Me all over!

[Harry Tuttle]

Tea and cake please... Ta.
I'm not a uber hippy, I have to admit but in the past have been a defo hippy! I play the drums, have done since I was at school, it's something I promised never to give up and, although I'm not in a band at the mo, I still practise regularly and get plenty of goodness out of it.
My job is technical, I have always been a very technical person, good at maths etc. I love bikes, have had two wheeled transport since I was at school and have a luverly Triumph which I ride alot! I don't unfortunately have much of a social life at the mo, been spending too much time on linux (geek!) but the constant fiddling has taken it's toll and I feel like something new again.

mmm that was just right, tea should always be the colour of cake, and vise versa hehe

Oh yeah, have I taken drugs: yes! Mind: expanded. I recently stopped smoking tobacco and currently just smoke neat weed in a little pipe I made :) Festys: Last festival was like colditz (the last Phoenix), my first _big_ fest was the best (Treeworgy '89) and there have been a smattering of others. Time for another I think, and soon!

That's it really! cheers for the grub, it was delicious :D

[Peace-Phoenix]

I noticed the Hindu OM symbol in your sig. Are you religious youself? What does religion mean to you?

[Harry Tuttle]

I noticed the Hindu OM symbol in your sig. Are you religious youself? What does religion mean to you?

The OM symbol is quite a happy thing, it is a good thing to just occasionally say "OM" when stressed. Also it reminds me of that Cheech and Chong sketch... you know the one, Cheech eats all the acid, gets all worked up, Chong says "Ommmmm" then "BANG!" hehe.
I'm an agnostic really, I believe in what I can see plus a few bits beyond, like folklore and traditions... maybe the odd faery or two! Ancient tales are always fascinating.
I'm no expert on religion but it's a question of degrees, I can't believe in something like Catholicism, too restricting for me and insane as regards birth control (in this day and age blabla..).
I could however be taken in by a little Buddhism (for example) especially as it is based on the thoughts of someone who wasn't said to be anything more than human (not a deity in himself) and who said cool stuff... you know?!
Devoting myself to one set of knowledge and denouncing or rejecting the teachings (preachings?) of another is just closed minded, I don't want to close my mind so it's agnosticism for me!

[Peace-Phoenix]

I think Buddhism can be as dangerous as any other religion precisely because people often tend to assume it's harmless. For example, it's views on homosexuality are no less prejudiced than other religions. Even if it doesn't actively promote stoning them, the fact that it sees the practice as a sin would seem somewhat outdated like all the rest. The other trouble is that people can assume Buddhism is harmless simply because of what it preaches, not what it practices. Take Tibet, for example. Now I wouldn't condone all that the Chinese have done there, but people who might shout an abstract like "Free Tibet!" often don't consider that before the Chinese came Tibet was a place of feudal slavery where the religious elite owned much of the land, leaving their peasant communities with little to call their own. The Chinese took the land from the monastries and made communes of it.


But I digress.

What drew you to hippy culture originally? Ooh, and how did you find this site?

[Harry Tuttle]

I think Buddhism can be as dangerous as any other religion precisely because people often tend to assume it's harmless. For example, it's views on homosexuality are no less prejudiced than other religions. Even if it doesn't actively promote stoning them, the fact that it sees the practice as a sin would seem somewhat outdated like all the rest. The other trouble is that people can assume Buddhism is harmless simply because of what it preaches, not what it practices. Take Tibet, for example. Now I wouldn't condone all that the Chinese have done there, but people who might shout an abstract like "Free Tibet!" often don't consider that before the Chinese came Tibet was a place of feudal slavery where the religious elite owned much of the land, leaving their peasant communities with little to call their own. The Chinese took the land from the monastries and made communes of it.


But I digress.

What drew you to hippy culture originally? Ooh, and how did you find this site?
Wow, you know more much than me, perhaps I'm just an ignorostic!
I don't know really, I would never have labeled myself as a hippy when I was young but I think plenty of hippy thoughts I suppose. All the mad concepts I had when I was stoned for the first time, watched the sun come up tripping, went WOW! for the first time and really meant it.
These things don't wash away but I am somehow harder and more pragmatic these days. I also take less mind altering chemicals!

I found this site through sheer desperation.
In an early post I got instant help here, for that I am forever grateful. I must extent massive thanks to wizardrew77 for his understanding and help.
If someone else here has a similar dilema I'll try to help as best I can and pass the karma on.

Now = Now
Past + Future = 0
Howzat for balance!

[Peace-Phoenix]

We've covered religion, what about politics? Are you a very political person? What are the issues that fire you up?

[Harry Tuttle]

I am not very political most of the time, only when some issue or other encroaches on everyday life. I heard someone say recently that a long time ago a man could live his life and never come into contact with politics, now it seems that everyman should have an opinion on current affairs.
I feel the current system of government used to work well and is arguably a nessecary evil, society must have structure or anarchy prevails (sorry all you anarchists!). Now however, political debate is driven more and more by the media to the extent that media feeds off governmental issues, which in turn feed off what the media is saying. The snake has almost finished eating its tail, and is rapidly becoming less relevant. Politics should not try to shape our culture; we should be instrumental in the course of our political structure to a finer degree than just "You have 3 choices this year, vote for Red, Green or Blue", to this end I propose that politics is dead, long live internet polls!

[Peace-Phoenix]

Good point on the media, it seems to have both a combatative and an incestuous relationship with politics at the same time. Issues like the demonisation of asylum, immigration and travellers are fine examplea of the media picking up on relatively minor political issues, creating a moral panic out of them through lies and spin, making them big policy areas as a result of people's base prejudices and then plugging them day after day to bump up sales still further.


