Systems Administrator Appreciation Day

Today is National Systems Administrator Appreciation Day. They're the guys and gals who maintain the computer systems at our jobs (if you work at a place with computers). Without them, civilization as we know it would crumble so raise your USB sticks and salute our brave computer kings.

Cheesecake Day

First, it's Lasagna Day, and now it's Cheesecake Day! This blog is just trying to get me fat.

Who doesn't love cheesecake? I don't know anybody. It's so delictably rich and creamy with a crumbly outer shell. How could you not love this dessert? Drizzle a little bit of chocolate on top and I'm all set. Anybody else have a favorite recipe or flavor they add to cheesecake?

Lasagna Day

Rejoice in pasta, ricotta cheese, and ground beef goodness as it is Lasagna Day! As one of the most time consuming foods to make, you better get started soon on making your Italian delight. I'm a big fan of the original, but I also enjoy vegetarian and Mexican lasagna. Anybody have any good recipes or weird variations they'd like to share?

National "Hacky Sack" Week

Who knew that kicking a bean bag could be so fun? It's National Hacky Sack Week, and the weather in New York couldn't be better for a day of foot toss. Apparently, there's more to footbag than I realized. There's freestyle footbag, which is individually performed. There's freestyle group, in which the group tosses the bag around a circle. Finally, there's footbag net which is similar to volleyball and badminton.

All I need to do is actually find a hacky sack to play with. That could take days of searching through my stuff...

Barbie in a Blender Day

As I stare off the edge of a cliff, I wonder about the sanity of the world before I jump. Today, ladies and gentlemen, is Barbie-In-A-Blender Day. I am not joking, this is for real, it's not a test, get with the program.

This day is in honor of a court case victory in which a photographer beat Mattel. Mattel sued the photographer for publishing nude Barbies in awkward positions and being blenders, mixers, and other kitchen appliances. In a sense, it was a landmark victory for free speech "art." **Sigh**

National "Drive-Thru" Day

Here's a pasttime I enjoy very much: National Drive-Thru Day. Show off your laziness by not even getting out of the car to get your greasy food. You deserve it! But, always remember to be kind and courteous to the drive-thru employees. They deserve it, too!

Gorgeous Grandma Day

Gorgeous Grandma Day is not just for the grandmas out there but for every woman over 50 out there who believe life has just begun. Life doesn't have to stop being fun as you get older, and today's the day to recognize it. Get out and travel, do something adventurous, meet a new friend, or whatever makes you happy.

Rat-Catchers Day

Rat-Catchers Day is celebrated to partly honor those who hunt and dispose of pesky house rats, but it is mostly to honor the fabled Pied Piper of Hamelin who drove the rats out of a German town.

Restless Leg Syndrome Week

Restless Leg Syndrome is...I'm sure very annoying for people who have it. But c'mon now, do we really need those commercials to build fake sympathy for people with tingly legs? Let's be honest, there are far worse medical conditions to have. I admit that I chuckled a bit when I first saw the commercials, but who didn't? Anyway, it's Restless Syndrome Education and Awareness Week, so I hope there's a cure out there...but let's cure cancer first, shall we?

National Lollipop Day

No one is quite sure when the first lollipop was licked (some make claims it was centuries ago), but today is National Lollipop Day. Blow Pops are my favorite, with Dum Dums coming in close at second. What's your favorite? Leave a comment!

"Wrong Way Corrigan" Day

"Wrong Way Corrigan" Day celebrates the life of aviator Douglas Corrigan. He was not known for exceptional flying skills, but rather for a miraculous "blunder."

Corrigan was a pilot in the 1920's and 1930's. After Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic in 1927, Corrigan made a resolution that he'd do the same. In the mid 1930's, Corrigan applied to fly his plane from New York City to Dublin, Ireland (his home country). He was denied because he wasn't experienced enough and his plane wasn't sound enough to last the journey. Two years later, he reapplied and was rejected again.

Corrigan grew tired of the red tape, even though he was approved for cross-country travel. In 1938, he boarded his one-seat plane for an approved trip to California. Onlookers and airport watchers were surprised that he kept flying East instead of West. Twenty-six hours into the flight, Corrigan dropped out of the clouds to notice that nothing but water surrounded him. He soon realized that instead of flying to California, he was heading to Dublin "by accident." He later reported that he just read the compass wrong and that foggy conditions prevented him from noticing anything.

When Corrigan returned to the U.S., his aviation license was suspended, but he was a national hero. New York threw him a ticker tape parade with more than one million in attendance. "Wrong Way Corrigan" became a popular phrase meaning either backwards or representing a rebellion against red tape. Corrigan never admitted whether or not he intentionally flew to Ireland.

National Ventriloquism Week

Today marks the start of National Ventriloquism Week. Ventriloquism is a semi-dead art form in the United States. Its popularity in the early half of the century staggered off when edgier stand-up comedians became the big thing in comedy. But, you can still catch the occassional Comedy Central stand-up special with a ventriloquist. And let's not forget Franklin from Arrested Development!

