September 8 - International Literacy Day

If you're reading today's blog you may very likely take that ability for granted. Around the world today, one in five adults aren't able to read or write at a functional level. Of that number, nearly two thirds are women. It's also estimated that almost 75 million children aren't even in schools. But why is literacy so important?

According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), "Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. All educational opportunities depend of literacy." Societies that are literate have less poverty, lower child mortality, better gender equality and tend to be more peaceful and democratic.

And literacy tends to be generational. Parents who had the opportunity to go to school tend to be more likely to send their children to school. A good education equips students with literacy skills and a solid foundation for life-long learning.

August 29 - According to Hoyle Day

Known as the "Father of Whist", Edmond Hoyle (1672-1769) didn't actually invent the game. Whist is a card games played with 52 cards and is the forerunner to the modern version of Bridge. The game was extremely popular with the English aristocracy of the time and Hoyle took it upon himself to publish "A Short Treatise on the Game of Whist", which at the time was the definitive collection of rules for the game. So popular was the book that Hoyle wrote a number of other "treatises" on a variety of card and board games including, backgammon, piquet and chess. It soon became popular custom to generically call any rule book on card and board games a "Hoyle", which lead to today's say, "according to Hoyle", which usually refers to the standard of rules for just about anything. So today, break out a deck of cards, or a board game, keep the rule book close to hand and raise a glass in thanks to Mr. Hoyle.

August 27 - Just Because Day

Have you ever had something you wanted to do, but there wasn't really any reason to do it? Well today's the day to just give in and let loose! How about visiting someone you haven't seen in ages? Take a run through a sprinkler? Treat yourself to something you don't really need. Treat someone else for that matter! Compliment a coworker on their great wardrobe. Make plans for an unscheduled vacation. Really, the skies the limit! It isn't clear where this occasion originated, maybe it was just because.

August 25 - Kiss and Make Up Day

Be it a tiff, spat, disagreement or a full on argument, we've all had occasion to collide with someone else emotionally. It's only natural when strong opinions come into contact with each other. Disagreements are unfortunately just a part of life. Sometimes arguments can go on for years, cause hard feelings and terrible regret. Well today is the day to set aside any of those differences and make amends with anyone you might be having a conflict with. And making up can be a heck of a lot of fun!

August 22 - Ramadan Begins

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, also referred to as the month of fasting. During each day of the month, from dawn until dusk, those participating are required to not eat, drink, smoke or indulge in any excesses or ill-natured activities. The practice of fasting is meant to teach Muslims patience, modesty and spirituality. The belief is that without the temptations of the world present, it becomes easier to devote the day to prayer and worship. Many Muslims use Ramadan to decide new directions for their lives, similar to the way many in Western cultures make New Year's resolutions. Most choose ways to live better lives more dedicated to their faith.

Ramadan Mubarak!

August 20 - Virtual Worlds Day

Virtual worlds were created to provide a way to escape the real one. Where once not long ago there were only a few imaginary communities to join with, today there is a virtual universe of choices. Millions of people a day leave reality behind for a foray into the lives of their created avatars. For example more than 11.5 million people subscribe to the internationally popular World of Warcraft. Interestingly, many experts suggest that even Twitter, Facebook, and the other social network sites are considered virtual worlds. Today is set aside to celebrate, or perhaps explore, one of the many virtual worlds into which you escape!

August 18 - Bad Poetry Day

No one sets out to write a "bad poem", yet it happens hundreds of times a year. Often most of the serious offenders come from writers with the very best of intention. Take for example the musings of William McGonagall, a nineteenth century writer who has the distinction of being hailed as the author of the worst poetry in the English language. But why celebrate bad poetry? Perhaps by reading a bad poem, you might more easily recognize great poetry. So today would be a good day to sit back and read Mr. McGonagall's grand opus "The Tay Bridge Disaster", which I've included here for your "enjoyment".

The Tay Bridge Disaster

Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay!
Alas! I am very sorry to say
That ninety lives have been taken away
On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

'Twas about seven o'clock at night,
And the wind it blew with all its might,
And the rain came pouring down,
And the dark clouds seem'd to frown,
And the Demon of the air seem'd to say-
"I'll blow down the Bridge of Tay."

When the train left Edinburgh
The passengers' hearts were light and felt no sorrow,
But Boreas blew a terrific gale,
Which made their hearts for to quail,
And many of the passengers with fear did say-
"I hope God will send us safe across the Bridge of Tay."

But when the train came near to Wormit Bay,
Boreas he did loud and angry bray,
And shook the central girders of the Bridge of Tay
On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

So the train sped on with all its might,
And Bonnie Dundee soon hove in sight,
And the passengers' hearts felt light,
Thinking they would enjoy themselves on the New Year,
With their friends at home they lov'd most dear,
And wish them all a happy New Year.

So the train mov'd slowly along the Bridge of Tay,
Until it was about midway,
Then the central girders with a crash gave way,
And down went the train and passengers into the Tay!
The Storm Fiend did loudly bray,
Because ninety lives had been taken away,
On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

As soon as the catastrophe came to be known
The alarm from mouth to mouth was blown,
And the cry rang out all o'er the town,
Good Heavens! the Tay Bridge is blown down,
And a passenger train from Edinburgh,
Which fill'd all the peoples hearts with sorrow,
And made them for to turn pale,
Because none of the passengers were sav'd to tell the tale
How the disaster happen'd on the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

It must have been an awful sight,
To witness in the dusky moonlight,
While the Storm Fiend did laugh, and angry did bray,
Along the Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay,
Oh! ill-fated Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay,
I must now conclude my lay
By telling the world fearlessly without the least dismay,
That your central girders would not have given way,
At least many sensible men do say,
Had they been supported on each side with buttresses,
At least many sensible men confesses,
For the stronger we our houses do build,
The less chance we have of being killed.

~William T. McGonagall