More Herbs, Less Salt Day

If someone asks your to pass the salt today, I want you to smack them in the face with a sprig of parsley. Yes, you heard me. More herbs, less salt! This zany celebration is intended to increase awareness of flavorful herbs that are much healthier for adding zest to your meals than table salt. I would reckon that it's much tastier too!

Sure it's easy to sprinkle some salt on your meal to give it a kick, but your body isn't a very big fan of excessive sodium intake. The next time you need some spice, put down the salt shaker and pick up the herbs! Your body and your taste buds will thank you!

Just Because Day

Have you ever longed for a zany holiday that gives you the chance to do whatever the heck you want, "just because?" I know I have...and it seems our wish has been granted! August 27th is Just Because Day, an awesome celebration dedicated to doing out of the ordinary things, just because! There's no need for rhyme or reason on this day of fun and downright confusion. If you've ever wanted to act on a strange impulse but didn't have any logical motivation to do so, well, you still don't...but don't let that stop you today!

But wait a sec'. Just Because Day isnt' all about you. Why not give a gift to a friend or family member to show your unconditional love and appreciation? Or how about visiting somebody you haven't seen in awhile? If you need some inspiration, check out this list of things to do when you're bored. Don't forget to share how you celebrated Just Because Day in the comments section!

Second-hand Wardrobe Day

Why is it that we are willing to buy so many things used, but when it comes to clothing, there seems to be some sort of stigma against second-hand items? I for one love heading over to the thrift store to find great deals, which is why I'm a big proponent of Second-hand Wardrobe Day, celebrated every year on August 25th.

The point of this event is to drawn attention to the money and earth-saving benefits of buying used clothing rather than purchasing only new items. Second-hand Wardrobe Day is also meant to encourage people to donate clothing to thrift stores to keep the process alive! Over $10 billion worth of used merchandise is sold annually...why not take advantage of this trend to save yourself money and benefit the planet in the process?

Poets Day

Hot on the heels of Bad Poetry Day comes Poet's Day, a more serious celebration of this timeless and popular art form. Instead of embarrassing ourselves with bad poetry for creativity's sake, Poet's Day is all about paying tribute to the real deal. Now that you've had some practice this week, try again with a bit more dedication to, you know, the rules and stuff.

But what exactly is a "poet?" The word itself has etymological roots in an ancient Greek word meaning "artisan, creator, or maker." So first and foremost, being a poet is about your dedication to creating something novel and unique. Poetry itself is generally prized for its aesthetic quality, which often holds supremacy over any literal meaning that can be taken from the work. Think of it like painting with words. The overall impression evoked by the poet's words is what is important, not necessarily the grand meaning or morals a reader may try to get out of it.

On Poet's Day, pick up a pencil and some paper and get to scribbling. Read some basic tips if you have no idea where to start, or use a poetry prompt to get some ideas flowing. Please don't hesitate to share your creations in the comments section!

Get Ready For Kindergarten Month

With only a few weeks left in August, seasoned students all over the country are clinging to their last days of summer vacation and reluctantly preparing for another year of academics. However, there are almost 2 million new students who are preparing for the very first schooling experience of their lives! That's why August is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month, a time to get youngsters prepared for school and a lifetime of learning.

Kindergarten teachers agree that one of the best ways to prepare your children for Kindergarten is to read to them out loud. You can supplement this activity with educational computer games, worksheets, and simple arts and crafts projects. Prepare kindergartners for the school environment by encouraging them to ask questions and explore everything with unabashed curiosity! Be sure to see if your child's school has any special events or activities planned during Get Ready For Kindergarten Month.

Bad Poetry Day 2008

Hello dear reader, welcome back to the site
Today's a day that's sure to delight...
August 18th, what else could it be,
Than a day dedicated to bad poetry!

So pick up your pens, begin to write
Let your ideas finally take flight
Don't worry about grammar or style today
Just package your words into a sloppy bouquet!

Bad Poetry Day occurs every year
To encourage writers everywhere to persevere
After all, to get better, you must start somewhere...
And that is why this glorious day is here!

Wow. God help me. Happy Bad Poetry Day everybody!

Relaxation Day 2008

Why are you sitting on the computer reading blogs right now? Don't you know that August 15th is Relaxation Day?! I've been anticipating this one for months, and now it's finally here. It's pretty simple to celebrate - the only rule: no stressful activities allowed! Golf, movies, fishing, biking...anything but stress! Relaxation Day is a brief respite from the hectic lifestyles that many of us lead. Whether it's putting up with the kids, working all week, or commuting through rush hour traffic, we all need an official rest and relaxation period to let ourselves unwind.

So, when you're done reading this post, I demand you join the celebration! Get out your favorite lawn chair and bury yourself in a good book. If you're not big on reading, grab the golf equipment and head out to your favorite course! I'm sure you don't need any assistance finding the things that help you relax. When in doubt, just do nothing at all!

National Creamsicles Day 2008

Although it's raining here in New York as a write this, August is usually prime time to enjoy delicious frozen treats amidst the blistering summer heat. That's why August 14th is dedicated to one of the most popular desserts out there - the almighty Creamsicle!

If you don't know what a Creamsicle is, you're crazy. But...I'll let you know anyway. Creamsicle is actually a brand name, but the word has entered popular culture as the general name for any type of desert that combines vanilla ice cream with a layer of frozen fruity ice over it. The most common ice is orange-flavored, although various berry variations exist, as does a chocolate version (the Fudgscicle).

