December 23, 2008

macrobiotic \mak-roh-bahy-OT-ik\, adjective:

• of or having to do with macrobiotics, a dietary system derived from Zen Buddhism and purported to prolong life

by 1797, from German Makrobiotik, from Greek makrobiotikos "long-lived" from makros "long" + bios "life."

Festivus n.

• An alternative to the crass commercialization of Christmas, typically celebrated on December 23. It involves The Airing of Grievances (telling your family and friends all the ways they have disappointed you during the year) and does not end until the Feats of Strength (pinning the head of the family) are accomplished. A plain, metal pole is used in lieu of a Christmas tree, because decorations (such as tinsel) is distracting from the true meaning of the holiday.

A Festivus for the rest of us! -George Costanza

Trivia

What is the name of the town where the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is located?

• Speedway.

Today in History:

• Vincent van Gogh: disturbed artist sliced off part of his left ear after an argument with fellow painter Paul Gauguin (1888)
• Immaculate Reception: the Pittsburgh Steelers won an NFL playoff game over the Oakland Raiders with a "miraculous" touchdown (1972)
• Voyager: experimental plane designed by Burt Rutan completed a 9-day flight around the world without refueling (1986)

Today's Birthdays:

• Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002): portrait photographer
• Akihito (75): emperor of Japan
• Harry Shearer (65): writer/director/actor, The Simpsons, This is Spinal Tap; other actors born on this date include Gerald S. O'Loughlin (87), Ronnie Schell (77), Frederic Forrest (72), Susan Lucci (62), Corey Haim (37) and Estella Warren (29)
• Eddie Vedder (44): singer/songwriter, frontman for Pearl Jam