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

Nice to see you on the blog!

Hope you'll continue popping by there now and then.

Meawhile, my last email to you to clear up that confusion was sent in an email in case you'd like that particular revelation of mine to remain private.

And of course you've piqued my curiosity with your cryptic reply on my 'what did you learn today' thread. Is it something you'd want to explain further in an email?

az

Yes. have replied via email.

Got it, and have replied.

az

and reply to latest one . ...

Still reckon I'm winning.

az

Actually you're flogging a dead horse, I've already won!

I was a bit scared in the pub last night when a couple of people recognised me from the picture in the local newspaper, but they were fine about it. I just couldn't resist going back to the same pub to see if the atmosphere would be different. I'm so glad I did. I had some lovely chats with the blokes there, who treated me with total respect and equality. The next England match is next sunday afternoon. I might go there, I'm not sure...

Okay, okay, you can *win* if it means that much to you!

Meanwhile, I'm glad you went back to the same pub and had a much better experience. After all, the 'ambientation' there would always have to do with whoever happens to be there at the time. And if it's a favourite place of yours it would be a shame to give it up just because of one nasty experience.

So how does it feel being a local celebrity?

az

Hey what's the atmosphere in Spain like today after they lost to France last night? I thought it was the best match of the world cup. Apparently they've never beaten France in a competative match. Spain always seem to lose confidence as they do have great and exciting players.

Sorry if this message is too tedious for you as I know you're not much of a footie fan, but I'm curious to know for good sociological reasons.

Well, considering I got a good night's sleep last night I'd say the atmosphere here is rather subdued.

Was talking to one of my students this morning about the match. She's a wee slip of a girl who has a black belt in karate, is really into sports and loves football, so we spent awhile 'talking footie' (honestly, the things I do for my students! ). Anyhow, she said Spain played *very* badly yesterday, in spite of having some very good players. And she reckons that Argentina is going to win the cup - what do you think?

az

My head says Germany and my heart England. Germany because it's a huge advantage to be playing at 'home'. Historically, the home nation often wins it, that's when Brazil aren't winning it. Argentina are probably playing the best football so far and logically should win it. But logic often come into it. Germany play Argentina next. So it should be interesting.

England are playing pretty dull and sterile stuff which is a shame beacause they do have a crop of world class, creative players. Everyone's blaming our cautious Swedish manager for his tactics. But if it wins us the cup I'll have no complaints.

From the little I've read about England so far - they are winning but then are criticised for not 'winning better'. Weird.

I think you're right about the 'home team' advantage. But of course it doesn't always work out that way.

How's the global praying thing going?

az

yes Della is doing a superb job. She's actually quite a good sport, even if she doesn't get all the irony. It's a bit of fun but I'm well aware of the enigmatic nature of the beast!!!

Ah, in spite of what anyone thinks (including Della) I actually like Della okay. Almost never agree with her on certain debate threads, but heck, it's only a web-site.

az

F107909?thread=409465&post=37221925#p37221925

The idea that she could ever laugh at herself is, well, laughable.


az

Yes Kea's stuff is superb. And I love her style.

I read your link. Very honest in the sense of the ambiguity of being pro life and pro choice. Much empathy and sympathy to you. I think this is how the vast majority of women really feel. I myself do anyway, even though I have never been pregnant. But I've known a fair few women who viewthe idea of termination very honestly and rationally - even though it causes them a degree of emotional heartache. For christsakes terminating a child growing inside yourself is a huge thing, unless you're some kind of psychopath. But rationally sometimes it's the right the thing to do, and the choice has to be there to avoid women having to go to some backstreet abortionist and risk death or infertility.

People, like Della, who make up their minds based on some religious dogma, are denying their own emotions and feelings on the matter, and probably won't change their attitudes because it would threaten their whole 'meaning' system. Like so many of these fanatical prolifers, she will spout propganda, with no real facts to back it up. But in a weird way I do still like her because she's so funnily incompetant in her attempts to put her case.

BTW Have you ever wached the British film, 'Vera Drake'? concerning the abortion issue in post war Britain..

