Mad Hatter Day

Whether or not you are aware of such an occasion - yes we do live in a world crazy enough to celebrate such a day.

Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Tarrant Hightopp

In parts of the world it is celebrated on October 6 and in Britain they celebrate it on June 10. Both dates were chosen from the illustrations by John Tenniel in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, depicting the Mad Hatter wearing a hat bearing a slip of paper with the notation "In this style 10/6."

Although this is the hat's price tag in pre-decimal British money - ten shillings and sixpence (or half a guinea) - Mad Hatter Day began in Boulder, CO, in 1986, among some computer folk who had nothing better to do. It has only gotten sillier through the years as it lives up to its name. 

The real spirit of Mad Hatter Day is turnabout: The nonsense we usually have to pretend is sane can be called madness for one day in the year; the superficially crazy things that really make sense can be called sane on Mad Hatter Day. 

Detailed plans for this year's observance will, of course, be announced on October 7. We have found that plans made after the fact are more accurate and much easier to have fulfilled. Or, as the Red Queen said, "sentence first, then the verdict!" 

Cast of Once Upon A Time, the TV series on ABC

Take a look around you, drop your assumptions about what must be proper and normal, and see how much of it is just silly. Better yet, try to find something that does make sense.

Don't hurt anyone. Save the pranks for April 1. This is "a Kinder, Gentler Fool's Day."