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

Hi Rich Dee,

Already explained but 1st day and can't stop typing (oh, and always forget.

You were right - well I'm not Jason so A was the right answer.

How's Anna K. - I read it, funny thing is can't remember very much about it - I mean I know she had an affair with Wronski or Vronski and that son of hers. Have you tried War and Peace yet? Now that's what I call epic!

Already been talking to the lovely Dutch ex-pat. Hope you enjoy your week-end (in the library, I wonder?).
Seeyaround (think I've made a new word!)

Koen, the Belgian Chocolate Element (Bc)

Hi Koen, great to hear from you

So, you found us at last, eh!

I am reading "Anna Karenina" because I decided to join Oprah Winfrey's book club on the internet, and that's the book she's reading this Summer.

Oprah has worked out a reading plan which means that her viewers only have to read eight or nine pages a night, every night from the first week in June til the first week in September. But I have joined the club halfway through (I joined last week), so I am still 250 pages behind the whole of America at the moment!

Also, you might have noticed on here, I picked up a brand-new copy of Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment." So I'm reading that one as well.

And "The Winter Queen" by Boris Akunin (who is nowhere near as good as Tolstoy - Akunin's style of writing tends to distance the reader from his characters.)

So, in answer to your question from yesterday - I have barely started "Ice" by Ed McBain!

Hope you have a good weekend. I'll add you to my "friends" list on H2G2.

Rich

(Sheep = The Chinese Year when I was born...)

Hi Rich,

I do like the Russians - read Crime and Punishment but I don't know it's quite double, I mean it's interesting however Raskolnikov's rambles made it hard to follow (hey, could be just me not concentrating!).

I checked the CB - guess Perks isn't awake yet!

Sun is doing her best over here, and there's a bunch of children running around (our quarter was built around a playground) and before I know it I'm strolling down Memory Lane (one of my flaws) - seems only yesterday when I was little (well, I'm only 24 now).

Already like this place it's a bit 'deeper' than the CB - don't get me wrong I love the CB as well (as long as you-know-who isn't there).

Till next time, here or in the coffee bar.
Still haven't seen Kuik, must do a google.
Have a nice weekend, Rich!
Koen

Hi Koen

I'm late today as the library opened 15 minutes late this morning, due to "staff shortages" as they say!

Like you, I am having a bit of a hard time with all the "ramblings" in Dostoyevsky, such as the 14 page drunken speech in the bar from one of the early chapters. In some ways, Tolstoy is much easier to read - most of his chapters are only 4 or 5 pages long.

I didn't read much of "Anna" yesterday, as I read 50 of the 70 pages of "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde", to give the story its proper title. It is going to be shown as a drama on British TV (ITV network) this Autumn - starring the actor John Hannah (the one who read the eulogy in "Four Weddings and a Funeral"). Very interesting story - Hyde is much shorter than Jekyll so really he should be played by a different actor!

Just about to see what's on the Coffee Bar.

There are plenty of Google images, indeed, entire websites, showing the lovely Tiiu Kuik (mole on left cheek). Sadly she will still be half my age for several more years!

Have a good Sunday

Rich

Hiya Rich,

Been trying to think about C & P and I remember the lady from the well, I think her home was sort of a pawn shop (I don't know how far you've progressed yet, so will wisely shut my mouth!

Dosto's other creation 'The brothers Karamazov' is also a bit of a challenge in my opinion. Liked 'Oblomov' but can't remember the author's name (another Russian).

I usually mix up 'easy' and 'harder', both in Dutch and English.
Dickens, Sue Townsend, Louis de Bernières are my anglo-favourites.
Almost forgot Burgess - so versatile!

Maybe you remember my mention that I was reading 'I, Jan Cremer' - it's just about the adventures of a rebel - he speaks explicitly about his sex life - I can't help blushing sometimes - but the way he writes is so carefree and he's so honest about everything (you can tell he's Dutch) - lost cohesion of sentence but it's a good book.

Have you read 'Wild Swans'? I thought it was fantastic!!!!!!!!

BTW Rich, guess who's performing at Belgian R2's Summer Hit Festival?
Right, Matt Bianco. Their single 'Ordinary day' is getting a fair share of airplay - and I think it is the ideal soundtrack for barbecues.

You seem to spend a lot of time in the library. My problem is I'm easily distracted, I find it very hard to concentrate. Last time I was there this man was coughing and I just wanted to hit him on the head with an encyclopedia (dangerous element of society!). Bc has this little dream when he finds dreamhouse to decorate a room as a library - much wood (light shades) and very warm colours - a place to let off steam, quoi. On the wall there would be a reproduction of Edward Hopper's painting 'Nighthawks'. Do you know him? - his work is very atmospheric. I'm afraid I'm quite a culture vulture (broad horizoned me ey). Pretentious, moi?

WILL talk to you later, DO have a nice Sunday and if anyone gets the idea to play Eminem in the library, you go ahead do whatever you like, you have my blessing. (Inciting others too, immoral Bc!)

Koen

Hi BC, I got your two messages.

I'll check out the various references you've made - have heard of Wild Swans but haven't read it yet.

The library isn't noisy most of the time, just background muttering, and gurgles from the occasional infant. Yesterday the librarian was playing the best of Nat King Cole - definitely preferable to M&M.

Good news about Matt Bianco. Isn't it funny how certain bands become very popular in other countries, years after they had success in the UK. Do you know the British west-country band XTC? They're very popular in Austin, Texas, and other college towns in the USA!

See you

Rich

Yeah! Andy Partridge & co. You remember Kim Wilde? I think it's always nice when they come back from the eighties. Last year she had a big hit over here with Nena (remember!) 'Anyplace, anywhere, anytime'.

Really should stop smoking! This morning when I heard my own voice I sounded like Barry White meets Kim Carnes ft. Bonnie Tyler & Rod Stewart.

I'm app'ing (red Martini)but I think it's a tad too hot in France.

Take care Rich

Cyaround sometimes somewhere somehow.

Bc

Hi BC

Sister came back from her family camping trip in the French Alps at the weekend. She was there in time to see the whole entourage of the Tour de France, so she has a lot to say about the various Belgians & Dutch & stranded Poles that she met!

Nena? 99 Red Balloons, was it?

Rich

Hi Rich,

That Nena indeed.

Only 2 boards and already I can't keep up, so I'm leaving CB for a while (probably it's just 'hours').

I can't stand these I want to be in the TDF too - hobby - cyclists. They're always 60+ and they think they own the road!

Rant over.

One of these days I might try a bedtime story for Jen. (just for laughs). Nothing serious, nothing vulgar so feel free to hop over to Jen's page if you want to check my pen-fruit. Think by the end of the week or so.

Take care Rich
Bc

I can't wait.... I think!

Rich in the library?

I need all the support I can get! What have I said?
Hope inspiration doesn't fail me. Then again, a word IS still a word.

Have a good day bookworm!

Bc