tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195173842024-03-13T12:12:00.707-06:00Almanac of Miscellaneous MerrimentOne seventh of your life is spent surviving Mondays-- make the most of it.Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.comBlogger500125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-46205442250794533562009-09-09T00:30:00.000-06:002009-09-09T11:47:18.917-06:0009-09-09<p><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2155967/9909_highlighted_by_beatles_animation.html?cat=2">09-09-09 </a><br /><br />Just in case you didn't think today was a special day because of <a href="http://www.thebeatles.com/#/news">The Beatles</a> new releases, here are some other reasons to get excited... </p><ul><li>09-09-09 is the last of repeating single-digit dates until 01-01-2101</li><li>Wednesday and September both have 9 letters. </li><li>September 9th is the 252nd day of the year. 2+5+2=9</li><li>9 is an important number in Chinese culture because <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9_(number)">9's pronunciation is similar to the word for long-lasting </a></li></ul><p>There are also some not-so-exciting things associated with the number 9</p><ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Hobbs">Roy Hobbs</a> <a href="http://www.mypartyshirt.com/all/roy-hobbs-jersey">wore</a> the number 9</li><li>There is a "curse" related to 9th symphonies (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse_of_the_ninth">Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Anton Bruckner, Antonin Dvorak, and Gustav Mahler all never finished their Tenth Symphonies</a>.) </li><li>9 is considered unlucky in Japan because 9's pronunciation is similar to the word for pain </li></ul><p>Anyway, if you think that 09-09-09 is lucky or unlucky, or even if you think it is a <a href="http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/local_news/epaper/2009/09/02/0902weddingdeal.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=76">marketing gimmick</a>, you can celebrate 09-09-09 easily by taking a moment to watch this creative commentary about how the number 9 can change the gene pool. </p><p></p><p></p><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fsdji0HmoRk&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fsdji0HmoRk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-36987840889074644762009-06-02T05:54:00.003-06:002009-06-02T06:09:34.064-06:00National Leave The Office Early Day<a href="http://www.holidays.net/dailys.htm">National Leave The Office Early Day</a><br /><br />On a beautiful day in June, there are many reasons to leave the office early. Personally, I'm hoping for a major thunderstorm to knock out the power. No power, no way to do work. Of course, that would inconvenience the most while conveniencing the least. For me, today won't work as an early day unless it's becomes a universal leave the office early day. But, for anyone else, today could easily become a tradition. Just as a reminder that summer is soon her, and it just won't be the summer if we <em>all</em> are working a little too hard. <br /><br />Hope you get to leave early!Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-77612004342498319122009-03-17T06:00:00.003-06:002009-03-17T06:32:21.107-06:00St. Patrick's Day!!!!! March 17thSt. Patrick's Day!<br /><br />If you have ever hung around the Almanac of Merriment in March, you might be aware that I have some love for St. Patrick's Day. It's not because I love green, so much that I love a day when everyone is wearing it... I just kinda like to see the phrase "Erin go Bragh" randomly placed around. I like that phrase. No particular reason.<br /><br />Anyway, if your weatherperson just announced that today is going to be the same as yesterday, as mine just did, there might be more than one reason why. You see, yesterday was St. Urho's Day. St. Urho is the patron Saint of Finland, who was created in Northern Minnesota in the 1950s. <blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=58230008231&h=Rvzjv&u=UvP8w&ref=mf">The legend of St. Urho says chased the grasshoppers out of ancient Finland, thus<br />saving the grape crop and the jobs of Finnish vineyard workers.</a> </p><p></p></blockquote><br />Thus, we have a Finish Saint Day that is celebrated in America, that is not celebrated in Finland.<br /><br />We have a similar situation with our St. Patrick's Day. We Americans have built up a lot of traditions that are not quite Irish. We Americans eat corned beef and cabbage, and pinch people, and<br /><br /><blockquote><p><a href="http://www.times-standard.com/davestancliff/ci_11918711">celebrate St. Patrick's Day with green beer and parades.<br />Traditionally, St. Patrick's Day meant going to church during the Christian season of Lent. There was no beer drinking, and especially no feasting on that holy day. </a></p></blockquote><p></p><p><br /><br />But, don't let me rain on your parade. Go out and have some fun out there. Pinch those checky non-green-wearing-potato-heads and if they complain, tell them "go n-ithe cata thú agus go n-ithe an diabhaill an cata."Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-20481068198820220072009-03-14T12:56:00.006-06:002009-03-14T13:41:07.057-06:00Pi Day, 3.14<a href="http://www.piday.org/">Pi Day</a><br /><br />Today is Pi Day!! Yeah! And it's not to late to celebrate with a piece of pie, either <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2383/2386872212_13dac21f8f.jpg">pizza pie</a>, or your favorite <a href="http://whyamistilltyping.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/pi_pie.jpg">dessert pie</a>. Just remember to <a href="http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/vol2/circle_area.html">calculate the area of the pie before you eat it (by using pi </a>)and then you will know how many square inches of pie you ate, if you ate a whole pie that is. <br /><br />For Pi Day fun, check out the <a href="http://www.piday.org/">Official Pi Day Website</a> which has a <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/piday">Pi Day Shop</a>, where you can buy Pi Day t-shirts and a clock in terms of pi, has a link to make and send Pi Day <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ecards</span> to your friends, and even a link to watch <a href="http://www.piday.org/videos/pi-day-rap">Pi Day raps on You Tube</a>. I have to say, I didn't watch the nine minute one. Hello! Nine minutes of pi rap!? Really? <br /><br />Another place for Pi Day fun is <a href="http://www.angio.net/pi/piquery">The Pi-Search Page</a>. The Pi Search Page has 200 million digits of pi, and will search for your <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">preferred</span> sequence of numbers so you can see where in pi they are. For example, today's date 03-14-2009 came up with these results: "The string 03142009 occurs at position 78,157,637 counting from the first digit after the decimal point. The 3. is not counted." So, with this resource, for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">some one's</span> birthday, you can send them a card telling them where their birthday occurs in pi! And you know they will think you are the coolest person on the planet! <br /><br />Anyway, have a very happy Pi Day everyone, and if you want to check out my previous Pi Day posts, look <a href="http://almanacofmerriment.blogspot.com/2008/03/pi-day-3-14.html">here</a>, <a href="http://almanacofmerriment.blogspot.com/2007/03/314-or-pi-day-march-14th.html">here</a>, and <a href="http://almanacofmerriment.blogspot.com/2006/03/national-pi-day-314-get-it-learn-about.html">here</a>.Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-6785868406446804342009-03-03T14:30:00.001-07:002009-03-03T15:57:53.857-07:00Square Root Day, 03/03/09<a href="http:/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090303/ap_on_fe_st/odd_square_root_day">Square Root Day</a><div><br /></div><div>How much do we love square roots at the Almanac of Merriment? So much that we are prepared to give up our lunch breaks to blog about them. (Your wish is my command, <a href="http://booksareking.blogspot.com/">Edgy</a>.) </div><div><br /></div><div>Today, 03/03/09, is one of just ten Square Root Days that we will have this century. To have a <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090303/ap_on_fe_st/odd_square_root_day">Square Root Day</a> one must have a day and a month that equal the square root of the last two digits of the year. </div><div><br /></div><div>The other nine Square Root Days in this, or any, century fall on 01/01/01; 02/02/04; 04/04/16; 05/05/25; 06/06/36; 07/07/49; 08/08/64; 09/09/81; and 10/10/2100. As you can see, the amount of time between Square Root Days increases <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">exponentially</span> as the century progress... much like the distance between um...prime numbers? No, wait I remember... numbers with perfect squares. (Whew! It's been a really long time since my last math class. My last math class that didn't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">involve</span> Excel, that is.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, <a href="http://booksareking.blogspot.com/">Edgy</a> thinks this is a perfect day to eat square root vegetables. Root vegetables that are square is shape, that is. I wonder if there are any restaurants that are offering square veggies as a special today? </div>Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-65833142390863097362008-12-08T21:18:00.006-07:002008-12-09T10:21:14.903-07:00John Milton's Quatercentenary (400th Birthday), December 9th<a href="http://milton-2008.lib.cam.ac.uk/">John Milton's Quatercentenary</a><br /><br />Where have the years gone? It seems like just yesterday I was assigned a section of Paradise Lost in that Early British Lit survey class that I took in the attempt to try to understand and be able to speak intelligently about any and all literature written ever, or at least any and all that made it into my <a href="http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/nael/abr6toc.htm">Norton Anthology</a>. I remember almost nothing about what I read in that class ( we covered <a href="http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/beowulf-oe.html">Beowulf</a> to <a href="http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Texts/vanity49.html">Samuel Johnson</a> I mean come on, it was only about 1,000 years of literature covered in 4 months!) But, about Milton, I remember my professor reading a part of Paradise Lost and thinking that someday, when I had the time, I needed to read the whole thing.<br />I haven't read it Paradise Lost. This April I will have been graduated with my English degree for ten years. Yep. Should have read it by now. Maybe after Christmas and can start that.<br /><br />Anyway, since it is Milton's birthday, I should be focusing on him. It looks like the majority of Miltonian celebrations are taking place <a href="http://ies.sas.ac.uk/events/conferences/2008/Milton/index.htm">across the pond</a>, and <a href="http://www.chalfontstgilesliteraryfestival.org.uk/2008/quatercentenary.htm">have happened already</a>, so getting to a live celebration might be tricky. However, there is this <a href="http://www.christs.cam.ac.uk/darknessvisible/">really cool website </a>with lots of information about Paradise Lost. I've just played with it a little bit, and I plan to come back later.<br /><br />Of course, Paradise Lost is not Milton's only work. If you like your Restoration poetry set to Baroque music then you should check out <a href="http://www.naxosdirect.com/title/8.557057-58">Handel's L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato</a>, which is based on <a href="http://opera.stanford.edu/iu/libretti/allegro.htm">L'Allegro and Il Penseroso, two of Milton's poems</a>.<br /><br />If you don't want to do any of that, you could just give a random gift to someone today and say "Happy Milton's Birthday!" If you plan on doing the random gift thing, here are some gifts that I do not recommend for Milton's Birthday, or for the entire gift-giving season.<br /><ul><li>The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Yodelling-Green-Pickle-Gift/dp/B001E0ANX4/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1228796071&sr=1-22">Yodeling Green Pickle</a> (Now, why does this exist?) </li><li>The <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/add2/">Houseplant Twitter Kit </a>(Yes! Now for only $99 your plant can Twitter you when it needs to be watered! Or, you could look at it every once in a while.) </li><li>The <a href="http://www.gadgetmadness.com/archives/20080702-pets_eye_view_digital_camera.php">Pet's Eye View Camera</a> (Do you ever wonder what your dog does all day? Now you can have pictures taken every 15 seconds while you are gone! Personnally, I don't even want 15 second updates from my nearest and dearest friends and family! Sorry, love ya all, but there is a reason why I don't Twitter!) </li><li><a href="http://www.naturepavilion.com/coowlpe.html">Owl Pellets </a>(Now, I am all for educational gifts but... there are just no words for my thoughts. So, here's the blurb from the website: </li></ul><blockquote>"<a href="http://www.naturepavilion.com/coowlpe.html">See what this owl ate for dinner. Just unwrap the foil from the pellet and<br />carefully us the probes provided to dissect the pellet and extract the owl's<br />dinner. Then use the bone guide to identify what the owl ate."