Conversation 24

NATIONAL GRADUATION TASSEL DAY

There is a class of students annually across the country celebrating their academic achievements and accomplishments, and this National Graduation Tassel Day on May 17th is just the start. The day celebrates not only the successes but the future of every graduate!

Each year, auditoriums and stadiums fill with proud family and friends excited to witness the commencement ceremonies of high schools, colleges, and universities. Tassels dangle from the mortarboards in the colors of their esteemed institutions. With each gown crisply pressed, graduates and families prepare for the big day.

Graduates, as your day arrives, square your shoulders, eyes steady on the future. Pause to consider all your challenges in realizing this moment. When the principal or dean reads your name and your diploma is in hand, move your tassel.

High school and undergraduate students start with their tassels on the right and move their tassels to the left upon graduation. For those earning graduate degrees and higher, the tassel starts on the left and moves to the right upon completion of their higher-level degrees. These traditions of moving the tassel have only recently gained popularity in the last 50 years.

NATIONAL PIZZA PARTY DAY | THIRD FRIDAY IN MAY

Each year on the third Friday in May, millions of pizza lovers across the nation join in extolling the qualities of pizza on National Pizza Party Day.

Since pizza is one of America’s favorite foods, it comes as no surprise we would celebrate a day that features a pizza party. Pizza parties bring friends together. They’re also an excellent way to reward a team or group for a job well done. Birthdays and some minor achievements are also celebrated with pizza parties, too. Although, just about any excuse can be used for a good pizza party.

In ancient Greece, the Greeks covered their bread with oils, herbs, and cheese, which some attribute to the beginning of the pizza.
In Byzantine Greek, the word was spelled “πίτα,” pita, meaning pie.
The Romans developed a pastry with a sheet of dough topped with cheese and honey, then flavored with bay leaves.
Our modern pizza had its beginning in Italy as the Neapolitan flatbread.
The original pizza used only mozzarella cheese, mainly the highest quality buffalo mozzarella variant. It was produced in the surroundings of Naples.
An estimated 2 billion pounds of pizza cheese was produced in the United States in 1997.
The first United States pizza establishment opened in New York’s Little Italy in 1905.
The largest pizza ever made, according to Guinness World Records, weighed 26,883 pounds. It was made in Norwood, South Africa, on December 8, 1990.
As far as pizza eating contests go, the winner goes to Kelvin Medina, who ate a 12-inch pizza in 23.62 seconds on April 12, 2015.

MALCOLM X DAY

His birthday is May 19 (and can be celebrated), yet on this third Friday in May on the National Day Calendar we are honoring the life of civil rights activist Malcolm X. Join us as we explore his life and see how one man became an inspiration for change and equality inspiring Malcolm X Day.

Malcolm Little was born on May 19, 1925 in Omaha Nebraska and was the fourth of seven children. He spent most of his childhood years in foster care after his father passed away. Malcolm dropped out of high school and would pursue odd jobs to make a living. For a short period of time, he would move to Boston to live with his sister, eventually moving to Michigan. It was here he met John Elroy Sanford, who was an aspiring comedian, later known as Redd Foxx. Interestingly, Sanford and Malcolm both had reddish hair that would earn them the nicknames Chicago Red (Sanford) and Detroit Red (Malcolm) on the streets of Detroit.

In 1946, Malcolm was arrested for larceny and burglary and would serve 10 years in prison for his crimes. During his prison sentence, Malcolm began to transform into a religious man who also had interest in politics. He would join the Nation of Islam and adapt his life around encouraging Black people to empower themselves to achieve economic and social success. It was also during this time Malcom would remove Little as his last name and add the letter “X” as reference to his identity during slavery.

After his release from prison in 1952, Malcolm X would continue following the Nation of Islam, speaking to people everywhere. In fact, he was an eloquent and charismatic speaker and quickly became one of the organizations most influential representatives. For over 12 years, he would advocate for Black people fighting racial injustices.

