January 10 - Stephen Foster Day

"Oh, hard times come again no more."

May 24 - International Jazz Day

Holiday Insights

Jazz is such a strange thing (to me) to try to talk about. No matter who you talk to, everyone has a strong opinion, one way or another, on the topic. Jazz is so difficult to define, and I couldn't even begin to explain to you what I think and feel about jazz, nor what type of jazz I like. Here, instead, is a playlist I arranged to celebrate International Jazz Day. For those who may be new to jazz (like me), here are some of the biggest names.

May 20 - Eliza Doolittle Day

This isn't an actual holiday, except to those who love the musical "My Fair Lady." In the lyrics to "Just You Wait," Eliza is frustrated by Henry Higgins' attempts to teach her proper English enunciation and fantasizes how she will get her revenge. She imagines she is famous and on familiar terms with the King of England, who pronounces May 20th as Eliza Doolittle Day.

From "Just You Wait," lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner:

One evening the king will say: "Oh Liza, old thing,
I want all of England your praises to sing.
Next week on the twentieth of May
I proclaim Liza Doolittle Day!
All the people will celebrate the glory of you
And whatever you wish and want I gladly will do."

"Thanks a lot, King," says I, in a manner well-bred;
"But all I want is 'enry 'iggins 'ead!"

To celebrate, try to rent the movie adaptation. If you can't get a copy in time, watch this video:

March 9 - Get Over It Day

March 9 - Get Over It Day
Official Site

One of my most-used phrases is, "You'll get over it." Today is dedicated to that concept. GET OVER IT! A sucky job, a bad relationship, lame friends, money trouble...everyone has something to get over. The official poem says it better...

We ALL have our issues; ALL lives contain stress,
At some point, we're ALL, an emotional mess.
Ex-boyfriends, ex-girlfriends, ex-husbands, ex-wives,
These are people to get over in EVERYONE'S lives.

But as much as things suck, as bad as they get,
If you got cheated on, if you're swimming in debt,
If you're aging or balding or get a cold sore,
Don't ever forget: It Could Always Suck More!

It's all part of life; it will help you grow stronger,
But this "pity party" of yours can't last any longer.
You can sit home alone, being sad and depressed,
Or you can choose to be strong, and do as we suggest:

March 9th is the day to finally say,
"Move on! It's done! It's GET OVER IT DAY!"

by Jeff G., "Get Over It Day" founder and creator

Oh...and check out my pick for official song of Get Over It Day:

March 6 - Celebrate Your Name Week

March 2-8 - Celebrate Your Name Week
Official Site
More info, on Wikipedia

Just about each day this week has had a different name-related holiday. Yesterday, I posted about learning the meaning of your names.

One way to celebrate your name is to find out your Name Day. This is a more popular activity in Europe, but I think it is a good idea that we should adopt in the US. I think that Name Days could be like a second birthday, only without the questions about your age. (Yes, I am old enough to start fretting about that.)

Oddly enough, my Name Day falls on the same day as my boyfriend's birthday (September 6). I guess this means I get presents too. When is your Name Day?

Another way to celebrate is to listen to songs with your name in them. Jennys of the world, you can omit this. (You know, 867-5309...remember now?)

My favorite Alyson song is "Alison's the Bomb," by the Huntingtons. Not only because I am the bomb, but because in the liner of this CD, instead of the lyrics, there is a drawing of a girl wearing a Ghoti Hook shirt. And Ghoti Hook is just about my favoritest band in the world (RIP).

My second favorite would have to be "Alison," by Elvis Costello. This is the song most frequently sung to me when people discover my name.

I also like "Allison," by The Pixies. Even though it is not about a girl named Allison. (It is actually about Mose Allison, the jazz/blues musician.) Lyrics here, and a video here.