2018: By The Numbers

We've reached the calendar midpoint of 2018, day 181.  And, although the numerical midpoint will be 1/2 way through Monday, on 6/30/18 we had a great day at the 1/2 way point of the calendar.  Palindromic days are usually good, and this one was no exception.  We spent the evening at Alexa's team's Sectional Tournament game and their first lead of the game was in the bottom of the 8th (yes, extra) inning when Alexa and Sarah scored on a Wild Pitch to turn a 5-4 deficit into a 6-5 win.  So we will enjoy 1/2 as the number of the day and, since it is in the middle, we will listen to one of my favorites songs  about middles.  I am happy tonight to be stuck in the middle (with all of you!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DohRa9lsx0Q

Day number 180 of 2018 has come and gone.  On 6/29/18, I said goodbye to two more dear colleagues from Penn.  One retirement (after 42+ years!) and one colleague moving back home to New England.  I am sad they are leaving, but I am trying to put on a good face.  An emotional 180 on day 180.  It makes me think of turning around and turning around makes me think of this Bonnie Tyler song for the song of the day.  And we will celebrate 180 on day 180 and sing along.  (and, yes, I know this makes little sense, but it was a hot day and I am tired - Goodnight!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOxhH8N3Bo

At lunchtime on the 179th day of 2018, I found myself dining with a wonderful colleague and friend.  We figured, at lunch on 6/28/18, that we had a combined 53 years of service at Penn.  One of the things I like about being on campus is the number of people who have dedicated their lives to Penn, as I have.  We live in troubling times, and it is good to find that there are still solid friendships upon which one can lean.  I am really trying to lean on the good things these days, so, as a number, I will hold up 53 for our combined years of service and in the spirit of staying calm amidst the storm, we will head to bed with the words of Bobby McFerrin telling us not to worry and to BE HAPPY! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU

It was a great evening at Citizen's Bank Park on 6/27/18.  The Sherr Family traveled to CBP on the 178th day of 2018 and witnessed the lone Phillies win (a shutout!) in the Yankees Series.  It was just a great evening at the ballpark and a wonderful family time (we sat next to the nicest couple as well!).  Baseball is such a favorite of mine and enjoying a win, with the company of my family, all things seemed right in this world.  For a short time, at least.  So for our number of the day, I'm going to pick 538 (since the Phillies' winning percentage is .538) and I found this ancient song about baseball and I really like it.  Hope you do too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWKA9Zi5-_Y

At the end of the 177th day of 2018 the Sherr Family was reunited.  Anna and Sarah flew back from Costa Rica (they were attending a choir festival with ChildrenSong New Jersey) on 6/26/18 and I am so happy they are home.  We are all together and will lift up 2,132 as our number (the number of miles from San Jose, Costa Rica to Miami and then Miami to Phila., and the Beatles will sing about being all together (NOW!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73lj5qJbrms

I spent the morning of the 176th day of 2018 thinking about dreams and engineers.  On 6/25/18, the DoF Staff Appreciation Week kicked off and I got to attend a IMAX movie at one of the best places in Philadelphia, the Franklin Institute.  This movie was about engineers and their dreams of a better world and they work to make it so.  I would like a better world, so I am honoring engineers today with the number 15 million (the estimate of how many engineers there are in this world).  And, in honor of their dreams, let's listen to the Everly Brothers and share the hope for a better world which SCIENCE will assist us in finding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbU3zdAgiX8

I love the hymns of Fanny Crosby.  So I was excited, on the 175th day of 2018 that one of my favorite Crosby tunes was the focus of Pastor Michael's summer sermon series on hymns.  The message, on 6/24/18, is that, through all of our trials and tribulations (and I feel like there are so many trials and tribulations in the world today) we have assurance of God's love and care.  I need to remember that and be rooted in that when I start to feel stressed and anxious.  So thankful, on this day, that I started my day with this foundational message and I hope I can lean on this in the coming week.  I also found Scripture passage on which I would like to be rooted this week: Philippians 4:6-7 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Now, honestly, I do not think we...

