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

Hello there, I was just browsing and noticed that you like rock and roll,jazz,dogs and football or soccer as you call it.

All four subjects are in the top ten on my hobbies list.,. I live in the North East of England but I have always had a great interest in America.I have visited the USA onthree occasions on holiday and will be going over again in September.Please feel free to drop me a line, I would like to here from you.

Pal-ladin.

Hello Pal-ladin,

I remember that show! I guess that puts a date on me

Thanks for dropping in, and I'd be glad to trade lines from time to time.

Whereabouts will you be when you jump the puddle next September? Have you relatives you come to see?

I'm looking forward to future conversations.

Hello again

It is indeed an old TV show, I think around 58 /62.I thought the signature tune was great also. In September we will be flying to New York and staying for five days,then flying to Orlando for eleven days.We are hiring a car and then just doing our own thing.There's four of us, we'll travel across to the west coast of Florida and take it from there.Iv'e been to some of the southern states in the past,ie Atlanta,Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nashville that was October 1999.In 2000 we did the west coast tour from LA up to San Francisco and down the west coast,I enjoyed every minute of it.2001 was Orlando (Disneyland)with the grandkids. Where abouts did you say you lived,was it Mass.? Must apologise about getting your title wrong, got it right this time. I think there's nearly a song title there.Nice talking to you ,tell you about my dog next time. Palladin.

Hello there!

You'll have missed the blazing hot weather on your southern trips then. Good timing to visist the southern states. I was in Alabama once in August and the heat was oppressing. I swam in a stream that was so warm I could not tell the difference between that and the air. One day was 100 degrees with 100 percent humidity. Although it has been below zero the last few nights here and I could use some of that heat now.

Yes, I live in western Massachusetts, at the foot of some ancient mountains called the Berkshires. Not much more than hills now, my home is only 900 feet above sea level. If you haven't, some day you should try to see autumn in New England, when the trees go wild. It's the reason I still live here. Getting the timing right is the hard part. These trees are not dependable. They can turn color anywhere from late September to late Otober depending on when the cold starts to blow down from Canada. But oh, when they turn! It once struck me that perhaps it was their way of singing. If so, they have beautiful voices.

You should have kept mum about missing my title, until you mentioned it I hadn't noticed!

I am looking forward to hearing about your dog. I have always had them in my life, and worked for a humane society for twelve years.

Well, time to , nice chatting with you.

Hiya

We, that is to say my wife and me have talked about going to New England in autumn at some time. We look at pictures and the scenery etc and say " yes it's one for the future", not too distant future I hope.How's your guitar playing going?. I had a guitar which my grandmother bought me when I was 12 years old, turned out to be a waste of time. Parents could'nt afford the tuition, I was one of five kids, there was'nt a lot to go round.My dog Stella is a stray, she had a terrible early life. She's very nervous particulary when out amongst people and traffic until we get into the fields away from everything.She's a rotty/alsatian cross coming up 4 years old in Oct.Black and tan. We've had 3 strays over the years, never been without a dog.Stella had a big operation last year,tell you next time. Off to Spain on Sunday for a week's sun, six of us, go every year.Will write when I get back. I've got rock n roll on while talking to you, who's your favourite artist?. Palladin.

Well if you ever have questions or I can help with local info, just ask. You never know what I might be able to find out. Inside information can make or break a trip.

These days I tend to play my guitar only when the mood suits and the time allows, which certainly narrows down the windows of opportunity. Still, since I’m not in the profession any more and never played guitar professionally anyway, there’s no harm done. In the seventies I was a percussionist professionally for a while, and actually was able to eat but not much else. I kept a classical guitar that I bought as a teenager, and when my two boys were growing up would sometimes drag it out to entertain them, and even wrote some songs for them. I just sent one of the songs along to my sister in Kentucky to use on her grandchildren (she always was a much better guitarist than I ever was). Nowadays I have a Les Paul style electric, so I can pretend to be a rock star. I like so many artists, I don’t dare name a favorite! Depends on my mood too, I suppose. As far as rock and roll, I tend to drift back more to my earlier days although I do like some of the new stuff I hear. A sampling of artists would be Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mark Knopfler, Annie Lennox, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana. Then there’s Van Morrison, too. Jazz, I actually do like some of the old big band stuff, Cab Calloway, all that. Some of the more recent contemporary guys like Bob James, Pat Metheny, Earl Klugh. I like Natalie Cole’s voice too. So what are your favorites?

