h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What makes a person happy? I think it's having something to look forward to. We all look forward to our weekends (except those poor & unfortunate souls who take that time to work). But sometimes, we need more than 'another weekend' to look forward to. Thus the holiday season.

I've been looking forward to my holiday for a considerable period of time. Ever since I scraped together enough money really. And yet, I'm wondering if it's possible to look forward to something for so long that you wear the anticipation out... perhaps in the way that you wear out other useful things, like teatowels and socks.

Now, wearing out the anticipation won't mean that the holiday will be any less wonderful - it's going to be an amazing adventure in bizarre events and odd people if I have anything to do with it - but still, with only four days to go - yes, 4, I've stopped getting excited about it.

Is this why xmas is always such a let down for people? Should it be moved to the middle or even the start of December to shorten the run-up? Would the supermarkets be selling crackers and xmas pud in August if that were the case? No, don't tell me that they already do - I don't want to know.

So, if having some fun event looming (but not looming for too long) is the key to happiness - how can we apply this to our daily lives? How about by calling a friend at say 3 o'clock in the afternoon when time is seriously dragging and inviting them out for a drink that evening? It may give them a chance to talk about the holiday they are going on next week.