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

Blimey, that was a manic couple of weeks. Didn't actually do much, but still had no time for myself. Odd.

Anyway, back to the topic in hand.

Yes, I think you have to believe yourself to be intelligent in a way - you know what you know, and you know when you (roughly) understand what you're talking about. But it's difficult to say "I'm clever" without sounding like an arrogant old git.

Or we all could be totally hat-stand.

"hat-stand"? You Brits always have the best colloquialisms. That's probably why I find Viz so funny.

I, too, have had a busy couple of weeks. I went off to Whistler and had lots of fun (except on Saturday when it rained), and I was promoted to Project Lead at work so I'm a lot busier now. Plus, I've been playing Diablo II until my eyes fall out of my head. Woo hoo!

With all the excitement going on right now, I seem to have neglected my h2g2 duties somewhat. However, I'm back now and I'll try to pop by more often.

So how's tricks, Frizz?

Hey, welcome back honey!

tricks are fine - everything's pretty much groovy - although I am totally skint. Went to see Chicken Run tonight - and for a kids film there were an awful lot of adults in the audience (I counted 5 kids total!) And possibly the most uncomfortable seats in the world. Numb buttocks after about 5 minutes!

I haven't seen Chicken Run yet. I'll probably pick it up on DVD. I just don't seem to be able to get out to the theatres anymore.

Of course, I have my own theatre, and there are no drunken people sitting behind me screaming and vomiting, and nobody crinkles plastic bags constantly until I have no choice but to make them eat the bag, and nobody sits nearby explaining upcoming scenes to their friend because they've already seen the flippin' thing.

Mmmm... home theatre...drool... oop, sorry, don't know what came over me there.

Grrr - I'm jealous

Thankfully though, my experience of cinema-going isn't anything as horrific as your sounds. There is definitely something extra added to the film experience by watching it in a crowd (and not just vomit down the back of the neck).

Yes, the vomit down the back of the neck is no fun at all, even if you know the guy (especially if you know him).

I once went to a movie with a few friends, several of whom were drunk. Remember that this theatre is in the heart of the city - not a suburban movie house. While we're standing in line, one of them (the "adventurous" one) saw that someone had left half a coke (a fast food coke in the waxed-paper cup) just sitting there on the curb. He didn't see the person leave it there - he just noticed it sitting there.

So he goes over, picks it up, takes the top off and starts drinking it (remember, he's very drunk). This, of course, makes me sick because I am not drunk. So I tell him to stop drinking the coke and he says something like, "but it tastes good". So I say, "sorry, man, you shouldn't be drinking this stuff" and I throw my cigarette in the drink. Pshhhh...

He looks at the cigarette floating in the drink for a moment, and then drinks the bloody thing anyway. If you think I let him sit behind me during the movie, you are tragically mistaken.

I believe him to be marginally "hat-stand", at least when he's drunk.

What an unpleasant story - he must have been pretty pissed to drink that - jeez, what possessed him (OK so he was drunk - but surely...)
I hope it quenched his thirst

It is kind of an unpleasant story, isn't it? Odd, it was funny at the time. I don't know whether or not it quenched his thirst but it sort of managed to kill my appetite. He's done much worse, believe me when I tell you. Some stories, though, don't bear repeating, even here on h2g2.

Hey - I've only just figured wehat the change in subject heading means - but not sure whether it is patronising or just self-deprecating!

I actually just meant it to be funny. I'v never considered myself sexy, really, so I guess it would be self-deprecating. Definitely not meant to be patronising and, in fact, I kind of thought it could be taken that way after I'd hit post. Live and learn...

hey, as long as you were taking the mick out of you and not me (Or else there'd be BIG trouble - I'm in the mood for a fight today - bit of a cruddy day at work)

Good lord, frizz, I hope work doesn't have you frazzled. Frizz-frazzled. Yes, I'm an idiot.

Sorry you had a crummy day at work. Look on the bright side, though: you get to go back to work the very next day.

OK, perhaps that was a bit tactless, given you seem about ready to punch my lights out anyway. Couldn't you punch someone at work instead? I'd be much happier with that turn of events.

Apologies. I'm in a bit of an odd mood tonight. Mischievous? Perhaps...

And up very late - not like you, Nick. What's got you in such a cheeky mood?

I am feeling considerably more calm today - but ought to get myself off to work (and hopefully have a good day - no hideous meetings scheduled, hurrah)

The sun is out, it's a beautiful day - -where else would I rather be but work

Hmm, it must be the late nights. Whatever could be keeping me up 'til (looks at clock) 3:54am? I'm thinking it could be Diablo II, but I could be wrong.

Nope, it's Diablo II, I was bang on the money there. I'm very very tired now and I think I'm going to be late for work tomorrow.

Diablo II is wrecking my life. Or maybe I just don't have any self-control when it comes to addictive video games. The time sure does fly by, doesn't it?

So how is the Diablo II scenario going? Bored yet?

No, actually, I finally managed to develop a barbarian (on my third attempt) that seems to be able to survive. He's made it through the game on the first two difficulty levels and is now working on beating the game in the third, hardest, difficulty level (called, appropriately enough, "Hell").

I thought that, once I have accomplished this feat that I would set the game aside for there would be no more worlds to conquer, but it seems I am mistaken.

Blizzard (makers of the game) have just anounced that they are releasing an expansion pack for Diablo II, with new characters, monsters, items, and an entire extra act (Act V), which can be played on all three difficulty levels. This expansion pack should be available right around the time I beat Diablo in "Hell" difficulty, so my late-night, no-sleep sorrows shall continue well into the next year, I fear.

Curse you, Blizzard.

Beaten hell yet?

Yes, actually. My barbarian is now level 74 and has beaten Diablo a couple of times in hell difficulty. I have since started a new character (an amazon) who beat Diablo in normal difficulty not too long ago. Her name is...OK, hold on. Before I tell you her (my amazon's) name, I should explain that most words in the dictionary and most words not appearing in the dictionary are already taken when it comes to character names on battle.net. So, you really have to start reaching into obscure areas of strangeness in order to come up with a name that is not already taken by someone else.

Having said that (remember, what's in a name, anyway?), I can now tell you that her name is... Binchcakes. Well, Dame Binchcakes actually, since she defeated Diablo and gained a proper title.