New Month, New Posts

Look for these wacky, zany holidays this week

• Monday, March 31, 2008 - Take Your Parents To The Playground Day


• Tuesday, April 1, 2008 - April Fools Day


• Wednesday, April 2, 2008 - Reconciliation Day


• Thursday, April 3, 2008 - Laugh At Work Week


• Friday, April 4, 2008 - International Twit Award Month

Take Your Parents to the Playground Day

Because The Regular Terrors Of Old Age Are Just Not Enough

When I first heard of this holiday, my mind conjured up images of middle-aged people bringing their geriatric, doddering parents to frolic in the playground, as those senior citizens slowly slipped towards their second childhood. As it turned out, the holiday is about the importance of play for children under the age of 12. The 'bring the parents along' part is presumably about increasing parent-children bonding opportunities.

While I agree it is important for young children to play, I think us older folks need to remember how to have fun too. As they say, all work and no play make Jack a dull boy. So get some games and toys and try to see if you can rediscover that inner-child.

National On-Hold Month

Please Hold Indefinitely...Your Call Is Of Utmost Importance To Us

I've just learned that today is National On-hold Month, a month-long "holiday" dedicated to celebrating all the poor saps who get placed on hold when they call a company. Surprisingly, it was instituted by a company that provides canned music and messages for automated systems. Yes...those same messages that drive you ever so slowly into insanity during those never ending call holds. Excuse my dubiousness, but isn't that akin to those folks at Guantanamo Bay starting up an Inmate Appreciation Day?

If you find yourself constantly in on-hold hell, do not despair because there is light at the end of the tunnel. Gethuman is an organization created to help you regain your dignity and avoid those rage-inducing on-hold sessions. The website provides a cheat sheet with instructions on how to bypass the automated answering systems to get a live, breathing and talking human on the line. Though you could always work on a sudoku while waiting.

Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day (Don't Quit Your Day Job Guys)

Put on that cowboy hat and get out your banjo because it's Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day. Creating new wacky country song titles is all what this holiday is about. Nothing is going to stop me from enjoying some of the comical song titles that aspiring country musicians have already came up with.

My favorite titles of real country music songs in no particular order:

- Am I Double Parked by the Curbstone of Your Heart?
- Billy Broke My Heart at Walgreens and I Cried All the Way to Sears
- Cow Cow Boogie (Moo Moo My Love)
- Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor On The Bedpost Overnight?
- Drop Kick Me Jesus (Through The Goal Posts Of Life.)
- I Wish I Were A Woman (So I Could Go Out With A Guy Like Me)
- If I Had a Nose Full of Nickels, I'd Sneeze Them All Atchoo!

Opposite Day (Is It or Is It Not)

I remember doing this when I was in grade school. Or do I?

Every Wednesday was opposite day. Or was it?

It would be funny for most of the day. Or would it?

Everything you say or do today is really the opposite of what you mean. When you say yes, you really mean no; and when you say no, you really mean yes. Or do you?

Confused? I think I have confused myself, maybe you'll need sticky notes to keep you on track. Or do you?

Make up Your Own Holiday Day (Because It Is Really...)

Well, make up your own holiday already, will ya? Everyone's waiting. Let's see what you can come up with, yes? This holiday can be crazy, and having to do with any topic...so don't be afraid to make up a cheesy holiday...so long as it's zany, that's all that matters.

So let's see what holidays I can come up with:

• Opposite Day
• Pick Your Friends Nose Day
• Get Everything Done Before Friday Day

These are just my crazy ideas, so maybe you should get out your pens and notepads, jot down a few crazy holidays and celebrate them in your own way, or have a zany holiday party.

National Bubble Week

Celebrate everything having to do with bubbles during "National Bubble Week!" Remember the original, pink Mr.Bubble? Well, honor him this week and blow some bubbles for him, now, come on, will ya?! When you blow bubbles and you'll be sure to blow off steam...while you laugh at your silly pets trying to catch 'em! Enjoy bubble gum while you're soaking in the tub...blowing bubbles! Pamper yourself while you take that bath with a spa kit.

