Monday Facts

Last week, it was Bible stuff. This week, it's holidays, sick time, and the Happiest Place on Earth...

In 1659, the Massachusetts General Court ordered a 5-shilling fine to be paid by anyone caught celebrating Christmas. the ban was revoked in 1681. Christmas did not become an official federal holiday until 1870, under President Ulysses S. Grant. New Year's Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving were all made federal holidays under the same legislation.

According to a 2005 survey by CareerBuilder.com, 43% of Americans called in sick when there was nothing wrong with them, up from 35% the year before.

Disney World in Orlando, Florida, covers 30,500 acres (46 square miles). That's twice the size of Manhattan.

Next week, the circus and circus animals!

From "That's a Fact, Jack" by Harry Bright and Jakob Anser.


tags: facts | Christmas | sick time | Disney World

Merry Christmas

This says it all:

When I was a Kid...

I used to have this album when I was a kid (yep... a real album that I played on a turn-table and everything).

The album had a lot of fun songs on it, like the originals of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and "I'm Getting Nuttin' for Christmas."

But the best of all was a really cool version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" done, of all people, by Art Carney. I fell asleep every Christmas Eve listening to my man Art.

Have a listen to it HERE.

And have a Merry Christmas!

Happy Festivus!

Those of us who love Seinfeld remember that today is Festivus. For the uninitiated, here's the details:

HISTORY:
Many Christmases ago, Frank Costanza went to buy a doll for George. There was only one doll left and as he reached for it, so did another man. After struggling for the doll, he thought there could be another way. The doll was destroyed, but out of that, a new holiday was born. It was called Festivus. A Festivus for the Rest of Us.

CELEBRATION DETAILS:
Celebrated: December 23rd
Meal: Whatever you Want (the Costanzas have Spaghetti)


FESTIVUS TRADITIONS:
The Festivus Pole
Is there a tree? Instead there's a pole. Requires no decoration. Frank finds tinsel distracting. The pole is aluminum tall, silver, hollow, long and skinny.

The Airing of Grievances
At the Festivus dinner, you gather your family around and tell them all the ways they have disappointed you over the last year.

Feats of Strength
The head of the family tests his strength against another friend or family member. The great honor is given out to a different person each year. In Seinfeld, Cosmo Kramer was given the honor but turned it down to George Costanza as he had an appointment. Festivus is not over until the head of the family is pinned.

If you're really interested in the Festivus origins, here's the SCRIPT from the original Seinfeld episode, "The Strike." Or read the Festivus entry in Wikipedia, HERE (there are some really interesting additional facts in there - check out the one about Coach Brian Billick and the Baltimore Ravens)

For the followers of Festivus, you can purchase your Festivus pole HERE (manufactured in Milwaukee, a city known for its very high strength-to-weight ratio).

(HT: Katherine Willis and Seinfeld Lists)