<>

Trust me, the humour factor starts to pale when she leaves little sniping comments about 'what you are' and 'what you are thinking' as if these are fact and not just her deluded humble opinion.

I've been dying to see Vera Drake! I totally adore Imelda Staunton as an actress and I've heard very good things about this film.

<>

Oh, I dunno. You see, I can't speak for other women. Some I have known have only felt a sense of relief - they got *that* out of the way so they could carry on with their lives. I cannot and would not ever judge them. Hell, women 'naturally-abort' all the time, often without even knowing they've been pregnant. Usually within the first trimestre. A foetus is a 'human-in-the-making' - it isn't a *baby* until it's born.

Okay, I thought of mine as a baby, but that was *me*. I can also understand that some women would see it differently.

Anyhoodle, Della often spouts personal opinion as FACT and then when asked to back this up goes totally ballistic and spends more time telling others that they should just 'look it up themselves' and defending her very indefensible position with the 'fact' that she has seen or heard or read this somewhere but she is 'far too busy' to look it up for others.

az

<< You see, I can't speak for other women. Some I have known have only felt a sense of relief<<

Yes you're so right. But I can only go on discussions I've had with one or two women, I've known who'be had abortions. Despite the absolute cerainty they've had in doing the right thing there is still a residual sadness. I suppose that's what I'm driving at. Of course it's also about how early in the pregnancy the abortion occurs. The earlier, the less chance one has to build up an 'imaginary' relationship with the 'child'. But even when it's done really early all the crap around can feed into a woman's guilt. What I'm saying is that an ordinary feeling woman will most likely feel something about doing it. Heck I sometimes feel guilty about eating meat!!!

Like I said in a previous post with regards to della, I'm well aware of the enigmatic nature of the beast!

I think you'll enjoy Vera Drake. I think it says a lot about the patriarchial nature of society. It's worth several watchings. Imelda Staunton is brilliant!

<>

Enigmatic-schmenigmatic ... the woman lies through her teeth, most often to herself it would seem. It's almost as if she can't help it.

Yeah, I reckon even those very practical women I knew who felt having an abortion was 'the right thing at the time' and never looked back often felt a residual sadness. Whatever.

There are so many unwanted babies and children in the world today, even living with their so-called families, that it's really heartbreaking if you think about it. I really cannot get emotionally worked up about a 12-week-old foetus (other than my own). And that is hard for me to do because I am really 'pro-life' and I think once a being has been conceived it deserves every chance it can get. Except I also understand and agree that the woman has her own right to choose. Always a tough choice, no matter how you look at it.

az

So how are you holding up after the England/Portugal loss last night?

Those Portuguese players are *awfully* cute! I remember when Seville hosted the Uefa Cup a few years ago - the Celtics against Oporto. The whole city was awash with thousands of Celtic fans - far more than could ever actually fit into the stadium. But they were here anyhow and drank all the bars dry for an entire week.

And they were all so drunkenly charming and lovely. So amazingly lovely that almost nobody here could believe it. Strangely there were very few Oporto fans to be seen around, but I actually saw a huge group of beer-swigging Celtic fans come across a few Portuguese in the street one day . . . and they raised their plastic beer glasses to them and offered them a drink! That was so great to see first hand.

One of the few footie matches I've ever watched and I winced and was very sorry for the Celtics, meanwhile drooling over the Oporto goalkeeper - man was he something to look at!

And when the Celtics lost there was no rioting in the streets, no violence whatsoever. And I think all of Seville felt their pain as they had really come to enjoy the Celtic fans presence here. So even though Oporto won there were no major celebrations in the streets here . . . curious, eh?

az

If I'm being honest it's been hell. Footie get's right inside me so losing is a big deal.

One of my best friends is French and he gave me a conciltatory phone call from France just after they beat Brazil. So I'm backing France now to beat the Portuguese in the semi final. I really hope the French win, he'll be back in England for the final so it'll be good to find some bar that's pro french.


It all still feels a bit Shakesperian still ie powerfully sad. Beckham announced his resignation from the captaincy today in tears. And we're all pleased to see the back of that uptight Swede!!!

Beckham resigned? And the Swede too? Well, something to smile about through the tears after all.

az