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

Hello Claudia...

Well! What can I say? Chuffed? I should think so...



Congratulations... I am impressed. It made me think of a TG straight away, but I've decided to use discretion and spare your and only post it here:

'C. Has, Ultimately, Found Full Editorial Duties.'

I know you will do proud... Might even put Skanks out of a Job.

Talking of I noticed I won the photo caption this week. Is that why I am now the subject for the new competition? Still, good photograph. Setting myself up as a target?

Which leads me, in a very way to my main news...

I have entered myself for a Talent contest at work. The Audition is at the end of the month, with the actual competition taking place in July, and a first prize of £250. That would offset some of the cost of my glasses, which are a vast improvement. They are taking a little getting used to, and are causing but I was advised Varifocals can do that.

I didn't go into the postings resulting in Fizzy's departure... I didn't feel strong enough to read what happened . I am pleased you are in contact with her, though, and I really hope things improve for her on the home front! Give her my best wishes.

Other than that, not much happening. Still worried about Mum, but not much I can do there. Just be here when needed.

I hope you get your car problems resolved, and that it won't prove too for you.

I must go and do some ironing now, then start the next batch of TG results, which will be the TG Running Totals results.

Take care, and don't yourself out too much... I wish I had something to contribute to but I'll leave it to the Professionals and experts.

Big congratulatory s and es from me, and from Mum...

Neal x x x

Hello Neal,

That's a nice telegram and I wouldn't mind if you want to use it for the game.

I'm not sure it would get you many votes, though.

It will be a challenge and an interesting experience, but I'm glad it will only be occasionally.

Well done with winning the caption competition.

Personally, I liked your other caption better, but in any case you rightfully won it!

Will be interesting to see what people will come up with for your photo.

I hope you'll get used to your new glasses soon. I have heard that Varifocals need some getting used to, there was even a thread about it on 'Ask' the other week.

Good luck with the Talent competition - I take it you'll play the fiddle?

I imagine that you're worried about your mum, I really hope the tablest will help her to get better soon.

I'll forward your wishes to Fizzy the next time I can get hold of her. Could be a while, though, as she's extremely busy in RL and not so healthy herself.

The car is back, there's another € 500 gone, which means I'll not make any more hootoo meets this year, except for the German one. I guess I should try to book a train soon, to get a cheap ticket.

Have a good evening.

Lots of & s & es for you and your mum

Claudiaxxx

Hello Claudia,

I am so that the car was so expensive and means no more Meets in London this year. I know how much pleasure they bring you, if only to meet your Post friends, as much as to interact with everyone, and we seeing you too... Maybe the Prof will win the Lottery, fly over and bring you back?

And thanks for allowing the Telegram... I wouldn't post anything like that without permission and I'm still unsure about it, but have a few days to think about it...

Talking of which, I'm having a adding up the TG scores... I keep getting different totals, so I've stopped now. It could be because I didn't feel too good Thursday, then had a massive Friday... possibly the glasses, so I didn't go to work, and didn't get up until 16:30... Still not good today, but it was a short day, so left at 16:00, bought some food for a salad and will have a relatively early night...

Also I'm pleased you liked the photo captions. It is a game I can play as I don't need to be online all the time... Most other games I can't take part in because they are continuous, although I do pop by the Doppelganger just to see if i know the answer or not. And the Golden Rule which I am useless at.

I shall be playing the fiddle at the Talent Contest, and a few colleagues are coming along to lend their support, surprisingly! I told them they can throw but to take them out of the tins first!

Other than that, things are good... Work is steady, if a little quiet, and tomorrow is a short day. Each day being a little closer to the Hull Meet, which I just hope I can afford.

Oh well... At least I have the train tickets booked, and the hotel booked...

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and have a good rest...

Mum sends her , just spoke to her on the phone, as I bought some food for her earlier, as I am never sure how well she eats... A bit like me... eats when she remembers,

Big s and es and I'll be about later...

Neal x x

Hello Neal,

time flies by, the week is half over again.

I hope it's still quet at the office.

It's nice that some of your colleagues will come for the talent show to support you.

I am watching Euro 2008, there have been some great mateches so far (just an interesting one on). I know you don't like it, so I'll not bore you with the details.

K and A have decided they want to lose weight, so I am cooking more veggie stuff now. It's going down well with them, but it takes some thinking and time to buy the fresh ingredients. Still, it's nice to eat differently for a change.

