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

I found a delicious quote in the newspaper today, taken from a letter written by a lady to the Observer in 1978:

'One night, my fellow and I were making mad, passionate love when I noticed something sticking in his ear. Pantingly, I asked him what it was. "Shut up, woman!" he said, "I'm listening to the cricket."'

Need I say more about my priorities over the next few weeks?

hmm.... your off for a steamy sexual encounter with someone in a hotel in Blackpool?

Hey Skanky, my friend, I live in Oz, was born in England, and tomorrow is going to be massive...live on TV, fridge full of and , Ian Bell has been cleared of serious injury, Watson is out. Winning the toss at the 'Gabba normally sets the tone...so here goes...phone off hook, internet shut down, computer off...

The only inconvenience for me, dbg, is that I've got the early shift on Friday - apart from that I've cleared the decks fairly well for the First Test. 23 hours to go, and I'm looking forward to a great series and an even more disturbed sleep patern

You can still get 7-1 on England over here; I guess the odds are even shorter out there?

If all else fails, I'm off to Blackpool with 2legs...

The odds are certainly in Australias favour, because naturally it's home ground advantage. However, depending a lot on Harmison and Flintoff's fitness, who really knows? KP is firing, and so is Strauss, and the Aussies are a touch vulnerable with age creeping up on them. And if that fails, I'm off to Nowhere by myself..

I'd rather be here than there if it does go (belly) up...

Linus and I had an interesting chat in my last column on the series - A17384187

it won't go belly up, altho it will be close. I will check out that thread right now...

I take it from that thread that Linus is an Aussie...he should google this "BOONIE FOR PRESIDENT"...

Good grief, that is worrying

Why, it is funny as anything...

Five hours to go.

There was an Aussie comedian on the radio today talking about the Barmy Army and how hilarious all their songs are. He reckoned the best was (to the tune of He's Got The Whole World In His Hands):

'You get three dollars to the pound...'

He reckoned it showed a tremendous sense of humour to be able to make up songs taking the out of the exchange rate

My favourite runs to the tune of 'Yellow Submarine'.

Countdown has begun, Skanky...Do you get live TV coverage in the UK?

I'm desperately hoping that I'll be able to listen to TMS but I've a feeling I won't be able to:

"Full ball-by-ball coverage of all five Test matches, plus England's one-day series games against Australia and New Zealand, will all be on Radio Four LW and Five Live Sports Extra.

For the first time, UK users will be able to hear commentary on Ashes Tests in Australia online at bbc.co.uk/cricket."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6103178.stm

If I try to stream R4 long wave, will I get the infuriating 'We're sorry but due to licensing problems, we're not able to bring you the programme currently being broadcast on Radio 4" message. And if I try that online commentary page will I be told that since I'm not in the UK I'm not allowed to use the facilities?

A-Z of the Ashes: Part one (UK users only)
We're sorry. The content you requested is available for UK users only.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/classic_ashes/6099330.stm

Yes, they tell you that you can watch/listen on digital tv/radio - which I don't have. Maybe you'll be able to listen to the daily summary?

my goodness..we get live coverage to all sorts of sports,local and overseas, here in oz...even where Aussies are not involved!...it's if you are a sports nut...

I'm guessing there's on Oz radio station that broadcasts ball-by-ball commentary, and maybe streams it to anyone who wants to listen regardless of where thy live?

Dgb, we're talking about streaming here, i.e. online. If you are not talking about radio, maybe you could give us the link to your radio station, so we can listen, too?

check the ABC website..that is the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, as they do the radio commentary, whilst Channel 9 does the live TV ball by ball...I'm sure ABC has streaming available...I'll check it out this end...

Now listening to News Radio1 - "ABC Radio" - that seemed the only alternative to the Australian parliament.
To be honest, I have no idea which station to choose