An important reminder from Dave Barry.

Call Hating (washingtonpost.com): "IMPORTANT REMINDER -- Mark your calendar with a big 'X' on September 19, which is the second annual National Talk Like a Pirate Day. This is the day when everybody is supposed to talk like a pirate for very solid reasons (see www.talklikeapirate.com).



Last year, the first National Talk Like a Pirate Day was a huge success, as measured by the number of messages on my answering machine consisting entirely of people going 'Arrrrr.' So if you're feeling depressed -- if you think the world is in terrible shape, and one person like yourself can't make a difference -- remember this:



You're right. So you might as well talk like a pirate. It's easy! For example, when you answer the phone, instead of 'Hello,' you say, 'Ahoy!' "