billso.com

It’s 19 September, and that means it’s International Talk-Like-A-Pirate Day. Time to break out your iPatch, wish me a happy birthday, shiver your timbers, and really tick off those pesky ninjas.

Here’s a Wikipedia article about the day, with no mention of me at all. I’m not famous enough for Wikipedia, and that’s probably a good thing!

Seriously, TLAP Day is one of several Internet-fueled holidays that have gained popularity through social networking, blogs, and word-of-mouth marketing. Another favorite of mine is Yuri’s Night on 12 April. It’s a series of small global parties to honor the first manned orbital spaceflight. Of course, the Soviet Union was celebrating Cosmonautics Day long before there was a World Wide Web. I wish Yuri’s Night was more like a Cinco de Mayo for space. Maybe next year!

In the meantime, let’s party like it’s 1807.