Twenty three

February 22, 2007

As I reflect on the 23rd anniversary of my birth, I have been thinking about the significance of the number 23. Besides the new thriller opening tomorrow, The Number 23, a film about a man who becomes obsessed with a book about the number 23, perhaps my favorite album of all time is entitled Twentythree Places by Matt Wertz.

There's more. 23 was the number worn by baseball Hall-of-Famer and former Cubs second baseman Ryne "Ryno" Sandberg. The number has since been retired by the Cubs.

Here are a few more interesting facts about the number 23:

  • Although I have no idea what this means, 23 is the smallest number of integer-sided boxes that tile a box so that no two boxes share a common length.
  • 23 is the sixth happy number.
  • In music, a chord made with all twelve tones is a 23rd chord. The most basic chord is made with a root, third, and fifth. Continual stacking of thirds (seventh, ninth, eleventh) would result in a 23rd when all twelve tones are used.
  • According to the birthday paradox, a group of 23 randomly selected people is the smallest group where the probability is more than 50% that two people will share a birthday.
  • 23 is one less than one of the greatest television dramas of all time: 24.
  • Alright, enough with all this 23 nonsense; bring on the Facebook messages, baby!

    P.S. You should be reminded that last year I received the greatest birthday present ever from Peter Ilten.

    { 7 comments… read them below or add one }

    Shawn February 21, 2007 at 7:05 pm

    Happy Birthday BEST MAN!

    BOOM! I just nailed the first happy birthday messages on jake "best arrangement" bouma's top two favorite internet places to get happy birthday messages!!!!!

    I am the coolest! I'll give you a REAL call tomorrow cuz I'm off.

    Have a great birthday bud!

    Shawn

    Reply

    Sami February 22, 2007 at 9:48 am

    I think you just really love being 23… Hey my sister is 23 and she’s married and has i think your dream job!! So what are you doing now…Oh that’s right you’re still in school! Just being sweet i guess!! Have the best birthday ever!

    Reply

    Brandon Barker February 22, 2007 at 10:09 am

    Happy birthday, you old man. 23 is also the minimum age to drive a rental vehicle, isn’t it? I hope you have a great day.

    Have your cake and eat it too.

    Reply

    Brittany February 22, 2007 at 4:11 pm

    It takes 23 seconds for blood to circulate through the entire body.
    Julius Ceaser was stabbed 23 times.
    The earth’s axis is off by 23.5 degrees.
    The Mayans believe that the world would end on December 23, 2012 (20 + 1 + 2= 23)

    Things to think about. I can’t wait for the movie, though. And again, Happy Birthday!

    Reply

    Lyndsey February 22, 2007 at 8:33 pm

    happy birthday Jake :)

    Reply

    molly February 22, 2007 at 11:47 pm

    i tried really hard to think of something clever or witty. nothing’s coming to me. all i’ve got is happy birthday. i hope it was great and full of delusions of grandeur. miss you, friend.

    Reply

    Heather February 26, 2007 at 6:45 pm

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Hope it was great!

    Reply

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