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

Artist cum psychiatric nurse, eh? Is this a symbiotic relationship between two seemingly disparate jobs where each one forms a rich source of stimulation for the other? Or do you just do them both because you want to? That's three questions in a row, should I put another?

On the subject of your rubber band theory, I agree entirely, although I might add that the act of leaving somewhere to begin your journey home can often provide the initial impetus which is accelerated by the laccy-band. Finally realising that I am free to leave Aunty Brian's house and go back to my own abode certainly does much to speed me along the way.

Thanks to you I might have to consider revisiting my beloved theory and perhaps replace the elastic band with a catapult (Is the Aunt such an Ogre?). On reflection, I guess under the cold light of day my theory falls down on several fronts (us pisceans can never get theories that hold much water - we're usually in the ****** stuff to begin with): it assumes people have homes they can go back to; not everyone owns a rubber band; when they do, sometimes they snap making it impossible to get back from whence you came; it is not unusual for people to have certain substances and intoxicants inside them on the return journey (and I'm not just talking Pan Galactic Gargleblasters here) and we all know how 'being under the influence' can distort the space-time continuum (and literally 'dropping out' of time as we know it Jim - sorry, Jane, if that's your name). Finally, magnetic attraction (as a homeing beacon) plays its part somehere, but I ain't got Marvin's brain to figure this one out yet.
Being an artist and CPN helps me to draw from my exerience. Couldn't resist that one. They're not as disparate as you might think. Or perhaps I enjoy the anomaly of having one foot in each camp.both require a little delving into the outer reaches. What's your connection with cats. I'm curious? So long

My connection to cats is one of several dimensions, all being almost, but not quite, entirely uninteresting.
1. I have a cat. She is overweight, sheds copious amounts of fur and rarely sits on a (or even the) mat.
2. I used to be in a band called Furball. This is a most tenuous connection.
3. One of the children in my class calls me 'Catwoman'. I call him 'Pilchard' (his name is Richard) and he calls me Catwoman (my initials are CW). Should I tolerate this from an 11 year old?
4. If reincarnation is possible then I would very much like to come back as a feline. Apart from the having to catch your own food or eat dry stuff business, it seems a rather sweet deal in life.

And you have tonkinese cats, do you? What are they, then?

will get back to u on this one shortly. have to eat now.

Hi catwoman. You can now read all about Tonkinese cats in my recent guide entry on the subject. Let me know what you think? I'd appreciate the feedback. How's your masterpiece progressing?

Hello Zaphod. I've just had a read through of your entry on Tonkinese Cats - very informative and well-written, is my opinion. You put across loads of facts yet manage to keep the article readable and interesting. One thing I might suggest, though, (and here's me being a teacher) is to split the text into paragraphs - an entire pagefull of text with no discernable breaks or pauses can be rather daunting to some readers. Other than that, great - have you put it up for Peer Review yet? If you have or when you do then let me know and I'll be sure to vote for it/recommend it or whatever one does.

As for my 'masterpiece' - well, I've started it but I'm none too pleased at the moment. It's just too full of unimportant facts with little or no interesting asides, such as your reference to Tonks being buried with kings so as to carry their soul out. I'll let you know when I'm done.

Thanks Catwoman for your kind comments . I'd been trying to come to grips with inserting special characters and basic structures (paragraphs, headings, etc.)to give it a neater look. I've finally got there and, as you can see, it's an all round better piece. Have you visited any of the ACE's sites yet. They must spend an inordinate amount of time preening and grooming their bits and pieces.
If you haven't yet sussed out the various methods I can share with you what I know so far.
Yes, it is up for peer review but so far there has been little interest. Hardly surprising giving the volume of stuff to read and write on h2g2 as a whole.
How's the kiddies? Have you introduced them to the Hitchhiker novels yet?
I will gladly look over your "work in progress" if you like. Is it on a particualar musician/artiste?
BFN

Excellent - the entry is much easier to read now and I stand by what I said before about it being interesting and informative. I've left similar comments on the Peer Review forum - hope you are successful with it.

Mine is now finished. http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A565247 is where you'll find it. I'd appreciate some comments/suggestions from you, such as whether its too long or too dull.

As for the kiddies - they've all gone now. It's half term (Huzzah!) I haven't started with Hitch Hiker's yet, but have planned a two week block after the holiday to cover the books and videos. As for now I'm going to rest me weary legs. It was 'Walk to School Week' last week, so I dusted off my bike and cycled to work all week. It's only 4 miles but there are some outrageously steep hills on the way. Keep your fingers crossed for some nice weather next week for me.

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!! WELL DONE!!!!!!<WOW!!!!!!!!!!GOOD JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a conversation with another researcher taken off, to be scrutinised by the Moderator. I was only venting my feelings about this government, wasn't particularly contoversial neither (or maybe it was). I did say about our prime minister that he was *******Blah Blah Blah. Maybe they're a little touchy with the election looming.
I wasn't given a reason.

Enough of me. Let me be the first to congratulate you. I have just read your article and thought it was brilliant, which must have taken you a long, long, long time to put together. you really captured the ups and downs of the group, and the mixed fortunes and struggles of the band, and the smell of raw talent, came across loud and clear. It'll certainly make people think twice about the so-called glamour side of rock.

I got the distinct impression you knew the group. What I meant was closer than yer usual fan.

Now the specifics:

1. I suggest using italics for band names such as The Fall, The Chameleons and so forth. You could, of course use colour to make them stand out. Actuallly, come to think of it, using colour for band names will free you to use italics to highlight other parts of the text (i.e. other parts of the text requiring highlights).

2. Place (TWP) after first mentioning of the band's name (line 1).Then
you can use the abbreviation throughout. (apart from the
full title of the band as heading to the boxes at the end.

PS YOU KNOW I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THE WEDDING PARTY, but then by the 1980's, apart from one or two new bands, my tastes were pretty fixed.

3. Leave larger space under the various Headings/Subheadings.

4. SPELLINGS: missed "a" out of m'a'shed potato.

5. Second paragraph needs breaking up, I think. Suggestions: start
3rd paragraph "Normal food intake. . . . . . . "
4th paragraph "TWP eventually put out . . . . . "

Further on in text: START NEW PARAGRAPH as follows:
In 1992, the band released a new single on the first Monday . . .

6. REPLACE: "influence was only slight" with "marginal influence"
Also, " . . .sung in his distinctive, idiosyncratic style"

7. PUT 2 DASHES: - the record sleeve made no mention of the title or
the band's name -

8. Titles in Boxes looks very impressive!!!!!

Now if that's not all done in half an hour, you're in detention!

Good luck with revisions.

Speak soon.

Now I know what it feels like to have your work marked - very humbling. I spend so much of my time in school acting (in several ways) as a role model to kids that I've forgotten what it's like. It's quite refreshing, really, so thank you very much for your criticisms - in particular your suggestion of the word 'idiosyncratic'. I think it was what I wanted to use by couldn't find it. It's a shame you haven't heard of The Wedding Party. It's even more of a shame that you haven't heard of The Wedding Present (I can see you read the entry most thoroughly!)
Changes shall be implemented asap, Sir.

I've only been moderated a couple of times, and that was just to insert a few asterisks so people wouldn't know I was swearing, but no postings removed - I think I'm impressed.

You still haven't told me if you were more than a fan of The Wedding Present? Call it prurience, but this fantasy that you were a partner of what's his name who sings and plays the guitar idiosyncratically persists. Tell me to sod off if you wish. I see you've had other constructive (demoralising?? . . . . Oh no, not more corrections) feedback.