Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

111 Number of days, as of Sept. 11, that I have left to complete the 2008 Running Numbers New Years' Resolutions, leaving me just enough time to attend the Ratha Yatra, or Festival of the Chariots, on Sept. 13, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A parade of chariots down the Parkway will begin at noon toward Eakin's Oval, where a Festival of India will feature music, activities, free vegan and vegetarian food, and, hopefully, information on how I can accomplish Resolution No. 4 — invest — by buying one of those secondhand chariots and saving a ton of money on gas.

4 Number of years it will have been — on Sept. 24 — since Sen. Arlen Specter submitted his Warren Commission report on the assassination of John F. Kennedy, including his "single-bullet theory." Hopefully Specter will have some brighter ideas when he participates in "Funding and Monitoring America's Health," a forum at the National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St., on Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. Reservations are required and tickets are available by calling 215-409-6700 or visiting constitutioncenter.org. Let's keep Resolution No. 2 going, shall we?

2 Number of Art Institute of Philadelphia photography students who are exhibiting their work during the juried Student Photography Show at the Institute's 1610 Chestnut St. gallery through Sept. 12 — which is bad news for Resolution No. 3: Don't procrastinate on cultural offerings. But I guess now I don't have to bother checking on whether they have chariot parking.

5 Number of books I have left to read in order to achieve Resolution No. 1: Read at least 20 books in 2008. So far, that tally includes a graphic novel, a coffee-table book and the rough draft of my sister's novel. Hopefully I still have enough time to fit in the Warren Commission report.

3 Number of gold medals won in the last four Olympics by the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, who, fresh off their victory in Beijing, will face Ireland in a friendly match at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. Consider this a step toward Resolution No. 2: Avoid comedy clichés. Obviously I could have connected the Olympics with chariot racing.

Hey ... can I get your digits? I want to hear about the numerals you need to see. Let a number-runner know at runningnumbers@gmail.com.