I admit it, I am a trivia slut. I just cannot get enough information that basically means nothing. Oh sure, I have my strong areas of trivia (movie stars, Fifties and Sixties, historical figures, geography) and my weak areas (math, science and common sense).
Lately these useless pieces of trivia have been running through my mind much like hearing a musical jingle creates an earwig in your brain that you can't get rid of. I think these totally non-interesting tidbits of trivia in my brain were triggered by the biography I'm reading of our 40th president, Ronald Wilson Reagan. The book was written by the acclaimed author Edmund Morris, biographer of Teddy Roosevelt. I have to admit I'm having a hard time plowing through Mr. Morris's book but I will finish it for I am fascinated by president Reagan's life. Not the least of which we have the same name. In fact we have the same middle initial "W." And we also have the same alliterative name, two syllables each in our first, middle and last name. And the number of letters in both of our names add up to nine. And nine is my lucky number. I was born on the 9th of November. Have I put you to sleep yet? Get this. My present house address also adds up to 9. Have you it the red "X" up in the corner of this blog yet?
So folks, here is one of the most interesting facts that has always amazed me. I was never happy with the name assigned to me at birth "Ronald." However, my Mother insisted on that name because she didn't want to name me the "ugly" (her words) name of my father Isaac. Ironically, today "Isaac" is considered somewhat cool. Right up there with the "J's", "Jacob, Joshua, Jeremiah, Jason and Jarred. But I digress.
So my Mother had her was and named me after her favorite movie star of that time (1941), the suave, melt in your mouth speaking voice, English actor Ronald Coleman.
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| I see the resemblance even if you don't |
But here I go again, veering off into another subject. This is what happens when I write my blog by whatever wafts through my head.
Here's the point I want to make. My name is "Ronald." My brother's names are Isaac (yes, Pop finally had his way and his second son was named after him) and John.
Growing up in the Fifties I always thought it was interesting that president Dwight D. Eisenhower was called "Ike." That was my father's name. Same with my brother, "Ike, Jr." Who would have ever thought a president would have the "ugly name" of Ike? So I was sort of proud that a president was called "Ike."
Then of course there was the election of John F. Kennedy. If course "John" is a very common name. No surprise that a man elected to be president would be named "John." In fact we have had five presidents named "John." I know most of you can name four of them. But can you name the fifth? Bet you can't.
But I never in a million years thought a president would be elected with the name "Ronald." Never. So imagine my surprise and delight that a man was elected president named "Ronald." Of course I voted for him, both times.
So there you go folks. My exercise in triviality and frivolity (I hope) this hot, muggy Sunday.
Do you feel enriched? Enlarged? Engaged? Or do you just feel enraged that I just wasted five or more minutes of your time on this totally useless series of facts about moi?
Happy Sunday folks and do something good for yourself to stay cool.