@shoelady60,

Seems like you have a lot going on at your house with work. So a double is coming up. 😎🎈💕

Enjoy and relax my friend. 😎🎈

@taci,

WHAT!!!! Brentwood has changed? I need to talk to my niece to see how bad it is.
Taci California or New York City were always where I wanted to live. 💕🎈Looks like
that dream has drifted away. I just want a quiet little cottage near the Ocean.
Just my luck I run into JAWS. Yikes!

Our pollen count is very high here but the weather people never mentions Canada.
I will have to look that up or watch the National Weather Channel.

I love the little area I live in the walking is perfect we are getting our fair share of critters
of all sizes so I have to make sure there is daylight or pack something. 😎 I don’t want to
hurt any critter just enough to scare them off.

Taci enjoy your evening my head is hurting from all the pollen.

@oodiebom,

The kitties are doing fine and I made sure everyone ate and left fresh water for the other
Critters. 😎I love what I do for the animals and if one day I am super rich I will leave most
of my monies to my children and the rest to the animals to have a shelter built just for them.
I know it’s nice to dream. 💕

Be careful with that traffic construction is everywhere these days.

Sorry about your headache I know exactly how you feel. I have my doctor write me a script
to take when needed I do not take it everyday only when the pain is insane.

Our pollen count is very high here in OZ and it is making me and hubby feel like little pieces
of candy. 😎

I hope tonight is a good night for you and hubby. Party when he gets home. 💕

I’ll Be There for You
Song by The Rembrandts

So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job’s a joke, you’re broke
Your love life’s DOA
It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear
When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year, but
I’ll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I’ll be there for you
(Like I’ve been there before)
I’ll be there for you
(‘Cause you’re there for me too)
You’re still in bed at ten
And work began at eight
You’ve burned your breakfast
So far, things are going great
Your mother warned you there’d be days like these
But she didn’t tell you when the world has brought
You down to your knees that
I’ll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I’ll be there for you
(Like I’ve been there before)
I’ll be there for you
(‘Cause you’re there for me too)
No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you’re the only one who knows
What it’s like to be me
Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the rest with
Someone I’ll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I’m best with you, yeah
It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear
When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year
I’ll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I’ll be there for you
(Like I’ve been there before)
I’ll be there for you
(‘Cause you’re there for me too)
I’ll be there for you
I’ll be there for you
I’ll be there for you
(‘Cause you’re there for me too)

Love Loves To Love Love
Song by Lulu

Those schoolgirl days
Of telling tales and biting nails are gone
But in my mind
I know they will still live on and on
But how do you thank someone
Who has taken you from crayons to perfume?
It isn’t easy, but I’ll try
If you wanted the sky
I would write across the sky in letters
That would soar a thousand feet high
“To sir, with love”
The time has come
For closing books and long last looks must end
And as I leave
I know that I am leaving my best friend
A friend who taught me right from wrong
And weak from strong
That’s a lot to learn
What, what can I give you in return?
If you wanted the moon
I would try to make a start
But I would rather you let me give my heart
“To sir, with love”

There Are Worse Things I Could Do
Song by Stockard Channing

There are worse things I could do
Than go with a boy or two
Even though the neighborhood
Thinks I’m trashy and no good
I suppose it could be true
But there are worse things I could do
I could flirt with all the guys
Smile at them and bat my eyes
Press against them when we dance
Make them think they stand a chance
Then refuse to see it through
That’s a thing I’d never do
I could stay home every night
Wait around for Mr. Right
Take cold showers every day
And throw my life away
On a dream that won’t come true
I could hurt someone like me
Out of spite or jealousy
I don’t steal and I don’t lie
But I can feel and I can cry
A fact I’ll bet you never knew
But to cry in front of you
That’s the worst thing I could do

Peace Out peeps enjoy your evening.

Sheba, yes, agree this is a huge vast State. Some have suggested it be divided into 2 States, North and South. Your N CA relatives may have already told you about it. Well, nice you like Brentwood but it’s probably changed like most of So CA. People are afraid to even wear their wedding rings….
I like to hike fairly close by, makes it easier otherwise I would join the gym.
Is it still raining in OZ? Air quality ok (from the Canadian fires)?