After your relaxin' spa- like bath experience, make yourself something to eat, as you wait patiently for those bubbles to boil! Make yourself something simple like pasta, where it's all about waiting for that water to boil, and you're done with it in about eight minutes.

The Tom, Huck, and Becky Days

Like Tom, Huck and Becky? You know, from those famous American novels by Mark Twain, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"? Tom,such a sweet boy. His lovely crush, gracious Becky. And the too cool for school punk, Huck?

What a great bunch, eh? Ashamed to say you don't know 'em? Read about them now. Heck, read about them in the dark if that works better for you. Because you're really going to like these southern kids!

So today, turn off the lights, bring out your flexible booklight, and reunite yourself with those classic literary heroes.

Don't forget about any of them! And don't let these days pass you by...

Yo- Yo Convention

Think playing with a yo- yo is easy? Think again. Spinning yo- yo is like any art or a sport, and requires quite a bit of skill.

There are all sorts of techniques, throws, and classic tricks such as the gravity gripper, sleeper, forward pass, hop-the-fence, the slapper, breakaway, around-the-world, walk-the-dog, rock-the baby, ice cream cone, Confederate flag, and the creeper. Realize it's actually hard managing that little yo- yo?Then take classes to brush up on your yo- yo skills or even attend a yoga camp...you can do this somewhere like the "Spinning Top and Yo- Yo Museum" in historic Burlington, Wisconsin.

There are state yo-yo contests, an International Looping contest, yo- yo exhibits, demonstrations and more yoyo galore, hoops, and paddle balls! You can also learn special ways to care properly for your yo- yo so that it won't get damaged.

By the way y'all, yo-yos aren't just for kids! They're for all ages! Get yo- yos for everyone! There are all kinds of funny looking yo-yos out there that you will enjoy.Parents, kids, friends, challenge each other to a yo- yo game on Yo- Yo convention day!

National Common Courtesy Day (Maybe It Should Be Called National Hopeless Optimist Day)

Apparently today is National Common Courtesy Day, which given the state of our society, is in my opinion much like celebrating masochism. Let me illustrate by sharing my very heartwarming common courtesy experience from this morning:

Driving into work I had noticed a waiting car in an entrance ramp. As was my habit, I gave a small wave of acknowledgement and slowed down to let the driver merge smoothly into the flow of traffic. In passing, the driver lifted his hand as well to say thanks...or so I thought until the fingers curled into the one fingered salute.

Um...thanks?

Perhaps, Honore De Balzac was right when he said that "Courtesy is only a thin veneer on the general selfishness," but ever the optimist, I shall hope that common courtesy is something more and will someday be fashionable again. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go hug my teddy bear until I feel better.

Snowman Burning (Jack Frost RIP)

Spring is around the corner and keeping that in mind people tend to do a lot of zany things this time of the year. Some people get a new wardrobe, others go into ocd overdrive and do a lot of spring cleaning, but the zaniest tradition of all has to be that of Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Around the same time every year (usually on March 20th) the students and faculty of Lake Superior State have a nice festival that involves the reading of poetry heralding the end of winter and the arrival of spring. After the spiritual poetry sessions everyone builds a snowman that is then sacrificed in effigy to release the winter and welcome the springtime.

The best part about this holiday is that you can celebrate on your own. Just go in the front/backyard, build a snowman and then burn it to the ground to show your support for the coming of spring! The winter is over and people are getting anxious, so anxious they feel the need to burn snowmen to show that winter weather just how they feel. Get involved and be prepared for the coming of spring with promotional outdoor and sports products. People love to be outside when the weather gets warm, so give out some custom imprinted warm weather apparel to make sure your company or brand name gets the exposure it deserves this coming spring!

National Spring Fever Week

Celebrate the great coming of spring during National Spring Fever Week.
Start this week by doing some spring cleaning and decluttering your home. You'll definately feel ready for spring once all that junk and rubbish is gone.

Throughout this week there are a bunch of things you can do. Get your spring apparel, or get some cool plants and gardening products to really spruce up your home and garden.

