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

Hi! Where did you come up with a name like Metal Chicken?

Thanks for saying Hi!
My name comes from an old children's TV show called the Clangers that I used to like when I was about 6 years old. There's a link on my page to a Guide Entry that can tell you more.
I'm named after a chicken made out of scrap metal, who used to live on a pile of scrap metal in the sky and come up with clever ideas to help the Clangers sort their lives out. Strange but true.

Interesting. I really dont have a story behind my name, sorry... or at least, one that would not take 3 hours to write.

..And thank you for dropping by my page. Nothing there yet but I'm considering a few math related guide entries. This site is more diverse than I had anticipated.

Gratulation!!! You have a realy cool name, I like it very much. It's a pitty I have not seen the TV show, it sounds funny.
CoXinelle

Hi MC, thought I would use this seeing as I can see you online
How are things? No more problems with BT?
Hope not. Decided on Surftime yet? All is well with me, if you can call working sat nightshift ok! Funnily enough, my colleague and I were just discussing whether to sign up for surftime or not, he's on BT too. We were also talking through the options of NTL aswell.
Boring, I know, but as I said what else can you do on a Sat. nightshift

Hi Babel,
Saturday night shift doesn't sound much fun

No more probs with BT but I've signed up for Freeserve's unlimited option anyway. This isn't the Surftime thing (after all that's BT too and I'm still cross with them) but the 24/7 thing, dialling with a prefix to use their telco. So far it's a better connection than BT - but it's often busy so I have to connect via BT anyway. Don't know much about NTL, the press comments haven't been that favourable. Seems like nobody copes very well with the number of people who want unlimited access.

And therein lies the problem. BT were told by OFTEL to make free internet access available, or their varied monopoly would be thrown wide open a la gas & electricity. Unfortunately everyone wants to be first to provide a reliable free access service, but the wherewithall, certainly in the UK isn't there. the newtork isn't capable of it, and it is a costly enterprise, to go setting up from scratch, so BT get to prolong things and only roll out the unlimited access a small area at a time. I can sign up for the extended evening and weekend package, but cannot go for the 24/7 option as it isn't available where I stay. My colleague cannot even get the extended evening option until November! What a swizz as he only lives less than 20 miles from me, but totally different exchanges!

Apart from that, how's life treating you?

Life's mostly chucking good stuff my way at the moment thanks. Some bad stuff but generally getting better. Best of all I've got a holiday coming up. *Cheers loudly* I'm off to Seattle on Friday, visiting my sister before her jobs sends her back to the UK. Looking forward to some good times.

Nice! It's always good to get away. Funnily enough (i seem to be using that phrase a lot recently) my sister has just arrived from Oz.
she emigrated with my dad about 10 years ago, but has been back a few times. This will be the first in about 4 years, but I saw her in March when I went over to see my dad for a couple of weeks.
Unfortunately I have to wait until October for my next holiday.
So please have a few good times for me while you are there. You must let me know how it went.
J

I'll happily drink a few American wheat beers for you. I expect to have a busy itinerary and loads of good stuff to talk about when I get back.
I don't know if you use email much with your Oz family, but I never stop being amazed by how good it is for keeping in touch with my sis. We're probably in contact more often than when she was still living over here.
Just checked my watch. This is now an early morning, rather than a late night. Definitely time to switch my PC off!
Cheers
MC

Yes, I try and send an email once a week or so. Cheaper than a phonecall, though I do enjoy hearing their voices.
Well, have a great time, and I'll hear from you one you return
Safe journey!
J