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

Hello,
How did you enjoy the meet up in Hyde park then? It was nice to meet you, Zantic is always on about how I should speak to you and so here I am
I find meet ups quite odd, as I try to say hello to as many people as possible and always feel I am rushing around, never giving people the time they deserve. I hope you got home safe and well.

Munchkin

Hi dear Munchkin,
It was great meeting you and thank you for remembering the old girl.
I had a lovely time meeting so many people. Only one person was slightly taken aback when I accosted them asking who they were and did I know them!
I found it a very strange feeling when I returned that night to think that I had spent the whole afternoon chatting to new friends and meeting new people yet I did not know the RL name of one single person. Perhaps I did not go to the meet at all. Perhaps it was just an illusion and I was not there.!. Interesting philosophical question I think. But you were very real as was your very elegant chapeau.
My journey back was fine. The guards van, courtesy Connex S.E., was clean for a change and I was not lumbered with a whole lot of bicycles which is usually my lot when I travel.
Hope to talk to you again soon. Kind regards. AR1

Oh no, it was all real all right. I don't try to find out real names, as that just confuses me. I have a bad memory for names and trying to keep two sets in my head would just be far too difficult. Glad you liked it though, these things can be daunting on the first occasion, certainly I found so. Here is hoping they keep the guard vans clean.

Hello Also Ran 1.

I now have the pictures available at http://gofree.indigo.ie/~jonmca/h2g2Party.html

There are two pictures of you. Your son is in one of them. I hope I am correct in putting him down as Keith; I am not good at remembering names. If I have his name wrong, be sure to let me know and I'll change it.

Hi Munchkin,
What a wise head on young shoulders! I am getting used to the idea of anonymity and am beginning to quite like it. I am intrigued because each of us has chosen our name for a particular reason. I know why I chose my name and do not mind sharing the reason. But I am also intrigued with the reason why others have chosen their names but would not ever intrude and ask them the reason.(At least I do not think that I would; although I make up reasons as to why I think they have chosen a particular name!!)
I am very sad becasue I did not say goodby to my . So must hasten and write to her. 'Bye for now AR1

Hi Gnoman - Photographer extraordinaire!
What a fantastic collection of photographs you have made of the Summer meet 2002. Congratulations. The only one missing is the man himself!.
I have been thinking about Dbase3 and trying to remember the commands. I know that I used to have to get into the C: drive and then type in the name of the data base. When I wanted to extract information I used to use words: like List all (?) >; or List all (?) < ; But I also remember that I had a book of instructions which I gave to my friend in South Africa to whom I also gave my computer and all my records. So somewhere there must be a copy of that book. I do remember that Dbase3 was apparently the software which they used to go to the moon so it could not have been too bad. I do know that I do not understand a word of the latest Dbase7 (Ithink it is).
It was a great pleasure meeting you. Thank you for coming to talk to me. I hope we can continue our friendship, although I am no mathematician - although apparently reasonable at logic!!.
Sincerely. AR1
PS Yes, you got K. name right. He loved the afternoon. Thank you for helping to make it brighter for him. We both love the pictures although it is hateful to see oneself so gross!! Getting old is not for sissies as my darling Dick used to say!!

I don't remember having seen any "Gross" people at the meet - or in the photos, are you talking about the same event?

Hi Gnomon, I must apologise for not chatting for longer, I was a bit preoccupied that afternoon. Next time I will attempt to devote a little - dash it all, no a LOT - more time to chatting.



Bassman

Hi Bassman,
How nice of you to say that you did not see any "gross" people there.
I might add that you would not make a contemporary orthopaedic surgeon though!!. I was told in no uncertain terms by this particular individual that I was obese. I was so insulted by this wretched little man, that I demanded to have a second opinion. Not on being obese but about the proposed surgery!!.
The net result was that I never went near him again. I think he was very rude don't you think? Even if I am plump!(to be polite)
The French have an expression that if you over 50 and you look good front the front your "derriere" is of generous proportions.
If you are over 50 and look good from the back, generally the front looks rather weathered.
I decided ages ago that as I like to look at people when I meet them and speak to them, the former was going to be my choice. It also helps me to indulge in my favourite pastime which is eating excellent nosh!!. Kind regards. AR1
PS I thought that Gnoman's pictures were fab incidentally. And I was able to identify most people with whom I spoke - including you!!.

