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

Hiya Lorraine,

Depends what I'm bidding for?

Tch! Tch!

Being tongue in cheek (or is that ) there. Just pleased to chat in RL for a change!



Neal

yes - RL *is* nicer, isn't it .

I'll go with tongue in cheek - I don't think the other suits you

Hi Lorraine,
I guess anything in RL is better than vr.

However when that is all that is available then we have to make do!!



Neal

and tongue-in-cheek it is. N

well, if you're really unlucky, I might hit London one of these days

Lorraine,
That sounds bonza, as I'm unlikely to be up your way for a while, although....I am researching the Border Reivers......
Plus I still need to nab that darn-blasted bogie-bird, the Sparrowhawk....

(Hhhmm, could stay with The Newcastle Kingsmen. Paul and Sue are up that
way! Get a music session going as well as a spot of Sword-dancing/Morris)

Sounding good already....



Neal

have you been up here before?

an aside - in my married days, we almost bought a house from a bird watching couple who said the often had a sparrowhawk visit the garden

No, but the Newcastle Kingsmen have been to Broadstairs Folk Festival more years than I care to remember. Paul, their Mandolin player and dancer, I've known for years as he married a Broadstairs lass who used to dance with us. Newcastle Kingsmen are a Rapper Sword team, who wear orange and red sashes (or waistcoats with the same colour rosettes), floral hats and loads of beads.
See http://www.rapper.org.uk/kingsmen
Click on the photos icon, go to Quadrangle, and look for a guy in a Union Jack waistcoat. That's him (the little one).

Oh yes!...I see him. He doesn't look very happy, or is he concentrating?

They don't dance at Monkseaton on New Years Day do they? There are some dancers who dance in the village, then go round the three pubs...it's very good, if a bit difficult to get a drink

Paul is more a musician than a dancer, although he danced last august due to lack of men. Considering the heat, he did well, but it almost killed him. If there is involved they'll be there.
However I think you mean Monkseaton Morris, who I've also seen.
See http://www.monkseatonmorrismen.co.uk/

Anyway must go.

Speak tomorrow hopefully....



Neal

Oh dear, you put me to shame.....living all that way away and knowing more about the local morrismen than I do ...

I think I should go and feed myself as well, before I waste away to nothing. Lovely to catch up with you, and I'll try to be here tomorrow..or failing that, Wednesday.

And, since it's all the rage, and if you feel the urge...here's an email [email protected] woman, mind you

Night Neal

Hi Lorraine,
How are you? Too late to post yesterday evening, and the PC has crashed three times today, so first time to drop by.
Shall drop an e-mail round sometime. Intrigued by title choice of address and H2G2 title. My address is [email protected], but it will change in six weeks. Have reserved the e-Mac, and a Palm as my Handspring won't sync with my computer, and two Digi-cams. One is a 4mp Canon Ixus 400, @ £299:00 compared to £449:00 (normal price) and a 5mp Canon Powershot 5 @ £399:00 compared to £649:00. That is either £1,041:50 or 31,141:50, less 12%. It had better be a good bonus!
The only reason I know the Morris Teams is, as a child, my Dad and his Brother where both Morris men, so every holiday we'd be out, meeting other sides from all over the country. Also having been involved with Broadstairs Folk Week ( http://www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk/ ) since its inception 39 years ago, and so have met many teams that way as well. Also went to Sidmouth 5 years running, and Whitby once. (Where's me Anorak ?)
I'm not really that sad....Honest.... although it is my main holiday, as my Dad lives in Broadstairs, as does my sister and step-sister so it becomes a Family Holiday for a week.
Anyway off to the threads and more RL.

Take care,



Neal xx

Hi Neal,

Sorry I didn't reply last night - I kind of got my teeth into other threads .

Given my propensity (word for today) to ramble,I don't think you'll still be here by the time I finish this - but you never know. If not it could be a nice surprise/awful fright ....delete where appropriate ...when you get back . You've really got your bonus all planned out haven't you? I hope you get what you're expecting, and you get all the goodies you've got your eye on. When you're finished, could you maybe have a word with my boss, and tell him what a *real* bonus should look like? Do it quick while I'm in the good books - I got a pat on the back from our MD this week (not as grand as it sounds, we're a very small outfit, but nice all the same. I'm a bit later than I planned tonight because I've been shopping - boring food - and then a friend called in for *5 minutes* hmmmm......if you think I can type reams, it's nothing to the amount of talking this particular friend does. We're off to see Jethro Tull tomorrow, it seems like ages since we bought the tickets, so I hope it's a good gig.

An old work colleague of mine is very into music, and he goes to quite a few folk festivals, including Reading, not sure about Broadstairs though. He lives in Monkseaton too, so I'd bet that he knows the morrismen. Anyway, what's sad about going to folk festivals? I don't believe in restricting my listening to one kind of music - I can listen to pretty much anything, though I'm not keen on Country & Western - must be something to do with those check shirts .

