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

"Took chapel" - is this a school assembly-type-occasion?
Ooh, I don't *do* religion!
My Ma-in-law works for "god" as a methodist deacon, and even she's given up trying to convert me....
I don't mind the idea of treating people with respect, but I've a cynical view of organised religion and its role assigned by those in charge to subjugate the masses and perpetuate petty differences [Sectarian violence in Northern Ireland, all the middle east fiascoes, the Spanish Inquisition, the Crusades........]

I suppose they give good fodder for stories , conflict of good and evil or people's perception thereof, so can see the phiosophical connection to the Potter character.

*Harpo gets off soapbox*


How did the pupils react?

Phew!!!!!!

I've taken several Chapels and always try to have a more Humanist approach, looking at people rather than dogma.

They seemed to like it but they're used to my contributions being rather more unorthodox than most.

I had three students acting out a scene from the current book

Sorry about the soapbox, didn't mean to sound disrespectful of anyone who believes in a god. General education these days seems to be more tolerant of other cultures than it was 30 years ago, so perhaps our children can sow the seeds of tolerance. Looking at USA though, it seems bigotry alive and "well" there!

I'm now more tahn halfway through HP, and approaching the final pages of Garp. Fascinated to know how the final two books will handle the hares set running so far in TOOTP, because they can't all be resolved in this book!

TTFN
Harpo

I am just past the part where she witnesses the murder and the Sergeant is looking for 'the witness'.

Been watching one or two dvd's too when i have a spare moment. Are you a film person?

I have a friend who is working in the States just now...says they very definitely AREN'T a democracy although they profess to be one.

this is a postscript btw

This one says it all
President Bush launched a PR campaign to improve his image and popularity. He decided to visit a primary school so he could explain his policy to the children. After explaining his policy to them, the President asked the children if they had any questions.

Little Stevie raises his hand and says, "Mr. President, I have three questions:

"1. How did you have fewer votes but were still elected president?

"2. Why did you attack Iraq with no motive?

"3. Don't you think Hiroshima was the biggest terrorist attack in history?"
At that moment, the bell rang and the children ran outside to play. At the end of the break the children returned and President Bush asked the children if they had any questions.

Little Eddie raises his hand and says, "Mr. President, I have five questions:

"1. How did you have fewer votes but were still elected president?

"2. Why did you attack Iraq with no motive?

"3. Don't you think Hiroshima was the biggest terrorist attack in history?

"4. Why did the bell ring 20 minutes early?

"5. Where is Stevie?"

I have to be in the mood for films, it's ususally trashy chewing gum for the eyes [Sliding doors, true lies, bond] Again it's a man thing, no tolerance for worthy stuff. A special favourite is The Tall Guy starring Jeff Goldblum and Emma Thompson, it has one of the funniest sex scenes ever committed to celluloid.
I'm enjoying Spooks on the telly at the moment, again, requires a deal of suspension of disbelief surely it can't all be true???

This one says it all
President Bush launched a PR campaign to improve his image and popularity. He decided to visit a primary school so he could explain his policy to the children. After explaining his policy to them, the President asked the children if they had any questions.

Little Stevie raises his hand and says, "Mr. President, I have three questions:

"1. How did you have fewer votes but were still elected president?

"2. Why did you attack Iraq with no motive?

"3. Don't you think Hiroshima was the biggest terrorist attack in history?"
At that moment, the bell rang and the children ran outside to play. At the end of the break the children returned and President Bush asked the children if they had any questions.

Little Eddie raises his hand and says, "Mr. President, I have five questions:

"1. How did you have fewer votes but were still elected president?

"2. Why did you attack Iraq with no motive?

"3. Don't you think Hiroshima was the biggest terrorist attack in history?

"4. Why did the bell ring 20 minutes early?

"5. Where is Stevie?"

I have to be in the mood for films, it's ususally trashy chewing gum for the eyes [Sliding doors, true lies, bond] Again it's a man thing, no tolerance for worthy stuff. A special favourite is The Tall Guy starring Jeff Goldblum and Emma Thompson, it has one of the funniest sex scenes ever committed to celluloid.
I'm enjoying Spooks on the telly at the moment, again, requires a deal of suspension of disbelief surely it can't all be true???

