happy friday the 13th :D

being born and raised a Filipino tends to make you superstitious. as for me, i believe that things happen for a reason and that we are in charge of our own luck. it's not that i don't believe in all these superstition nonesense but like they say, there's absolutely no harm in trying, right.

 today, we celebrate one of the most feared days - friday the 13th. etymologists have even coined a term for people who fear friday the 13th (paraskevidekatriaphobia). the question is… why?!

we all know that 13 is "suppossed" to be unlucky. here are some facts about the infamous number that you'll find interesting..

• French socialites (quatorziens) would make themselves available as emebery guest fill-ins for dinner parties which held 13 names so they could be the 14th guest.
• Threats on computer viruses run amuck on Friday the 13th often needlessly scaring many users.
• Otis Elevator Company says that 90% of skyscrapers (and many big hotels) have no 13th floor
• Many hospitals, hotels, office complexes, etc. have no Room 13
• Universal Studios in California has no studio lot 13
• Many airlines, sports arenas and auditoriums eliminate a "seat 13" or even a row 13
• Many business (or CEOs) don't like starting a business trip or even signing a contract on any 13th of any month, especially if it's Friday the 13th.
• The airport in Fresno, CA doesn't have a Gate 13
• Many folks will not have 13 as a house number so the Post Office gives them 12 1/2. And in France , to replace the number 13, they use 12 two times (1212)

now, it's a known fact that everybody loves Friday, right?! NOT!! the truth is, it's not just the number 13 that scares the bejesus out of people. that day of the week that we thank God for does it as well. i know it's hard to believe but here are some quirks on "Friday":

• According to a poll in USA Today in 1992, 2 out of 5 people in the US believe that cars built on a Friday have more mechanical problems because workers are more careless on those days
• Many theatre managers will refuse to open a new show on a Friday, especially it it's the 13th
• Some ball players feel it is bad luck to play a game on a Friday
• Many businesses (or their CEOs) dislike beginning a new venture on a Friday.

ok, so "13" is bad, friday is no good either, and if you put two and two together, you'll have your recipe for a major disaster. but it can't be all that bad. read along and you'll know why..

• On Friday, September 13, 1939, Igor Secorsky invented the helicopter
• On Friday, July 13, 1900, Theodore Roosevelt laid the cornerstone for the new county courthouse in New York
• On Friday, September 13, 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star Spangled Banner
• On Friday, September 13, 1857, Milton Hershey was born. And thus, gave us Hershey's Chocolate; and
• Many couple choose on purpose to marry on a Friday the 13th just to defy the divorce ration in the United States.

If you think about it, it's really not that bad. To each his own. It's really up to you if you wanna believe or not but for those who want to take precautions, here are few "silly" protection rituals to get rid of bad luck on Friday the 13th..

1. Walk around the house 13 times on Friday the 13th
2. Hang your shoes out the window
3. Sleep with a mirror under you pillow for the first three Fridays before Friday the 13th comes.
4. Walk around the block with your mouth full of water (If you do not swallow it, you will be 100% safe on Friday the 13th; and
5. Wear and/or eat (yes) garlic!!

*****

It's really up to you if you wanna believe or not. It may be true or plain superstition but (quoting Sandra Bullock in Practical Magic) there're some things I know for certain - always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can.

Happy friday the thirteenth, everyone!!

*****
Funfacts Source:   http://www.brownielocks.com/fridaythe13th.html.