I hope everyone had a happy Geoff birthday weekend. I know I did...With me turning one year older, a quarter century to be exact, it got me thinking, "This cake is good. I wonder who first celebrated birthdays."

According to wikipedia:

It is thought that the large-scale celebration of birthdays in Europe began with the cult of Mithras, which originated in Persia but was spread by soldiers throughout the Roman Empire. Before this, such celebrations were not common; and, hence, practices from other contexts such as the Saturnalia were adapted for birthdays. Because many Roman soldiers took up Mithraism, it had a wide distribution and influence throughout the empire until it was supplanted by Christianity.

Birthday celebrations were rare during the Middle Ages but saw a resurgence with the advent of the Reformation. During this period, they were seen as a good way to transfer customs from the saint's days to other dates not linked to the newly repudiated veneration of saints.

Let's hear it for the middle ages!

Even today, the celebration of birthdays is not universal in the West; in addition to those people preferring name day celebrations, Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate either, considering them to be pagan festivals along with Christmas and Easter.

Jehovies always ruining a good time. Thanks a lot J-hova.

Also, a new The Simpsons movie trailer premiered last night during The Simpsons. I am a big fan of Homer and his family, I have been since first grade. I have only caught two episodes this season because in recent years, at times, it is hard to watch. Last night I laughed a few times, but I feel they are trying too hard.

The Simpsons Trailer

I laughed at the dead rabbit, and the rock and a hard place gag. I'm not sure how to feel about this movie. I hope it is quality and not embarrassing.




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Labels: nonsense, Simpsons

This entry was posted by Geoff, on Monday, November 13, 2006. You can leave your response.