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

Hi

I looked for your message - and then the one I sent you. Both have disappeared into cyber space! I think we hit the 400 limit - so here is the first message of a new thread!

I hope your writing is going well, and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished story.

Your summer meet must be drawing near. Looking forward to the great adventure?

I am indeed looking forward to it. It's been ten years since I ventured forth from the valley. I have to remind myself again what to pack for a journey. I reserved a car, researched my itinerary, and I figure I can drive the 1800+ miles in three days.
Having travelled only with the family in the past, I had become reluctant to make the effort to travel, as the experience had always been fraught with hassles. This time, any hassles would be of my own making, and since I'm generally very cooperative with myself, I don't expect problems.
I had a late struggle with my 'demon of inertia' Sunday, and I prevailed.

It's odd how the thread seems to have shut down. I still have posts 401 and 402 visible from my PS.

The story most likely will be on hold until I return from Missouri, no later than 12 July.

10 years - wow! Well I hope you have a wonderful time, and that this will be the first of many new adventures.

I've been having my own adventure the last few days - but only in the garden. At the moment it's far too hot to work outside, but I need to spend at least another couple of days out there - just to tidy it up. I didn't do too much out there last year - paying the price for that this! I half expected to find a wild animal hidden in the long grass!

I'm on holiday next week - and then looking for new work.

Have a wonderful trip!

Thank you

I managed to put three days of driving into two days, at some expense to my baseline energy level, but I'm now in Webb City.

Hypatia has a nice garden. Keeping a garden can involve a lot of work, but I personally cannot think of many things that are more satisfying in the long term.

The other attendees will begin arriving today. I helped Hyp with the t-shirt design. We'll pose for a group portrait, resplendent in our colours...

Enjoy your holiday, and my best wishes for a happy work situation.

Hi,

Looking forward to hearing about your trip..... and hopefully some photographs.

I'm home now, got some good photos, they'll be posted one way or another.

It was a 4000-mile road trip. Avis hooked me up real nice. I had reserved a coupe or small sedan, and they gave me a Lincoln Town Car (luxury sedan) for the cheaper rate.

The scenery in the Southwest was worth the long hours on the road.

Hi!

I've been looking at the photo's of the meet. Looks like you enjoyed yourself!

Has this given you the urge to spread your wings beyond California in the future?

Yes, I have the feeling that there are places in the Southwest awaiting my visit.

Travelling solo is a get-there-quickly experience for me. I cheat myself by ignoring the interesting diversions, as a rule. Phred's travels are much more leisurely, and his continuing chronicle is a rightful tribute to the experiences of the road and the myriad faces of the country and its people.

I feel I need to learn the proper way to travel. To begin with, a boon companion is a requisite.

The hillbilly meet provided me with a high level of motivation, enthusiastically stoked over a period of months. Just the ticket to overcome my phlegmatic nature. The changes in scenery and company did me good; the motor journeys were Marathon in nature, but essentially problem-free. As soon as I replenish my cash cache, I can see myself visiting Hopi and Navajo ancestral lands.

No big cities for this dude. I gravitate toward the Big Quiet.

I sat in Asteroid Lil's courtyard in New Mexico, and for the first time in my life, I could hear the wingbeats of hummingbirds. Much like distant motorcycles.

Now visiting the Hopi and Navajo lands sounds like an excellent holiday. I'm glad your trip has motivated you to think about other places to see.

I have a day off today, and I'm trying to catch up on a few things. I'm having quite a bit of work done on the house over the next few weeks, a new bathroom is but one of them, so more upheaval, but it's the last major job that needs to be done. I'll just be glad when it's all finished.

I've been looking at Cuba for a holiday this year, but haven't really decided. Might just leave it nearer the time (September) and then look around in general to see where might be a good place to visit.

Hope all is well in your world

Hello there!

How's u? Sounds like life is being kind to you - so happy to hear....

We have a very talented new writer on the site. I would recommend the reading of A14049669 (The wick end of candles). I'm sure he will appreciate any comments.

