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

Sorry, I couldn't resist it...

No - you're not boring! Au contrare, it is I who is boring, because absolutely nothing of note has happened to me for nearly three weeks.

I've been at home, you see, for Easter, so It's a case of finding things to amuse myself. You tend not to realise until you've left that uni is so incredibly eventful and action packed. At home is like being in some sort of coma. So there is nothing especially new in my life. A very close friend is having ex-boyfriend troubles which I'm worried about, but apart from that, my life is about as dull, as, say, a match at Leicester.

Anyway, it's Easter time now, so will you be spending a whole load of money on eggs for the kids? Will you get one to yourself, more to the point? I won't be getting any at all this year. I'm telling everyone this because it's so upsetting - I'm "getting too old" now to have one. *Sniff*.

Ah well, I didn't want one anyway... Or, at least, that's what I told my parents...

Exams are looming in the sense that they're at the end of this term, but there's going to be another 6 weeks of lectures (starting Tuesday) before then. Aargh. What a nightmare.

But still, nevermind, eh?

*Adopts best maternal attidtude, which isn't easy as Gwennie doesn't have one*

One's never too old for an Easter Egg, sweetie! I tell my overweight hubby ever year, at Christmas and Easter that he's too big, fat and old for sweeties, but he insists and has a tantrum if I "do not comply"!

This year, I attempted to "do a deal" with the kids and bought them a video each ("South Park, the Movie" and "The Aristocats") but my mother then sent £20 to buy eggs with!

I treated myself to a bottle of cider and a Nina Simone CD which was only £4.99....

The only egg outside a health food shop that is dairy free and suitable for vegans are the After Eight ones, so Mair has one of those.

Technically, we shouldn't celebrate Easter or Christmas anyhow, being atheists, but my hubby and sproggs are too greedy to miss out on the fun!

You must have so much fun at university and really wish that I'd had the chance to go. Both my brothers went but my parents seemed to think that girls didn't and tried to push me into the local technical college when I left school to train as a secretary! Having spending my final two years at school on a Commercial Course, learning to be an office doormat, it was the furthest thing from my mind. Then my parents tried to get me into British Airways where my dad was "management" and my mum also worked. Thankfully, a pilot's daughter got the job and I landed a job with the Rank Organisation at their film division as an office junior (okay still a door mat but I was having fun and earning much more than my mother who was an accounts clerk at British Airways at which she was unimpressed!).

Things were like that in those days unless your parents were "enlightened". Their only ambition for me was to be a secretary, marry an Tory accountant (like my father), settle down in a leafy suburb and spend my weekends visiting my parents so they could see their grand children!

Do I sound bitter and twisted? I suppose I am, really! Do you know that my school didn't allow girls to do metal work/wood work? We had to do cookery/needlework instead! I'm sure I would have been good at it, as I loved technical drawing - it was one of my top subjects.

Still, whilst we're receiving Income Support, I can study at college in the evenings free of charge and so will do stuff I enjoy there!

I'm sorry you're feeling bored during the holidays. Make the most of it as things look like they're going to be pretty hectic when you return to university...

Take it from a parent's view point with one moody pubescent and one autistic kid in the house for two weeks and one day in total who are both bored, argumentative and hungry...... What ever your boredom is, my frustration and frazzled nerves are two-fold!!! Does that make you feel better? I didn't think it would!

Wow - you're right, I *do* feel better

Back at uni now - thought I swear I've turned into an old person. (Sorry! Although, actually, 42 isn't *that* old...) It is now 11:20 in the evening and I'm going to bed with a nice cup of tea and a good book. *sigh*. The worst thing is that I'm looking forward to it...

I think it's ridiculous that people shouldn't be allowed to study what they want. It works both ways, though, I think - I had a teacher who used to force the boys to do needlework and not let them do woodwork or DT. I resented it a *lot*. It's stupid, though, to impose things like that on kids. I always wanted to do cooking but was never allowed to. Mind you, I reckon it's important not to give kids *too* much choice, because I know that I would never have done *anything* in primary school without being forced...

You're absolutely right about the Easter eggs, though. You're never too old. Even at 42...SORRY!!! I couldn't resist...anyway I'm happy because I got some after all. 3, in fact - not bad at all.

