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

Whoever Occupant is they are on-line quite often . . .

az

That's it - he's outta here. He's no friend of mine. (Figuratively speaking).

Have you seen 'The Magdalen Sisters'? (could be 'Magdalen's Sisters) About the Catholic convent run home for girls in Ireland .

Shocking - especially the end when they tell you the last one closed in ?? 1971.

F

Did you also catch my previous posting?

Yes, saw that film. Appalling. According to Della all this sort of thing is just silly exaggeration. Got to go to work now.

az

I did catch your previous posting. Wasn't sure what to say though.

-

Exaggeration? Right, yes. Slave labour from young women falsely imprisoned for being, well, young women. Selling babies. No trial and no right of appeal - just locked in an institution incorporating psychological torture for being raped or just being pretty.

It makes me just a bit angry, you know?

F

Well, it's probably the thing I hate most about most religions - the smug 'I'm-right-you're-wrong' attitude. And of course this is much worse when it grows to the point where people are controlled and abused by it.

Just back from a class. Perhaps I seemed to over-react earlier but I have a wee problem with being attacked and accused of things I'm not doing by people who are projecting their own insecurities onto me. It makes me go very cold inside and want to close up and just go away. I cannot be around people like this.

On a happier note . . . um, well, I'm sure I'll think of something.

az

Morning az,



Friday the Thirteenth today. I thank God I'm neither religious nor superstitious, touch wood.

Everyone has their insecurities and putting on a brave face can only go so far. When you're alone in your room with a keyboard on your side of the screen and the rest of the world on the other it's easy to let the guard down thinking that no-one can see who you are.

People who structure their whole lives around their faith would be well advised not to get mixed up in - often emotionally charged - discussions of belief. By challenging Della's beliefs she has to feel you are challenging her; despite your best efforts to reassure her that there is nothing personal in your words. Some people can look critically at their religion - even adjust their beliefs accordingly - but most cannot. For them it's a case of 'love me, love my god' and the most subtle suggestion that they have wasted much of their lives on a primitive superstition hurts them deeply. They feel that someone has reached through the screen and slapped their face. They are also the most likely to try to reach back. Della's reaction is understandable, if inappropriate, because her beliefs are an important part of her. That's not to say you should put up with her insults without comment, just that you should see where they are coming from. Attempts to explain that you were only criticising her views and not her personally will simply not be understood, because to her she IS her views.

Perhaps it's best to treat her as you would a child - be firm but polite and with a little understanding that there may be an excessive emotional response.

F

buenos días,

Thanks for the pep talk but I was actually referring to vixen showing up on my page and letting me know that other people don't like me and that she had a personal problem with me. I totally know where Della is coming from and she doesn't bother me. But I have never even had any sort of serious discussion with vixen so . . . what the f**ck? Apparently I can annoy people I don't even know just by . . . being me? Anyhow, I am also over that one but I sure don't appreciate being used by other people in this vile manner.

And how are you today?

I just got back from the vet's. Lua might have a tumour!!! The vet has put her on anti-biotics for a week to see if the lump is just an infection but she thinks it is probably a tumour. Sh*t sh*t sh*t!

az

Oh dear, az, I'm really sorry. I hope Lua turns out to be OK.

I'm OK thanks, within normal parameters anyway.

Vix's post to you was a bit strange but I don't think it was meant in quite the way it read. Why she should think you were talking down to her is a mystery anyway - you generally take a balanced view and challenge extreme views. I don't remember Vix falling into that category. Perhaps she thought you were ignoring her because you didn't respond to her postings (because you didn't disagree with them) who knows?

Busy now, catch you later.

F

Going home shortly.

Have a nice weekend - I hope everything goes well for Lua, I know how horrible it is when a pet is unwell and especially if its serious.

Best Wishes (and a happy Valentine's Day )

F

Morning az,



I see from the Lua thread you've had a difficult weekend. I do hope it goes well for you both at the vets on Wednesday.

Your neighbours were very supportive, how come you've not known they were so nice 'til now? Are they new or do you just not get much chance to talk to them? I hope they can help you with this because you do sound lonely sometimes and it's good to have someone to talk to face to face; even though there are loads of people on here sending their (our) best wishes.

