[Ed Note- breaking news. Please read this one to the end.]

[Ed. Note – This is the 5th in a series of posts rex has published that address the question “What’s The Deal a with 23?” Just last month he posted that the dorm room he and Kimberly shared at Cambridge University at the 23rd judicial lectures in July of 2023 was K-23.

Today’s 23 story is a doozy and makes that one seem tame.]

First, let me start by thanking so many of you who responded to yesterday’s posting and wished Kimberly and I a very Happy 20th Anniversary. Your messages were heartfelt and very touching.

The day was absolutely wonderful, but I must say that it got very strange just before 2300 hours last night.

Take a look at this zoomed in look at the screen shot from my IPad of my Twitter/ X feed .Note the date and time (August 23, 2023 at 10:57). Here we go.

OY DIVISION has been my favourite band since May of 1980. I have been unwavering in that admiration. In some respects it could be said that my entire collection of music acquired since is the product of me unsuccessfully chasing another artist to exceed my passion for Joy DIVISION. There have been many worthy challengers but none have succeeded.

In that respect, I have immersed myself in the music and history of JOY DIVISION in an obsessive way these past 43 years. I have read numerous books on the band. I own all the music and several bootlegs. Hell, I even own a Microsoft Joy Division “Unknown Pleasures” ZUNE digital device. (Kind of VHS v Beta story.)

have been beyond fortunate to get to personally know JOY DIVISION bass player PETER HOOK. [Ed. Note- rex could likely create a Trivial Pursuit JOY DIVISION EDITION of the game, if asked.

However, notwithstanding all of that, it was not until 2300 on August 23, 2023 before I discovered that Kimberly and I share the same anniversary date as JOY DIVISION lyricist /vocalist IAN AND DEBORAH CURTIS.

It was a strange moment. Even Kim was curious when I explained to her the numerous connections to Ian Curtis. Unable to cope with severe epilepsy and wracked by marital strife, Ian Curtis tragically took his own life at the age of, (yeah you guessed it), 23.

[Ed. Note- See the motion picture “Control” starring Sam Riley and Samantha Morton for an excellent telling of this tragic story.]

Today marks song 600 for this project I call gwilliamrexunderground365. What song to choose? The choice was easy. There is no song by JD with the number 23. However, one of my favourites is entitled ‘Twenty Four Hours’. It is from the 2nd and final JOY DIVISION studio LP, “Closer”. It is my favourite LP ever.

It was released on July 18, 1980- 2 months to the date followings Ian’s death. Perhaps by choosing this song for the August 24, 2023 post will be the tonic to the 23 spookiness of this narrative…

If you aren’t familiar with this track, brace yourself. It is a powerful and given what happened, sad to hear the cry for help…

SPOTIFY- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F9ourSxX8ao&pp=ygUVam95IGRpdmlzaW9uIDI0IGhvdXJz

(SONG 600)

Play Loud But Listen To Others

8/24/2023

[Ed. Note. HOLD THE PRESSES! I prepped this post late last night during a massive storm but did not send it out yet. This story just got a whole lot more weird, if such a thing is possible.]

For nearly 2 years we have resided in a townhouse after selling our home. We share a wall with the other unit owned by Frank and Barb. I have known Frank for many, many years. The other day Barb dropped off some flowers. Our son who was the only one home. It was very kind of her.

I am on vacation. I decided to take a day at home today to arrange my music room. Arriving back from a short foray for our lunch I observed Barb in their drive. I walked over to thank her for the flowers. Kim had come out of the house as well. Barb explained she had ordered some loose flowers for their anniversary. The amount of flowers they sent was so huge she had to share some with us. We told her our anniversary was yesterday. “Ours too”, she stated, surprised. Then she said, “Our 20th. August 23, 2003.”

The exact same day and year. We were stunned. You can’t make this up. You just can’t.

23 strikes again

rex