Happy 420!

Well, for those who insist on gloom and doom all the time, it’s also Hitler’s Birthday, but let’s not dwell on that.

It’s 420!  It’s the twentieth of April.  The day all pot smokers celebrate by rolling up a big, fat joint and getting righteously wasted, which is pretty much what pot smokers do every other day of the year, so maybe it’s not such a big deal.

Spark Up, Everybody!

Still, it’s a nice holiday, good and pure.  Christmas is all wrapped up in commercialism and liberally spiked with religious conflict.  Mother’s day and Valentine’s day are brought to you by flower vendors and the manufacturers of greeting cards, and St. Patrick’s day by the manufacturers of green.  Easter may have been a passionate, heartfelt Spring fertility ritual back in the good old Pagan days, but Christians aren’t nearly that much fun.

I like Halloween, because dressing up is a real hoot, you can act super stupid and nobody knows it’s you (well, they usually do and there’s a bit of denial going on, but nobody gets hurt).  I like Thanksgiving, too.  It’s mostly about the food, and everybody likes food.  Some religious types feel that if you’re going to be giving thanks, there automatically has to be somebody you’re giving thanks to.

Twaddle.  Too much religion causes indigestion.  Oh, I don’t get too bothered if somebody makes a small speech, it’s only once a year, as long as they’re not too heavy handed about it and the turkey and mashed potatoes make an early appearance.

But 420 is an absolutely pure holiday, dedicated to puffing the magic dragon, honoring Shiva, loving the good herb.  Which I’ve been doing for the last 40 years.  And I think I’m going to do a little bit more right now.

Happy 420, everybody!