What are you studying at college? If you've already told me, I'm sorry, but I'm a forgetful old sausage.

Goodnight

Gotchya!

Firstly, going to bed with a good book (alone) is one sign of impending old age and secondly, forgetting stuff is another!

I'm only doing a City & Guilds "Introduction to Computing" at college. A lot of the word processing stuff, I already knew although I've discovered a few handy tips that I didn't or had forgotten in my dotage.

Well, I've not worked in a office since 1990. Until then, I'd always worked full time. Even after my first child was born, I went back to work but when my second was born, I couldn't afford two sets of child minder fees.

I was really out of touch on computer stuff as the old PC I had before this new toy was really ancient and only had a word processing package on it which was dated somewhere in the 1980's.... It worked fine, but my new machine is wonderful! In September, I hope to start the next course up, which is another City & Guilds one. You've just reminded me that I haven't been practicing over the Easter holidays! My kids drive me to distraction!

Still, by the time my autistic son is older and hopefully manages to find some kind of work, and I no longer have to worry about school holidays, I'll have a few qualifications under my belt, and be able to get back to work, at last. To be honest and probably very depressing, I don't see my husband ever being well enough to work, at least full time or earning enough to support us as a family and I really can't cope with the idea of living on state benefits for the rest of my working life!

On the bright side, while I am receiving a Carer's Allowance which is topped up by Income Support, my National Insurance stamp is paid and I can at least study at my local college for free! My current course would have cost me over £70 if I had been working, so I may as well make the most of a bad job, hey?

How do you cope with the idea of leaving uni. in debt with the fees they charge nowadays? What do you feel about it and do your parents help out much?

Yeah, well, I try not to think about being in debt after leaving uni...

As far as my views are concerned, I don't get as worked up about it as some people do. There are a *lot* of people at uni these days, so while I think that education should always be free, I can see that sometimes that's not always practical...

Oh, and what do you mean, "...forgotten in my dotage"? Come on, you're just playing for sympathy here. 42 is not *that* old! Not old enough for "dotage" anyway

So what would you *really* like to work as, when you get back to it? Give me your best realsitic hope, or your absolute dream. Or, even better, why not both?

And how do you know that I was going to bed with a good book alone? I was, but that's not the point!

I'm *very* tired so I'm off to sleep. Ciao for now

A young "thang" like yourself shouldn't always be so tired. *Slips into motherly mode* Are you eating properly, dear?

Take it from me, 42 feels old, especially when I remember the miles I used to run in my lunch hour along country footpaths/tracks, followed by an hour or so at the gym in the evening after work, walking miles with the dogs, keeping a huge garden in order, holding down a full time office job and working in a pub part time at weekends, making home made wine, chutney, jam with all the stuff I grew in my garden.......... *Sighs deeply*

Nowadays, when I visit the gym, I'm lucky if I can run a couple of miles on the tread mill, and struggle with half the amount of weight I used to handle only ten years ago!

*Sighs deeply* I think I'll wander off to the knackers yard and shoot myself now!

Perhaps, in the future, I could work with organisations that care for people/animals/the environment. I already belong to Amnesty International and work as a volunteer with the British Red Cross, so maybe I could do something from there... Office work is something I've always done and I can't get enough of learning about my computer, it's software and all the little tricks it can perform so maybe I could put my experience to helping a good cause and scratch a living at the same time...

However, I try not to plan to far ahead, as things never seem to work out how I hope them to.......

Re. going to bed alone.

I guessed that if you'd been playing on h2g2, you probably wouldn't have company! Besides, from my own experiences during my mis-spent youth, if I had someone to share my bed with, I wouldn't have been reading a book, unless it was the Karma Sutra!

I feel all depressed now - cheers!

I don't think I've ever been described as a young "thang" before. Interesting. And yes, I am eating properly - If you count a dinner involving a Lion Bar and two packets of Salt and Vinegar crips "eating properly". Sorry, mum.

Blimey. I don't know why I needed to say that, but I felt somehow that it had to be said. (?)

My mum used to make Jam. She's go out and buy crates and crates of Strawberries and that was it - we wouldn't see her for a week and the kitchen would stuffed with pots and pans and jars and strawberries and this afwul strong, sweet smell that could knock out a dog at 100 metres.

