Year of Celebration: October 2017
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I realized, putting this one together, that I didn’t actually write a post in this vein for September. I’ll put the days celebrated at the bottom of this post, with less commentary (probably none).
01 October 2017: World Vegetarian Day
And the first day of Vegetarian Awareness Month, bringing awareness to the ethical, environmental, health, and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle. Done preaching.
It’s also Change a Light Day. Got a burnt bulb you’ve been ignoring? Maybe one you’d like to upgrade from incandescent (who still has those) to fluorescent or even LED?
02 October 2017: Name Your Car Day
In my case, the Personal Shuttlecraft, NCC 1701-5.
03 October 2017: Virus Appreciation Day
And if you’re not interested in that, remember that a virus was the first vaccine and helped rid us of Small Pox.
04 October 2017: World Animal Day
A day to think about the important roles animals play in our lives and to act to decrease some of the suffering some of them experience as a result.
05 October 2017: World Teachers Day
Have a teacher in your life? Maybe one in your past that was a huge influence on you? If not, you’re probably not looking hard enough. Or didn’t listen in school.
06 October 2017: Mad Hatter Day
“I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then.”
Also, it’s Noodle Day. Celebrate the humble noodle in all its forms.
07 October 2017: Random Acts of Poetry Day
Have you ever written any poetry? Today is a good day to give it a try. And don’t be afraid to post or share.
08 October 2017: World Octopus Day
These are neat creatures, for a lot of reasons, but I’m going to pick out that they’re neat because they’re likely one of the smartest animals on the planet, with the ability to learn new skills and solve problems. I don’t think we should be worried about competition, but maybe we should encourage them just a little.
09 October 2017: Moldy Cheese Day
Danish Blue, Roquefort, Stilton… mmm, moldy cheese.
On my side of the border, it’s also Thanksgiving. Hope everyone has a good one with friends and family, as they choose.
10 October 2017: Metric Day
Celebrate a system of measurements that actually makes sense.
And it’s World Mental Health Day. Believe it or not, most of us have some kind of mental issue, and they’re just as important to take care of as physical ones. Some of us have a harder time and may need a little extra support, so remember to be understanding.
11 October 2017: Coming Out Day
Whatever some folks might think, gender and sexuality are both on a spectrum (most things are) and not necessarily on the same one. Whatever some folks might tell you, it’s okay not to fit their definition of normal. Whatever some folks might shout, diversity is a strength. A good day to remember that and just be inclusive.
It’s also Pet Obesity Awareness Day. We have two we’re working on right now, both cats. One came to us that way and one who ballooned after moving in with us having been a stray for most of his life and experiencing a lot of food scarcity. Both of them are happy, but rounder than they need to be. It’s a slow process.
12 October 2017: International Moment Of Frustration Scream Day
How publicly you want to exercise this is up to you. It’s more about catharsis than shocking people, though.
13 October 2017: International Skeptics Day
Having an attitude of doubt is a good thing. Somewhere out there, someone wants you to believe something ridiculous to generate fear, amuse themselves, or sucker money out of you. Demand evidence and be open to it. Question statements of fact that don’t have any attached. Be understanding of your friends who believe weird stuff, but don’t be afraid to talk to them about that weirdness, or of trying to talk them out of it.
14 October 2017: Bald and Free Day
Grass doesn’t grow on a busy street. It’s a solar panel for a sex machine. Insert your favourite line here. Really, though, I don’t know how you people with hair do it; I’m uncomfortably warm about half a second after I put on a hat unless it’s below freezing.
15 October 2017: National Grouch Day
Whether we’re talking about Oscar or that guy down the street who wants to make sure you stay off his lawn, don’t stress too hard about the grouches in your life. Smile and wish them a grouchy day.
16 October 2017: Dictionary Day
You’ve been on social media. You know how many people need a dictionary and a spell checker. ‘Nuff said.
It’s also Feral Cat Day. Every stray may be looking for a home, but ferals are a little different, and if they don’t necessarily have the instincts to become a house cat (some do, some don’t), they do have a role in our society, whether most of us realize it or not. They keep the rodent population down to levels we poor humans can tolerate or even fail to notice. The problem is more about unrestricted breeding, and that’s something that can be worked on with some aware humans.
17 October 2017: Spreadsheet Day
Is there anything more beautiful than a well-designed spreadsheet?
18 October 2017: Chocolate Cupcake Day
Mmm. Chocolate cupcakes. I can probably stop at one…
Also, it’s No Beard Day. The days of the lumber-sexual are, thankfully, in the past. Even hipsters are trimming back. Believe it or not, you’ll look younger if you get rid of it, and people you kiss will be less likely to complain about how scratchy and itchy you are.
