OK whaaat the heck is this all about?
I think I offended some of my colleagues today by saying “what’s with this giant rat that pops up from the ground and predicts the spring? I thought America was a nation of TV weather people. Can’t they do a better job than a lousy rodent?”
“It’s not a rat; it’s a groundhog,” replied one.
“Is that some sort of over-stuffed hamster?”
“No. It’s a groundhog. It’s Punxsutawney Phil.”
“What that bald phony who advises people about their marital problems on TV? I knew he’d gone to ground but….”
“No. That’s Dr. Phil.”
“Well what is it? Is it a prairie dog?”
“More like it.”
“But why?”
An outbreak of shoulder shrugging.
Officially Punxsutawney Phil came out of his cozy den on Wednesday, also Groundhog Day, to make his much awaited annual weather forecast in front of thousands who braved muddy, icy conditions. His handlers declared that Pennsylvania's prophetic rodent had not seen his shadow. Questions on whether Phil needed a pointy stick up his backside to be roused were politely ignored.
"He found that there was no shadow," said Bill Deeley, president of a club that organizes Groundhog Day in the western Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney. "So an early spring it will be."
Sorry, Backtrack. Rewind. How the hell does he come to that conclusion? How does he even know the rat-thing didn’t see his shadow? Even if he knows he didn't see his shadow why does that an early spring make?
And how dumb is the rat to predict an early spring when half of America is freezing in a giant snowstorm? It's 70 degrees here, though (smugly).
Apparently this tradition goes back 125 years and is traced back to a German superstition. I don't even want to ask why he lives in a place called Gobbler's Knob.
And I really can’t believe Phil is this old.
Thank goodness we don’t have this sort of silliness in England. If you discount the community where they chase a cheese down a hill and break their legs.
Or the burning tar barrels or mud snorkeling. I’ll quit while I’m ahead.
Yes you should quit while you are ahead. lol
ReplyDeletePhil? Phil Conner?
ReplyDeleteIn a nation where uncertainty and unstability increasingly cloud our faith in government officials, Phil is a silver lining of hope. As Americans, we look to him for guidance and leadership. Will there be an early spring? Or will our dreams of flowers and warmth crash into a sea of despair? HOW DARE YOU JUDGE OUR LEADER!!!!
ReplyDeleteHahaha! ;)
Seriously, it is a silly tradition. I highly doubt it is accurate and I wouldn't call him a meteorologist. But, it is pretty cute, you have to admit. I always look forward to seeing a photo of the chubby little guy in the newspaper the next day. :P
I'm not a big fan of Puxatony Phil per se, but I do recommend the movie Groundhog Day.
ReplyDeleteLove the movie 'Groundhog Day' ~ thanks for the reminder Tim.
ReplyDeletePoor Punx what an insult to be compared to Dr. Phil.
Now about the cheese rolling down the hill, is that a tradition I could adopt... do I Google it?
I agree with the others - you've got to watch Groundhog Day - hilarious. (And I'm sure it's playing a lot today!)
ReplyDeleteAll I can say for Phil - pthuay - never believe a darn thing he says!
It would be such a boring world if it weren't for our bizarre traditions, I love Gobblers knob 'that didn't sound right did it?' The cheese rolling is hilarious by the way.
ReplyDeleteThat little fella probably gets it right more time then the professionals. I have lost count of the amount of times weather people have sent me out without an umbrella when it turned out I really needed one! Loved this post by the way, made my smile. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, you can tell he doesn't see his shadow because -- can you see your shadow when it's completely overcast and drizzling outside? ;) I think that part's called deductive reasoning.
ReplyDeleteAs for the rest, it's silly but fun. I always check General Beauregard Lee's prediction (of course the South has its own groundhog -- and yes, we all need serious therapy) because he's got a 94% accuracy rating for the Southeast. Pretty good for an amateur meteorologist. :)
i share your annoyance David. i live in a country which is overly dictated by superstitions and though i was trained to believe in most of them, I can't understand their logic. well actually that's the point, there is no logic at all.
ReplyDeletePhil for President 2012???
ReplyDeletegobblers knob sound like a porn I once watched
It is a silly tradition - that chubster who comes out to do his job once a year. Then there's the groundhog.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
for sure Oilfield. yes - no silly traiditons in England or judges wearing silly wigs. Um who's Phil Conner, Molly? You are right Jennifer, Phil is a shining example to us all. Thanx Tim, I have seen it over and over again, lol. I'd say we're all weird Laura. You mean Phil is as phony as Dr. Phil, Valley? For sure Ryan, you might want to rephrase...glad you liked the post Frog. Really? the south has one Meredith? Well I'm not annoyed per se Maria, as it gives me something to write about. You saw that movie too Sausage Fingers. But we like those silly traditions, Robyn...
ReplyDeleteLived here all my life and I have no idea what it's all about. The only thing good to ever come from Groundhog Day is the Bill Murray movie.
ReplyDeleteI've lived in America my entire life and I admit that I don't even get it. I don't understand how they know if he sees his shadow. Maybe he's just looking at the ground and doesn't notice his shadow.
ReplyDeleteIts nice to know we aren't the only superstitious lot...some of us consult the almanac for the auspicious hour to step out of the house....but this is far more interesting...
ReplyDelete