Life, the universe, and everything
No run Wednesday, or Thursday, or probably Friday either. This is an unusually busy week for after work activities. So I have slightly less to talk about lately. No matter… let’s see what’s in my drafts folder…
Let’s talk about my favorite book (or series of books). Douglas Adam’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Almost every year, I either pull this out or one of the sequels and read it. If not read, then I certainly listen to my set of audio books. I just get such a kick out of them. Douglas’ way of anthropomorphizing even the silliest inanimate object cracks me up every time. Example: “His biceps rippled beneath his sleeves like Volkswagens jostling for parking spaces.” That’s the kind of metaphor I’m always aspiring to when I write or comment. Sometimes something like that will pop into my head while driving and I’ll make an effort to remember it and file it away for use. More often than not I simply forget them and am left languishing at my keyboard grasping for that one clever, simile to be like the cherry on top of my prose sundae.
The more incongruous the metaphor or simile the better it is. Putting two things together that normally rarely are seen together gets more attention. Like prison inmates watching “Doogie Houser, MD.”
One of the best punchlines (if you can call it a punchline, when the whole book is the build-up) in H2G2 is the ultimate answer to Life, the universe, and everything. Google, in a very playful and non-corporaty way, delivers the very answer to life, the universe and everything without the tedious 7.5 million years of computing. I love it. For more details about the ultimate answer, see this entry.
Douglas Adams died May 11, 2001. I remember the day very well. I was lying in bed after just waking up, grabbed my PDA from my nightstand and started surfing the web until I was ready to get up. The first news item I read was that Mr. Adams had died of a heart attack. I was very upset. I was devastated. It felt funny since I didn’t know the man aside from his works. It’s not like he had unfinished work–like the final 7th book in a series or something. But I was just sooo disappointed.
He never got to see the movie adaptation of his greatest achievement. It was very good. Brian and I saw it together soon after it opened. We thought seriously of wearing our bathrobes and bringing our towels to the theater Arthur Dent-style, but the wives discouraged us from doing so. Brian is the only other person I know (aside from perhaps, John) who understands H2G2 like I do and love it for its ridiculousness and whimsy. I think Mr. Adams would have loved the film. The film, like the books and audio tapes, will join a high position in my entertainment rotation. I miss you Mr. Adams… but, so long and thanks for all the fish.
February 9th, 2007 at 9:22 am
I love Douglas Adams and also felt a pang when I heard of his passing. I discovered his books as a teenager rummaging through my favorite bookstore. They were so irreverant and instantly classic. Good post.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Thanks, Dani.
Even though some things seem anachronistic now like this quote, “they still thought digital watches were a pretty neat idea,” it’s timeless.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Shamefully have to admit I have never heard of the book or the author, but I do read alot. It’s hard when the “good ones die” though, especially before seeing their work on the big screen. But you and Dani know his work and so appreciate it. It’s readers like you two that will keep his work alive for a very long time.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:17 am
My husband is a huge Adams fan. We saw the movie together, he thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was pretty good and would like to have time someday to read the book. Always remember to carry a towel!
February 9th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
I love those books and was so happy when my oldest daughter also fell in love with them.
We should all get together at the Restaraunt at the End of the Universe for a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster!
February 10th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Here we go a Saturday morning, my coffee beside me, and wanting to read the blogs, but where’s Kurt’s??? Oh wait you must be out running or on your bike.
Okay you can do that but should rig up a way to bring your computer too so you can blog as you jog, hahaha