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

So they never allowed you out in public then...

Ummm, ya know? I'd rather not talk about it. That chapter ended over 30 years ago, and I try to keep the door closed on it.

Righto.

*with such annoyingly limited chat-time, tries to think of something light, fun, and not too overly dangerous to natter about*

Yeah, that's about what I thought.

So let's start somewhere again ... Besides photography and motor-bikes, what really piques your curiosity or interest? I like mysteries and mental challenges.

I've got a black belt (karate) and Do Tae-kwon-do as well. Play street hockey and do gymnastics.

Quite an athletic lad then. I used to be quite good at gymnastics, when I was still flexible. And of course, being Canadian, I was born with skates and a proper ice-hockey stick.

Rollerblades and hockey sticks, in the middle of the street, trying not to slam the ball into cars or house windows...
That's the life!

Ah, but when I was a youth, roller-blades and inline skates hadn't been made yet. Sneakers on pavement, or blades on ice ... The only options.

Far more fun my way...

How is that possible? I thought everything was bigger, better and more fun in Canada.

Nah - that's only in Texas!

For a number of years, my parents hosted "exchange" students from all over. One season, there was a girl from Texas ... And she was astounded to learn that all but our two smallest provinces are bigger than her state. She was a little less arrogant after that.

I lived there for about a year when I was a kid. Kept the drawl in the accent... I don't think people can ever lose it.

No one can really determine where I originated by my "accent". Having lived and worked in a number of parts of Canada, and even briefly the US ... I have a blend of all the regional accents. When we used to occassionally talk on the phone, lil said I sounded neither Canadian or American.

I'll probably really stand out when we visit the UK, later this year.

Mine's mainly still Spanish, with the Texan drawl Although a lot of people find it very difficult to understand me

You sound pretty clear here. The accent is barely discernible.

Fortunately when typing, accents do that

Ah, so you wear gloves while typing, just so no accent sneaks through, eh?

BTW, I saw your update ... Your heart has opted to play nice again? Great news, my friend.