42 Day!

According to Douglas Adams, in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, the answer to the question, about Life, the Universe and Everything, is 42. While many people have read deep philosophical and religious things into this number, I prefer to think that it is Adams' idea of a joke, because the answer is so ridiculous it implies we don't really know what the question is.

So, today, I am 42. It must be Thursday - I never could get the hang of Thursdays.  I don't know the answer (or the question), but I'd like to think I'm a bit wiser after 42 years on the planet (which hopefully, will not be demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass anytime real soon).


What I do know is I am lucky to have an amazing family. I'm lucky my son writes my birthday cards in binary (101010 is 42 in base 2). I'm lucky my daughter draws dolphins on my birthday card. I'm lucky to have a husband who organises my kids to make birthday cards. I feel very lucky that we are living and learning together. I am lucky for my wonderful extended family and friends (IRL and online!).


Life. Don't talk to me about life! I think Arthur Dent is a bit misguided (or disillusioned) when he says "Six by nine. Forty two. That's it. That's all there is. I always thought something was fundamentally wrong with the universe!"  I think the universe is providing just fine. I'd prefer it if my hips weren't so sore and I had a nice, new bathroom, but give me a nice cup of really hot tea, and life is pretty good. And I know where my towel is!


By the way, did you know that 6₁₃ × 9₁₃ = 42₁₃  and that if you type the phrase "the answer to life the universe and everything" into Google, the calculator will give you 42?


Don't panic and so long, and thanks for all the fish! Share and enjoy!