Leap Year

2008 is a leap year.

What is the purpose of a leap year, you ask. I mean, I love the whole idea about getting an extra day…but really, what is the big deal?

Well here is the official definition, according to Wikipedia. “A leap year is a year containing one or more extra days in order to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical or seasonal year. For example, February would have 29 days in a leap year instead of the usual 28. Seasons and astronomical events do not repeat at an exact number of full days, so a calendar which had the same number of days in each year would over time drift with respect to the event it was supposed to track. By occasionally inserting (or intercalating) an additional day or month into the year, the drift can be corrected.” Hmm…isn’t that interesting. Anyway, the best thing about a leap year is the extra day added to the year. And it just so happens that the extra day in question is tomorrow. Isn’t it great that an extra day lands on a Friday?

I don’t know about you, but I plan to enjoy every single minute of it. I think the best thing about leap year is that you can spend your extra day any way you want…because it doesn’t count. You don’t “lose” anything since the day really doesn’t factor into the normal scheme of things. Isn’t that a great outlook? Yeah, it works for me. Leap year, what a concept?

I mean, seriously, since leap year only occurs once every four years, it would be great to do something totally outrageous…like get married…have a baby…or leave the country for a great vacation. Well, I can’t do any of those things tomorrow, but give me another four years to plan something even cooler.

As for tomorrow, I’ll probably be doing something really mundane…eat, sleep and work. Oh joy.

Driving

I have some pet peeves that I need to unload about drivers who don’t know the rules of the road.

5. You should never go the speed limit, you should go faster. When you are on the freeway, no one ever goes the speed limit, everyone always goes faster. And if you do want to go the speed limit, get the hell out of the left lane.

4. If you are going to cut in front of me, don’t slow down, speed up. When you cut me off, you need to be going faster than me or you’re going to cause me reason to dislike you even more. So please, for the sake of us all, when you cut me off, speed up.

3. If you can’t merge properly, don’t merge at all. Merging onto the freeway at an appropriate speed is important when not causing an accident. The trick is to go the speed of traffic, if not faster. Oh and also looking before you merge would be helpful. For all you people out there who try to multitask while merging…you are the ones who probably merge without looking. Well don’t do that, because it makes me say really bad things to you.

2. Weaving is annoying. If you weave in traffic, you suck. I laugh at cars who weave through traffic only to be passed by people who have the patience to stay in one lane. That makes you a sucker.

1. Weekend drivers (commonly referred to as idiots). If the majority of your driving is done on the weekends, then I hate you. You know why? Because you have no idea how to drive. You think you do, but let me tell you that you don’t. You signal after you have already changed lanes. You drift while driving. You’re too distracted to know what the hell is going on around you. You have a dog in the front seat or hanging out the window. You have a stupid child honor roll bumper sticker or baby on board sign on your car. And most of all, you drive too slow.

So the lesson for today: if you fall into any of the above categories, get off the roadways and take the bus.

Valentine's Day

What is it about this crazy day that makes men do outrageous things and women expect stupid things? It’s ridiculous.

Valentine’s Day is a crazy tradition that shouldn’t mean anything, but for most people, they can’t help that it does mean something. I mean, wouldn’t you rather have someone say nice things, do nice things, and buy you nice things spontaneously instead of because it was expected? Yeah, me too. So why is it such a big deal on this one day that is “declared” a supposed day of love? Shit. You got me.

I spend a lot of time on Valentine’s Day…well, bashing Valentine’s Day. I can’t understand the appeal of doing something for someone because you have to or because it’s expected…you know, because it’s Valentine’s Day. It just doesn’t make it special anymore.

So for all you lovers out there, enjoying Valentine’s Day…stop it.

Gung Hay Fat Choy

Since today is Chinese New Year and I find myself at work, I thought I’d take a moment to celebrate by posting. Joy. Now, typically, I would like to think that I would be able to enjoy the Chinese New Year holiday at home and away from work…but that doesn’t seem to always be an option. So, I must make due.

As the Year of the Rat arrives, I am pleasantly surprised that this year is forecasted to be a great year for me. And as exciting as that is to hear, I wonder what aspects of my life it refers to. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. If anyone tells me that I am going to enjoy some good luck…hey, bring it on.

And I’ve done what I could to ensure that good luck can find me. I cleaned. And, I mean, I really cleaned last week in preparation of the holiday. I’m wearing red. Yes, in case good luck is looking for me, I am wearing bright red. You can’t miss me. And I’m having happy thoughts. I know, I know, you don’t believe me. Well, it’s true. I have pledged to have nothing but good thoughts and happy feelings today.

Happy Chinese New Year!