SPITE IS FOREVER

It's National Kiss and Make Up Day! Am I feeling the spirit of the occasion? Absolutely not. Sure, kiss and make up if they deserve it, but if they're not worthy of your grace...

There must be some reason they don't let me come up with national holidays; I wonder what that reason is. 🤔

Today is also National Whiskey Sour Day and National Banana Split Day. Finally a couple of delicious occasions I can get behind! Are you celebrating any occasions today? Reply and tell me all about it!

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Before we get to this week's amusing links let's celebrate a few August 25th birthdays!

Director, producer, writer, and artist Tim Burton was born on this day in 1958. Burton is known for films such as Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, and Corpse Bride. His accolades include nominations for two Academy Awards and three BAFTA Awards, and wins for an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Around here he's also known as a major creative influence for both myself and my creative partner/Boredwalk co-founder Matt.

Musician, singer/songwriter, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur Chaim "Gene Simmons" Witz was born on this day in 1949. His storied career includes a stint as an assistant editor at Vogue, teaching sixth graders, and ultimately becoming known as the long-tongued bassist and lead singer of legendary rock band KISS.

Other notable birthdays today include: Rachel Bilson, Blake Lively, Sean Connery, Rachel Ray, and Regis Philbin.

Finally, a happy birthday to America's National Park Service. It was on this day in 1916 that Congress established the National Park Service with the "National Park Service Organic Act" to protect areas designated as national parks and the National Register of Historic Places.

Alright, you've waited long enough — let's get to some fun links!

1. If Werner Herzog made cat videos

This is a deep cut from the internet, but Henri Le Chat Noir is featured in over a dozen shorts on this YouTube channel, sharing his hilarious ennui with the rest of us.

2. Reviews Without Context captures the funnier and weirder online reviews the internet has to offer

From air mattresses confused with ice cream sandwiches to Coffin Beaches with not nearly enough coffins according to one reviewer, this Twitter account serves up the LOLs with the bizarre commentary that make online reviews great.

3. For the word nerds: popular words invented by authors

This YouTube video is a delight for etymology enthusiasts and literary lovers! You'll learn the history of words like pandemonium, freelancer, lackluster, and more. The stories behind the words made up by the storytellers, how meta!

4. Enter the psychedelic space of the Zoom Quilt

This trippy website takes you inside paintings, like really inside them. This bizarre virtual trip through art is a fun visual break for your brain.

5. Stuff you didn't know about seals, probably

This adorable explainer video is all about seals, with witty voice over and plenty of sea lion cuteness. Get to know walruses, fur seals, and more!

OK! Hopefully these little diversions helped to brighten your day! We'll be back here in your inbox on Friday with more random holidays, celebrity birthdays, and a brand new design! Until then...

Peace, love, and banana splits,

Meredith