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

hey jen,

am off for an assignment today till the end of the week and then on to the east coast of u.s. for a conference and then a bit of fun, including paris on the way back!

will catch you whenever i sign in...should be able to manage that without being too unfriendly while catching up with friends and relatives in the u.s.!



the author was kiran desai, can't recall the name of the book.

don't much care for ms. arundhati roy, bit of a pretender i think, although her command of the language is phenomenal, no question: she paints beautifully with words.

however: for the sense of speed and urgency and ability to wrap up complexities, that you are attempting: try salman rushdie's midnight's children. it is truly remarkable. sorry to shove indian authors at you, i don't read too many of them...but when thinking fast paced fun, really mid.kids from salman rush. stands out.

got to, got to, got to gooooooo!

indie

Hi indie,

Always great to hear from you! We seem to be on here at very different times. I'm also very snowed under with other work at the minute and loving it though! Organising author visits, readings and signings plus reviewing their stuff and the pleasure of meeting them too. It's just it takes up SO much of my spare time, as still doing the regular stints at daily places of work - library and a bookshop. You wouldn't think I LIKE books etc.. would ye?! Doesn't leave much precious time to scribble away myself, unfortunately. Thank feck I'm a chain-smoking insomanic who has that special 'room of her own', though!

Hope you have a brilliant time in the States, (and PARIS - WOW!), and take time to ENJOY and PARTY some!! I will be venturing over there myself in August for about 3 weeks to a brother residing on the East coast also, and then up to Irish friends in NY. Can't wait to get out of rainy Norn Iron.... Need the heat and insanity...

Checked out Kiran Desai, her debut, 'Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard'. Always love an introduction to someone new and I like the look of this so may order in and get a chance to pour over. Actually have Rushdie's book, just never got around to reading it as yet. 'Tis hard to squeeze in the brilliant ones to read from all the trash I HAVE to read for other reasons. Currently have about 20 books that I am ANXIOUS to devour. Praying for a long, cold winter... days extended to 36 hours...

Was overwhelmed by Roy's 'God of Small Things'. Did acquire a copy of her other book on the dam projects in India, 'The Algebra of Infinite Justice', but prefer her prose. To be honest, wasn't really that interested in the latter one.
Will be reading your latest work later tonight, and want more spilling out from all your adventures and craziness of travel. So get inspired, Indie!

Take care, Kid!

Jen
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Hi Jen,

Just back from the assignment: its one thirty in the morn. so will keep it short!
tomorrow is busy is the last minute rush of packing and a million things before a 28 hour trip to the other side of the world. i hate these long flights...all us non royals doomed to a life time of economy class!

you lucky thing, your job sounds like a dream, but i know the downside...while it all seems great to us outsiders, i'm sure your sometimes stuck with stuck up desperately wanting attention authors who drive you up the wall. but all in all i think the good outweighs the bad and you girl, you just love your job!

Manhattan: the fount of life. who isn't looking forward to it!

listen, i've written something very experimental....a list of words really, a pretender of a poem: what i need to know is does it work? do tell me what you think when you have time.

have no idea when i'll sign in next: so take care! and give that bod and head some rest: you busy bee...go from worker to queen

indie

hey,

what happened to your poem 'f**kbuster'. i read it briefly and wanted to read it again before commenting, but its gone!

remember thinking it was a great piece first time round, although the title foxed me.

what happened?

indie

Hi Indie,

How's YOU doing? I've been away for the w'end...
The said poem has changed from 'F**kbuster' to 'Loose Leaves' as thought, with the advice of Looby and Kev, that it was a bit too harsh, and needed a softer tone. Did have a few alternative suggestions though from Sir Kev: 'Broken Spine', 'Leather Bound', 'Well Fingered Cover' or 'Dirty Book Mark'! I THINK the message of the poem succeeded to deliver alright!!

Wil catch you later, Indie. STAY good!

Jen
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Have just read your latest poem - brilliant Indie! Loved it and have left comment. You really get under the skin of things and create such intelligent and thought-provoking pieces that stay with the me long after read. Thoroughly enjoy discovering your new pieces, Indie genius!!

So you'll be tripping off on a wee holiday soon, long overdue no doubt! Well if I don't get chance to do so before you go, I wish you one helluva time, so experience and savour every moment and flavour! People-watch, day dream, soak it all up, laze about on the long afternoons and stun in the evening heat. Take a dive, that dance and shell-shine!
Enjoy and beware the dratted flies at airports!! Trip the bright fantasico fever pitch! Let your mind sink, swim and sand-blast! Build those castles in the teasing-pleasing beauty-breeze!

Jen
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hi jen girl!

in new jersey, leaving to boston in a couple of hours for the conference. saw all your messages and crits: will write back over the weekend!



jetlagged.

Jet-setting Indie!

