World Celebrates 6000th birthday

By Jillian Shinn
The Collegian, October 24th, Fort Collins, Co

  Wax pours onto the ground as people crowd around and sign "Happy Birthday."
  Two members of the crowd are armed with fire extinguishers [note - one of
the 'extinguishers' was actually Everclear, in case the cake didn't light]
and the crowd soon takes a few steps back to avoid the heat emitted from a
birthday cake holding 6000 candles.  Who, you ask, has a birthday cake with
6000 candles?  The World!
  In 1650, Bishop Ussher, using the genealogy of the Bible, calculated the
creation of the world to October 23, 4004 BC.  This may seem far-fetched to
some people, but what better reason to have a party?  Dave Ljung, Gene Younkin,
Paul Orr, Matt Ruzicka, Corie Rajala, Karen Haynes, Nathan Harris, Alex
Anderegg and countless others took it upon themselves to throw such a party.
  Due to an error in the dating, this year's party was actually the second
6000th birthday party thrown for the world.  Kale Duncan pointed out, when
counting the age of the earth, one does not count 0 as a year.  Therefore,
last year's party was actually the 5999th birthday of the world.
  Younkin said he read an article explaining Ussher's theory and figured that
if Ussher's theory was correct, the 6000th birthday was near.  Younkin said
he doesn't necessarily believe Ussher's theory.  He is more inclined to believe
the geologists, but they haven't set a date for the creation of the world yet.
  "I am not trying to vindicate Christianity or anything, it's just an excuse
to have a party on a Thursday night," Younkin said.
  The birthday party for the world was held (sic) Ljung's home and thrown by
Ljung and his roommates [note - only one of the party throwers was Ljung's
roommate].  The house was decorated with streamers, a "Happy Birthday"
banner, and balloons reading "Happy 6000th Birthday!".  The backyard held a
makeshift stage for the band to perform on and a pit for a bonfire.  In one
corner was a table holding the cake and hanging from a tree was a pinata
shaped as the world.
  The Spigot [note - the band's name is 'the spigot'] was supposed to perform
for the party-goers, but were unable to attend.  Performing in their place
was PR Blues [note - PR Blues was not a replacement, they were also
scheduled to play].
  As the hosts of the party were preparing to light the 6000 candles, Younkin
addressed the crowd.
  "We're not here to praise Ussher, nor to bury him.  Just to party!"
Younkin said.
  The crowd began to chant, "Burn it! Burn it!" as Ljung said, "There will be
no couch burning tonight!"
  Ruzicka said they ordered the candles two months ago in order to get them
in time for the party.  Last year the candles were only ordered one month
ahead and did not arrive in time.  The entire cake had to be spritzed with
Everclear and lit on fire in order to not disappoint the party-goers, Ljung
said.
  Harris said prior to the actual burning of the cake, a trial cake with
only 100 candles was burned.
  "It's a significant day for some, not that we necessarily buy into it, but
it is the best excuse to have a party!" said Harris.