Make A Wish!

Today is Meteor Watch Day! For those who are unaware, meteors are "shooting stars", not to be confused with meteorites which are celestial objects that have already landed somewhere on the earth. Today (or tonight, more likely) is the time to go outside and try to see if you can see a meteor streak across the sky. Now, being the well-connected (technologically speaking) person that I am, I've already researched whether or not a meteor shower would occur tonight, and it won't. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean there won't be a solitary meteor making a trek across the stars. I did notice that mercury is lining up with a few stars, though... so that might be cool to see. Be warned, however: the moon can make it hard to see some meteors because it outshines them. Clouds will also make it difficult since... well... they are a lot closer and will block your line of sight. Still, it's worth a try! Meteors are one of the longest lasting "magical" or "romantic" natural occurrences in nature. If you have never seen one, you should really start to constantly search whenever given the chance.

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Memory Lane

Today is Camera Day! Today is obviously best celebrated by taking pictures or at least admiring a good one or two. As a middle child, there aren't many pictures of me in existence (not that your picture viewing experience has to be so self-indulgent to always include yourself). That's not to say that my parents simply didn't care enough for me to want photographic evidence of my abnormal behavior, but instead I somehow simply avoided being caught by the lens unless I was directly told to have my picture taken. This subconscious talent has stayed with me even now. I'm rarely ever caught on film and what film I am caught on is blurry and the lighting is too bright or too dark like something you'd see on the Discovery Channel's search for the Loch Ness. However, I did manage to find SOME photos of me as a young child that bring back good memories, and without the advantages of a scanner, I've had to resort to more creative ways to show you these memories.

We'll start with the earliest habit I gained (and the longest lasting)

And, of course, my favourite outdoor activity: Sitting on something that moves for me.

I soon found one of my biggest loves in life: music. It wasn't until much, much later that I could tell that I couldn't play piano as well as I thought I could. It didn't lessen my love for it, though.

Instead, I learned how to keep a beat, and led an army of sugar-filled children down the street in a grand parade to mark the glorious occasion of my 4th Birthday.

Doing such things made me feel served as proof of how awesome I was am.

Although sometimes my parents had to get on to me about my odd behaviors. If you view this next picture as a comic, you can see how my parents and I make sure that I am normal enough for the world while still being unique enough for me.

Panel 1: Me: "Hahaha LOL!"
Panel 2: Parentals: "Stop being so much of a freak!"
Me: "Fiiiiiine. *grumble*"
Panel 3: All: "It was pretty funny, though."

Speaking of the parents, here's a picture of the whole family (minus a brother who would show up later) posing for a picture in our house as it used to be... held up in what our house is now.

Thanks for joining me on this miniature trip down memory lane! Most if not all credit for the pictures probably goes to my dad. There is a video version of my 4th birthday parade that I will not be selling for $10, but if I ever find the VHS (Magic movie box for you young kids), I will try to find a way to put it online, because why not?

Celebrate today on your own by either taking a lot of pictures of things that intrigue you in one way or another, or by doing what I did and appreciating the pictures you already have. More than anything, though: Have fun with it. Because if you don't it won't be any fun.... kinda obvious...

Thanks for reading!

~Kyle

A Big Deal

Today is Paul Bunyan Day! Paul was one of the greatest movers and/or shakers of early America. He not only invented logging, but he created such staple landmarks like the Great Lakes while his pet ox, Babe, created the thousands of lakes in Minnesota. You can celebrate today by rubbing up on your Bunyanian history. You can easily do this by going to your local library and checking out all the books that deal in any way with Paul Bunyan and reading all of them. Or you could just google him. But nothing can replace reading about legends like him on good ol' american made paper from good ol' american logs cut by the good ol' american logging industry that he created.

... even though he is canadian.


Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Extra! Extra!

