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

Hi big sister, how ya diddlin?

I have been having trouble with the printer here so I havent done all the work I need to do which means I will have to e-mail it to myself and then print it off somwhere there is a printer that works.

I am having a rubbish halloween so far, went shopping and managed to drop 20 quid a long the way. Still things could be worse I could have dropped 40

Liz and I are helping out with the childrens halloween party at the club tonight. I think this means sitting with the wives and girlfriends drinking while the men try to scare the children (in a fun way). Tomorrow night is a boys night out so hopefully we will have had a win in the game on the afternoon to help things go cheerfully otherwise we will have to go out to drown our sorrows and boogie away the blues.

Hope you have a good weekend.

Well, they don't *do* Halloween at all in Spain. The best I can do is chase my Azar around until he gets his tail all puffed out so he can look a bit scary. He actually quite likes this game, but so far I can't be bothered.

Have a student coming in five minutes so must go now.

Wish it would stop f**king raining here - one week non-stop. So much for sunny Spain.

My last Halloween was the last time I was in Toronto, four years ago. It was so much fun. I was staying with friends who lived in a 'real neighbourhood' with big houses and trees and lots of families and kids. I also got dressed up to hand out sweets to the little goblins and witches and monsters that came to the door. They were too adorable for words. But I did my best to act suitably scared when a little witch or ghost showed up at the door.

Anyhoodle, must dash. Have a great weekend.

kissitos,
az

aw shucks . . .

I'm tellin ya, that 'superior' dig really hurt me the other night, especially as it came totally out of the blue and from two people I had thought were friends. Live and learn. But then Moth quite humourously put it into perspective, bless her. And then *you* blatantly using it as a compliment.

So, did you have a good weekend? It finally cleared up here it's been lovely and sunshiny since Saturday. But colder now.

My friend David from Toronto goes home on Thursday morning so I am enjoying the last few days of his company.



az

This weekend?

It was great. So good that I'm using my last day off from the school to recover from it.

Friday was great. Halloween party went really well. Two of my sisters, Mel and Marcia, came up to the club with their children. I got to show off, tell stories, organise games and make myself more of a legend within the club. (it is both odd and immensely gratifying to find myself becoming like the guys I used to look up to as a kid when I used to go to these sorts of things) The worst/best bit was someone rigged up adult apple bobbing in a skillet with the apples floating in two bottles of red wine. Apparently this was because it "looks like blood". Then after we'd done the apple bobbing one of our players said "I bet you cant empty that before the next song finishes. With a few more people egging me on I took the cahllenge and finished it with the handle of the skillet over the back of my head so that I could take my applause no handed.

Everyone had a great time. Liz had too much of a great time and didnt make it out of bed on saturday morning. I didnt feel too good either but had to look after her as she was worse than me. I left her with some breakfast and made my way down to the club hoping Id be on bench warming duty. No such luck. At the start of the game I wasnt really sure if the trees at the side of the pitch were waving in the wind or my vision was still dodgy. By the second half I felt as if had sweated most of the alcohol out of my system, even managed to dominate the line-out and steal two off their put in, we were in the lead and playing some good rugby. We ended up comfortable 38-15 winners. I got Liz some flowers on the way home but even these and the soup I made her did nothing to lift her spirits. Honestly I have known some people have long hangovers but I firmly believe that the best cure is a shandy and a bacon sandwhich. Liz seems to go for lying in bed and waiting to feel better. She said that even though she didnt feel up to meeting the other wives and girlfriends for what they had planned that it was alright for me to out with the boys. Top girl.

It was a good night out with all the usual dancing, pub stunts and meeting new people. Best of all I bumped into my cousin Dale and my old friend Huey who despite being 30 still lives everyday like he's twenty one. Got home very late and much the worse for booze and dancing. Seemed like no time at all before my alarm went off and I took the dogs for a walk. I had barely got my coat off when I got bact to the house when Simon was on the phone to say hed be round to go riding in a bit. So I made breakfast for Liz got my bike out and got my gear out. I thought about wearing my Jacket with the padding in but decided not to . David came along too and the fact that we hadnt all gone biking together for a bit got us acting like big kids. I took a big spill landing from a jump I'd normally have not done luckily I was wearing a helmet but everywhere that didnt hurt from Saturdays rugby now has a bruise from riding (or rather falling).

