January ends with Backwards Day and a bubble wrap controversy

Our crack research staff has let us down -- again. We confidently assured you that Monday, January 28, was Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day and, admittedly, several of the Usual Suspects concurred.

But our less than thorough researchers concealed from us (or failed to note themselves) that Usual Suspect Gone-ta-pott.com fixed January 30 as Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day and that Usual Suspect Hallmark puts Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day on Thursday, January 31.

The good news, we suppose, is that, if you failed to appreciate bubble wrap on Monday, you still have at least two more opportunities -- today and tomorrow.

But The Blog of Days tries to shy away from controversies like this; we don't want to be accused of taking sides.

Assuming also that you might like something besides bubble wrap to celebrate Thursday, we can advise that January 31 is Backwards Day. Proponents of Backwards Day suggest that you can walk backwards, wear your clothes inside out, drive in reverse -- or, if you'd like to stay out of jail or a padded cell -- perhaps do something a little safer, like skip to the last page of a book and read backwards from there. (The Blog of Days is not responsible for any headaches or confusion you may experience as a result.)

Some of the Usual Suspects state that January 31 is Appreciate Your Social Security Check Day on Thursday. Actually, this could be the last time this microminiholidayette can be observed: The Social Security Administration is trying to move all recipients into direct deposit. In other words, soon, there will be no more Social Security checks. (If you're under 30, there probably won't be any direct deposits either by the time you're old enough. Sorry, kids.)

If you are a fan of Steven Spielberg's Lincoln (and, if you haven't seen it yet, you really should) you will be interested to know that it was on January 31, 1865 that the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 13th Amendment, the measure that finally, and once-and-for-all, abolished slavery in America.

Almost.

You see, the 13th Amendment only abolished slavery until some evil genius dreamed up the idea of unpaid internships....