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

Well, for one thing, they bought an entire building in the centre of New York. I have been talking to people here who have had personal experience with Opus Dei and it IS creepy. It's worse than just your basic religion (which is bad enough) as it is quite organized and also very powerful politically (especially within the Vatican).

It's more like a cult. They draw you in and then once you are 'in their clutches' (so to speak) it is apparently very hard to leave. Look at the story on the web-site I posted.

az

Well they're unlikely to draw me in. I'm more concerned about the effect they have on the susceptible people in society or the political power they can wield. Not that the Vatican has such a lot of clout these days. Real Christian political power probably resides with Dubbya Bush's local vicar.

I'm thinking of starting my own religious cult (the Fathomites?); I could do with the money. Just send me ten percent of your income and I can GUARANTEE you won't be abducted by aliens or condemned to eternal suffering in the Lake of Fire. (Why does that suddenly conjure up the spoonerism 'Fake of Liar?)

What's this 'birthday girl' tag line, az? 29 again? Many happy returns Have a drink on me - just take the cost of a small sherry out of your next tithe.

F

hi Fathom,

Fathomites, eh? Trust me, ten percent of my income wouldn't do much for anybody!

Yes, it's my birthday today! Yay! I'm very happily and proudly 47 years old, as of about 1.30am this morning. Check out how everyone is totally spoiling me today - it's so lovely!

F119314?thread=365586&post=4653399#p4653399

az

Hi azahar,

Aha! A party!





F

Hi az,

Re: Hoo / Member, I'm beginning to revise my opinion but I'm keeping an open mind.

If it's true it's a shame because Hoo is capable of bringing so much more to this place than simple anti-religious invective. I doubt that Member will be writing edited entries of the calibre we've seen from Hoovooloo.

F

another thread that might interest you:

F95727?thread=366000



az

Also, did you ever check out this one?

F1667627?thread=353643

Poor minniemouse (mild mannered young christian woman) got a bit more than she was expecting, I think, but parts of the thread are quite interesting until the last couple of pages after Della/Adele made her infamous racist comment. Anyhow, I hope the discussion will continue.



az

Thanks for the link, az.

I came across that earlier but there were no replies at the time.

This was one of the reasons I was revising my opinion on Member's identity as it does look very like Hoo's style.

This is a clear troll designed to provoke just the reaction it got. I may join in with a little tongue-in-cheek response if I can pitch it right.

F

Hi az,

Lively debate on the God thread today.

They've (and you) all gone for tea by the look of it and I may not be able to come back tonight. Probably see you all in the morning (GMT).

I expect Toxxin will have some answers but it's good to put him on the spot a bit.

vias condieus (sp?)

F

ummm . . . did you mean 'vayas con dios'?

Yes, it was fun on the god thread today, but I had to go out to work about 3 o'clock (2 your time) and just got back home. Now I have one more class here - just waiting for my student to show up.

So, hasta mañana!

az

Morning az,

?

Vayas con dios? It's drifted well away from its Latin roots hasn't it?

Si9mon's last post in the God(s) thread includes a tempting double negative. If he's going to say nothing he might as well say nothing to nobody. As an English teacher (teacher of English?) you must get a bit frustrated with some of the literacy demonstrated on here. Have you read "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" by Lynne Truss? It's a surprise bestseller over here. It's a humorous look at punctuation.

What's with all the moderated posts on the God thread? Someone been posting offensive material or just being irritating?

F

hi there,

Oh, you were speaking latin, not Spanish!

Hidden posts were about Oetzi. He started trolling all over the place so Grey Desk and some others went around removing his postings after he totally disrupted one of their threads, causing everyone to unsubscribe.

I'm not really bothered when people make spelling and grammar mistakes, but it does drive me totally mental when they use txtspk. Haven't read Eats, Shoots and Leaves but it sounds good. Have you ever read Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson?

Feeling somewhat brain dead after only about four hour's sleep, so thanks for the !

az

Mother Tongue is excellent. If only all textbooks were written that way. Troublesome Words, also by Bill Bryson, is good too.

Yes; txtspk s fckng rrttng as Member said in one thread.

