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

I cannot truly believe it has been 13 years since I signed on to this crazy, fantastic site. And more to the point, met so many crazy, fantastic Happy Froods.

How did that happen?

Well, to be honest, it was an accident.

Not being a computer user, and never having used one at school, college or work, I was introduced to them around 20 years ago but, if internet was about, my work place wasn't connected.

Retail is a little \_@_"

Eventually, probably around 17 years ago, or so, I was internet-enabled, but so busy I couldn't use it for anything but work and, in all honesty, I didn't know what it was, how it worked and there wasn't that much out there as I recall.

Then, around 15 years ago, I was joined by other work colleagues and could now start browsing. And with BBC being a permissible site, and not blocked, I looked up one of my favourite and discovered h2g2. I immediately signed up but, foolishly, saved my password.

That was fine, whilst in the office but, in 2000, the entire building was in for a 5 year refurb. This meant I, and my colleagues, were relocated to a building 500m away, with new computers.

And…


I'd completely forgotten my password, so I had to sign up all over again. Hence my 13th Birthday yesterday, which was really my Second Coming , so to speak.

And all was Fine and Dandy.

, , , .

Until…


One day, around three years ago, I received a summons.

To go 'Upstairs'!

I hadn't a clue what it was about.

I entered a room in HR and there was my Boss. And there were an assortment of A4 papers with h2g2 headers on. that the PTB's and couldn't access my account, but I was put through a grilling for over half an hour.

The Boss informed me that the matter would be taken further. .

I had, by this time, my own Mac, so when I got home I chatted to my h2g2 friends, Icy, Bel etc, who advised me to delete as much as I could, thankfully C & P the important stuff, and await the summons.

Which came. I was kept waiting for about three weeks, but I eventually received the call to see the head of HR and now the real grilling began. Somehow, despite her not believing I was only online for research, I must have said something correctly, as I was retained.

And so I disappeared from h2g2 for a while to let the dust settle and, about a year later, was made redundant on health grounds, almost 3.5 years ago.

But I'm still here. Despite everything. And still attend Meets where I can.

I've not posted as much, as life has got in the way, as it does, but hopefully that will change.

I'm still tracking down fibreglass street-art objects, currently being Books About Town, in London.

http://www.booksabouttown.org.uk

That is until Sept. when they are auctioned, and the next, unrelated, set of street art appears. Boris's new Routemaster to celebrate London's Year of the Bus, it being 150 years since the first motorised bus took to London's streets, and the 60th anniversary of the iconic Routemaster, RM1, which is still operating. These will be in place for around a month before they, too, will be auctioned.

https://www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2014/july/plans-for-year-of-the-bus-sculpture-trail-unveiled

There is a plan to write an entry on Boris's, I mean, the Heatherwick, Routemaster.

That will keep me busy for a further month, when there will also be The Line. A selection of 9 sculptures over a four mile trail, roughly following the Greenwich Meridian from the Queen Elizabeth Park (formerly the London 2012 Olympic Stadium) to the O2 (formerly the Millennium Dome, a.k.a. London's White Elephant in Greenwich)

http://the-line.org

And finally there will be Paddington. In October.

Why Paddington? Well, Michael Bond created a Peruvian Bear, called Paddington, who found himself at Paddington station, in 1956, almost 60 years ago, and there is also a full-length feature film coming out in October. Bond's family have agreed to a series of 60 Paddington Bear, full size (as far as Paddington had measurements) models to be cast and decorated by assorted artists and to be placed around certain landmarks that have a link to Paddington and his stories and/or travels.

http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/sightseeing/film-locations/paddington-the-movie

So a busy second half of the year in store. And lots of other stuff, including finally finding the bits and pieces for my upcoming/ongoing entries.

Maybe I might actually get them into Peer Review?

Depends on my finding excuses not to do it.

Anyway. That is a 'brief' outline of my signing up to h2g2, what happened, and where I am now.

And I hope to see all you Happy Froods sometime over the next 13 years!





Meanwhile, here is belated etc to tide you over the weekend.



MMF

- here's to the next 13 years. And memories.

I certainly hope that is the case, TC, and make many new friends and attend more Meets, permitting.

