The Day I Met Douglas Adams
Image by Michael Hughes
Or, "How To Meet Your Hero, Not Mess It Up Completely And Feel Brilliant..."
"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." No, no, that's not right.
"Space is big, really big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is." Yes, that's much better, much more Douglas Adamsy, in fact, completely Douglas Adamsy...
If you hadn't figured it out I'm a complete and utter Douglas Adams nutter. I've been listening to, reading, watching and playing Douglas Adams material since I was an early teenager - and that's a fair while ago now!
I didn't quite pick up on his first complete product, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, when it came out as a BBC Radio 4 show in 1978; I was a bit too young for it then, but some years later I came to discover the story and haven't looked back since.
I'm ashamed to admit it, being such a big fan, that I can't quite remember if I saw the TV series or read the book first. I do remember discovering the book in the school library in the adult section (isn't it funny how 'the adult section' means something quite different now!) and borrowing it, feeling immensely proud that I'd been allowed to take out this particular book. But I also remember enjoying the BBC series on the telly and following it avidly once I'd magically discovered it.
I suspect that it could have been the TV programme first, as most of the images in my mind always spring back to the actors from the series when I read the books again.
"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." No, no, that's not right.
"Space is big, really big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is." Yes, that's much better, much more Douglas Adamsy, in fact, completely Douglas Adamsy...
If you hadn't figured it out I'm a complete and utter Douglas Adams nutter. I've been listening to, reading, watching and playing Douglas Adams material since I was an early teenager - and that's a fair while ago now!
I didn't quite pick up on his first complete product, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, when it came out as a BBC Radio 4 show in 1978; I was a bit too young for it then, but some years later I came to discover the story and haven't looked back since.
I'm ashamed to admit it, being such a big fan, that I can't quite remember if I saw the TV series or read the book first. I do remember discovering the book in the school library in the adult section (isn't it funny how 'the adult section' means something quite different now!) and borrowing it, feeling immensely proud that I'd been allowed to take out this particular book. But I also remember enjoying the BBC series on the telly and following it avidly once I'd magically discovered it.
I suspect that it could have been the TV programme first, as most of the images in my mind always spring back to the actors from the series when I read the books again.
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
For those of you who might not know (and if you don't, where on earth have you been!) The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is the story of Arthur Dent and his travels across space, having thumbed a lift on a passing spacecraft with his friend Ford Prefect moments before the earth is destroyed by the Vogons for a hyper-space bypass, and this eccentric, funny and wonderful story has been capturing the imaginations of generations for years ever since.
The first book was followed by a second, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe and Adams went on to write a trilogy of five parts - yes, you read that right, five parts.
By 1992 when the fifth book Mostly Harmless was published, I had caught up with everything Douglas Adams had produced, including the Dirk Gently novels written in the late eighties, and I was already completely obsessed by his work. I had the videos, audio tapes, books, computer game etc. etc.
Knowing a fifth book was coming out seemed incredible to me (especially as Adams hated writing deadlines), but it was true and along with a new book was a promotional tour where Douglas Adams would be going to bookstores and signing copies of his precious new novel. When I found out that this tour included my home town I was beside myself with excitement - I had to go.
Have you ever been so obsessed with a hero/heroine that you wanted to meet them? You may know how I felt...
The first book was followed by a second, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe and Adams went on to write a trilogy of five parts - yes, you read that right, five parts.
By 1992 when the fifth book Mostly Harmless was published, I had caught up with everything Douglas Adams had produced, including the Dirk Gently novels written in the late eighties, and I was already completely obsessed by his work. I had the videos, audio tapes, books, computer game etc. etc.
Knowing a fifth book was coming out seemed incredible to me (especially as Adams hated writing deadlines), but it was true and along with a new book was a promotional tour where Douglas Adams would be going to bookstores and signing copies of his precious new novel. When I found out that this tour included my home town I was beside myself with excitement - I had to go.
Have you ever been so obsessed with a hero/heroine that you wanted to meet them? You may know how I felt...
I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.
— Douglas Adams
The Day Of The Book Signing
At that time I was working in the town where he was actually visiting and the book signing times coincided with my 'flexible' lunch break. When the day came I announced that I'd probably be having a long lunch and shot off up to the book shop. There was already a queue but it wasn't too bad yet, and I whisked around the store picking up both a copy of the new book and a few further items by him that I didn't own yet. Then I joined the queue in eager anticipation.
A little before the designated time Douglas arrived and was gently shepherded into the back. He was here, it was real, but I'd just had my first surprise. I knew he was supposed to be tall, but I don't know, in that setting he seemed huge! Anyway, keep calm and wait patiently.
Eventually he was shown to his spot, a desk surrounded by stacks of his fifth Hitchhiker's book and things got underway - this was exciting. I get to meet my hero! I couldn't really see what was going on at first, but the queue gradually started moving forwards and I was able to see what was happening.
