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

Well it's been an amazing few years! I'm really sorry to see Mark leave!

I first talked to Mark via email; I'd been on h2g2 from the beginning and I sent him a copy of my CV on his second day at work, pleading for a job. He said he hadn't got any, but he'd bear it in mind. I didn't think he really meant it, but a month or so later he sent me an email to say that he was putting an ad in the paper for a Deputy Editor, and if I was interested, I should apply. But before the ad went out, he rang me up and asked me to come in and meet him, he wanted a Community Editor too, so would I like to come into the office to talk to him about it? Of course I said yes! Mark offered me the job then and there, and I accepted. He later told me that he planned to give the job to me on the basis of our long email communication, 'unless I turned out to be a complete pillock in real-life'. Thanks Mark!

So I handed in my notice and had to sit and wait impatiently for six weeks for my notice period to end. In the intervening period Mark interviewed the Deputy Eds (interestingly Sam was interviewed, but behaved in such a nutty way first time round that Mark didn't hire him then, he should have done he's such a lovely bloke!) and found Anna, so the team started to take shape.

Right from the beginning it was fun. None of us had any idea how to run a community site, so we made it all up, drew plans all over the whiteboards, and Mark jumped around being the hyperactive thing he always is! I found him to be hugely entertaining company, he was, and still is, one of the quickest wits I know!

We soon discovered a joint passion for staying out late, drinking too much and generally behaving badly. The TDV Christmas party of 2000 is one I'll *always* remember! Anyway we had great fun, and we're remarkably good friends now, I'm *really* glad I met Mark and pestered him for a job three years ago, without him it just *wouldn't* have been so much fun.

So I wish him all the best, and I'll see him when he gets back. Do you think the BBC will let me run an ad for 'Late-night party animal with writing skills required?

And I love you too, Peta.

You're my best friend too!

I'm going to miss you so much!

Oh good grief. Get a grip both of you - this is the BBC! What would Lord Reith say

Here, have a bogbrush...

Thanks Parrferris,



Shall I petition for a wet hanky smiley?

I think you should

Oh btw, the regular nick is Goshoogoshoogosh - a bunch of us are winding up the real Parrferris right now

We are the Parrborg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

Hi Goshoogoshoogosh,

It's impossible to keep track of things around here! The Thingites seem to be all swopping their names around like *crazy* at the moment!

I believe Uncle Heavy is to blame. We'll debag 'im