To celebrate this delicious zany holiday, try making your own creamsicles from scratch. If popsicles aren't your thing, try making this interesting looking drink (please celebrate responsibly).

Elvis Week 2008: August 9-17

Greetings! After a brief vacation, I'm glad to join you again right in the middle of Elvis Week! That's right, it's Elvis Week — a nine day worldwide celebration of the life and career of this famous rock and roller. The week coincides with the anniversary of Elvis' death on August 16, 1977, and features a variety of events including lookalike contents, movies, music, and even an Elvis Expo!

The popular expo is the ultimate Elvis tradeshow — 35,000 square feet and 65 booths filled with music, movies, promotional merchandise, celebrity autograph sessions, and of course, a lot of Elvis freebies!

If you happen to be in the Graceland area this week, I highly recommend checking out the festivities that will continue until the 17th. Pay tribute to the King and gather some cool collectible schwag in the process!

Sea Serpent Day

"Sharp Black Scales and Flaming Red Eyes"

The far reaches of the ocean are dark and cold and unsettling. Who even knows what creatures lurk in the murky waters of the Northern Atlantic or near the Mariana Trench. Though uncertain, there are certainly things living in these places; unusual sea creatures, with long sinewy bodies and razor sharp teeth; sea serpents. Strange ocean creatures that are the reason for today’s zany holiday, Sea Serpent Day!

The Sea Serpent is a long standing mythological creature that has fascinated humankind for centuries. They are common in Scandinavian Folklore. Their presence in lore has much to do with the numerous recorded sightings from centuries ago. Many reported Sea Serpents share similar characteristics: they’re enormous: long and wide, reptilian like and fearsome!

Though there are many reported sightings by many people the Sea Serpent remains elusive, its existence still unconfirmed; however, the Sea Serpents unconfirmed status adds to the weirdness and mystery of today’s outrageous holiday. Just be careful next time you’re swimming at the beach, you never know when a fearsome green creature will strike.

National Underwear Day

Zany Holidays: Uncensored

Skivvies, underoos, briefs, boxers, underwear! Whatever you call them, they essentially serve the same purpose (unless of course, you’re a superhero, they tend to wear them on the outside) and are an important part of most peoples’ outfits everyday. That’s why there’s a whole day dedicated to your undergarments and that’s today’s zany holiday, National Underwear Day!

A wacky holiday for all the minimalists out there, National Underwear Day was created by Freshpair.com, first celebrated in 2003. The people over at Freshpair soon began a petition to get their holiday formal recognition, in hopes that what we wear under our close can get the recognition it deserves, too. Cut a few years later and National Underwear Day has taken off and has it all, including an underwear fashion show, usually in Time Square; however, this year they’re Freshpair is having a VIP fashion show hosted by Lydia Hearst.

So, if you’re in New York today keep your eyes peeled, people are giving away underwear all day to unsuspecting passersby! If you’re outside of the New York area, however, fret not. A pair of underwear is all you really need to celebrate this outrageous holiday!

Backgammon Day

Strategically Placed Weird Holiday

Backgammon is an old game. The earliest ancestors of backgammon date back to Mesopotamia (birth place of civilization) where inhabitants played a board game known as The Royal Game of Ur. Many great civilizations have played some variation of backgammon: Persians, Egyptians and Romans all had a version. Backgammon became a popular game in 11^th century France where it was known as jeux de tables, a game gamblers grew to enjoy. The games presence and popularity grew so much in Europe that by the 13^th century it had reached Iceland and Louis IX outlawed jeux de tables in France. Attempts were made to outlaw backgammon in Elizabethan England, but to no avail. By 18^th century Backgammon was being played by many people, including the clergy. Backgammon American popularity grew in the 1920s when it was introduced to Lower East Side gaming clubs.

With such a long history, it’s no surprise that there’s a zany holiday to celebrate Backgammon. That holiday falls on August 4^th, and that makes today’s outrageous holiday Backgammon day! Celebrate today’s wacky holiday with an all out backgammon tournament. You don’t need to gamble, but you do need is wit, strategy and a backgammon set.

Solar Eclipse

Eat Your Heart Out Bonnie Tyler

If it were still the Middle Ages, some throughout the northern and eastern reaches of the world might think today is the apocalypse. Not because today is the end of the world, but rather because today there will be a weird natural phenomenon. We’re not celebrating a zany holiday, but we are celebrating today’s Solar Eclipse.

Luckily, unlike some people living a millennium ago, we know there’s a scientific cause behind solar eclipses and that it is not indicative of the end of days. Solar eclipses occur when a New Moon’s shadow falls on the Earth, subsequently eclipsing the sun (not to be confused with occulting). An eclipse can be total, annular, hybrid or partial. If you’re lucky enough to experience today’s interesting occurrence just remember one thing: do not stare into the sun! You might be tempted but don’t, not even if you’re wearing sunglasses. Just because the sun is partially covered and appears to be giving off less light does not mean it is giving off less energy. You see, the sun is covered and thus darker so your pupils dilate; however the sun is still radiating the same amount of intense visible UV rays and energy. Your enlarged pupils are taking in way more sun that they can handle if you stare which can lead to serious retina damage. However, if you have eclipse glasses, stare away!