Kilgrave is hit by a bus. (Jan 20)

Ever have somebody you wish you would get hit by a bus?  Like, someone who made your life a living hell, who broke your will and made you do all the things you hated?  Who took your strength and used it for their own purpose?

If so, you might be Jessica Jones. Or maybe a normal human.  Anyway, it was on January 20^th that Jessica was able to resist Kilgrave’s super-powered commands.  Bus hit ensued.  But that’s not the end of him!

How to Commemorate

• Wear a leather jacket, preferably with torn jeans and a blue scarf.
• Traditional food: whiskey, bourbon, or vodka. Whatever, just drink a lot. (Responsibly.)
• Find others with powers.  Super-strength, super-persuasion, what-have-you.
• Stay away from buses.

*Share your photos and celebrations on our Facebook or twitter pages.

Works Cited    

Jessica Jones

Amazon         Barnes & Noble        Public Libraries

Buffy's birthday! (Jan 19)

Though there is some dispute in the Whedonverse, the Joss finally decreed that Buffy Summers' official date of birth is January 19.  Slaying and conquering of the Hellmouth ensued.

How to Commemorate 

• Carry a wooden stake.  But not a dangerous one that could get you into trouble.  Maybe a pencil?  You know what? Screw it.  Just carry a cross.
• Use snark.
• Hang out in a library.  (I know, you were going to do that anyway.)

Works Cited
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (tv)

Pam Beasly uses all her vacation.

Dunder Mifflin is a challenging place to work, and you need to schedule some away-time.As Pam says: "I get ten vacation days a year and I try to hold off taking them for as long as possible. This year I got to the third week in January." 


That's THIS WEEK!

How to Commemorate

• Take a vacation. Ok, just plan a vacation.
• Replace a carpet.
• Leave a friend a series of voicemails about funny things happening at work.

Works Cited
The Office (U.S.), Season 2, episode 14 "The Carpet

Bella Swan moves to Forks, Washington. (Jan 17)

On January 17, our brave* Bella moves from the bright sun of Phoenix to the sparkle-reducing clouds of Forks, there to consider the implications of immortality as no one had before.**

*Well, I say 'brave' but Katniss could kick her ass any day of the week, so maybe I should skip over this part.

**Well, except for Winnie Foster in Tuck Everlasting. Who is ten years old.

How to Commemorate

• Use forks for every meal.  Yes, even sandwiches.
• Decide with your significant other who is the "stupid lamb" or the "sadistic Lion."
• Play baseball.

Works Cited
Twilight

Amazon         Barnes & Noble        Public Libraries

Magnus Chase's Birthday (Jan 13)

A warm Midgard birthday greeting to Magnus Chase, our favourite einherjar!

How to Commemorate

• Die. (Just kidding--don't die!!!)
• Read "Make Way for Ducklings" (because of its rendering of the gateway to the Nine Worlds)
• Traditional food: falafel

Works Cited
The Sword of Summer, by Rick Riordan
The Hammer of Thor, by Rick Riordan

HAL turns 25. (Jan 12)

HAL (Heuristic Algorithm) becomes operational on January 12, 1992 in Urbana, Illinois. HAL will later oversee the Discovery One mission in 2001.

How to Commemorate:

• Call everyone Dave.  
• Wear red, especially red sunglasses. 
• Speak softly when telling people you're sorry, you can't do that.

Works Cited
2001: a space odyssey.

Nero Wolfe is hired to investigate the FBI (Jan 5)

Do you ever feel like the government might be getting a little too nosy?  This book might be for you.  The Doorbell Rang is a novel by Rex Stout featuring famed private detective Nero Wolfe who, in this case, goes head-to-head with the FBI and J.Edgar himself.  The book came out in 1965 when the FBI (and ol’ Edgar) were in a lot of hot water for all their snooping and record-keeping about national figures, so when a wealthy socialite rings Wolfe’s doorbell and asks to hire him, we know it’s going to be an epic clash of minds.

A word about Wolfe--he is one of the best fictional detectives you will ever encounter. I promise!  He’s a fat genius who tends orchids on the roof of his brownstone townhouse in New York, employs a French chef, and never leaves the house on business.  Instead, Archie Goodwin (who narrates all the stories) serves as Wolfe’s man of action--running around NYC to track down witnesses, connive people into revealing clues, and give the occasional rough-up to a tough guy.   

These books are BRILLIANT stories with that old-school detective voice and colorful, realistic characters and a mystery you can try to solve for yourself.  Pick some up today. (Or watch the A&E series which is also great).

How to Commemorate

• Ring every doorbell you pass.
• Shout “Phooey!”
• Drink a glass of milk (for Archie).

*Share your photos and celebrations on our Facebook or twitter pages.

Works Cited       

The Doorbell Rang (book)

Amazon           Barnes & Noble           Public Libraries

Works Cited       

The Doorbell Rang (A&E)

Amazon           Barnes & Noble           Public Libraries