Not long until the Hull meet now. I bet it will be great.

I'll go for a 'literary' picnic next week Saturday, that will be great. Just hope the weather will be nice.

We're nearing the next Post weekend, and there are some things I could have done by now but didn't manage - what with all this football watching.

Hope your mum is fine.

Have a good evening.

for your mum,

s & es

Claudiaxxx

Hello Claudia,

And thanks for popping by. I guess you must be busy with your first edition of coming up... I wish you , although I'm sure you don't need it. I was toying with your Challenge? I'll see what i can do, but I was never much good at prose, mainly because I could never finish it properly but, as it is open-ended, maybe it could work... Let me know if you get stuck!

As it is my day off, I decided to do some housework, as there is no washing to do. So I've just finished washing the bathroom and kitchen floor. However, there is only me here, so where does all the dirt come from? The bathroom was looking like an American dustbowl, with a bathroom equivalent of tumbleweed rolling around the corners... And how do crumbs get halfway across the kitchen? Anyway it is done now...

As you so rightly guessed, I haven't watched the at all, and I guess the next two and a half weeks will mean I shan't be visiting the Pub so much, or at least later, so should save me money... I only know of two teams taking part, Germany, because it has the English off and Portugal, because a work Colleague is Portuguese! Tonight should be our weekly Jam session, but may not happen due to the We'll have to see... Anyway, I hope you enjoy the matches, and the correct tem win!

It must be Summer if K and A are talking of dieting, as long as you don't follow suit... I am into salads at the moment, as if I cook my kitchen becomes unbearably hot! And it is relatively cheap...If you want any recipes I have 4 Vegetarian cookbooks I can plunder for you.

Icy's new Quick Break quiz is interesting... I managed 35, which I have sent in independently, as I didn't want to spoil it for everyone else... One I know I've got wrong, as I posted too quickly without checking, and realised afterwards that 34 was Carlsberg, not Carling... Oh well. It was fun but worrying that I knew so many!!!
Tomorrow I must be up early, as I have a training course to attend in Millton Keynes, for Siemens products... it should be a good day, if I can stay awake.

The Hull Meet is around four weeks away, and I've bought little already, and I'm starting to get excited about it. I am hoping the weather will be good as I don't leave until 18:45 on the Sunday!

Better get off, and prepare my salad for tea...

Mum sends her and says she is feeling much better.

have a good evening, and special s and es

Neal x x

Hello Neal,

sorry for not replying sooner, but what with my dodgy PC, I tried to get as much Post work done as possible. I have C's PC now, which is much faster than mine. I managed to save the things I'll need online, which means I can access them now, so that's a Plus.
Still, there are lots of things on my hard drive which I didn't store online, so I hope I'll be able to get my own PC fixed somehow, don't know if that is possible, though.
Oh well, never mind.

I hope you had a good weekend. Mine was quiet, mainly spent editing and setting up A spaces etc, and worrying about my PC.

It's gone very cold here, with only 11°C in the mornings and not much more later in the day.´The English aren't the only ones having bad summers. It reminds me very much of the first London meet I went to.
Oh well, we have to take the weather how it is, eh?

I only hope it will be warmer and dry the next weekend.

Hope you and your mum are OK.

Have a good week.

s & es

Claudiaxxx

Hi Claudia,

RL means I can't here for a couple of days, what with the 'alleged' talent contest tomorrow and a Gig on Saturday.

I just wanted to voice my support on your first , and also your 'hidden' reservations about your son moving out! He'll be fine! We 'males' are fairly resilient , especially in groups!

I'll be back Sunday, and in reply to your question on the TGA&A, I couldn't find a posting for the TG word for 'LAST' and I've gone back to 2006.

Have a good weekend, lap up the and . It is well deserved.

And know you have done a really good job...

Very special s and es...




Neal x x

Hello Neal,

thank you for your encouraging words.

I know my son will be fine, it will just be different without him, that's all. At the momemt, I can't *quite* see it happen yet, but we'll see.

Thanks for checking the telegram words for me.

Lots of for the talent contest. I'm sure you'll do fine!

I'll be thinking of you and keeping my fingers crossed for you.


Give my to your mum, hope she's fine.


Have a great weekend,


s & & es

Claudiaxxx

Hello Claudia,

My apologies... Mad end to the week... so fleeting chances of being online!!!!

Thanks for your best wishes... They seem to have worked. I shall be writing a brief Journal about it but, in a brief resume, I'll give you a taster...

