(from a friend):

FOURTH ANNUAL NATIONAL HIGH FIVE DAY

Thursday, April 21, 2005 (SAN DIEGO)-Smack! The sound resonates, echoes down the city block; the satisfactory clap of two palms rushing together, colliding for a split second of mutual camaraderie, respect, togetherness. Two strangers walking past each other on the sidewalk create a shared, spontaneous moment in two disparate lives. The sound of skin meeting skin travels down the block, and listening closely, you notice that the sound from their high five is not, in actuality, echoing, but is being repeated, again and again. Up and down the sidewalks, strangers silently raise an arm high above their heads, asking an unfamiliar figure walking towards them to join in this familiar act. Smack. Smack. Smack. The high five covers the block, the city, the state, and yes, the nation. For today, the high five is celebrated around the world.

Today is the Third Thursday in April, the Fourth Annual National High Five Day. Today boys and girls, men and women, friends and foes are encouraged to high five everyone they encounter, to disregard stereotypes and social boundaries, and to share with someone a moment of togetherness before continuing along in their daily routine.

The holiday, which was first founded at the University of Virginia in 2002, has this year been officially recognized by the Mayor's office of the city of San Diego. Deputy Mayor Michael Zucchet has presented a certificate of special commendation to the holiday's co-founder, San Diego resident Conor Lastowka. Lastowka will be spending this Thursday spreading the word and the high five all around the city. On the other side of the nation, Lastowka's co-founder Wynn Walent will be performing an honorary concert in celebration of the holiday at Galapagos in Brooklyn, New York. In between Lastowka and Walent, in between the west coast and the east, friends, acquaintances, and friendly strangers have been making posters, videos and t-shirts, spreading the word and preparing to spread the high five. Outside the nation, individuals in Australia, Thailand, Korea, England and Canada, to name a few countries, are eagerly doing the same.

The word is out. This Thursday marks the Fourth Annual National High Five Day. Join the founders in their hope to spread unity and equality, to bring satisfied smiles to the faces of millions through one ubiquitous action. This Thursday, on the street, in the office, in the ballpark, on the train, extend your hand and offer all whom you encounter a high five.

For additional information: http://www.nationalhighfiveday.com/

So if possible, let's all try and High Five today.