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

Hi Babel. Wondering where you'd been.
Frogbit.

Hi Frogbit, hows things?
Stuff got on top of me a bit and I left for a while but I missed everyone so much I came back
Been back on and off for about a week or so. Just don't get much time to post a lot at the mo. You know how it is sometimes.
So whats been happening in your life recently?

Not so bad. Hope your absence has been a happy one. Been off work for five weeks with bilateral Achiles tendonitis (hurty ankles). So I have at least been enjoying the weather. Went fossil hunting a couple of times, and managed to find a couple of chunks of Jurassic conifer weighing in at about 30lbs a piece.
That's about it. You?

Wow! I forgot about your fossil hunting. Cool. You should take some pics and put them online somewhere so I can see.
Hurty ankles. Ow. Not sure I'd like that too much
Life is being a bit of a moo at the mo. Lots of stuff to get me down, but I have plenty of friends to keep me going
So I try and return the favour by being as upbeat and happy as poss. It'll get better. It usually does.
But enough doom and gloom. Life is good. Looking for a new job, cos part of the downer is related to that (actually that /is/ my major down point) so the sooner I get one the better it will all be. A fresh outlook on life. They say a change is as good as a rest after all

I'll get some pics online soon - good luck with the job hunt. I don't know what you do, but if you have a science/tech degree goto the new scientist website - there's loads there. That'd be a [url removed by moderator] by the way. Join it up yourself

I'll get some pics online soon - good luck with the job hunt. I don't know what you do, but if you have a science/tech degree goto the new scientist website - there's loads there. That'd be a [url removed by moderator]by the way. Join it up yourself

Job hunt will take some time I fear, but thanks for the link (I was too late in getting it, but I think I can work it out )
Would be nice to see some pics. I am sure Metal Chicken would like them too

Hey! Front paged it!

Congratulations

Cheers Captain. The online pics may take a while, as we're shortly going into preparation to move house (again). Have lots more room in the new place, so setting up stuff like that will be easier (have to rely on a webcam, you see, so the fossils would have to come to me.) There's a pond in the new place, full of frogs and newts. No reason for metioning that, I just like the way it sounds.
Frogbit.

Sounds fine to me
Moving house? Gosh lots of people I know seem to be moving or have just moved. Was it something I said
Whens the impending date then? Reason for move? Nicer locale? Still handy for fossiking?

Erm, next month, bigger house, yes, fossiking?

Sounds good. Well fossiking I suppose is more a term used in opal mining, but I assumed it would be used in fossil hunting too. The art of rooting around in shale or other likely material for a fossil or other such object (ie opal) (not being someone who does these things you'll have to forgive my ability to come up with the correct phrase for 'hunting for fossils')

Yes, well, more usually it's 'fossiling', but I think from this point on it *should* be fossiking. It's a fine word. Weekend after next I *will* be fossiking (correct usage), as me and a mate have identified a cold mud sump which regularly throws up opalised teeth and ammonites. (You would not believe how exciting I find this prospect).
Frogbit.

Excellent!
I did fossik for a bit in Oz, and have a nice little jar full of shards of opel. Actually, that reminds me. I must get a smaller jar and put the shards in, and fill with oil or some such. The water just made them go all yukky and green. Ah well, back later. Chat again soon
B-17

Can't advise on opal preservation. I think it lasts ok when it's dry. Oil sounds like a good idea though. Perhaps grapseseed - it's very clear, although a mineral oil might be best, as the organics tend to pong after a bit.
Alternatively. . . .get some spray-on varnish. As long as they're sealed tight it doesn't matter what you put them in.
(This is me offering no advice on opal preservation whatsoever)
Frogbit.

LOL. All advice is greatfully recieved On any subject.
I have to find the silly jar first before I can do any more with it. Can't quite remember where I put it.
A job for Friday perhaps

Ah, a day off. You sound like you deserve it.

Well, so much for getting anything done yesterday. Still it was quite a relaxing day

Good. Did you get the whole weekend off, or was it just friday? Glad to hear you got nothing done. It's one of my favourite past-times. Although it frequently entails more work than actually *doing* something. Peole think I'm lazy, but if they only knew. . .

No sign of Eats lately. Is it time?