On day #174 of 2018, I have been reflecting on a fortune I got in a cookie at a Chinese restaurant: "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness" I like this quote.  These are crazy times all over the place, so let's try to stay positive and lift each other up (lighting a candle) instead of complaining (cursing the darkness).  Take action, be the change we want to see.  Let's listen to Elton John singing about candles in the wind and let's have 1986 (day of this famous recording) as our number! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoOhnrjdYOc

Day #173 of 2018 was the first day of Summer 2018.  And, on 6/22/18, School was out.  Day 1 of 76 days of summer vacation (where are the 104 days that Phineas and Ferb promised us??)  Alice Cooper will sing our song, and the day's number will be 76.  SUMMER! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B1j4Z25i7k

On the 172nd day of 2018 there was a lot of light.  This is because 6/21/18 was the longest day of 2018.  From Sunrise at 5:32AM to Sunset at 8:33PM, there was 15 hours and 1 minute of day today.  To honor the first day of Summer (and the LIGHT of the season), let's hold up 901 for the number of minutes of day we had today, and listen to the classic song from Fiddler on the Roof! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03rzUoyq9K0

Here we are at the 171st day of 2018.  And this palindromic day was another good one.  The evening of 6/20/18 was spent, once again, at Oaklyn Public School at the last 9th Grade Promotion Ceremony ever to be held there.  It was Spring of 2005 when Sarah and I asked Tommie Stringer (the then Superintendent of Oaklyn) how we could help the Music Program thrive at OPS.  He introduced us to Mrs. Ludlum, who asked us to play at 9th Grade Promotion, and we have been playing in the OPS Bands ever since.  This was the FOURTEENTH (and last) Promotion Ceremony at which I will play Pomp and Circumstance and the Oaklyn Alma Mater (that sounds too much like High Above Cayuga's Waters....).....  Another passage of time.  So the number, for the second time in June 2018, is 14.  And Rhianna's plea for the music not to stop is echoed by me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd8jh9QYfEs

What an emotional day the 170th day of 2018 was.  Got a lot of work on a project done, and then attended a retirement party for a dear colleague in the afternoon. And then, on 6/19/18, my emotions were strong at the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony at Oaklyn Public School.  Anna was Valedictorian and gave a moving speech.  She also was awarded one of the Quinter Foundation Kindness Awards, and that moved me.  And then the slide show..... I was done.  And, in two days, we will have no students in OPS for the first time since Fall 2007.  We knew this day would come, but it's a year sooner than we initially expected.  We have two highschoolers.  We have no kids in OPS (I will still be involved there, but not as much as we used to be).  We have no more kids in Little League (after this season), nobody in Oaklyn Soccer Club.....and in four short years we will be empty nesters.  Again,we knew this was coming, but it seems to be happening so quickl...

June 18, 2018 was the 169th day of 2018.  There are also 196 days left in 2018.  Numerically, I think that is a pretty cool day.  And. although the heat index was near record outside, I spent most of the day inside and DID have a pretty cool day.  Chiropractor, Lunch with excellent friends, and the Trampoline Jump Party for Anna's 8th Grade Promotion.  A good use of a vacation day from work.  So the number for today will be 169196 to celebrate the numerical coolness of the day and, in deference to trampolines, Van Halen will sing us home.  JUMP! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwYN7mTi6HM

We've come to the 168th day of 2018 and 6/17/18 was Father's Day.  I spent the day with my family, so it was a great day.  I also celebrated my own father and fathers in my family and my community.  And, tonight, I would also like those who are sad today (because they lost their fathers or even lost their kids) and those who days like today cause anxiety, stress, and/or sadness to know that they are in my thoughts as well.  For me, I am lucky, Father's Day made me celebrate and be celebrated.  We did not make it to Church this morning (sorry Michael), but I would like to include a scripture today that makes me think of the wonderment of Fatherhood: Psalm 127:3-5 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. So today's number is a long one, 12735, to catalog the scripture.  And, amongst the plethora of songs abo...