Liz who had picked up after getting some decent grub inside her ordered me to strip in the kitchen but only so she could put my clothes straight in the washing machine. It was only half an hour before I had to be at the club for the kids coaching session so I couldnt have spared the time to get frisky anyway. At the club most of the guys were on time and the were only a few that were late plus one new face. We had a good session and I was pleased to see that they did'nt let the cold wind and occasional rain bother them and they all said they enjoyed it.

Later with help from Simon and his work's van we moved the bulk of Lizs' furniture to his basement for storage and a chest of to mine. I made us all a curry back at home we sat and talked for a bit but we we were all pretty knackered so Si went home and I was tucked up in bed by ten.

What's shakin' dude?

I am going out for a 'family dinner' with my Toronto friend David tonight, after I finish my last classes for the day.

He leaves tomorrow.

Am feeling kind of sad about that, but mostly because I feel we didn't get to spend enough 'quality time' together. And I'm not sure why not.

Perhaps it was my fault. That I get so insecure about the idea that anyone would actually *want* to spend time with me that I never push it. Meaning I never pushed David to do stuff with me. But then again, David had his aunt and family to stay with next door and perhaps he was happiest hanging out with them. My take was that I didn't want to intrude or make any of them feel like they had to do stuff with me.

Anyhow, David and I spent the morning going out for breakfast and then wandering around town.

It's so weird to think that here is me - possibly one of the most insecure people on the planet - being accused of sounding 'superior' on the god thread. Go figure.

Anyhoodle, I seriously need to get a more 'here and now' life happening. Any suggestions?



az

Hi big sis, now you are flattering me.

Asking me for advice. Oh I know I give it out willy and nilly, even if people dont ask for it but when peole ask me.

Just ask your self what you like doing?

What are you good at?

What are you interested in that you havent done yet?

What is stopping you from doing what you want?

Remember when you are lying in bed thinking eg. Id like to swim with dolphins the hurdle that most peole fall at is right there. They lie there and think Id like to, instead of thinking what do I have to do to swim with dolphins.

Take it from someone who has been putting off getting his drivers licence for too long that you cant get anywhere without taking the first step.



Why are compliments like being tickled? You want to spend time with David but reading between the lines it seems you baulk at opportunities and wriggle out of situations, making the excuse that you dont want to somehow waste his time with his family. You make it sound like you are going out for this meal as to not do it would seem discourteous. When you actually feel about it on another level. az I cant imagine anyone returning home and saying "well it was good but my FRIEND from next door got in the way of having a good time with my family". Ofcourse some people could get in the way but do you really think that?


Perhaps it was my fault. That I get so insecure about the idea that anyone would actually *want* to spend time with me that I never push it. Meaning I never pushed David to do stuff with me. But then again, David had his aunt and family to stay with next door and perhaps he was happiest hanging out with them. My take was that I didn't want to intrude or make any of them feel like they had to do stuff with me.

Perhaps it was your FAULT

What part of Canada do you come from where being considerate is a fault?

az, you caome across as one of the nicest people Ive bumped into. In my opinion its Davids loss that he didnt get to spend more time with you and if he and his family had felt you were spoiling the group dynamic (as if) Im sure you would have been sensitive enough to notice and polite enough to make your self scarce for a bit.

Really

You are just the loveliest guy ever!

Thank you for that last posting. It really picked up my spirits.

I guess I was being overly 'considerate' with David. But he also did have to consider his family since he was staying with them.

When Blues Shark came to stay in August (he had rented a room next door) for about two days I felt I needed to give him as much 'personal space' as he needed whilst attempting to be friendly and offering help with getting to know Sevilla. Well, after about two days of this 'dance' he practically moved into my flat! It was so funny and also fun. We ended up going out for breakfast together every morning. Sometimes I had classes to teach, but because it was August I didn't have that many. So he would go off and see a few sights while I was working. But otherwise we were either wandering around town together and going out for drinks and tapas or else he was HERE. Hanging out on the sofa and watching dvd's, making himself totally at home. I loved that so much. It made me feel so comfortable. That someone would feel so comfortable being with me! He also made a big fuss over my cats and played with them constantly, which was also lovely.

Anyhow, I felt so comfortable with Blues that I would sit here at the computer hootooing while he sat on the sofa watching films and drinking wine. On occasion I would ask his opinion about something someone had said on the god thread and he would remind me that he was on holiday! He didn't go near hootoo for the whole two weeks.

Well, now I have to dash out for my two evening classes before the 'last supper' with David and family. I will re-read the first bit of your last posting again later as I think it is very wise and also full of common sense.

I am so happy to know you.

az

Hi big sis, hows it going?

Hope your dinner went OK.

