Created by quippingqueen (contact me)
Leap year - a great time to jump to conclusions!
The Quipping Queen and Empress of Eccentricity
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WELCOME TO "LEAP YEAR 2008"
This light-hearted lens is all about Leap Year, a time when you can to some very odd, wacky, or once-in-a-blue moon things! After all, this auspcious occasion comes but once every four years. So, correct your calendars, wind up your watches, and break open the bubbly!
If that doesn't turn your crank, then why not contribute to the conservation of amphibians and curtail the extinction of frogs!
LEAP YEAR GALLERY OF GIGGLES
Beware of Loopy Leapers!
He's jumping for joy - It's Leap Year!
Not another Ludicrous Leaper!
Our Lady of Leap of Faith.
Dig that Dragon Leap!
Saved by the Lord of Leaping!
Wanna see my Leaping Lady boots!
The Leaping Frog Convention meets every 4 years!
WHAT IS A "LEAP YEAR" ANYWAY?
A "Leap Year" is 366 days long (as opposed to the usual 365 days); it happens only once every four years. More precisely, it occurs as a result of inserting one extra day at the end of the second month of the year, (e.g. February 29, 2008), in order to sychronize it with the seasons.While some people claim to be "perfect", calendars are not. Not to put too fine a point on it but calendars are slightly incorrect, a tad inaccurate or just downright wrong. We can attribute this blip in the normal state of affairs on planet earth to cosmic conundrums (or as scientists hate to admit, 'things beyond our span of control'), in which seconds, minutes, hours, and even days diseappear.
This problem conveniently got fixed by tossing out the old "Julian" calendar and adopting a more flexible one known as the "Gregorian" calendar, (showing once again the power of the mind over matter). The only hitch is that the current calendar may need an overhaul a few thousand years from now due to the changing length of the year at the equator. This little 'glitch' is due to the fact that the earth wobbles as it spins on it's axis not to mention the influence exerted on "Earth" by the other planets in our solar system, (another teensy-weensy thing beyond the control of homo sapiens).
Since it's "Leap Year" what better time than to declare 2008 Year of the Frog!
__________
Note to Trivia Buffs:
1. According to the Gregorian calendar introduced on or after 1583, mankind has celebrated 969 leap years in the past 4,000 years. While the Julian calendar introduced in 45BC has celebrated 1,000 leap years in the past four millennia.
2. The World Conservation Union has classified four amphibians in the U.S. to be critically endangered, the Mississippi Gopher Frog, the Chiricahua Leopard Frog, the Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog, and the Wyoming Toad.
LOOT FOR THE LEAP YEAR!
It's My Birthday... Finally! A Leap Year Story
For those born in a Leap Year naturally!
Amazon Price: (as of 05/17/2008)
Slim Goodbody's Deskercises: Leap Year
Leap Year -- Low-impact exercises for office sloths.
Amazon Price: $26.99 (as of 05/17/2008)
Global Atomic Digital Watch Multi Band Rado Controlled with 1/100sec Chronograph, 24 Time Zone, Daily Alarm, 24-hour Timer, Auto Leap Year and EL backlight
Be on time and stay tuned in to Leap Year events!
Amazon Price: (as of 05/17/2008)
Leap Year
A wonderful addition to the "Leap Year Library Collection".
Amazon Price: (as of 05/17/2008)
Leap Year
What's not to like in a romantic comedy about quirky characters caught up in an earthquake and voodoo at a day care center?
Amazon Price: (as of 05/17/2008)
A TITILLATING TRADITION NOT TO BE MISSED DURING "LEAP YEAR"
According to historians of curious cultural traditions, "leap year" was a very rare occasion indeed for single women with marriage on their minds.While males have traditionally exercised their right to take the hand of a lady whenver they pleased, during "leap year" the tables were turned.
As a matter of fact, when rules of courtship in the good old days were a good deal stricter than today's speed-dating and text-messaging meet-ups, women were only allowed to pop the question once every four years, (lest the patriarchial power base be corrupted by all those womanly wiles).
Apparently this tradition began in the 5th century with an obscure, upstart Irish priest named St. Bridget. She complained bitterly to St. Patrick,(that dashing dude in green garb ur-leaf clover green outfit with his own annual holiday), about women having to wait so long for men to propose marriage. Rather than face the wrath of women, a plight he would just as soon avoid if at all possible, he agreed to the request. (We're not sure if it was sealed with a kiss...but if so, we can always blame it on Cupid and his compatriot, St. Valentine of course.)
Now the English, bless them, ignored February 29th since it had no legal status. The Scots (the Celts with kilts) were a little more on the ball and in 1288 passed a law that permitted women to propose to a man of their choice and marry in a "leap year". The titillating tartan-types went one step further and passed another law that any man who declined a proposal in a "leap year" was obliged to pay a fine. The penalty to be paid might be anything from a kiss to digging into his pocket to purchase a silk dress or a pair of gloves.
Meanwhile, across the pond in America, the male settlers decided to retain this harmless tradition, provided of course the patriarchal power base remained in tact, and they gave it a nice name like "Sadie Hawkins" (lest wicked witches get a hold of it and then there would be hell to pay!)
LITTLE LINK LIST FOR "LEAP YEAR"
- WHY ARE "LEAP YEARS" NEEDED?
- If you've always wondered why we need "Leap Years" (other than practicing your leap- frogging skills), you'll find your answer here.
- ATTENTION: LEAP YEAR DAY BABIES!
- The Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies has more than 6,000 members -- why not register if you are a "Leap Year Day Baby"!