Friday is a day when we are short-staffed, so it looked like I wouldn't have a chance to set up which, if I was playing acoustically, wouldn't matter. Eventually, at 18:30 I was given 10 minutes to set up... So that's what I did. Come the evening, I'm standing around, wondering where everyone is, and they are in the 'Green Room' which I knew nothing about.

The acts where 8 singers, a Drag Act, a Magician and a three piece band... I couldn't tell you what the acts did,,,

I was second from last, and had no-one from my department supporting me, yet I did get a massive amount of applause from those present... Then when the Judges announced the results I was the last to be announced as a winner... So I am through to the Final, , but I have to raise my act!!! What do I play? For the Audition I played a Welsh folk Waltz and an Irish Hornpipe... For the final I am considering a Classical pice, Humoresque, by Dvorak, followed by 'Five Foot Two' a 'Jazz/Blues' piece, then the 'Trumpet Hornpipe' (also known as 'Captain Pugwash'), but I have to raise my act!!! The other option is the 'Can-Can' by Offenbach, as the Classical piece, followed by Sweet Georgia Brown, the Jazz/Blues link, folowed by the 'Trumpet Hornpipe' (also known as 'Captain Pugwash')

Decisions, decisions...

Maybe I'll ask H2G2 via my Journal, and also whether I should just play one piece...

Unfortunately I have too many options...

That is my problem...I guess!

I am sure you'll resolve the 'Sons' issue... I can remember when I went to College, I didn't come home from College until Christmas and rarely phoned... My Mum went mad, but I was enjoying myself... However when the seperation was looming, I made unannounced weekend visits to provide support. I also, after College, moved home both due to financial restraints and also support but, when I moved out at 24, I only had occasional contact and that is the same now! I hope that helps... I guess it just depends on how close you are emotionally, and also how close his new residence will be... I wish you both the best of

and , with from Mum,

Neal x x

Hello neal,

that's great news about the talent show, well done!

Shame your department let you down, though. Maybe you'll have more support next time?

I don't really have an issue with my son moving out. I know I'll miss him, but I know I'll get used to it, too. As I said in my journal, I was his age when I moved out. It's the natural way to go, and I've tried to prepare him for ages, so that he'll know how to cook a few meals etc. (I had to learn it all, we weren't allowed to cook at home).

My weekend was nice, but it was hot and humid here. Thankfully, we didn't get the forecasted heavy storms with hail etc here.

I'm slowly in the build-up for the next , which is great fun.

Have a good week

s & es to your mum and you

Claudiaxxx

Hi Claudia,

How are you? I hope isn't keeping you too involved.

Thanks for your . I had on my fiddle charm, as usual, and also the cufflinks you gave to me... Maybe they worked?

It has been a warm day here as well, and no rain either, although a little humid. Hopefully it will stay that way for the week as I have the week off... I'm going out with Mum somewhere on Thursday and Friday. I'm just waiting to see where she'd like to go. Her choice, as I usually choose.

Today I spent my time attempting to title my photos... Why didn't I do it when I downloaded them? Sometimes I do make life difficult for myself!

Not really done that much otherwise. Last week it rained very heavily and when I awoke my Jade Plant , also known as the money tree:

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/pixpg/jadepix.html

had fallen on the floor, and out of it's pot. One branch and a number of leaves had broken off, as well as knocking one of my Aloe veras on the floor as well. Today I repotted it, but I may have left it too late... I hope not... It has grown quite tall, and was obviously too tall for the pot, and had become top heavy. Probably a clap of thunder set off a tremor sufficient to vibrate the bookshelf and Thump... down it fell. Time will tell...

I alsop sent Chris a text wishing her well. She seemed in good spirits!

Must away and get some supper, as I am getting a little light headed.

Have a good evening, and I'll pop by again tomorrow...

s, es and from Mum and I.

Neal x x

Hello Neal,

I'm sure the fiddle charm and cufflinks work - even if only by making you feel more confident, knowing that your friends are thinking of you and keeping their fingers crossed.

You should have a snail mail in a few days.

The money tree has a similar name here, I know it as Pfennigbaum (penny tree). I hope it will survive.

I hope you'll have a good week off work, and that you'll go somewhere nice with your mum. It's hot and sunny here, but wasn't too humid today, so that was good.

Good luck with titling your photos.

