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

It's been ages since I've been onsite, and I gather you've largely given up writing entries. I see your girls are doing well at university - seems such a long time since I've seen them. Little Fish is now 21, went to university to study music technology, left before completing it and is now doing an apprenticeship.

How are you doing?

Hi ZSF. It's certainly a long time!

Yes, I gave up writing for h2g2 last year because it no longer has anybody looking after or fixing it. Unless the bugs are fixed no new writers will be willing to use the site si I don't see the point.

I worked out solutions to three or four of the bugs which would take about five minutes to do, but nobody could be bothered to even try them. I waited a full year and reminded peopke regularly but even after a year nobody had done anything so I'm not going to waste any more timd on the site.

I've only been back a few times since then.

How have you been?

My younger daughter is now finished university. She got her first job today although she hasn't worked out yet whether they're going to her - unpaid internships are common enough. The older daughter is working on her PhD. Not much chance of ever getting her away from university.

I spoke with my son about an hour ago and he remembered you and said he remembered you as being very nice. Given how long ago he saw you, that's quite something. I remember your wife as being lovely too. Specifically, I remember you showing him some balancing thing with blocks, and me talking with your wife in front of some inside-out glass jars. I can't immediately remember what they are called.

I think the most dramatic things that have happened is that I broke my leg on a visit to my dad on the Isle of Wight, my mum having passed on a couple of years earlier and needed rescuing by my neighbours, who fetched me and my car home. Then I visited dad again in April last year to sort out some help for him to do housework (a friend took me as I was still on crutches), and he was immediately taken into hospital and died five days later. Then Little Fish dropped out of university and thankfully, after lots of applications managed to find an apprenticeship. He's on less than half of minimum wage for the 12 months duration, but that's the price of getting trained and a qualification.

Congratulations to your youngest - is that Iz, or have I mixed them up? What's the job?


How annoying that you had worked out bug fixes which weren't implemented. I wonder if it's lack of capacity (ability) or willingness, or that people haven't the time?

It is my sister you remember rather than my wife. She went by the name of Azara. (My wife has never had any interest in meeting my h2g2 friends.) The glass things were Klein bottles.

Sorry to hear about your Dad. My own father died a few years ago at the age of 89. It is always a strain even when expected.

Glad that Little Fish is learning a trade. He should always have a job. Izzy is doing costume design and making for theatre, TV and film. Even with the degree, she'll only get jobs by luck, knowing the people in the business and being in the right place at the right time.

I tend to hang around on Facebook now rather than h2g2. Many of my old h2g2 friends are there too. It gives me the opportunity to post lots of photos - my curiosity about the world around me is still boundless and I like to capture it all in photos. You can send me a friend request if you're interested - "Eoin McAuley"

G

Azara – of course! How could I forget? How is she? Do say 'Hi' for me. Klein bottles – yes, that was it.

I wish Izzy well with her new job; it's one many would envy, but I think you're right about how she'll get work. Both your daughters share your creativity, that's for certain.

"My own father died a few years ago at the age of 89. It is always a strain even when expected." How true. Mum died four years ago, though she was suffering from dementia and her death was a release. It was much harder losing dad. He was 97 and independent to the end. I was there to arrange for someone to help him with housework, but he was taken into hospital the day after I arrived.

I've found you on Facebook. I'll send you a friend request. Hopefully you'll recognise me.

Who knows whether you did or not.?

Hi ChiKiSpirit! Long time no hear.

Yes, Zarquon's Singing Fish did track me down on Facebook and we are friends there.