and it seems to have stuck.

Well, I've never heard the expression 'casting aspertions' either, but I do think that aspidistra is spelt that way - and I thought it was somehow meant to 'cast a shadow over' or something like that...

Oh yeah thats it. Casting doubts on your integrity/ability or whatever.

*cough, cough*

*feeling like a very dusty aspidistra after having spent weeks of pleasurable roaming in Sol's library*

Goodness, you seem to have enough books to last a couple of lifetimes, at least!

Never underestimate my power to hover up the printed word Whether I read it properly, however, is entirely another matter.

Have some tea to wash the dust out your throat. *busies the tea things and adds some more nibbles*

Tea? Oh yes, please!

I've just got this new flavour. Ginger and honey. Great for chilly weather as it warms you up from your fingers to your toes. Would you like?

Which reminds me. How is the weather with you?

Ginger and honey? Sounds interesting - I'll try some - half a cup, please...

Weather? Grey - grey sky, grey clouds, grey daylight for 6-7 hours per day, no snow, + 3-4 C... *sigh*

All that and no snow to sweeten the pill? That's outrageous! I'm praying the chilly weather and oodles of snow last till at least next weekend when my parents are visiting. It'll be so embarassing if I've dragged them all the way here for a non-white Xmas...

*pours T a cup of spicy goodness*

Thank you... well, today we finally had sun and a blue sky - it was wonderful! Been squinting in the sunshine at office all day because I didn't want to close the blinds...

I noticed that the geese down by the lake near my commuter train station still haven't flown south - it has been like a never-ending autumn, balancing forever on the edge to winter

Well, I like autumn. The thing I hate most here is that Russian autum which is like the autum I like back home lasts about 2 days, and then it goes into Russian autum which is like Brtitish winter for far too long, and then Russian winter, which is cool. Actually, now I think you are probably experiencing the british winter-type autum too, though in saying that I may be guilty of the "in Russia it snows all the time and there are bears on the streets of Moscow" type stereotyping about scandinavia. Does it usually snow where you are?

They say the winters run in cycles...

...all I know is that the winters used to be wonderful when I was a kid - I used to get skates, or skis, or a bobsleigh, or some other snow-related presents for Christmas - and each Christmas I was able to go straight out and play!

I know they say you tend to remember the happy times only - but I've got childhood photos to prove it! Lots of snow, not too cold, no wind, blue sky, sun... perfect conditions...*deep sigh*

*shakes head and sighs too*

*realises this is yet another opportunity for *



Must join the campaign.

:'-)

*dusts off book with picture of horses*

I don't know if you know what a Percheron looks like (Gandalf is one) but I found a picture, look here *points*
http://www.drivinghorses.com/CandyChase01.jpg

...besides I ride bare-back, no saddle, no stirrups - that's why I have to climb up on something before I can mount Gandalf!

Oh yes, they are quite the thing, aren't they. Would we call them Shire Horses in English? Mind you there are probably lots of breeds of them, too.

Must say, I've always prefered the look of them to the arab ones, who seem to have far too little heads for my taste. I shall enjoy riding Gandalf very much.

It seems they are a breed of their own - common colours seem to be white or grey - I know Lil made a painting of us, but I'm not sure where it is nowadays...

More info about Percherons found here:
http://www.percheronhorse.org/