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

Well, I'm on-line, I'm logged in to h2g2 and I'm temporarily at a loss for something to do, so a journal entry of randomness may be called for. What's on my mind at the moment?

Well, there's obviously the general election coming up, which is always exciting. For the record, I'm a Lib Dem voter, but in a ridiculously Conservative constituency (Canterbury), so that may not make much of a difference. Having said that, I will still be voting, as I believe that not using your vote is irresponsible. Won't go on about that, as I'd start ranting before too long.

And then there's work. Work is at the moment. Still short-staffed after eight people left in December, and although I was the only applicant for my current post (I'm on a temporary secondment and applied to be made permanent), I have waited two weeks for any confirmation that I've got it. Sooo busy!

And then, oddly, Cole Porter. I heard a version of 'Every Time We Say Goodbye' today and it reduced me to tears. I've heard that song so many times, but it never fails to move me - it is a work of pure genius.

Flake Dipped is a rip off - half a Twirl at the same price as a whole Twirl, basically. Sorry to any non-Brits who read this and won't understand. Cadbury's chocolate.

That's enough for now. I just thought it was about time I did a journal entry.

David

Evening David

Have a and a with the music. There is nothing like that can enhance, underline or hit dormant emotions.

Sometimes when I'm sad the bluest s can cheer me up.

As 'absurd' as giving speed to hyperactive - but it works .

I've been very melancholic today (a too long story) but a newish Danish film about ordinary people with lots to be sad about, but still having the fire and desire to make other people happy and aquire some warmth and laugther themselves has taken me out of feeling sorry for myself.

My, what a long sentence.

Hi Tartaronne,

Mmmm , I just may do that!

I think I know what you mean about music. When I'm really, really angry - - then singing a really angry song helps (unless I'm in a crowded area, in which case people would think I'm a loon).

I'm not sure if I've ever seen a Danish film of any kind. Must check to see if 'my' library has any. I quite like watching subtitled films - Smiles of a Summer Night is a particular favourite, which I can't imagine in English. Ordinary people with fire and whatnot sounds good.

David

Danish films have done very well - also abroad - for the last ten years.

We have won a few Oscars for foreign film and short film. A few prizes in Cannes. Quite a few in the Berlin Film Festival (our children's film are very good).

Danish instructed films in English are Breaking the Waves and Dogsville and the musical with Björk for instance. Smilla's Sense of snow.

'The Only One' and 'The Italian Lesson' are others in Danish. The latter is as far as I know built on a novel by an Irish writer.

Have a look around short films for instance.

The musical with Björk is not Smilla's Sense of Snow as it could be construed in the other post. Two different films and instructors.

Hi David, Glad to see another entry.

Going back to your voting point... it's a shame that some of the groups who could really benefit from political change don't organise themselves. The grey vote or the youth vote could swing most elections based on the average turnout.

I am very pleased to work somewhere where everyone does vote (and comes in on election days sporting their 'I've voted' stickers!). I noticed on the news that someone (can't remember their name) has come over from the USA with the intention of mobilising black voters. It appears that he isn't saying who they should vote for, but is just trying to ensure that they do vote. Which is an admirable thing, in my opinion. There's a wonderful ad running at the moment to point out that voting is important. A guy says 'I don't do politics', and then his friend refuses to let him carry on a conversation about anything that is affected by politics - road congestion, price of beer etc. No idea what non-voting people make of it, though.

Tartaronne, I will look out for those films. By the way, I love the word melancholic (though not the emotion itself), and hope you are feeling less melancholy today. Is the Bjork film 'Dancer in the Dark'?

I'm not sure why Every Time We Say Goodbye affects me so deeply, as I have never been in love, let alone had to say goodbye to said loved one. But the emotion of the song is so true that even a bad performance can't destroy it. 'Every time we say goodbye, I die a little. Every time we say goodbye, I wonder why a little. Why the gods above me, who must be in the know, think so little of me, they allow you to go' and so on.

I am currently working on a Guide Entry on an obscure opera called 'The Ephesian Matron'. I think I might tackle Cole Porter after that, though that would be a mammoth undertaking.

D

Know what you're talking about... I practically get goosebumps when I hear Jacques Brel's Ne Me Quitte Pas - the Nina Simone version is also good, but brel sounds like he's just making it up from his heart as he sings it. Really amazing.

Yes, the Björk film is Dancer in the Dark, by Danish director Lars von Trier.

Moving and true words, you're quoting, David.

And Pennywhistle, you're right about Jacques Brel sings with raw emotions (raw is uncovered, unprotected).

In this country we don't have to be registered for election. If you are 18 years old you get sent a card to your adress that gives you the right to vote - it's your legal right if you are not declared incapable regardless of colour, mental handicap or blindness. For general elections you have to be a Danish citizen for local elections all citizens living in the area can vote (my husband for instance who is an Italian citizen).

It is illegal not to be registered in the citizens registration - where the authorities get your adress for sending out voting cards.

*Throws in a handful of commas*

Speaking of Italian citizens, I happen to have an Italian nationality (long story, never mind that now), and we just got sent cards for voting in some coming local elections in Livorno... the card can also be used for a free train ride there, which could have been very cool if there was a train going from Israel to Italy. But I don't know who to vote for.

My husband just got voting cards as well - even for his ex-wife (never an Italian citizen) - and they have been divorced for 27 years and he has tried to explain the embassy that in multiple ways. But the Italian administration is without comparison.

I have to sign a paper that shows I agree that my husband will *NOT* have our son signed in his new passport. I fail to understand the logic.

I must check his voting card again to see if it also gives free train ride. He could go visit his parents

Free train ride to vote? No wonder we have such a low turn-out in this country - people have to register to vote about two months before an election happens, and they don't get any freebies! Surely the nice people who tick your name off on the big long list when you go to vote could hand out apples or something?

On Sig. S's voting card it says 'reduced priced roundticket for Italian Railway' - Sig. S. thinks it is only from the Italian border to the region where you are supposed to vote.

He cannot understand why it is not possible to vote at the Italian Embassy or Consulat in this country. It is for the EU-parliament though.

Do they offer postal voting, or voting by proxy? These are both options in the UK, but I've never used them, so am not sure about the details.

David

Universal postal voting in the UK is quite recent. Before that you could register for a postal vote if you were housebound, disabled or would be away on holiday at the time of the vote. Now anyone can register for a postal vote.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/A1304740 is the guide entry I wrote on voter numbers, which you may find useful.

How very interesting. I had wondered why the scary clipboard people asked for me voter number.

David - who has never been in when any candidates have come calling.