Look forward to hearing from you with all of your news.

Flame

Hi Steve,

I hear so little from you these days. Hope you are well....

Pauline X

Hi Pauline,

I haven't been online too much these days...sorry for the silence; I've been doing much more thinking/dreaming than writing...

Life continues, with a slight but noticeable difference.

And yours goes well as well, I hope. Do you still have plans for Cuba?

Hello Steve,

No apologies needed for the silence. Reflecting/dreaming is good for the soul...

Unfortunately Cuba has gone out of the window. I'm off to live in the Middle East soon, I'll be joining my boyfriend who is working there.

Looking forward to the adventure - and maybe to more time for writing...

Pauline XXXX

So how are you? What's happening in Cali these days?

I'm enjoying my time in Bahrain - and getting used to the different culture. The hardest thing has been adjusting to the heat and humidity. We are now entering the coolest part of the year - so I can't imagine what it must be like in July and August.

Apart from my journal I haven't written much else. How about you?

Hi Pauline

Not any creative writing these days, just a lot of chat.

For me, it's much easier becoming accustomed to warmer climes than cooler. I figure if the temp is below 37.5, then it's still cooler than core body temperature. If it's warmer, then my main concern would be to keep the head cool. (Pith helmet -- ?)

It's fun to immerse oneself in a new culture. Are you required (or encouraged) to wear the traditional coverings in public?

Not much happening in this neck of the woods. Thanksgiving (Turkey Thursday, Gluttony Day, Eat-until-comatose Day) happens this week, followed by Black Friday, the first 'official' Christmas-shopping day...probably the most sordid, most bathetic expression of blatant selfish consumerism known to civilisation. This is when the people who covet a certain item, queue up at five in the morning to engage in 'gladiator shopping', typically combatting one another for the prize. The stores usually advertise a limited number of the newest thing at a very low price to draw 'em in...anything to get those cash registers to fill. My sort shuns malls in general, but the holiday season makes mall shopping a thoroughly unpleasant experience.

It has been suggested that I think about attending the London meet next spring. It seems do-able...

Hello Steve,

Ah, yes! The festive season is upon us. I know exacty what you mean! There are plenty of Xmas decorations in the shops here also, but as most people do not celebrate Christmas in Bahrain it just isn't the same atmosphere. It's going to be a quiet one for me this year - although we are going out for Xmas lunch.

The different culture has been a very interesting experience so far. You are neither expected or encouraged to wear the traditional dress in public - but I must say that some of the local females look stunning in their outfits.

It would be great if you could attend the meet in the UK next year. I'm planning to come home in March - so maybe we could meet up if you are there. Have they decided on a date yet? I will be back in the UK around the 15th March.......

28th April is the date for London.

I am struggling with a plan at this point, but I figure on a two-week visit. I don't yet know whether to time my visit to begin with the meet, or end therewith....

So have you decided on London yet?

I was planning to go home for a holiday in March but now I'm not too sure what I'll do. I will see how I feel nearer the time.

How's the writing going? I've started on a short story - its been quite some time since I've put pen to paper in any creative shape or form.

Hope all is well in Cali.....

I haven't decided on London yet. Truth is, I'm never keen on large masses of humanity, or being forced to travel on someone else's schedule. I lack sufficient motivation to haul my carcass across the pond at this point, yet I think my attitude will change when the winter 'blahs' depart from the valley. I'll wait and see...

No writing projects at this time; I've given more of my time and thoughts these days to my personal recapitulation (which has been a years-long occupation); this phase reveals the background for my particular spiritual stance. It seems I've been Gnostic all my life without knowing it! Or 'Gno-ing' it...

I hope things are going well for you in Manama. Will you be posting your story here?

I always knew that you were a believer!!!!

I will post my story here when I find the time to finish writing it!

Life is very good in Manama. My social calendar is really full, honest! I think when you live abroad you tend to be more social. Out for a meal tonight and dinner and karaoke tomorrow night. Me singing? Heaven help us all, lol.