Leading on...

Do you feel you have any prejudices, and if you do what brought them about and how do you feel you might overcome them?

[flowerchild17]

Do you like or dislike the term geek when talking about yourself? I saw that you used it to describe yourself in your first post, but the use of the word from person to person varies a lot...

[Harry Tuttle]

Do you feel you have any prejudices, and if you do what brought them about and how do you feel you might overcome them?
I started life in the sticks, I lived with my mum (dad left when I was 3) and had no prejudices. My mum however had lots, blacks, gippos, asians were all frowned upon, not so much with venom but with a resigned sadness. As I have grown up prejudices have grown with me. I dislike and fear "dids", the kind who creep into my mothers garden and steal her show cocks for fighting purposes, I met some as a kid, they tried to steal my bike from me, it was the first time I felt vulnerable and afraid of a complete stranger. Religious nuts, anyone who either bangs on your door and tries to insanely convert you (Jehovahs Witnesses), or un-subtley drops it into a perfectly reasonable conversation that you are evil and should become 'one of us' so-to-speak; ie. some muslims.
Polish people get my goat at the moment, they come over here, take our jobs... lol, not really! I did meet a very disagreeable Polak the other day who was admirably candid, she refused to hold any conversation with 'the british' as she was just over here to work and take as much money as possible back home... that made me slightly angry at first; but I laugh about it now, at least she was honest.
I think any prejudices I have are quite deep seated and difficult to overcome, they are born of experience and in a sense are there to protect me. I tend to disregard them most of the time but feel angst when something happens which confirms one of them. It makes me sad that I have prejudices, but that's life I suppose, I have yet to meet anyone whose lives weren't shaped in some way by prejudice.

More tea vicar! mmm

[Harry Tuttle]

Do you like or dislike the term geek when talking about yourself? I saw that you used it to describe yourself in your first post, but the use of the word from person to person varies a lot...
In alot ways I like 'geek', probing into unknown areas of my computer, it makes me feel like a pioneer. In other ways it has put my 'real' life on hold. You can't actually 'do' anything practical on a computer, so nothing is really going on when you are on a computer. As a human being I can move in loads of dimensions.... see what computers have done! I'm talking shit already! That's the worst part, as soon as someone mentions the 'L' word I go into evangelical mode and start to bang on about why M$ Windows is so shit! It is shit... but in the long run, I also know that it really doesn't matter that much, that I should just get on with my life. Damn, I forgot, I don't have a life hahahaha!
I use various operating systems on the machines I maintain at work (medical scanners) so I have to know what I am doing, I can justify my geekiness in that way. What is a geek anyway? A subversive? A know-it-all? A train spotter? I'm not a train spotter, I know enough to know I will never know it all!
I like to think of myself as pretty subversive, I can put a live disk (http://www.slax.org/) in anyones computer and scare them with the command line, then show them the power of GNU (http://www.gnu.org/) mwahahaha! Above all 1's an 0's cannot be tamed, patented or sold, they are just 1's and 0's, it's the peole who do the work of maintaining the 1's and 0's that need a medal! I couldn't become a programmer, it's just too much, which is why I am here I suppose, I need to use my computer, instead of my computer using me... what was the question?

[flowerchild17]

I really dont think there is any said defining term for "geek." But I myself am a geek to, just in a different way. I'm a band geek :) I like using that term also, for some reason it makes me feel useful in the world, like if anyone has ANY question about music that NOONE else would know, I'd know it, becuase I'm the band geek! Does that make sense?

If you could do any job in the world that was completely different from your own, what would it be, and why?

[Harry Tuttle]

I really dont think there is any said defining term for "geek." But I myself am a geek to, just in a different way. I'm a band geek :) I like using that term also, for some reason it makes me feel useful in the world, like if anyone has ANY question about music that NOONE else would know, I'd know it, becuase I'm the band geek! Does that make sense?
Perfect sense! Everyone has to have a hobby, I suppose if you really get into your hobby then you become a geek by default.
If you could do any job in the world that was completely different from your own, what would it be, and why?
Now that surprisingly is the hardest question, if I knew then I would be doing it now. Maybe something as far removed from technology as possible, perhaps a farmer, working with animals, maybe on a nature reserve. I know I'd like to be my own boss but not sure how. I know a guy who has done all sorts, now he works for himself making specialist door knobs, seriously, he is in great demand 'cos he makes the old style door knobs that no-one else makes anymore. It's a no-brainer but it generates a good income.

[Peace-Phoenix]

Perfect sense! Everyone has to have a hobby, I suppose if you really get into your hobby then you become a geek by default.
That's an interesting way to look at it. Almost like society praises averageness and mediocrity and passionless nonchalance. Get too good at something, get to into something, and you can't be normal....

[Peace-Phoenix]

You can't actually 'do' anything practical on a computer, so nothing is really going on when you are on a computer.
Not sure if I would agree with that though. Is action and practical progress measured only by physical movement? I'd say the development of the mind is equally, if not more, important than the development of the body. And I don't mean that in a wishy washy or spiritualist way, I'm simply talking about learning. There's so much knowledge out there that can be accumulated just by sitting in front of your computer, and learning is doing something practical. Also, I spend a lot of time in front of my computer writing and, even though the days of the typewriter are gone, I'd still say that was doing something practical. :)

[Harry Tuttle]

I really appreciate that sentiment, it makes me feel I haven't wasted my time. I am more knowledgeable now than when I started hacking (in the traditional sense of the word), and the internet had a massive influence on my acquired knowledge. Perhaps this isn't such a bad place to live!
Bed time, Guys hospital tomoz, sleep well.

