April 5 - International Quelque Chose Day

Quelque chose is a wonderful catchall word in French meaning something. You pronounce the word like "kell-kuh-shoze". This Thurday make it a mission today to go out of your way and perform quelque chose out of the ordinary for human good.

This could be as simple as helping someone cross a street. Maybe you could tutor a child today or donate some of your time at a local non-profit or charity organization. They are so many ways you can help out that don't involve money. Picking up trash along a shoreline or in a park are other fine examples.



Perhaps you already do quelque chose great for society everyday such as teach, work in hospitals, or maintain city parks. Take a moment for yourself to realize what a great contribution you provide. Then get yourself quelque chose to pay tribute to this day. Act as if it's your birthday! Buy a waffle cone with your ice cream, I'm sure you deserve it. And consider yourself lucky because now you've learned at least one French word which you can pass on to others. Be good to yourself and others or quelque chose like that!

April 4 - International Be Reliable Day

"Once upon a time, were four individuals called Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was a very important task to be carried out and Everybody was asked to handle it. Everybody was sure Somebody would take care of it. Anybody could have done it. But it was Nobody who did it. Somebody was furious because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could have done it. And Nobody had no doubt that Somebody would do it. Finally, Everybody blamed Anybody because Nobody did what Somebody could have done." (Psychologies, translated by me)

You wouldn't want story to repeat itself, would you? This is the day you make sure it doesn't!

April 3 - International Mug A Nun Day

On this day in 1981, Mother Teresa said at a press conference "I think it is very beautiful for the poor to accept their lot, to share with the passion of Christ. I think the world is being much helped by the suffering of the poor people." In the same spirit,this day has been dedicated to mugging every nun we could find, in the hope that they would accept their lot, share it with the passion of Christ and thereby help the world greatly with their suffering.

April 2 - International Swiggage Day

Swiggage (n) [ˈswih - gij] - A tasty refreshing non-alcoholic beverage of some kind.




"Swag" is traditional slang for "acquired loot," which eventually covered foodstuffs, especially Twinkies and other awesome confections. Adding the "age" was further slang, much in the way that "tuneage" represented available music and "boobage" for a particularly well-mammared young woman.


To "swig" is slang also, a verb meaning to drink, specifically the physical act of picking up a glass or bottle and pouring the liquid into one's mouth. Swiggage carries with it the hint that the liquid enters the mouth in a manly and heart way. (Close to but not quite "chugging.")


Combining all that we get SWIGGAGE, and so when we say it is International Swiggage Day, what we mean is - "Come get your (non-alcoholic) Drink on!"


Today, as you go about your tasks, remember that there is a Cola, Sweet Tea or Lemonade with your name on it.  Classics are great, but so are smaller regional drinks. Go nuts! Try your favorite, or try something brand new!


(Leave a comment about your favorite Swiggage and what you're going to try today.)

April 1 - International Obscure Phone Message Day

The idea is to call up a random stranger and leave a cryptic message on their voice mail or answering machine. You’re pretending to be calling someone else with VERY important information, and have accidentally gotten the wrong number.

You could pick something along the lines of, “Dude, I think my wife found out. I need to know what to do!” Or, “I don’t think I have any choice but to do it, unless you call and tell me differently.”

Of course, it doesn’t have to be sinister. You could leave a message like, “They are only 40 bucks! I can’t believe it. But we have to go today, or you know they’ll all get snatched up.” Or if you really want to pull out the stops, “I think Rocco and Timone are on to me! I’m going to put the money in the park by that big tree, you know our special spot, and you need to get it, but hurry!”

Then sit back and watch the fun. Of course, if you don’t cover your tracks, it’s possible Caller ID will catch you. In that case, just sound very cautious and worried. You’re not hurting anybody and you’ll give them a great story to tell at parties, while you laugh about it all the while.