There are also some crazy things you can do, one of them I will be discussing tomorrow and thats burning snowmen. So stay tuned for that crazy day. It's going to be hot!

Awkward Moments Day (We're Laughing With You, Not At You!)

Awkward moments, lets face it we all have them, and whether or not we play it off cool or get stuck looking like a deer caught in headlights, we all get embarrassed. Even though that awkward moment could have been 10 seconds but seemed like 10 hours and have possibly ruined you day/life, you have to remember to look back and laugh.

In honor of awkward moments and the ability to find humor in them, today March 18th has been officially declared Awkward Moments Day. Everywhere across the globe people are saying stupid things, walking in on each others showers, and tripping over absolutely nothing on the sidewalk. Normally people would become a little mortified in these types of situations, but for this one day lets just throw our heads back and laugh it up!

Incase you happen to have an awkward moment tomorrow or anytime after, you should pickup some cool toys and gadgets to differ the attention away from yourself and onto whatever interesting little gizmo you may be carrying. And remember, if anything awkward is to happen try to laugh about it, take a deep breath maybe count to 10, grab a stress ball and just relax, because someone else is likely screw up and then you will be laughing at them!

Here It Comes!

Hey Folks,

Here are some posts to look forward to this week:

1. Monday, March 17, 2008 - National Quilting Day


2. Tuesday, March 18,2008 - Awkward Moments Day


3. Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - National Spring Fever Week


4. Thursday, March 20, 2008 - Snowman Burning


5. Friday, March 21, 2008 - National Common Courtesy Day

So enjoy these zany, outrageous, wacky holidays!

National Quilting Day (Ready, Set, Quilt!)

Calling all quilters across the nation, today March 17th is the 16th annual National Quilting Day celebration. Sponsored by the NQA (yup thats right, there actually is a National Quilting Association) since 1992, this day is a grassroots effort to unite quilters and quilt lovers not only in the US but around the globe. Everyone, everywhere is encouraged to recognize and promote the tradition of quiltmaking.

Who doesn't love to get all bundled up with their quilt on a cold night? The annual National Quilting Day is all about showing your appreciation for quilts and the people who make them. So whether you're a professional quiltmaker or just some jerk with a knitting needle, today everyone is encouraged to make their own special quilt!

Just a side note - If you are just learning to create your own quilt, you should probably pickup a personalized sewing kit and get a little practice first.
If that doesn't work out you can always just buy your own quilts and blankets, that are super cozy and will keep your fingers knitting needle free!

Pi Day (Cause Us Nerds Love To Celebrate Irrationally)

Each March 14th, thousands of mathematical fanatics celebrate Pi Day, that famous irrational number that most of us were forced to memorize in school. Why March 14th? Because pi is equal to 3.14 and today is 3/14. Those mathematicians are pretty clever, eh?

Believe it or not there are really pi fanatics who will gather today to hold pi memorization and recitation contests. The winner will be the one who can rattle off the longest string of digits correctly. They'll have their job cut out for them though, because the current unofficial record is 100,000 digits, held by Akira Haraguchi of Japan.

Now, we think that is just a little bit scary, maybe even borderline obsessive compulsive, but hey...we all knew those math fans were a bit weird! For everyone else, it is just another excuse to have "pi"-related parties - pizza and pie fests being the most popular events. If you are planning on holding your own celebration, don't forget to bring a promotional dessert server for all those delicious pies!

International Ask a Question Day (Because There Are Only Stupid Answers)

Almost everyone has heard, "There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers," well today is the day that you can ask as many questions as you want.

One of my favorite games to play is where you sit with friends and talk in questions. You answer every question with a question. I think that this little game is perfect for celebrating today's wacky holiday.

But if you need real answers then look no further than those crazy fun magic answer balls. They have all the answers to your craziest questions.

National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day (It's Not Everyday You Can Sing In The Rain Indoors)

Hip hip hooray for National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day...because you can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella,eh, eh, eh under my umbrella...

Sing along with Rihanna about umbrellas today because this holiday is dedicated to everything umbrella-ish!

