Re Festivus, just today I happened to learn a few interesting things about this Seinfeldian Solstice Celebration, to wit:
1) The writer of that episode actually based it on his own life experience. (Wow, all those creative writing teachers are right after all!). His own father created a holiday called Festivus and subjected his family to it for years as he was growing up. When he let this fact slip to his fellow
Seinfeld writers, they insisted he build an episode around it.
2) That episode writer, Dan O'Keefe (distant relative of Padraig, perhaps?) is Irish American, as is his father who created the holiday. Hmm, does this mean I should be posting this instead on the Irish Traditional Music Forum, being that Festivus is now revealed to be both Irish and traditional (two generations is traditional, right?) and there is presumably music involved?
You can read all about it on this discussion on the Washington Post web site (although you may have to register there to do so):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 00478.html
There's also apparently a book by the guy about all this, which you can get on Amazon. Could be a great stocking stuffer for that special someone!
Finally, let me caution everyone against using that nice new low whistle or flute as your Festivus pole. It could get mangled during the feats of strength. Although a Seery or M&E Delrin flute might be okay, I suppose...