Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Oh Nine, Oh Nine, Oh Nine

Today is September 9, 2009, or 09/09/09. It's the last set of single-digit, repeating dates for many years, and the last one I'll see, as the next one won't be until January 1, 2101.

There's really nothing special about today's symmetrical date, but some people and cultures ascribe powerful significance to the number nine. To them today's date is much-anticipated (or feared):
  • Chinese culture considers the number nine auspicious. In the major Chinese dialects, the word for "nine" sounds similar to long-lasting.
  • Hindus revere the number nine because it's considered a complete number that represents the end of a cycle in the decimal system.
  • In Japanese, the word for nine is a homophone for the word for suffering, so the number is considered unlucky.
  • In numerology, the number nine is associated with tolerance, generosity, forgiveness, benevolence, passion, romance, creative energy, and success.
Today I got up, ate breakfast, did a little Web surfing, and went to work. After work I came home, changed my clothes, read the newspaper, and ate dinner. Did a little Internet reading and watched a little TV. In other words, today was a completely normal day.

How about you? Any adventures associated with the unusual date?

9 comments:

  1. I got 90% off a Restaurant gift certificate because it was 9-9-09....I got a $25 certificate for $1!

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  2. I have been waiting for something exciting to happen all day! But it is same ol', same ol'.

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  3. I only noticed the date when I signed and dated the Direct TV guy's invoice. I must be Japanese today!

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  4. Jackie-I've gotten certificates for 80% off before, but you got a GREAT deal!

    AnotherQ-Maybe tomorrow will hold the adventure you've been waiting for!

    Kathy--Too funny! Glad your dealings with the DirecTV guy are done.

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  5. What about the 10th October 2010 won't it be 10/10/10?

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  6. Sage-that occurred to me, too, but I think the novelty was that the nines were SINGLE digits, as opposed to the double digits of the tens.

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  7. I don't like the number nine [I have strong feelings associated with numbers and letters] and yesterday was pretty crummy for me! Probably a self-fulfilling prophecy.

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  8. I took 14 kids on a fieldtrip to the yearbook plant. It was a very successful day.

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