President's Day, An Alarmless event

President's Day, was established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington. It is still called Washington's Birthday by the federal government. Technically Washington's birthday was on the 22nd of February, allegedly, nobody really remembers, nobody I asked anyway. It was moved as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971. This was enacted to provide another three day weekend for the members of congress.

Once they had a three day weekend they decided unanimously to take the rest of the week as a recess. Reasoning that all the really important congressing stuff happened on Monday there was not much point in showing up Tuesday.

And, since one week was hardly a recess at all, they voted, and approved, without dissent, to make it a two week recess. There were several abstentions, mostly because of the mad dash toward the exit. Which was the same reason for a broken leg, a concussion, and several dislocated fingers.

But, as a father, I like to apply a liberal dose of patriotism, and take the day off. Mostly because my
wife and sons have it off, and that way we don't have to set the alarm clock* or pack lunch**.

As great as a three day weekend can seem one of the most wonderful benefits is the four day week that follows. Which means one less time of being dragged from the bliss of sleep by the foul alarm clock*.

So, I am setting at home, and typing this out on my computer, in comfy clothes drinking a third cup of coffee, and about to "transition" into a fourth, and then I am off to the gym for some sweat, exertion, and the labor of self improvement. Is this a great country or what?


And, of course here is a gratuitous video, starring the Father of our Country, and the J. Geils Band, I love them both.

* The cruelest invention of modern society.

** Since I am the poor soul who has to pack the lunches this is a particularly patriotic act.

Three Day Weekend, Four Day Workweek, Is This Heaven?

Today is Wednesday, always a good day. Halfway through the week, downhill and cruising. But, this Wednesday has almost enormous implications. We, here at Life Explained, have a 3 day weekend, that begins on Friday, so it is only a four day work week, and a three day weekend. We can barely control ourselves.

Saturday is the 4th of July, when America celebrates Independence from those tyrannical British*, and all of their delicious beer, and fish and chips, which are really just french fries. Britain and France have had a long history of conflict and refuse to give each other any credit, for anything. So, no french fries in England, no english muffins in France, it is kind of sad, really. They are separated only by the English Channel (the French Channel in France).** This is not really important, though, well it is important, don't take that the wrong way, we want our European friends to have good relations, we want everybody to get along, is that asking too much?!?!?

Anyway, we are gearing up to celebrate our independence. And, we are going to spend three days doing it. Which makes us feel very independent, indeed.

Here is the problem, so many people here, at Life Explained, are so excited about the coming three day weekend, that nothing is getting done. People have become "liberated" from their responsibilities.  Right now, several people are standing around the espresso machine comparing baked beans and coleslaw recipes. Technically, that is not part of their jobs, probably, the new self written job descriptions have were an awful idea. We may have to look carefully at eliminating those.

And the emails are starting to flourish and grow already, "I will be working from home today," "I am working off site today and tomorrow," or one of our favorites "I am here at work, if you don't see me, I am probably using the restroom, or down in the lab, or maybe getting a cup of that delicious, work coffee, but trust me I am there here, I mean."

Obviously, we take Independence Day very seriously. Of course we take Memorial Day, and Labor Day, and any three day weekend pretty seriously. We work hard, we play hard, and sometimes, like the days leading up to three day weekend we mix the two pretty vigorously.

Above is round two of the new logo search, please say nice things, lie if you have must.

* Just kidding, we like British people, we have a lot of British rock and roll on our iPhone.

**I just made that up, they get along fairly well, as far as I know.  Hey, I like you both.