Weird to celebrate a holiday that's supposed to bring bad luck right? Here's a rundown of just some of the superstitions out there about opening up an umbrella indoors. Apparently, if a woman drops her umbrella, she can be sure that she won't ever marry! What a shame, isn't it? That's the worst reason, but there are tons of others. Opening up an umbrella indoors is said to be an insult to the sun god, Ra. Placing an umbrella on a bed is bad luck too.

Maybe you think now that this is a holiday that is pointless to celebrate if it is gonna bring bad luck. But what ever happened to making the best out of a situation. Be positive, and open an umbrella indoors anyway. Want a true umbrella experience? Stand in the shower and open your umbrella to simulate standing out in the rain. Hey, just a suggestion!

National Workplace Napping Day (Just Keep The Snoring Volume Down)

Do you have chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Then you'll like this holiday. Sleeping at work is acceptable...at least on National Workplace Napping Day! Everyone loves to nap, and little siesta never hurt anyone. Drop it all, take a break, and take a nap.

Maybe on this day you shouldn't go to work at all. Don't call in sick, just say, "It's National Workplace Napping Day!" Encourage colleagues to take off too. Stay in and nap, all day, and catch up on that sleep you haven't been getting.

Or, if you just can't take off, bring an inflatable mattress to work. At least bring a pillow to make things a bit more comfy if you fall asleep in your chair or on your desk. How about a stress pillow?

Let go of tension and anxiety while you nap at work today. This holiday may be the only excuse you get to nap at work, so don't forget to enjoy it while it lasts!

International Internet Moms Week (Because They Can Do It Too)

Celebrate moms going online and snooping around trying to find out stuff about you!
Or, just celebrate moms that can use the internet! C'mon, give them some credit- it's not like most of them grew up in the internet age!

This week is also meant to recognize all the moms out there who have started their own businesses, and run businesses...with internet of course!

It may not be Mother's Day, but celebrate the cool internet moms anyway! Give your internet mom- or someone else's-
a desktop gift. Let her click around easily with a great mouse pad to help!

Showering old moms and hip internet moms is never a bad idea! And she'll be happy she's being celebrated for an entire week!

Check Your Batteries Day (Because You Should)

We use them for everything, so check up on your batteries today...and on a regular basis too!

Start by recharging any battery that needs to be recharged.

Next, go around your house and dig for batteries. Look in your smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, HVAC thermostat,
audio/visual remote controls and other electronic devices; any device that uses batteries and make a change. While you're looking, put up a new smoke detector in celebration of this day and you'll never forget to peek inside for batteries again.

Recycle your batteries because they can be used to make new ones! Batteries are comprised of metals such as nickel cadmium, alkaline, mercury, nickel metal hydride and lead acid that can be toxic and harm our environment so it is important that you dispose of them in a proper manner. Or stop using batteries totally and switch to eco-friendly solutions like hand-powered or even water-powered items.

Whatever you do check those batteries. Hey! It's important!

Look Out!!

Hey Folks,

This week we have even more zany, crazy, and wacky holidays. Look forward to these great days.

Monday, March 10, 2008 - Mario Day

Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - Check Your Batteries Day and International Internet Moms Week

Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - National Workplace Napping Day

Thursday, March 13, 2008 - National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day

Friday, March 14, 2008 - International Ask A Question Day

Mario Day (Itsa Me Mario)

Mario day, falling on March 10th is a day where we celebrate those named Mario...
or maybe just Super Mario, everyone's favorite awesome, friendly Nintendo dude. Play his video games all day to celebrate him and all the other Marios in the world.

While you play Mario, make sure you're comfortable. Lounge easily in your comfortable clothes. Sink back into your couch, or slouch sideways on a pillow on your bed, wearing a t-shirt with Mario imprinted on it.

When chilling with your virtual game buddy Mario, don't forget your bowl of popcorn, chips, or other munchies, and soda or beer, and make the most out of your time with him!

Did you know that if you spell out the abbreviation for March, Mar, and add the number 10, you get MAR10...looks like the spelling for the name of our pal Mario! Kinda cool, huh? Sorta anyway. Mario, Mario, everything's about Mario so make him feel special on his day!