Stella must be a good size if rotty means rottweiller. When we worked with them here I recall they were often a nervous breed, perhaps she gets some of that from her genes. Let me guess that the surgery was a hip replacement or a cruciate repair. Those were the most common I saw on that breed. I had a German short haired pointer once that was a basket case most of the time about everything, and it worsened as the years went on. When I first got her I was able to take her bird hunting but after two seasons she became gun-shy. Eventually she became everything-shy. Funny though, that the boys could still climb on her, yank her ears, everything and she would just let them. I always thought that all in all, mixed breeds are the way to go.

Spain sounds like fun! Isn’t it odd, I suppose going to Spain for you is like my heading off to North Carolina, or Kentucky, but to me it seems much more exotic (and they have a better football team!) I watched Barcelona lose the UEFA cup round. My younger son was disappointed. You’ll have to tell me more. Do you go to southern Spain? It’s probably beautiful there about now. They tell us we may get 18 inches of snow in the next few days. I hope they are wrong (again).

Have a good time, and we'll be in touch when you return

I've been and come back. We had a great time, the weather was warm rather than hot but got hotter as the week progressed. It's a two and a half hour flight to Benidorm which is situated in south east Spain. It's more commonly known as the Costa Blanca.Full board with 7 breakfasts 7 lunches and 7 evening meals with a help yourself policy, and then out on the town till 3 in the morning certainly puts the pounds on.My wife went to her slimming class earlier and told me on returning that she has'nt put an ounze on,there's always one is'nt there?. Benidorm is a place thats always got something going on, you could be up all day and night if you were up to it.When we take off we are in the north east of England. The plane travels west until it reaches Manchester then turns south and flys the lenght of England.Then it's out overthe English channel and into French airspace. At some point we fly over the Pyranees andinto Spanish airspace,flying over Barcelona, Valencia onto Alicante airport which is about 45 minutes from Benidorm.It is a beautiful place at this time of year, the orange and lemon trees are in full bloom. We always take a half day trip outside of Benidorm to one of the old spanish villages with the guide explaining various places and things of interest.On the subject of Stella's operation you guessed right it was cruciate ligament damage but I;ll tell you next time, also some of my rock and roll favourites. Hope all is well at your end.

Welcome back! Well, it sounds like you had some great R&R! Little of import has gone on here since you left, but I did join the h2g2 photographers group and have got a picture accepted already! It's on the gentle art of screwing (suggestive but as it turns out, has to do with fasteners). The article is here at A493562.

I'm looking forward to hearing your musical favorites, and more about your pooch. Keep in touch!

I had a look at your picture, It's good, I like unusual pictures. I went on to the photographers group and I must say there are some stunning pictures there.On the subject of Stella's cruciate it was her right rear leg. Happened in January last year, we dont quite know how but suspect it was while running after a ball that I threw for her. Thinking she was getting exercised but according to the vet some big dogs dont need to run to get exercise.It was three months after the op before we could take her for any sort of walk and then it was only 5 minutes and back home. She had a metal plate inserted and screwed into place, but she has made a full recovery.Needless to say we dont throw balls anymore, if she wants to run she does otherwise forget it.My favourite music era is 1955/1970.To mention a few favourites they would be, Roy Orbison,/Eddie Cochran/Fats Domino/Buddy Holly but I have to say that there's one man who beats them all for me and that;s Elvis.I haven't mentioned any English artists because for me they could'nt do rock and roll like the Americans could, by the way I forgot to mention Little Richard.There is other types of music I like such as new country,blues,soul.The first record I bought was Walk on by sung by Leroy Van Dyke.Are you familiar with Google Earth?.I use it quite a bit it's great going all over the world by satellite.

