Today is...

[IceWizard]

08 May 2107


Iris Day



Let’s sit back and smell the Irises, my friends, because they are, at least in some respects, head and shoulder over that dusty, old, bygone, the rose! The fresh, sumptuous luster of their dewy, iridescent blossoms on a spring day, the perky, shivery, curious stem scouting the air and the mesmerizing blush of rainbow colors make it a sight for anyone’s sore eyes. The name comes from the Greek word for ‘rainbow’ and most mythology adepts will tell you Iris was the messenger of the gods, the link between sea and sky, the rainbow glider, if you will.

Doesn’t that just inspire you to find a bunch of Irises for your girlfriend, mother, daughter and sister right now? It should, because on Iris Day, all is forgiven if you bring a bunch of these to your special someone; so if you’ve been naughty, now’s the time to be nice.


And




No Socks Day



They’re there, they’re on our feet, and most of us have some meager form of love for them. Really, they’re a fantastic invention, warm soft tubes of fabric that go over your feet and ensure that they remain warm and toasty in winter months. They can be wonderful for walking around the house in, and generally just keeping your feet comfortable. But you know what? They aren’t always the answer, and sometimes they’re just downright annoying. Forget those Birkenstock and sock wearing fools of the Pacific Northwest, No Socks Day is your chance to let your feet fly free and your toes taste the tarmac.

(Ok, we apologize for the alliteration, it happens sometimes).

History of No Socks Day

No Socks Day has a rather odd history, when you come right down to it. No Sock Day was created by Thomas Roy and his wife and are now including in Chase’s Calendar of Event. Thomas Roy was an actor that was most recently seen (by most people) in the film 12 Monkeys as a street preacher, and then again in the 2009 The Answer Man, a dark comedy involving alcoholism and rehab.

Chase’s Calendar of Events started being published in 1957 by Williamd and Harrison Chase. It was created to compile events from every area of American life, including federal an state observances, unusual celebratory traditions, and historical anniversaries. It was originally published containing 364 entries over 32 pages, while the newest editions contain a total of 12,000 entries over an impressive 752 pages. Needless to say these intrepid adventurers were one of the first to start compiling all the wild and wacky types of holiday in the world today, and have found a convenient and lovely way to spread this knowledge to the rest of us. You might consider it a road book for those traveling to parts unknown.

No Socks Day is just one of the many holidays included in its august pages, and is your opportunity to let your feet fly free over the soil and grass and stones of the whole wild world.

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May 8 Birthdays



Don Rickles - (1926 - 2017) (90)




Harry S. Truman - (1884 - 1972) (88)




Melissa Gilbert - 52




Alex Van Halen - 64







May 8th

2009: Jane’s Addiction kicked off their first tour with their original lineup in eighteen years in West Palm Beach, FL in a co-headlining tour with Nine Inch Nails.

2005: Bruce Springsteen reached the top of the Billboard 200 Album Chart for the sixth time with Devils & Dust which spent one week at number one.

2003: Elton John announced that he & long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin will write the score for a Broadway musical based on the Anne Rice novel The Vampire Lestat.

1993: Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits received an honorary music doctorate from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England.

1993: Aerosmith reached number one on Billboard 200 Album Chart for the first time with their eleventh studio album Get a Grip which spent one week on top of the chart.

1990: Tom Waits wins a $2.5 million lawsuit against Frito-Lay, which had used a Waits sound-alike in a commercial.

1982: Neil Bogart, the head of Casablanca Records died of cancer at the age of 39. Some of the artists on Casablanca’s roster included Kiss, The Village People & T. Rex.

1976: Peter Frampton reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart for the first time as “Show Me the Way” reached its peak at number six.

1970: The Beatles’ final original album Let It Be was released.



Birthdays:

Robert Johnson born in 1911

Gary Glitter born in 1940

Chris Frants - Drummer for Talking Heads born in 1951

Alex Van Halen - Drummer for Van Halen born in 1953