8 is the new 7

What if...

...there were 8 days in a week?


Oh lucky number 7. This singular number resounds in culture.

But why is this number so lucky?

What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but everyone knows that when pulling the handle on a slot machine, you're always hoping and praying for three lucky 7s. Jackpot, baby!

And why is 7 so significant? Might it have something to do with there being 7 days in the week?

For thousands of years, civilization has recognized that 7 days = 1 week. Each day is named after the 7 celestial bodies that can be seen by the naked eye: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn. But no one knows for sure how the adoption of 7 days came into play.

It could be that only 7 celestial bodies can be seen wandering around the seven famous stars of the Pleiades Constellation, or that 7 directly correlates to the Book of Genesis in The Bible, when God created this world in 6 days and rested on the 7th day, or maybe the number 7 was simply drawn out of a hat. However it happened, for quite some time now, the 7 day concept has spread throughout the world, or at least the vast majority. Oh, but there was that one time when France decided to go to a 10 day week and the USSR tried out the 5 and 6 day week, but all times resulted in returning to lucky number 7.

So let's imagine for a moment that 8 is the new 7. Our culture's lucky number is now 7+1. How would this world be different?


(This is the part, like in Saved by the Bell, when the screen gets a bit blurry and is framed with pink fog and Zack has a dream like the one where Zack Attack hits super stardom. P.S. If you have missed the memo that real Zack Morris appeared on Jimmy Fallon in early June, click here, it's a riot.)

...

On Saturday, we celebrated America's birthday, and with that comes an extra day off from work, at least for the lucky ones. And I must admit that it was absolutely amazing having that extra day. One less day of work, one more day of play - the concept is grand. 4 days of work and a whole 4 day weekend. I had plenty of time for game nights, bbqs, pool time, lunch at Guapo's, and croquet!

Rachael, Rachel, Chessy and Becca

Also, did anyone catch the Brave/Nationals game in D.C. on Saturday? I didn't make it to the game, as I was in desperate need of a nap after wishing McLean's Global Impact Nicaragua Team bon voyage at 3am Saturday morning (the team will be working with a great organization called Orphan Network), but amazingly enough - the Nats pulled through with a victory! However, Lyz Lemon made it to the game and David Cook sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the 8th inning stretch! Okay, okay, David Cook wasn't able to make an appearance at this game, but maybe before the season's over he'll grace the Nats stadium with his presence.

In other news, Chessy (yes, Mom, Chessy's a person...) just started reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6) in anticipation of the movie that's premiering on July 17th. This has inspired me to pick up Books 6 & 7 (HP and the Deathly Hallows) and start re-reading them. I'll be jumping across the pond this week, providing ample time to knock 6 out of the way before July 17th arrives. Then all I'll have to do is finish book 7 before the last and final 8th book arrives on August 8th. Like book 7, I'm planning to venture to Old Town Alexandria for the Harry Potter street party. You might not see me in round spectacles, Gryffindor robes, or a pointy hat, but you will see me venturing down to the Diagon Alley, grabbing a drink with our favorite half giant Hagrid, visiting my favorite joke shop Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, and heading to Books-a-Million to grab the first copy of the new book in the Harry Potter Series. Oh and Rachel, no throwing parties on the 9th, you know I'll be tucked away in my apartment engrossed in my favorite series.

While flipping through the channels the other day, I ran across on of my favorite childhood movies, Snow White and the 8 Dwarfs. Who can forget Sleepy, Happy, Dopey Grumpy, Bashful, Helpful, Sneezy, and Doc. Sleepy has always been my favorite. Likely because I'm always up for a great nap, just like sleepy. Though my parents would probably attest that I'm much more like Grumpy - at least in my early youth...

On the same day, while rummaging through Blockbuster, I came across the Quantum of Solace and realized that I've been missing out on life since I haven't yet seen. It's definitely on the list for movies to watch in the coming weeks. Also have you heard that there's a new James Bond 008 movie is in the works? It's set in New York, maybe they'll be actually filming in the city - note to self - plan trip to NYC soon...

Oh -- and did you hear? There's voting going on for determining the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World. So be sure to log on to 8wondersoftheworld.com to register and provide your choice.

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