Diary of a Wookiee: St. Paddy’s Day Edition

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig dhuit! (BAN-ukh-tee nuh FAY-leh PAH-drig gwitch)

Woo hoo!  It’s officially the Day of the Festival of Patrick aka the Feast of Saint Patrick or St. Patrick’s Day.  Time to bust out my favorite green Star War shirt and have some green beer.  Tonight, I’m actually hosting karaoke at a little corner bar I’m fond of.  Should be a good time.

It’s been a little while since I rambled in my diary so I figured there’s no time like St. Paddy’s Day to do it.  First off, I have to admit to a little mistake I’ve made over the course of my life.  My grandmother’s ancestor hail from Ireland and England although we are the orange leprechauns if you catch my drift.  March 17^th was always the day I was reminded what it meant to be Protestant and it’s probably why I didn’t know this little factoid I want to share.

Over at TOuk, one of the awesome members (Andy) posted this sign.

I feel sheepish to have ever written “Patty’s”.  Well Andy, I told you to consider me schooled and I’ll endeavor to be a better Irish-American in the future even if I’m not Catholic.  It must be said that Lutherans actually celebrate the holiday but that’s just a cop out.  Lesson learned.

In my life, I’ve always loved meeting people that are Irish.  They tend to be so rad and it really is one of my favorite accents.  I find a lot to be kindred spirits. The history of Ireland is very interesting and there is a lot of stuff to learn, some of which is quite shocking.  This isn’t the place for me to stand on a soapbox and rant about discrimination or potatoes though so I’ll just say you should check it out.

One of my favorite memories of St. Paddy’s Day is from when I lived in Okinawa. There was a pub owner there who I used to visit just to hear him curse out G.I.s and maybe because I enjoy Guiness. The owner was born in Ireland and married a Japanese lady but still opened a pub near the Air Force base.  Let’s just say that March 17th was a crazy time at his place and one ore two servicemembers was probably a little hungover at work the next day.  This guy always made me laugh especially when he complained about all of our accents.  Favorite thing he ever told me was, “I’m not stereotypical Irish, I’m just Irish.  Know the difference boy-o.”

Anywho… St. Paddy’s Day is a great event.  An official Irish holiday since 1903, it is a day to honor a 5^th Century priest who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.  To explain his beliefs, he used the native shamrocks to describe the Christian trinity.  March 17^th is said to be the day he died.  There’s a lot more to it but no matter your beliefs, St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and his day is definitely synonymous with being Irish.  Little known fact, the color originally associated with Saint Patrick is blue.  Somehow it changed to green.  I’m glad it did though because the Azure Island just doesn’t sound good to me.  Might also like emeralds because they’re my birth stone and in my high school’s class ring. We may or may not have been the Fighting Irish… just saying.

For the holiday in TSTO, we got some cool  things.  I don’t know about any one else, but the lime green nuclear run-off water is really bright to me.  I don’t love it or hate it because it’s temporary but I definitely think some of my neighbors have way too much water right now lol.  The quest line is really funny.  I think I laughed the hardest at the start with Homer discussing New Year’s resolutions.

See… Alissa… I din’t dodge making a resolution at the beginning of the year, I just was procrastinating like Homer.  Later on in the dialogue, the discussions with Homer’s liver and the possession task are all great.  They even reference both the Halloween and Christmas events.  Way too funny.  When the writers are on it, they really are on it.

As for the stuff we got, I dig it.  EA bringing back the Leprechaun was awesome.  He cost donuts last year so most of us knew that would be the case this year.  The Yupprechaun was a surprise and I do wish he’d been freemium but at least it costs less than the green guy.  My thought process goes something like this.  EA made it premium because if it wasn’t, no one would buy the green leprechaun. With the 30 donut difference and bonus multiplier vs. building angle, they’re more likely to get tappers to spend some donuts on one if not both.  Is it how I’d like it?  No.  Does it make sense from a business angle?  Yup.  Not too worried about it because the leprechaun statue and shamrock topiary makes up for it to me.  Both are inexpensive decorations and you can buy as many as you like.  Better than nothing.

I think what made me laugh the most about this update is when I was watching “In the Name of the Grandfather” (S20:E14) before the event, I distinctly remember thinking, “Man I hope they don’’t put the Yuppys in the game.”  This really should have been my first clue that we’d get at least one of them.  My consolation is it came with the Sham Rock Café which I think is a sweet looking building.  Not a big fan of leprechauns in sweater vests.  I kind of want to make him go build water slides in heaven.  The least EA could have done is let his boyfriend join the game too so I don’t have to explain to him that although Smithers does like guys, he prefers them taller or old and wrinkly.  Nothing sadder than a lonely yupprechaun.

One thing is for certain to me.  Saint Patrick is credited with driving the snakes out of the Emerald Isle and that has me in the mood for our own snake bashing in Springfield.  It’s a touchy subject for folks but I actually really liked Whacking Day.  If EA brings this back, we’re sure to get lots and lots of new stuff.

Well, I’m running out of thoughts so I’ll just share a great Irish blessing that my Grandmother used to tell me.  It’s definitely one to add to your verbal lexicon.

May those who love us, love us.

And those who don’t, may God turn their hearts,

and if He doesn’t turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles

so we’ll know them by their limping. 

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all of you!  May misfortune follow you the rest of your life, and never catch up.  I’ll raise a pint tonight just for you.  Sláinte is táinte! (slawn-cheh iss toin-cheh).

TTFN… Wookiee out!

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