Happy Festivus

Today's hero is today. December 23rd of every year is the holiday made a part of pop culture by that lovely show Seinfeld. Today is Festivus. A "Festivus for the rest of us." The faux holiday created (on the show) by Frank Costanza as an alternative to christmas. Instead of raining blows down upon some other poor slob trying to buy the same doll at some over priced department store, we sit around the Festivus pole, have Festivus dinner, the Feats of Strength, and (my personal favourite) the Airing of Grievances. The term Festivus is a Latin term, but there is some lively, scholarly debate on its exact meaning. All that stuff is for the bookworms of the world, the long and short of it is that the term "festive" comes from Festivus, and that is enough of a reason to have a party. There is an actual company that sells Festivus poles, no trees here, and no decorations as Mr. Costanza finds tinsel "distracting." The Airing of Grievances is, for me the highlight of the party, and to quote Frank Costanza it is "And at the Festivus dinner, you gather your family around, and tell them all the ways they have disappointed you over the past year!" There is the Feats of Strength were the party is not over until the host (Frank) is pinned (usually by George, who tries, fails, and is scarred for life). There are Festivus miracles (of which I have seen two already today). I find that Festivus is much more fun if you are intoxicated, as most party's are. However, it is always a good time to get a couple of friends together, have a few drinks, tell them they are disappointing you, but still your mates, and have a good meals all while mocking all the "normal" traditions with which we were raised. So, for making today "for the rest of us." Today is today's own hero. Happy Festivus you bastards!