The one photo from IMAD 2011

Wow, even when we take it easy, we apparently party pretty hard; it's taken me this long to get the energy to check in!

My colleague will be along by and by with her take on our day, but I thought I'd pop in to share the one photo that was taken, at the end of our adventure:


















This is supposed to be a shot looking eastward down my street, featuring a gigantic full moon. I still don't have a normal camera, though, so this was taken with my cell phone. Well, I say that as though amateur photos ever really capture the moon how the human eye sees it. Take our word for it, it was gorgeous. I think the moon was the circle sans polarization....

IMAD 2011 is TODAY!

Greetings and salutations, Marys! Whether you're on a whirlwind tour of a fabulous new city you've always been meaning to visit, or enjoying a quiet day at home, or doing something that falls somewhere in between those two, we hope you're having a lovely time on International Mary Appreciation Day 2011. Enjoy your day!

how IMAD can heal

That's right just the thought of IMAD happening in less than two days can improve one's health.

Let's say you started in on chicken pox 3 weeks ago. Normally you would be gazing at the mirror thinking sad thoughts about gravel pits and feeling brain dead tired.

However the mere thought of IMAD can perk one up an amazing amount. There are movies, flowers, food, spas, museums and there are Marys everywhere all getting ready to appreciate themselves like mad. Depending on where you work, IMAD might be the start of a long weekend for you [if you have president's day off as well]. We are always looking for ways to make IMAD more celebratory every year. We appreciate you all to no end.

No it won't make your skin smoother....or maybe it will. Try IMAD this year for better physical and mental health.

Notable Marys in Music: Moya Brennan

Five days to IMAD!

Today's honoree might not be the first person who comes to mind if you aren't familiar with Celtic music, but if you are, then 'Moya Brennan' was probably the guess that was on the tip of your tongue. Moya was born Máire Ní Bhraonáin in Gweedore, County Donegal (Gaoth Dobhair, Contae Dún na nGall) and is a singer/songwriter (and harpist) who is best known as the 'Voice of Clannad.' U2's Bono once said, "I think Moya has one of the greatest voices the human ear has ever experienced."

You may be more familiar with her sister, Enya (Eithne Ní Bhraonáin).

(And, if I'm remembering correctly, Moya is the one who once shared an anecdote about new parents greeting her backstage and proudly announcing that they loved her music so much they'd named their daughter after her: Ní, her 'middle name.' Ms. Brennan was too stunned at that moment to point out that 'Ní' is just the feminine equivalent of 'Mac.' Her real middle name is Philomena. BUT, I could have this totally misremembered, this may have happened to some other X Ní Y in the Irish music biz.)

Moya Brennan Official Site
Moya Brennan on Wikipedia

IMAD ideas: Tie on the feedbag

Six days to IMAD!

IMAD is all about treating yourself. Perhaps you love cooking and baking and that's how you want to spend your day. Great! Go for it! Meanwhile, the rest of us, or at least those of us who don't have cooking/baking fiends for friends, can use the occasion to treat ourselves to delicious food made by somebody else, and cleaned up by somebody else too, might I add.

Is there a place you've been meaning to try? Try it! Got an old standby with dishes you adore? Go ahead and be comfortable.

This suggestion falls into the latter category. Well, we understand from friends that they have many delicious dishes on offer, but Mary and I keep ordering the same things each time we go. Hey, when you find something that makes you happy, you shouldn't feel bad about sticking with it.

Little Szechuan
422 University Ave W, St. Paul
651-222-1333
http://www.littleszechuan.com/

Notable Marys in Television: Mary Richards ("Mary Tyler Moore Show")

Seven days to IMAD!

This one should be a no-brainer, folks. Who can turn the world on with her smile? Mary Richards! Played by Mary Tyler Moore! Set in Minneapolis!

I could labor for hours and not say it as well as these two sites do. And I am not being lazy.

Mary Richards (Wikipedia)
The Mary Tyler Moore Show (Museum of Broadcast Communications)

You're welcome, rest of the world.

