MetaFilter posts tagged with holiday

Sneak some zucchini on your neighbor's porch night!

sarahnade — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:49:31 -0800

Sneak some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor's Porch Night! On August 8th, participate in clandestine summer squash gifting. What to do with an overabundant zucchini crop? Well, you could carve it into a shark, or send it over a skateboard jump, make a musical instrument out of the stalk of the plant, or some other stuff. And if you're not tired of it after that, you can always eat it. My personal favorite is zucchini bread, just slightly underdone so it's even more moist.

A constant reminder

swift — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:08:04 -0800

"This day may be celebrated in a variety of ways. Pause and give thought to the role that the number pi has played in your life. Imagine a world without pi. Attempt to memorise pi to as many decimal places as you can. If you're feeling creative, devise alternative values for pi. Go to a party (I will). Or just celebrate in the time-honoured fashion of ignoring Pi Approximation Day altogether."

Happy Pi Approximation Day. Previously, approximately.

National Fist Bump Day

Cochise — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:53:26 -0800

National Fist Bump Day Introducing America's newest holiday: National Fist Bump Day. Next Wednesday, June 3rd, marks the one-year anniversary of Barack and Michelle Obama's "fist bump heard 'round the world." Nearly a year later, "a group of like-minded people have gotten together to commemorate Obama's grand gesture, but also to take the fist bump to a higher level, one above partisan politics and social divides." They are calling for everyone to "put aside their differences -- be they class, race, religion or values -- and show their respect with a little bump." Has the fist bump finally surpassed the high five?

I have a bad feeling about this

dersins — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:30:07 -0800

"Wookiees and Bea Arthur? Luke Skywalker and Harvey Korman? Singing and dancing and storm troopers? If George Lucas had his way, no one would remember, but yes, Virginia, there was a Star Wars Holiday Special."

Indeed there was (Google video). [Holiday Special previously on metafilter: 1, 2] Bonus Star Wars audition footage below the fold. Carrie Fisher's audition for the role of Leia. Mark Hamill's audition for the role of Luke. Kurt Russell's audition for the role of Han Solo. Cindy Williams' (!) audition for the role of Leia. Robby Benson's (!!) audition for the role of Luke. Andrew Stevens' (!!!) audition for the role of Luke. (How different would his career have been? Would we have had this great cinematic achievement?) Plus, from SNL, Kevin Spacey as Christopher Walken auditioning for the role of Han Solo.

Surprise!

jbickers — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:15:11 -0800

April 1 is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 274 days remaining until the end of the year. April 1 is most notable in the Western world for being A p r i l F o o l s' D a y. Oh yeah, I almost forgot ... Skynet becomes aware on April 1.

Every day is holy and special

filthy light thief — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:43:42 -0800

Looking for a reason to celebrate today, or just a reason to skip out on your obligations? You could look through Religious seasonal days of celebration and holy days , check if today is covered by Holiday for Every Day yet, or keep things simple and rely on a Calendar of the Saints like the Catholic feast days or Greek Saints Days from the Orthodox Ministry Access Calendar. If you like to be more traditional, you could go with the Medievalist's On-line Calendar of Saints, which only lists people recognized as saints in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Or, if you feel lucky, check for special Google logos (designed by Dennis Hwang). For instance, today is the first day of Spring, and the 40th anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

The Big Picture: Holi

not_on_display — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:58:50 -0800

Holi - The Festival of Colors on the Big Picture. More about Holi. What else can you do on Holi? [pre vious ly]

Neil Diamond is a Jewish guy who sings X-mas songs

MiltonRandKalman — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:12:48 -0800

What's the worst part about the holidays? The consumerism? The awkward office parties? Belligerent relatives and needy offspring? No, its holiday music, especially those involving former heroes [NSFOP]. This year, give the gift of non-suckage.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year ...for Mashups

BartFargo — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:49:45 -0800

Why give someone the gift of song when you can give them multiple songs... all at once! Metafilter originally introduced me to mashups with the Santastic collection of holiday mashups and Bootie's annual 'Best of' compilation. Now it just doesn't feel like the holidays without songs like "You Shook Me All Noel" blasting from my car stereo.

Happy Bodhi Day/Rohatsu!

desjardins — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:52:38 -0800

Bodhi Day, also known as Rohatsu, celebrates the day when Buddha was enlightened under the bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya (video, annotated photo gallery). How do we celebrate Bodhi Day? Typically, Rohatsu is the last day of a weeklong sesshin (intensive meditation retreat). Better not sleep late, the bell rings at 3:50 am! One person's experience of sesshin. A lesson in mindfulness for Rohatsu, including tips for beginners. Bodhi Day is primarily a Zen tradition. Tibetan buddhists celebrate Buddha's enlightenment in May with the festival of Saga Dawa. Other Buddhist holidays.