[lithium]

Polish people get my goat at the moment, they come over here, take our jobs... lol, not really! A friend of mine had a temporary job in a supermarket recently and said there was a staff notice telling them to "BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR POLISH THIEVES" ... he wasn't sure if he should be patrolling the Mr Sheen aisle :)

um...

When and where did you first see Brazil?

[Harry Tuttle]

LOL

I saw Brazil for the first time in 1988, I was a bit stoned, it got under my skin and has been there ever since. It's just.... can't put it into words. It really shaped my philosophy on terrorists "How many terrorists have you seen Sam, I mean actual terrorists?!". You can't have a war with terror!! it's just ludicrous. Terry G saw this coming a mile off I think.
Why did you ask? Are you familiar with it too? Anyone out there a Gilliam fan? He's done some corkers!!

[Peace-Phoenix]

What do you find to do when there's a long power cut?

[Harry Tuttle]

hmm, that would be telling!

[lithium]

Why did you ask? Are you familiar with it too? Anyone out there a Gilliam fan? He's done some corkers!!It's one of my favourite films:) I first saw it when I was about 14 in a Moviedrome season on BBC2 introduced by Alex Cox. And I got a bit obsessed with it all during my teenage years ... it's the kind of film that can haunt you, so evocative:)

Umm ... so what's your second favourite film?:)

[Harry Tuttle]

it's the kind of film that can haunt you, so evocative:)
mmm so true! I still watch it when my mood takes me.
Umm ... so what's your second favourite film?:)
hmm.. tough... I'll go the cowards way out and say Blade Runner, just as atmospheric and, lets face it, a classic. There are so many other films I like, Sci-Fi (Alien, 2001, Logans Run, Dark Star), Japanese and Chinese (Jet Li stuff, Prodigal Son, Akira etc.), European (La Haine, Baise Moi, Das Boot) Australian, plus lots of obscure animation, the weirder the better, but very little modern Hollywood stuff, it just bores the shit out of me.

[Peace-Phoenix]

Baise Moi eh? You dirty sod:p

[Harry Tuttle]

hehe - I thought I'd just chuck that one in... a bit of a shocker lol

[Peace-Phoenix]

Just because I'm curious, who's the J.H. in your signature?

[Harry Tuttle]

Jerimiah Helpman, the ghost in the machine.... woooOOOooo lol
Sam Lowries late father in Brazil. You'll have to watch it man ;)

[Peace-Phoenix]

What's the meaning of life?


And numerical answers are not allowed! I know what you were thinking....

[Harry Tuttle]

I feel that we are observers, one of a rare set of evolutionary events which conspire to make us fully aware of our surroundings.
By means of instruments capable of observing what we can't see, we can deduce that our solar system exists and it's dimensions, movements and positions etc.
There is nothing on our world to suggest stars are not holes in the night sky, only through major instrumentation are we able to prove this physically.
If we weren't here, who would attempt to take all these measurements and create the image we have today of our surrounding environment, from the minutest molecular structure to cosmic scale structures to eleven dimentional space theorys.
It all amazes me and doth make me say "wow", who needs a deity or a set of rules when "wow" will do! Honestly we are a rare thing, you know the saying "if a tree falls and no-one is there does it make a sound?"? Would the universe fully exist if there is no-one to really witness it's vast fractaline beauty?
Meaning of life: Observe, live a little, reproduce (the fun bit) and go wow occasionally... or die trying!

[Peace-Phoenix]

Wouldn't you say that the point of observing the universe is to determine that if a tree does fall in a forest and nobody's around to hear it, then it will make a sound? In that observation leads to general rules through which we can understand the way things work and make predictions on what will happen given a certain set of circumstances.

This is based a question I found in an online ethics test a while back:

10 people you don't know will die somewhere in the world, unless you choose to die in their place. What would you do?

1000 people you don't know will die somewhere in the world, unless you choose to die in their place. What would you do?

10,000 people you don't know will die somewhere in the world, unless you choose to die in their place. What would you do?

The people you could save will never know you, never know your choice, never thank you and there's no opportunity for flashy heroics. Either you drop down dead or they do....

[Harry Tuttle]

Wouldn't you say that the point of observing the universe is to determine that if a tree does fall in a forest and nobody's around to hear it, then it will make a sound? In that observation leads to general rules through which we can understand the way things work and make predictions on what will happen given a certain set of circumstances.
Hmm, kind of, but we can see trees with our own eyes, we couldn't see the scale of our universe until our instrumentation and mathematical methods were good enough. I am saying that we can visualise our surroundings without ever actually seeing any of it, amazing! I am concentrating on the end, as oposed to the means, although the means are the fun bit!
This is based a question I found in an online ethics test a while back:

10 people you don't know will die somewhere in the world, unless you choose to die in their place. What would you do?

1000 people you don't know will die somewhere in the world, unless you choose to die in their place. What would you do?

10,000 people you don't know will die somewhere in the world, unless you choose to die in their place. What would you do?

The people you could save will never know you, never know your choice, never thank you and there's no opportunity for flashy heroics. Either you drop down dead or they do....
I'm an all or nothing kind of guy, I choose life!

[Peace-Phoenix]

Would you rather burn out or fade away?

[Harry Tuttle]

Crash and burn! Make it quick though, no-one likes pain... well some people... but they scare me!

[Peace-Phoenix]

What would be the best way to go?


And how would you like to be remembered?

How do you think you would be remembered?

[Harry Tuttle]

q1: Head on collision with a tanker on a bike. Flames!

I would like to point out here that I am single. I recon if I had kids and all that I would probably drive alot slower, thereby increasing the fade away factor!

q2: As a crazy fool

q3: As a crazy idiot!