Today is National Columnists Day! A day to celebrate the writer's behind your favourite newspaper (or site). Today would be a great day to read the newspaper for any articles or interest (not including 'the funnies' unfortunately, as they don't count as columns). I have several column-type news blogs that I've subscribed to via the internets, because that's just the wave of tomorrow. However, if I can so happen to find a newspaper today, I might just look through it for an interesting story or two. I'm actually surprised at how many things happen on a day to day basis sometimes. Then, taking into account that not every story found or submitted is 'news-worthy', and then also taking into account that not every happening was even noticed... MAN there's a lot of stuff happening in the world when you think about it. Too much to ever know completely. Which stinks for all you completionists out there. (That's gamer speak for people who have to have and know 100% of 100%... or everything)

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Puddin' On The Ritz

Today is National Chocolate Pudding Day! It's another food holiday that pretty well explains itself, so let's just get down to business, shall we?

BAM!

Yeah I made myself some homemade chocolate turtle pudding and topped it with some chocolate chunk hazelnut biscotti cereal. No big deal. No big deal.

It was pretty darn good if I do say so myself. It had a unique flavour that almost resembled a hazelnut mocha. I mean I don't mean to brag or anything but it was pretty awesome.

Spend some time today eating a quick cup or bowl of chocolate pudding and you can mark this day as "Celebrated", too. If you aren't in the mood to make you own batch, Jell-O has the best pudding ever. It's cheap, too, so that gets rid of all excuses you may have.

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Pining for Home

Today is Log Cabin Day! When I think of log cabins, a few things come to mind: the woods, lumberjacks, and Abraham Lincoln. Not because Abe ever really lived in one, but because of this (See picture below)

This simple mini-construction set I used to own as a child forever cemented a correlation between Honest Abe and log cabins in my mind. Even after I learned that he never actually lived in one (only visiting his parents in theirs), I still have this odd picture of him sitting back in a wooden chair by a fireplace in a cabin surrounded by pine trees. I don't know why the trees are pine, they just are.

You can celebrate today by going to a log cabin near you and being in it for a while. If you so happen to actually own or reside full time in a log cabin, today is just an even better day for you. There is something time less about log cabins. So simple, yet so naturally elegant. What better way to make a house look like it belongs where it is than make it out of the materials surrounding where it is built. It shows a lot more ingenuity than changing the land to suit the house's needs. Laaame.

She's Got Moxie.

Today is Museum Comes To Life Day! The first thing I thought of when I saw this holiday coming up on my list was think "What an excellent opportunity to watch both of the Night at the Museum movies". That is also exactly what I just got done doing. Yes, I woke up at 8, ate some breakfast, and then watched two movies in a row. In an hour, I'll go to my job. Such is the life of a college student in the summer.

The Night at the Museum movies are pretty awesome, and you'd have to admit that such an occurrence would be something that you would most definitely want to involve yourself in. Not to mention that Amy Adams (Amelia Earhart in NatM 2) is probably one of my favourite actresses of the age and I will more than willingly watch anything that she stars in. However, I'm not here to talk about how great she is.

If you haven't seen the movies, it pretty much revolves around a father's (Ben Stiller) relationship with his son (Jake Cherry) and the struggle the father goes through to fix the problems that lie within it. Oh, the father also works at a museum where everything comes to life at night because the museum holds the ancient egyptian pharaoh Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek) and his magical golden tablet. It's full of jokes, great actors, and monkeys, so you can't really go wrong. It's also family friendly, which is a big plus these days.

All the movie reviewing aside, today could be celebrated my way if you are like me and have no money, or you could go to an actual museum. I, having already been to two museums this year AND being broke, chose my way. I don't even know if there are many more museums near me that are within my budget when I DO have money. Ah well, celebrate today however you choose. As long as it's museum related. Although I do strongly recommend my way, because that Amy Adams... she is talented...

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Pink Inc.

