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

I was in the RAF for 16 1/2 years and lived with the threat of terrorism every day, now I'm no longer in the forces I don't feel any safer!!

I have no doubt that on some occasions force must be met with force - for the greater good. That doesn't mean to say that I would wade in without seeking a political solution first. I don't know if you've seen the Daily Mail ad on TV, the one with Saddam Hussein and George Bush, but it's a little too close to the truth for my liking.



Bassman

Bassman,
if look on my space you will read quote from a Laurie Anderson song.
it is about force....

Also Ran, I hope you sunday is going well

pheloxi,

I was playing a gig last night, in one of the venues where we get a changing room!! We ended up getting very silly and playing - or at least trying to play tunes on beer bottles with varying contents - you know, blowing across the top!! Unsurprisingly enough one of the tunes was Oh Superman



Bassman

you never know what happens in this world...it keeps intresting on the

Quite so!!



Bassman

Hi Bassman
I am actually getting so cross with the news. How can one say with conviction "But we have to go to war - for Peace". It is a total contradiction. I think there is so much vested interest in war. It really depresses me.

Loved the story of you blowing melodies on beer bottles. I watched a programme of Pierre Boulez talking about a symphony of the way he dissected the phrases and melodies and helped me to understand modern music a little bit better. I always think it is dreadfully difficult to enjoy. I had forgotten your RAF years and the simulator. That is how we met I seem to think!!. Kind regards AR1

Hi pheloxi, I have not spoken to you for some time. How are you?
I had a lovely lazy day. I had had a very busy week last week. So decided to relax all weekend and cookedsome nice meals for my son my friend and myself. Was saddened today because I had to go to the podiatrist and have a checkup as I have diabetes. It seems that I have lost the feeling in my left large toe as she found a small wound (which I knew nothing about). She hacked, cut, picked and generally had a good old go at it and I felt NOTHING. this is not very good news. Anyway, I have decided that I may as well remain cheerful whilst parts of me drop off. Rather like over-ripe fruit on a tree - but considerably more uncomfortable. Best wishes and a How are your two friends and her companion?AR1

Hi there AR1!

I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling well. I keep you in my prayers.

TJ and I drove out to Ohio and back this past weekend to visit with his family. It's a rather long drive, and we made it home in 9 hours at 4:30am yesterday morning. I love visiting with them, but we'll have to go for longer next time. It's too long a drive for just 3 days ...

Also Ran 1,

I am diabetic too with no feelings in my feet and underlegs, very anoying.

I am thinking of you and hope out and about soon.

Dear Pheloxi

I seem to remember that you told me that a long time ago. So obviously you must also be very careful not to get an injury to your feet or legs. I simply do not remember how this happened, but I did not realise that I had no feeling because I always "feel" as if I have a big bunch of toes on each foot!!. My fingers are the same and I thought that it was because of this wretched psoriatic arthritis. Life is strange and you are so uncomplaining.Anyway, I must come to terms with it - I think I already have in a way - and keep on with life. People like you are are such an inspiration. Thank you for your kindness and friendship. Affectionately AR1

Dear Also Ran 1,

I got it, because mt diabetes was discovered late. I have bad eyes too. the needed to be lasered and now I have cataracs in left eye.

Dearest Shea

Thank you so much for your kind wishes. I really am a big baby. It is so little compared to what others have to face.

Lovely to hear about your trip to Ohio. It is a long journey for three days. Do you share the driving.? Dick, my husband used to love driving and on the one occasion when I went to South West Africa and Namibia with him he insisted on doing all of it. He was a superb driver kind and considerate. I always think that a person's real temperament and personality comes out when they drive!!

It is so devastating what is happening in the States. I do not like to criticize but I am sure that the fact that guns are so easily obtainable is the root cause. Oh for the days of bows and arrows - except that they were probably just as lethal.

Have a good night's rest and my salaams to dear TJ. A very affectionate AR1.

Very dear Pheloxi

Oh dear how horrid. and you are so young. And I might add so thin!!. They now say it is because people are fat that they get diabetes. I must say that the medical world amaze me. It is either because we are so fat, or smoke, or drink, or whatever that we are ill. I do not believe it. I think you either get ill or you do not. I have several friends who are as thin as rakes, who drink like fish and smoke like chimneys and who are as healthy as anything!! I always say that it is because they are preserved in alchohol - internally!!

On one occasion when I was seeing an orthopaedic surgeon he said to me that he could not operate on me because I was "obese" (the medical term for very very fat!!) I replied that at least if I fell down I would not break my bones!!. He said in a very haughty officious voice. "It is the first time that I have heard that given as a reason for being obese". I swept out of his surgery with what little dignity I had left and never went back to him!!.

Love to the twins. Have a good day Your affectionate friend AR1

some doctors have no sense of patients so ban them to dugeons to do research in stead. Igo to universaty hospital. the diabetes department, poli clinic has a rule that fully qualified doctors give their "check up time of patients for 3 months" to doctors who are in training who do not know you and do not read your dossier. one time I got angry and said she had read my dossier first and then I would come in. she was amazed that my story was written down 4 times.

nowadays doctor get test if they are patient friendly.

I also have an "obese" friend who doesn't get taken seriously by the doctors ... they use it as an excuse for all her ailments. She has to fight to get them to really look at the causes of her ills. It's shameful, really.

I have another friend who was always thin and is now diabetic, so they can't use that as an excuse.

You're allowed to be a "big baby" sometimes, AR1! Just don't milk the sympathy *too* much! Just kidding, feel free to moan all you want, I'm always here to listen.

TJ loves to drive, and did all the driving to Ohio. I'm glad, because I don't enjoy driving very much. We were also bringing his couch for his mother to have, and we had to drive his pickup truck there. It's pretty big (especially for me, who drives a little plastic Saturn!), and a little too powerful for my likes! I'm very glad he loves to drive! He's also got a lot of stamina. I get stupid

About the guns: it's difficult to say if gun control would work or not. My father has researched it, and said that if they enforced the gun control rule they have now, everyone would be a lot safer. A big problem is that there are different laws for different states here. For example, TJ was living in Texas. The law in Texas states that you can have a concealed weapon, and a lot of people do. He used to do target shooting, and just went out and bought his gun 1, 2, 3. He decided to sell it after moving here to New York, because it's too difficult and expensive to get a license here. It costs over $400 dollars, there's a big background check, you need to go to gun safety courses (at least 2, as I recall), and then get in front of a judge who will decide whether to grant you a gun license or not. It's a lot of hassle, as it should be! Unfortunately, you can have all the laws and restrictions in the world, but the criminal element is still going to get a hold of weapons if they want. *sigh* It's a sad, crazy world we live in.

Take care of yourself, AR1!

OVERTAKEN BY PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS - hopefully temporally

Very daer friends, s and cies for all,

My fingers are so sore as are my hands that I cannot type. Please forgive my silence but hopefully you will continue writing until I can get over this wretched acute stage.

Fond to you all and take care of yourselves AR1

Also Ran 1

you are alway on mt mind. I wish the best.

with wonderfull lady

*carefully s Also ran*

Oooh, maybe I'll surprise you later, dear...

Of course, now that I said something, it won't be a surprise, will it? Oh well...

I'm so sorry to hear it, AR1. Know that I'm thinking of you, and praying for you.

from an old friend

Just another hurdle, AR, and you are used to them.

Get well soon, love.

L