Happy V-T Day! For the historically challenged, allow me to assuage your ignorance (at least on this topic) by explaining the significance this day.

V-T Day is a national holiday that we Yanks celebrate here in the U.S. of A. Much like V-E Day or V-J Day, it’s set aside for us to remember our fallen heroes and celebrate the alliance of Pilgrims and Indians that came together and set aside differences to overcome the mighty threat of the Turkeys. It all culminated at the battle of Plymouth Rock in 1621, when the Pilgrim Navy landed and joined forces with the local Indian Resistance Army (who had, for the record, spent many, torturous years under the abhorrent rule of the local Turkey warlords) to attack the Turkey forces in one climactic battle.

Fortunately for us all, the Pilgrims and Indians won the day and freedom for all. Well for a little while. There were still some independence details (such as totally unfair taxes on tea) to work out and that whole trail of tears business, but let’s skip that for now. Now, once a year, we celebrate this victory and give thanks to our fallen heroes.

So, now you know and, as a wise military man once said; knowing is half the battle.

Happy V-T Day, to one and all. If you’re American, that is… Ah, what the hell. Happy V-T Day to Floridians too.

It’s time for Child’s Play again. In case you don’t know what it is, here’s a blurb from the official site:

For the past three years, gamers and geeks around the world have raised nearly a million dollars in toys, games and cash for sick kids in Children’s Hospitals across the globe through a grassroots charity called Child’s Play.

Created by Penny Arcade, no “Administrative Fees” or other nonsense is collected; all gifts and donations go directly to the hospitals for distribution to sick kids.

Gabe, of Penny Arcade fame, put it in good perspective in his post, I’ll quote a chunk here:

These hospitals obviously receive plenty of donations year round but what we learned is that the money they get for the most part is spent on things much more important than toys. Things like medicine and equipment are a bigger priority than say Crash Bandicoot.

These Kids need toys though. They need games to play and crafts to make in order to take their minds off their situations. Something as simple as a Game Boy can make the stay in one of these Hospitals much more bearable for a kid.

That pretty much sums it up. It’s a good cause. Go do it.

In case you are wondering why there are so many kids from Bahrain now enrolled in our schools… see this news story.

This has got to be the best argument in favor of the existence of extraterrestrial life, ever. Thanks Diesel Sweeties.