Today is National Pink Day! It really is a day simply celebrating the color pink. Why pink? I do not know. It doesn't occur naturally all TOO often, unless you live near a field of wildflowers. However there are some psychological aspects to the color pink that are pretty swell such as it's calming effect or the fact that it's often used to be representative of love. Of course, they say that if you see pink TOO often, you might become easily agitated. Even so, some companies base their entire business plan on taking everything and turning it into the same thing, but pink. But this is just one day, so I don't imagine any global disasters would happen if we threw on a pink shirt or hat. Girls: get your favourite pink article of clothing out for the day. Guys: Search your closet for your one pink shirt and wear it.

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Better than Escargot

Today is National Chocolate Eclair Day! Aaaw yeah it's time for another chocolate based food holiday. I gotta say, when I started this holiday every day thing, I didn't even fathom how much food I was going to be eating. I'm not complaining, though. Especially if there is chocolate involved. Eclairs are a french pastry made kind of like cream filled donuts, but stretched one way so that it looks longer. It's also made of a different dough and topped with icing. It's usually filled with fancy things like mexican vanilla or dutch raspberry moose, but today you're just looking for the good ol' chocolate. Luckily for me, I work at a bakery, so finding one was absolutely no problem at all. If you need help finding an eclair, though. ... Look in a bakery.

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Crazy Cuckoos.

Today is Cuckoo Warning Day! Today is another summer related day (go figure, right?). It is said by a more than likely small number of people that if you were to hear the cuckoo crow (or whatever cuckoos do), then your summer will be a wet one. I find it odd that birds are always the ones that know more about the weather and the future. Maybe it's because they are higher up and are closer to the weather AND can see further. Either way, a cuckoo's song means rain. Now, usually this would be considered a "bad" thing, but I actually like the rain. However, since I realize I am in the minority on that debate, I will give advice on how to not hear the cuckoo caw.

Avoidance Maneuver: Don't go where cuckoos are. (South of South America/North of North America)

Alternative Maneuver: Wear earplugs all summer long.

Those are your two options.

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Frosted Mug

Today is Ice Cream Soda Day! More known to me as a "Float", Ice Cream Sodas have been around for just about as long as ice cream and soda. This month has been filled with holidays geared towards ways to cool down in the summer (this being the third ice cream centric day), but today is arguably the most delicious. In my mind, there is nothing like a cold root beer with a single scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. That says summer. Root beer just willingly lends itself to the flavour that vanilla brings. I can't even write about it without wanting one. I don't have root beer OR vanilla ice cream on me right now, either, so I have to go find some pretty much immediately. So bye.

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Advanced Walking Technique #12

Today is World Sauntering Day! Sauntering is an age old art that has been learnt by many beginning walkers, but only mastered by the most agile and confident among them. To "saunter" is to walk at leisure with no particular direction, aim, or destination. It is easy to try, but hard to master for the simple reason that in this modern age, we have some task needing accomplishment at all times.

Having walked for a good amount of my life, and having set time aside when I was young to practice the trade, I am at such a level where I may be able to pass on some basic sauntering maneuvers. I am not an expert, but I am by no means a novice.

I find the first thing that absolutely must be done in order to start a true saunter, is to clear your mind of the illusion of your need to accomplish anything. This can be hard to do, so I suggest you first study in the area of Realizing How Unimportant Things Are.

Once your mind is clear of that pesky to-do list and you have literally nothing to do aside from exist, take a few steps. Keep your body relaxed and let your arms sway however they do naturally. No need to have a brisk pace, but don't go too slowly, or else you will distract yourself by concentrating too much on where your feet currently are. While it is important to know where your feet are, you shouldn't be bogged down by it.

The next key thing to do is to disconnect your mind's conscious control of your legs, and to think of nothing of particular importance. Much like your heartbeat, breathing, or blinking, your natural walk follows a pattern. If you are old enough, your walking pattern has been subconsciously imprinted into your mind so deeply, that you can walk without thinking about it. This will be hard for beginners, due to your want to learn how to saunter, it may come up in your thoughts every now and then. Do not let it.

Once you've cleared your mind and set your walk to auto-pilot, let your thoughts drift. You'll know your sauntering by the look that others give you. It will be a look comprised of disbelief in the fact that you are indeed so calm, disgust in the fact that you flaunt your calm so publicly, and the slightest hint of jealousy over your obvious freedom.

