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

Just popped in to say hello, are you a native of the chilly north or an exile from elsewhere? Originally from Teesside myself, now in Cambs.

Read about your trouble with file sizes (), have you tried zipping them? Just a suggestion!

Uubba

Hello
I'm a Geordie by birth, currently living in County Durham.
I don't think you can zip these...something to do with the sound I think. I don't really understand...I've received movies from people but, not with sound.
Nice nick btw

County Durham - beautiful (unless it's Darlington! *spit**spit* (only joking))

I'll be honest, I haven't got the patience to learn too much about software, but DivX is supposed to be the big thing now. I think you can download it! covers .avi and mp4.

A teacher, what do you teach? I can't remember if it's on your space (apologies if it is)

Uubbaguubba is from a song by J Geils Band!!! Just for reference

The clue is in the nick...LadyChatterly?
English, but not for much longer...I'm leaving at the end of next month
And no...it's not Darlington
Ever been there on a Saturday afternoon?
I did my degree at Teesside Poly (as a mature student)

Thanks for the info btw
I'll look into it

The only times I went to Darlington were when Hartlepool played there (once a year) or on the way to the Lake District (about 4 times a year). I remember it being really crowded in the market, is it still there? I haven't been for over 10 years.

Nearest place I went to regularly was the Sutton Arms at Elton (down the A66 towards Stockton), used to meet friends every weekend for a social p up!

I wasn't recommending Darlington!!

You aren't from Hartlepool are you? I went there once...

I live almost on the Pennines overlooking the River Tees...it's very hot this afternoon and lots of people are sunbathing.

No, not from Pool...from Stockton.
I guessed you weren't recommending Darlo, what's to recommend?

That far up the Tees, you're right out into the sticks! Nice

So, why leaving?

I used to know someone lived on Darlington Road, Stockton.
I'm retiring from teaching...had enough and want to do something else. Apart from looking for another challenge, I'm going to learn another language and I'm hoping to travel too.

What do you do apart from scrutinise tubers and watch football?

I've got a 12 year old son who I see at w/ends, we go visit places when we can. Like reading, films and sport (armchair fan nowadays).

Like travelling but don't get the chance too often...I have a too romantic veiw of foreign climes - reality usually a bit of a disappointment....7/11, McDonalds, overcrowded, tourist traps, etc!!

So, do something else you say? Which preferred direction?

Is that why you're on here instead of out on the town chatting up tottie?

I really don't know. Someone at work is trying to persuade me to go and teach abroad but I'm not sure about that although I'm tempted by the thought of more sun. I've found in the past that something usually tells me which way to go...very often at the last minute so that I have to make a split second decision (or almost).

I'd really like to do something completely different...I think once I finish work, I'll have more time to think about options. My daughter wants me to move down to the West Midlands, near your area I think...she lives between Solihull and Coventry. However, I have other ideas, I crave adventure

What do you read? And, apropos your comment in the Film Game, what is your favourite film?
My all time great is 'This Wonderful Life' but I have others that come close

Sorry for delay in replying, the connection failed for a while!

To be honest I find it quite difficult to keep relationships going, I've got used to being on my own and find sharing space with another a strain after a while. I've either become intolerant or selfish!

Books, hmm, Graham Green (Our man in Havana is my favourite of his), Tom Sharpe, although i don't find him as funny as I did.
I've read a few philosophy books recently, Utopia, Candide, reading Social Contract at the moment but finding it hard going, I think I'm distracted by work to fully concentrate.

Favourite films, ooo that's a hard one! Do like gangster films , Cagney, Bogart, etc. Ealing comedies (Alec Guinness, Terry Thomas), modern films are ok but seem a bit lightweight, car chases and special effects rather than plot and characterisation. Ooops! Nearly forgot, really like Akira Kurosawa films, Seven Samurai is poor class.

Yes, I like Wonderful Life as well, I think it'll replace the Great Escape as the Xmas Day film unfortunately; everyone will sleep through it!

So that's about me.

There are some really nice places around Coventry, only been a couple of times for work, so hardly an expert. Teaching abroad sounds like it could be very satisfying and rewarding.

Just wanted to say I'm watching 'The Quiet American' at the moment. Started last night but was falling asleep

You were up late

Up late! Yes, it's this bl***y web site...think I've got to cut down my usage .

Quiet American, any good? Very good book!

That reminds me - The Honorary Consul was on last night....knew I wanted to record something . MC was in that as well.

So, what are you up to after the film?

Very good indeed...I recommend it.
One or two dodgy Michael Caine moments though...you know...when you think, 'this is Michael Caine acting' lol
However, apart from that, very atmospheric...I always like films which create a sense of the period. It's firmed up for me exactly what the role of the Americans was in French Indo China. Perhaps you were already aware?
I can also recommend to you 'Cinema Paradiso' which I've wanted for ages and purchased the other week. I'm into foreign language films. Have you seen 'Amelie'? If not, I can recommend that too...saw it at the cinema and then bought it.
I'm about to have a shower and get dressed then I need to do some serious tidying up...had a bit of a panic before half-term with various Coursework deadlines and then I was away for the half term holiday so have mucho mess and I have a friend coming next weekend lol
Having got a bit of a tan yesterday, it's raining today so it's back to the rust
How about you? Is your son staying?
It's Helen btw

Pleased to meet you Helen, I'm Geoff.

Having a lazy day, bought some DVD's yesterday - 3rd series of Futerama (for my son (Ben) of course ) and The Naked Truth (Terry Thomas comedy), watch those, have a bite to eat, need to prepare for a meeting tomorrow. Keep it relaxed and stress free .


Ben stays every w/end, goes to his mothers tonight...then school tomorrow (haha)!

I've got a bit of a passion for history...usually wars (a bit gruesome, I'm afraid). Typical US foreign policy WW2 / Korea / Vietnam / C. Amarica / Middle East..equip and train to fight mutual enemies then fight each other for no good reason (?). Very short term strategy that's fundamentally flawed.

Favourite quote and 'mantra': "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got"

Hello Geoff
I wish I could say I understood your quote lol I'll keep looking at it.

Mine's "We are born astride the grave" Samuel Becket from 'Waiting for Godot'

almost through a sunday afternoon and still lots to do...I'm easily distracted. the dog is pushing me too...wants to go out...i'm afraid she'll have to wait!

Just looked at it again...got it!!!

Bathrooms now

Bye for now

Hi Helen

How are you?
Have you finished your chores ?

Your quote seems a bit on the doomed side , if you dont mind me saying!

No I still have one bathroom to go :o) Perhaps tomorrow.
However, I have taken the dog out...to Blockbusters to return the DVD. We went through the churchyard and she was 'bombed' by a rook, then on the way back, she rolled in something unmentionable and very smelly so I had to give her a bath (in the clean bathroom!!)
I know what you mean about the quote...that's Beckett all over :o)
May I ask exactly what you do? I have a mental image of you, standing over a conveyor belt with calipers in your hand, measuring the size of the unfortunate spuds!
I wrote a quote in one of my Sixth Form leavers' autograph books but I can't for the life of me remember what it was...it'll come to me in the middle of the night.
I've been trying to learn the words to some of Shania Twain's songs today...going to the concert in July.