Take care, and thanks for the fish - Happy World Towel Day
25.5.2017
Translation: machine translated
If you want to know why towels are important, what the answer to life's big questions is and why God probably doesn't exist, Douglas Adams is the right man for you.
In addition to three episodes of "Dr Who" and "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency", we owe science fiction author and screenwriter Adams one thing above all: "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", the most remarkable of all the books ever published by Ursa Minor's major publishing houses. This is more than enough reason to dedicate a few lines to the author.
Douglas Adams - patron saint of all writers
"I love deadlines. I love the rushing sound they make when they pass you by." This quote makes the British writer Douglas Adams the patron saint of all writers. We know the answer he gave in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" to the big question about life, the universe and everything. But we don't know how to organise our time properly. Nor do we know how to get more than four hours of sleep when a deadline is looming. But we suspect that the answer has something to do with 42.
Adams is also reported to have said the following: "Writing is easy. You just have to stare at a blank piece of paper until your forehead bleeds". I'm tempted to raise a Pangalactic Thunder Gargle to that, if only it wasn't for the deadline. The best way to find out what a pangalactic thunder gurgler is is to ask the guidebook, but more on that later. With Douglas Adams and his books, you have wonderful allies against the impositions of everyday life. He is one of my favourite authors, which only has something to do with the fact that we share the same birthday.
Don't panic - Towel Day is coming
Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series is not only full of great quotes: "In the beginning, the universe was created. That made a lot of people very angry and was widely seen as a step in the wrong direction". Despite the galactic scale of his story, the adventures of Arthur Dent and his friends are above all genuinely funny, human and introspective.
Arthur is the protagonist of "Per Anhalt durch die Galaxis", the first volume of the five-part trilogy. He is tired, grumpy and wonderfully British. At his side is Ford Prefect, an adventurer, hitchhiker and extraterrestrial. Ford writes for the titular travel guide "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and is stranded on Earth. The guidebook is a book with the words "Don't Panic" written in large, friendly letters. It provides information about outer space, contains tips for hitchhikers and what really matters in life, namely towels.
If you're travelling through the galaxy as a hitchhiker, you always need to know where your towel is. Not only does it keep you warm and save you embarrassing moments after a shower, it can also be used as a weapon. The towel gives Towel Day its name, which is celebrated every year on 25 May in memory of the late Douglas Adams. And not just on Earth.
Of the babel fish and Vogon poetry
Douglas Adams not only teaches us the immense value of towelling, but also makes us laugh about our existence. This is a quality that should not be underestimated, especially in this day and age.
"Don't panic" seems more relevant than ever as a mantra. The current political situation in the world is much easier to bear with a Pangalactic Thundergurgler. According to the guidebook, this is the strongest drink in the galaxy. Its effect is fatal, or to paraphrase Adams: "like having your brains beaten out of your head with a giant gold bar wrapped in lemon slices." That's pretty much how my Monday morning feels, but that's just as an aside.
In addition to his humour, Douglas Adams also enjoys science and language. For example, he invented the babel fish. It is small, yellow and proof that God does not exist. While the question of God is debatable, one thing is clear: the babel fish is a language lover's dream. You put the fish in your ear and it lets you understand all the languages of the universe.
Another classic from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" is Vogon poetry. It is considered the third worst in the entire universe. Apparently Douglas Adams knew nothing of my lyrical endeavours as a fifteen-year-old. Vogon poetry and other curiosities populate the adventures of Arthur Dent. But the big questions of life are also discussed in the stories. Who are we? What are we doing here? And what's the deal with wearing digital watches?
"Life, just don't tell me anything about life."
Audiobooks
CHF26.70
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Christian Ulmen, Benjamin Black, Douglas Adams, German
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" can be enjoyed in many different forms. Be it as a book, a radio play or a film. The new film version has a hard time with some fans, although I find Martin Freemann as Arthur Dent quite entertaining. But my absolute favourite, both in the book and in the film, is Marvin. He's a depressive robot and my secret soul mate. He's also the source of the delightful quote in the intertitle.
If that's not enough, you can try your hand at the extremely tricky game that goes with the book.
I only just made it out of the bedroom, which brings us back to my Monday mornings. But even the worst Monday passes, even if Marvin would probably disagree with me. Don't panic, next Friday is sure to come. Until then, have fun with Adams and have a happy Towel Day.
For your travels in the galaxy, we have a set for you on sale that consists of the most advanced technology on earth and a towel. There should hardly be an adventure out there that you can't handle.
Tabea Graf
Freie Autorin
tabeagraf@gmx.netAs an author and passionate reader, a large part of my time belongs to the world of words. I like to travel and discover the world, always with a book in my luggage. Languages of all kinds inspire me, almost as much as the prospect of the next coffee.
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