countdown.rb

# Inspired by https://github.com/7hunderbird
# Execute via `curl -fs https://gist.github.com/raw/4569096/373e78aa18b438e74f04a782dd5ca7416b2cb50a/countdown.rb | ruby`
# in the terminal

require 'Date'

today = Date.today
deadline = Date.new(2013, 03, 04)

num_of_days = (deadline - today).to_i
msg = "[#{num_of_days}] days left"

puts num_of_days <= 5 ? "Oh '$#!@', only " + msg : msg 

Gave credit where credit was due.

Here's my blunt original that you turned into an elegant solution. I like yours, Brandon.

# in irb
require 'activesupport'
x = Time.now.to_date
y = 'Mon, 04 Mar 2013'.to_date
(y - x).to_i