Calendars at the ready folks, here are some important dates you may want to put it in the diary…
This week, people all across Ireland and the rest of the world celebrated some very strange and bizarre special occasions; some that many people are aware of – International Talk Like A Pirate Day (19th Sept) – and some that not quite as many people are aware of – International Cheeseburger Day (18th Sept).
Now, here at JOE we get why people would celebrate the existence of cheeseburgers. In fact, melted, cheesy goodness holds a very special, cholesterol-shaped place in JOE’s heart.
We don’t really know why people are such fans of talking like a pirate though.
Because they ARRRRRRR.
Great pirate joke there.
So what other strange celebratory days are out there? Here at JOE HQ we decided to take a look at the calendar to see what other weird and wonderful holidays we could find.
Of course, there are the popular days of celebration that everyone knows and loves, such as our very own national holiday, St. Patrick’s Day. For those three people unfamiliar with the event, 17th March is the day that we, as a nation, celebrate the actions of a Welsh sheepfarmer who helped drive the snakes of Ireland out of the country.
Historical accounts are generally fuzzy on the details, but it is widely believed that Paddy drove them out in a Ford pickup truck. Probably because of the great snake-friendly storage space in the back we reckon.
Ford pickup truck not pictured…
And then of course there’s Christmas Day where families the world over come together as one to celebrate Santa’s birthday.
The more we researched the strange phenomenon though, the more we realised that there are too many bizarre holidays to mention. We were going to pick our three favourites. And then five. And then 15 and then 20.
And then we went back to 15 because we didn’t want to do too much work.
So here they are, in no particular order (apart from chronological):
January 3rd – Festival of Sleep Day
Perfectly timed immediately after the Christmas holidays we think you’ll agree. You’re exhausted, you’re probably still merry from too much sherry, and you’re most likely eight times the size you were three weeks previously.
Of course a power nap/18 hour doze/sleep at work under your desk is in order.
January 13th – International Sceptics Day
We were going to focus more on this one but then we didn’t have a good feeling about it so we decided to leave it. Probably wouldn’t have been any good anyway…
January 21st – Squirrel Appreciation Day
This one sounds a little bit nuts but JOE’s always felt that squirrels just don’t get enough love. Thankfully though, today’s the day you have a chance to rectify that.
Go hug a squirrel you squirrel-lovin’ ba*tards.
February 2nd – Groundhog Day
The Yanks love to celebrate the actions of Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s most famous prognosticating rodent, but here at JOE we just love to watch the Bill Murray comedy classic. Repeatedly.
February 2nd – Groundhog Day
The Yanks love to celebrate the actions of Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s most famous prognosticating rodent, but here at JOE we just love to watch the Bill Murray comedy classic. Repeatedly.
February 2nd – Groundhog Day
The Yanks love to celebrate the actions of Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s most famous prognosticating rodent, but here at JOE we just love to watch the Bill Murray comedy classic. Repeatedly.
March 3rd – If Pets Had Thumbs Day
We do not have a clue where this particular holiday came from. All we do know is we’re terrified of it. Absolutely terrified.
If pets had thumbs they would undoubtedly play GTA V all day. Or take over the world, like these guys:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SzSKPZgAJw
NARF!
April 3rd – Don’t Go to Work Unless it’s Fun Day
A pretty self-explanatory one really. Looks like we’ll all be staying at home then…
April 11th – Barbershop Quartet Day
Not everyone’s a fan of Barbershop music but April 11 marks the day that we always listen to The Be Sharps performing Baby On Board, the real reason Barbershop was invented:
May 9th – Lost Sock Memorial Day
Enough of the fun and games folks. Not all of these days are laughing matters and May 9th is one of those days. Lost socks is a serious and sombre issue.
We always think “It’ll never happen to us” but JOE is actually wearing mismatched socks today so the horror of this particular concern is all too real.
Everyone just take a moment please…
June 4th – Hug Your Cat Day
Yet again, what sick ba*tard came up with this one? Everyone knows cats are the devil’s pet, even more so if they have thumbs. Run Away From A Cat Day – now there’s an idea we’d be in favour of.
July 2nd – I Forgot Day
No one really celebrates this when it comes around, can’t remember why…
July 15th – Cow Appreciation Day
No bull, it’s a real day folks. Well, there was no way the cows were going to let the squirrels have all of the fun. JOE appreciates cows in our own special way, essentially by turning this date into another National Cheeseburger Day.
Mmmmmmmm, cow burgers *drools*
October 11th – Take your teddy bear to work day
The other JOEs have all promised not to laugh when we bring Bobo into work this year. We won’t have a bad word said against our sleeping partner of the past 24 years.
December 16th – Anything Covered In Chocolate Day
Anything?
JOE also teamed up with The KC Show on Today FM to find out which Irish holidays we’d all like to see added to the calendar, so check out some of the excellent listener suggestions below:
National Toast Day – booze or bread, we’re big fans of this idea.
Hug A Cork Chef Day – texted in by a Cork chef… obviously.
National Marty Morrissey Day – long overdue we’d all agree.
National When Packie Bonner Saved The Penalty Day – an excellent suggestion from Decky in Donegal, a bation holds its breath as to whether or not this one is approved.
National Show Up To Work Drunk And Tell The Boss What You Think Of Them Day – we’ve passed the texter’s contact details on to the Gardaí.
And finally, one text from a rather excited Navan man who simply text-shouted at us:
“WHEN IS NATIONAL MINISKIRT DAY!?”
Soon my excited Navan friend, soon.
It’s more than likely that we’ll need a Presidential proclamation in order to have some of these much-needed national events approved so, on behalf of the good people of Ireland, JOE is texting Michael D right this very minute…
You’re welcome Ireland.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
