Leap Day, February 29th

Leap Day

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.

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 Job's Birthday, and he cursed the day that he was born. All this Job information is according to The Perpetual Almanack of Folklore. 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!

The fifth century Irish single gals liked Leap Day because St. Patrick gave them permission 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!

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!

International Talk Like A Pirate Day, September 19th

International Talk Like A Pirate Day

Avast me mateys! 'Tis International Talk Like A Pirate Day! And what exactly arrre we supposed ta do with that information ye may ask? Why we talk like a pirate, 'n' spread the word ta other scurvey dogs out tharr who be just beggin' ta ha' an excitin' day today!

First, if ye want ta read the Almanac o' Merriment in pirate talk, click here. (It be quite funny in places. My new masthead states: "One seventh o' yer life be spent survivin' Mondays-- make the most o' it. ARR! ARR! I'm two pirates!")

If ye want ta find out yer true pirate name, click here. Arrgh! My Name be Lazy Eye Laura. Which be funny if ye knew me nickname were "Patch" me last year o' high school.

If ye want to read all about the history about International Talk Like A Pirate Day, click here. (All hope abandon, ye who enter thar!)

If ye want to translate yer own stuff into pirate click here! Ye can do yer own blog or any site with http, er just plain text ta translate if ye want ta sent an email ta all yer mateys. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! Er a memo ta yer co-workers might be nice in pirate. Ye know, somethin' like:

Staff: Tharr ha' been reports o' excessive use o' the copy machine fer personal use. If ye be one o' the staff who has been usin' office machines fer personal use 'n' not reinbusin' the petty cash, ye will be severely punished. This chair be high says I! Also, at noon today tharr will be a birthday parrty fer Glenda in the south lounge. Please come willin' ta sharre yer best grog fer the party. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

All celebrators o' Talk Like A Pirate Day would surely appreciate a memo like tat!

I had fun translating me matey's blogs into pirate. Hardy har har har!

Have a Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!!! And watch Goonies if you have time, it's the best pirate movie ever made in Oregon.