snurri | (no subject)

Today is Pulaski Day, a holiday you've probably not heard of unless you've lived in Chicago at some point, or bought a Sufjan Stevens record. Cas Pulaski was a cavalry officer in the Revolutionary War, and someone at some point decided to give him a holiday at the ass-end of winter. It's a big deal here in Chicago because, depending on who you talk to, there are either almost as many or more Poles here than in Warsaw. CUT TO a crowd of Poles huddled together for warmth along the parade route, waving Polish and American flags and saying through chattering teeth, "Lu-lu-lucky us."

When I moved here and first encountered Pulaski Day I thought it was something people were making up. Which begs the question of which imaginary holiday should actually become a holiday, for really real.

[Poll #940638]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I really want some of those holidays to exist. We really should do more ritual dancing on McCarthy's grave, for example. And the zombie unicorn thing calls for a day off work.

The McCarthy thing was inspired by my high school history teacher, who grew up in Appleton and used to go up to the cemetery with his friends so they could piss on McCarthy's grave.

He was the best teacher ever.

Wait, McCarthy is buried in Appleton? That's within pissing distance of me! (Well, I mean with the help of a car; I don't have freakish pee skillz.) Hmmm....

That is excellent.