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

Thanks for introducing yourself, Recumbentman. I'd better return the favour.

Hi! I'm Eoin McAuley. You may remember me from such classics as "The Culwick Choral Society" and "Friend of Darby Carroll". I play recorder, tin whistle, mandolin, guitar, clarinet and saxophone, all very badly. I'm responsible for many of the musical instrument related entries in h2g2, so it is humbling to meet someone who actually knows the correct way to hold a viol bow.

Well hi Eoin! I see a lot of Darby (not to say I see him everywhere music is going on) but not a lot of the Culwick these days. Was I right about TCD?

I'm educating myself mightily looking up stuff on the IRA. Trouble is there ain't no official history and when there is it will be all wrong anyway.

There's a Molière play where two guys set out to write the true history of some battle, and gradually realise they don't even know what's going on now in their own house.

See you round! With your permission I'll enter you as a friend in my page, so visitors will get a link to "The Spire"

~A

I actually answered your question about TCD elsewhere. No I'm not in Trinity. I just happen to work in a high building with a good view. I also asked elsewhere if you are the C. of St.S. man, but I see from other clues that you are! Hi from a fan!

I'm certainly happy to be a friend.

Yes . . . I found that entry after this one and replied there too . . . all things considered this site is pretty navigable, I came across it in November and got hooked immediately.

OK . . . Liberty Hall? Getting warm?

I've written loads of entries for the Edited Guide, including "How Power Stations Work", which is a definite clue.

When I started writing entries for h2g2, I kept away from ones to do with my work and concentrated on music. I see that you have done the same. Will you eventually get around to writing about viols, Brandenburg Concertos and Praetorius, or is that too much like work?

Too much like work . . . I suppose so. How serious are the guide entries? Do they count as publications? I haven't published a lot of academic stuff (i.e. hardly any), but if I wanted to I'm not sure I'd do it here. Here it's fun in a Douglas Adams kind of atmosphere . . . though you never know what it can become.

In the meantime it's pub quizzes, joke telling sessions and more or less informative ramblings. Though I do mean A908147 "Rainbows End" very seriously. And I got very picky in conversation over a few details in A875081 "The Marx Brothers" and (as you know too well) A932735 "The Spire of Dublin". By the way to continue being picky, it wasn't "The Nelson Pillar", just "Nelson Pillar".

Serious articles like the ones I've seen here on philosophy or music history don't really come over so well; more like opinion-testing than experience-reporting

Well yes a narticle on viol playing is certainly called for. Soon. -ish. Thanks for the push.

~R

I found out last night we have another friend in common, a certain lady who works in Marsh's library, rides a bicycle and sings with the Culwick.

She said you're a very nice person. I kept a straight face.

Oh. That's embarrassing. I ought to know but don't. I haven't seen Muriel McCarthy on a bike and don't really expect to; but I can't remember who else works in Marsh's. Detective work needed.

No it's not Muriel, it's Ann Simmons.

Tip of me tongue, honest.

I'm playing in the St Cecilias' John Passion tomorrow night in St Ann's -- Alison Browner is singing my aria "All is fulfilled" (or it may be "It is finished").

Your lenten flirtation with masochism will soon be finished too. What will you do then?

I hope to go to the St John Passion tomorrow night. I'll look out for you.

After Easter, I'll allow myself to eat chocolate, but I won't binge. I've proved to myself that I can give it up. I'll try giving up something more serious such as alcohol.

Now that is SERIOUS.

See you tonight.