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

Hey, FS, Mags, Milla, and I were working on Towel Day preparations, and we ran across this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsBn3o0uxK0

We thought the guy was cool, and wondered if you could sample the candy for us and let us know what you thought.

After all, the company's in Tallahassee.

Florida is big! Most people do not know how mind boggling big it is.

No, it is not as big as space, with the exception of the thousands of watery places, it has a breathable atmosphere (Unlike the paper mill areas of Georgia.).

Many people visiting for the first time call us from time to time- 'We are almost in your neighbourhood, we are staying on Miami Beach (only a six and a half hour drive away.) why don't you stop by for cocktails?
Or we are almost there, we just crossed the border from Georgia (maybe only four hours or so.)

The drive to Tallahassee is only a little over four hours each way without stops or traffic. We cold go by commercial airplane, only a hour from Tampa. Then again the airport is also another hour's drive, another hour or two for security, air fare and car rental.

Back when Great Britain was given the territory after the Seven Years Wars they split it into East and West Florida because they felt it was to big to manage. Back in those days the panhandle extended almost to New Orleans. The capital of East Florida was Saint Augustine, while West Florida was ruled from Pensacola.

When the US took over after the 2nd Spanish period, they decided to reunite the two halves, of course they had given a good chunk of West Florida to Alabama and Mississippi. They decided to build a new capital halfway between to two British ones. There was an old Spanish mission located there that was called Tallahassee.

Just for fun I checked Google maps, they say the driving time from Penacola to Key West is only twelve and a half hours via the turnpike with tolls, or thee and a half by direct flight.

The reason I tell you all of this, is first I thought you might enjoy it, secondly I am sorry, but as much as I would love to meet a fellow hitch-hiker, and after watching the video, I am sure I would enjoy talking with him, it is quite unlikely I will make it up there in the next week and a half Be sure to link the video

Are you going to ask us to send in up-dated towel photos

F S

I wasn't really suggesting you drive to Tallahassee. I thought maybe they sold the candy locally. (Unlike the Brits, I have an idea how long Florida is. )

Update towel photos are welcome. We're kind of full for 23 May, but I could probably squeeze another one in. Otherwise, I'm going to be overjoyed to bring out photos of Towel Day activities in the 30 May issue, too.

The way I head it in the video, you can either stop by the factory, or try to order them on line. He said they only made 42 bags, so I doubt any will make local distribution. If I see a bag I will certainly buy it, but I think the odds are against us.

If you want to put in a link to the site you are welcome to say you asked me to try them and include my response, I tried to make it a bit humorous in the spirit of Douglas Adams. Do not feel any pressure, I only wrote it because it amused me.

F S

Cool idea!

Speaking of Babel Fish, I just happened to stumble on this http://www.facebook.com/waverlylabsinc/

I know you don't need one, but it could be handy while travelling for the rest of us

F S

One of these days, things like that will actually work, too.

Right now, they're liable to make about as much sense as a Eurovision song lyric.

Did you see Colbert's Eurovision song parody?

I know there is a lot more to translation than just substituting the words. I thought the link was interesting, particularly in light of our conversation from yesterday.

One of the first Entries I got on the Front Page was A1905031 I just happened on the story while looking for something else, but I really had not heard of it before.

As part of my research I came across three on-line accounts of the incident, American, British and the Governor's report in Portuguese. I translated the last one on-line to make sure I understood everything (it was also a lot faster than trying to wade through it myself). I remember at one point it told me that the British Admiral had his dead taken ashore so he could 'plant them'

No, I missed the parody, I don't normally follow Eurovision. I did find the guy with the beard and dress interesting a few years ago.

F S

There's a Guide Entry on that, too, thanks to SashaQ.

I used to work in a translation department. We'd print out Google Translate to make mock. But they're getting better, slowly. It's a horribly difficult thing to pull off. Not knocking the attempts, just appreciating the fun...

Okay, a precis of this thread will appear in the Post on 30 May. Be sure to subscribe when it pops up on your list.