</a> </blockquote><ul><li><a href="http://www.chiasso.com/store/Item.aspx?DepartmentId=59&ItemId=50078">Heartshaped Mouse</a> (I always recommend against heartshaped anything, but especially against heartshaped things that should be ergonomic. Happy Milton's Birthday! I hope you don't get carpel tunnel! )</li></ul><p>Anyway, have a Happy Miltonian Quartercentenary everyone! </p>Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-83981378650233482822008-11-04T00:01:00.000-07:002008-11-04T00:01:00.972-07:00Election Day! Vote! Vote! Vote! November 4th<p>Although I am emotionally exhausted by all the political rhetoric over the last 20 months, I am thrilled that the candidates of this election have inspired so many people to become engaged in the political process. (Also, I am as excited as <a href="http://nhmehta.blogspot.com/">Neel Mehta </a>is to see what will happen to <a href="http://nhmehta.blogspot.com/2008/11/unfrozen-caveman-demographic.html">the business-as-usual political process</a>) and if this election will scare baby boomers out of their comfort zone in any way. Really, the combination of engaged young voters, and disengaged senior voters... suddenly, baby boomers don't have as much political power as they have held for years and anything could happen. Anything. I mean anything! Even to the point that I could even give <a href="http://soccerdad.baltiblogs.com/archives/2008/10/28/credit.html">ol' George W. some credit for Obama's success! (Credit via Don King. Thanks! Soccer Dad for the info!) </a><br /><br />For the record, I will be voting for Obama. (<a href="http://www.fobcave.com/2008/10/because-best-gift-you-can-give-is-your.html">Happy Birthday Mister Fob</a>) and I would encourage everyone to do the same. Most because my birthday was last week, and it would be a wonderful gift to have someone I vote for win an election! (Especially since my vote is a throwaway vote.) I have not had a single person that I have voted for in the last three years win. I work in <a href="http://www.govpro.com/GPRONewsletter/Article/31439/">the most conservative City,</a> and live <a href="http://www.xanga.com/MadseninJapan/604022814/utah-county-the-most-conservative-county-in-the-united-states.html">in the most conservative county</a>, which is in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/04/washington/04believers.html">most conservative state of these United States</a>. I have absolutely no voice! <br /></p><p>Regardless of who you vote for, after you vote, you deserve a treat; <a href="http://booksareking.blogspot.com/2008/10/interview-with-vampire.html">especially after dealing with 20 months of rhetoric (Edgy, it's almost done!) </a>without letting it beat you down into an abyss of depression and catatonia. So, while wearing you "I Voted" sticker, treat yourself to:</p><p></p><ul><li><a href="http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/archive/2008/11/03/your-reward-for-voting-free-coffee-a-donut-and-more.aspx">A free 12-ounce cup of brewed coffee at Starbucks; </a></li><li><a href="http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/archive/2008/11/03/your-reward-for-voting-free-coffee-a-donut-and-more.aspx">A free scoop of ice cream between 5 and 8 p.m. at participating Ben & Jerry's; or </a></li><li><a href="http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/archive/2008/11/03/your-reward-for-voting-free-coffee-a-donut-and-more.aspx">A free star-shaped donut with red, white and blue sprinkles at Krispy Kreme </a><br /></li></ul><p>So, go forth, and have a Happy Election Day! </p>Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-6229075498410820472008-09-19T12:31:00.004-06:002008-09-19T14:25:53.592-06:00International Talk Like a Pirate Day, September 19th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.talklikeapirate.com/partykit/tlapdbanner2.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.talklikeapirate.com/partykit/tlapdbanner2.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html">International Talk Like a Pirate Day</a><br /><br />Arrrgh! It's another International Talk Like a Pirate Day. I be a little late be lettin' everyone know, but it's not too late t' start talkin' like a pirate! Shiver me timbers!<br /><br />If ye be needin' some help talkin' like a pirate, <a href="http://www.talklikeapirate.com/translator.html">here be an English-to-Pirate translator.</a> <br /><br />If ye want ta read the Almanac o' Merriment in pirate talk,<a href="http://www.endeneu.com/funstuff/miguel/convert.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Falmanacofmerriment.blogspot.com&filter=pirate"> click here</a>.<br /><br />And if ye be wantin' to be findin' out yer pirate personality <a href="http://www.talklikeapirate.com/ppi.html">here be a Pirate Personality Test</a>. <br /><br />Ahoy, apparently, am a borin' pirate. Aye. Me think tis' because Me answard one o' the questions with: "I am seduced by the charms of middle management."<br /><br /><font size="+1">You are The Pirate</font><br /><br><br><br />Do you remember the last time you took a chance? It was when you decided to leave the security of your mother's womb and headed for the bright light. It's time to head for the next bright light, my friend. Creativity is not your strong suit. You are good at doing what you are told to do and that, in itself, is a gift. It's not a gift to you, mind you, but a gift to those who will be there to tell you what to do. You like long walks on the beach and cuddling, but would never admit that to your pirate pals who think you are okay but can't always remember your name. Tapioca pudding seems a bit extreme for someone such as yourself, what with all the bumps and stuff. It's a good thing you are on a pirate ship, otherwise, you would be walking because you are positively pedestrian. Have a nice day.<p><p><p><p><p><p><p><p><p><p><p></p><br /><br><br><a href="http://talklikeapirate.com/ppi.html"> <font size="-1">What's Yer Inner Pirate?</font></a><br> <font size="-3">brought to you by <a href="http://talklikeapirate.com">The Official Talk Like A Pirate Web Site.</a> Arrrrr!</font><br /><br />Ahoy all ye mateys and go out t' have a great pirate day!Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-85926553258606471402008-09-17T08:37:00.004-06:002008-09-17T10:33:03.168-06:00Constitution Day, September 17th<a href="http://constitutioncenter.org/ConstitutionDay/">Constitution Day</a><br /><br />What? You haven't heard of Constitution Day? You probably missed the <a href="http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/09/happy-constitut.html">USA Today</a> article; it's a little small. If you want an article with a little more substance, check out <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/16/AR2008091603156.html">The Washington Post</a>, which is mostly an interview with Chief Justice John Roberts. (Or, here is also <a href="http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/361506/constitution_in_crisis_candidates_in_denial">this article</a>, which isn't so neutral about the state of the nation in relation to the Constitution.) <br /><br />Personally, I think it's interesting that this holiday is not celebrated much in the press, because this holiday came into being at the request of <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/constitution-citizenship-day">William Randolph Hearst</a>. The press should be all over this holiday! All in all, since we don't get a day off, Constitution Day has probably become just an elementary school holiday, an opportunity to teach about the Constitution. But, I think that there should be more. <br /><br />Constitution Day is also known as Citizenship Day, which was Hearst's original intention when he promoted the day. I know that I take my citizenship for granted sometimes, and I think that I don't understand totally what citizenship means. In school we were evaluated with every report card about our citizenship. But, I wonder how good of a citizen I am without the reminder every six weeks? Does being a good citizen require that I drive the speed limit, as it once required that I not run in the hallways? Does it require that I recycle, constantly, always, even when it's not convenient, as it once required that I keep my desk clean? Does it require that I be kind and respectful, to everyone I encounter, even if I might be the <a href="http://deseretnews.com/article/0,1249,700253154,00.html">Utah State Senate Majority Leader</a> and I am dealing with a <a href="http://cartoonbrickwall.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-run-in-with-majority-leader-in-utah.html">pizza delivery girl</a>, as it once required that I be kind and respectful to my teachers and fellow students? I wonder, in our society do we demand more of our children as citizens than we do of our adults? <br /><br />I'm not sure why I feel so strongly about this today. Maybe because yesterday I heard <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94541066">this story on NPR</a> about "silent raves," where large groups of people get together to dance to their own music on their i-pods. It seems like a excellent example of American freedom... you don't even have to listen to the same music as the person next to you at a dance, yet it seems so isolated, so detached, and I am afraid that we are losing our concept of "we the people..."Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-40280816792791577332008-08-02T07:39:00.005-06:002008-08-02T08:01:28.753-06:00So, what happens when Absent doesn't blog for three months...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_byqagK5dAks/SJRkxf1o22I/AAAAAAAAAPs/-FHkojqYQXg/s1600-h/Rooster+-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_byqagK5dAks/SJRkxf1o22I/AAAAAAAAAPs/-FHkojqYQXg/s320/Rooster+-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229915868806830946" /></a><br />A rooster haunts her apartment complex! <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_byqagK5dAks/SJRj21Px7UI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Dn7hL6cJlz8/s1600-h/Rooster-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_byqagK5dAks/SJRj21Px7UI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Dn7hL6cJlz8/s320/Rooster-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229914860941339970" /></a><br /><br />And it won't leave! <br /><br />Apparently, I'm the only one who can see the rooster, because the management says no-one else has reported it. For three days!!! The management has called out Animal Control, when I told them there was a rooster running around the grounds, and Animal Control told them that there were not any visible signs of the rooster. But, I see the rooster every time I leave my apartment, and every time I come home. It wakes me up at 4:30 with its crowing. How can I be the only one who sees the rooster, and is bothered by the fact that it is there? <br /><br />Is there a reason that I am being haunted by domesticated fowl? Are the fates trying to tell me I'm a chicken?Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-91101427673264704162008-04-23T06:11:00.004-06:002008-04-23T07:46:57.195-06:00Administrative Professional's Day, April 23rdAdministrative Professional's Day<br /><br />You may have heard the rumor that Administrative Professionals Day is celebrated on the same day as <a href="http://www.trinity.edu/~mkearl/secretry.html">National Remembrance of Man's Inhumanity To Man Day</a>. And while that may seem ironically appropriate, that's not so true, at least this year. And being an Administrative Professional isn't really that bad, at least most days.<br /><br />Anyway, it used to be called <a href="http://www.iaap-hq.org/APW/Answers_FAQs_APW.htm">Professional Secretaries Day, then Administrative Professionals Day, and then was expanded to Administrative Professionals Week</a>. I think a day is enough, I mean, does anyone really celebrate Administrative Professionals Week? I think we will just celebrate the day here at the Almanac. So, if you are an adminstrative professional, or if you have one, or if your daily duties are similar to one, here are some quotes to get you through the day, especially if your boss might forget to celebrate you today. <br /><br /><blockquote>"Responsibility without power, the fate of the secretary through the ages." -Ariel Dorfman<br /><br />"Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties." -Doug Larson<br /><br />"And so while the great ones depart to their dinner, the secretary stays, growing thinner and thinner, racking his brain to record and report what he thinks that they think that they ought to have thought." -Arthur Bryant<br /><br />"You're no good unless you are a good assistant; and if you are, you're too good to be an assistant." -Martin H. Fischer<br /><br />"It’s always been and always will be the same in the world: The horse does the work and the coachman is tipped." -Anonymous<br /><br />"Time is an illusion, lunchtime doubly so." -Douglas Adams<br /><br />"If you have a good selling idea, your secretary can write your ad for you." —Morris Hite</blockquote>Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-46655087877585262322008-04-02T00:11:00.001-06:002008-04-01T21:56:56.301-06:00International Children's Book Day, April 2ndIt's Hans Christian Anderson's birthday! Which also means that it's <a href="http://www.ibby.org/index.php?id=269">International Children's Book Day!