Whatever the outcome, you've given Lua many years of love and care so she has enjoyed a long and happy life that she probably wouldn't have had without you. I hope it can continue for many more years. If she has to leave you, remember the joy and pleasure she has left with you, try not to think of the things she has to take with her.

Take care.

F

morning!

<>

I do?

The neighbours moved in last September. Three young Spanish girls, around 22-24 years old. So, not really my age group or people I'd feel comfortable hanging out with. But yes, their offer for lunch yesterday was very kind.

How was your weekend?

az

Hi,

"<>

I do?"

Sorry, az, no offence meant; it's just an impression from reading your posts. It would be churlish to go into detail so I'll withdraw the observation if you say it's not correct.

I had a really lazy weekend. Sat around all day Saturday watching movies on TV then went out for a Valentine's Day romantic meal with my wife. Has a lovely dinner in a nice little bistro / wine bar. Did very little on Sunday either - just a trip to the supermarket for some minor groceries and a couple of bunches of reduced price (post-Valentine) flowers [cheapskate].

I think if "Three young Spanish girls, around 22-24 years old." moved in next to us my wife would never let me go out into the garden again.

F

Morning az,



How are you this morning?

The sun is shining here and the pavements are drying after last night's rain.

F

Oh you know me . . . I'm just sitting around feeling lonely.

az

Yeah, pretty much what I thought.

Anyway, you'd better let Lonely go back to work. The other dwarfs will be looking for him.

I see Member's back on one of the religious threads. He's branching out after chasing Justin all over the site. You'd think they'd get bored with arguing with each other - but then I'm not that different, I like to follow and contribute to these conversations.

I hope you're OK, you must be very worried about what will happen tomorrow with Lua. I hope it all goes well for you. I can't exactly pray for you but I'm sure there's some good Christians round here who will.

F

post 154 was meant to be sarcastic - must be losing my touch.

az

"post 154 was meant to be sarcastic - must be losing my touch."

I did recognise that - my response was meant to reflect the sarcasm, obviously unsuccessfully.



If you're still online before you go to the vet's - Good luck

We're all here for you whatever happens.

F

Hi az,



How are you today?

People are being very supportive on the Lua thread; there are some lovely people on here. The pet heaven postings are nice - I almost wish I believed in it myself, I'd like to see my dogs again. But then that's the attraction of religion I suppose.

That's also the problem with atheism; it's hard to comfort the bereaved because their loved ones have not gone to 'a better place'. Of course Justin's view is even worse - "yes, he was a fine man, he had a good life and now he's gone to an eternity in a lake of fire." Very comforting.

Ah well.

Take Care.

F

How am I? Been crying all morning, Fathom. And I almost never cry. I had one class here this morning and when Manolo asked me how Lua was I started crying and basically haven't stopped since.

I think I am almost decided not to have the operation done. This is what is tearing my heart to bits right now - I'm not sure if I am doing the right thing. If someone could tell me without a doubt that the op would be useless then I could just get on with what I have to do caring for Lua. But deciding whether she lives or dies is not something I feel up to.

az

You are,as they say, on the horns of a dilemma and in this case it's a scary place to be.

Who'd want to be God, eh?

Because it's so hard to make a right decision it is really just as hard to make a wrong one. Whichever choice you make you need to believe that it WAS the right one, at least for your own peace of mind. With the information you have now there is really no wrong choice - you could never feel afterwards that you made the wrong decision whatever you decide.

I doubt if anyone can tell you if the operation would be likely to extend (and improve) Lua's life sufficiently to be worth the trauma. The most honest answer you might get would be to ask the vet: would he do the operation if Lua was his cat. You need to know how traumatic the operation would be and what the likely prognosis is with or without surgery; the vet is best placed to know these things. He probably won't want to make the decision for you and you wouldn't want him to, but he faces these situations every day. In the end you will make your decision with the best available information and with Lua's best interests uppermost. For that reason it WILL be the right decision.

One piece of advice: once you've decided, stick to your decision and never ever question whether it was the right one.

Good luck

F