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I know I haven’t written in a while. As I stare out the window at the gorgeous day, thinking about whether to buy an Ortiz, Manny or Youkilis shirt at the Red Sox game to night, I can see why.

Spring is here, the decks are open, people are dressing in less and playing hooky whenever they can.

What better way to celebrate than with a fake Mexican holiday.

Today is Cinco de Mayo, the anniversary of the Mexicans 1862 victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla, not the Mexican Independence day as I always thought. A quick Google search will tell you it is celebrated far more in America than in Mexico and in recent years has become highly commercialized.

That may explain why Kitchen & Company, the Inn at Long Sands, the Riverworks Tavern in Newmarket, Margarita’s, Tequila Jacks’ (excuse me, TJs) and the Knot Irish Bar in Durham are celebrating the holiday with sales and drink specials.

As with Mardi Gras, I have a problem with gringos taking over cultural holidays for the sheer purpose of getting blitzed. Doesn’t it demean a culture by reducing their history to a day of drinking? Well, the Irish don’t seem to mind.

On the other hand, why not spice up ham and bean supper New England? Why not celebrate a Central American culture known for great food and tequila?

Whatever your plans, just remember that any place even remotely referencing Mexico in its name will be filled to the gills tonight, so it might be a good idea to enjoy a margarita or Corona on your own back porch.

Also, it was reported today that the Portsmouth PD will be setting up sobriety roadblocks in undisclosed parts of the city this weekend. Who wants to be it’s tonight?