In two months, on Saturday May 12th, I will turn 42. All of you towel carrying readers of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, will be aware that 42 is the precise Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.

So at this crucial age, I will simply have to throw a big party. You, and your family, are therefore kindly invited, to

The BBQ at the End of the Universe

(or Enschede as it is more commonly known).

The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything
In the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, although the answer is known to be 42, it remains unclear what that Ultimate Question is. We and some of you who were at Reboot 7 in Copenhagen seven years ago, have a pretty good notion of how to phrase that question, however. In the easier to understand words of a dear friend, “it’s the path you journey on that matters more than the destination”. It’s the path we travel that allows us to make sense of things.


The question to which the answer is 42

Share part of our path
Our path will take Elmine and me to walk up a French mountain to help raise funding for cancer research, in June. See my blog posting for the reasons behind this.

My birthday party is therefore also meant to raise funds for the good cause. In place of birthday gifts, I am asking you to donate something towards our effort for cancer research, sharing part of our path that way. Either by donating on my action page (if you have a Dutch bank account), or by donating to my PayPal account (which I will then transfer to my action page in your name), or by putting something in the donation box at the party itself. (Next to donations, you or your company can also hire us, and we’ll donate your payment to cancer research)

Bring books that matter, find books that matter more
Elmine and I own a lot of books. Some still get taken of the shelf regularly, and will remain with us for some time more. Other books have given us their meaning and worth, and are ready to move on to a new owner, which might well be you! Likewise you probably have books that are ready to leave you and find another mind to fill with their ideas and stories. It’s not the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy alone that can serve as a guide to the galaxy after all. 😉

During our BBQ at the End of the Universe we will also hold a book market. We’ll offer our books up for sale, and you are invited to also bring books you want to find a new host for. At the same time you are welcome to browse all the books on offer, and take those that appeal to you back home. All proceeds will go to the good cause.


Ever been to a BBQ that’s also a book market?

In summary
It would be great if you would join us for my 42nd birthday party! Bring your family and your kids (we’ll have room for kids to play)! Please do RSVP (per e-mail) so we know how much people to cater for (and remember, when it comes to good food and drinks, I take BBQ parties very seriously).


It will be a day of celebration and fun, in the company of good old friends and new interesting people for you to meet. On top of that you have the opportunity to contribute to a good cause, as well as return home with new great stories to read.

Should you need a place to stay, here’s a list of options. We also have two rooms on offer (especially if you’re on a tight travel budget).

I am looking forward to welcoming you on May 12th!

Where, when, what time:
Ton & Elmine’s in Enschede
Saturday 12 May 2012, from 14:00 until the last guest leaves.
Please RSVP via e-mail!

 

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