Ali G is a fictional comic character. he is a parody of white and asian british men who try to emulate and adopt a "black" persona by copying the biased media image of black carribeans and americans.

He is sometimes very funny and satirises racism in many of its forms. Some peole are a bit dim and dont get the irony. Though why Della wants to call me awannabe I dont know.

buenas noches,

I have heard (vaguely) of Ali G. I mean, I knew he was a comedian but I didn't know anything about his stuff. Well, or whoever the guy who plays Ali G is.

It's called living in Spain! I never see most mainstream television programmes. Mostly because I almost never turn on my tv unless it's to watch a dvd. So I have never seen programmes like Sex and the City or Seinfeld. The ones I have seen in the past 12 years were sent to me on videos by friends in England and Canada (Frasier, the Sopranos, AbFab). That is one thing I sometimes I miss about living in England. That the television programmes there are at least sometimes watchable, unlike here.

Dinner last night was lovely. A wonderful time was had by all and plenty of rioja was drunk. Which is why I will probably be going to bed very shortly even though it is only 9pm.

Anyhow, you spiteful little man! I am sure I have no idea why Della wanted to call you an Ali G wannabe. Clutching at straws? She obviously doesn't even know that you aren't little! As for spiteful, yeah right.

Ah well, never mind.

I think I need to sleep now.

hasta pronto,
azzzzzzzz

Ooh no ta on the cat thing. Fur balls dont look like fun to me .

Have to talk later got to go and by fruit now.

I'm also dashing out to work right now.

Catch you later, honey.

az

buenos días!

If you give me your email address I can send you some photos - of me and of where I live.

az

Top of the middle of the day to you az.

My address is [email protected]

it will be nice to see what you really look like and interesting to see where my mental image differs from the real one.

I feel slightly honoured but mostly proud that you trust me enough to open up to any extent to me.

Cheers.

Hope you have a good day.

Okay dude, photos sent!

I included the one I had previously been using (taken four years ago) so you could see how much I have changed. Really, I hate having my photo taken. Anyhow, my fat cat Sunny is very handsome, though try to imagine him with beautiful blue eyes and not white camera flash ones.

<>

Hey, you are one of my best friends here. Truly.

az

It's a 'sangria dress' because the pattern on it is multi-coloured cut up fruit.

Love the photo of the pups - thanks!

az

somewhat addictive, somewhat boring . . . you decide!


http://snowflakes.lookandfeel.com/


az

Good day to you lady.

It looks like a nice place where you live right in the middle of the city. Dont think I could live somwhere that doesnt have a big park near by for the dogs but I wish I didnt have all the leaves I have sweep up at the moment.

Got offered a new part time job this week as a: fathers involvement worker for sure start. It involves getting information about child rearing (health), social developement, jobs, education and welfare rights across to parents but mainly fathers and encouraging them to get involved with different aspects of the sure start partnership. Thing is I have been given carte blanche to develope my own involvement programme (the fools). Nights out to the pub, sporting events and strip clubs it is then

they want me to start as soon as possible so I better pull my finger out.

Ciao for now.

greetings lovey,

In fact there are a couple of beautiful parks just five and ten minutes away (walking) from my house. Also a long riverside walking-cycling path that starts just five minutes from here where I go cycling (and see many people out with their dogs).

The new job sounds wonderful - congratulations! It's nice to be recognized and appreciated for one's talents, isn't it? Carte blanche, eh? Might this include flying in a very interesting person from Spain to talk to kids about job and study possibilities abroad???

How old are you? Maybe you have told me before. I am 46 now (eek) and will be 47 on January 7th. I tell you my birthday because I LOVE birthdays and always make a big fuss over *my* day. Don't worry if you forget as I will surely let EVERYONE on hootoo know when the big day arrives.

az

Well i knew you were 47 which is partly why I was quite suprised that you look so youthful in those photos.

Im 49.6 in euro years but 31 in years sterling.

I doubt the budget I get will stretch to flying in multilingual interesting proplr from Spain but who knows....?

Though if you were able to show some of the people how to go about setting up their own business...? and bring me a nice looking pair of trousers into the bargain into the bargain you might have yourself a deal.

Hope you have a good weekend.

Liz is out with the wives and girlfreinds tonight (which strangely includes my aunty Marie and cousin Marie and her brothers girlfriend Michelle) those women are having a better time in our club than we are. So Im in with the pets and maybe a friend some beers and a pizza.

Take Care.

I received your email but for some reason Outlook has removed your attachment, saying it is not 'confiable' (trusted). Weird. It does this from time to time and I don't know why.



az