- WORLD WIDE LEAP YEAR BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL
- Billed as the one and only capital of the "Worldwide Leap Year Festival" and "Worldwide Leap Year Birthday Club", the Chamber of Commerce of Anthony, Texas sponsors this event which includes a press conference, a parade, games, birthday dinner and cake not to mention entertainment!
- GLOSSARY OF GLORIOUS CALENDAR TERMS
- If you're not a "know-it-all", you might use this as a reference guide to avoid getting confused about all those curious calendars you never knew existed.
- WHEN DOES A "LEAPER" CELEBRATE HIS/HER BIRTHDAY?
- Those special snookums born on February 29th, usually choose to celebrate their "unbirthday" annually on either "February 28" or "March 1". Then again, some celebrate whenever they please, along with 10 million other people on that particular day!
- HOW TO SAY "LEAP YEAR" IN 26 LANGUAGES
- All you ever wanted to know about "leaping" plus "leap year" foreign language translations.
- HAPPY LEAP DAY GREETINGS
- What would "Leap Year" be without a "Happy Leap Day" Greeting"!
- THE LEAP YEAR STORE
- Haven't got a clue what to buy for the bouncing baby in "Leap Year"...look no further!
- HOW TO PLAN A "LEAP DAY" PARTY
- Fret no more, the Leap Day Party-Tosser has all the answers to arranging your next delightful do on February 29th!
- "LEAP YEAR" POSTAGE STAMP
- U.S. "LEAP YEAR BABY" postage stamp -- for those who need to mark this special occasion!
- LEAPISMS
- Okay smartypants, so what's the meaning of "leapless" in Seattle?
- LEAP YEAR COCKTAIL
- A bodacious beverage that can only be served on February 29th!
- LEAP YEAR, WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?
- If you're fed up with the frolicless festivities and frigging cold days of February, you might want to consider abolishing the month altogether, like this journalist recommends.
WHAT DO YOU CALL BABIES BORN IN "LEAP YEAR"?
What do you call people born in "Leap Year"? Answer: "leapers" or if they're newborn babes, "leaplings"."Leapers" are a rare brand of babies indeed. What are the chances of being born on Leap Year's Day...well 1 in 1,461 that's what!
For the benefit of those trivia-torqued types, that means that only 0.0684% of the world's population are "Leapers"!
You might say that being a "leaper" is like being a member of a very exclusive club. Frankly, it's probably why card companies came up with the unusual "Happy Unbirthday" greetings and salutations.
Let's face it, if you're a "Leap Year Baby", you're in a class of your own! So, why not consider joining The Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies, (where you can join hands with the other 6,000 "Leapers" to sing "Happy Birthday" to yourselves!)
Even better, why not participate in the Worldwide Leap Year Festival and Worldwide Leap Year Birthday Club celebrations that are held every "Leap Year" in the "Capital of Leap Year Babies", Anthony, Texas!!
Those who want this special perk in 2008 will have to get a wiggle on over to Republic of Ireland. It seems the Dublin government is offering a financial reward (of 70 Pounds) for all babies born in the country on Leap Year's Day.
But, if you just want to send a special birthday greeting to all the "leapers" you know, it's easy as 1-2-3!
"Leap Day" Baby Name Poll
Loading poll. Please Wait...
LEAP YEAR LARGESSE
"LEAP YEAR" LIBATIONS
What would a "Leap Year", let alone a "Leap Day" Party be without some lighthearted libations?Well for starters, you can serve the one and only Leap Year Cocktail!
If that doesn't tickle your tongue enough, there's something with a twist, (but you have to reside in the United Kingdom to cash in). All you have to do is enter a draw and the prize is -- Free Beer for a Year -- provided of course that you like Goliath grog!!!
"Leapers" are very special people, so any gift simply won't do...it has to be well...special! So treat your leaping lass or lad to a bottle of grand grapes from the Leaping Lizard Winery in Australia, or try another jestful jumper from the folks at Leaping Horse Vineyards in California.
Speaking of leaping lizards and horses, we haven't forgotten about those leaping frogs and their frothy fermentations.
Let's see there's lots to choose from:
"B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher Imperial Stout" from Hoppin' Frog Brewery in Akron, Ohio.
"Croak & Stagger" from the Frog Island Brewery in Northampton, England.
"Flying Frog E.S.B." from the The Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
"Hair of the Frog" from Hair of the Frog Brewing in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
"The Froggy Bottom Pils" from The Blue Frog Grog and Grill in Fairfield, California.
For designated-drivers on "Leap Day", the most fun they may have is to try the Random Beer Name Generator. Who knows they may come up with the best beer name for "Leap Day" -- be it "Lost Loon Lite", or "Leap in the Dark Dopplebock".
ICONIC ITEMS FOR "LEAPERS"!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
BATTY BOOKMARKS FOR THE LEAP-YEAR CHALLENGED
LOTS OF LOVELIES FOR THE LEAP YEAR!
I Leap, therefore I am! Jr. Spaghetti Tank
For the gal who loves leaping to conclusions!
Price: 20.99
FEEDBACK FROM THOSE WHO ENJOY LIFE WITH LEAPS & BOUNDS!
Any words of wisdom for those who wish to leap off buildings with a single bound this year?
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Evelyn_Saenz
What a great lens! Posted March 22, 2008 |
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11thStudio
Awesome, the leap year is great.. have got some Posted February 29, 2008 |
Chris
Thanks for the plug stranger...
chris
leapyearbaby.com
Posted February 04, 2008
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KimGiancaterino
Very fun lens, and relevant to 2008. Let's think of it as an extra day to build lenses! Posted January 20, 2008 |
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Susan52
Just look before you leap! Great lens! Thanks for joining the Squidoo's Great in 2008 group! Posted January 04, 2008 |
