2018: By The Numbers

So here we are, the end of 2018.  Day #365 of 2018 AD.  And now, on 12/31/18, after a calming watch service at Church, we are sitting, kidless (they get to go to parties now), waiting for the ball to drop.  As we say goodbye to 2018, and look forward to 2019, I wish you all the happiest of new years and hope, for you, that 2019 is even better than 2018 was (or, if your year was rough, that 2019 is a good year!)  We will have a new theme for 2019, tomorrow, and you'll have to wait one more day for that :-).  So we end our numerical honorific 2018 with the number 2018 (for the second time, actually, the number with the most appearances was 11 (5), followed by 12, 14, and 25 (4)) and, since this is the end of the line for 2018, we will sing along with the Traveling Wilburys!  HAPPY NEW YEAR! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMVjToYOjbM

So, we've reached the penultimate day of the year, Day #364 of 2018. 12/30/18 was spent at the  98th birthday of Sarah's grandmother.  What an amazing woman Sara Fox Weaver is.  It was great to see all the extended family members, to witness the joy, and to celebrate.  My daughters, Sarah, and Sarah's mom took a picture with the matriarch of the Fox ladies and it was as amazing as it always has been.  To honor this original Fox (her maiden name), we will have 98 as the number of the day.  And, I think we should listen to the Jimi Hendrix Experience as we head off to bed! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsI15ei76bg

Day #363 of 2018 was a wonderful day.  12/29/18 was a family Christmas Celebration filled with all the traditional family, food, fun and games, and a lot of laughter.  A great way to spend the last palindromic day of the year.  363 is a great number.  11^2 x 3 - a palindrome, a square, and the number 3.  So 363 HAS to be our number of the day.  And, since the year is almost over and thus it is Tick Tock Day, this Johnny Cash classic will be our song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCFXhn9mMB0

12/28/18 was another relaxing vacation day.  The 362nd day of 2018 ended with dinner and a movie with friends who are close to family as we saw Mary Poppins Returns.  While the movie did not reach the quality of the original, it was still pure Disney magic!  What was also remarkable to me was the special appearances by Dick van Dyke and Angela Landsbury - beloved Disney performers.  The number of the day is 93, because both are 93 years young, and our song will be the ORIGINAL Chimney Sweep song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG6O4N3wxf8

It was another day of relative relaxation on the 361st day of 2018.  Got a good swim in at the gym and some down time at home and then capped off 12/27/18 with a wonderful dinner, with wonderful friends in a new place that is actually old.  Yes, we went to the PUB for the first time (amazingly enough) and, in the main dining room, all I could think is that we were in the Beast's Castle in Disney.  I was a great atmosphere and the good food and conversation made it a really nice time.  Since the PUB became the PUB in 1950, that will be our number of the day.  And, since I felt like we were in Beauty and the Beast, its theme song will be our song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axySrE0Kg6k

The 360th day of 2018 is Boxing Day.  The Second Day of Christmas, 12/26/18, was not filled with us giving or getting any boxes of gifts, but it was a gift to have a relaxing day at home.  Some errands were completed and a basketball practice was attended, but most of the day was chilling, relaxing, watching TV, hanging with friends, and family time.  The time between Christmas and New Years, and having off of work, is one of the larger gifts of working in Higher Ed.  For today, 1830 will be our number of the day, since it was in the 1830s that Boxing Day started to be observed.  And, for our song, we will roll with the other reference to boxing and a Philly hero who is gonna fly now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOyHMftfbGA

I remember Christmas 1994....I had dinner at my grandparents' house and then drove to York for the 11PM Candlelight Service with Sarah and her family.  And tonight, for the 25th time, I spent Christmas with Sarah.  A lot has changed since then, and today, for once, we did not travel on Christmas.  It was a staycation style Christmas with a morning Brunch with the NJ Walters and then a day of Christmas movies (FOUR!) and a wonderful dinner (thanks, Sarah!)  So, on this 359th day of 2018, 12/25/18, #25 will be our number of the day (for the 4th time - so 4 is an honorable mention for today since 25 and 4 are related (1/4 = .25)) and our song will be my wish for today.  I wish you all a Merry Christmas AND a Happy New Year! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXERRcpXRiA

It's Christmas Eve on the 358th day of 2018.  One week to go in the year.  And, as is tradition, 12/24/18 was filled with light shows in the City, a wonderful family meal, and services at Old First.  Christmas Brass, wonderful choir anthems, readings, a wonderful Christmas message, and hymns.  So, one of the most iconic Christmas hymns turned 200 this year.  So 200 is our number of the day and Silent Night is our song.  I present it here, in German, in honor of the German Reformers who founded our Church in 1727.  I hope you are all having a night that is calm, and bright and that you sleep in heavenly peace tonight! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGA6djLsDgs

On the 357th day of 2018, at church, we lit the fourth candle of Advent.  The candle of peace, for all those who believe.  On 12/23/18, I thought about peace a lot.  Conversation with friends who were in Israel recently about the chances of peace in the Middle East.  Thoughts about the family and friends of Spencer, who passed away overnight (or this morning).  I was Spencer's sponsor when he joined Old First and I loved singing with him in the Choir's bass section.  May he rest in peace, and may those who loved him find peace in this troubling news.  There's no denying that peace is the answer to many of life's problems, so I am praying for more peace ALL over, tonight.  I am using the number four for our number of the day, for the number of Advent candles lit today, and a real favorite Cat Stevens song is appropriate as well.  May you all find peace during this holiday season, and throughout the whole year! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

The Evening of the 356th day of 2018 found us in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center.  On 12/22/18, we had tickets to the Philadelphia Orchestra's presentation of The Glorious Sound of Christmas.  It was the perfect combination of fine musical performance, humor, and holiday magic.  We enjoyed the performance with a capacity (3,150) crowd.  My favorite number was the old chestnut (not roasting on an open fire), Sleigh Ride from Leroy Anderson.  Watching the auxiliary percussion players having fun playing this song made me smile ear to ear!  The number of the day will be that capacity crowd inspired 3,150.  And the second Leroy Anderson song in 12 days will be our song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDRFmn_KqfA

The 355th day of 2018 was the shortest day of the year.  I am so glad that, after 12/21/2018, the daylight hours will now get longer.  So, things should be brighter now for the foreseeable future.  Let's hope that, in the same manner, that all aspects of our lives can get brighter as well.  For the number of the day, 560, since that is how many minutes of sunlight we had today, and thinking about darkness, we'll ride with this Bruce classic! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=129kuDCQtHs

The 354th day of 2018 was a pretty typical day at the end of the Fall semester as we move towards the Christmas Break.  12/20/18 consisted of work, Alexa's basketball game (BIG WIN!), Church Choir practice (for Sunday and Christmas Eve), and family time at home.  SO, looking on the Internet for a daily theme I found that 12/20 is Mudd Day.  In honor of Samuel Mudd who, by providing medical assistance to Pres. Lincoln's killer, has his reputation destroyed (his name was Mudd/mud, get it?)  So 1865 is our number of the day (since 4/14/1865 was the day he provided that fateful assistance) and a country song about mud is our song of the day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_eyvTPgnM4

Every day is a holiday (or a national day celebrating SOMETHING) and the 353rd (the penultimate palindromic) day of 2018 is actually HOLLY Day.  It was created to celebrate the holly plant (with the impending Christmas holiday) but the founder said one can also celebrate women named Holly as well as Buddy Holly.  And, on 12/19/18, we will celebrate Buddy Holly and, since everyday is a holiday - we will play that song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMezwtB1oCU

A quick post for day #352 of 2018 because I am exhausted and already collapsed in bed (woke up for a minute so decided to get the post in. The number of the day is 97.6 because we thought I had a fever, but I didn’t. And that is the only number in my weary brain.  And I have NOT had a drink that went to my head, but I AM tired and I wanna go to bed - sing it! https://youtu.be/q6Rt22lIhg8