It's school holidays here now, so life is calmer as I don't have to see to it that A gets up in the mornings and has his breakfast, and doesn't stay up too late.
The boss is on holiday, so work is a bit busier for me as I have to order the goods - just hope I won't forget it tomorrow morning.

Otherwise there's nothing new from here.



s & es to you and your mum.

Claudiaxxx

Hello Claudia,

I hope you have had a good day today, and that you managed to enjoy yourself with the Boss away, and not too stressed. I hope you remembered to place your orders. Difficult to run a shop with no stock.

Luckily it isn't school holidays here yet, so still safe to go out and about, although I do get an early wake-up call with the children walking down the alley with their mobiles blaring tinny muzak...

The weather is here, warm but breezy. Hopefully I'll be up early tomorrow and off to the Wetlands for the day. I was hoping to be out and about with Mum for the next couple of days, but she's decided to go to Blackpool, with a friend, for the weekend. Unfortunately it isn't all pleasure, as it is a Housing Association weekend, but I am sure she'll enjoy herself... . At least she is looking and feeling better. The new medication appears to be working, but she is getting forgetful. She told me, on all three occassions I've seen her this afternoon, that she'd been out shopping with a friend... and also forgot her second load of washing in my machine as she thought she'd already picked it up, which was obviously the first load she was thinking of! What do I do??? *That was a rhetorical question... *

The photo titling is going very slowly but I have finally set up my spare hard-drive, and downloaded my video stream off of the Camcorder. I must admit I do need training on how to use it. They are ish but not perfect, especially the Meet ones... very grainy.

I'm to hear Lil isn't doing as well as was initially thought. I really hope she makes a recovery. She and her family have certainly been through it . Puts my minor ailments into perspective!!! On which note, a health update...

I went to see the Specialist yesterday afternoon...

Or rather I didn't as he wasn't there. In fairness, it wasn't his fault as his Wife had gone into labour that morning. It has now been deferred to September. At this rate I'll only get an answer when I am and . Oh well. One good thing!!! The staff at the Big House were really grateful for my attitude, rather than but as I explained to them, it wasn't their fault, and it did no one any good for me to lose my !

And I also managed to double book the Hull weekend... Yes, I had accepted a Gig on that date. Luckily the Band have been really good about it, and let me go to Hull while they find another Musician to stand in... Win on the swings, lose on the roundabouts.

Must away to the music session now. I hope it goes well. It's good for a spot of practice, and sets me up for my holiday in Broadstairs.

Have a good evening, and enjoy the I hope the right team wins

s and es, with from Mum...

Neal x x x

Hello Claudia,

And massive big fluffy s, es and s I just wish you were here in person to receive them. And for two reasons... well, three really.

1) For thinking of something so original as getting people to write verses to a Poem for lil...

2) For being the very special caring person that you are, for doing that, amongst other things!

3) For being such a wonderful friend in thinking of me, and sending something by snail mail, that has really boosted my ego...

It really is wonderful of you, and Thank You! It shows what a very special person you are, and why you are easily my Best Friend...

I just wish you could be here to see the competition but, as I have been challenged by the Hull Meet brigade, I am going to attempt, this weekend, to put one of my contest choices on YouTube... It will probably be classified as a Video but I'll see what I can do.

I do not know where my low self esteem comes from, but it was probably from never amounting to much in my Parents' eyes, and rarely being praised so when I am I get a) embarrassed, b) cynical and c) ungrateful. Whatever it is, I shall play my best for the Charity:

http://www.kidscape.org.uk/

I'm also going to do this for me to show I can but, most of all, for all of you HooTooers for all the encouragement and friendship you have given me, especially considering none of you have heard me play.

Talking of music, the Jam session on Wednesday went well, even if it was largely driven by me. The reason being, someone who had been watching the and been in the Pub since 18:00, picked up one of the guitars... and then wouldn't put it down... Which is fine, except he couldn't really play anything... Anyway I drowned him out, and his mate finally dragged him away.

I hope you are well and not too stressed out from w*rk. Are you working tomorrow? If not, I hope you get a chance to relax, ready to enjoy the which I believe is on Sunday. After that I can return to my usual seat in the Pub!

Please take special care of yourself, and a very, very big thank you, once again. You really are, and excuse the cliche, a true friend in a million.

Special, caring s and es from me, and from Mum.

Neal x x

Hello Neal,

I'm glad the snail mail was actually much faster than a snail and has already arrived.