Turkey Day ---} Techie Day

Miko — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:17:34 -0800

It's a geek Thanksgiving! On Here & Now, Instructables' Christy Canida shares tools for organizing Thanksgiving dinner - Gantt chart, purchasing calculator, kitchen workstation for workflow management, stastical analysis of turkey cooking, and more. You'll also find results of their Take Thanksgiving to the Next Level contest, like the giant fractal pecan pie, the 20-sided pie-cosahedron, and the recirculating gravy fountain.

Run to the Hills

chuckdarwin — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:37:00 -0800

The collapse of holiday firm XL has prompted the largest airlift in British history as emergency flights were put in place to bring 22,000 very angry people home. Even Bruce Dickinson has been helping out. Even more bad news today. Some people don't seem to be suffering, though.

Winding the May Pole

Marie Mon Dieu — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:20:07 -0800

May Day celebrations of yesteryear. We never danced around the Maypole, but we did make May Day baskets for our elderly female neighbors and hang them on their doors. Some people still celebrate by dancing around the Maypole. They say the holiday has its roots in Roman mythology, specifically, to honor the goddess Flora.

Readers' Travels

Kattullus — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:44:41 -0800

I know a man who once went to Sioux City, not one of the world’s leading destinations, precisely because he had never been there before. More than a decade later he still talks about the experience, from the Sergeant Floyd obelisk to the dog track of North Sioux and the meat packing plant converted to a shopping mall. The same impulse explains a non-specialist’s reading a history of Byzantine iconography or a survey of Australian wildlife. Both offer a break in daily life and an enlargement of our sense of wonder and possibility. That awareness can provide a sense of transcendence, and connection, or even the spark of divine discontent that leads people to change their lives.

Reading as Vacation, an essay by J. D. Smith and Subway Reader, pictures of people who read while using public transportation.

Happy Everything!

blahblahblah — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:17:16 -0800

In a coincidence that happens less than once in a millennium, over half the world is celebrating a holiday. It is Good Friday; the Jewish festival of Purim, where getting drunk is often an obligation; the Persian new year of Narouz; Eid Milad an Nabi which the birth of the Prophet celebrated by some Sunnis; and Small Holi for Hindus, among many others. Some recipes to celebrate with. And why is this day so special? This is a rare overlap because while the holidays are all tied to spring, they all use different methods to determine their dates: Good Friday requires an incredibly elaborate formula, Purim falls on different days depending on whether your city has walls, and there are separate Hindu, Zoroastrian, and Islamic calenders as well.

The heart condition is spelled differently

tomcooke — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:21:48 -0800

What do we call the period of cleaning that we carry out in the spring? That's right, Discardia! This five-year-old holiday started yesterday and lasts till April 5th. Via Lifehacker, who open the festivities with 10 ways to declutter your digital life.

Oy vey, no Kwanza specials... sorry.

miss lynnster — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 20:56:22 -0800

