Lucky Numbers - Some Thoughts by Nigel A. JAMES

 

 

Nearly everyone has one, and the chances are high you have one as well. A number that's special. Your own lucky number! And, lucky numbers are not only special they're important as well.

Lucky numbers are important for betting on horses, for playing in teams, and, most importantly, lucky numbers are essential for winning great fortunes in lottery draws. So, what is the truth behind lucky numbers?

Lucky numbers are all to do with fingers and toes! Most lucky numbers are a number between one and ten. Meaning – one has to be able to count to chose a number that's loaded with luck. Simple people stop when they run out of fingers, whilst those more advanced make use of their toes.

But, the reality of high lucky numbers is really quiet simple. Complicated lucky numbers of more than 2 digits are really quite simple as well. Let's take three hundred and seventy-five as an example. Three-hundred and seventy-five is a number that is made up of a 3, a 7, and a 5. Meaning, if your lucky number happens to be three hundred and seventy-five you would need three lucky numbers not one. A lucky 3 – a lucky 7 – and a lucky 5. No one has 375 fingers to count with, and no football teams have 375 players, and that's why most football players take 7 as their lucky number. 2 hands are all that are needed.

So, if 7 is the lucky number for all sporting events, especially football matches, then, why not give all the players  a 7 as their numbers. It would be easy. Of course, some sporting people are clever as well. A simple 7 could become a 71 or a 72 and so on until 79. Now comes the challenge. Number 11 would have to be 777. Treble good luck – a good number for goalies.

But, of course, there is just one little snag. Some people might think that 3 sevens together really mean seven-hundred and seventy-seven and might be surprised when only 22 players appear on the pitch and not the expected two-thousand-nine-hundred and two. Confusion all round – maybe 1 to 11 is really much simpler.

Of course, lucky numbers don't always apply. Marriage is a very good example. John's lucky number 7 doesn't automatically mean that John's seventh marriage will automatically be the best marriage he's had. And, what about Jane – John's lucky wife? Maybe her lucky number is 2. So, bad luck all-round! Unless, maybe, its Jane's second marriage and John's seventh marriage.

But, of course, 7 and 2 both add up to make 9. But, how many people are on their 9^th marriage? Not many. 9 is no lucky number. In fact 9 is a number to be skipped. And 9 year old kids become nice once again when they're 10. Meaning 10, too is a very lucky number.

But, in reality, lucky numbers show themselves after the fact. If something good happened on the 5^th then number 5 will then be your lucky number. And the same thing applies to all matters in life. But, why seven is everyone's favourite is a mystery indeed.

What is number 7? Number 7 is anything you want it to be. It can be 6 + l, or equally 97 minus 7.   7   is special and everyone likes it. But, if all the sevens were to come in in first, then 7 would be no longer special. Prizes divided by many are nothing at all. And, I've never heard of a football match that  finished with a score of 70 to 70! So, lucky numbers are best left to chance. Ignore them and leave them alone. Luck does not come in numbers! 

And, to end with, a saying by Nigel A. JAMES -  

An Indian Prince will not drink vodka for breakfast!

An elephant alone in Hong Kong is not as alone as an elephant alone in the dessert.

Rain

 

Jed sat in the yard. Taking it easy. There was nothing else to do. It was simply too hot. The large old  tree provided welcome shade. And, with evening  coming, there was still nothing Jed could do in this heat. Sitting and waiting  in the dry and the heat.

Jed couldn't remember the last time it had rained. The land was dry. It was thirsty. Maybe thirsty beyond help. Ted tried not to think too much about it. The well, after all, was still pumping up water. A miracle,   Jed, however, was careful. Wells often run dry.

All of a sudden, Jed felt the hint of a very short breeze.  Jed didn't think about it. One very short breeze didn't mean anything. One swallow doesn't make a summer. But, all the same, where had the breeze come from? Then, just a few seconds later, came another short breeze. This time different. A cutting edge of cold. Jed looked up.

High up and far away in the sky was a very small cloud. Jed called his wife. Together they watched the cloud. Never before had Jed and his wife enjoyed watching a cloud. The cloud grew bigger and bigger. It started getting closer. Coming their way. Another breeze. Almost a wind. This time sharper. A definite cutting edge of cold. Then came another cloud. Soon the sky was full. The sky had darkened. Then Jed felt another drop of rain. So did his wife. Then came another drop. All of a sudden the air smelt of rain. The wind suddenly strengthened.

Then came the rain. Torrential. It lasted all night. Then followed the green. The rain had brought back the grass. Life had come back again. Jed sat in the yard. Now, there was plenty to do.

+ + +

Listen to talk49.co - Interviews, stories, and more.  English and German

We are the MONSTERS! - Listen to your guinea pig.  Susanne Kannenberg

The War of the Worlds - A Nation in Fear

 

 A Martian looking at Schönbrunn

On October the 30th, 1938, Radio broadcasts on the east coast of America were interrupted with an urgent news flash. The Martians had invaded the world. There had been no warning at all. And, as the news bulletins increased, it became clear that the Martians were advancing with speed on New York. And, no one could stop them. The police and military were helpless. The Martians had weapons and machinery - the likes of which had never been seen. The Martians kept coming and coming. Life in New York would soon be a thing of the past.

Then came the panic. Thousands of people tried to escape. Soon all major high-ways were blocked and all the trains full. New York was emptying fast. All over town was a feeling of fear; and time was running out quickly.

And then, all of a sudden, came the all-clear. The Martians had amazingly been defeated. Not by the army, but by millions of microbes. The panic was over and the people went back to their homes. There was relief. The danger had passed. New York breathed a sigh of relief.

But, in reality, there was never any danger at all. All that had happened was a radio play. The War of the Worlds. And Orson Welles was not only playing the lead, he was directing as well. And, Orson Welles was good at his job. His radio theatre company, The Mercury Radio Company on the Air, was very, very popular. And, so good was Orson Welles's adaption of H G Wells's novel, War of the Worlds, that many believed it. Radio, at the time, was a very powerful media and Orson Welles knew how to use it. All in all, Orson Welles directed and produced more than 29 radio plays. All adapted from novels.

Later, Orson Welles moved into film. His most famous parts being Citizen Kane and Harry Lime. But, Orson Welles was a radio man. He had a wonderful voice. The same as Oscar Werner and Richard Burton. But, it was The War of the Worlds that brought Orson Welles fame.

Panic and fear and a nation in fear.