Friday the 13

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Did anyone else notice that August 13 is also a friday? :D Howzat for bad news. :

-- Typhonblue (typhonblue@hotmail.com), August 08, 1999

Answers

Yup - last one for '99 I believe...

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), August 08, 1999.

And did anyone notice that the 26th is on a Thursday. Help. I'm afraid. Days & dates rule my life. I am helpless. Fear abounds. Mankind is doomed.

Note: The 30th is on a Monday!

-- not stious (always-scared@shaking.com), August 08, 1999.


http://www.lacanadaonline.com/lco/lcvs.dir/main.nws/98/02/12/friday13t h.htm Superstition reigns on Friday the 13th

by Eileen Ferber

Tomorrow is Friday, the 13th. In 1998 there are three of these unpopular days, in February, March and November.

Historians and researchers of superstitions claim that the unpopularity of 13 can be traced to ancient times. It is believed that when man first learned to count, because he had 10 toes and two feet, it was easy to count to 12. Beyond that was the unknown, and therefore, mysterious to early man.

Additionally, people found they could divide 12 evenly, but 13 did not divide easily.

Except for those who have birthdays on the 13th, Friday the 13th is considered the most unlucky of days.

Some historians report in books on superstitions that the bad luck associated with the day is based on a a Norse legend about the goddess Freya who was banished to the mountains as a witch. It was believed that each Friday, the day called "witches sabbath," that 12 witches and the devil met. That added up to 13 spirits bent on evil or mischief.

According to Dateline Communications in Venice, Calif., where a "favorite fear" poll was conducted, ancient man's fear of 13 because it was associated with the unknown was well founded. Around 30 percent of those surveyed say that what frightens them most today is the unknown.

In addition to black cats, flying bats, snakes and spiders, graveyards and the number 13, the poll revealed that almost everyone experienced some feeling of disquiet over Friday the 13th.

Around 15 percent of those surveyed said they prefer to stay home that day -- with the lights on.

So, on the three Fridays the 13th during this year, La Caqadans and others will be stepping cautiously, trying to avoid breaking a mirror, walking under a ladder or encountering black cats.

One thing is certain, lots of people will be "knocking on wood" to alert kindly gods, believed by the ancients to inhabit trees, in order to protect them from the pitfalls and perils of Friday the 13th.

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I could find no information supporting superstition about the numbers 26 or 30.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), August 08, 1999.


only friday the 13 in 99 if I read the news correctly....

-- helium (heliumavid@yahoo.com), August 08, 1999.

I got married on Friday the 13th and have been happily wedded for 11 yrs now. I believe in the Jewish religion this is a lucky number.

-- Gia (laureltree7@hotmail.com), August 08, 1999.


I came home from work one day and discovered that it was Friday the 13th and I thought, "Damn, I coulda been killed!"

-- KoFE (Still@live.com), August 08, 1999.

And Mrs. Driver is triscadecaphilic.

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), August 09, 1999.


The Aztec calendar ends 8/13/99, their past predictions has a high accuracy rate, so I heard on the radio. I'm sticking close to home, 3 day weekend sounds great. Now to plan for the eclipse, meter showers, solar flares, guess all bets are off for 1999 folks! Judy

-- Judy (JUDYMARYE@aol.com), August 09, 1999.

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