Now this was my first book signing, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but as I got closer and was able to listen in to conversations, as well as see what was occurring, I began to realise that really nothing much was happening. Each time a person got to the front of the line, they'd approach Adams, say who they were or who the book was for, he'd sign it and off they'd go!
This seemed like an utter waste to me. How could people wait for so long and not take the opportunity to make something more of it! That wasn't going to be me. I couldn't waste my chance, but what to say?
A little before the designated time Douglas arrived and was gently shepherded into the back. He was here, it was real, but I'd just had my first surprise. I knew he was supposed to be tall, but I don't know, in that setting he seemed huge! Anyway, keep calm and wait patiently.
Eventually he was shown to his spot, a desk surrounded by stacks of his fifth Hitchhiker's book and things got underway - this was exciting. I get to meet my hero! I couldn't really see what was going on at first, but the queue gradually started moving forwards and I was able to see what was happening.
Now this was my first book signing, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but as I got closer and was able to listen in to conversations, as well as see what was occurring, I began to realise that really nothing much was happening. Each time a person got to the front of the line, they'd approach Adams, say who they were or who the book was for, he'd sign it and off they'd go!
This seemed like an utter waste to me. How could people wait for so long and not take the opportunity to make something more of it! That wasn't going to be me. I couldn't waste my chance, but what to say?
So, What Did I Do?
Now believe it or not I'm not the most talkative person around and I certainly wasn't then, but I had to come up with something. I was starting to get closer and closer and panic was beginning to set in. DON'T PANIC! I could not bottle it - I may never get the chance again! (And I have to say sadly I was right.)
I remember the moment so well; in fact I'm getting a knot in my stomach right now thinking about it! Anyway, I came up with a tentative idea. Would it be OK or was I going to fall flat on my face? I just had to do it.
So when my turn finally came I approached nervously, just like all the rest who had gone before me, and I started to hand my purchases over for signing. As I had a few it gave me the chance to settle and relax a bit, and then I took my chance.
"I bet you never thought you'd be doing this for a living did you?" I said nervously. He'd got into a routine of just signing, so it took a second for it to register. I thought I'd blown it. I'd come out with the naffest question ever, so I explained a little more. "Signing your name over and over again..." My stomach lurched...
"No... No, I didn't," he smiled. (Eek, he's talking to me!) "I remember practising writing my name at school, writing it again and again under my desk, but I never thought I'd be doing this. It is quite bizarre when you think about it." And everyone who was in the queue behind me who had been listening laughed! I'd done it, I'd spoken to him, got a good reaction (you had to be there...) and the people around me had enjoyed it too. He was human too, (of course)!
And that was it. He personalised my book and I had to move away and take my prized possessions with me. He'd signed a couple of items for me with just his name but I'd got a proper named inscription inside my book, and though my family around me mean the world to me, my Douglas Adams autographed book is one of my most prized possessions...
Sadly Douglas Adams passed away in 2001 and though some of his unpublished material was discovered and brought into the public realm we will never see the like of him again. So my memory of meeting him that day and my signed book are even more precious to me now. If you've never seen or read his work now is the time to take the plunge. You always need to know where your towel is...
I remember the moment so well; in fact I'm getting a knot in my stomach right now thinking about it! Anyway, I came up with a tentative idea. Would it be OK or was I going to fall flat on my face? I just had to do it.
So when my turn finally came I approached nervously, just like all the rest who had gone before me, and I started to hand my purchases over for signing. As I had a few it gave me the chance to settle and relax a bit, and then I took my chance.
"I bet you never thought you'd be doing this for a living did you?" I said nervously. He'd got into a routine of just signing, so it took a second for it to register. I thought I'd blown it. I'd come out with the naffest question ever, so I explained a little more. "Signing your name over and over again..." My stomach lurched...
"No... No, I didn't," he smiled. (Eek, he's talking to me!) "I remember practising writing my name at school, writing it again and again under my desk, but I never thought I'd be doing this. It is quite bizarre when you think about it." And everyone who was in the queue behind me who had been listening laughed! I'd done it, I'd spoken to him, got a good reaction (you had to be there...) and the people around me had enjoyed it too. He was human too, (of course)!
And that was it. He personalised my book and I had to move away and take my prized possessions with me. He'd signed a couple of items for me with just his name but I'd got a proper named inscription inside my book, and though my family around me mean the world to me, my Douglas Adams autographed book is one of my most prized possessions...
Sadly Douglas Adams passed away in 2001 and though some of his unpublished material was discovered and brought into the public realm we will never see the like of him again. So my memory of meeting him that day and my signed book are even more precious to me now. If you've never seen or read his work now is the time to take the plunge. You always need to know where your towel is...
Some Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy clips - Just in case you hadn't seen any...
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A classic scene from the original TV series from the BBC.
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Sorry but this just gives me goose pimples listening to it - the theme tune from the TV series.
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Well I had to didn't I? The movie trailer for Hitchhiker's with the brilliant Stephen Fry. There are some good 'tips of the hat' to fans and the great man himself.
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