Ides of March – 15th of March 2017

Every 15th of March referred as “The Ides of march” and once again we are having it today.

So why is it referred  as the IOM?

Once upon a time March was the first month of the Roman calendar.  The ancient Romans did not number the days of the month, instead based on 3 phases of the moon. The 3 lunar- phase- markers were named Kalends, Nones and Ides. The Ides indicated the full moon of that month, and being March the first month of the year, the first full moon was called “The Ides of March”. Romans marked the Ides of March with celebrations to welcome the new moon.

But Everything changed on 44 BC  Ides of March .

A coup was plotted against  Julius Caesar. Emperor of Rome was assassinated  on the Ides of March. History would tell you that his best mate Brutus was involved too.

Then came Shakespeare the playwright who quoted “Beware of the Ides of March” in his play  “The tragedy of  Julius Caesar” (~1599-1623). Since then the day has been scarred as bad omen.  Would you classify this as a bad omen? I will let you decide.

140 years ago (1877), the  inaugural  Test Cricket Match also  started  on an  Ides of March.

 

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Who? (Friday Funnies)

St. Peter was on extended leave so a minor saint was left in charge of the Pearly gates.

The Saint was  ordered to get proof of identity before letting anyone into heaven.

First up was Beethoven.

“I need proof of identity” said the saint.

So Beethoven played a few bars of his Fifth Symphony and he was admitted.

Next up was Albert Einstein.

“I need proof of identity” said the saint.

So  Einstein explained the  theory of relativity and he was admitted.

Next up was George Bush

“I need proof of identity” said the saint.

” But I am George Bush, former President of the United States of America.”

“Sorry, everyone needs proof. Even Beethoven and Einstein needed proof.”

“Who?”

“OK,  you can go through”

 

(Modified from  “The Mammoth Book of Jokes )

Reading (quotes)

An  American -Russian writer  Vera Nazarian once  quoted :

“Whenever you read a good book,

somewhere in the world

a door opens to allow more light”

 

Two other quotes which I liked:

Start at the young age… let the imagination run wild. (credit: Facebook)

Saba-Thambi Oct2014

 

What are you currently reading ?

( I am reading ” The little Coffee Shop of Kabul” by Deborah Rodriguez)

 

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