Today, 6/16/18, was also the evening of the Little League Season's End Social.  It was great, on the 167th day of 2018, to hang out with friends and relax.  The food was good too.  So tonight, I am focusing on my friends..... they make me smile, they make me laugh, they help me when I need assistance, the advise me when I need redirection.  Thank you all, out there in FB land, and thanks to the friends not on FB as well.  For the number, we will go with 4.363, because that is the number of friends I have on FB, so we know the true friend list is even higher.  And all of them add to my life, because, as Dionne Warwick sings, that's what friends are for! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyTpu6BmE88

The 166th day of 2018 is also National Smile Power Day.  So, on 6/15/18 I tried to smile more than frown.  And, although the debate is on about how many muscles that actually takes, I will choose 43 (the numbers of muscles in one's face) as the number of the day and one of my favorite songs from Annie to remind us to be well dressed, with a smile, every day!  SMILE POWER! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbgmQGUQj2E

According to the United Nations, there are 193 official National Flags.  The 165th day of 2018 was Flag Day in the US.  So let's celebrate, on 6/14/18, the number 193 and sing this ol' chestnut about our flag. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmVk_TrT7qM

The 164th day of 2018 was one of those days that did not go as planned.  Allergies kept me home, shut inside, although I did get work done.  And Alexa's softball game was cancelled, so we all got to eat dinner (fundraiser hoagies, yum) together and then a pretty calm and normal evening.  I had no numerical inspiration until my mom posted her palindromic odometer, so 75557 is our number of the day.  And, in deference to the malady that changed my plans today, here's Paul Simon singing a song about allergies (I just discovered it tonight!)  GOODNIGHT! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8l8VnDq6lE

The 163rd day of 2018 was National Loving Day.  On 6/12/18 I spent my day off of work at an OPS PTA Event and with my children.  So if community and family is not the definition of loving, I do not know what is (and I did not even know it was National Loving Day when I made my plans).  So I do not have any special numerology that jumps out to me today so we will go with 163 as the number of the day and since I had Love on the Brain, Rihanna will sing us off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RyInjfgNc4

The 162nd day of 2018 is the birthday of my Aunt Teddy!  June is her first name (born in June, get it?), but we all call her Teddy.  So let's pick 1942, the year of her birth, for the number of the day, and this Elvis classic can make us sing about Teddy (bears) as we head to sleep.  LOVE YOU, Aunt Teddy, Happy Birthday! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkDbk-egHH4

The palindromic 161st day of 2018 was fantastic.  The musical events today (Piano Recital and Mozart's Requiem) were entertaining and uplifting and I am so proud today.  But 6/10/18 started off at Church where the interactive sermon format allowed me to ask a question about forgiveness and justice.  Pastor Michael gave a great answer, that we need to forgive others before we can start to seek justice.  And this is what I am going to try to do.  I found a relevant scripture for this fine Sunday: Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you." So, on a day filled with music in a weekend filled with community, we are back to #BeKind (thank you Tyler Quinter) and focusing on forgiveness.  A good way to start the week!  Today's number, from the scripture choice, will be 432.  And I love this Bryan Adams song about forgiveness as well. Let's all dig down and be kind and forgive....a...

I spent the large part of the 160th day of 2018 as an umpire (and then recovering from umpiring) at the Annual Oaklyn Kickball Tournament.  6/9/18 found me debating with both adults, teens, and kids about foul balls, kickball rules, and general out/safe judgement calls.  It was exhausting and a lot of fun.  And, more importantly, it was for a good cause.  So, in seeking a song about kicks, I landed on this classic from Chuck Berry, and so 66 has to be the accompanying number of the day!  Remember, all Oaklynners are Winners! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJe_WWSDqqY

On the 159th day of 2018, I have, sadly, been thinking about suicide.  Two prominent celebrities ended their lives this week.  I have been acutely aware of the increased prominence of suicide for quite a while, both in my work-life and also in the news.  On 6/8/18, I am struggling to think of ways I can help others and make sure all of my friends and family (and those who are just acquaintances) know that I am here for them if they need to talk, need a hug, or just need to know I am here.  For the number of the day, I am using 121.  That is the estimated number of suicides in the U.S. in a given day.  In a DAY.  That is one person every 12 minutes.  I pray for healing for those who need it, and hope we, as a society, can have empathy for those struggling and we can end the stigma of mental illness. For the song, the theme from M*A*S*H which, I just found out, has WORDS!  May we all find more peace in our lives and know we are loved. https:/...