Beginners Beware! It can be easy to become lost in a saunter if you do not set into your mind certain "alarms". Perhaps use your internal clock to know when you have sauntered for long enough, or saunter until an outer event such as your ringtone or a car horn stops your saunter. Sauntering for too long is dangerous to various versions of your health. (Physical, Mental, Social, Emotional, Financial). Saunter Safely!

 Below is a picture of me with my good friends in mid-stride of a synchronized saunter.

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Even at the Disco

Today is International Panic Day! I do not know why, but today has been selected as a day for the entire world to panic. The most common form of panic (at least in my cartoon world-based mind) is screaming and running around in circles. I don't recommend we do this however, as I think the entire human race spinning around in circles at the same time would somehow throw off the orbit of the earth, even if it only does so at an infinitesimal rate. I also don't know why June 18th was chosen as the day to put this burden on. Sure, some monks saw crazy stuff happen on the moon, and war was declared between two nations, but that's all behind us! It's obviously more serious than our celebration of Panic Day in March. No, this is international. So find your most foreign friend and panic with them. Believe me, it's easy to find SOMEthing you can panic about. The best thing is, you can panic anywhere.

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

More Veggies and Nixon

Today is Watergate Day! In case you are too young to have learned about this in history class or too old to remember, the Watergate scandal happened 39 years ago (if my math is correct). Five men broke into the Democratic Committee headquarters and were arrested for it, because that is a pretty serious crime. That would have been all fine and dandy and wrapped up in a pretty little bow if the FBI hadn't found out that the men were being paid to do this by way of a fund that was also being used to re-elect president Nixon. That is a bigger crime. Further investigation gave way to evidence and even testimonies proving that what they had hypothesized about the situation was indeed true. Since Nixon was now pretty much going to be impeached with no qualms from anyone, he simply resigned. He was soon pardoned by his successor Ford for reasons I do not pretend to completely understand.

Today is also Eat Your Vegetables Day! This day is thankfully completely unrelated to the other one. No, today is almost a repeat of yesterday. While yesterday was a day that might have been celebrated simply by looking at or appreciating the thought of fresh veggies, today you have to actually eat them. I know, I know, it can be painful. I'm sure I'll lose some of my younger readers by forcing this on you so suddenly. Perhaps these holidays were put side by side because the great deciders of holidays knew that much like in life, you may need to be told twice (and in two different ways) to eat your vegetables by your parents.

They try the "Wow!" tactic first, as most parents do. Yesterday was Fresh Veggies Day. Almost as if to say "Wow! Look at these veggies! Aren't they great and so fresh?! These are probably the best thing here right now." When this tactic inevitably fails due to the lack of believability in their acting as they struggle to swallow some boiled beets, they move onto today's tactic: The "Do It Because I Said So Tactic". Eat Your Vegetables. It isn't until later in life when we discover logical fallacies that we can begin arguing against that tactic. So for now, you're stuck. There are good vegetables, though. My favourites are probably potatoes and corn. Especially together... mmmmmm.

I bet Nixon would have turned out better if he ate HIS vegetables. (He used to wash and display them in a store, but I see no mention of him eating any)

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Just Harvested

Today is Fresh Veggies Day! Like I have mentioned yesterday, I now work at a bakery. At this bakery, we also make sandwiches, salads, and panini sandwiches. One of the most important parts of the recipe is that the veggies be as fresh as possible for maximum delicious savory goodness. We cut the tomatoes, onions, and all other things fresh at least thrice a day. Veggies are, as anybody can tell you, a very important part of a diet. They can only do their best when they are fresh, though. So get them while their hot! Or... cold. It depends on what you order.

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Pearly Whites

Today is Smile Power Day! There is indeed much strength in the power of a simple smile. It makes you feel happy even if you're faking it, and it is very infectious. As long as you brush your teeth, that is.Smiling even makes you live longer! I recently started working at a bakery, and there is a great difference between the feel I get from customers who smile and those who don't. Although, it's kind of part of my job as a cashier to make sure that they leave smiling. So share a smile with someone today and make life a little lighter!