I think you were very right there Also Ran 1. Doctors do have to say unpleasent things on occasions, but there are ways and means of saying things without being rude. And I have to concur with Bassman, there were no gross people there. All lovely people who were a pleasure to talk to.

How nice to hear from you dear Munchkin. I hope you are keeping well. I am having a busy time planning the redecoration of my flat.
I always exaggerate and the term I used was to describe myself in the photo. That is why I thanked Bassman (and now you!) for saying that there were no g**** people there. And I shall not describe myself as that again.!
My darling granddaughter is due very soon. It will be great to see her.
Go well dear friend. AR1

I have a hereditary kidney complaint, which necesitates yearly check-ups with a specialist at the local hospital. One of the manifestations of the disease is raised blood pressure. The last time I went to see the quack, it was blah blah blah.... He recommended I get myself a blood pressure monitor, so I could keep tabs on myself on a day to day basis. He finished off by saying words to the effect - don't take your B.P. after you've had sex, as it will be through the roof.

Imagine what effect that had the next time I found myself snuggled up with the G/F. The mind was willing, but the body refused to negotiate the first hurdle....

NOT IMPRESSED

It's a shame as I've had to re-schedule my next appointment, which should have been at the end of this month to December, but I will remember to take him off at the knee caps, verbally, when I see him next.



Bassman

Dear Bassman,
I am completely at a loss as to what you are talking about!!Anyway, take care of your high blood pressure. I was thrilled yesterday becaue I had to go to the quack and mine was as low as it has been for ages - years. It is just the rest of me that is falling apart.!!Anyway, he has given me some steroid ointment for my finger-tips which have so incredibly sore lately. Sadly a side kick of the charming psioritic arthritis I have. They are already beginning to feel better. Where are you playing this weekend. Is is so far away.? You did not answer my question about simulators!!. Or did I forget to post that message.? Go well. AR1

Dear Dr. Munchkin,
I have just had a lovely time looking at your homepage and I think you look splendid in your kilt and your PhD. gown. Well done. Do you not also have to wear headgear?
I hope you are keeping well and happy. Go well. AR1
PS
Please give the my affection and say I would love to have some news soon. Thanks.

Hello there,
My university does not go in for headgear. Something to do with graduating in a hall which can double as a church or something. Would have been nice that day though as it was chucking it down. It was fun to be in the gown and hood, really brings it home that all the work was for something
I will go find the and prod her for you I think she has been on holiday for a bit, but should be back now.

Dear Dr. Munchkin,
Thanks for giving my dear Zantic a prod. Does it mean that you will never ever have a cap/hat/slouchy beret thing etc. to wear?. That is sad. You should have been able to have one and to carry it. We used to go to Mevagissey on holiday and we watched the Eden project developing. Now of course that it is finished I shall no longer be able to go around it I fear.Do birds really fly around inside those dome things?Regards AR1

Also Ran 1, there should be no problem with you seeing most of the Eden Project. How are things with you at the moment?

I'm not too bothered by the lack of hat, it would make me distinctive in a group of robe wearing types, if such a thing existed.
I don't see you having a problem with the Eden Project. It is all ramps and paths and they even have a little tractor pulled train to take people in and out if they don't fancy the climb. I think I went down on eflight of stairs, and there were other ways round.

Dear Gnoman,
Nice to hear from you and your encouraging noises about the Eden project. We are going to Newquay at the end of September beginning of October. I shall certainly take the family (my son and my brother) there and hopefully oen of them will push me. But they might have electric wheelchairs for hire.
I am well enough. I am in the process of redecorating my flat and also trying to make my kitchen wheelchair and me safe!. I am beginning to drop things too frequently and it is so small (the kitchen) that I can barely move. I have a drawer that won't stay in. the other day I had a fearful tussel with it trying to reverse out and being totally unable to move. The air was a pale sky blue.
How are you? and dear Azara? Keep well. AR1

Of course they have robe-wearing types!. When you are a professor at University!
You do not tell me whether you heard the birds in the dome-like things. I have not yet heard from Zantic, but I think I had better stop nagging or I shall NEVER hear again. AR1

Oh, sorry, forgot about the birds. Yes, there were birds inside the domes. I could hear them, but I don't think I actually saw anything, so I couldn't tell you what type they were. Luckily the spider I saw was a fake to add atmosphere. I hope you gave that drawer what for and that it is suitably chastened now.