7 June: 158

Today is the 158^th day of the year. Here are 10 fun facts about the number 158:

1. The year 158 was a common year starting on Saturday. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Tertullus and Sacerdos.

2. 158 is a song by the Indie-rock band Blackbud.

3. The British Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter is a diesel multiple unit (DMU) train, built for British Rail between 1989 and 1992.

4. 158 Koronis is a main-belt Asteroid discovered by Russian astronomer Viktor Knorre in 1876. It was the first of his four asteroid discoveries. The meaning of the asteroid name is uncertain, but it may come from Coronis the mother of Asclepius from Greek mythology. Alternatively, it may come from Coronis, a nymph of the Hyades sisterhood.

5. The A158 is a road in England which runs between Lincoln to Skegness. The road is located entirely in the county of Lincolnshire and is single carriageway for almost its entirety. The road is approximately 40 miles (64 km) long.

6. The 158-Pound Marriage is the third novel by American author John Irving. The book explores the sexual revolution-era trend of "swinging" (partner-swapping) via a glimpse into the lives of two couples in a small New England college town who enter casually into such an affair, with disastrous consequences.

7. In London, bus route 158 runs between Chingford Mount and Stratford Bus Station.

8. The 1998 song "Here We Go" from The Bouncing Souls’ Tie One On CD includes the lyrics "Me, Shal Pete and Lamar thumbed down the ramp of Exit 158".

9. 158 is the atomic number of a theoretical element temporarily called unpentoctium.

10. In numerology, 158 represents curiosity and freedom of expression. Those under its influence are interested in pretty much everything, and enjoy play, imagination and fun. They are witty and enjoy social interaction but are also comfortable alone.

Character birthday

Boulder, aka Adam O’Donnell, a member of the G Men. He is large, with craggy skin like rock. For the first years of his life, he lived hidden away in the family home, until his sister needed to be taken to hospital and he was the only person around. It was here that he was picked up by the G-Men and chose to go and live in Ultra Grav’s mansion, where he would be able to go outside in the grounds without being seen by outsiders. He was sensitive about his condition and at first found it hard to fit in with the rest of the team, who all appeared normal. However, in time he befriended Dynamite, a young woman who was just three feet tall and had pure white hair. The two became close.

His story is told in the short story Heart of Stone in the Sweet Karma collection.

Sweet Karma

More murder and mayhem along with moving statues, Ancient Egyptian magic pebbles, a World War II evacuee's diary and a bathtub full of marshmallows.

Paperback  Amazon

E-Book Amazon Kindle