F

hi there!

Haven't spoken to you here for a few days so thought I'd stop by before hitting the hay. How are you doing?

I'm really pleased with myself at the moment because I've gone a whole week without smoking. Yay! For extra motivation I am using the money I don't spend on cigs to buy new books. My first 'free' book (bought yesterday) is The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett.

Well, that's all really. Just wanted to say hola! Time for bed.

azzzzzzz

Good Morning!



Well done you. How's it going?

If you smoked 20 a day, at UK prices that's a paperback every couple of days. They're probably cheaper in Spain so perhaps a couple of books a week. Let me know if you want a new bookshelf put up.



I can't say I've ever read any Terry Pratchett.



Member's changed back from being 'just another number'. I thought he'd called himself that because Della referred to him as "post number 26" or some such instead of by name last week. He says it's because of the introductory message on his homepage suggesting he change his name so as not to be 'just another number'. He still denies being Hoo but if he isn't (I'm reserving my opinion) his style is uncannily similar. His subjects of interest are the same too.

Oetzi / Loopy seems to be coming back to his senses. Strange episode, that. I hope he's OK.

Cheerio, what?

F

buenos días,

I think I had a very strange smoking habit. First of all, I didn't start smoking until I was 36 when I moved to Seville. Which in itself is unusual, not to mention incredibly stupid. And then, I would only smoke while writing, and later, while on the computer. So I never got into the habit of smoking in other places, except sometimes while out having drinks. And I wouldn't always smoke every day, but when I did smoke I would chain smoke the entire packet within a few hours!

Anyhow, I've quit before and after awhile started back again. But I don't I'll start again this time. I just feel like I've had enough and I don't want to do that anymore. Plus, it's great getting these 'free' books.

You've never read Pratchett? Oh, you should! I only read my first Pratchett book at Christmas - starting with his latest one, which I'm told is not the best idea. But as there is a limited selection of books in English here I have to take what I can get. Anyhow, perhaps ask Noggin which one would be best to start with. I'm on my fourth now, but as I say, I'm just picking them up as I find them, not in any particular order. Really, they are quite addictive, funny as hell, and very well-written.

Time to shower and get dressed. Another beautiful sunny day!

az

Morning az,

Thanks for the .

I'll have to look into this Pratchett fellow. 'Discworld' isn't it? I've read Larry Niven's 'Ringworld' but I don't suppose that counts. They've been around a long time so there should be plenty of copies of the early titles in the charity shops without paying real money for a new one. Besides, it's for a good cause. I like charity bookshops, you can find some real gems among the older books and I've donated plenty that I've read too, saving miles of shelf space at home.

Wet, windy though reasonably mild (about 10C) here this morning. I'm definitely emigrating when I retire. Shouldn't complain, we did have a decent summer last year. Forecasters say we'll get a mild winter this year - instead of a summer.

I'll look away now while you get out of the shower.



F

Have you seen this? You even get a mention!

F1675436?thread=345335&latest=1

az

Indeed. And the intriguing thing is:

"I think someone called Fathom pointed out some reason why I couldn't be, but I can't remember where or what it was. Sorry."

I did so on this thread. Now there's only you and I contributing to this conversation so why is Member interested in it? Not that I object of course; this is a public forum and no conversation is private, but there are only a couple of ways he could have come across it. He has either visited your personal space or mine, or has searched on his own name.

***

Hi Member. Don't be shy (as if) pop by and say hello / hola!

***

It's nice to get a mention in another thread.

I think I'll join under another name and see how long it takes to be identified.

Thanks for the link, I'm still reserving judgement but my curiousity is piqued.

F

Speaking of personal pages, I've been to yours and have noticed that you have a lot of 'dead' researchers on your friends list, which I thought was curious.

I also noticed that *I* wasn't on it.

Well, I am off to see an exhibit at the Fine Arts Museum called 7,000 Years of Persian Art. It closes this Sunday and since I have a free morning (two cancelled classes) I thought I should get out and do something pleasant.

So, see you a bit later. Oh, check out this thread called 'God gave you a brain' F27390?thread=369754 You might find it interesting.

az