Running Numbers
A scholarly look at the digits that matter.
Cherish it while it lasts — Running Numbers makes its final count.
1,070 Approximate number of numbers that have run in Running Numbers during the last four years, during which I hope you've derived at least a few smiles from this under-the-radar absurdity beat. It's been a good run.
$200 Entry fee for the "Poker Players with a Heart" Texas Hold'em tournament — benefiting the Philadelphia Committee to End Homelessness — on April 16 at 7 p.m. at The Hub at the Cira Centre. Register at the door or at pceh.org until noon on April 16. You should probably participate, since I won't be able to put out the "Running Numbers Ends Homelessness Once and for All" edition that I've had in the can for a while. Shame.
55 Number of minutes of "you'll-remember-where-you-were-when-you-saw-this-like-people-remember-where-they-were-when-Kennedy-was-killed entertainment" that Philly sketch troupe Animosity Pierre promises to offer for only $12 during their I.R.S. (Intensely Ridiculous Sketch) program at 8 p.m. on tax day, April 15, at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. Don't forget to remember where you were when you read the last Running Numbers so you can tell your grandkids. Have fun explaining what a newspaper was!
16 Width, in millimeters, of the film that will be unveiled for Secret Cinema's "Films from the Urban Archives: Secrets from Philadelphia's Past," a compilation of "tidbits of Philadelphia history" — including footage of the original Electric Factory, the closing of Connie Mack Stadium and interviews with city planner Ed Bacon — during two 90-minute programs starting at 4 and 6 p.m. on April 16 at Temple University's Paley Library Lecture Hall, 1210 W. Berks St. I know how you feel, Connie.
12 Maximum number of "pilots per vehicle" that will be allowed during the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby on May 16. Teams must register before May 2. Details at kinetickensington.com. To those participating in the Running Numbers Back-Issue Papier-Mâché Float-illa: Remember to set your floats aflame just before the finish line so we can collect the ashes and pressure-mold them into my likeness. What? There won't be enough ashes for a statue? Um, did you forget that it's going to be hollow? How else would it fit over the Rocky statue? Have I taught you nothing? Don't answer that.Tearful farewells? Bitter good-riddances? Let a one-time number-runner know at runningnumbers@gmail.com.
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I love it too!
Come on, if you need volunteers to supply interesting numbers, you know who to ask!
Dave from Pierre