[Peace-Phoenix]

What's your ideal bike to crash and burn on?

[Harry Tuttle]

This one! (http://www.triumph.co.uk/3942.aspx)

[Peace-Phoenix]

A fine choice, sir.


Ok, what's your favourite food?

And what's your favourite drink?

[flowerchild17]

What style of music do you enjoy playing most? I noticed that you said you enjoyed being a drummer...

[Harry Tuttle]

A fine choice, sir.
mmm
Ok, what's your favourite food?
Pie
And what's your favourite drink?
Tea... and BOOZE!

[Harry Tuttle]

What style of music do you enjoy playing most? I noticed that you said you enjoyed being a drummer...
Complicated rock, 5/4 beats and ozric style madness!
I have done all sorts though, from gong to hardcore to shuffling low beats, it's all good!

[flowerchild17]

I LOVE playing anything in 5/4, it's so much fun becuase it confuses the living hell out of people:D

Who influnces you, musically and otherwise?

[Harry Tuttle]

Musically:

Hmm, my first love was ironically Adam and the Ants! Two drummers, awesome noise! But many many influences on top, the mighty Hawkwind and Floyd, Ozrics Led Zep. Then later I got into drum and base and some hardcore band I got into (Truth Be Known) a girlie singer (Katie Buckhaven) and now just jammin' whatever comes into my head... no band at the mo.
I started off on orchestral percussion at school then kind of slipped into kit drumming, gave me a really good grounding so I really appreciate classical music too. Madam Butterfly and Ravels Bolero are my fave memories of classical performance.

Otherwise:

Einstein!

[flowerchild17]

What's your favorite thing to do outdoors?

[Harry Tuttle]

What's your favorite thing to do outdoors?
Hmmm, camping I suppose! a nice fire and good company... I haven't used a tent in years though! last festy I did was ages ago, I get out on the bike alot but never really go places where I used to camp out, like the new forrest.
I have 2 weeks off work from now, going to Wales on a little sailing trip off Milford Haven, maybe I'll stop off ha;fway and camp somewhere... You just motivated me! Thanks X

[lithium]

How long have you been sailing? What's that all about then?

[Harry Tuttle]

How long have you been sailing? What's that all about then?
hehe, I was in the sea cadets (laugh it up) when I was 14ish and did alot of sailing, canoeing and such. I went to Pembrookeshire in May wiv my muvver and went out to sea for the first time in years, it was excellent, everyone should go out to sea in an unpowered vessel, so peaceful and raw, the sea has a demon at its heart that will swallow you up at the drop of a hat... seriously, try it....

[Peace-Phoenix]

Hahaha, I wasn't going to laugh until you said laugh it up. Tragically, I was in Sea Scouts for about a month, and had to looky like a poncy sailor :& Too many knots to tie, and nowhere near as fun as cub scouts.


Ok, if you could be anyone living in the world right now (except yourself), who would it be and why?

[Harry Tuttle]

Angelina Jolie... mmm... breasts to play with...

AHEM! Sorry! No, I would like to be, erm...

Okay, I would like to be James, my sisters youngest child, he has 7 brothers and sisters, a great mum and dad and his whole life ahead of him.

[Peace-Phoenix]

Do you like your own life and what's ahead of you?

[lithium]

Tell me about your childhood.

[Harry Tuttle]

Do you like your own life and what's ahead of you?
My life is pretty good, full of laughs, full of tears, I have no problems compared to some. What's ahead of me is purely a coincidence, I had no part in it's planning, it's not my fault.

[Harry Tuttle]

Tell me about your childhood.
I was brought up in the country, out in the sticks between Knebworth and Welwyn. My dad left my mum when I was 3, I wasn't too badly affected by this; although lots of subliminal damage has slowly come to the surface over the years, nothing I haven't been able to accept and work around. My sister was profoundly affected by it though, loosing her father figure at 6 must have really hurt her.

Anyway, I, along with my sister, was brought up by my mum who spent a lot of time with her horse; possibly the biggest issue with my dad was his jealousy of the horse I suppose. I had time on my hands and spent it mainly taking things apart, running around a lot, playing with friends, taking things apart, but spent at least 50% of the time on my own... taking things apart. Eventually I learned to put them back together again! I was a bit of a loner, quite sensitive, into lego and soon learned mucho mechanical skillage, electronic stuff took a grip on me, hence my techy job and geekish lifestyle.
I decided when I was 8 that my best year was when I was 7, nothing could top it, 1977, star wars, close encounters, computer games, masses of lego, making haystack houses in Arnolds Farm, climbing water towers, had good friends, had my first experience of a porno mag :p ;), just a great time. I can't put my finger on it but it was as if I had suddenly become self aware, altogether aware of animal nature and suddenly aware of the hopelessly intricate nature of people. I have trouble putting myself in other peoples shoes and can often be too blunt. I am very literate but sometimes feel that words just get in the way of actually experiencing stuff; to describe an experience is to dull it's finish.
Hmm.
Anyway, I had a revelation concerning my childhood this year, would you like to hear it?

[lithium]

Anyway, I had a revelation concerning my childhood this year, would you like to hear it?Yus.

