Marriage proposals, frog legs, and Disney World 24-hour access. Here are seven facts, both lucky and unlucky, to consider as we approach February 29, 2016.
1. History: When the ancient Egyptians discovered that the man made calendars and solar calendars did not match up, allowing for a period of five hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds to go unaccounted for, they had to get creative. Instead of adding those unchecked hours to the last day of the year, the Egyptians decided to just erect a new day altogether for it to occur only once every four years. Today, this day is known as leap day.
2. Proposals: Girls, if your significant other has been dragging his feet, and you are anxious to graduate to fiancé status, this is your year! Though men are discouraged from proposing during this time, as it bodes bad luck and marital struggle, women are given the green light, and may pop the question anytime during leap year, or on leap day itself. What’s more, if the prospective groom refuses the proposal, he has to pay a hefty fine, according to Irish customs. If you do choose to propose this year, I strongly recommend doing it in Ireland, like Amy Adams in Leap Year (2010), and preferably to a man as gorgeous as Mathew Goode.
Courtesy: Movie Poster
3. Low Air Fare: Jet Blue is offering a flight promotion this leap day, which you can buy a $29 ticket to anywhere in the continental US. Unfortunately, there is are multiple strings attached. First, the offer is only available on February 29th, meaning your ticket MUST be booked for that day alone. Who wants to be suspended above the air in a rickety metal bird on a day that, usually, doesn’t even exist? No thanks. In addition, the offer only stands for one-way travel, which essentially means: You would be flying somewhere with the possibility of never returning. Again, no thanks.
4. Free Labor: Because leap day only has a part time presence in our calendars, those with a fixed annual income that follows the 365 day system may find themselves conned into providing a free day of labor this year. Don’t be fooled employees of America.
5. Leap Day Birthdays: Those born on leap day, dubbed “leapers” or “leaplings”, are said to have special powers, even magical abilities. Up until now, I have been thankful for my reliable June birthday for never having to calculate when my next “real” birthday would occur. After discovering this, however, I’m realizing that birthdays are overrated, and being a wizard would be way cooler.
6. Disney World: The happiest place on earth will be even happier on leap day 2016, as the park is offering 24-hour access from 6 a.m. February 29 to 6 a.m. March 1. This promotion is dubbed, “One More Disney Day”, essentially suggesting: If we have an extra day in the year, we might as well spend it at Disney. Makes sense to me.
Courtesy: Jet Blue
7. Leap Year Luck: If you plan on throwing a leap year party this year (if that’s not a thing yet, it needs to be) consider frying up some frog legs for your guests. Not only will you clear out all the free loaders who just came for the food, but those who stay and eat the frog legs will receive great wealth and good luck in the coming year. Win Win.
Courtesy: Blogspot