Thursday, March 22, 2007

Goofin’ Around

The morning DJ on the radio station I frequent proclaimed that today, March 22, is National Goof Off Day. A quick search on the internet seemed to lend credibility to the claim, so without further ado, I can say that I’m pretty sure today is National Goof Off Day. It seems that the day is intended for relaxing and doing things that you don’t normally get to do today. I’ll admit that’s kind of an ambiguous statement so I am contemplating scheduling a prostate exam since that is most certainly not something I would normally do today.

Judging by the amount of traffic on the way in to work this morning, I feel almost certain that National Goof Off Day is not sanctioned by the vast majority of Southern California employers. It obviously wasn’t being celebrated by the workforce, either. How is it that I can buy a calendar at the beginning of the year which lists every single foreign holiday that I will never get to take paid time off for but neglects including important American holidays like ‘Talk Like A Pirate Day,’ which we already observed, or National Goof Off Day? While we’re at it, today is William Shatner’s 76th birthday and I didn’t see that on any calendar. Believe me, before anyone got into work this morning I checked everyone’s calendars in the office and there were no mentions of today being a holiday.

It smacks of conspiracy. National Goof Off Day is being kept from us hard working Americans because if we knew about it, we would demand celebration of this holiday. By being kept from us, we all showed up at work today, and well, worked and went about our normal routines completely oblivious to the fact that we could have done nothing or anything else we wanted to today. The holiday is called National Goof Off Day, which gives the day official meaning and celebratory status. Had today been called Local Goof Off Day, County Goof Off Day, Municipal Goof Off Day or Goof Off Day That Can Only Be Celebrated In States That Start With Vowels, then we may not have a legal right to celebrate. However, that National tag means it’s real.

How should we celebrate today? Well, if you still happen to be at work while reading this, leave. Ok, finish reading this, leave a nice compliment that will give me the positive reinforcement to continue writing every day, save your work, lock your desk drawer with all of the candy in it, and then leave. If you are unfortunate enough (as I am) to be wearing a tie, take it off and put it around your head and run out of your workplace ala the opening credits of The Drew Carey Show while singing Eric Burden and The Animals’ ‘We Gotta Get Out Of This Place.’ I realize it’s not the most upbeat ditty for National Goof Off Day, but it does establish the appropriate attitude. Yes, you could also sing Johnny Paycheck’s ‘Take This Job And Shove It,’ (which I still want to make my cell phone ring tone, by the way) but it seems that so many people still resist country music. Once you are out of work you can pretty much do whatever you want. I have to admit that I can’t help thinking of Ferris Bueller while writing about all of this. Perhaps I should spend the remainder of the day singing ‘Twist and Shout or ‘Danke Schoen,’ though that might have a negative impact on my reputation in the office. Yeah, like that’s the only reason my co-workers have to be upset with me.

Ironically, half of my coworkers were nowhere to be found today. I even got in to work early (and by early, of course, I mean on time) but spent a lot of the morning alone since no one else came in early and half the staff was missing. That leads me to believe that someone in my office knew about National Goof Off Day, but as I already mentioned, I cannot find proof of that on anyone’s calendar. I’m fairly certain that I can rule out the horrible flu bug that is making its way through the office as a culprit though. Clearly, my coworkers are goofing off and no one took the time to tell me. Fortunately, my local radio personality alerted me to this important day. I am now left to wonder why I seem to have been excluded from my work mates’ National Goof Off Day festivities. Maybe I should stop blogging about them…

**This will be my last post until Saturday as I will be out of town celebrating National Goof Off Day. OK, the vacation had already been scheduled, but it feels so appropriate tying it in with this glorious holiday.

19 comments:

Rachel Schell said...

dang! employers are always trying to keep us down! ironically my daughter is sick today, but I am working from home. So I guess taking care of her and occasionally checking emails doesn't count as goofing off, but its better than being in the office (and I'm only in the office one day a week now, Thursday).

this work things really cuts into my week.

Rachel Schell said...

dang! employers are always trying to keep us down! ironically my daughter is sick today, but I am working from home. So I guess taking care of her and occasionally checking emails doesn't count as goofing off, but its better than being in the office (and I'm only in the office one day a week now, Thursday).

this work things really cuts into my week.

Erica Ann Putis said...

You sound like you could rally up some kind of strike or union to make the calender companies include it on the holiday list. I would support you 100%, except I can't take any time off from work and I can't tell anyone for fear of getting fired. But I'm sure you can change things!!!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

ha. when you are retired you can goof off any day michael! (and i do!)

smiles, bee

CS said...

Rats, I didn't get to this until the day was already over. But I did take a little time to goof off this afternoon, and I will fdefnitely make up for it tomorrow. Enjoy your trip!

Violet said...

National Goof Off Day? No feckin' way!

Jocelyn said...

Way to parlay a one-day holiday into a whole week of slacking. Well done.

Odat said...

Damn...I missed it!
Danke Shoen!!!!!
Peace and have a great weekend and day off!!!

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Darn. I worked hard the whole day and only sneaked a look at your post as I was leaving. Now I know I could have goofed off. Too late.

captain corky said...

I heard somewhere that the catholic church was considering making William Shatner a saint.
Makes sense to me.

Foofa said...

Dude, every day is national goof off day for me!

Tammie Jean said...

Is that why the parking lot here is half empty??? I'm always the last to know...

Jo said...

I even got in to work early (and by early, of course, I mean on time) I burst out laughing when I read that. Whenever I get to work on time, my boss looks at the clock and then says to me, "You're early today".

Sigh.

Every Friday is goof off day in our office.

Josie

Jay said...

If most of my days consist of sleeping in, eating cake for breakfast, and pissing away the hours with vodka and fun, then how exactly would I know when I'm goofing off?

thethinker said...

Aww.. I didn't even get to celebrate it.

James Burnett said...

Damn! Why didn't I read this post on Thursday. I busted my behind in the office that day.

Hope the vacation went well.

ShadowFalcon said...

If only my "goof off" days were half as cool as Ferris Bullers

Abigail S said...

Every day should definitely be National Goof-Off day!

Robin said...

Damn, it's only one day a year? I've messed up BAD!