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

Hi,
I believe that you mentioned the Goon Show. Nice to hear that it has amused at least one female.
Have you read "the Book of the Goons"? S. Milligan (Corgi books).
It has a selection of telegrams sent amongst the protagonists. It was the 1950s version of that which you are doing now.
Isn't progress marvelous?

Dear plaguesville

Sorry I haven't replied in three weeks.

Yes, I've read the book - I hold periodic e-mail conversations with a former colleague along the same lines, except we've been using the "'Allo, 'Allo" theme (both fancy ourselves as secret agents - I must put together some of my ideas in a guide entry on secret codes for messages to get past NSA & MI5/6 internet security screening!)

Don't remember when I 'discovered' the Goons exactly, but it was one sunny August day when I first heard a repeat on my battered old AM tranny. I was captivated by the lunacy, most of which was verbal (it being on the radio). It fitted in with my need for an escape from the flat and isolated (emotional, not physical) upbringing I had. It enabled me (probably for the first time) to suspend reality.
I've tended to quote from it (often just to myself) ever since. To this repetoire, I've added the words of wisdom in DNA's H2G2 books.

I have a million favourites gleaned from records and tapes ...

Bluebottle : Eccles, how do you feel being on guard?
Eccles : Fine, fine.
Bluebottle : Yes, it is fine being on guard.
Eccles : I feel fine.
Bluebottle : Yes I feel fine too.
Bluebottle : Eeyrkk!
Eccles : What?
Bluebottle : I feel sick!

PS Had rather male-oriented, emotion-free-zone type of upbringing, which could explain certain tom-boyish traits

H'mm,
seems to have produced a well - rounded .. erm ... personality.

So polite & charming !!

I'm really not sure about being 'well-rounded', personality or otherwise (in fact def. not otherwise - I am a little rounder after Chrismas, but get back to my normal un-curvey shape before Easter).

Talking of personality (I can talk for ages, so be warned!), I recently completed a personality profile as part of a job interview. It seemed to be quite accurate (that is, conforming to *my* view of myself), and I was flattered by it! Didn't get the job, though. Must remember to sift through H2G2 for stuff on personality profiles.

Much of my present 'well-roundedness' in the personality department has been the product of influences *since* leaving home. Some of it is down to the Goons and DNA (and similar), some down to my (recent) business studies (*so* sad !!), but mostly to a very dear friend, Karen. She has helped me over a number of years to come out of my shell and to be the *real* me (previously suppressed at birth!). Karen's that sort of person - always helping others. No matter how far apart we are, she's always there for me.

Time for a quote ?

Seagoon : I'm Ned of Wales
Milligan : Well, I can see you don't come from sardines, Jim

Ah, yes,
Sir Cumference and now Sir Spike - despite what he said about Charlie Wales.
Does Karen share your literary tastes? And is she a researcher, isn't she able to find the time, what with her successes in helping creatures out of their shells?

No, Karen doesn't share my literary tastes (or musical tastes), but we tend to like the same TV/threatre stuff. I get lots of groans for quoting the Goons or DNA (even when it's appropriate).

And, no, she isn't a researcher. In fact, she's a bit of a PC-technophobe (on principle), though she's quite capable of using a computer. I haven't been able to persuade her to use e-mail yet (which is a bit of a pain when I want to send her a message). We use SMS on our mobiles a lot.

She's clever with electronic and mechanical stuff too (much better at setting up and programming a VCR and usually tells her mechanic/boy friend what's wrong with her car, for example).

Her time is spent (apart from working, of course) looking after her daughter and a growing menagerie (currently 2 horses, 1 dog (Ooops), 3 cats and a guinea pig !!).

Sorry, what was the question ?

Now I've started quoting the Goons, I guess I'll have to continue ...

Neddy : You must be S. T. U. P. I. D.
Eccles : You think I'm S. T. U. P. I. D. ?
Neddy : Candidly, yes !
Eccles : Lucky for you I can't spell !