November 9, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Kristallnacht – (The Night of Broken Glass) - This year is the 75^th anniversary of the beginning of Hitler's Final Solution. On this terrifying night, Nazi soldiers, Hitler's Youth, and the German police destroyed thousands of Jewish homes, synagogues and shops. Thirty thousand Jews were taken from their homes and nearly a hundred were killed that very night. Many more thousands saw what happened and did nothing either out of fear of repercussion from the Nazi's or Hitler-inspired hatred against the Jews. The really sad thing is that the world didn't learn from history as the Nazi party is rising and gaining power in Europe again, particularly in Greece.

Chaos Never Dies Day – This day brings out into the open the fact that almost everyone has a chaotic lifestyle that the upcoming holiday season will escalate to sometimes unbearable levels. This day is about stress, whether it's from work, school, homework, chores, activities, deadlines and endless lists of things that “have to be done”.

To celebrate today, do whatever you can to spread a message of love and tolerance for others to everyone you know in the world, particularly in Greece, then take a nap and listen to some soothing music to relieve the stress of your life.

November 8, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Abet and Aid Punsters Day – Puns are so bad, they are good. Today, encourage the people who tell you puns by laughing instead of groaning, even if they are really bad puns.

Domino Day – Celebrated on either the second Friday or the second Saturday of November, this is a day to play with dominoes. You can play games with your dominoes or you can build elaborate designs by lining up the dominoes upright on their short sides close together so that when you push the first one over, the rest will cascade in a wave effect.

National Parents As Teachers Day – Created by the National Center for Parents as Teachers, this is a day to pay tribute to all the organizations around the country that give parents of young children support, encouragement and the information they need to help their children learn and develop to their full potential.

National Walk To Work Day – We had one of these back in April, and this is the same thing but with a different sponsor. They have this day in Australia as well and it seems to be a bigger event there.

X-ray Day – On this day in 1895, Wilhelm Rontgen, a German physicist, discovered x-rays while experimenting with electricity. This achievement earned him the very first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 and he had a radioactive element named after him.

National Dunce Day – On this day in 1308, John Duns Scotus died. He was beatified by the Catholic Church in 1993. Mr. Scotus believed that a pointed, conical cap worn on the head would increase the ability to learn by funneling knowledge into the head of the one wearing said cap. It eventually turned into something associated with stupidity or ignorance and was used to embarrass students who were slow learners or who didn't behave the way they should.

To celebrate today, wear your dunce cap to enhance your learning experience as you teach your children about x-ray's, puns and dominos. Then walk to work to save the environment.

November 7, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day – Almonds are very good for you, and we all know about the antioxidant effects of chocolate. So feel free to indulge yourself with both today.

National Men Make Dinner Day – This is a day for the men in the family to make dinner. There are 12 very serious rules associated with this event. The first rule is that this day is to be celebrated on the first Thursday of November. The rest of the rules can be found here: http://www.menmakedinnerday.com/rules/index.php

To celebrate today, have some bittersweet chocolate with almonds while you wait for the men in your life to make dinner.

November 6, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Nachos Day – This cheesy chip dish can be loaded with lots of different delicious ingredients so that you can make it just the way you like it.

International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict – This day was declared in 2001 by the United Nations General Assembly for the purpose of making mankind aware that people and buildings are not the only casualties of war. The environment also suffers a great deal because of the pollution, poisoning of the soil and decimation of the forests and crops all in the name of allowing each side of the conflict to gain a military advantage.

Saxophone Day – Adolphe Sax, born on this day in 1814, invented the saxophone in 1840. A saxophone is a woodwind instrument with a single reed, and one of my favorite instruments to listen to.

Marooned without a Compass Day – This is a day to test your survival skills. Can you find your way home without a compass? Can you find your way out of your driveway?

To celebrate today, have some nachos while you listen to saxophone music. Then check your backyard for war damage and try not to get lost without your compass.