</a><br /><br />Now, I know that I should talk about how no-one reads the good fairy tales anymore, like <a href="http://www.online-literature.com/hans_christian_andersen/971/">"The Fir Tree"</a> and <a href="http://www.online-literature.com/hans_christian_andersen/973/">"The Leap-Frog"</a>, but instead I just have to share my favorite new children's book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waking-Beauty-Leah-Wilcox/dp/0399246150"><em>Waking Beauty</em>, by Leah Wilcox</a>. <br /><br />Just read it. You'll love it. I promise. It comes recommended by both a 33 year-old and an almost 3 year-old.Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-69486082922336663612008-03-31T05:36:00.002-06:002008-03-31T05:44:00.926-06:00March 31stYesterday, when I woke up it looked like this outside: \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\<br />\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\<br />\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\<br />\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\<br /><br /><br />Today, it looks like this: <br />/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br />/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br />/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br />/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br />/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br /><br /><br />I think <a href="http://www.groundhog.org/prediction/">Punxsutawney Phil </a>was wrong.Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-28956581269161456302008-03-17T13:51:00.005-06:002008-03-17T14:40:19.343-06:00St. Patrick's Day, March 17th<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_byqagK5dAks/R97VtHKhobI/AAAAAAAAAPc/MdiKwd2Mlvo/s1600-h/Erin+Isle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_byqagK5dAks/R97VtHKhobI/AAAAAAAAAPc/MdiKwd2Mlvo/s320/Erin+Isle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178811592516673970" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.history.com/minisites/stpatricksday/">St. Patrick's Day!!!</a><br /><br />It's no secret that <a href="http://almanacofmerriment.blogspot.com/2007/03/irish-american-day-if-you-have-even.html">I love St. Patrick's Day</a>. I love it because I get a little thrill every time I see my name somewhere, even if I know <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Go_Bragh">it's not really for me.</a><br /><br />Nevertheless, I was shocked when I read today that <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7300466.stm">St. Patrick's Day had been moved to the March 15th</a>, because the Catholic Church didn't want to celebrate the holiday during Holy Week, which I completely understand, since <a href="http://www.huliq.com/53911/what-saint-patrick039s-day-really">St. Patrick's Day is, after all, a Catholic feast day</a>, and as such they have every right to move the celebration, so as not to take away from Holy Week, but I was so sad that I had missed it! And I didn't know because I didn't get the memo, because I'm not Catholic! <br /><br />Anyway, I still must celebrate St. Patrick's Day today, and if you would like to celebrate along with me, here are a few tests to see how "Irish" you are. <br /><br /><table width=350 align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2><tr><td bgcolor="#EEEEEE" align=center><br /><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" style='color:black; font-size: 14pt;'><br /><strong>Your Irish Name Is...</strong><br /></font></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/irishnamegenerator/irish-name.gif" height="100" width="100"></center><br /><font color="#000000"><br /><center><strong>Maura MacSween</strong></center><br /></font></td></tr></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/irishnamegenerator/">What's Your Irish Name?</a></div><br /><br /><table width=350 align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2><tr><td bgcolor="#EEEEEE" align=center><br /><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" style='color:black; font-size: 14pt;'><br /><strong>What Your Shamrock Says About You</strong><br /></font></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/theshamrockpersonalitytest/shamrock-1.png" height="100" width="100"></center><br /><font color="#000000"><br />You express yourself well - you are very verbal. You are good at perceiving the world and understanding people.<br /><br /><br /><br />At times you can be moody and lack direction. You have an artist's temperament.<br /><br /><br /><br />You consider yourself a lucky person. Luck always seems to be on your side.<br /><br /><br /><br />You are traditional, easy going, and appreciative of the simple things in life.<br /></font></td></tr></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/theshamrockpersonalitytest/">The Shamrock Personality Test</a></div><br /><br /><table width=350 align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2><tr><td bgcolor="#EEEEEE" align=center><br /><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" style='color:black; font-size: 14pt;'><br /><strong>You're 50% Irish</strong><br /></font></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/howirishareyouquiz/irish-2.jpg" height="100" width="100"></center><br /><font color="#000000"><br />You're probably less Irish than you think you are...<br /><br />But you're still more Irish than most.<br /></font></td></tr></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/howirishareyouquiz/">How Irish Are You?</a></div><br /><br /><table width=350 align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2><tr><td bgcolor="#EEEEEE" align=center><br /><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" style='color:black; font-size: 14pt;'><br /><strong>Your Leprechaun Name Is:</strong><br /></font></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/leprechaunnamegenerator/irish.jpg" height="100" width="100"></center><br /><font color="#000000"><br /><center><strong>Freckles O'Gold</strong></center><br /></font></td></tr></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/leprechaunnamegenerator/">What's Your Leprechaun Name?</a></div><br /><br /><table width=350 align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2><tr><td bgcolor="#EEEEEE" align=center><br /><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" style='color:black; font-size: 14pt;'><br /><strong>You Are A Fig Tree</strong><br /></font></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatsyourceltichoroscopequiz/fig-tree.jpg" height="100" width="100"></center><br /><font color="#000000"><br />You are very independent and strong minded.<br /><br />A hard worker when you want to be, you play hard too.<br /><br />You are honest and loyal. You hate contradiction or arguments.