February 2nd is Groundhog Day*, a day which reminds the world that Americans still dominate the very pinnacle of absurdity: People in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania (from an old Native American word meaning “white men are weird”) wear top hats, speak an incomprehensible version of German, and watch a groundhog named Phil predict the future.
*Groundhogs call it “Humans Are Idiots Day.” (Note: Young groundhogs are called “chucklings,” presumably because this is what they do when they observe humans.)
February 2nd is also known as Fall Off the Wagon Day** because, according to the Foursquare City Guide, it is the day of the year when the largest number of people both abandon their New Years Resolutions and eat the greatest amount of junk food.
**Groundhogs call it “See, We Told You Humans Were Idiots Day.”
Finally, February 2nd is known as The Day We Moved to Cincinnati Day,*** because 14 years ago my family moved here from sunny Southern California. We were going to live in Paris, but then at the last minute we said, “Wait! Let’s go someplace romantic!” So, of course, we ended up in Cincinnati, Ohio. And we actually like it.
***Groundhogs call it “The Teemleys are Redundant Day.”
You may have seen this before:
Hilarious! That movie is a classic. The scene where he jumps off the building was filmed on Mainstreet in St. Charles, IL where I went to high school. It was an old bank building in town. Love classic Bill Murray films. “What About Bob?” is still a good one too! 🙂 God bless!
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Yep. Groundhog Day and What About Bob? are two of my favorites, as well, Ryan.
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I heard a newscast of “Humans Are Idiots Day” this morning. It irritated me to no end. I needed a healthy dose of snark to cure what ailed me. So, thank you!
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Happy to oblige, Liz.
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I love the humor in this post and I love the movie! 😎
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I’m highly impressed with your sense of humor.
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Thank you.
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Mitch, as a native Pennsylvanian and dues-paying member of the Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, Punxsutawney Phil and I remind you that his forecast is as accurate as any weatherman on record. Remember what they say: “the best of forecasters can only predict whether it will or whether it won’t.” (Your Cincinnati decision continues to puzzle me. Even Punxsutawney, PA, sounds more exciting.)😁
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Pennsylvanians love Phil. That groundhog gets better care year round than a lot of people’s children. My sister attended culinary school in Punxsutawney (IUP culinary). Her experiences during the week leading up to and Groundhog Day were a hoot! Those people have a blast. It’s really not much different than the numerous and various fairs and festivals in towns all over the state and country for that matter. It just happens to all fall around a groundhog lol one of my favorite movies too.
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;>)
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Perfect photo. Green means he’s a cadet or is that a full Jedi?
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Could be an environmentalist.
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Green Peace.
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Absolutely hilarious. 😂😂😂
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Every February 2nd my mind goes back to my childhood memories of the “old timers” exchanging groundhog BBQ recipes.
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Ew!
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😂 I know. But they were all depression survivors. Most of them would be over 100 years old today
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Love that movie. And that groundhog is so cute.
Humans are idiots. 😄
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One of the best movies!
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I agree, Jennie!
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🙂
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“Groundhog Day” is one of the funniest movies ever (and also one of the most morally informative as it really shows him going from an immature jerk and growing through all sorts of processes before realizing his life can only move along when he makes it about others, not just himself). Cinci always looks like a very nice city when I’ve driven through it.
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Groundhog Day is one of my faves, too, Dave (great observation about its message). And, yes, Cincinnati’s a great little city.
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Or, as one of my friends here in the KC area put it, “Somehow not declaring February 2nd (2/2) National Ballet Day seems like a missed opportunity.”
Great post! And congratulations on the move to Cincinnati. Much more affordable than Paris, I’m sure.
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Love the pun, Russ. And, yes, Cincy is definitely more affordable than Paris, though it’s hard to find a truly great croissant when I need one.
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Hi Mitch,
“Hey, Phil, like the groundhog?” “Yeah,” he sneers, “like the groundhog.” Loved that movie. That, Mitch is what I want to create are great funnny, moving stories. Christian creatives can do this!
Gary
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