[Harry Tuttle]

I met a girl, when I was about 13-ish. I was already interested in girls and this girl was really pretty, she was riding her horse, I was on my push bike, so we meandered into the woods. We chatted and got on well enough, laughed and joked, I showed off to her, she responded happily. We ended up at a pretty little spot on the outskirts, no-one about, I put my biike down, she tied her horsey up and we continued to muck about. At some point she leant against the tree the horse was tied to, beckoned me over and asked I moved closer, a bit shy, full of anticipation... I hesitated for some reason... She said "Aren't you going kiss me then?", I shied away a bit not really knowing why and replied "No". She said "Why not?" and on an impulse I replied "... I'm not into romance".
All these years I have wondered why I shied away, why I said what I said, I was quite angry and upset about my reaction. I know I wanted to kiss her. A month ago I had a revelation, all the time we were together the horse was watching us, seemed very interested; when it came to actually kissing her the horse was right next to her, watching our every move. I now realise that I had no lack of romantic feelings, I was put off getting close to her by the fact that the horse was watching me!
What the hell is that about then?! The mind is a tricksy thing.

[Peace-Phoenix]

From a psychologist's perspective, you could be said to have a very male (though not excessively) orientated brain type. These, according to Simon Baron-Cohen (a Cambridge Doctor and cousin of Ali G) do not necessary correspond to a particular sex, though more men have the 'male' braintype and more women have the 'female' brain type. Whilst female braintypes are 'hardwired' towards empathy, compassion and creativity, the 'male' braintype is geared towards understanding and building systems, creating order and rules, as well as towards maths and science. Supposedly in more extreme cases of the 'male' braintype, sympathy and empathy with others can be difficult; people like to work to concrete orders, and may not see how their very rational words might affect others. That is why autism and Asperger's syndrome are almost exclusively male phenomena. Supposedly there would be a female equivalent to this, of extreme empathy, perhaps to the extent of trusting naivite and, although such a condition has not been recognised with a name, I could name a number of individuals who fit into that category.


Sorry, will stop the psychology...

That story you told was both funny and tragic, and kind of cute. I wanted you to get the girl in it. So, my next question: who was your greatest love?

[Harry Tuttle]

The love of my life was Fiona, a lovely girl, we went through alot together and loved each others company, it was about 10 years ago. We met in a club in Luton, I knew I wanted to be with her and she must have liked me, all i did was brush her leg and all of a sudden we were together, kissing. I had a place of my own and we had great fun, for a while I thought I could spend the rest of my life with this girl.
I called it off after about 8 months or so, I was in a bad mood, I also thought I might be holding her back as she was 19-ish and I was 8 years older than her... I wish I hadn't but you can't turn back time can you?

[Peace-Phoenix]

If you could turn back time, what one thing, if any, would you change in your past?

[Harry Tuttle]

At the moment, I think the bit with the horse. But I'm not sure, maybe it kept me innocent for longer, I treasure innocence - it is so honest but so easily lost.
I also wish I hadn't dumped Clare for Tracy.

[Hippie_Girl]

Did you have a grand time in Milford Haven?! Do you go to Pembrokeshire often?

:)

[Harry Tuttle]

I stayed at a lovely house in Maenclochog. Friday was too windy for sailing, Saturday I was helping build a conservatory and Sunday we got to Milford Haven just to late for the lock in the marina.
Ah well, going to be sailing to Brittany next July, should be better weather then anyway.

[Peace-Phoenix]

Did you enjoy Cambridge?

[Harry Tuttle]

Yup, was great fun! Did you? Hope I didn't make an arse of myself :p
Thanks for getting me into groovey places with your invisible student card ;) made for a good day :)

[Hippie_Girl]

I stayed at a lovely house in Maenclochog. Friday was too windy for sailing, Saturday I was helping build a conservatory and Sunday we got to Milford Haven just to late for the lock in the marina.
Ah well, going to be sailing to Brittany next July, should be better weather then anyway.
Ahhh Welsh weather unpredictable as ever!! heehee!!! Do you do a lot of sailing?!

[Harry Tuttle]

I used to but that was when I was a kid, I did my first bit of sailing for ages in May of this year (in Milford Haven). I think I have the bug again now so we'll see how it goes eh?!
You ever been sailing HG?

[phoenix_indigo]

LOL

I saw Brazil for the first time in 1988, I was a bit stoned, it got under my skin and has been there ever since. It's just.... can't put it into words. It really shaped my philosophy on terrorists "How many terrorists have you seen Sam, I mean actual terrorists?!". You can't have a war with terror!! it's just ludicrous. Terry G saw this coming a mile off I think.
Why did you ask? Are you familiar with it too? Anyone out there a Gilliam fan? He's done some corkers!!I loved Brazil. I saw it back in ... um ... 1996 or something like that for the first time. Made me a fan of Gilliam as well.

While living in America (as I can't say what it has been like over here as much) as years have gone on, it seems more and more like that sort of governmental terrorist regime could one day become reality.

I just finished reading "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72" last night, and wow ... even that blew my mind and made me coil at the thoughts of what has happened in the past 6 years under the jr. bush. Phones being tapped, convos being recorded, e-mails being scanned... you're never safe.
I cringed last week when I saw on the news that they are trying to push over here to have the same sorts of privacy invasion acts that the Americans put into play after 9/11. Despite the CCTV everywhere, I feel like the UK is so much less invasive than America has become. I would hate to think that they would take the same turn and go down that slippery slope towards infringing on the everyday persons rights to maybe find a handful of people who may or may not do something somewhere to possibly or possibly not harm someone.

*shudders*

[phoenix_indigo]

If there could be one thing you do in life more than any other before you die what would it be? (money/borders/etc aren't issues)

oh, and by the sounds of it ... you get out a lot more than you hinted at before ;-)

[Hippie_Girl]

I used to but that was when I was a kid, I did my first bit of sailing for ages in May of this year (in Milford Haven). I think I have the bug again now so we'll see how it goes eh?!
You ever been sailing HG?
I have been once in Aberyswyth!! My fiance's sisters go all the time on the WEst Country coast... and everytime we go and see his 'rents his nextdoor neighbour tries to get us to go sailing... I might take him up on it next time he asks!

Why in Milford? Do you have connections with Milford?

[Peace-Phoenix]

How's the home front at the moment? Life treating you well?

[Harry Tuttle]

I have been once in Aberyswyth!! My fiance's sisters go all the time on the WEst Country coast... and everytime we go and see his 'rents his nextdoor neighbour tries to get us to go sailing... I might take him up on it next time he asks!

Why in Milford? Do you have connections with Milford?
Oh! No reason really, just that friends happen to live there.... I do love south Wales though, excellent biking country... BRRRRRM!

[Peace-Phoenix]

Haven't seen you around much lately, you been keeping busy?

[Harry Tuttle]

Hi man, yeah, been very busy at work, also been loosing my soul to MySpakk (http://www.myspace.com/tuxfreak). Found a girl.... in Helsinki! oops! big mistake, still repairing my heart from that one... probably should come back here to "spread the love" so to speak but feeling a bit empty of love right now. Hope you are well, and like I say, next time I'm in town I'll pm you.
Captains log, signing off.... for now! ;)

[lithium]

Hi Karl, good to see you around again. I'm off to Helsinki in January:D

What are your thoughts about Finland?http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/flag.gif

[Harry Tuttle]

OOO it'll be cold!! haha!

It's a great place, a lot of links to Russia, the train station in Helsinki has alot of 50's type Russian/gothic influence for example. The people are great, if you stray into a few bars at the weekend you're sure to have a good time. People generally understand English and don't get upset if you can't understand Finnish. Altogether a great place to visit.... Better in the summer though I would imagine ;)

And, if you're interested, I met up with a girl there, lost my heart and am trying to recover as we speak....

[Harry Tuttle]

If there could be one thing you do in life more than any other before you die what would it be? (money/borders/etc aren't issues)

oh, and by the sounds of it ... you get out a lot more than you hinted at before ;-)

Sorry Indigo, forgot to respond....

Fall in love again.... but with someone who was in love with me.... it's the only thing in life that really deeply means something....
Oh, damn it all, LOVE IS HELL!

[lithium]

OOO it'll be cold!! haha!

It's a great place, a lot of links to Russia, the train station in Helsinki has alot of 50's type Russian/gothic influence for example. The people are great, if you stray into a few bars at the weekend you're sure to have a good time. People generally understand English and don't get upset if you can't understand Finnish. Altogether a great place to visit.... Better in the summer though I would imagine ;)

And, if you're interested, I met up with a girl there, lost my heart and am trying to recover as we speak....Yep I've been before in August and in March, this time I fancied a trip in the bleak midwinter:)

What bars did you go to? Anywhere you'd recommend?

So, this girl ... how did you meet and what went wrong?:(

[Harry Tuttle]

Yep I've been before in August and in March, this time I fancied a trip in the bleak midwinter:)
Oh! cool! (pun intended)
What bars did you go to? Anywhere you'd recommend?
hmm, I stayed with this girl, very close to the train station, went to 3 bars nearby but I couldn't say which ones... I was quite drunk!
So, this girl ... how did you meet and what went wrong?:(
I met her on the internet, she's lovely but so far away.. I tell her how I feel, she understands but it's all too confusing, I am in love but I don't think she is. Oh well, all sparks will burn out (Editors), at least I hope they will soon, it's killing me :~[

[flowerchild17]

Awww Karl I'm sorry *hug* Wish things could ahve worked out better...

On a lighter subject, what was the last good movie you saw?

[Harry Tuttle]

Awww Karl I'm sorry *hug* Wish things could ahve worked out better...

On a lighter subject, what was the last good movie you saw?
Thanks for the hugs!

The most recent films I saw were three Mike Leigh films, Abigails Party, Carrer Girls and Naked. Naked is brilliant in my honest opinion some parts of it make me break down... the girl in the cafe' who just sits there crying for no reason... so profound

[Peace-Phoenix]

And the last book you read?


Sorry to hear about the girl man. It's a bummer (which coincidentally you may become as a result of bitterness towards the female sex)

[Harry Tuttle]

And the last book you read?
The men who stare at goats, Jon Ronson. Explains how insane the American military intelligence is!

Sorry to hear about the girl man. It's a bummer (which coincidentally you may become as a result of bitterness towards the female sex)
No chance of that happening. If I could turn back the clock I wouldn't change a thing.

[Peace-Phoenix]

What was the last dream you remember having?

[Harry Tuttle]

Last nights dream was too personal! I remember all my dreams, at least just after I wake up I do... I dream every night without fail. I can rarely control anything in my dreams though, as I know some people can.

[Peace-Phoenix]

Do you attribute any deeper meaning to your dreams? Do you enjoy dreaming?

[Harry Tuttle]

I do tend to read meaning into my dreams. Sometimes their memories fade really fast - within a few seconds of waking, but some leave me contemplating all day. I would really miss them if, for some reason, they stopped.

[lithium]

Anyway, back to the subject of Finland. Did you try
http://www.koff.fi/stc/images/docs/5_karhu_tosivahva.jpg?

[Harry Tuttle]

No, but I did try Salmiakki Koskenkorva (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmiakkikossu), and it was lovely!! Should have brought a bottle home...

[Peace-Phoenix]

When have you been the most drunk, and what happened?

[Harry Tuttle]

When have you been the most drunk, and what happened?I had 2 whole pints of "Old Roger" once, it was at a small country pub called "The Five Bells" in Totternhoe. The stuff was evil, thick as gravy and strong as a railway sleeper across the face. I was absolutely slaughtered, amazed at anything anyone did, and sick everywhere. Brilliant!

[Peace-Phoenix]

Are you a creature of darkness or light?

[Harry Tuttle]

a bit of both... although I do spend a lot of time on the computer late at night. I always used to stay up 'till stupid o'clock, but find life a lot more bearable if I do a little sleeping every now and then!

[Peace-Phoenix]

What's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?

[Peace-Phoenix]

You have mail waiting. And questions of course, always questions....

[Harry Tuttle]

oh!

The most beautiful....

The world through tears
And evening sun through windows

[Peace-Phoenix]

And what's the most hideous thing you've ever laid eyes upon?


And don't say my hat!

[Harry Tuttle]

Things like this haunt me...
http://www.huntingdonsucks.com/gallery/picx86.jpg

[Peace-Phoenix]

Oh dear. You must not sleep easy...


How does it feel to be voted the best newcomer?

[lithium]

What are your views on animal experimentation?

[Harry Tuttle]

Oh dear. You must not sleep easy...


How does it feel to be voted the best newcomer?
:party:

[Harry Tuttle]

What are your views on animal experimentation?
:beatdeadh Don't like it... unless it's an experiment to find out if cats have ticklish paws or something :)

[lithium]

Why don't you like it?

[Harry Tuttle]

Well, there are a lot of people who would actively demonstrate against it but I can't. I believe that some if not most of the people doing work like this believe they are ultimately doing something good (thinking beyond just profit here). A lot of experimentation has already been carried out, that cannot be undone but to say it is completely pointless cruelty is a little blinkered in my view... there are plenty of distressing vivisection images to shock and appal, I'm sure the technicians themselves (unless they are robot aliens) were affected too by their brutal methods, but as with any research work the majority is tedious statistical analysis, the results of which have greatly benefited almost everyone reading this now.
In conclusion, the benefits from this work shouldn't be discarded otherwise all the work, suffering and benefits will disappear in a cloud of paperwork. I am of the opinion that new kinds of research like distributed computing, protein folding projects and so forth can almost remove all need for large scale statistical experimentation on animals, in the same way that we no longer have any need to test any nuclear weaponry, we can model the whole thing on a computer. Perhaps soon we won't need to do any experimentation except the human clinical trials... and as we saw recently, even they can be pretty disastrous:
http://www.nature.com/news/2006/060410/pf/440855a_pf.html
What comes around goes around ;)

[lithium]

What are your views on the use of animals for food?

I'll hit you with something PP asked me:
Do you believe that a human life is more valuable than another animals life? Why / why not?

[Harry Tuttle]

What are your views on the use of animals for food?
I'm an omnivore... but having said that, I like the halal way of killing animals, on an individual scale, with a little thought (or prayer) for the soon-to-be-dinner.
I'll hit you with something PP asked me:
Do you believe that a human life is more valuable than another animals life? Why / why not?
Only those close to me. I have had pets which I have loved as much as anything... god I hate this question!
We are all just a carnival of movement.

[Peace-Phoenix]

The hallal and kosher ways of killing animals is actually somewhat crueller in reality though. Prayers don't make up for not stunning them first....
What's the craziest thing you've ever done?

[Harry Tuttle]

The hallal and kosher ways of killing animals is actually somewhat crueller in reality though. Prayers don't make up for not stunning them first....
I tend to feel it's nobler to look something in the eye whilst killing it instead of an anonymous jolt then drain the carcass... no, perhaps you are right, nobility aside!
What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
I'm still riding around on my motorbike against all better judgement... I have come so close to death so many times...
I think going to Helsinki recently was pretty crazy, or the way I did it in a fit of peak!
I used to be the only person in junior school who would sneak under the perimeter fence to get the ball! Crazy times Vince...

[lithium]

Why is killing animals for science wrong when killing them for food is ok? Both provide benefit/convenience to mankind but are unnecessary in that we can get along fine without doing them. We may try to minimise the cruelty of both, but both activities ultimately in practice involve large scale suffering of and cruelty to animals.

[Peace-Phoenix]

Arguably animal testing is much smaller scale and much more beneficial than eating meat. Even if I were not to eat meat, I would still support animal testing where it's necessary.


And what happened when you got to Helinski? Did you meat this girl of yours? What happened?

[Harry Tuttle]

Why is killing animals for science wrong when killing them for food is ok? Both provide benefit/convenience to mankind but are unnecessary in that we can get along fine without doing them. We may try to minimise the cruelty of both, but both activities ultimately in practice involve large scale suffering of and cruelty to animals.
I can't help but think that is a non argument... have you ever seen a cat playing with a half dead mouse? Do we ban cats?
I am an omnivore. Plus - I love the taste of meat.
Next question.

[Harry Tuttle]

And what happened when you got to Helinski? Did you meat this girl of yours? What happened?
Well, I met her, fell stupidly in some crazy love with her, but it's finally calmed down now, although I have becoma a Myspakk whore (http://www.myspace.com/tuxfreak) in the process!

Sorry I didn't hook up with you on Friday man, I lost your number... I was waiting in the wi-fi area of Addenbrookes for you to come on msn but to no avail... catch you next time defo... pm me you number again please :)

Ps. love the play on words ;)

[lithium]

I can't help but think that is a non argument... have you ever seen a cat playing with a half dead mouse? Do we ban cats?
I am an omnivore. Plus - I love the taste of meat.
Next question.I'm not presenting an argument, I'm asking you questions:)

You brought up the subject of animal testing as something which haunts you, you implied we should do all we can to limit the cruelty to animals that it involves by replacing it with computer modelling. If you nonetheless support the animal cruelty inherent in using animals for food - something which provides no advances in knowledge and is purely done for pleasure - don't you see this as something of a double standard?

(This is serious karma; think of me as Paxman for the eveninghttp://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/newsmilies/reddevil.gif)

[Harry Tuttle]

Yes... sorry.

I see what you are getting at... I do think there is unessecary suffering in the food industry, but on the whole in this country the standard of animal welfare is high. It's a different matter when the image I posted is placed in front of you, I cannot see that creature enjoying anything there.
A cow in a field is, on the other hand infinitely happier, same for sheep... unfortunately chickens aren't quite as well off, they are far too easily exploited... but still!
We made the cow and the sheep and other livestock, genetically modifying them over thousands of years into what you see today. Aside from the subject of cruelty, it would be a shame to loose thousands of breeds of various farm and show animals... maybe they could become pets! If only I could find my second stomach, get rid of these canines and incisors, start eating grass... moo a bit... omg no!

[dapablo]

Have you ever ridden a horse ?

[Harry Tuttle]

Yes, my mother has always had a horse and always used to spend large amounts of time with them. I've always liked being around them, they are intelligent, kind, mischievous and on the whole wonderful creatures. I had a bad experience once on a horse, my brother-in-law was driving and I was sitting behind the saddle, he shifted into a gallop and wouldn't slow down (probably to impress me or scare me) it hurt like hell, but I had to hold on rather than fall off... aside from that, no bad experiences with horses.

[Peace-Phoenix]

Are you sure you've had no other bad experiences with horses?

[Peace-Phoenix]

What's the first thing you'll do when you get to New Zealand?

[Harry Tuttle]

Laugh! And, possibly cry. Then I suppose I'll have to find out where I live!

[CrucifiedDreams]

What's your greatest accomplishment? :)

[Harry Tuttle]

A vague sense of reality coupled with a moderate level of enlightenment.

[CrucifiedDreams]

What's your favourite curse word and why?

[Harry Tuttle]

Numpty, such a nice rounded insult! Not harsh but fair... a numpty should feel happy to be on the low end of insults as that is all he/she has earned - a twat of lower standing.

[CrucifiedDreams]

Haha. I just learned a new word. :D

What's your secret hide out/favourite place to escape too?

[Harry Tuttle]

I feel most at peace hammering through traffic on my motorbike, I can't really describe it, it's like I am all alone, untouchable, and faster than everything else, so fast sometimes that everything seems to stand still for me. That is when I am truly empty of thought. Scary! Did I just say that :o

[CrucifiedDreams]

:) Nice answer.

What's your biggest pet peeve?

[Harry Tuttle]

People who keep count of favours like life is a fackin balance sheet! I reckon karma sorts everyone out in the end anyway, no need!

[CrucifiedDreams]

No shit.

Do you have the job you thought you would? Is it what you want?

[Harry Tuttle]

No shit.
nope! And, to elaborate, I try to push past my aching ego and let it go. I will not be brought to a situation where I keep count to prove that I am being fair.
And and! It's a real tough thing to push past... it might be in our nature to keep count... am I going against nature? Who knows, but that kind of behaviour smacks of greed to me.

Which I abhor.

PS. not sure why this peeves me so much, I'm sure there are more important things to get narked about!
Do you have the job you thought you would?
No!
Is it what you want?
Right now, yes... in ten years? I get bored easily!

[CrucifiedDreams]

I hear where you're coming from.

What's one country you'd like to visit and why?

[Harry Tuttle]

Japan! They're weird!

[Peace-Phoenix]

So what have you been doing all these months away from the forums? Glad to see you back by the way!

[Harry Tuttle]

I've been on myspace... *flees from flung fruit*

[fountains of nay]

Japan! They're weird!
If you go and I'm living there, you can come stay with me. I'll take you to raves :)

[Harry Tuttle]

Domo arigato Nay chan, I would be honoured *deep bow*

[CrucifiedDreams]

Are you allergic to anything?

[Harry Tuttle]

er... nope!

[CrucifiedDreams]

Lol. What's your favourite flavour of ice cream? :D

[Harry Tuttle]

deja vu...



I love all that Cornish full cream stuff, you know, heart attack ice cream! mmmmmmmmmmm

[CrucifiedDreams]

Hahaha.. Can't say I know. I don't eat ice cream.

What's your favourite instrument? :D

[Harry Tuttle]

Hahaha.. Can't say I know. I don't eat ice cream.
you crazy girl type thing!

What's your favourite instrument? :D
a nice china crash always goes down a treat! (it's a cymbal... duh!)

Yes, I hang with musicians
Yes, I never know when to come in
Yes, I have TIMING no sense of

I'm... a drummer. *tumbleweed*

...

...

*coughs*

...

...

*echo of cough*

...

etc...

[CrucifiedDreams]

Haha, you make me laugh.

And it's not becuase I'm a "Crazy girl type thing" It's more becuase I'm lactose intolerant. ;)

[Peace-Phoenix]

How's the far side of the world?

[Harry Tuttle]

Hold yer horses PP! I'll let you know when I get there...

[Peace-Phoenix]

Ahh, I thought you were there already. Bah, what are you waiting for?

[Harry Tuttle]

hehe, I'm in LA from this Sunday until the 7th May, then I fly on to NZ... will report back any anomalies!

[lithium]

In what relative quantities are you excited and apprehensive about the big move and your new life?:eek:

[Peace-Phoenix]

LA eh? What you doing there mister flashpants?

[lithium]

How's New Zealand?

[fountains of nay]

Are ya missing me yet? (Even though I've spoken to you a couple of times since your emigration!)