Today is Wonderful Weirdos Day, which does two things:
1. It gives me an excuse to celebrate being, well, me.
2. It gives my kids yet another opportunity to tell stories about me to their friends: stories which inevitably begin or end with, "She's not like other moms." Depending on the story, they say this while laughing, or cringing, or both. (And I'm perfectly happy with that.)
But enough about me. I'm sure you've got some questions about today, whether you already know you're a weirdo, or whether you're still in denial. And I've found you some answers. (You're welcome.)
Question the First: What's a weirdo?
According to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, a weirdo is:
A person who is extraordinarily strange or eccentric
There are other definitions, too, which are none too kind, so let's stick to the fun one, shall we? This source, and others, lists the first known use of the term weirdo as being in 1955, but nothing more specific than that. If weirdo doesn't work for you, there are plenty of synonyms to choose from: crackpot, flake, fruitcake, kook, nut, or oddball. Or, you can go with one of the more kindly monikers: character, eccentric, unique, or quirky.
Question the Second: What kind of person would come up with a holiday to celebrate the weirdos among us?
Why, a self-proclaimed "weirdo," of course. September 9th became Wonderful Weirdos Day thanks to Tom Roy, who, together with his wife Ruth and son Michael, runs Wellcat.com - a repository of more than 80 off-the-wall holidays and celebrations which they've created.
Question the Third: What exactly is Wonderful Weirdos Day?
According to the Roys, it is explained thusly:
All of us are blessed with one or two wonderful weirdos in our lives. These are the folks who remind us to think outside the box, to be a little more true to ourselves. Today's the day to thank them. So give them a hug, and say "I love you, you weirdo!"
Question the Fourth: How should I celebrate?
Here are some interesting ideas from John Fuller's article at TLC Family (How Stuff Works):
- You can become a member of the Ministry of Silly Walks for the day. (If you're a fan of Monty Python, you know exactly what to do. If you're not, this YouTube clip - which is kid-friendly - can get you caught up.) Copy the walks in the skit, or make up something all on your own. Then off you go, and be sure to take your walk down a fairly busy street, or at the mall. Because part of the fun of being a weirdo is being seen while being a weirdo.
- You can create a fake language with your friends, then ride public transportation and speak it to each other. Loudly. If you can keep a straight face while doing so, all the better.
- You can wear a silly costume. Or, if you can't wear a full-out, weirdo-worthy get-up, try something smaller scale: some obnoxious sunglasses, perhaps. Or a goofy hat.
Question the Fifth (and Final): How will Bugs and Bunnies be celebrating Wonderful Weirdos Day?
You mean besides being myself? Well, I've already started by sharing this fabulous holiday with all of you. Next, I'll be writing a Wonderful Weirdos Kids' Book Round-Up*, crammed with books that have weird and funny yet beloved characters, to be posted tomorrow - which is my book review day. (Be sure to come back tomorrow so you can read all about them!) After that, I'm going to perfect my own Silly Walk as I vacuum the house, then teach it to the kiddos on our way back from their bus stop this afternoon.
And now, I'm off to continue my celebration, and I'll leave you to embark upon yours. However you choose to observe it, have a fantastically eccentric Wonderful Weirdos Day.
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*UPDATE: The Kids' Book Round-Up idea got a bit bigger by the time I was done with it. Twenty-six books bigger, at last count. So, it has now officially become the First Annual Bugs and Bunnies Wonderful Weirdos of Literature Series. Click on the link to see what it's all about.