Well I guess that a picture of a screw certainly can be considered unusual under most circumstances. I have been a photographer for decades, and I would dare say I have a lot of unusual photos. I'll find a way to share some of them some time.

I think that big dogs must put a lot of stress on their cruciate ligaments when they accellerate or run up hill. Since we walk upright (except for Friday nights perhaps) our knees probably can take more stress by design. Having said that, it's not unsusual in runners and skiers to blow out an "ACL" as well. My sister has a weimereiner that recently suffered an injury and she told me that she actually found a place with a long water tank that was only about 5 or 6 feet wide, where she can bring him for swimming as she walks alongside! An excellent way of toning muscle without stressing joints or ligaments.

I can appreciate much of the music and artists you mention. In fact, I convinced my son to learn some songs with me and one of the songs we agreed on was "no particular place to go" by Chuck Berry. I suppose nostalgia leans me towards music of the 60s and 70s because I was cutting loose then, but that doesn't mean I don't remember or like much of the earlier stuff. Elvis of course will always be "the King" but I confess I also remember seeing his films in drive-ins only because my parents put me in the back of the station wagon in my PJ's. Roy Orbison's original "pretty woman" was never beat by any of the later re-recordings as far as I am concerned. I love Little Richard! He's such a whacko, too. Did you know that Jimi Hendrix played in his band for a while before making it on his own? I saw The Who play along with the Jefferson Airplane once, and I was just amazed by The Who. What energy! It was the week before Woodstock and they were scheduled to play there so they didn't smash their equipment like they often did but as a musician, that didn't bother me since I hate to see good equipment go to waste! I didn't go to woodstock because I was too tired fromm hitch-hiking to the Newport Jazz Festival and sleeping out of doors in a parking lot.
Over the years, my tastes in music have swung all around. The first record I ever bought was 96 tears by Sam the Sham and the Pharaos. WHen I played professionally I was mostly in folk and rock bands. I went through a country and bluegrass phase. The bluegrass harmonies are remeniscent of bagpipes, I think. Makes sense, much of the southern Appalachians was populated by Scotts. As a young man Hard Rock often seemed to fill the needs of the surging testosterone, I guess. And then every now and then I'd rather listen to Beethovens "Eroica" or some good Bach. Go figure.

I have been on google earth, and I agree it is entertaining. My younger son showed it to me one day - look, here is where we are! I have a hand-held GPS unit too, which is a fun toy when in deep woods. Near home it's not a necessity, but when I go to Up-state New York and there is nothing between me and the Canadian border but 300 miles of woods, mountains and swamps, it makes me feel more comfortable. I never leave my compass home though, just in case.

Keep in touch

Well, there's a thing,you learn something every day. Jimi Hendrix playing for Little Richard. I must say though I would rather he stayed with Little Richard. Was'nt keen on what he did.On the subject of Elvis,as an actor I thought he was average but thinking about you going to see his films in the back of your parents car makes me so happy really.I'veread about drive in movies, seen it in films and I just love the whole idea.His early films I really enjoyed, such as King Creole,Jailhouse Rock,Love me Tender but after that they were all the same.Roy Orbison, Of whom Elvis once said, "If I could sing like Roy Orbison I'd be twice as famous as I am now was always my second favourite singer. I have been lucky enough to have seen him live three times in the sixty's and to this day i have never seen anybody as good live.I was looking at the history of Sam the Sham and could'nt find anything on 96 tears. What year was it released?.I remember Woolly Bully being a big hit over here and my younger brother went crazy over it and he was'nt particulary into music as such, although we did go to dances a lot together.It's 12-30 am here now. Ive been to the club with a couple of friends for a few drinks and a game of dominoes, I do this every other Tuesday night.The other week I work., nights that is.I've been on google earth and flew over west Massachusetts around the Berkshire hills, brought up Pittsfield,Berkshire and Cheshire. Are you anywhere in that vicinity?.Was following route 8 for a time?.300 miles of woods I just cant imagine, we've got an area close to us called Hamsterly Forest but it's just a picnic area in comparison.How often do you go Up-state New York.I'd be frightened to death.Well I think I'll go to bed now and hope to here from you soon.Take care and stay in touch

Oh, Drive in movies! I am so sorry they are a rare find these days but the audience and the movie industry is so different they couldn't survive. There are still two that I could get to but they are an hour away, one north, one south. Not worth it when the movie ends at 11 or with a double feature, 2 or 3 a.m. They were still doing well when I was a young man with a car of my own and I still have memories of certain dates... Oops, better change that subject! I think that the first color movie I ever saw was at a drive-in. It was South Pacific, the cinematic version of the broadway musical. I told someone that once and they didn't believe me until I started singing one of the scores. My memory could perhaps have been put to better use.

But my memory is not always right on, I think 96 tears was actually done by "Question Mark and the Mysterians" now that you say that.

I should have waved as you "flew over" while googling. I live in a little town called Russell, population 1600. It is about 28 miles south-east of Pittsfield as the crow flies. If the crow has to walk it's much further. Since you are handy with those maps, let's see what you can find with latitude and longitude marks: I live near N42 degrees 10.32', W72 degrees 52.01. The Up-State New York site I mentioned is N43 degrees 32.58' by W74 degrees 29.84' (don't expect to see much more than trees there!). We sometimes drive north to N44 degrees 56.69' by W71 degrees 19.68' and go fishing at Little Diamond Pond. That's about 1/2 of the way to the north pole from the equator!

The reason I got to upper New York is an annual week off with some old friends where we hunt the forests thereabouts for deer. We've all been in that sort of environment for so many decades that we are more comfortable in the woods than out. My early years were spent in a bad part of a city, and my adolescent and later years often brought me back into areas where people were by far the most dangerous animal around and trust was rare if it existed at all.

I am more comfortable dropped into a wilderness area than any populated one. I have seen most kinds of wildlife there is to see in New England, from the tiniest shrews and star-nosed moles on up through showshoe hares, bobcats, deer, bear, mountain lion and moose. Last fall I was fortunate enough to have a fishercat walk within 27 feet of me only a few hundred yards from my home and a black bear standing in my front yard. As far as I'm concerned, you can have civilization. I prefer the company of dogs to most strangers, I'm afraid. I don't know how I ever ended up as an analyst traveling the country working so closely with people! I'm very good at reading intent and my patience makes it easy for me to deal with people when they need a little extra help I suppose.

Well I seem to have really run off at the mouth this time! How about telling me a little more about your home town? I'm very curious, never having been off this continent.

I live in a town called Darlington in north east England.I'ts about 40 miles south of Newcastle which is the biggest city in our area. You might associate the name Newcastle with football because of their involvement in Europe.Darlington had a population of 98,000 in 2003.The town is known mainly for i'ts railway connections,the world's first passenger rail journey was between Shildon ( via Darlington) and nearby Stockton - on - Tees on the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825.Darlington F.C. is our local football club, nicknamed The Quakers because of contributions made to the town by men such as Edward and Joseph pease,members of the Religious Society of Friends.I've been watching DARLO since 1969 and keep threatening to stay away because of lack of success. Dont know if i've worked these co-ordinates out right.I can only say D-------n H--- R--D and H-------D A--., anywhere between these ?.By the way if you try to google Darlington it won't show up,annoying I know, yet only a 5 minute walk from my house and i'ts a perfect picture.Go east.Yesterday was the biggest day for horse racing in England, it was the Grand National.40 horses running over four and a half miles and 30 fences.I'ts the only time I put money on a horse,no luck this year. I read your poem, liked it. Will there be anymore?.Got some info on 96 tears, The Stranglers also recorded it.Going back to those latitude longditude, have you got a pool in your back garden?I tend to agree with you for the most part about the company of dogs to people,you get more sense out of them.Today we, thats to say me, my wife and Stella the dog went out into the country in the car, parked up and weny on a 2 mile trek as part of my wife's training for a sponsered walk in July to raise funds for breast cancer.She will have to walk three and a half miles when the time comes. This is the end of my rest week, back to work Monday night, write to you soon

We certainly are aware of Newcastle FC , but know little about them. At least I know little. My son may be able to tell you their home and away jerseys. He's serious about football, to the possibility of playing professionally some day. I have mixed emotions, but always want my boys to follow their dreams.