It was nothing, really. Just remember all the things you've sent me, and I never managed to send you anything, so for once, I thought I'd give back a little.

Although I can't be there I'll be with you in thoughts, as will all your other friends, I'm sure. It's my aunt's 87th birthday, so I should easily remember the date.

I'm not stressed from work, all is going well there.
The situation here is somewhat tense to put it mildly, but I hope it will calm down again soon.

I'll go and do some more editing now, should have a busy weekend ahead.

Have a good weekend.

Give my to your mum.



s & es

Claudiaxxx

Hello Claudia,

I hope you are well and rested, although reading between the lines above, maybe not. I wish I could help... I do hate it when someone is having a rough time I can send you my and and let you know I am thinking of you.

It was warm, but very, very muggy yesterday. It made ironing and very uncomfortable, so I am actually up early, but totally unrefreshed. Oh well. W*rk will sort that out. I wonder what I have to look forward to? Millions of e-mails, no doubt.

Mum appeared to have had a good weekend in Blackpool, even if it was a training weekend, and it was good to see her out and about.

Must dash now.

Please take care of yourself, and I'll be sending you wishes...

s and es, and from Mum.

Neal x x

Hello Neal,

sorry to hear you didn't sleep well.

It is warm here, but I won't complain, I'm glad it's not so cold anymore.

Good to hear that your mum enjoyed her weekend in Blackpool,I guess it made for a nice change.

The situation here is claming down a little, but it is weird without C. Oh well, guess time to get used to it. It's not easy for him, either, so just as well that he is close, so he can come here for a hug and a meal.

Hope your day at work wasn't too bad. Mine will be busy enough, but it does make the time pass quicker, so it is OK.

Have a good evening,

s & es and to your mum.

Claudiaxxx

Hello Neal,

another scorching day here.

Looks as if we're having some summer weather for a change.

Thank you for the lovely card, much appreciated, I never manage to send cards.

Thought my PC was sorted, but now it doesn't even boot anymore.

Back at son's PC, no idea what I'll do once he wants to have it back.

Hope you're having a good day and got some decent sleep.

s & es

Claudia xxx

Hello Claudia,

How are you? I have read and to hear what has been happening. I hadn't realised C hadn't left voluntarily. All is now clear, and your feelings are understandable. Is he back home now, or still away?

Another excellent especially being a Sister down, so well done. I don't know where you find the time, or inspiration.

I hope you get your PC sorted soon, as well. My two USB hubs are being awkward at present. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't.

It is sunny at present, with heavy showers, off and on. The humidity has suddenly shot up, and is now uncomfortable, so I hope that settles soon.

I had a meeting yesterday for the Talent Contest. It could be interesting. Each act has to perform for around four minutes, and then the Audience vote for their preferred act. While the votes are counted, all the contestants perform a group song, 'Simply the Best' So I now have to learn that. The winner then performs a finale... Three things make it awkward for me... a) I am playing a fiddle unaccompanied, b) Only two work colleagues are attending, to give support and c) as no-one wanted to go first, I volunteered, so I have really got to do something very, VERY inspiring to reach the top three. I'm hoping my nerves will let me through. Thanks for all the support. I've almost raised £100, which considering the other contestants had a week's start on me, is very good. Work hoped to raise £300 in total, and it stands at £1,000 to date.

The new systems at work are and proving problematic, especially the new E-mail system, which keeps crashing... I guess we'll survive it.

Please take care of yourself. I'll be thinking of you, and your two sons. i hope it all works out favourably for you all.

Special s and es, and a sqeezy from Mum.

Neal x x x

Hello Neal,

I am - once again - with a PC. Got the one from A, as we went and bought a new one for him yesterday. It's his birthday soon and we agreed that this will have to do for Christmas, too.

Today was rather cold, overcast and windy but dry. This constant change of weather isn't really good for me, though, I was tired and dizzy for most of today.

Well done on raising so much money.

Good news on the home front: we agreed that C could come here anytime, so he'll not be in the position of having nowhere to go.

haven't heard from him all weekend, though, hope to see him tomorrow.

Sorry to hear you have a new system at work - these things usually cause a lot of trouble before they start working properly.


I have to get used to yet different settings on this PC. To start with, everything is in English, will will be useful to follow instructions, but takes some getting used to.

Not long now until the contest, only three weeks to go. But there's HUll next week, that should take your mind off things, I hope.

Hope you had a good weekend.

s & es and for your mum

Claudiaxxx