Ah, memories. Hang on, I'm beginning to sound like you now *Possum slaps himself and pulls himself together*

I'm supposed to be a student - drinking every night and staying up until all hours, not sitting at a computer and reminiscing about my mum making Jam.

Sorry, now I'm being all depressing as well.

I'll stop it at once.

Re: Going to bed alone

You're right. I was completely alone. But I'm not sure about the book - I mean, with certain people I can imagine that a book could come in handy...

I am of course only referring to a situation in which the witty and intelligent conversation (which would be the only thing going on) might dry up.

It's refreshing to know that a student's dinner is so healthy and nutritious nowadays! Is this due to the campus food being so awful or you just can't be bothered to get yourself something? Both my brothers used to complain endlessly about the catering at their respective universities... The student union at one brothers' place was alleged to have discovered that bromide was being slipped into the orange squash..... This must have been an April Fool or something!

Witty and intelligent conversation in bed? Wow! Is this some sort of foreplay that I've never heard of, apart from "How about it then?". I've obviously been married too long!

Are you still planning your summer holiday to Corsica or have you settled on somewhere else now?

You're going to hate me for saying this, but right up until your last posting, I assumed you were female! Your last posting is the first time you've mentioned anything that gives me an inkling of your gender! *Gwennie starts to blush and hope she didn't say anything that was too much like "girlie talk" to be embarrassing!*

lol Well, it's not the first time I've been mistaken for a woman - you should see me when I dress up on a Saturday night, when my name turns to 'Deborah'....just kidding!

I don't seem to remember any 'Girlie talk', so I guess I'm ok as far as embarrassment is concerned - that's the one thing about the net isn't it? You're never sure about everything about the other people on here. I mean, I could really be an 80-year-old woman when I'm really an 18 year old man.... *Possum looks at Gwennie suspiciously in case she turns out to be an 18 year old man*

But that's no good - where is the trust?

Anyway, no, I ain't going to Corsica anymore - the plan has changed. I'm now off to Kyrgyzstan on the 17th July to work in the capital Bishkek, in a drop-in centre for homeless kids and in the psychological ward of the children's hospital, for 5 weeks. As you can imagine I'm pretty nervous about it, but I'm also really excited!

As far as dinner last night was concerned there is a long and not very interesting story behind it. I went to the cinema to see two films consecutively (the campus cinema shows independent films from around the world every night) and so sort of forgot to eat. By the time I got out it was gone 11 so the dining halls were all long shut and I only had notes so I couldn't get sandwiches from a vending machine. So I ran all the way across campus to get to one of the bars for change (a good 5/10 minute run), got there just before it shut, got change and managed to get to a vending machine that sells just...erm...chocolate and crisps.

Oh, and I am the most witty and intelligent person on earth so I guess it just sort of comes naturally!

Having the one track, dirt track mind of a 42 year old wife and mother, may I suggest you rephrase your last paragraph!

You never know, to be 18 again I just may consider a sex change as a possibility! So watch out!

I know what you mean about the internet. From time to time, I lurk in the Lexx (it's a black comedy sci-fi series on t.v) chat room. On one occasion, I'd been larking around with a chap who turned out to be 14!!!!! I promptly told him that he'd be better off chatting to my 12 year old daughter who is also a "Lexx" fan! (For a 14 year old, he was certainly erm... how can I phrase this ..... forward!) Also, I used to use the nick name of "Q" which led to much confusion as most folks tended to think that I was a male... Still, it is fun, isn't it?

Excuse my geographical ignorance, but is Krgyzstan a trouble hot spot? Don't they take hostages and stuff there? *Gwen starts to get into motherly mode again and worries* Have you arranged this through one of the aid agencies/charities? What do your family think about it? Mind you, at the same time I feel like saying well done and good for you!

Well done and good for you!

Will you have access to the internet whilst there at all? Have you considered making a report/journal of your visit for h2g2? I'm sure that Shazz, from "The Post" would be interested.....

Try to eat properly tonight or you'll waste away! Catch you later!

