Celebrate!

Happy Eid al-Fitr!

L'shana tova tikatevu!

In recognition of Eid, I humbly suggest that you consider making a donation to your local food bank. With the economy the way it is, they would probably appreciate it. And then call your grandmother.


In recognition of the start of the year 5769, I hope you have a happy and healthy year. Remember that the time between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is a time to make peace. Me, I call my mother.


In case you're confused, yes, I'm about as areligious as one can get, but that doesn't mean that I don't find value in some of the traditions and customs of the faithful. So... celebrate!

Vive La France!

Happy Bastille Day! I've been celebrating by drinking French wine (hic!), eating French Fries, avoiding French Dressing, and maybe I can entice John to embrassez-moi once he gets home.

So, from one of the best films ever, I give you La Marsellaise

Birthday Gifties!

#0 was about a week before my birthday. My cow-orker Russ and his wife gave me a $30 B&N gift card, since I'm 30-something.

#1 was from the kitties - the rear end of a vole, and the entrails laid out delicately with it. They show they care in their own twisted little feline manner.

#2 was from that crazy UCFer Michelle!! I got a copy of Night Watch, the very book that I (while said book was in transit) demanded to know (on her blog) why I'd not read it. Creepy. Cool.

#3 was $$ from my Dad. I'm 36, I don't really expect gifts from my parents, but it makes him happy, so I take his money, and then pay bills. It seems like the sort of thing a parent would approve of.

I know that some friends will have treasures for me on Friday, when about 10 of us are gathering for dinner, with my natality as the excuse. Oh, the anticipation!!

Anyhoo.... Yay! Thank you everyone. I am a very fortunate person in my friends.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yup, today is my birthday. I turn the big 36. I have no idea what, if any, birthday festivities are planned.

This a busy birthday month for my family. My cousin Wendy was on the 1st, I'm on the 8th, Wendy's mom is on the 9th, cousin Ginger is on the 11th, and it keeps going like that all month long...

My Aunt T (Wendy's mom) was there with my mom when I was born. She was encouraging my mom to hold out for a few more hours so we could share a birthday (Aunt T was 11 at the time). Aunt T says my mom was NOT INTERESTED in prolonging labor any more than necessary, and now that Aunt T has had three kids, she understands completely.

I'm taking today off of work (don't tell anyone!) and going to run some errands and try to have a nice day. We'll see how that works out.

Happy Birthday Tania!

When in the course of human events it becomes

necessary to laugh so you don't cry about the hypocrite your country has become, one can always count on the Muppets!



Happy Independence Day! Go out and stick it to the man, because that is a patriotic thing to do!

Happy St. Urho's Day!

According to Steve, my cousin by marriage*, today is the feast day of St. Urho, he who drove the grasshoppers from Finland. It is a day to wear purple and celebrate. Celebrations seem to involve drinking, according to Steve.

If you are Finn or Saami, maybe you just like reindeer sausage or think Nokia is super cool, or maybe you just like having silly days to celebrate, whatever reason you have, raise a glass of aquavit, eat some horrible licorice candy, wrap yourself in a Marimekko print, or take a sauna and remember the efforts of St. Urho. I'm sure that somewhere, inside all of us, is a person that wants to tell things to go to hell. When we do finally say it, that's St. Urho sharing his wisdom and strength in our time of need.

*Yeah, it's not like I have a common last name. After working with the guy for six years, he one day up and asks me if I'm related to Bob Clucas. I reply that as a matter of fact, Bob's my uncle (heh). Turns out his wife is also my uncle's niece, but through the other half of his marriage (Aunt Janet). It took Steve six years to make the connection? I'm shocked he got his PhD completed as speedily as he did, with reasoning skills like that! Yes, I'm joking. Steve is a wonderful guy, and has a sense of humor that can't be beat.