National Doghouse Repairs Month

Rover, Spike, Max, and his friends deserve a nice home. July is National Doghouse Repairs Month so people remember to take care of their precious pets. So get out your tools and start hammering away at Fido's nest.

Blueberries Month

Did you know that 90% of the world's blueberries are grown in the United States? I didn't! But now I know thanks to National Blueberry Month

My favorite blueberry recipe has got to be blueberry pie. Bonus points if the pie has vanilla ice cream and whipped cream on top. Food is definetely a key to my heart.

Gruntled Workers Day

For all the burger flippers, grocery swipers, and garbage slingers out there, today is your day. It's Gruntled Workers Day. Take your frustration out on something healthy - maybe your boss - and put a smile on your face. And let's remember to give an extra thank you today to all the people who help make our lives easier. They deserve an award.

Don't Step on a Bee Day

**I know I'm late on this - bare with me, this holiday deserves a post even if it's late**

Walking around barefoot is great for hippies and nudists, but look closely before you step - you may crush a bee. July 10th is Don't Step on a Bee Day, because doing so will hurt them and yourself. This slightly insane courtesy holiday to our favorite pollen collectors also has a second purpose.

The organizers of this "event" also wish to spread awareness about colony collapse disorder, which has effected thousands of beekeepers across the world. CCD, first named so in late 2006, is a phenomenon in which honey bees mysteriously disappear and leave their beehives behind. It's become a huge problem that's effecting the production of honey. Scientists have been unable to determine a single cause for the strange disappearance, but it could be linked to new pesticides, mites, malnutrition, or even cell phone radiation. If scientists and researchers aren't able to control honeybee's behavior soon, then we could have a shortage of honey.

So while we're avoiding stepping on them, also think about the bee's overall well-being. Maybe we could all organize a little memorial for lost honeybees, complete with candlelit vigil and personalized yellow and black awareness bracelets and other awareness products...**sarcasm**...

Sports Cliche Week

Where does the madness of zany holidays end? It's Sports Cliche Week! I think we've gone over the deep end...

This week is in celebration of the overused phrases in the sports world, stated by coaches and broadcasters. Some of my favorites (in no particular order) are:

1. There's no "I" in team.

2. He's on Fire!

3. Let's take it one game at a time.

3. It's not over til the Fat Lady sings!

4. Roll with the punches.

5. Guys need to step up.

6. The ball's in their court.

7. That was a textbook play.

8. I gave it 110%.

9. We're in it to win it.

10. Everyone's held accountable.

SCUD Day

Today is SCUD Day! I'm excited not because of scud (as in grime), but because of what the acronym stands for. It's Savor the Comic, Unplug the Drama. So if you're feeling like you're in a Shakespeare play because of all the drama in your life, forget about it. Stop acting out Shakespeare and turn the dial to Saturday Night Live. Today is your day to smile and do whatever makes your happy. For me, that means relaxing and eating lots of candy.

Chocolate Day

What a momentous occassion - chocolate day. I think we should all be off of work to celebrate and gorge our pallets in cocoa goodness by eating a chocolate bar or twelve.

Chocolate comes from the cacao plant, native to South America. Originally, it was drank rather than eaten. Ancient cultures developed a variety of ways to drink chocolate, including an alcoholic version. Chocolate wasn't available in Europe until Christopher Columbus brought cocoa beans back to Spain. Quickly, the Europeans found ways to harvest and trade for cocoa beans. It wasn't until 1875 that milk chocolate was invented by a candle maker. Soon after solid chocolate products became the rage.

Today, chocolate is a favorite desert in America - baked in cakes, molded into bars, and ground for hot chocolate. The little bean that could is now a multi-billion dollar industry. So, today, I raise my hot chocolate custom mug in honor of Chocolate Day.

Nude Recreation Week

Nudists unite! It's Nude Recreation Week! Take off your promotional T-shirt and celebrate in your birthday suit. All you need to wear is custom sunglasses and a smile. But don't forget a custom towel - not for covering up - but for comfort and drying off at the beach or the pool

And nudists, we know you're proud but please keep your clothes on when walking down the street or at the store. It's one thing at a colony or at the beach, but butt-naked grocery shopping isn't appealing.

National Share a Sunset With Your Lover Month

July is National Share a Sunset With Your Lover Month. If you don't have a significant other, I suggest you find one before the end of the month so you can enjoy a sunset together!

The website suggests bringing certain items to make the experience more memorable and wonderful. These items include, promotional folding chairs, custom blanket, promotional picnic items, and custom water bottles. Then, all you need is that special someone to share the moment with.

Second Half of the Year Day

Can you believe the year is half over? A whole bunch of craziness has happened already, and I can't wait to see what the back half of '09 has to offer. Recall the events of the first half of 2009, and get ready for the next few months. But today, mark your promotional calendar as the start of the second half of '09.