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

Deb

[Amy P]

I got a bit muddled, I'm meeting the Elvis fan on Saturnday (you should have seen Clive's face when I asked him if he enjoyed the Elvis countdown last Friday night)

It was a lovely night, a nice cheap meal and good companyI drank more than I am used to, and alcohol seems to have the opposite effect on me as it does on everyone else, I couldn't get to sleep for ages, but when I was wakened with a this morning at 7.30am I was and didn't want to rise at alland I've felt sluggish all day. We had a £1 cooked breakfast in our usual café in Cleethorpes then went to the cinema to see The Fifth Estate. I found it very interesting then we popped in to see Mum for half-an-hour. Ian has a young grandson Lucas aged 4 next week. We go see him once a week, after the cinema on Tuesdays. But today his older sister Jemma had taken him out so we missed the kisses and cuddles I dropped Ian at his house and came home to catch up on some h2g2 work, which is all done now

Time to relaxand looking forward to an early night

Deb

[Amy P]

I never know when I go round to Mum's house just what I'm going to find or what I'm going to have to deal with. Wednesday she is supposed to go to the Curzon Centre, usually picked up about 10.15 has her lunch there then returns home between 4.20-4.40pm. I have cancelled the lunchtime carer (so if she doesn't go, I have to cover that) and ordered the tea carer for not-prior 5pm, in case she's delayed getting home. If Mum goes, I can organise a day with Ian, his Mum at the Old Library when I also get to see old friends from the Snoopy-visiting days (and make new ones, as you'll see). Mum was ready to go so I put her dinner money in her purse along with some spending money (have I already spoken about the Full Circle of life???) and then I decided to clean the washing machine tray while awaiting the transport+escort. I was still up to my armpits in suds and bleach when that arrived, it was a much fiddlier job than I was anticipating and it hadn't been cleaned since the washer was installed, I don't think

I went to collect Ian and we went to the Old Library. I'd worn a skirt especially, because last week when Ian went to collect something out of his Mum's bedroom for her, I spoke to a new gentleman I hadn't seen before, who had been looking at me somewhat quizzically, I thought. As I sat next to him he said that the only women he'd seen wearing black trousers before were the Military Police. I was wearing black trousers... I apologised and said I hoped I hadn't startled him, he said no, he could tell I wasn't there to arrest him. He then introduced himself as Eric and shook my hand. When I told Ian this later on, he thought it was very funny. But I thought Eric was sweet, when we left he was singing about a girl with blue eyes (not me, I hasten to add). Today, I couldn't see Eric, and he didn't appear until the lunch bell had gone and the room started to fill up. I waved at Eric when he walked in and he smiled and waved back. Ian joked that he had a rival and Eileen said how nice Eric was (and there are people there that she can't stand). As we were leaving I went over to Eric's table to show him I was wearing a skirt. He smiled and said he'd noticed, then he puckered up. WellI had to give him a kiss just for his cheekiness he was still wearing his poppy Bless him.

We had haddock & chips for lunch then went to get an Angry Birds outfit for Ian's grandson Lucas who is 4 next week and a BIG fan of Angry Birds. We've been invited to his birthday party next Friday

[Amy P]

Deb

Yesterday morning I was up early enough (before the Sun) to pop outside with my binos to look for any of the 4 comets available in the Northern Hemisphere right now

I managed to see one, Comet Linear, it was all-but on top of Arcturus, a very distinct star.

This morning I missed my chance of a repeat performance as I got up too late. I've just been alerted that Comet ISON has had an outburst which is very exciting news. It doesn't reach perihelion until the end of the month, which means it could get very bright indeed.

I got my local paper today and read about a headmaster (sorry, principal) who is a Doctor Who and (original) Star Trek fan, he said he "did an assembly about the Voyager space ship leaving the galaxy after 35 years in space." Oh dear! I hope one of the kids pointed out that Voyager 1 has only left our Solar System, it still has a VERY long way to go before it leaves the galaxy. Still, I wish I'd had a headmaster like him. I can remember getting caned on the back of my hand at Junior school for plaiting a girl's hair. She was stood in front of me and her hair was lovely, long and straight, just begging to be plaited. It wasn't worth getting caned by the headmaster for though.

In case anyone else wants to freeze along with me tomorrow morning, here's where to look for the parade of comets on display: http://www.spaceweather.com/images2013/15nov13/skymap.gif?PHPSESSID=1cgjg4kfk450n69d1bbh3fko95

I would be there like a shot if it wasn't for my disability......I'm a wimp.

IF it's clear, there'd still be trees in the way

Yes, Amy P, there are a lot of magnificent beautiful trees in your part of the world of Northern California and Southern Oregon..
…………………….. They are not Redwoods?, they are much further South, but are they Sequoias ? My neighbor planted one next door in about 1960 and it is now a huge tree. I it. It is especially lovely at sunset time. .. …

Oh, I'm in the heart of redwood country now (well, maybe a little north of the heart, but the Moon of Endor isn't that far south) but the trees at the ends of all the dead ends surrounding our house aren't redwoods--the ocean's less than a quarter mile away, so it's too salty.

I was up in the dark (weak bladder) but when I looked out it was complete cloud cover so just went back to bed. I haven't a chance of seeing Comet Encke as it's so low on the horizon, close to Mercury. Here's Comet Lovejoy this month for your enjoyment: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap131109.html

off to Mum's now

GB

It was cloudy here too, GB.

Have we missed all comet-spooting opportunities, or do we still ahve a few days?

I've been so disappointed before, when not knowing where or when to look at the sky, that I'm going to install a free (or cheap) app to point my new toy (android tablet) at the sky, so I know what I am looking at.

Thanks for the encouragement to take notice of what is happening out there in the skies GB, and for sharing both your knowledge and your enthusiasm with us.

You're most welcome Lanza

I do wonder whether anyone gets bored with my astronomy musings in my excitement over the 4 comets at the moment it's difficult to conceal, The APOD pictures of the comets are wonderful and then there's Damian Peach over on Facebook happily uploading his _actual_ photos of the cometseven he seems to be taking a break from his fabulous portraits of Jupiter and the Galilean moons.

Bea, there's weeks of comet viewing to come yet (I hope) here is tomorrow's pre-dawn map: http://www.spaceweather.com/images2013/16nov13/skymap.gif?PHPSESSID=1cgjg4kfk450n69d1bbh3fko95
I will happily post the maps for those interested. You really can't beat the thrill of seeing one of the comets with your own eyes.


I did the Tesco run this morning and I was just putting the shopping away at Mums when my younger brother walked in, I'd forgotten he'd told me he was off on Monday & Friday this week so that was a nice surprise and I actually got a made for me He's coming up 50 (next month) he's decided not to have a party, they're off on a cruise instead, don't blame them at all!

[Amy P]