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

August 15 - Relaxation Day

Originally dubbed "Slacker's Day" in Britain in 2001, Relaxation Day as it's now named, has become a popular day around the globe. And why not. There are so many things in our lives that cause unnecessary stress - work, family obligations, the economy! Today is set aside to indulge in activities that truly relax you and take your mind off all of those things. The problem? Many of us don't know how to relax. How sad is that! The easiest way to learn to relax? Watch a cat. They have it down to a fine art. If you don't have a cat, try some of these ideas. Try to take a nap if you usually don't. If the weather is good maybe head to the beach, the mountains or a park. A movie or a play might be a good choice if the weather isn't so nice. Turn off your cell phone and Blackberry. Order in instead of cooking. The most important part of the day? Don't feel guilty about your relaxation. Just kick back and enjoy. Ahhhhhhhhhh!

August 14 - Creamsicle Day

You just have to love it when an unusual group of ingredients and circumstances combine to produce one of the most popular summer treats. That's just what happened to Frank Epperson in 1905 when he was only 11 years old. After leaving a wooden stick in a cup containing powdered soda and water overnight, he discovered that the mixture had frozen into a "fruity icicle". Nearly 20 years later he introduced the frozen treat to the world as an "eppsicle" later renamed popsicle. Decades later a version of the popsicle, called a Creamsicle was introduced to the world. Composed of an ice cream center surrounded by an icy coating, Creamsicles are most often recognized by their orange fruity flavour, but they are also produced in blue raspberry, lime and grape flavours. Today is set aside to celebrate the Creamsicle, so make sure you take a break to enjoy this chilly treat!

August 12 - Vinyl Record Day

It's unlikely that Thomas Edison had any idea that his invention of the phonograph on this day in 1877 would have the effect on the world that it did. The first phonographs were produced on tinfoil on cylinders, often referred to now as an Edison Cylinder. That early method soon evolved into large, flat pieces of polyvinyl chloride with spiral grooves etched into their surface. Vinyl records, as they're known, became the medium of music for many generations. Whether they were 78 RPM, 45 RPM, or 33 1/3 RPM, records have provided the soundtrack for so many important occasions over the past 132 years. With the advent of the compact disc in the 1980s, vinyl records all but disappeared for a period of time. Today, however, vinyl records are making a strong and welcome comeback. So enjoy the wonderful sound produced from that piece of vinyl today and preserve those records for generations to come.

August 10 - S'Mores Day

If you've been to camp, then you've had a s'more. A popular campfire treat throughout North America since the late 1920s, s'mores are a delectable combination of cookie, chocolate and marshmallow. There's much speculation as to the name's origin, but most believe that it's simply a contraction of the phrase "want some more". How do you make a s'more? It's easy. Toast a marshmallow on a stick over a campfire. Have a couple of Graham Crackers ready to sandwich the melting marshmallow. Make sure you have a piece of chocolate on one of the crackers. The heat of the marshmallow will melt the chocolate and you'll soon have an ooey, gooey, mess of a dessert. Aren't near a campfire - the whole thing can be done in the microwave too (although not nearly as much fun, it's just as messy!!)

August 7 - Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day

We've all encountered them at some point. Our long awaited, hard earned purchase out of our reach as it's encased in hard plastic, cardboard, and impossibly strong tape! Today is set aside for us to moan and complain about the consumer packaging that provides us with so many challenges. Today is also a celebration of the incongruous package directions and instructions that are often the result of very literal translations. Here's a couple of examples: "Do not use while sleeping" (found on a hairdryer box); "Not to be used for the other use" (instructions for a Japanese food processor); "Do not iron clothes on body" (instructions for an iron). Have a laugh and try not to hurt yourself opening your purchase!

August 5 - International Beer Day

Beer is one of the few beverages that's enjoyed on nearly every one of the world's continents. So it only makes sense that entire day is dedicated to celebrating the frothy drink. Beer, in fact, is the oldest alcoholic beverage and behind only water and tea in popularity as a drink. Beer is usually categorized as either a lager or an ale with many sub-categories falling under each. A beer's basic ingredients are quite simple - water, starch (malted barley), a brewer's yeast, and hops for flavour. However, the process of brewing and fermenting of those ingredients is truly science twined with art and today is a multi-billion dollar a year global industry. So today, head off to your favourite bar or pub and raise a frosty glass in celebration of the noble beer.