murphy's law day

I often wonder to myself How did our March 13th public Holiday in Hatrack originate? Was it just an excuse to give winter weary Hatracks a day off winter commuting? Or was it to to commemorate the birth of Neil Sedaka, American singer and songwriter, who was born on March 13, 1939. And also, why was it called Murphy's Law Day?

It is not a well-known fact but it was actually invented to commemorate The birth of Russell Beakhouse, who as well as being well respected as a husband , father and landscaper to the Queen he also had the misfortune and bad luck to utter the words, That's Murphy's Law more times than any body else in the entire history of Hatrack.

The reason he held the record for utterances of that phrase were due in part because he had no clue how to use the phrase in its correct form. An example of that error was in the year 1962
when as a 2 year old he was playing with a pair of scissors and did himself an injury to his foreskin and subsequently became the first person in the Beakhouse family ever to be circumcised, uttering those famous words, " That's Murphy's Law Mummy!" Auuughhhh!!!!!

Then there was the time as a young boy in school Russ was asked by the kinder- garden teacher why he was putting a little girl's head in the toilet bowl of the boys bathroom, he replied ,
"That's Murphy's Law Miss Henderson!!!!"

Then a few years later as an adolescent trying to smuggle liquor into the school dance that had an off -duty police-officer checking bags for booze, pot and narcotics. Then just as his head was being forced to the gym floor Russ was heard to comment from beneath a heavy boot , " How did that get there officer? Why, Murphy's Law of course!!"

Another famous incident was when Russ was asked by the Minister during his wedding ceremony with Mindy the age old question , " Why do you have your pants on back - to - front? Russell?" " Murphy's Law Minister ? " replied Russell , sheepishly.

Scroll forward a few years to June 2nd , 1998 , his poor wife Mindy having endured 27 hours of excruciating labour pains , all by herself and then just as their daughter comes down the chute Russ arrives just in time to witness the birth of their daughter, Sarah. Mindy screams at him with all the strength she has left. the question, "Where were you Russell?" and Russ replies with a big stupid grin on his face , " Murphy's Law, Mindy!"

Then, finally, the Nova Scotia Legislature is trying to come up with an idea for a public holiday in winter, apart from Christmas or New Years to bring us up to par with the rest of the country. Russ happens to be doing the Premier's Lawn . Premier Darrell asks Russ why he hadn't put the rose -bush where it was supposed to have gone and Russ replies, " Murphy's Law Mr Premier!"

"That's it Russ !" said the Premier "That was pure genius ! We'll have a holiday called Murphy's Law Day. Hmm, when's your birthday Russ?" "March 13th, Premier Darrell", said Russ proudly ...

And that is how the public holiday known as Murphy's Law Day was invented and we have Russell to thank for it. And all Hatracks should be grateful to Russ for a public holiday falling on March 13th for all eternity.