Yes, today is International Towel Day. Most of you who read this Blog will know what this is all about, but for the people who might not have the faintest clue what I'm talking about let me explain (and link):
International Towel Day celebrates the life and work, and commemorates the death of Douglas Nathaniel Adams, creator of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. This radio play/series of books/TV series/Text Adventure/Website/Movie is recognised as one of the greatest works of English Sci-Fi Humour (or even just Humour alone) ever created.
Sadly Douglas Adams died much too early in 2001 and when it came to find a fitting way to remember him, some fans came up with the concept of this International Towel Day. The funny thing is that he didn't actually die on 25th of May, but it was deemed that a fortnight after his death was a respectful enough gap to make this day a celebration rather than a mourning, but also not too long after so it would be disconnected.
Personally I have always admired the man and the works. It is - together with Monty Python - the main reason I got in to English as a language and a way of life. I have read/seen/heard/played all forms of DA's books and can quote large passages verbatim (or near enough) from memory.
I have one lasting memory of the (tall) man himself: Before I moved to the UK I ran in to him (almost literally) when he walked out of the food department of Harrods in London with a precious Harrods-branded plastic bag firmly but defiantly clasped in one hand. It looked no more or less like having any other supermarket bag he was holding, and I'm fairly sure it would have contained no more than a pack of Tetly tea and some biscuits which he needed for his latest bath or deadline-avoidance.
So join me in celebrating his works, life and legacy by looking at the links above and remembering what he did for us. And for you who have not had the pleasure of perusing his works yet (where have you been?), find the radio play, it's the start of it all.
Douglas Nathaniel Adams (1952-2001)
(And for those of you who are wondering: Yes, I've got a towel with me today.)
Friday, May 25, 2007
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2 comments:
"Sadly Douglas Adams died much too early in 2001" - sounds like you think later in 2001 would have been OK!!
(Yes, I had my towel with me, too.)
Hi Alex,
Where did you go after the 25th of May? As in: Hello? Anyone home? Are you still there? Here? Anywhere?
How's life?
Suus
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