Thursday Thirteen

On this day:

1. April 23, 1985. Coca-Cola released New Coke, a product that lasted only three months. At the time I was a big Coke drinker and I tried it only to reject it. New Coke was so much like a Pepsi that any true Coke lover could do nothing but reject it. I remember my relief when they brought back the old formula as Coke Classic. Is that the last time a corporation used common sense, I wonder?

2. According to Isaac Newton, April 23 is really the day Jesus died. I think it's kind of nice to have that pinned down, since Easter moves around so much.

3. This is also the day William Shakespeare died. I used to know most of Macbeth by heart but these days I do good to remember "toil and trouble" and "out out damned spot." I haven't read Shakespeare since high school and probably should rectify that at some point.

4. In 1983, I started my first day of work at a law firm in Fincastle. I had previously worked as the "parts manager" at a machinery and tools shop in Roanoke (since I had refused to go on to college, which was stupid on my part), but I lost the job because I developed mono and had to be off work for six weeks. The boss laid me off instead of firing me but also informed me that someone who was so sickly wasn't wanted back. I hated the job so it was no loss.

5. Lee Majors was born in 1939. I had no idea he was that old. He was the Six Million Dollar Man in the 1970s and I adored that show, though not as much as the spin-off, The Bionic Woman.

6. Michael Moore was also born on this day in 1954. Moore is not the person I would have chosen as spokesperson for the poor way America has been managed of late but I have to admit he's brought out some very interesting facts and pointed out problems more so than most of us.

7. In 1635 the first public school in the United States was founded, somewhere up north (Boston). So THAT's where it all started.

8. In 1988 Pink Floyd's album Dark Side of the Moon leaves the Billboard charts for the first time in more than 14 years. I don't own this album and have no idea what is on it.

9. This is the 113th day of the year. Got your Christmas shopping started yet?

10. This is Canada Book Day. I think every day should be a book day, myself. Go Books!

11. Oh wait, this is also World Book and Copyright Day according to the U.N. I can go for that.

12. On this day I will be working. How about you?

13. It's also the night Survivor comes on in the USA. This is the only reality show I watch. This season I seem to be rooting for an Alabama cattle farmer and a former pop music star.


Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; you can learn more about it here. My other Thursday Thirteens are here. This is my 94nd one.