Travels with your chant! Will chat on your flighty return! Saor galore, twirl-girl!

hiiii,

see that you've been busy as usual lighting fires in this place: saw that you have posted new stuff, will comment on all of them!

the holiday is great: just came back from fahrenheit 911: a devastating indictment of george bush...as usual, michael moore is both provocative, partisan and hard hitting.

apart from this, have been shopping, eating, playing with kids and walking around boston, manhattan and nj.

how are things with you? all the glamourous book signing and the like? still living life 36 hours a day?

write when you can

indie

Hi Indie,

Welcome back into the bold-fold of Purpledom, all the better for your painted print! Do hope you had a great time away despite the beating it about with Bush, yet Moore the better with the unstupid white man! Actually, Moore paid a visit, (as a customer), to the bookshop last autumn with his daughter. (It was a graduation present - she wanted to visit Norn Iron so they took in both Derry and Belfast). I was OFF that day so was deeply annoyed I missed meeting him! He actually bought a poetry collection from our own Seamus Heaney and a few books on Irish politics. Only one member of staff recognised him. He in his usual scruffy attire, strangly hair and baseball cap! I think the man is top dog and hope to view his latest documenatary that caused a storm in the Cannes festival (I think that was where it was showcased recently?), before it is either banned or too edited.

New York - Wow! I hope to be doing the same things you have had pleasure in by the middle of August! Can't wait! Trying NOT to get TOO excited as have so many things to sort out first PLUS try and save some money! My younger brother has kindly, more than generously, purchased the ticket for me. He resides in Baltimore so that is my first stop then the Big Apple. Will cherish the bite!

And you're right about those bleeding authors! Three were meant to turn up last Wed night! Only one made it, one went into labour, (as if she didn't KNOW her due date!), and the other was caught at customs in USA! That's what they told us the day before. Ah well, was a great night anyway as author who DID turn up was a breath of fresh air and well-grounded. Have no more big events for a wee while now, although 36 hours is still NOT enough!! Have a hectic social life too. Dancing from one thing to another. Do love it though!

See that you have left us all another poem, will read and leave comment later. And thanks for reading my mere efforts. Really appreciated, Indie. Will reply back soon.

BTW Machibelly has left and has now set up a 'Purple Patch' place on his website for some of us to join. Looby, Kev and I are planted in there. Can't recall the link but will find it for you if interested, that is if you even have time, you're SO busy jet-setting round the groovy globe!

Will pitter-patter off now but will batter on now.
Great to see you back, Cool Chick!

Speak again soon!

Jen

how do you do this: the beat around the bush and moore the better?! fantastic...that city mind of yours!
no traffic jams in that head ever, the words just flow

well, my trip here is almost done, just some wicked shopping left to do...at the mall, i've read your trolley piece, will be leaving a message on it shortly: but in the meanwhile: spending those bucks just like you said...and on my third world salary, that's dangerous!

but you, girl, better start savouring the look forward to the trip...wonderful addictive manhattan: hung out at soho: you must eat at a restaurant called ideya, its a latin bistro: we did the girl thing there, and the food is fab. also there is a store close by called anthropologie....jen, jen, jen...you'll want to buy out the store!

have met a number of irish throwbacks here: they have large families and have been regaling me with their get togethers...i thought only indians bred in the dark

great to hear of your active social life...living on the edge is the way it is

tried getting onto machiabelly's link as looby has sent it to me, but can't connect: so please do resend it.

this is a short break into purple patch, tomorrow its off to paris...and then drudgery: the reality of work and home!!!
but what the hell, its a great party!

hugs,

indie

Hi there honey-bun-fun!!

See you're darting to & fro this eve wth a slide and a swing!! Catching up and merry chat! See lovely (loopy!!) Loo is on same time too! The power-puff gals out with their fluff and flavour! Me getting a bit carried away....

Sir Machi's link is:
http://groups.msn.com/purplepatchers
I haven't paid a visit since Fri night, but intend to pop in later. Machi is still perfecting it and it changes continually. Is also a bit of fun and a great way to keep in contact with His madness! If you have any more problems getting set up let us know and can alert Machi. All its messages now come straight into my email a/c, so have direct access back into it's lair.
Will take a note of the places you suggest in NY. The Irish one's I will be staying with are currently here so my excitement is begging to burst! Just have to control it for few more weeks! Have been there before, 4 years ago, and fell in love with the magic.
So the Indians & Irish embrace multiplication?! The dark has NOTHING to do with it!! Some would say it's the weather or being a devout Catholic, who knows? Who cares! Love is love in all guises and positions! Just DON'T break a leg! Ha!

And YOU are to be whisked off to the stunning city of euromantic 'Paris'? Love it, ma cherie et bon chance! Eiffle all towers! And party, party, party, girl!!! WANT all the magic spilled on your return!

Take care & be wickedly good!

Au revoir, amie!

Jen
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