19 October 2017: Evaluate Your Life Day
Is your life where you want it to be? Do you have dreams you’re not working towards? Think about them. Find a path. Take the first step.
20 October 2017: Information Overload Day
Yes, we’re constantly bombarded, drowning in a sea of information. Take today and turn a few of the streams off. Breathe deep. Smell the pizza. It will all still be there tomorrow.
21 October 2017: Reptile Awareness Day
Some of the coolest critters on the planet are reptiles. We’ve shared our house with a couple of them, and one, a 1.5-metre long corn snake by the name of Sonic, still lives with us, and probably will for a decade or so yet. They’re not slimy, they’re not icky, and most of them aren’t dangerous. Some of them are even affectionate with a little handling. Or maybe they just want to stay warm and you’re a good source of heat.
22 October 2017: CAPS LOCK DAY
WHY IS THIS CELEBRATED TWICE A YEAR? WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE? THIS DRIVES ME ABSOLUTELY CRAZY!
23 October 2017: Mole Day
Avogadro’s number, 6.02 x 1023. 10 to the 23. 10-23. Get it? The number of atoms of something that gives you its atomic weight in grams. But you didn’t come here for a chemistry lesson, even if everything is made of chemicals.
24 October 2017: United Nations Day
Anniversary of the UN charter. First steps along the path to giving all nations and peoples a voice and a place to speak. Still not very far along that path, are we?
25 October 2017: Karate Day
For those of you who study some flavour of an Okinawan or Japanese art that falls under the umbrella of karate, or one of its descendants, take a moment and remember. Then do a few kata.
26 October 2017: Howl at the Moon Day
And then maybe wonder why it’s taken us so long to get back there.
27 October 2017: Black Cat Day
Cats haven’t always had the best reputation in Western society. For some, black cats still have some kind of stigma attached as a witch’s familiar, the devil’s helper (and I wish I wasn’t being serious on those two) or just being bringers of bad luck when they walk in front of you. But a black cat is just a cat that happens to be black. They’re just as varied and loveable as the rest of our domesticated felines. Makes me wonder a bit what the problem is.
28 October 2017: Animation Day
How to celebrate? Well, watch a cartoon, whether it’s traditional animation or some of that new fangled CGI stuff. Pick a favourite and remember why love the medium.
29 October 2017: Hermit Day
Spend some time alone today. We all need it. Go somewhere you can enjoy the quiet without interruption.
And directly opposite that, it’s also Internet Day, the anniversary of the very first transmission on the network that would someday grow into the internet. The world wide web came much later, and started simple. Check out the first web page ever. http://info.cern.ch/hypertext/WWW/TheProject.html
30 October 2017: Checklist Day
Make a list. Check it twice. Then start checking things off it. Feels good, no?
31 October 2017: Halloween
Does Halloween really need any explanation? It’s all about fun and candy. Have some of each.
So that’s what I’m thinking about in terms of celebrations in October. Have any you like better?
Be well, everyone.
Oh, and things Celebrated in September
01 September 2017: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
02 September 2017: Calendar Adjustment Day
03 September 2017: Pet Rock Day
04 September 2017: Wildlife Day
05 September 2017: Voyager 1 Day
06 September 2017: Read a Book Day, Star Trek in Canada Day
07 September 2017: Buy a Book Day
08 September 2017: Star Trek Day
09 September 2017: Wonderful Weirdos Day
10 September 2017: World Suicide Prevention Day
11 September 2017: Make Your Bed Day
12 September 2017: Battle of the Planets Day
13 September 2017: Scooby Doo Day, Defy Superstition Day
14 September 2017: Cream Filled Donut Day
15 September 2017: Make a Hat Day
16 September 2017: Eat an Apple Day
17 September 2017: Battlestar Galactica Day
18 September 2017: Respect Day
19 September 2017: Talk Like a Pirate Day
20 September 2017: Magellan Day
21 September 2017: International Day of Peace
22 September 2017: Equinox, Bilbo’s birthday
23 September 2017: International Rabbit Day
24 September 2017: Punctuation Day
25 September 2017: Princess Bride Day, Comic Book Day
26 September 2017: Batman Day
27 September 2017: Ancestor Appreciation Day, Crush a Can Day
28 September 2017: Confucius Day
29 September 2017: Ask a Stupid Question Day
30 September 2017: Blasphemy Rights Day
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