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

I have a week off now, with nary a thing to do.

As dilemmas and predicaments go, it's a fairly pleasant one to be in!

Plans so far may include a visit to one of my favourite pubs, beside the sea with great views and great beers.

Other plans include a visit to four nature reserves, all within about a 10 mile radius, but which I never visit enough.

One day I'll have to go shopping for books.

Another day, I want to catch up with a mate I never see enough. I can combine that with the book shopping day.

One day, I want to pick a random wee town and go to it and explore - this is one of my favourite things to do on a day off.

Another day I'll have to go canvassing and putting up election posters.

I was thinking I might go to Dublin, to see if there are any interesting Easter week events going on.

Actually, when I think about it for a few minutes there is plenty I could be doing - I don't know if a week is enough time off!

I've never been to Dublin. Nor Triplin, come to think of it.

Give us a shout if you're in Dublin on Tuesday or Wednesday evening and we can have a pint together.

Sorry, I can't travel this week. I have rehearsals for a concert next Sunday:

Morten Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna

Edward Elgar: Lux Aeterna

Ola Gjeilo: Sunrise Mass (First Boston Performance!)

Lauridsen is lovely to sing, although I haven't sung his Lux Aeterna.

I've sung it often, including on concerts tours to Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and parts of central Italy.

The Gjeilo is a surprise. He's so young, and already making a mark with music that's enjoyable to sign and listen to. I hear echos of Karl Jenkin s ["the Armed Man"] and Russian mystical liturgical music in it.

I remember being dissatisfied with modern atonalities in the 60s and 70s. I despaired that anyone in my lifetime would write anyhting I could bear to listen to, but now a new generation has come along -- Eric Whitacre, Karl Jenkins, Ola Gjeilo -- and new music has become fun again.

Wow, a week off *and* the bookshops open? What luxury!

Enjoy it.

Nice to hear from you again, Malabarista.

Does that invitation count for another time, Gnomon? I'm afraid of you. I'd love to crash on your sofa, but once I started singing you'd kick me out

Maybe you bring some earplugs for Gnomon to wear.

You needn't be afraid of me, KB. But I was thinking of a pint shared on neutral territory so I can decide whether I'm afraid of you.

I have a spare room if you need to stay and you won't be the first hootooer to have stayed.

I've stayed at Gnomon's (thanks!) and can confirm that he doesn't bite.

I've met Gnomon, and wish I could have spent more time getting to know him.

Hi, Gnomon.

Hello paulh.

I've met Gnomon and KB and am jealous if they get to have a pint without me

I'd rather have coffee than the pint, but otherwise I can relate.