Total Perspective Vortex
What really happened to Trillian? Theories abound, but you can see what she's really been up to on this blog. If you're looking for white mice, depressed robots, or the occasional Pan Galactic Gargleblaster you might be better served here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/hitchhikers/guide/.
Don't just sit there angry and ranting, do something constructive.
In the words of Patti Smith (all hail Sister Patti): People have the power.
Contact your elected officials.
Don't be passive = get involved = make a difference.
Words are cool.
The English language is complex, stupid, illogical, confounding, brilliant, beautiful, and fascinating.
Every now and then a word presents itself that typifies all the maddeningly gorgeousness of language. They're the words that give you pause for thought. "Who came up with that word? That's an interesting string of letters." Their beauty doesn't lie in their definition (although that can play a role). It's also not in their onomatopoeia, though that, too, can play a role. Their beauty is in the way their letters combine - the visual poetry of words - and/or the way they sound when spoken. We talk a lot about music we like to hear and art we like to see, so let's all hail the unsung heroes of communication, poetry and life: Words.
Here are some I like. (Not because of their definition.)
Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Smart Girls
(A Trillian de-composition, to the tune of Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys)
Mama don’t let your babies grow up to be smart girls
Don’t let them do puzzles and read lots of books
Make ‘em be strippers and dancers and such
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be smart girls
They’ll never find men and they’re always alone
Even though men claim they want brains
Smart girls ain’t easy to love and they’re above playing games
And they’d rather read a book than subvert themselves
Kafka, Beethoven and foreign movies
And each night alone with her cat
And they won’t understand her and she won’t die young
She’ll probably just wither away
Mama don’t let your babies grow up to be smart girls
Don’t let them do puzzles and read lots of books
Make ‘em be strippers and dancers and such
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be smart girls
They’ll never find men and they’re always alone
Even though men claim they want brains
A smart girl loves creaky old libraries and lively debates
Exploring the world and art and witty reparteé
Men who don’t know her won’t like her and those who do
Sometimes won’t know how to take her
She’s rarely wrong but in desperation will play dumb
Because men hate that she’s always right
Mama don’t let your babies grow up to be smart girls
Don’t let them do puzzles and read lots of books
Make ‘em be strippers and dancers and such
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be smart girls
They’ll never find men and they’re always alone
Even though men claim they want brains
Life(?) of Trillian
Single/Zero
Monday, May 12, 2008 This one's for the ladies. Really, it’s not that I expected much – I wasn’t looking for presents, cake, cards and such But adding insult to the injury of another year Just makes me want to cry and start drinking beer.
Another year older, another trip around the sun, More signs of aging, more hard lessons hard won Don’t need anything to mark the day, not even a lava lamp, I normally wouldn’t care about presents or being on my own, But all I got for my birthday was cramps
A few calls, some email, and ecards are great For friends on the go and running late I understand, no big deal, everyone’s busy Drink a cheap bottle of champagne ‘til I’m dizzy
Another year older, another trip around the sun, More signs of aging, more hard lessons hard won Don’t need anything to mark the day, not even a lava lamp, I normally wouldn’t care about presents or being on my own, But all I got for my birthday was cramps
Later this month there’ll be a party, the whole nine yards Family, friends, cake, presents and Snoopy cards But today I spent my birthday waiting in line at Walgreen’s Holding tampons, Midol and two quarts of ice cream
Another year older, another trip around the sun, More signs of aging, more hard lessons hard won Don’t need anything to mark the day, not even a lava lamp, Normally I wouldn’t care about presents or being on my own, But all I got for my birthday was cramps
The only visitor yelling surprise on my birthday Is the one who arrives every twenty-eight days A day early this month, stress, or maybe the leap year That caused this unexpected present to appear
Another year older, another trip around the sun, More signs of aging, more hard lessons hard won Don’t need anything to mark the day, not even a lava lamp, I normally wouldn’t care about presents or being on my own, But all I got for my birthday was cramps
What I really wanted was a new denim purse But instead of accessories I got the curse It’s not about the lack of birthday cacophony It’s that just once I could do without the irony
Another year older, another trip around the sun, More signs of aging, more hard lessons hard won Don’t need anything to mark the day, not even a lava lamp, I normally wouldn’t care about presents or being on my own, But all I got for my birthday was cramps
I should be happy, because hey, I’m not pregnant But somehow that’s not making me jubilant Because sitting here feeling every second of isolation Passing the rabbit test is small consolation
Another year older, another trip around the sun, More signs of aging, more hard lessons hard won Don’t need anything to mark the day, not even a lava lamp, I normally wouldn’t care about presents or being on my own, But all I got for my birthday was cramps
It’s just another day, no worse than most Pour a drink and raise my glass in a toast Happy birthday, happy birthday to me! May the year be good, may I always stay free!
Another year older, another trip around the sun, More signs of aging, more hard lessons hard won Don’t need anything to mark the day, not even a lava lamp, I normally wouldn’t care about presents or being on my own, But all I got for my birthday was cramps
No balloons or flowers or telegram in song I had no expectations, don’t get me wrong It’s not about jealousy or greed or self pity It’s that cramps on my birthday is ironic absurdity
Another year older, another trip around the sun, More signs of aging, more hard lessons hard won Don’t need anything to mark the day, not even a lava lamp, I normally wouldn’t care about presents or being on my own, But all I got for my birthday was cramps
They say true happiness comes from within So it’s me hosting me at dinner in the kitchen And single rose for a single girl adorned On a tiny sugar free birthday cake for one
Another year older, another trip around the sun, More signs of aging, more hard lessons hard won Don’t need anything to mark the day, not even a lava lamp, I don’t care about presents or being on my own, But all I got for my birthday was cramps
I'm okay, not complaining, don't mean to be rude There's a lot to be said for moments of solitude I got that all sewn up and put in the bag But is it asking too much to not be on the rag?
Another year older, another trip around the sun, More signs of aging, more hard lessons hard won Don’t need anything to mark the day, not even a lava lamp, I don’t care about presents or being on my own, But all I got for my birthday was cramps
