National Backwards Day

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Warning: I cannot tell you how uncomfortable this is...how did Kriss Kross do this for so long? I do not recommend wearing jeans and a belt! Sweat pants are a must...

National Creative Answering Machine Message Day/National Escape Day

Happy National Creative Answering Machine Message Day! This unique day celebrates the wonders of answering machines. Am I the only one that hates leaving a message? Perhaps, you might like to escape that all together? And, since its also National Escape Day, what’s holding you back? For me, it’s an expensive education and lack of travel funds! If I could, I’d head back to Alaska. That was by far the best escape I’ve ever had!

Me kayaking in Juneau, Alaska (that's the Mendenhall Glacier in the distance!):

A shot of the Chilkat Mountain Range from the top of Mt. Robert's:

Back to Answering Machine Messages…The answering machine itself was invented by Valdemar Poulsen in 1898! Since then, these machines have transformed dramatically! Does anyone aside from my Mom still use a traditional answering machine? The answering machine message is obviously a direct impact of the machine itself. The recording is usually some plain ‘ol boring message that directs a caller to leave a message, but some can get quite creative!

So, let’s celebrate those with a sampling of some of the awesome ones I found with a quick YouTube search. A little Seinfeld Action, Mission Impossible?, Laugh-A-Thon, Aussie School and one lady’s humorous, but annoying messages left by her mother! Please note: this is not my mother! 

National Puzzle Day

I’ve been trying to piece together how to wish you a Happy National Puzzle Day! …not funny, I know!

While there are many types of puzzles, the only ones I’m actually good at are of the jigsaw variety therefore, that is what I shall focus on! John Spilsbury created the jigsaw puzzle sometime around the 1760s. Originally they were used as an educational tool to learn geography. It wasn’t until the 1820s that they gained popularity to what their modern use is today. Jigsaws come in many shapes and sizes. Even the piece shape and size can vary! The most recent transformation of Jigsaw puzzles has been the transition to the outline versions.

Fun Puzzle Fact: It is thought that doing Jigsaw puzzles is a form of prevention of Alzheimer’s disease! Apparently keeping your mind active is a way to keep your brain healthy, therefore reducing your risk of brain-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.

I used to have this amazing Crayola Teddy Bear puzzle when I was little. I think it was one of those extremely difficult 25 piecers! I must have completed that puzzle dozens of times and then one of the pieces went missing…kind of like the day I came home from school and my sweet, sweet collection of Ninja Turtles had been shipped off to those in need…but I’m not bitter. Seriously though, ever notice how there’s always that one piece missing, no matter how diligent you are at making sure you put every last piece back in the box?! Oh well! I'm sure that puzzle is long gone...just like my Ninja Turtles. 

National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day/National Kazoo Day

Today is filled with WAY too much childhood nostalgia! Not only is it Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, which in and of itself is amazing, it also happens to be a little day I like to call Christmas National Kazoo Day!

Bubble wrap was designed and therefore invented in 1957 by two wonderful individuals, Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes. The actual purpose of these sheets of air pockets is to protect fragile goods while in transit. Mom’s granola bar care packages just wouldn’t arrive in tact without it! Apparently the bubbles can be anywhere from 6 to 26 mm. However, an unintentional benefit to this creation are the hours of entertainment to small and grown kids alike from popping every last pocket! Think circular bubbles are getting old? An Italian company in 1997 created heart-shaped bubbles. Don’t have access to Bubble Wrap, but have the nagging desire to pop a sheet? Look no further, the Internet provides many magical things, including Virtual Bubble Wrap! I recommend “Manic Mode!” This makes for a fun way to show your appreciation of Bubble Wrap, without the environmental impact!

Fun Kazoo Fact: The Kazoo Museum was opened in Beaufort, South Carolina in 2010. This museum highlights the history of the kazoo and boasts a collection of over 200 kazoo-related items!

According to the experts at Wikipedia, kazoos are a “quasi-musical instrument.” It creates a vibrating noise when played. The name “Kazoo” was coined by Warren Hebert Frost in 1883. This usually plastic instrument is largely associated as being a kids toy. I often remember having these as party favors in a treat bag from a birthday bash.

Fun Kazoo Fact: They have been used in Africa as part of ceremonial events. Evidence suggests this has been taking place for hundreds of years!

Kazoos are far too under utilized these days! So, how about a shout out to a friend from my childhood, Mike Trask, and his kazoo touting song “Crazy”! 

National Chocolate Cake Day

Hands up if you hate chocolate cake! Well, I regret to inform you that today is not for you. It is, however, every chocolate cake lovers day, for it is National Chocolate Cake Day!

Apparently, Dr. James Baker, a man probably trying to find a cure for PMS, created chocolate cake in 1764. Does anyone else find it interesting that a Baker created one of the most popular baked goods? Fun Chocolate Cake Fact: World War II prevented Duncan Hines from introducing chocolate cake mixes. From then, General Mills and Duncan Hines have owned 48% of the cake mix market. Because of various food allergies, such as dairy and gluten, many variations have been created.