Time to kill while waiting for Santa to arrive/dinner to digest/family to leave? Well, here's a Very Special Holiday Episode fpp just for you. God bless us, every one. &VideoID(Listed in no particular order. Yes, I've been working on this a while. Please feel free to add your own now!) Hannukah Harry saves Christmas and Easter! A Rugrats Chanukah Sesame Street Christmas Special 1978 Christmas Eve on Sesame Street 1978 A Muppet Family Christmas The Simpsons Christmas Stories Christmas with Mr. Bill Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In 1968 Holiday Special MST3K: Santa Claus Frank Sinatra/Bing Crosby Holiday Special The Nanny Christmas Special The Nanny CARTOON Christmas Special The Nick & Jessica Christmas Special An Amos and Andy Christmas A Very Special ALF Christmas Six South Park Christmas episodes SCTV Dusty Towne Sexy Holiday Special Blackadder's Christmas Carol A Beverly Hillbillies Christmas Justice League Christmas Special Life with Louie Christmas Special Merry Christmas Mr. Bean A very Frasier Christmas Robbie the Reindeer: Hooves of Fire Star Wars Holiday Special A Perfect Strangers Christmas Boy Meets World: A Very Topanga Christmas Pinky & The Brain Christmas Special Will Vinton's Claymation Christmas A He Man and She Ra Christmas A Very Elimidate Christmas Davy & Goliath Christmas Lost & Found Pee Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special Welcome Back Kotter: A Sweathog Christmas Mary Tyler Moore Show: Christmas and the Hard Luck Kid A Robot Chicken Christmas Bugs Bunny Christmas Carol Rankin Bass Pinnochio's Christmas A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Christmas Family Guy Christmas Special Rankin Bas Santa Claus is Coming to Town Rankin Bass Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey A Gumby Christmas Carol and Santa Witch A Growing Pains Christmas A Garfield Christmas Rankin Bass Night Before Christmas Animaniacs Christmas Special Dennis Leary Merry F$#@in' Christmas The Doris Day Show: A Two Family Christmas The Doris Day Show: Christmas Time in the City Rankin Bass Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Back For Christmas A Growing Up Gotti Christmas Rocko's Modern Christmas A Very Smurfy Christmas Tis the Season to be Smurfy Eight is Enough: Yes Nicholas, there is a Santa Claus A Lou Grant Christmas A Scarecrow & Mrs. King Christmas Efrem Zimbalist Jr. in The FBI: Dark Christmas A Wonder Years Christmas I Love Lucy Christmas The Ray Bolger Show Christmas (1953) A Will & Grace Christmas A Barney Miller Christmas Rankin Bass Year Without A Santa Claus Santa guest stars on Gilligan's Island Alice: A Semi-Merry Christmas Alice: Mel's Christmas Carol Bless This House Christmas starring Andrew Dice Clay Just Shoot Me: Jesus, It's Christmas A Hangin' With Mr. Cooper Christmas The Extras Christmas Special Kirk: The Christmas Show (Cameron, not James T.) A Charlie Brown Christmas Mickey's Christmas Carol Batman: Christmas with the Joker (animated) Yogi Bear's First Christmas Yogi's All-Star Comedy Christmas Caper News Radio: X-Mas Story American Dad: Most Adequate Christmas Ever Casper's First Christmas A Cabbage Patch Kids Christmas A Flintstone Christmas Christmas Comes to Pac(man) Land A How I Met Your Mother Holiday A Scooby Doo Christmas Casper's First Christmas Wanda Sykes in A Wanda at Large Christmas Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Krueger's Christmas A Cosmic Christmas Bugs Bunny's Looney Christmas Tales Boondocks Christmas Bonus fun: Night Before Christmas (1903) Max Fleischer's Rudolph cartoon (1948) Scrooge (1934) A Christmas Story Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

Bureau of Communication

lsemel — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:24:03 -0800

Send messages to friends with fun, bureaucratic fill-in forms! Bureau of Communication has funny faux-bureaucratic forms that you can send to your friends. Whether you need to communicate a problem, send an invitation to an event, or simply apologize for a transgression, our easy-to-use forms will ensure that your message is clearly conveyed.

wonderful ecards

nickyskye — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:16:02 -0800

It has now been several years since Jacquie Lawson, an English artist living in the picturesque village of Lurgashall in Southern England, created an animated Christmas card in 2000. The e-card, featuring her dog, Chudleigh, her cats, and her 15th-century cottage, was sent to a few friends for their amusement. Those friends sent the e-card to others, and within weeks Jacquie was inundated with requests from all over the world to design more e-cards. My favorite Christmas ecard of hers. A lovely birthday card. 101 ecards with about 15 new ones released each year. The international prices/membership fees, in the USA $10 per year.

Pepsi BlueCross BlueShield

blendor — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:15:02 -0800

The Prepaid Healthcare Visa® Gift Card, for that special someone without insurance on your holiday list. Rejoice! Terry Gilliam's dystopian future is now! [via]

When you care enough to send the very bewildering.

zardoz — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:33:08 -0800

If you're looking for a good prank this holiday season, why not have someone living in Europe send cryptic, bizarre postcards to your friends. Bidding has commenced.

Tacky Christmas Yards. REALLY Tacky.

dersins — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:28:24 -0800

tacky christmas yards dot com is exactly what it sounds like. [via]

Feliz Nahbehblah

miss lynnster — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:22:52 -0800

An FPP for your holiday listening pleasure. Ha ha ha. Captain Obvious' Christmas Mix Tape Psychotic Leisure Music Vintage kiddie Christmas records Christmas music from wax cylinders A kiddie Christmas podcast Mostly Ghastly Music The Vintage Place Music You Won't Possibly Hear Anywhere Else Katry 77 Santas Cool Mo Dee Sanity Clause's Shanty Storynory -- Christmas Stories for Kids Cheerful Earful Christmas a Go-Go Bongo Bells Hi Fi Holiday Fa la la la la Childrens records and more Way Cool Music Ernie (Not Bert) Stax o Wax Check the Cool Wax Dartman's World of Wonder Just Good Music BONUS STUFF Classic Television Christmas Sufjan Stevens -- Worst Christmas Ever The cheery Malcolm Middleton Christmas ditty - We're All Going to Die Christmas Davey & Goliath episode Okay, now add your own favorites.

30 Years of LucasFilm Christmas Cards

ColdChef — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 07:28:51 -0800

30 Years of LucasFilm Christmas Cards (I triple-dog dare ya!)

Santastic III

Mwongozi — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:33:03 -0800

Santastic I, II, and now III, holiday mash-ups, alternate treatments and bootleg remixes.
Previously