Furry-back Friday

Yo, fatso...I was sleeping.
Happy Groundhog Day, everyone! You know, way back in 1887 when Punxsutawney Phil became the world's premier weather prognosticator, I'm sure the Puritan settlers had no idea that their "holiday" would evolve into the perfect excuse for local college kids to hang out all night in a freezing cold field, drunk off their asses (not that college kids need an excuse to drink) and for adults to take a day off work.

I got to experience the spectacle of Groundhog Day during my junior year in college. It's insane. People come from miles around just to catch a glimpse of weird guys in formal attire pestering a highly sedated furball who knows as much about meteorology as I do. There were more people at Gobbler's Knob that day than I've seen at some concerts. There is no way that the folks standing all the way in the back could possibly even see Phil. But as soon as the handlers pull him out of his fake tree-stump home, the whole crowd just goes nuts. By their reaction, you'd expect to see a re-animated John Bonham playing with the reunited Led Zeppelin. But no, it's just a marmot.

I didn't stick around Punxsy afterwards, but I've heard that the town just shuts down like it's Christmas. There is a huge parade and then a three-day party or something nuts like that. All to worship a fuzzy, buck-toothed rodent. He's like a God. I suppose that if reincarnation exists, coming back as one of PA's many Phils is just one step below Nirvana.

If you don't happen to live in or around Punxsutawney, you're probably stuck at work right now, just like me. Since you can't get this holiday off, fritter your day away by reading all about Phil and the origins of Groundhog Day at the official Groundhog site. You may not be able to pull up the page due to heavy traffic. If that's the case, try this fun little exercise instead:

1. Curl up in a ball under your desk.
2. Pretend to sleep.
3. Scurry out into the middle of the floor.
4. Look for your shadow in the fluorescent lighting.
4. Crawl around the office, yelling out weather predictions.
5. Go back under desk.
6. Repeat until it's quitting time, or until they send you home.

And if your alarm clock was playing "I Got You Babe" when you woke up this morning, you may be in for a loooong day.

Comments

OOOOOOOOOOOOO What an interesting day in the country....

I am not interested in the K-fed commercial as it degrades all of the 16 year old, acne wearing, nose-picking lads and lassies who toil in utter anonymity I might use that commercial break for my bio-break
I try that little trick at work all the time, and they still don't let me go home early. Maybe I should be making little groundhog whimpering noises while under the desk, do you think?
What, I'm related to Phil?

Oh, Prognosticator.

So, are you all moved in? An update would be nice...
Anonymous said…
our local morning tv anchor called over to the local weather guy after airing Phil's clip and said "Hey, David, your breakkfast's here"
Masha said…
oh, Mr.Groundhog....
Bar L. said…
LMAO! I will have to remember all this for next year! I didn't read it in time.
Neo said…
Becky - Groundhogs day would be so much more fun if they tossed a grenade into the hole and if the little furry bastard comes flying out, spring comes early.

Now THAT is an event I'd pay to see!

Peace & Hugs,

- Neo
Lee Ann said…
I had forgotten it was ground hog day. Someone said something about it so I just replied "again?"
I don't think they got it.
Have a good week Beck!
~xo