News
...IT'S USUALLY BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT THEIR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS.
Happy National Reach as High as You Can Day! If you're pint sized like me you may assume this day is about mocking those of us at lower elevations, but apparently it's meant to reference the metaphorical reaching for things like hopes and dreams. That kind of reach is accessible to us all in theory, unlike the items in my kitchen cabinets, which I am forced to bat down with barbecue tongs and spatulas and the like.
A reenactment of me trying to get anything down from a high shelf in my house.
Today is also National Dolphin Day, National Ex-Spouse Day, and Look Up at the Sky Day. Do with that information what you will.
I will do nothing with that information and continue to be bitter that the height gods never smiled upon me, although Matt will be quick to point out that neither did the concussion gods, since hitting my head on things is a near non-existent problem down here.
What else happened today in history?
• The first edition of Noah Webster's dictionary was published on this day in 1828. Helping us all reach new heights in terms of our vernacular!
• On this day in 2003 The Human Genome Project completed a mapping the genes of the human genome, a project which started in 1990. Scientific heights, y'all!
• Several birthdays also happened today, including Sarah Michelle Gellar (famous for her role as Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Anthony Michael Hall (famous for a long acting career including iconic geek roles in films like Sixteen Candles and iconic jerk roles in Edward Scissorhands. Good on him for not being typecast). Today is also the birthday of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia co-creator/star Rob McElhenney and Helen Keller's lifelong companion/teacher/Miracle Worker Anne Sullivan.
Alright, since it's Wednesday, I suppose it's time to entertain you with some finds from around the web...
1. Women posting wins of all shapes and sizes.
This Instagram account is dedicated to sharing wins for women, both modern and historical. Whether it's rocking femmes showing up haters who doubt their heavy metal fandom, or heroines of the past helping enterprising women dispatch abusive husbands, this account is full of interesting history and modern victories.
2. Ursine intruder immediately regrets his transgression, thanks to some plucky pups.
This episode took place in Pasadena, CA, the town where Matt and I reside with our ancient feline familiar. I doubt Oliver the cat would have mustered the chutzpah on display with these two tiny dogs chasing a wayward bear from their home; he's really only good for making sure rodents rue the day they breach our abode.
3. Japan wants you to ski their slopes with some feathery friends.
Sure it's trick photography and not well-trained ostrich Olympians, but this little video of ostriches soaking up a snow day is still a fun watch.
4. Prolific Pen Comics are the perfect amusing distractions.
If funny comic strips sound like a delightful diversion between Zoom calls today, check out Yanni Davros' Insta account, fully of quick LOLs to brighten your day.
5. This theater in Portland never stopped doing the Time Warp.
This truly dedicated projectionist has been playing Rocky Horror Picture Show in an empty theater for 54 weeks! I guess he didn't want to break the streak for Portland's longest-running movie.
I still remember RHPS being the only semblance of something remotely alternative in the endless landscape of strip malls and gated communities where I spent my high school years. Thanks for the little slice of nostalgia, Oregonian, and thanks to the universe's reach-as-high-as-you-can powers that be for helping me escape that bland little corner of the hellscape.
Boredwalk Community: Librarian by Day, Wedding Officiant by Night
1. What's your actual day job and what's your dream day job?
I'm a children's librarian in a public library outside the Pittsburgh, PA area (actually, the public library I grew up GOING to!) and it IS my dream day job! I've been here since 2002.
2. What's a book you think the Boredwalk community should read?
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. It provides a thought-provoking look at all the "what if's" we ask ourselves...what if we took that job, married that guy...how would our lives be different? It does dive a bit into mental illness, but overall, it'll make you think about your "what if's."
3. If you could have any super power what would it be and why?
Oh, if I could travel anywhere, tube travel, like The Jetsons! My son and his family just moved to Australia, and I'd love to pop on over and HUG THEM and check out where they live, and see koalas and kangaroos up close!
4. Clear up a misconception (about your job, where you are from, some other topic you know a lot about).
Misconception: Librarians get paid to sit and read all day. Our jobs are GREAT, but we don't just sit and read all day! Go check out your public library and borrow some excellent free stuff!
5. What experience do you most want to cross off your bucket list?
I've been hot-air ballooning, but my hubby has not. It's on the plan for later this summer we hope (and that trip to Australia, as soon as the countries all like each other again)!
6. What is a surprising fact about you?
Fun fact about me? I officiate weddings on the side! In the state of Pennsylvania you can "self-unite," an old law from back in the QUAKER days, so my hubby and I actually officiated our own wedding and had our guests pronounce us to be husband and wife!
(Ed. note: that is VERY cool! Now if only I could by a bottle of wine before noon on Sundays next time I'm in PA...)
7. Where can the rest of the Boredwalk community find you?
This is my work FB page. When I'm not there I can often be found reading in a rocking chair or taking long walks with my husband.
...BUT A BEAR ON BEER IS A BEER ENGINEER! 🍻
Happy National Beer Day! If you partake, I hope you're able to enjoy a pint of your favorite lager, pilsner, ale, or stout today. And if you don't, that's cool, too! My favorite nonalcoholic beverage is seltzer water, because I happen to believe that bubbles elevate most drinking experiences.
Why is National Beer Day observed on April 7th? Because that's the anniversary of the Cullen-Harrison Act being signed into law in 1933, reversing the ill-conceived prohibition of alcohol sales in the United States. After water and tea, beer is the most popular beverage on the planet, with over 35 billion gallons produced annually worldwide.
*****
So many famous birthday boys/girls/persons today! They are as follows:
Musicians: Eleanora "Billie Holiday" Fagan (1915) and Ravi Shankar (1920)
Politicians: Successful former California governor and failed former presidential candidate Jerry Brown (1938)
Actors/Filmmakers: Francis Ford Coppola (1939), Jackie Chan (1954), and Russell Crowe (1964)
OK, OK...you've waited long enough. It's link time!
1. Get excited to take on the day with some high energy break dancing!
Fun fact: Meredith used to be a b-girl, and when we met she had just recovered from a recent wrist injury from dancing like this!
2. Parenthood is a tough racket, no matter the species.
I know that the term "herding cats" is a popular one, but after this video of a stressed out mama bear struggling to get her cubs across the street, maybe we should change it to "herding bears"?
3. Normally I like to keep religion out of Boredwalk emails...
...but I will happily make an exception for the good folks at Clackamas United Church of Christ in Oregon. Delightful! Also, to our Jewish friends, we wish you peace today on Yom Hashoah.
4. And if your spiritual path is a bit more pagan and earthy...
...please enjoy the fairytale photography of artist Katerina Plotnikova!
She was recently a guest on the Awarepreneurs podcast to talk about Boredwalk's somewhat contrarian view of the world, and it's actually a pretty cool synopsis of what Boredwalk does, how we started, our company culture, and the sort of impact we're trying to have on the world around us. So if you're at all interested in Boredwalk be sure to check it out!