Gwennie

Hmmm, okay, I read the last paragraph but being so pure and innocent I hadn't noticed anything even slightly approaching anything rude until now. Honestly - some people! And it's supposed to be only men who think about "it" every 3 seconds...tch. What's the world coming to?

Anyway, moving swiftly on...

I think it's scary how young people are on the net these days (here he goes, off again, sounding like an old man). I mean, I only really started using the net at 18 when I got a new computer for my birthday and even here on h2g2 there are people who are, like, 13. It's scary. Or have I already said that *scans up a little bit*. Yes, I have already used that adjective. Okay, that sentence should have read "it's frightening".

Sorry - I'm in English-essay-writing-mode tonight. But I worry a bit about kids on the internet. Apart from the obvious fact that I know what sort of stuff kids could be exposed to on "the information superhighway", I also think it's kind of sad that teenagers aren't out being teenagers. When I was 13-15 I used to be out every night, "enjoying myself" (or so I thought) and generally being a nuisance. But it's made me a well rounded person (?) now. I worry that spending too much time on the net might make them miss out on all that stuff.

Well, that's my "heavy" thought for the day over with

But on the other hand the net is a lot of fun. Like h2g2, for instance.

When I told my parents I was going to Kyrgyzstan they looked at me as if they were never going to see me again. But they're great people and I know they'll always support me in what I do.

Actually, though, it shouldn't be that bad. I've been reliably informed that Kyrgyzstan is "the most stable and advanced of the Central Asian republics" so I should be okay, I reckon. Apparently the Kyrgyz people are hospitable beyond all belief, even loaning total strangers their cars and apartments, and they are very laid back and fun loving. The only trouble is between them and the Uzbeks, who form a large minority in the country. There's tribal rivalries between them, but this only flares up in rural areas. There's also the odd bandit in the mountains too, but overall it's really safe.

I'm going with a charity called YWAM which runs a permanent thing there as well as sending out groups of students on a temporary basis. So I'm in good hands. Maybe

Now I shall go to bed. I had a cheesburger and chips for dinner, and some Pringles and a chocolate chip slice afterwards, so for once I've eaten well. I don't know why on earth I've just given you all that detail. Sorry to be boring!

I've never heard of YWAM but I expect they're a good bunch! Have you checked out the insurance aspects, etc?

Sometimes I really wish I'd known about such organisations when I was younger and not tied down with family commitments. Still, I've never really been the adventurous sort *sigh"

My 12 year old daughter, Mair is proving to be so good at all her subjects including Spanish and German that I wonder whether she'll end up travelling. Well, she actually does want to go on an expidition to Mars so I suppose that's travelling in the extreme! I'm almost starting to think she's serious as she has had her mind set on it since she was about 9 years old!

Re your meal. Tsk! Tsk! Talk about high fat, sugar and salt content! Where's the fresh fruit and veggies??? Mrs. Beaton would be turning in her grave!

Hey - what's with the name? When I clicked on the link and saw "Vegan Vampire" postings everywhere I had a horrible feeling that I had suddenly been sucked into another dimension with illusory conversations with people I had no recollection of ever posting to. I feared for my sanity.

But then I realised that you'd just changed your name. It was kind of a downer - my version was much more exciting.

But hang on, how do I know for sure...?

Anyway.

I'm sure you actually *are* the adventurous sort - you've been to New Zealand, which is far more adventurous than a lot of people. Anyway, it depends on how you define adventurous, doesn't it?

Oh, and who knows, perhaps when Mair is older she will actually be able to travel to Mars...cool, eh? By the way, why Mair? Is it just a made-up name, or what?

Fresh fruit and veg? What? I don't understand...sorry. You'll have to talk to me in English...

*Possum yawns*

I'm very tired - going to bed (yes, alone)

Buenos Noches

Dont' Panic! My change of name is because I'm currently partaking of a costumed masked ball as a vampire! Simple explanation - but rather sad as I never go to real parties any more (queue violins).

Mair is a Welsh name (it's Welsh for Mary) and was the name of my father's sister-in-law who died shortly before Mair was born. She was sort of a favourite auntie. It's pronounced Myer and a slight emphasis and "rolling" of the "r". Mair gets really cross when people mis-pronounce her name as "mare", which our G.P. always does! One of the reasons I chose that name for her, apart from it being my aunt's name, was because I wanted a name that was really difficult to abbreviate and slightly different (anywhere except Wales that is).

