(no subject)

[walbourn]

If I were to name the three 'famous' people that most influenced me as a young adult, the list would be Carl Sagan, Frank Herbert, and Douglas Adams. Carl Sagan's Cosmos series is a major inspiration for my love of science, Frank Herbert's Dune series was the first serious reading I did as a child--I picked them up after I got tired of Hardy Boys'--, and Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was pretty much the only reason I had friends the first few years of high school. Douglas managed to blend my love of science with my love of the absurd, all served up in a uniquely British-flavored way that gave me years of amusement. In my little clique of kids who didn't fit in any other clique, we'd carry on the entire lunchtime in a nearly constant stream of references to the beloved guide. It didn't get us any dates, but it did pass the time.

I did manage to see Douglas Adam's live once. He was doing a lecture series on technology sponsored by of all people AT&T back in the 90s, and he spoke at University of Texas at Austin. He was just as funny, witty, and clever live as he was in writing. The Hitchhiker and Dirk Gently series both still rank as some of my most favorite books of all time.

You are missed.

Happy Towel Day!