<br /><br />You love life, and you live for your friends, children, and animals.<br /><br />A great sense of humor, artistic talent, and intelligence are all gifts you possess.<br /></font></td></tr></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyourceltichoroscopequiz/">What's Your Celtic Horoscope?</a></div><br /><br /><table width=350 align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2><tr><td bgcolor="#EEEEEE" align=center><br /><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" style='color:black; font-size: 14pt;'><br /><strong>You Are Emerald Green</strong><br /></font></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatcolorgreenareyouquiz/emerald-green.jpg" height="100" width="100"></center><br /><font color="#000000"><br />Deep and mysterious, it often seems like no one truly gets you.<br /><br />Inside, you are very emotional and moody - though you don't let it show.<br /><br />People usually have a strong reaction to you... profound love or deep hate.<br /><br />But you can even get those who hate you to come around. There's something naturally harmonious about you.<br /></font></td></tr></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorgreenareyouquiz/">What Color Green Are You?</a></div>Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-68784632729148831222008-03-14T13:25:00.002-06:002008-03-14T14:26:56.543-06:00Pi Day, 3-14<a href="http://www.piday.org/">Pi Day</a><br /><br />It's another <a href="http://www.piday.org/">Pi Day</a>! The day devoted to eating pie and celebrating pi! Because, really, if we didn't have pi, we wouldn't understand, well, lots of things about our natural world. And, by the way, it's also <a href="http://concerns.youngmath.net/story/2006/3/14/125231/525">Albert Einstein's birthday </a>today, which is kinda cool. So, you can celebrate with a <a href="http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/import/birthdaypie0804.jpg">birthday pie</a>, or you can calculate the perfect slice of birthday cake by using pi. <br /><br />So, if you feel like <a href="http://www.pidayinternational.org/Pi_History/HISTORY_OF_PI.htm">you already know enough about the history of pi</a>, or you have already memorized <a href="http://www.pidayinternational.org/MILLIONS_OF_DIGITS_OF_PI_PIOMATIC/1million.htm">pi to the millionth digit</a>, or that you have read enough <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/Pi-Limericks/index.html">pi limericks</a> and <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/Pi-Ku/index.html">pi haiku</a> on past pi days, then you can check out <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/pi-posters/chart1.pdf">these</a> <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/pi-posters/chart2.pdf">posters</a> <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/pi-posters/chart3.pdf">that help you</a> <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/pi-posters/chart4.pdf">calculate</a> the <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/pi-posters/chart6.pdf">area</a> of your <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/pi-posters/chart5.pdf">pizza pie</a>, or you can <a href="http://toys.jtey.com/pidays/">calculate your age</a> with pi, or you can find the <a href="http://www.pidayinternational.org/PiDay_Activities/Pi_Day_Activities_Find_Your_Name_Birthday_in_Pi_Digits.htm">bianary equivilant of your name</a> in pi, all of which are cool Pi Day activities.Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-83103279942445370452008-03-04T13:06:00.004-07:002008-03-04T15:05:50.377-07:00National Grammar Day, March 4th<a href="http://nationalgrammarday.com/">National Grammar Day</a><br /><br />Oh, my goodness, I almost forgot! Today is National Grammar Day! And I would not have known about <a href="http://nationalgrammarday.com/">National Grammar Day</a>, if <a href="http://soccerdad.baltiblogs.com">Soccer Dad</a>, had not given me the heads up about it! Now, even though I have my B.A. in English, I haven't ever formally taken a grammar class, so, I do feel a bit insecure around some people when they talk about nonrestrictive modifiers and future perfect tenses. However, I do love language, and can appreciate grammar and those whose skills are above my own, and today I will pretend that I have the best of grammar skills, and as long as <a href="http://booksareking.blogspot.com">Edgy</a> doesn't tell on me, no-one will be the wiser. Just, no-one comment on the run-on sentence, please. <br /><br />Anyway, I found <a href="http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/Features/Columns/?article=GrammarEthics">this delightful article</a> about the ethics of grammar, which tells me of the four situations where it is permissible to correct a person's grammar. And, I have discovered that <a href="http://marthabee.com/nationalgrammarday/celebritygrammargaffes.htm">according to SPOGG (Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar) voters, President George W. Bush is the celebrity with the worst grammar.</a> (Sorry <a href="http://soccerdad.baltiblogs.com">Soccer Dad</a> as a Democrat, I felt morally responsible, to point that one out.) And, I have discovered that <a href="http://grammatically.blogspot.com/">SPOGG has a blog!</a> <br /><br />I feel as if I am witnessing the development of a real-life-English-major-e-version of <a href="http://www.harrypotterfanzone.com/?ID=info/spew">S.P.E.W.!</a><br /><br />Anyway, thanks again Soccer Dad!Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-2378168750321835592008-03-01T00:05:00.000-07:002008-03-01T12:30:27.481-07:00Sharp Days, March 1-3The first three days of March are called "Sharp Days" in Greek tradition. When I first read about this, I thought it was in reference to perhaps the sharpness of the air, despite the fact that it seems like there is more sun, and therefore more warm... but, no. The first three days of August are also "Sharp Days." Sharp Days are considered a transitional time of year. The Sharp Days in March are the beginning of warmer weather, and the Sharp Days in August are the beginning of cooler weather. <br /><br />During the first three days of March you should not wash any clothes or they will wear out too quickly, or chop wood or because it will rot before it's time, or bathe because your hair will fall out. If you must do laundry, you must put a nail in the water to take the sharpness out. I haven't found a solution for chopping wood or bathing. Maybe stick a nail in your shampoo bottle.Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-58965623038838706632008-02-29T01:02:00.002-07:002008-02-29T00:10:49.676-07:00Leap Day, February 29th<a href="http://holidayinsights.com/other/leapday.htm">Leap Day</a><br /><br />Leap Day was always exciting to me when I was a kid. It just seemed cool that it was a day that only came around every four years, and then when I discovered Pirates of Penzance... wow, my love of Leap Day quadrupled. <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XXhJKzI1u48"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XXhJKzI1u48" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />But, then I found out that in Scotland, Leap Years, the whole year, are generally considered unlucky and Leap Year Day is a particularly bad day because it was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Job">Job's</a> Birthday, and he cursed the day that he was born. All this Job information is according to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perpetual-Almanack-Folklore-Charles-Kightly/dp/0500014078"><em>The Perpetual Almanack of Folklore</em>.</a> Poor Job. I almost want to make a birthday cake in his honor. And for all of us who have to work an extra day this year. I mean really, this year we have to work an extra day! There is something wrong with that! If we have to add an extra day to the year, that just might be an unlucky day, we shouldn't have to work, we should make it a National holiday! <br /><br />The fifth century Irish single gals liked Leap Day because <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?xml=/portal/2008/02/28/ftpropose128.xml">St. Patrick gave them permission</a> to ask men to get engaged on Leap Day only. If the man said no to the proposal, he was required to give her a gift, or pay a tax, so either way, score for them!<br /><br />Anyway, we should all head out today with a petition to get Leap Day designated as a National holiday! I am sure we can make a change! You know you want an extra holiday every four years... come on. You do!Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-82345300580445867012008-02-27T00:44:00.000-07:002008-02-26T22:57:42.706-07:00National Polar Bear Day, February 27th<a href="http://www.fobcave.com/">Mr. Fob </a>said "Wednesday is National Polar Bear Day. I expect a post." So, since I am feeling neither inspiration nor creativity, this is going to be one of my lesser posts. But the blame is entirely mine. Do not go complain to <a href="http://www.fobcave.com/">Mr. Fob </a>about lackluster Almanac posts, he is busy right now working on a <a href="http://www.fobcave.com/2008/02/in-mail.html#links">request for a submission of 5o pages of his novel</a>. Yea! for <a href="http://www.fobcave.com/">Mr. Fob!</a> Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy! Joy! So send many happy thoughts Fob-ward, and think about the polar bears for him too, as he probably won't have time to think about them. <br /><br />But anyway, there are many holidays to choose from for this Wednesday, February, the 27th. <br /><br />First and foremost in importance is of course <a href="http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/February/polarbearday.htm">International Polar Bear Day</a> This is the most important Wednesday the 27th holiday, because Mr. Fob wishes it to be recognized. Probably, we should all go and learn a little bit about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_bear">Polar Bears</a>. And maybe we could learn about <a href="http://www.defenders.org/programs_and_policy/wildlife_conservation/imperiled_species/polar_bear/index.php">the diminishing habitat of Polar Bears</a>, and how we should <a href="http://www.worldwildlife.org/polarbears/pubs/Polar_Bear_FS.pdf">STOP GLOBAL WARMING </a> for the polars bears... and for us. <br /><br /><a href="http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/February/nobrainerday.htm">No Brainer Day </a> I just don't want to think about, because if we promote it too much, what kind of chaos will we be encouraging in our lives? Traffic accidents? Idiot store clerks who put a milk carton in the same bag as the soft bread? That one question that you hate when you answer your phone? "Sweet Pumpkin Potato Farms, How Can I Help YOU" "Hello, is this Sweet Pumpkin Potato Farms?" ARRRGGGG!!!! Yes, we should not in any way advertise No Brainer Day. <br /><br /><a href="http://brownielocks.com/b3bcalendar.html?200802">Inconvenience Yourself Day </a> Why? Aren't there enough people out there trying to inconvenience you? Why would you want to make your life harder by making your own trouble. Unless, you are going to inconvenience yourself by doing something nice for someone else. Then, you have my support in your celebration. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/GABPOSS.htm">Feast day of St. Gabriel Possenti </a> St. Gabriel is the patron saint of Students, Youth, Clerics, Seminarians, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abruzzo">Abruzzi</a>. So, if you are young,a student, a cleric, a seminarian, or are from the middle part of Italy, then you should feast today. <br /><br /><a href="http://hicards.com/platinum/bizarre/2-27.html">Flip a Pancake Day</a> If it's not your patron saint day, or if you don't believe in patron saints, of if you just don't feel like feasting today, you can just flip a pancake. Pancakes are easy. Pumpkin pancakes are my favorite. With pecans. And real maple syrup. <br /><br />MMM... I think I found my celebration.Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-74204019840191592182008-02-07T00:36:00.000-07:002008-02-06T23:20:23.863-07:00Charles Dickens Day, February 7th<a href="http://hicards.com/platinum/bizarre/2-7.html">Charles Dickens Day</a><br /><br />I am sure Charles Dickens would say to my coworkers, "if one were to try to sabotage a coworker, one should make sure of ones dates. One shouldn't make accusations and display "proof of misbehavior" that happened on a day which the accused has <em>real proof</em> that she was out of the office. Such lack of fact or evidence and with obvious proof of malice, it just makes one look stupid, hateful, and just plain ugly. So, one should just go about one's job, working with the purpose assigned to one and go effect some social change. And go vote for Obama." <br /><br />Yup, that's exactly what I think Charles Dickens would say.Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-12473036361582415472008-02-05T14:42:00.000-07:002008-02-05T14:55:22.478-07:00World Nutella Day, February 5th<a href="http://www.nutelladay.com/">World Nutella Day</a><br /><br />Nutella. Day. I don't know how I have missed this day my entire life.Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-41011119554538155252008-01-30T00:35:00.000-07:002008-01-29T23:06:25.408-07:00National Inane Answering Message Day, January 30th<a href="http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/January/inanemessage.htm">National Inane Answering Message Day </a><br /><br />Unlike <a href="http://http://almanacofmerriment.blogspot.com/2006/01/inane-answering-message-day-bubble_30.html">last year</a>, <a href="http://www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/radio/audio/pa060130.mp3">this year the U.S. Census Bureau does not have a message for National Inane Answering Message Day</a>. The U.S. Census Bureau employee with a sense of humor must have quit his job. <br /><br />So, we must turn to other venues for Inane Answering Message Day hilarity, even if we think they didn't quite get the point of what an inane answering message is. Alors, we must just laugh at what we can. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LmOIIEcGS2g&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LmOIIEcGS2g&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-60513006559171320162008-01-28T00:47:00.000-07:002008-01-27T20:42:46.577-07:00Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, January 28th<a href="http://www.sealedair.com/products/protective/bubble/funstuff/bubblewrap_appreciation_day.html">Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day</a><br /><br />It is again the last Monday in January, and so it is <em>Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day</em>! I know that everyone looks forward with anticipation to <em>Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day</em>, that special day where you are required to spend at least 30 seconds relieving your stress by popping bubble wrap. <br /><br />Just in case you don't have a roll of your <a href="http://www.fast-pack.com/coloredwrap.html">favorite colored bubble wrap</a> to celebrate with today, here are a few virtual Bubble Wrap sites you can visit to work out some extra angst. This site is my <a href="http://www.urban75.com/Mag/bubble.html">favorite virtual Bubble Wrap Game</a>. It's my favorite because the bubbles come back. This one is timed, (<a href="http://www.sealedair.com/products/protective/bubble/funstuff/game/default.htm">Bubble Wrap Game II</a>) so you can limit yourself to just one game...if you are <a href="http://www.ronaldgross.com/Marshmallow.html">one of those people</a> who are good at controlling personal gratification. And then there is this one (<a href="http://fun.from.hell.pl/2003-11-24/bubblewrap.swf">Bubble Wrap Game III</a>) which looks like real bubble wrap, and therefore can have more satisfaction. <br /><br />If you are looking for a something beyond virtual bubble wrap games, you could discover your personality type by taking the <a href="http://www.sealedair.com/products/protective/bubble/funstuff/personality.html">Bubble Wrap Personality Test</a>, or you could test your knowledge of bubble wrap history by taking the <a href="http://www.sealedair.com/products/protective/bubble/funstuff/quiz.html">Bubble Wrap Quiz</a>. Either, or both, are short and quick ways to spend your fifteen minute break, and they are far less addicting than popping bubbles.Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-36237327198967984532008-01-17T22:15:00.000-07:002008-01-17T22:24:19.145-07:00Apparently, if you want your house to have a lingering scent, try one little burnt baked potato. The scent will linger for three days at least... so far.Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19517384.post-44508283531366027882008-01-10T12:56:00.000-07:002008-01-09T22:28:57.368-07:00Kiss A Shark Day, January 10th<a href="http://hicards.com/platinum/bizarre/1-10.html">Kiss A Shark Day</a><br /><br />Okay, so for me realizing that Hanson's "MMMMBop" is #20 on VH1's list of the <a href="http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/127759/episode_featured_copy.jhtml">100 Greatest Songs of the 90s</a>, beating out The Cranberries "Linger" (#86), Sheryl Crow's "All I Wanna Do" (#61), Ricky Martin's "Livin' la Vida Loca" (#28) and Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" (#25) which were important songs of the 90s, much more important that "MMMBop," is much like kissing a shark. Also, realizing that all three members of <a href="http://www.hanson.net/">Hanson</a> <a href="http://www.grooveshark.com/blog/2007/11/30/baby-hanson-set-to-have-a-baby-of-his-own/">are now married and have kids</a>, makes me feel really, really old.<br /><br />Also, I protest any list of best songs from the 90s that doesn't include more <a href="http://www.collectivesoul.com/">Collective Soul</a>. And why they chose <br />Shine <br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i9O8fAk3ERw&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i9O8fAk3ERw&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> <br /><br />instead of December, <br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RA_q9odt-kM&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RA_q9odt-kM&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> <br /><br />or Needs...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/APqTnV0C8SY&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/APqTnV0C8SY&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />I just can't understand.<br /><br />But, I do understand VH1's pick for the number 1 song of the 90s, and I fully agree with it. I remember the first time I heard this song, and it is a significant memory for me. It was September of 1991, my senior year, I was sixteen and younger than most of my class. It was at the end of the first pep assembly of the year, and I think someone had gotten into the sound system when they shouldn't have, because we generally didn't end pep assemblies with teeny grunge music, mostly we ended with walk back to class quietly music. As soon as the music started, people started to mosh all around me. I didn't mosh. I couldn't. I was too stunned by what I was hearing. I loved it! I stood still trying to understand the words, because I felt like the song had just reached out at me with all seventeen of its tentacles and embraced me into the grunge movement. After that experience I started listen to the AM alternative stations, and I bought myself a flannel shirt or two. It only seemed right since I was attending high school in Oregon. But, I never did the black eyeliner thing or the clove cigarettes. Just in case you are were getting worried that you didn't truly know me. <br /><br />Anyway, the number one song of the 90s is... <br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oggy4cZMa5I&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oggy4cZMa5I&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />It's a great song, so don't go kissing sharks about it!Erin aka- absent-minded secretaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006072541390397026noreply@blogger.com6