Friday, June 29, 2012

Friday, where have you been??

This week has seemed like the longest week ever.  Between my awful day on Wednesday, and waking up at 5 yesterday for an all day work event, i am BEAT.  I was going to wake up early this morning to get my 11 miles in before the heat of the day, but my body failed me, and now i shall have to do them after work in the broiling heat.  I am not sure why i can NOT wake up in the morning anymore!


Thank god next week is the fourth of July, so i get a day off and a chance for me to "reset" my schedule.  I can catch up on sleep, and hopefully set in place some kind of a schedule for marathon training (the past month has been chaotic, and following a schedule has been impossible!)  In honor of this glorious mid-summer retreat from the standard american 60 hour work week, i bring you some fun facts about the fourth of July.


1.  John Hancock was famously the first to sign the declaration of Independence, but did you know who was the last to sign?  Thomas McKean.  Way to suck, Thomas McKean.


2.  The 4th of July has only been a federal legal holiday since 1941!


3.  If Benny Franklin had his way, our national bird would be the Turkey instead of the Bald Eagle.  I'm sorry, but a turkey just does not look nearly as awesome in a tacky animated gif as a bald eagle does....
It doesn't have the same impact....
4.  Yankee Doodle is actually a song the british made up.  To make fun of us.  Why do we keep singing this?


5.  The national anthem is actually set to the tune of an old English drinking song called "To Anacreon in Heaven" Sung here by the Georgia Tech glee club.
See? Copyright infringement is our heritage!


6. Approximately 150 million hot dogs will be consumed on July 4th.  Also, i just threw up in my mouth a little bit.


7.  Most of our flags and fireworks come from China, but we still can't figure out how this whole recession thing happened.


8. Betsy Ross created the first US flag (duh)  This makes her the first freelance graphic designer in US history.  It also makes her responsible for creating the logo and brand identity for one of the biggest brands in the world!  Take that, nike and apple.


9. And lastly, as a true-blooded american, nothing makes me happier than animated GIF's......


10. and infographics.



14 comments:

  1. Love this! I also hate hotdogs, but hot links and chicken apple sausages make me happy. I'm so unamerican!

    I didn't realize July 4 has only been a holiday since 1941.

    Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!

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    1. I think it has always been celebrated, but we didn't get the day off from work until 1941. I am greatful for this day off work! :)

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  2. I am excited that today is Friday also- very excited. I didn't have quite the Wednesday that you did, but my week was taxing on me. I actually slept in a bit this morning because I am so freaking tired! I can't believe, but I am excited, that 4th is next week. Yay for getting an extra day off. I will take it even if it is in the middle of the week!

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    1. I know! It's almost like having two mini weeks. And i am totally ok with that!

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  3. Ha ha ha. I love the designer spin on things! And I like the turkey. But then would we eat bald eagle on Thanksgiving?!

    I keep forgetting we get Wed off. Agreed, thank GOD. Ugh. I need a day to really get some rest. Or go on a long run. Or bike ride. Or eat a bunch of food.

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  4. Speaking of "Yankee Doodle", I'm watching "Yankee Doodle Dandy" starring James Cagney over at my Uncle's house tonight in honor of the 4th. The movie won 2 Academy Awards, go figure. My uncle shows the movies on 16mm film with old projectors and a big movie screen. Sometimes he shows the movies in my backyard. Anyway, are you doing any races on the 4th?

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    1. That sounds awesome!! I always go to the movies in the park and wish i had a giant backyard. Sometimes i bring my laptop on the porch and watch things through netflix, which is almost the same thing, right? I am going to do the Deerfield 10k on fourth, simply because its $20, and i need to run 6 miles that day anyway :D

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    2. Yes, watching outdoor movies is really cool. Last year, it rained, and people stayed under umbrellas or just got wet, and it was still a blast. I was thinking about projecting the film "Chariots of Fire" a week or two before the Chicago Marathon to get people inspired. If the weather is still decent that time of year, I will show it in our backyard. I'll keep you and the running bloggers posted, perhaps hold a meetup or something. Good luck in the 10k. $20 is a huge bargain these days for any race, wow!

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    3. That is an awesome idea!!!!!!!!

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  5. I can't get up to run either!! I did last week to run 3 miles and it was a miserable "I can't wait for this to end" kind of run!

    That turkey pic is hilarious!!!!!!

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  6. Infographics and GIFs....you just made my Friday perfect. Have a great weekend!

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  7. I kind of gagged after I read you kind of threw up in your mouth a little bit....ha! ;-)

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  8. infographics and gifs...I heart you so. happy 4th!

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