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

In what part of the world would tabasco be available in the wilderness?

Somethings you sneak along in the rucksack. YOu think even Thoreau went off without Tobasco sauce? That would be too, too naive of you.

I didn't see wilderness mentioned, Trig

Psst: it was implicit. Since there are people almost everywhere else.

Excuse my poor naive Irish self. What does tabasco taste like?

(I have come across it once or twice, actually.)

TRiG.

Then you're one up on me. I only know about the stuff from heresay.

Random question: what is on the 5th of November?

Gunpowder, treason, and plot.

I see no reason why the fifth should ever be forgot (unless your name is Leo apparently)

Guy Fawkes! Fun fun. There's no Guy Fawkes day in the wilderness. There's a reason to stick around with them annoying humans.

Leo is American and only knows about Guy Fawkes from books and stuff. We don't celebrate it in NYC - but maybe Brits like Tony don't know that?

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason, and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

These are the words as I remember them (from Enid Blyton, most likely). The recent film V for Vendetta had them slightly different, and quite likely more accurate.

We don't have a Guy Fawkes night here either. And if we did, we'd be celebrating the attempt, not its abortion.

TRiG.

of course. And of course. I knew all of that.

Tony is well aware Americans don't celebrate Guy Fawkes Night (401 years old now) but I would have thought some kind of pop culture references would have led to a slight knowledge of it - if nothing else, V For Vendetta at least.

In the words of Alanis Morisette "you live, you learn"

I knew it existed, jut not when. I've never seen V for Vendetta.

V for Vendetta is one of my favourite movies and you absolutely must see it. (Why is the word "movie" not in Firefox's spell-check?) Because we're American and lame, my friends and I are having a V for Vendetta party on the 5th of November - though I think if we tried to have a bonfire in southern California the whole fire hazard thing would rear its head.

Hmmm... interesting list EMR, unfortunately the devil's advocate in me can't resist so let's see:

1. I will not be a cliché [So many people have said that that it is, in itself, become a cliche].
2. I will not alienate my friends [by definition cannot be alienated].
3. I will not ask my boy- or girlfriend to come running whenever I break a nail, so to speak [oh but the power, the power...].
4. I will not let my submissive nature override the necessity of asserting myself [ah but don't let your new-found assertiveness override your sweet nature].
5. I will not allow myself to be patronised [unless they are a very wealthy patron?].
6. I will not go out with anyone who just thinks I'm hot [superficiality has its place you know. Anyhoo, who said you were hot ].
7. I will not go out with anyone who does not treat me as an intellectual and idealogical equal [ah but what if they treat you as their superior?].
8. I will not say yes to anyone just because they're hot[it depends what you're saying yes to. A hot chocolate is always nice. But a weekend in a sleazy motel is probably not, at least not twice, or every weekend anyway].
9. I will not say yes to anyone just because I'm desperate [even if they are hot?].
10. I will not convince myself to accord someone trust they don't deserve [until you trust someone how do you know if they deserve it?].
11. I will not do anything just because I feel "obligated" [again ythat depends if you are 'obligated'. There are times when you know you owe someone and it is the right thing to do to help them out - as long as it is neither unethical or illegal].
12. I will not allow exceptional circumstances to override my judgement [it is good to look for catches, but gift horses have a habit of riding off if you spend too much time analysing them].
13. I will not go out with anyone without remembering past experiences [with them or with others? Not all young men are complete b-words, most, but not all - speaking as a father of two girls and an animal].
14. I will not go out with anyone whom I do not trust implicitly [trust is good. Refer to 10 above].

I think the words of Mae West come to mind:
- I never met a temptation I didn't try.
- When confronted with a choice between two evils I always take the one I haven't tried.
- Moderation is for monks honey.

It is good to set boundaries for yourself, but remember: Rules are for the obedience of fools, and the guidance of wise women.

And, it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

Blessings,
Matholwch the cliche ridden .

Do you know, Math, you seem so terribly wise.

Hi EMR

Only if 'wise' = 'old and battered'.

Now as middle-age comes to an end and I see Saturn coming over the horizon, I begin to understand the knowing and weary smiles of those old men in the pubs of my youth as I expounded on how I would change the world.

For one so young m'dear (in my best patronising voice) you're not doing badly yourself.

Blessings,
Matholwch .