February 29, 2004
Guest Beli-Blogger Matt H.: "Leap Day"
Today is "Leap Day." What's that all about?
According to Wolfram Research, "A leap year is a year in which an extra day in added to the calendar in order to synchronize it with the seasons. Since the tropical year is 365.242190 days long, a leap year must be added roughly once every four years (four times the fractional day gives). In a leap year, the extra day (known as a leap day) is added at the end of February, giving it 29 instead of the usual 28 days. "
So, to me, that means that I squeezed an extra day out of my lease at NO CHARGE!!! (He states with a Homer-rific "woo hoo!") But, it also means that we are in an election year, well...sort of. The complete list of leap years in the first half of the 21st century is therefore 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024, 2028, 2032, 2036, 2040, 2044, and 2048. Things get messed up with certain centuries, but I'm not about to bore you with the math. Additionally, we will not be alive for the next time a United States election year doesn't coincide with a Leap Year.
I like to pretend that I'm a political junkie; thus, I really look forward to Leap Years because we get one more day to listen to campaign rhetoric and related news. I get giddy knowing that we get to peacefully overthrow our government. Many countries are subject to violent regime change, Haiti and Venezuela to name a couple. We truly are fortunate to have our republic in such a stable state. There are problems and corruption without doubt, but through participation we can right those wrongs. It is the responsibility of every voter to inspire non-voters to participate in our government. And, this year, you get an extra day to do it.
Are you doing anything special with your extra day? Do you know any '5 year olds' that are really 20 years old? Do you think the 'extra' day circling the sun will tire you on December 30? On December 30th, do you think that you will even remember that we had an 'extra' day? For those of us that have been near death, do you consider treat Leap Day as a 'free' day, a day during which you get to do something that you may not have?
Posted by Mix Master Matt at February 29, 2004 2:17 PM
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My friend Mike Ryan was born on a leap day, so I think I'm always catching up to him in age. Anyway, he threw a fabulous party at Jake's on the waterfront in Providence, RI to celebrate his birthday this year. Happy birthday, Mike!