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

All Around The Mulberry Bush

Today is Pop Goes the Weasel Day! This song was quite and is still fairly popular for little kids to sing. It started a long time ago in the mid 1800's as a dance. I can only hope that it wasn't the same kind of dance that children now "dance" to it's tune, as that would be quite embarrassing to think. I say "dance" in quotations for the children because it's really less like they are dancing in a ring or circle, and more like they are putting all their might and weight into forming some kind of amorphous, chin-seeking blob that spins. However, feel free to spend the day humming this song to or around others or surprising them like a real life Jack-in-the-box. (Psst! That's the tune that the Jack-in-the-box plays)

(That's a weasel)

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Juggling Meals

Today is National Juggling Day! There was National Juggler's Day on April 18th, which was mainly about the actual professionals, I suppose. Today must be about the activity itself. What other possible reason could there be? That's an honest question. I'd like to know why there are two days that are juggling related. I hardly think a normal year even involves me seeing something juggled twice on separate days. Well, whatever the reason, the celebration is simple. Juggle something. Balls, Bricks, Balls made of bricks... whatever works.

Today is also Kitchen Klutzes Of America Day! Ever been to a restaurant and heard a crash in the back or are you the type that stays home and almost sets the house on fire with your own cooking? Well, today is a day to not feel as bad about it. At restaurants, the crowd will usually clap when a waiter drops a stack of dishes. At home, you and your friends be joking about/at your mishaps for about a year, and jokes are always fun!  If you know someone who is horrible at keeping things in one piece in the kitchen, today might be the day to not ridicule them as much and risk them preparing your meal.

I found a video semi-related to both holidays! Huzzah! Warning: This man is NOT a Kitchen Klutz.

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Overlooking the Obvious

Today is Red Rose Day! This one actually took some work to find, as my original holiday list was almost lost, and seemed like it had been dated wrong due to some technological thing that I am not meant to understand. However, I have fixed everything and you can stop crying.

Roses are one of, if not the, most desired flowers across the world. Why? Because according to public opinion they are pretty. Some might even argue that they are the prettiest. I don't know about that, but I do agree with them definitely having a special kind of beauty to them.

Roses, especially red roses, have a tendency to be the flower always, always, always used for romantic scenes of any sort in any fictional or non-fictional expressive medium. This can make the rose seem like a common flower with no real special meaning or aspect. It's been seen by you so much you almost forget that it is indeed very pretty. Well, you don't really forget. You know, but you know it so well that you almost don't even think about it. You might say "Well, a lily is the prettiest flower". To which I respond "What about a red rose?". You then say "Oh. Well, that hardly counts because of course it would win."

That's the best illustration I can come up with when I'm this hungry. I'm trying to say that it is such a powerful beauty that is so very exposed to us that it almost becomes commonplace. Of course it's beautiful. We can just overlook it sometimes because it's so apparent.

I hear explaining illustrations like that ruins the illustration itself, but this is my blog and I can do what I want. a;jfhpwhrkgivwutehbeothf

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

A Hug Fit For A King

Today is National Hug Holiday! I didn't really need to research today to know what to do. It's all about giving a little love out to people in the form of a hug. If you don't know what a hug is, that thought makes me sad to think about.

Today is also King Kamehameha Day! This holiday DID need a lot of research because I've only ever heard that word from people who watch Dragonball Z. Thank goodness that today has very little to do with that. King Kamehameha (who will be called "K" from here on out) was the first king of hawaii. Today is a holiday that they celebrate mainly in hawaii that involves parades, flowers, hula competitions, and quite possibly playing with lots of fire. I'm especially interested in that last part because fire is cool. You can celebrate today by wearing a hawaiian shirt at the very least, and at the very most you can fly to hawaii. Hurry! You still have time!

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle