After reading The Eyre Affair, I went online and came across the website here and the affiliated links. I found this:

[www.goliathcorp.com]

and recognized the picture of the plasma gun. It's Shockwave, a Transformer toy
(a robot that turns into something else, such as a car or gun, for those who don't know)
[www.seibertron.com]

The best part is Shockwave came out around 1985, when all of this is taking place.

that's funny! Can't tell Jasper has kids or anything can ya? (but more than likely that's HIS toy)

Oh and, uh, Welcome Derek! Post away!

Welcome to the fforum.

doesn't Mr Ff have three sons, IIRC, so it's likely to be one of theirs?



PSD

==========

This is the work of an Italian narco-anarchic collective. Don't bother insulting them, they can't read English anyway.

I'm not sure how old his sons are... I guess it's plausible that the oldest ones could have been born around 1985. I mean that would put him at around 24 years old-prime time for kids.

But on the flip side of that, doesn't Jasper come across as someone who would own toys of his own?

We should put that on the list of questions to ask for the next interview WN does.

Hi, Derek! Welcome to the friendliest madhouse on the Internet. :-)



..........................................................................................

That which does not kill us makes us stranger.
(Llewelyn the dragon, Ozy and Millie)

Sarah

Hi Derek - very brave using your full and proper name for all to see as well! Unless it is a very clever pseudonym?

Maybe Derek has already noticed how non-threatening we all are. We may be insane, but we're harmless!



..........................................................................................

That which does not kill us makes us stranger.
(Llewelyn the dragon, Ozy and Millie)

Sarah

And I've got a note from my shrink to prove it...



PSD

==========

This is the work of an Italian narco-anarchic collective. Don't bother insulting them, they can't read English anyway.

No comments about the Plasma Gun, but a "Welcome to the fforum" for Derek...

************************************************************

Warning! Product may contain Newts!

As for using my real name, I figured there's thousands of Derek Jackson's in the world, didn't realize it would show my IP...

Well, if anywhere on the Net is safe, this is it. I've been here six months under my own name, with my e-mail address freely available, and so far I have had: trolls 0, flames 0, stalkers 0.



..........................................................................................

That which does not kill us makes us stranger.
(Llewelyn the dragon, Ozy and Millie)

Sarah

I forget what a troll is, excpet for one of those ugly, annoying things with bright orange hair that girls found incredibly cute about seven years ago... My chalk-bag for climbing has 'Troll' on it, should I worry?



PSD

==========

This is the work of an Italian narco-anarchic collective. Don't bother insulting them, they can't read English anyway.

My troll had pink hair. It's still cute.



:--

Do something pretty while you can...

Ben _
Only worry about being labelled 'Troll' if you find that sunlight is starting to have a petrifying effect on you... or if you hear that somebody named Beowulf is coming to town!

************************************************************

"This was willed where what is willed... can be rather silly."

Sunlight petrifies me; I don't want to get skin cancer !

Simon; was Grendel a troll then? I thought he was just a foul fiend (with a stroppy Mum).

Skiffle: skin cancer? In Yorkshire? Rust, maybe. (Oh, and Claire says thanks for the card).



- - -
I am very interested in the Universe. I am specialising in the Universe and everything surrounding it. - E. L. Wisty

I've definitely seen Grendel described as a troll in at least one book on mythology, and think that this is indeed mentioned in the original poem. Of course in those days (before 'fantasy roleplaying games' :-) terms like 'Giant' and 'Troll' were sometimes used interchangeably.

The version of the poem that survived was written down after the English became (at least nominally) Christian, and was influenced by this... Grendel is also described as being a descendant of Cain.

************************************************************

"This was willed where what is willed... can get rather silly."

PSD - Troll climbing gear is made here in Saddleworth, Uppermill to be exact (or it used to be - not looked recently).