MMF

So nice to see you posting again MMF

Thanks, Scorp. So much has been happening, both Swings and Roundabouts. At present I'm enjoying the ups of being in a wonderful relationship, but there are downs that are a headache. However the downs are not easily resolved, but the ups can only improve.

And it is good to be online with special friends.

MMF

Welcome back, frood! It's good to see how your creativity continues to burgeon.

Happy hootooversary!

Thanks, AL, I aim to keep activity as long as possible.

I now have a mobility scooter. One of these, compliments of a family friend.

http://www.beaucaremedical.co.uk/scooters--mobility/scooters/cameo-scooter/482?gclid=CLON_Mfl8r8CFUjHtAodwl8ALA

Needed a bit of work, but allows me to get out and about a bit further than I can usually. And prevents my poor girlfriend wearing herself out at my slow place.

Managed to one battery at Greenwich yesterday, but luckily had purchased a spare which got me out of a spot. Or rather out of the park.

And if any hootooers happen to be in London and want a local guide, I'm always happy to help out.

Hi Frenchie, and thanks for stopping by.

MMF

good to see you back

Gosh.... 13 years! (q comments on one getting less for murder, etc... < ) <g it really is about time we had a meet of some variet in London again maybe towards the Autumn? See how many of the olde regulars, for London meets we can make come out and play

Hey. 2legs. You are still alive too!

to arrange/plan/disorganise a mini-meet. Just need a date.

Already have the venue as I know it is disability friendly and I have the Radar key!

Plus the Shakespeare has had a major facelift. Inside and out.

Yes. The scaffolding and green netting of 3 years has finally gone!!!
Let me know.

MMF

AS alive, or moreso, than ever was the case... in many respects but probably a lot more insane too Though... and the most insane of all... hardly drinking a drop of beer, thesedays, because... well, the really thing; for no reason really whatsoever
Gosh the Shakespear's head! gosh not been there... in ... a very long while Shall have to try and find where Roymondo is hiding thesedays... I seem to have lost touch with him somewhat, though ocasionally bump into him on twitter, or, randomly every couple of years, in the toilets at the CAmbridge Strawberry fair

I'm just as disorganised as ever mind probably even moreso Seemingly spending less time in my own house, than elsewhere and, indeed very briefly passing through London, err, Wednesday and Thursday coming, en-route to Heathrow, and thence, again, on.... whenever it is Icome back... the 20th Ithink but that really is just passing through and tehnce back to CAmbridge, and my own house... probably about long enough to do the laundry, before heading out to the darker and wetter depths of the Cambridgeshire Fens, to William's again, wehre, err, I was until err, Wednesday just gone Heck at this rate, I might as well just get rid of this house - I only use it for occaisnal bread-making, laundry, and sleeping

Seems you have life pretty much sorted then. Or at least, more so than me.

And pleased things are going well with William.

Hmmm. Drinking. Is that why Guinness has shot up in price?

Use the Shakespeare on a monthly basis for my other inter web friends. Tried the Montague Pyke in Theatre Land 3 years ago but not disability friends, so I suggested the Shakespeare, and we've been using it ever since. And they still point me to the main entrance when I try to use the disabled door. Hey ho.

Let me know when, or if, what dates are ok, and I'll see what I can arrange.

Be good to have a meet-up again, although doubtful the GF will attend as she doesn't drink! . But she makes up for it in many other ways.


MMF

actually... taht's probably one reason I don't drink as much as I used too, as neither William or err, neitehr of my two very most important people drink... - heck I dinny touch a drop of alcohol at all, in over four days at the recent Mancehster meet! probably the weirdest thing I've ever done... in some strange way

Hmm.... "sorted".... not sure about that... "complicated" certainly... in some ways... but... very good and potentially getting less complicated as William and I have finally decided to get 'sorted' and reduce our 'property' complications in half, within the next few months, and finally actually get to live together... I'll have to try figure out what is happening in the autumn... err, I still must try get over to my Dad's at soem point, not been back to the seaside for ages and ages so maybe Oct or Nov time?

The beer prices round here, just get ever sillier...