The 351st day of 2018 was sweet.  Yes, because 12/17/18 is National Maple Syrup Day.  In researching this, I found out that, in Canada (which has surpassed the US as the most prolific producer of syrup), maple syrup must be at least 66% sugar.  No wonder it is so sweet.  So 66% (I guess, officially .66) is our number of the day and, since I used my favorite sugar-based songs already this year, we will pull a classic out of the Pete Seeger basket.  Any day we can listen to Pete Seeger before bedtime is also sweet.  SWEET! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-61-F3uDYk

I am in shock on the 350th day of 2018.  The Eagles just beat the Rams as 13 point underdogs!  WOW!  On the way home (from Tuba Christmas!) on 12/16/18, my odometer was "99199."  I was going to post that it was a good sign since the #9 QB (Nick Foles) was in for the Eagles tonight.  But I was superstitious so I did not post it.  So, instead, 99199 will be the number of the day and the Underdog theme is playing loud and proud! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa1fH0SvGPg

The primary thing, of note, that I did on this otherwise rainy, lazy Saturday (the 349th day of 2018) was take my Confirmation mentee to lunch.  Of course, being in NJ, on 12/15/18, we went to a diner (YUM!).  New Jersey is the diner capital of the world.  525 diners can be found in NJ.  So 525 is our number of the day to honor these diners and, one of my favorite songs tangentially about a diner.  You really can get almost anything you want at a diner in New Jersey (except, of course, for Alice!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m57gzA2JCcM

We are hurtling towards the Christmas and the end of the year.  But, on the way we have reached day #348 of 2018.  And I discovered that 12/14/18, in addition to being 11 days from Christmas, is Monkey Day!  SURE, it's a made up holiday, but it's fun to allow it to inspire our number of the day which will be 260 (since there are at least 260 varieties).  And this famous theme song will be our song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksJ6QP8BYn0

12/13/18 is National Violin Day.  Since Sarah plays the violin, I feel an affinity to the violin.  And so, on the 347th day of 2018, we will have 1570 as our number of the day (since it was in the 1570s that violin first appeared in the English vernacular) and one of my favorite violin pieces from Vivaldi will be our song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g65oWFMSoK0

The 346th day of 2018 was a musical day.  Yes, I listed to Christmas music in my car a lot today (it's only 13 days until Christmas!).  But, 12/12/18 was also the Collingswood Instrumental Concert and I love sitting in the audience and listening to the ensembles.  I love that the district values the arts and I love to see the participation increasing (heck, the Middle School Orchestra was overflowing off the stage tonight!)  The High School Symphonic Band (of which both daughters are members) played the classic Leroy Anderson composition, Christmas Festival.  So 1952 (the first year it was recorded) is our number of the day, and this recording from the Coast Guard Band has me smiling tonight as well! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YMHSqC63is

The 345th day had an amazing ending.  Because, on 12/11/18, Penn ended Villanova's 25-game Big-5 win streak with with a THRILLING victory in the Palestra!  We watched it at home and there was a lot of yelling and joy of watching the team win AND seeing the wonderful Penn Band on TV.  It had been 5,845 days between Penn's last win (12/10/02) and today!  So 5,845 will be our number of the day, and the Penn Band classic that I heard playing in a crucial timeout will be our song!  GO QUAKERS! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw

The 344th day of 2018 is Dewey Decimal System Day.  So, on 12/10/18, let's honor the man who invented the system of classification used in libraries, Melvil Dewey!  Our number is the year of his birth (1851) and I found this crazy rap to honor Melvil... I love the Internet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHiUQb5xg7A

I love palindromic days - and 12/9/18 was day #343 of 2018 so I knew it would be good.  And it WAS!  Started with a wonderful service at Church and, in the evening, we got to see Trombone Christmas at Philadelphia's Christmas Village.  I love Christmas, I love music, and I love low brass.  So this was a great event and I enjoyed it thoroughly.  Therefore, the number of the day is 76, as in 76 trombones (which is our song!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYxNbEos2O4

