The Satuday List #147 - Give me a break! 147 is a magical number

 

I've been looking forward to this list for quite a long time! As a reformed Snooker-a-holic, 147 is a mythical and magical number. The highest possible break without refereeing errors or free shots. But are there nine other facts about the number 147 interesting enough to make a Saturday list? Well actually there are lots and lots IMHO! Of all the articles I write in the week, the list is my favourite to put together. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I have enjoyed putting it together.

1. 147 is the maximum possible break you can achieve in snooker.

Marcus Aurelius

 2. 147AD was a momentous year in the Roman Empire. Marcus Aurelius receives imperial powers from the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius and Festivals were hel to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the founding of Rome. Aurelius later became Emperor and was known as "The Last of the Five Good Emperors". He was a man of wisdom and is to me the most interesting of the roman Emperors, who back in 147AD were the rulers of our nation. Aurelius is a fascinating character.

His writings, known as "The Meditations" are profound and enlightening this is one of my favourite

"When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly. They are like this because they can't tell good from evil. But I have seen the beauty of good, and the ugliness of evil, and have recognized that the wrongdoer has a nature related to my own—not of the same blood or birth, but the same mind, and possessing a share of the divine."

 147AD was a good year all round for Marcus Aurelius, as his eldest daughter Annia Aurelia Galeria Faustina was born.


3. On the biblical front,   Psalm 147 is perhaps my favorite Psalm. It contains the lines:

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers the outcasts of Israel.

 He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.

and

The Lord supports the afflicted;
He brings down the wicked to the ground. 

Maybe it's rather a shame that certain politicians and leaders seem to be rather unfamilair with this text.

4. In 147 BC, the Corlea Trackway in Ireland was completed. There is a rather British misunderstanding that Ireland was primitive and unsophisticated before we started to poke our noses into Irish affairs. Archaelogical evidence such as the Corlea Trackway rather contradicts this.

The Long Walk

5. In 2000AD issue 147, "The Long Walk" is shown for the first time. This is the walk Judges take when they retire.

The distopian world of Judge Dredd seems to roll ever closer. In Dredds world, the last President of the USA was Robert L. Booth.   His rhetoric bears a striking similarity to a certain well known incumbent. The City is ringed by a Mile High Wall. Spy in the sky drone technology was predicted in the 1970's as were rigged voting machines. Interestingly, the two most successful Mayor's in Mega City one were Dave the Orang utang, Dave had the one quality which is totally lacking in most politicians in that he was completely honest. The other  PJ Maybe, a psychopathic killer who's partner was a sexbot (long before such things were available), who simply murdered everyone in his way to the top. Strangely having killed everyone in his way, Maybe turned out to be a rather good Mayor, as whilst he had no care for peoples personal wellbeing, he wanted to be loved by the people, therefore he did the job well and was uncorruptable.

6. Sergio Aguero, the Manchester City striker, scored his first 100 premiership goals in 147 games. Only Alan Shearer reached the figure in less games (perhaps my favourite 147 as a City fan!).

7. In May this year, the worlds oldest man, aged 147 died in Indonesia! Sadly his age could not be verified, therefore the Guinness book of records refused to recognise the record.

8. The parish Church of Friern Barnet, St John The Evangelist Church is no 147, Friern Barnet Road. Friern Barnet is a rather important site in the modern history of the London Borough of Barnet. When certain local politicians tell you that no libraaries have been closed in the Borough of Barnet, ask them about Friern Barnet Library. That was closed and only reopened after an occupation, national press coverage, a court case and the prospect of electoral losses for the ruling party. St Johns is a integral part of this rather amazing community.

9. Arkley is the fourth highest point in London, being 147 Metres above sea level!

10. If you think we are a bit OCD about lists and numbers check this out! have you heard of  "The Chain" -This site lists the records chosen for The Chain, a feature of BBC 6 Music’s fabulous Radcliffe & Maconie Show. The first record on The Chain was The Chain by Fleetwood Mac. And choice number 147 was a very fine choice indeed. Spanish Bombs by The Clash!

Have a great weekend! Here's a rather cool tune to get you in the groove!