I've also been bookshopping today. I bought the Golden Fool a while ago, and was saving it for when I felt like a good read, but didn't realise it was part of a ...trilogy?...so today I had to track down Fool's Errand - I'll start reading later tonight.

OK, that's me done - you can open your eyes now

I won't post tomorrow (obviously), but maybe later this week. Goodnight & take care.



Lorraine

Hiya Lorraine,
Sorry I missed you last night, and hope you are enjoying/have enjoyed Tull. That name takes me back aeons. I have a double-cassette of them from whenever. Must dig it out sometime.
Good to see yoe are into Robin Hobb. I am waiting for Fool's Fate to come out in 'sensible' paperback, as I want to find out the ultimate relationship between Chade, Fitz and the Fool, and whether the Wit is accepted, or whether it gets out-skilled. I do get annoyed when writers start a book, anly to string it out as a nonology. Still there is one good thing and that is that it won't happen here. Also White-eyes.
http://www.robinhobb.com
The only reason we get the bonus we do is no share-holders. Our staff still moan that there is no Christmas bonus, or Paid Easter party etc, and can't work out that it comes from the Final Bonus.
Anyway shall keep it short tonight as I have a long day here tomorrow, so plenty of time to post then.

TTFN and sleep well,



Neal

Hello Neal - sorry to hear you're working today, still it means you're here in rt/rl. How are you?

Hi Lorraine,
Fandabi-super-groovy,
And yourself?
How was Tull?Hope you had a night.
Yes, its RL today and lovely to be with you. Missing the 'boys' against the ol' Enemy at 17:30, although I should finish then. I could go home, but as I'm taping it, I may stay here, and mess around on the internet. I have lifted an entry on "Mensa" from the Flea Market, so I'm going to see if I can finish it. I shall probably rejoin the organisation at the end of March. I cancelled my subscription 10 years ago as I had no meetings near me. Now there is.
It is very quiet here today, and quite cool. My colleagues (sp?) are all snuffles and groans,with the odd hangover around Would never happen to me
Anyway off to the threads and see what trouble I can stir up.

TTFN



Neal

I'm good Neal......and Tull were fantastic...Martin Barre did a solo set as 'guest' at the beginning, and all the music took me back years.....I *almost* felt like a teenager again - except for the angst . What was weird though, was looking around at all the other people there, and trying to imagine what they must've looked like all those years ago....an interesting night!

I'm glad you're having an ok-ish day. I've only had to work one Saturday in years, and I hated it - partly because it meant a 6 day week, with a day in lieu, not the same.

Let me know how you do on the mensa thing - I almost sat one of their tests in Newcastle years ago, but to be honest, I wasn't sure I'd go to meetings, and I thought they'd all have brains the size of Canada . If it's full of deadly serious people, I'd probably go down like a ton of bricks - I struggle to stay serious for any length of time - unfortunately for anyone I happen to be in a metting with at work

Off to wander now, might see you on the threads



Lorraine

Hiya again.
wrt Mensa, yes, some are real Professor Braynestawms, but most are nice young people, who enjoy a party, (bit like here really)
The main thing I found was it could get expensive. Membership is £40:00, which includes 2 SIG's (or special interest groups). These are very varied, and probably cover everything here. When I was a member, Sir Clive Sinclair was President. IQ = 148/152 based on 6 tests. 2 at school, 2 at a Career Assessment centre, and 2 via Mensa itself.
Try the sample test at http://www.mensa.org.uk
Anyway worth a punt.
I'll help you if you want.

see you in a few minutes out there....



Neal

thanks for the link - I've done a few iq tests (does that mean I'm massively insecure)...including that test the nation thing last year. Given the scores I've had in the past, I'm pretty sure I *could* join, but they certainly wouldn't know what they were getting .

Add to that the fact that even in my supposed sphere of expertise, I still feel like a complete idiot, I might not go down too well (I try to keep it well hidden, which is why I stick to rambling jokey threads on here - somebody might expect me to know something otherwise!

I might give the test a go - but I'd feel if i got a poor score.

That's why I suggested the Mensa link. I think it is 30 questions in 30 minutes. Managed 23/30, but skipped three as I was at work and was too busy to concentrate on them, as they were anagrams.
Aaaaggghhhh, 3:0 to Scotland!!!
I can't bear to go up to Audio and Television to watch. Should really. Maybe at half-time.
Anyway, hope you get a chance to give it a go. At least no one will know, except you. It is not linked to Mensa. They send you a test seperately for assessment if you want to have a go properly.
I only did it, because they ran a test in conjunction with The Times, in 1990, and I finished in the top 100.Reckon only 102 entered!!!
Anyway, back to the threads..


TTFN

Neal

Did the score improve? If not here's some to cheer you up....if it did, have a to celebrate

I meant to ask you - in Robin Hobbs' books, is the Fool *definately* male?....I keep wondering if that's going to be the twist in the tale