IMAD ideas: Learn about local history

As you're sifting through your options for IMAD (eight days!), don't just consider the museums of art and knick-knacks. Think about going someplace more historical in nature. Back in 2008 Mary and I went to the Mill City Museum and not only did we enjoy ourselves, we learned about the era when the flour industry was the biggest deal in Minneapolis. Plus, one of us got her photo taken next to a gigantic box of baking mix:

Notable Marys in Politics: Mary I of England

Okay, maybe "politics" isn't quite the right word to sum up her legacy, but Mary I was the first woman to successfully claim the throne of England (reign: 19 July 1553 – 17 November 1558), and that's gotta be worth something. Personally I think she also deserves special credit for growing up with Henry VIII for a dad and not running screaming for the hills at the first opportunity.

There was, we understand, some unpleasantness regarding religious policy, but we'll leave that to your further reading at Wikipedia. (Reportedly she was a precocious child!)

IMAD ideas: Get some culture

Still looking for ideas for IMAD? Check out what your area has in the way of smaller museums. Not that the big ones aren't fun, but sometimes you get perspectives at the not-so-big ones that you don't get anywhere else. For instance, back in 20(mumblemumble) Mary and I visited the Museum of Russian Art in South Minneapolis, and had a fascinating afternoon!

The Museum of Russian Art
5500 Stevens Avenue South
http://www.tmora.org/

Honorary Mary: Sonia Manzano

Sonia Manzano is an actress and writer, but we know her best as Sesame Street resident Maria:





Read more about her at the Sesame Street site, and at Wikipedia.

Notable Marys in Business: Mary Kay Ash

You may not recognize her immediately by her full name, but Mary Kay Ash (May 12, 1918 - November 22, 2001) and her business pursuits certainly made an impact on popular culture. Whatever you might think of the products...she founded freakin' Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.!

IMAD Ideas

It's fourteen days until IMAD, Marys! That's right -- we're at the two-week mark!

At a loss for how to treat yourself on the big day? There's no right way to celebrate, just think about what makes you enjoy being you. It's nice, though, to take the opportunity to do something you might not usually do, like take a trip to a salon. Like, for instance, The Refinery here in Dinkytown. I've heard lots of good things about it.

Maybe there's a salon near you you've been meaning to try? A manicure's a fairly safe way to try a place out, methinks. Certainly not as much of a commitment as a haircut or color.

(Mary and I actually go someplace else, the wonderful Lady Fingers in Saint Paul, but they're too busy being awesome to have a web site. I feel like it's our own little secret! Well, except now that I've mentioned it.)

Notable Marys in the Movies: Mary Embrey ("Hancock," 2008)

Why is Mary Embrey of the 2008 film Hancock a notable Mary? She, um...gosh, how to describe her without giving out a lot of spoilers? Well, she's strong, she's not afraid to stand up to bullies and/or superheroes, and as her husband finds out she pretty much exemplifies the old saw "still waters run deep."

(Also, it was refreshing to see someone who obviously understood that just because you've got a "soul mate" or whatever you want to call it to whom you're drawn to live a tumultuous life with, you can choose instead to live a happy, loving, peaceful, fulfilled life with somebody else.)

Can't quite remember the movie? I've linked to IMDb above, or go to Sony Pictures' site to see clips.

Announcing IMAD 2011

The oracles have been consulted, and it can now be announced: International Mary Appreciation Day for 2011 will be Friday, February 18!

Unless we have to change it. (Plan plans, not outcomes!)

Tell all your friendly neighborhood Marys, Maries, Marias, Maureens and the rest, and start planning that special day.

My camera busted itself a few weeks ago and I'm itchin' for some multimedia, so to celebrate (the announcement, not the lack of camera) let me share with you a video clip, the first :59 of which is thematically appropriate, or so it seems to me:

(I didn't have the patience to comb the web for a version that shows just that first minute, nor am I ept enough to rig it up myself, so watch the whole thing if you wish, but the thematical appropriateness is limited to that starting bit.)