Don't you dare ever leave hereand as no one knows what tomorrow could bring, I COULD end up having moneyand then tour the worldvisiting my many friends that reside here

As I said before mines a whats yours

It's amazing (excuse the pun) what you manage to achieve with just one posting MMF! Have re-discovered people on this thread, I haven't come across in ages.

Pleased to be of service, Scorp, as always.

I'll be in Hull, with my on the w/e of the 13th September, arriving Sat, midday, until Mon midday, if you are about, or anyone else for that matter, pref the Sat evening. There is a large Wetherspoon's that quite reasonable, just off of Ferensway.

Bob, mine's ALWAYS a , except when t is , which is usually before 16.00.

MMF

Nice to see you again MMF. Hope all is well at home and on the health front.

Take care,

Websailor

Hi, WS.I like to think that, in life, for every down there is an up.

It's a bed of , if you like. It all looks beautiful from a distance, but when you are in it, you feel it's many thorns.

Having had my half-century M.O.T. it's returned as satisfactory. Areas of concern are high blood pressure, but I don't worry about that, as almost everyone I know whose had a blood pressure reading are on the high side of good. Few are satisfactory,while some are low.

The other is intake, to be cut by half, and 2 dry days. . Yeah

However cholesterol, glucose and kidney/liver tests came back satisfactory. <somersault.

I am continuing to get about on my own two legs, as opposed to getting around on 2legs!

However, the pace slows, and the distance averages 1km. However, with a fair wind and level ground, it can be as high as 2.5km, while sometimes to manage 500m can be daunting.

And the best news?

I now have a better half. It shows that elephants are truly magnificent beasts as she was one of the people I met on the last day of the London Elephant parade in 2010.

A84729603

Three years later, on the 18th August last year, we arranged to meet for as I returned from Broadstairs, having been away for 10 days at the Broadstairs Folk Week, and the rest, they say, is history.

http://www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk

I feel truly blessed, for she is an who has known me only since my disability manifested itself, and appears to be happy to support me when needed. And we attempt to get out every weekend that we can.

Also a Cousin's ex-wife has kindly given me, and delivered, a mobility scooter. This will enable me to cover around 4km at her speed, so we can have a good day out and maintain her pace, so she doesn't get tired. And it is compatible.

So doing ok on the garden front.

But there are thorns. Quite a few.

Firstly my Mum's health is deteriorating. Following at least two heart attacks in December 2010, we moved into our current flat that is disability friendly, and she was put on a cocktail of medications. However, around 18 months later she decided to stop taking them, despite my pleas for her to continue. Fast forward to December 2013, and she complained of indigestion but on the right side of her body so I thought nothing of it.

The following night she is in pain, grey, cold and clammy. The arrived in 15 minutes. 15 minutes later and we're off to the Big House. A massive coronary. Luckily, the speed I called 999, explained the symptoms and the arrival of the , she survived, with no real side-effects, except more meds and a stent. But she now tires quickly, a lot, and rarely goes out, except for a 5 minute walk. However, I do my best to get her to take her meds daily.

Further, she has wet macular degeneration, which she finds frustrating.

On top of that, she has emphysema, the result of 65 years of smoking, which she continues to do. .

And, as a result of the follow-up on her heart-atttack, 3 months ago, she was found to have a 1.5cm growth on her left lung. After radiotherapy, we are awaiting the outcome.

However I feel positive about the outcome. Except that since the first series of heart attacks, Mum has developed the early signs of dementia, which is worsening. I can now understand what Galaxy Babe is going through, but I am coping as best I can. And am pleased she is with me and not my with my Sisters.

As for me, walking with a cane has caused me to develop tennis and golfer's elbow, as well as Calcific tendonitis. So onto the Co-Drydomol by day, and Co-Codomol at night. However I attempt to take them as rarely as possible, and to at least try the exercises.

To be frank, There are more than thorns, for which I am thankful.

But most of all I thank the Internet to give me such fantastic friends, and for introducing me, after 25 years of being a Singleton, to L, and now being in a fantastic relationship.

If I were religious, I would be giving thanks, but it really goes to my Friends.

Thank you all, for your patience, forbearance and support, especially when the black dog was prowling.



MMF