110 years ago, on 6/7/1908, my grandfather was born.  So, on the 158th day of 2018, I thought about him all day.  On 6/7/2018, I enjoyed the pic of my grandpop and me on the beach, playing cards.  I remembered all of the wise counsel he gave me (some I actually heeded), I remember how he taught me chess, and Bridge, and tennis.  I remembered his care for his family, his friends, classic books, Linus Pauling, learning, and science.  I love my grandfather (present tense, not past tense) because, today, more than anything, I realize how he is with me every day.  So, for the number of the day, 110 is the only choice!  And, searching for songs about grandfathers, I found this old chestnut.  The song is a little maudlin, but so are we when we remember him, and how much he loved us and how much we love him.  I hope he is smiling knowing I am trying to keep his legacy of kindness, learning, and love strong! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su7IECXoK...

44 years ago on the 157th day of the year, Uncle Kracker (the musician) was born.  So, on 6/6/18, the 157th day of 2018, I am stretching to find a number and a song (sorry a lot going on right now).  So we will illuminate the year of his birth (1974) and my favorite song of his (Drift Away). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A69BertdSt4

6/5/2018 was Primary Election Day in NJ.  And I usually get to the polling place each time Election Day occurs.  But, on the 156th day of 2018, I was surely going to vote, for my Brother-In-Law Chris Walters, running for Town Council.  He got his spot and earned 300 votes (98% of the people voting!).  Yes, we live in a small town and turnout was low.  But 98% is excellent, and we will celebrate 300 as the number of the day and this Sesame Street song about voting.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkeGCa7lBNs

So, on the morning commute on 6/4/18, my favorite song of all time came on the radio.  Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody!"  Fitting that I was wearing black pants and a white shirt as this song reminds me of working catering at Wharton Sinkler Conference Center.  I spent some good times working there in the Summer, dancing in the kitchen, and making great memories with great people.  So, on the 155th day of 2018, I will remember the number of the Center (233-2211) as I sing my favorite song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH3giaIzONA

On the 154th day of 2018, I watched a lot of College Softball.  It is the WCWS (women's college world series) and the games were exciting.  The last Semifinal game of this bracket was FSU vs. UCLA and, amazingly, FSU won its 6th straight elimination game and reached the Finals for the first time.  The last game of 6/3/18 was filled with a lot of home runs and many of them were SHOTS over the fence.  After this season, we are very aware of and interested in softball home runs :-).  FSU had a winning percentage of .820 in this season, so .820 will be our number of the day and.speaking of shots, Pat Benetar has one of my favorite songs about Best Shots......enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU5aDqLUvug

On the 153rd day of 2018 we stayed in the birthday theme.  6/2/18 was the 1st Birthday Party for the son of a dear friend.  And, although we got to the party very late, we were able to help with the party cleanup and spend some quality time with the birthday boy and his family.  But, searching the internet for some thematic inspiration tonight, I saw that today is ALSO the birthday of Abby Wambach.  Abby has always been an inspirational figure for our family because she played soccer and so did our girls.  But I LOVED her remarks (posted on my page earlier) to the Class of 2018 from Barnard College.  She told these young women that they were the WOLVES.  So, to honor her, we will hold up the number 2018 (for the Commencement speech) and the Duran Duran classic for our song.  Happy Birthday, Abby - WAOOOOOOOOO! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOg5VxrRTi0

The 152nd day of 2018 was also the 14th birthday for Anna!  As an aside, she was born, however, on day #153 of the Leap Year 2004!  :-)  6/1/18 was comprised of a half day of work for me, coinciding with a half day of school for Anna and Alexa.  And, sadly, Sarah hurt her hand yesterday, but happily, she was home from work today as well.  SO, we had a nice family and friends lunch with Anna and then hung as a family for the rest of the evening.  Pretty nice, if I say so myself.  And now it's off to bed listening to the song of the day, Anna, by the Beatles, and honoring 14 for the number of the day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r4gZeRQvZU