There was an echo there

You like Spooks too? I love it but I doubt the veracity of most of it although I do think the people who work there are probably rather dull and/or eccentric.

You'll be off home now then

Hello again
And goodbye for the moment I'm afraid. I have an appointment at the Hospital tomorrow.
I finished 'Widow' and have begun 'The Glass Palace'. I will let you know.
Are you ok?

Fine Ta!
Hope hospital visit nothing too serious? Take care of yourself
Chat again when you're back in circulation - Use the time to read some new stuff! Not heard of the glass palace - what genre?

Hello again

Sorry still not feeling all that great. Almost finished The Glass Palace but slow going cos reading's not so easy at the mo.

genre? hard to say but i suppose it's a mixture. Historical, a bit of romance. It's three generations of a family indian/burmese and set before, during and after the second world war in those areas. seems to be well researched and so is interesting. Written by Amitrav Ghosh (not sure about the spelling there).

Watching rather a lot of tv and dvd's at the moment...it's easier on the nose!

I have three to begin as well as Owen Meanie...my daughter in law works for a publisher and told me to choose in her office

Welcome back, sorry to hear you're not feeling well, hope things improve for you quickly. I started Happiness[tm], a humourous take on the whole self help and self improvement publishing, but it's now been nicked by my other half who's not known for laughing out loud at books before now...
Verdict seems to be, like Ben Elton's ideas, but much better written
Later...
Harpo

Finished Glass Palace...about to begin 'Maura's Game' - Martina Cole.

I will look out for your recommendation...once I'm out and about properly again

Have a good weekend

Now finished two Martina Cole novels - very easy holiday reading although with very colourful language! East End gangster stuff...not to everyone's taste.
Now starting Owen Meany.
I cant find your Happiness book...can you give me more info please? I have only looked on Amazon so it may be worth a bookshop visit.
Feeling a lot better now thanks after two visits to the Consultant.
The weather has finally broken here with a big thunderstorm and it's pouring with rain...it's nice to be cooler but I mourn the passing of the sunshine.
I expect you're in the throes of summer holidays. Take care.
Helen

Happiness tm by Will Ferguson, I bought it from Waterstones in Bradford as part of a 3 for 2 offer
Enjoyed very much, well written anarchy!
Currently most of the way through An Equal Music by Vikram Seth, bought at the same time, and it's wonderful, i'm not usually a sucker for love stories but this is the exception.
Summer hols indeed, just had 2 weeks in Devon, back to work today, suitably recharged.
Good Health......
David

Thanks for the info. :o) I think I may have read something else of Vikram Seth or am I thinking of something else?
Halfway through Owen Meany - not sure what to say about this one - I'm not sure that I'm 'getting' it - I don't have any sympathy for the character of Owen and feel myself looking for some deeper meaning - one of the penalties of teaching English Lit! However, I was laughing out loud in bed last night - I'm at the events of Christmas '53.
Devon must've been lovely this year - sounds great
Take care
Helen

Other half has read 'A suitable boy' and raved about it. Having enjoyed An equal music I might give it a try. If I remember rightly Xmas 53 is when Owen sees a significant date on a gravestone in the christmas play and this has repercussions for him and John throughout the rest of the story. It provides understanding, but not consistent sympathy for Owen......
David

Other half has read 'A suitable boy' and raved about it. Having enjoyed An equal music I might give it a try. If I remember rightly Xmas 53 is when Owen sees a significant date on a gravestone in the christmas play and this has repercussions for him and John throughout the rest of the story. It provides understanding, but not consistent sympathy for Owen......
David

Hello David
I may have read A Suitable Boy then - sounds familiar - clearly not earth shattering for me then

Yes you're right about the timescale but it was the description of the events at both the Nativity and A Christmas Carol which had me chortling - especially the back half of the donkey fainting - very visual I seem to be reading it a page at a time (a state of affairs which often occurs and which may account for my being unable to remember storylines )
Helen

Now I am beginning to feel an empathy - with the story and the historical perspective and with Owen too

All because of the new Headmaster - reminds me of someone else