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The luck of 08/08/08

posted at 8:08 am
on Jul. 21, 2008

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Four leaf clovers and horse shoes and rabbits’ feet are considered lucky in Western culture, but that doesn’t come close to the way that people in China revere the lucky properties of the number “8.”

It’s so considered lucky, that the Olympics are set to open on August 8, 2008, at 8:08:08 p.m.  And a man in Chengdu sold his cell number, 8888-8888 for $270,000 dollars.  I also know of a house nearby whose owner petitioned to have changed from 1816 to 1818, because that would increase the resale value considerably.

I would not be surprised to hear of Chinese women inducing labor in a few weeks to have their baby born on the auspicious Aug 8, 2008, and I can guarantee that there will be a huge number of weddings that day.

It’s considered luck because in Chinese, the number eight sounds similar to the word which means “prosper” or “wealth.” Which I think is as much of a stretch as the number six being erotic because it sounds like “sex.”

I plan to move on the 8th, and all I hope for is that nothing breaks or goes missing.  Wish me luck!



 
 

 

Previous entry:
Our New House near Oak and 25th

Next entry:
Scout Camp 2008

Overheard

“The sad truth is that most evil is done by people who never make up their minds to be good or evil.”

...who said it?

“Almost every American I know does trade large portions of his life for entertainment, hour by weeknight hour, binge by Saturday binge, Facebook check by Facebook check. I’m one of them. In the course of writing this I’ve watched all 13 episodes of House of Cards and who knows how many more West Wing episodes, and I’ve spent any number of blurred hours falling down internet rabbit holes. All instead of reading, or writing, or working, or spending real time with people I love.”

...who said it?

“Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.”

...who said it?

“I play with variables constantly.”

...who said it?

“Only the person who has learned Continual Love coming from a heart of Gratitude/Worship can effectively deal with the problem of loneliness.”

...who said it?

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