I did a little digging and learned a bit about Darlington's history. Railroads were important through my area once as well. Very few people know that railway lines were laid from Boston to Albany in a move to compete against the New York Canal. Boston was becoming a starving port until the rail was laid. I'll tell you more on that some time, there were seven stone bridges built near here that still stand today, which allowed the steam locomotives to cross our many winding rivers.

I've found the Darlington F.C. web site and marked it. I will try to keep an eye on their standings in support. It sounds rather like my years as a Red Sox baseball fan. They went eighty something years without winning the series. Finally just a few years ago they broke the "curse of the Bambino" (Babe Ruth who left the Boston Red Sox to play for the New York Yankees) in a stunning series of games. Hang in there, Pal-ladin, everything is possible!

I did have some success googling, I Just can't get too close with satellite but mappage works fine. I also found a few photos on the internet. It reminds me a bit of Manchester Connecticut where my business was for nine years.

You are right on the money with the names you came up with. The pool sounds like a neighbor, I'm not so affluent!

I know of but not much about the Grand National. I know it is the granddaddy of Steeplechasing, though. Did you get to go? I made it to the Kentucky Derby back in 1992, and the experience stays with me to this day. I had a box seat over the finish line! I still remember the crowd singing "That ol' Kentucky Home" and feeling the electricity in the air. Wow! It is all over much faster than the Grand national, because it's only a mile track and no jumping. I also lost my "investments" but I did bring home about 12 mint julip glasses from the bar. Good thing I wasn't driving.

Thank you for mentioning the poem. There will be more, I hope to submit to the post often. The next one should be out this week, I believe.

My respects to the Mrs. for her fund raising. Cancer touches us all. I aid my brother-in-law each year raising money for a local cancer support organization that helps victims cope with the stresses of diagnosis. He and I both have personal vendettas against this nasty disease.

one last thing. Check my h2g2 page for "Pal-ladin - click here" and do so!

Wonderful hearing from you again, don't be a stranger!

I have checked your page, I'ts great.Enjoyed the pictures of the trees in the fall. On the subject of global warming, I think you;ve cracked it. Patent it straight away, you'll never have to work again, (brilliant).Darlington FC's season is coming to a close, only 3 more games left and nothing to play for except pride.There was a chance to do something up until 3 weeks ago, they went 13 matches unbeaten which took them to a play off place but then they were beaten 0-3 at home by non other than their closest and most hated rivals Hartlepool United(local derby match)and they are most certainly going up.Our season starts in August and I get the website up on match days if I'm not going and glance at it now and again. It has the score displayed and up
dates every 2 minutes.

Did you drink all twelve mint julips then?.What goes into one of those that makes them so attractive?.When I go out I drink maybe 5/6 pints of lager then a few southern comforts, nothing wrong there I dont think.I hope your son makes it in the football world, is he a goalkeeper?, I'm just going off the photo's I looked at.I have one daughter not sporty in any way.She has worked in banking and finance since leaving school.She's done very well and is happy with the way things are going for her. Thats all you can ask for really.

I'm a civil servant, have been for the past 18 years and I will be till I retire.Had a lot of jobs over the years,25 at the last count,(REALLY, NO JOKE,).Some of them only lasted a day or two but variety is the spice of life so they say.Here's a question for your son,WHAT IS THE NICKNAME OF NEWCASTLE UNITED?,and a signing off thought. Always remember, It's only the hairs on a gooseberry that stop it from being A grape.

Yes, I'm particularly proud of that global warming solution. Maybe I'll follow your advice and contact the patent office this week. That's interesting, that the soccer season ends for Darlington about now, but I suppose that is so they aren't competing with the premier league for attention? A shame about losing to the arch-rivals. Don't lose hope.