National Be Heard Day (Cause Even Little Guys Dream Big Dreams)

Have you heard? Today is National Be Heard Day, a day set aside for recognizing the plight of small businesses competing with the multi-million dollar corporate giants. For this holiday, we celebrate the creative tactics that helps the little guys grow and thrive.

Think it's impossible? Why, just the other day I witnessed the opening of two retail giants, with gigantic banners advertising "Great Deals" and "Lowest Prices!" These two massive behemoths sandwiched a little mom and pop shop making it look insignificant by comparison. But did the owners despair? Nay! After some consideration, they proudly unveiled their own large sign, which merely said: "Main Entrance."

All jokes aside, its more than possible for small businesses to flourish with just the right amount of publicity and promotions in the right places, so stop mumbling like poor ol' Milton from Office Space - get out that soap box and megaphone and make sure your message heard, loud and clear!

National Procrastination Week (I'll Get To It...Eventually)

Are you a procrastinator? Do you leave your all your paperwork and homework until the last minute?

Not a good thing. Poor habits shouldn't be something to celebrate, should they?! But we can, why not...procrastinators need a holiday to celebrate the fact that they don't do work...and sometimes get away with it! celebrate National Procrastination Week from March 5- 11th.

When you're procrastinating, think again. Try and not procrastinate by writing everything down, using cool funky bubble blower pens and not only remembering to do it, but actually doing it! Give procrastinators cool funky pens so they will feel more work inclined!

Then again you can always get to it eventually!!

Fun Facts about Names Day (It's spelt how?)

Names are fun...even if you're not having a baby, or trying to name your newest pet!
Celebrate fun facts about names...like how they came about, if they have some underlying meaning, if they're funny, catchy and clever, too common,...or so ridiculous that nobody can pronounce them...there's always fun filled facts and exciting things to learn about names!

Play name games with your friends! Come up with silly made up names! Or write down name possibilities at a baby shower with your girlfriends! Write them all down in a cute notebook!

Do Something Day (Becareful Not To Do Too Much Though)

March 4th is Do Something Day...It's like that Britney Spears song, "Do Something."
That's right..."I see you looking at me/Like I`m some kinda of freak/Get up outta your seat/Why don`t you do somethin`?" Of course, she's singing about when she did do something.

You my friend, on the other hand, should stop wasting valueable time, do something for once, and stop procrasinating all that stuff you've been putting off! And so you won't forget to actually get all of it done, get yourself a useful planner if you don't already have one.

Write everything down in your planner and remind yourself to do those errands, drop off that package at the post office, make that return, do that paperwork, do it all--now! Celebrate moving forward, feeling accomplished, and get on with your stuff!

Posts To Look Forward To This Week

Here are some cool posts to check out this week. Keep your eyes peeled for these zany holidays:

Monday, March 3rd - What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day
Tuesday, March 4th - Do Something Day
Wednesday, March 5th - Fun Facts About Names Day
Thursday, March 6th - National Procrastination Week
Friday, March 7th - National Be Heard Day

Enjoy these and the other crazy, weird and all out zany holidays!

What If Cats And Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day (So They Could Hitchhike To The Vet)

On March 3rd, we celebrate the fact that our fuzzy feline and canine buddies just can't seem to get a grip on anything!

They're lovely and they're part of our families, but they're soo helpless! But our pets have got the life...they can sit around, chill, eat, sleep, lick themselves, and be lazy all day.

Just imagine if your pet had little useful hands... they could help you get your household chores done and vacuum your entire house instead without replacing things like that cleaning lady of yours. Or how about a little help with the can opener or refrigerator door, when you just need a small lending, helping hand? Won't happen though. God helps those who help themeselves, so get yourself a Keep-It Clip and seal that giant pet food bag your bought at Costco's before Fifi and Fido get testy.

Celebrate this day with your pets. Kick back with a few beers and watch the "Garfield" movie (cringe) or the"The Truth about Cats and Dogs"(Uma!) to honor your lazy little thumbless companions.