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

Before I start, this is not a reference to football, rugby or any other sport! No, what's happened so far is that I've finally met another h2g2 researcher (in the form of HonestIago) face-to-face and he suggested that I go to the LGB Christmas Ball. Now, I was already thinking about going and I thought it was on the Sunday after I finish a theatre show week (playing piano in the band), when I would be free. Unfortunately, it turned out that it was a day later *and* I had already agreed to go to a dinner for my research group (weeks ago). So I was trying to see if I could get a ticket for the ball without the dinner, but it was getting rather difficult to organise. Finally, I emailed the organiser of the meal (who had requested our choices for the three courses), telling him that I was double-booked that evening, and he suggested that I could withdraw from the dinner. So I did, and now *I can go to the ball*! That's also a possible line in the theatre production I'm doing, as it's based on the Cinderella story!

But they're not the only balls I have had to content with - reading British Standards on electrical installation safety are another form. However, I've also found out that my field tests in Canada will probably be as late as March, so I might not be able to play in the Gilbert and Sullivan production this year - b****r!! Still, you can't win them all, I suppose ....

Hooray. Also you can win them all, it just involves mass murder

Now, I wouldn't want to do that, would I? Although considering I'm rehearsing with that youth theatre group more frequently now - the show starts a week today - and they won't remain QUIET when asked (e.g. while stuff is going on on stage), it's now a very attractive option!

In my years of experience as Stage Manager for my school I discovered there are two ways of dealing with noisy and unruly children: 1) Bribery and 2) Shouting *very* loudly to scare them. Usually I go for option 1) but if I'm tired or annoyed or just plain bored I've been known to use 2) If that fails I bring in the shock troop, my darling little sister who has made grown men (translation: me and my elder brother) tremble in fear

At the moment, I think the director (a friend of mine) is currently going for option 2, mainly because the show opens in less than a week's time! I hadn't thought of the younger-sister-shock-troop option, though - I potentially have three of those (and yes, they always win any fight we've had)! BTW, I am the only boy in the family, so apart from one of three cats, and he's entirely useless anyway, I'm on my own! There is one problem though - only the boys would cower in fear at the sight/sound of my sisters: the girls would keep nattering away!

Sorry .... just far too many exclamation marks in that last message. I dunno why I do that ...