LETTER: Calendar conundrum confounds contributor
By Ryan Lengsfeld
As Black Friday looms followed by the impending Christmas season, I begin to worry about my days. I am fully in support of various causes and events of awareness but our 24 hour slots are quickly being consumed by 'special days'. Failing to stem the tide, we risk finding ourselves with a day shortage.
Cyber Monday, Toonie Tuesday, Superbowl Sunday and Seniors Thursday leave only Wednesday, Friday and Saturday unclaimed. 'Floater' days remove a vast number more. Boxing Day, Halloween, Valentines Day, Worldwide Celebration of Weights and Measures Day, Wookie Life Day and others are quickly eliminating ordinary 24-hour stretches.
Weeks are also falling prey to unilaterally declared causes, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Global Entrepreneur Week, Worldwide Breast-feeding Week are examples. With fewer weeks available conflicts are arising.
The UN-declared World Space Week finds itself at odds with with the Marijuana Users Association which wants to use the same time slot for World Spaced Week. However, Geography Awareness Week organizers have gone into talks with their counterparts at the Directionally Challenged Week offices. Both groups are hoping for a mutually productive collaboration.
Months are no exception to the onslaught. October was declared 4-H Month, as well as American Cheese Month and Menopause Month. November’s competition sees Banana Pudding Lovers, Pecan Eaters and Novel Writers all vying to have this same slot as their own. Future conflict can be assured.
I submit that we end this penchant for special days, weeks and months. To have a simple Saturday where there are no concerns other than sitting would be satisfying. A mundane Monday where I do no more than mumble about the morons around me would be marvellous. Weeks without World Alliance groups waving placards and months devoid of declarations of various sorts seem desirable.
Act now before the days, weeks and months of your calendar are as gone as your choices!
Ryan Lengsfeld
Nelson, BC
