Storytime twitter: Re-reading 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galazy.' I first read the book the summer I turned 13. Then, as now, I'm reading my mom's copy. Being raised on PBS, we were far too broke for cable, I had a love for British humor. This was the best book ever.

My mom found it extra hilarious that I loved the stories of galactic bureaucracy. I took it with us to the DMV once, reading while waiting with her in a giant line; the surreality was perfect.

I've re-read it a couple times and even gave it to my sons' for them to read. One son keeps a copy in his car to read while doing things like waiting in line at the DMV instead of killing his phone battery.

The last time I got the urge to read it, I told myself to wait until I turned 42! How brilliant? But then I realized the original source material for the book - a BBC Radio 4 show- would be 42 as well! (I did see the 2005 movie. Once. I enjoyed being at the theater w/friends.)

So now that we have both reached the meaning of life I have been thoroughly enjoying catching up and comparing notes.
1) I have carried some version of a towel with me most of the time and it has proven to be invaluable. Usually as a pack of baby wipes. Or, ahem, towelettes.

2) The seeds of insubordination sown in my girlhood are deeply rooted and the fruits are on full display. I have used the narration scheme of the Guide in many ridiculous encounters with authority figures; especially social studies texts spewing racist & sexist pseudoscience.

3) The current U.S. president is even more of a dangerous narcissist than Zaphod Beeblebrox.

4) Reading the scene with the Galactic Cops this week, "It Isn't Easy Being A Cop" was FUCKING SURREAL. That's the main punchline of this thread. I'm the same age as the Guide and the issues with the police are the fucking same.

Galaxy. Dammit. GalaXy.