People who know me know that I love Christmas Music!  In fact, Christmas songs have been our song of the day four times already and it's only December 8th.  In all fairness, 12/8/18, in my book, is the 15th day of the Christmas Music season, and 4/14 is only 28.6%.  So, on the 342nd day of 2018, we're going to celebrate another winter holiday, Hanukkah!  We had latkes today and went to see Anna's choir sing in an original Hanukkah Musical Show.  It was a Holly, Jolly, Hanukkah themed evening.  So our number of the day will be 8, for the nights of Hanukkah, and, of course we HAVE to have the Dreidl Song as this evening's song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RczPreZDFU

On the 341st day of 2018 I could not help but think about Pearl Harbor.  77 years ago, that horrible event occurred.  So, on 12/7/2018, our number is 77 and, to try to bring a happier vibe to the day, a song that connects Hawaii and the Christmas season is our song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob4LT_gUSFQ

The 340th day of 2018 is Miner's Day.  So, on 12/6/18, we will have 7 for the number of day in honor of my favorite dwarfs.  And their working song is our song of the day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI0x0KYChq4

Alexa and her classmates had an amazing opportunity on 12/5/2018.  They spent much of the 339th day of 2018 traveling to NYC, to Broadway, to see HAMILTON!  We are so thankful for the teachers and administrators who made this possible and we'd like to thank the foundation who sponsored the grant Collingswood had the blessings to receive.  I guess you could say that Alexa got Her Shot today, and she did not miss it.  On this happy evening, we will have 186 (the approximate mileage, round trip, from the HS to Broadway (and back!), and My Shot! is our song of the evening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic7NqP_YGlg

On Day 338 of 2018, I spent some time this evening talking about milestones.  Next year my parents will each turn 75 and I am turning 50.  We will be 200 together AND it is my 20th Wedding Anniversary in 2019.  Wow.  Speaking of milestones, 12/4/2018 is Jay-Z's 49th birthday.  He and I are the same age (but he is SO much cooler!)  On this day, let's hold up our birth year, 1969, as our number of the day and, unfamiliar with much of his work (sorry, not much of a rap fan), I did like this version of an 80s classic and, Jay-Z and I are both Forever Young! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_aFg-yJ1sc

The 337th day of the year was a busy one.  A lot was happening on 12/3/2018.  So all I could do for numerical inspiration was look to see who was born today.  And, what do you know?, Ozzy Osbourne's 70th was today!  So our number will be 1948, the year of his birth, and our song will be Crazy Train (which is what we all seem to be on these days (yes, I need to stop watching the news!!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy1V5LHXWbg

It was the first Sunday of Advent on the 336th of 2018.  And one of the Scripture readings for this morning (read by Tony, not me) was Jeremiah 33:14:                               "The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill                                    the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah." The children's time and the sermon had a lot to do with Advent Hope.  And, frankly, hope is so important to have ALL year, not just in Advent.  But, as we look forward to Christmas and the hope for a fulfilled promise from Jeremiah, let us have the verse as our inspiration for our number of the day, 3314.  And, I love this song from Three Dog Night (even if it does refer to the Advent Theme for two weeks from now (Joy)) and it is one of the only songs I can th...

We have reached December, and 12/1/18 is World AIDS Day.  So, on this 335th day of 2018, I want to honor 1988 as our number of the day (since 1988 was the first World AIDS Day (the first global health day) and that means this is the 30th anniversary).  For a song, I am going to use this Bruce Springsteen classic from the movie, Philadelphia.   This movie affected me, not just because it was interesting to see our city (and Penn's campus) represented.  But the story of Tom Hanks' character and all that he had to endure made me really aware of the persecution that surrounds this disease.  I am glad we are able to treat the disease much more effectively, 30-years later.  I just hope we can eradicate both the disease and the persecution. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z2DtNW79sQ