Tomorrow it will be April 1st 2007.  Or “April Fools Day”, or “All Fools Day” - which is a day in recent tradition where all manner of confusion and light hearted anarchy ensue; where people, groups and organisations seek to “out-do” one another with clever tricks, slight of hand and general tom foolery!

But - What I would really love to know, is where this tradition actually came from?

One accepted notion is that in 1582 when Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calender from the older Julian Calender, which celebrated New Year on or around April, New Year under the new Gregorian Calender moved New Year to January 1st.  Though generally plausible, there are a number of flaws behind this explanation in that this calender wasn’t adopted worldwide (where April Fools is recognised); certainly in England it wasn’t until about 1752!

Explanation number two?  Back in 1983 according to a Joseph Boskin; back in the time of Constantine; a court Jester named Kugel boasted he could run the Empire better than him, amused Constantine let him be the King for the day - during which time he passed an edict calling for absurdity on that day.  The tradition stuck after that.  The problem with this very plausible sounding explanation is that it was in fact made up by Joseph Boskin and is in fact a complete fiction.

So, where DOES April Fool come from?  Is it simply a fictional national holiday where chaos is perceived as normal?  Or is there more to the history behind this day?  It could be that this is a Pagan left-over which has evolved itself into present culture, it is known in many cultures of the past of festivals involving foolishness around this time of the year…all are linked with vegetation or fertility.

So - in conclusion, perhaps by acting the fool, or playing a “blinder” on your boss, friends or family tomorrow in your own way, you are doing your bit to ensure this year sees a good crop?

Food for thought….I think so!!

In other news, it’s Michelle Carter’s (ne Fothergill) birthday today, and I sure hope she gets my email!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

It’s Friday, the weekend has nearly begun.  After a somewhat stressful week, I have taken it upon myself to invent a brand new cocktail tonight, and name it after all the things I hate at work at the moment….if it turns out to be a good cocktail (provided I am capable of remembering) I will share it’s recipe in a future post.

Sunday see’s the return of April Fool’s Day (aka Dad’s birthday); so pay careful attention on that day.  You never know what’s going to be true or false!

In other news?  Clint is still on the scene; in fact looks like he may have scored with one of the Mallards - durty little fella!

Well, I don’t suppose you remember the last time ducks visited my place of work..?  We had chicks!! Anyways - It turns out the ducks are back, only this time, we have two pairs of Mallards!  Trouble is, a foreigner has come over this time to cause a bit of trouble and strife!

As you can see, he is quite the character, he is VERY boystrous and fancies himself as a “ducks” duck!  Strutting his stuff, and picking fights with the male Mallards (at nearly twice his size) just to prove he’s got some balls courage!  I’ve decided to call him Clint Eastwood, he looks like a Clint don’t you think?

Despite his impressive displays the female duck in the background is having none of it, and quite frankly looks like she has seen it all before….perhaps this is an ex?  Who knows!

For those not in the know about ducks, Clint here is a Mandarin Duck, which is basically a fancy wood duck, and apparently now an endangered species! Albeit one of least concern; it get’s it’s name from it’s popularity in Asia, in China it is known as the Yin-Yan and is associated with love, affection and fidelity…

…From the way our Clint is behaving -”Infidelity” would be closer to the bill!

So, campaigners out there somewhere are dissapointed there was no direct apology from th Government on “our” part as a nation in the slave trade as it was pre-abolition.  This is a complete nonsense and I felt like posting a little on this after reading this on > BW - I mean for goodness sake it’s been many years!  I’d be surprised if anyone directly involved in this was still alive today?

Perhaps we should be asking other nations for apologies for things that happened in the distant past; how about Denmark/Norway/Sweden for the Viking invasions?  Or those in Normandy for the Norman Invasion?

The point I’m trying to make here is that this Slavery is simply a part of our history, and although not a part to be proud of, there it should remain.   HISTORY.

We should look to learn from the past, but we should not be held accountable for all of the mistakes of our fore bearers!  This is one of the faults of humanity that stops us maturing as a race, it is both counter productive and childish…but until we; as a world get over our own inflated ego’s this sort of thing will never go away…

Puritan work ethic -

“Look!! Just do yer job ok?  It’s your calling in life and that’s that!”

You are The Magician

Skill, wisdom, adaptation. Craft, cunning, depending on dignity.

Eleoquent and charismatic both verbally and in writing, you are clever, witty, inventive and persuasive.

The Magician is the male power of creation, creation by willpower and desire. In that ancient sense, it is the ability to make things so just by speaking them aloud. Reflecting this is the fact that the Magician is represented by Mercury. He represents the gift of tongues, a smooth talker, a salesman. Also clever with the slight of hand and a medicine man - either a real doctor or someone trying to sell you snake oil.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Memmed (”borrowed/copied/plagerised etc…”) from >>> CROILA

Well…I start the weekend by checking this little Fillum out; Pan’s Labyrinth.  It is Spanish with subtitles and it is still quite easy to follow, so please don’t let that put you off.  I am very impressed in fact I am quite taken by it.  Although it seems to be somewhat labelled as a “horror” flick I have to disagree….I think this should be labelled more as a “Dark Fairytale” - if such a thing could exist….it’s a wonderful film which to me is a cross between Alice in Wonderland; and maybe Frankenstein (for gore factor :P) 

For all the grim gore, and graphic detail the film portrays; it still manages to end on a high note, and deliveres a powereful moral message of self sacrifice over all other choices.

If you haven’t seen it yet, give it a go!

Result!

I get a full refund for my trouble, now that they (Interflora) realise they are in the wrong, and a gratis planter for Mum to boot…just hope it get’s me out of the dog house!