The Number Eight

Thanks to all who voted for me in the 2007 Weblog Awards for Best Parenting Blog. The final results couldn't have been better. I ended up 8th out of ten. While others may not be thrilled with a spot at 8, I find myself in good company. Here are some other fantastic 8's:

Eight: The atomic number of oxygen, my very favorite element, whichout which, I would die (and I'm not just being dramatic here).

The eight of days of Hanukkah. It's Christmas on steriods and a tempting reason to consider Judaism at my mid-life crisis.

Eight years old: The age Mormon children are baptized because Mormons don't believe kids before this age will be held accountable for their actions by God. My wicked stunt of chasing the screaming Olivia V. around the classroom with my booger fingers in kindergarten was a total freebie. Yes!

Eight maids a'milking from the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas." I've been a maid a'milking twice now while nursing my two children feel a fierce solidarity with this octet of dutiful lactators.

V8 Juice, my very favorite drink. Made from eight different vegetables and a bucket of salt.

"Section 8" is common slang for "crazy" based on the military's Section 8 discharge for mentally unfit personnel. I go "section 8" frequently, most often when people correct my grammar.

An Eighth is a measurement of marijuana, meaning an eighth of an ounce. But you already knew that, didn't you?

There are eight worlds on that fabulous Nintendo game, Super Mario Brothers. Or so I've heard. I've never been able to get past the fifth level.


And some 8's that never quite made it to glory:

The 8th Wonder of the World: The Bunny Museum in Pasadena, CA where over 22,000 bunnies are crammed into a 1400 square foot home.

The 8th Deadly Sin: Talking on your cell phone in a movie theater.

The 8th Dwarf from Snow White: Gassy. He didn't quite make the "cut" if you know what I mean.

The 8th Habit of Highly Effective People: Meth

The 8th Young Women's Value: Street Cred

On the 8th Day, God realized what he had done.

Eight of Nine from Star Trek, the older brother of Seven of Nine. Eight of Nine was the Borg who could cook Toaster Strudel with his mind.

J.K. Rowling's 8th Harry Potter novel. In her final book, Rowling ties up some loose ends. Harry embraces his true self and starts a cable show called, "The Snake Hunter" set in the Australian bush. Ron admits he really loves his mother's handknit sweaters and founds a trendy men's knitting club in Cambridge. Hermoine has a nervous breakdown and is euthanized by Hagrid and Draco Malfoy gains world acclaim from his New York Times Bestseller, "Tuesdays with Harry."


So you see, eighth isn't such a terrible place to be! Thanks, everyone.

Update: I just took a closer look at the results page of the awards. Apparently I came in sixth. I can't believe it. Six is a terrible number. Think class, how many wives did Henry the VIIIth have? That's right, six. Grudging congratulations to DaniGirl for her 8th place win. I almost had it! Why did you guys have to vote so much!?

Nov 11 update: Ummm...I'm 7th. And a moron.