Nah! I'm not adventurous at all and am probably the biggest boring old fart there ever was!

Have you ever actually seen fresh fruit and veg. growing in a garden or pulled and eaten your own carrots, spuds, greens, etc? They taste great and it's very satisfying too. I used to cultivate my garden, organically until the kids came along and moved to places where the gardens weren't really so good for growing veggies. Every spring, I think that I may try something easy like runner beans and peas, but just can't be bothered any more. I really should make the effort.....*sigh*

*Adopts motherly mode*

Hope you have a good sleepyboeboes..... Sweet dreamypoos and don't let the bed bugs or vampires bite!

Ah, all has become clear...(?)

Well, in accordance with your sage-like advice I've now started eating only baked potatos and beans for my main meals. (It's not becuase of your sage-like advice, actually. It's becuase they fill me up and it only cost 96p ) But it's healthy, right?

I always thought that Mair was pronounced "Mare" - silly of me. But then, I didn't mistake you for a man...

Just kidding!

You don't _seem_ that boring to me. But then, that might come after knowing you a bit longer I suppose Hey, I'm just kidding again. I'm sure you're never boring, and you're just trying to be modest.

Right, I'm off to go sit in the sun. Did you see Eurovision last night. How bad was that? Tch.

Ciao

Nope! Didn't see the song contest. I avoid it like the plague although I did watch it the year the Israeli sex change lady was singing and won (good for her!).

Yes, jacket potato and beans are good although to make a "complete" protein you should mix pulse (beans) and grain (bread), e.g. beans on toast, rice and some sort of pulse/tofu. Jacket spuds are good though - lots of vitamin C in the skin, plus roughage of course! (But we don't talk about such poopey subjects on h2g2, do we)

*Slips into motherly, boring old fart mode....*

Don't get sunburned and use lots of sunblock.... My hubby's father died of skin cancer when John was only 6 and I've had a malignant melanoma removed only a few years ago.... So watch it! I know it's nice, relaxing, soothing and FREE but it's dangerous! I used to spend ages sunbathing, running and gardening in the sun and used to sport a fantastic tan. What's more it made me feel good too.... *sighs* Yet another avenue of pleasure cut off!

I've got a really nice tan now actually - I got burned about a week ago and put on some after-sun and wore sun cream for the next day or so and the burn has developed into a really nice tan. And it's not peeling. It's a shame that we have to worry though. Don't you feel really healthy and energetic when you've got a tan? I know I do. Ah well.

I've moved from Jacket potato with beans to bread, butter and whatever spread I can lay my hands on. It's cheeper that way. (I meant to say 'cheaper' then, of course. But you'd spotted that, right?) And right now I need every penny I've got.

And now I'm off to bed. Yesssss! But I'm up at 8.30 tomorrow. NOoooooooooooooo.......

Are you skint and saving money like mad because you're saving dosh for your trip away, or just because you're an impoverished student?

Okay, now I'm confused. You've changed back. But not on all the postings in this forum - there you're still "Vegan Vampire". What's going on? Are you an alien taking over the original Gwennie's identity or something?

I'm not sure if I should reply to you, because I'm suspicious of your motives...but I can see no real damage if I answer your question

*guardedly*

I'm saving money because of....both reasons.

Don't worry! 'Tis only me! I messed up with changing my Email address, ended up with a new page, two identities and loosing my home page..... I think I have it sorted out at last though by creating a new Email account to register with my original home page as the new page has my usual "newish" Email address. h2g2 won't let you use the same Email address if another researcher is using it!

Confused? I know I am...... My old page is in the name of Gwennie once again and the new one is in the name of Gwen....... Vivre la difference, etc.

Are you finding h2g2 slow in the evenings? The other evening, there was over 80 people logged on and it had practically ground to a halt. Mind you, I was up in the night this week and it was super during the wee hours of the morning!

Douglas Adams was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 today.... He was talking about h2g2 and the new film of the Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy... Still no casting news....

It's okay - I'm not after your dosh by the way!