Happy Groundhog Day

As of my starting to write this post, there are 25 minutes left until midnight here in the UK. This is the first year that I have actively thought about Groundhog Day throughout the day. It started with a reference to Groundhog Day from an the IndieWeb community member yesterday. The perpetual day being upon us was in the back of my mind, and then today I saw references to Groundhog Day across the web. I have thus far used "Groundhog Day" four times in this paragraph, if you include this sentence. Groundhog Day. [Gets stuck in a loop. Oh wait, I'm thinking of recursion day.]

I guess in 23 minutes I shall find out whether February 2nd is to come around again.

Until then, I believe I have time for some musings on the day.

I saw Groundhog-Day.com on Hacker News earlier today. The site has aggregated predictions of whether we are in for a longer winter or an early spring according to 69 groundhogs in the US and Canada. I love the whole site, but one paragraph on the "About" page caught my eye in particular:

Punxatawney Phil is the most famous prognosticating groundhog, largely due to starring the 1993 Hollywood film “Groundhog Day,” with Bill Murray in a supporting role. However, there are many Groundhog Day ceremonies across North America, not always strictly including a live groundhog, but all of which follow the central premise of an animal predicting the upcoming weather.

I had no idea there were many more groundhogs who made predictions!

I watched The Map of Perfect Tiny Things earlier today. The movie is about two teenagers stuck in a time loop and create a map of amazing things that they observe throughout the day. It is a great reminder about how the small things in life can bring joy. For instance, earlier today I was so excited by hearing some birds sing and chirp outside; those small moments are special.

It is among the best movies, if not the best movie, I have ever seen. Heartwarming, moving, surprising, and sparked a feeling of joy in me. If my February 2nd repeats tomorrow, I would definitely watch this movie again. And again. Although irrespective of the day, I shall watch the movie again.

However you celebrate, happy Groundhog Day!

Tagged in life, groundhog day.