Today, the 11th of November 2011, is a historic day in all of our respective lifetimes. Although it is Armistice Day, which I will talk about in a moment, this date is the only double-figure palindromic since November 11th 1911, as you have probably worked out yourself, 100 years ago today. I am reliably informed, on that day, temperatures plunged across the United States, in some places by up to 60F. If that happened today in the United Kingdom, I'm pretty certain there would be a 'Day After Tomorrow'-esque story to tell, given the already freezing temperatures hitting our shores.
Though, it's not all doom and gloom, Gretna Green (the wedding hotspot on the England-Scotland border) is due to stage up to 50 weddings today, with brides I presume booking this date in months in advance so that their inattentive husbands may at least remember one anniversary in a year. Furthermore, the rockumentary band Spinal Tap could famously turn their guitar amplifiers up to volume 11 and consequently, an iPod app are launching a channel streaming the film 11 times just for Nigel Tufnel day - give that a watch if you haven't seen the film, it's brilliant!
Still, I think this next institution is my favourite... ever - the Corduroy Appreciation Club. On this date, they will hold a general meeting to celebrate the date that resembles the most middle-class of all fabrics. Can't help thinking "where was my invite?" - sounds like a really swanky shindig...or not. I imagine there are also some binary jokes that could be made, but I am far too simple for any of these to have any of the effect they would probably deserve.
However, we will never forget... Armistice Day. The one day a year, that all of us should forget the squabbles and small tribulations that may prove inconvenient in everyday life, simply to be humbled by the ultimate sacrifice thousands of servicemen and women paid in defence of our countries, our ancestors and us. Very few of us have any way of knowing what they must have been through during Wars overseas, so I and expect many of you will be observing a two minutes' silence at 11am today.
Our troops overseas are the real stars of Britain (as well as the police, firefighters and doctors) who all do their jobs, to keep us safe. Though we may not agree with the conflicts they engage in, nobody can deny them this one day a year.
Happy 11/11/11 :D
Love Chips x
PS. If you'd like any more information about military charities or would like to donate, please visit Help for Heroes or the Royal British Legion,