May the 4th Be With You!

[Zulu Romeo]

Today is the May Day bank holiday for folks here in the UK - traditionally the nearest Monday in May to May Day itself, 1st of May. Not sure if other countries have today off too, but if you do, what are your plans for the day? (or indeed, what did you get up to?)

While it may be tempting to go on a Star Wars marathon today for obvious reasons, I'm actually going to go out of the house for a bit and see what's happening out in the wide world.

What are you up to this holiday?

 

[RoJoHen]

I've never heard of such a thing. What exactly are we celebrating? Do you get April Fools Day off too?

 

[RJDiogenes]

I've always advocated May 1st as a holiday. It would be nice to have today off.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

Do you get April Fools Day off too?

The April Fools Day Holiday, alas, is yet another elaborate prank on a day of elaborate pranks.

 

[Jadzia]

I've never heard of such a thing. What exactly are we celebrating? Do you get April Fools Day off too?

It goes back to the pre-christian era. The celebration is of the festival of Beltaine, the beginning of the pastoral summer season.

Hence we have maypole dancing, and the blessed car boot sales, and the ritualized watching of the Bond movie.

The significance of the day was later "used" to celebrate the the labour movement.

 

[Pingfah]

I might skip the maypole dancing this year and jump right to the Bond movie.

 

[All Seeing Eye]

The only time I have ever seen a real may pole dance was when I was about 6 or 7 and the school made me take part in one for a school play in front of everybody's parents. That was when I learnt about embarrassment.

 

[Hermiod]

The May Day Bank Holiday is actually the Next Monday After Hermiod Was Born Bank Holiday. It even started the same year I was born.

 

[Jadzia]

Belated happy birthday Hermiod.

 

[Hermiod]

Belated happy birthday Hermiod.

Thanks.

 

[Omnius]

Today is Memorial Day here in the Netherlands, tomorrow is Liberation Day.
Unfortunately it's only a national holiday every 5 years (next one is next year in 2010).

 

[K'Ehleyr]

And no mention of the Morris Men whose only reason for being is to discourage folk from drinking by standing outside a pub in a group wielding sticks and handkerchiefs and ringing warning bells. These gaily attired, bearded men are are often accompanied by dragons and sometimes they dress up as mythical creatures

As for my BHM... I should be eating tapas and drinking sangria but the guy who invited us out to lunch rang this morning saying he 'didn't feel up to it'. For crying out loud!!! It's eating and drinking!!! So anyway we didn't go as he was going to pick up the bill, which proves that it is indeed true... There's no such thing as a free lunch

Happy belated B'day Hermioid

For Mallorys English/American research http://www.morrismen.org.uk/

 

[ITL]

I have achieved my May Day goals already. I went to shops that were shut for the day and said "Bastard!" when I got there and remembered what day it was.

This is a very important custom that I observe every bank holiday.

 

[K'Ehleyr]

I have achieved my May Day goals already. I went to shops that were shut for the day and said "Bastard!" when I got there and remembered what day it was.

This is a very important custom that I observe every bank holiday.

I got to my local shop 17 mins (and he was counting) before he locked up for the day ~ and made him take a newspaper out of the pile he had already baled up

 

[Holdfast]

I aim to achieve absolutely nothing today apart from eating and drinking plenty. It's a manifesto pledge that has always served me well, and worthy of frequent reiteration. Talking of manifesto's I'm also indulging my inner psephology nerd by watching the Election 79 rerun on BBC Parliament. A small preview of Election 2010, one hopes...

 

[Mallory]

For Mallorys English/American research http://www.morrismen.org.uk/

Thanks K'ehleyr!

It's not a holiday here in the States, so I'll be working today.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

I aim to achieve absolutely nothing today apart from eating and drinking plenty. It's a manifesto pledge that has always served me well, and worthy of frequent reiteration.

Mission accomplished, I take it?

As for me, my own primary mission objectives were fulfilled. Sadly, many secondary and "secret" mission objectives fell by the wayside, some due to circumstances beyond my control. [He means the baby ducks were sheltering from the rain and not out there pulling in the punters - ZR's Brain]

In any case, debriefing including photographic evidence will commence in the Photos thread.

Meanwhile, Monty Python has this to say on the subject of May Day...

 

[judge alba]

i have gone fourth to the pub drunk a little beer and played a lot of pool

 

[Pingfah]

I went fourth to the wine rack and am on my second bottle of Rioja.

 

[RJDiogenes]

The May Day Bank Holiday is actually the Next Monday After Hermiod Was Born Bank Holiday. It even started the same year I was born.

Happy Belated Birthday, Hermiod.

I knew there was an important Birthday in May....