No, I was not responsible for all 12 mint julips, I think I may have been responsible for 6. However, I was there all afternoon, 10 or so races. The big one is last. Mint julips are good for a change of pace, but I don't think I would drink them on a regular basis. Down south they swamp every drink with sugar I think. When I lived in North Carolina I could not get a tea that did not have a sickly amount of sugar in it and coming from New England I always drank mine without any sugar. The bourbon made up for it though. When it comes to refreshments I like stouts best but not everyone carries them here so I try to stay liberal. American tastes tend to run on the light side with beer. Southern Comfort is too sweet for me too. I stick with scotch or bourbon when I do drink liquor but that is usually not often.

Yes, my son is a keeper. I will let you know when I have more pictures to show, if you don't mind looking. I like showing them off. I think you are absolutely right, we shouldn't go driving our kids to do things they don't want. We should show them what options we know of, and that there are unknown ones they should explore for, and hope they find a life that fits their personality.

Twenty five jobs? That beats me by a long shot! I have jumped around some, and I agree about the diversity thing. Someone once advised that you should change your career path about every 10 years, so you don't get bored. I kind of agree. But I can't match that 25.

My son has admitted that you stumped him, he does not know the nickname of Newcastle United. If you tell me I may tease him for weeks before I give him the answer.

I'll have to go get a few Guinness and think deeply about the gooseberry thing. I suspect it needs a little extra help to sound out all the philosophical implications. Kind of like, "No matter where you go, there you are".

Hello again

I couldn't resist pointing this out when I saw it! Roy Orbisons information on the front page - A21178884. I thought of you straight away.

I did see the Roy Orbison article earlier today. I read it all and felt a sense of loss all over again.A nice man,terrific voice and a big miss to millions.I read the book called Dark Star some years ago about his life and I did enjoy it,usually in the past i've tried to read books about entertainers that are no longer here including Elvis, and even though I read a lot those types I cant get away with.There's one other book I did enjoy, Dean Martin's life story, but that's it.

I had a spell a few years ago in fact a lot of years when I drank stout.I drank it half and half with beer,you would ask for either a black and tan,that's Guiness and beer or a stout split which is a bottle of stout poured into a half of beer.A friend informed me last week of a new site similar to Google Earth, it's FLASH EARTH and you can actually see all of Darlington.It's http://www.flashearth.com/

Latitude:54 31 10.4"N
Longitude 1 33 21.3" W is Darlo's old ground, which is being demolished as I write to make way for new housing.

Latitude:54 30 31. 0" N
Longitude:1 32 5. 3" W is where they built the new ground,ready for the start of 2003/2004 season.

Try this, Latitude:54 31 21.6"N
longitude:1 31 8.5"W and tell me the name of the street you come up with.

The nickname for Newcastle United is The Magpies.Well they do play in black and white stripes.

We are a bit busy this week and next, the daughter is in Florida on holiday and the wife is stopping at the daughter's house with the grand kids and I'm at ours with the dog. We pass like ships in the night.

Did you and your son manage to see the European matches this week between MAN.UTD./MILAN and CHELSEA/LIVERPOOL, I was hoping for wins for Milan and LIVERPOOL.

Not a bad site musicovery is it?. I put it on most days, makes a change from hearing DJ's all the time.If I was you I'd just drink the Guiness and forget about the gooseberry. Will write soon.Keep in touch.

Thanks for the tour! Flash Earth is quite a site. Much like flying by, but with labels!

I came up with M-----d R--d, just west of the intersection of M---m and M------n. Close?

I got to watch the Man U. I must say that they were impossible to beat that day. My son was also rooting for Milan, but we knew it was a long shot. I was rooting for Liverpool too. I haven't watched that one but have it recorded I think, if I can find the time.

I got some odd looks at the patent office on that carbohydrate thing so I just added it to my page here on h2g2 in case someone tried to steal it.

I'm starting a new job in a week, and I'm thrilled. I'll be a technical writer for a big company. It's about a 45 minute drive, which is not bad when you live in these hills. It's a one year contract with right to hire, so I may end up there permanently. It might be time I settled down to one spot until I can retire. We'll see.

So have one for me in celebration tonight!

Congrats to Darlingtons victory over Notts County!