It’s Friday the 13th! *cue spooky music*
One of my best friends from childhood was born on the thirteenth of January. I remember how she used to love when her birthday fell on a Friday, as it made it extra special. 🙂
In case you’re wondering, yes I am superstitious — about a lot of things. But I don’t have problems crossing the paths of black cats, not forwarding chain emails for fear of catastrophic reprisals, or even opening an umbrella in the house. Pish!
On the other hand, I’m not fond of the number 13, won’t tempt fate by visiting a haunted house, or go exploring a cemetery in the dark. I am however going visiting today. And so are my characters 🙂
You can find me hanging out with my friend and Lyrical Press sister, Jessi Gage, who interviews me about TWELFTH SUN (I loved her questions!) here.
Elijah and Reagan (the hero and heroine of my romantic mystery) have decided to venture elsewhere and are being interviewed by my friend and Lyrical Press sister, Joanne Wadsworth. You can find their chatty interview here.
In closing, here are some interesting facts about Friday the 13th:
Paraskavedekatriaphobia and Friggatriskaidekaphobia are scientific terms used to describe fear of Friday the 13th. I, on the other hand, have a mild case of Triskaidekaphobia, which is fear of the number 13. Hmm. It must stem from childhood and that old black-and-white movie called Thirteen Ghosts. Anyone remember that? I think it terrified me as a kid.
And did you know most hotels don’t have a thirteenth floor, skipping right over it?
~ooOOoo~
An example of my superstitious nature:
Each year the company I work for (on my day job) holds an annual “Kick-Off Event” in January. It’s a fun time where the company leaders provide a review of the previous year and kick-off the new year with a fresh set of goals. We have a lovely buffet lunch at a country club and spend the afternoon socializing. I book the venue and arrange everything. When I started planning 2012’s event I was horrified to realize the Friday we wanted fell on the 13th (we always hold it on a Friday). I was adamant and no one argued
— you can’t kick-off a New Year on a Friday the 13th!! So that year, we moved the event to Tuesday. Fortunately, I already checked the calendar and we’re in the clear for 2014. 🙂
Happy Friday the Thirteenth! I hope to see you at Jessi and/or Joanne’s blog haunts if you’re able to visit!
From the Pen of Mae Clair 
Love the phobia names. I am dubious abuot friday’s with the 13th number attached. I don’t tread on the pavement cracks either.
Interesting post.
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Pavement tracks I’ll walk on but I won’t walk on a sewer grate. Although I think that’s a phobia from reading too many urban legends when I was a kid about people who got sucked down inside. Isn’t superstition fun? 🙂
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I’m a bit more superstitious than I want to admit — the lizard part of my brain refuses to adapt to modern times. LOL
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LOL! I love that description. And I’m right there with you 🙂
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I almost wish something spooky would happen on Friday the 13th. It never does. Hmm, have I just tempted fate?
It was only recently I found out about hotels not having a 13th floor.
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I read (while researching this post) that if something bad happens to you on a Friday 13th you’re guaranteed to remember it….part of the reason the day gets a bad rap.
I can understand the hotels. I don’t think I’d want a room on the thirteen floor, LOL! For spooky, I think I’ll settle for a movie 🙂
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I’m not superstitious at all. Although I do have a tendency to use items over and over that I had or wore when a bit of luck happened upon me. Loved the Thirteen Ghosts! I wasn’t expecting it to be scary, but it really was. I end up watching it everytime I pass it on the guide.
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A Thirteen Ghosts fan! YAY! I think I have an old DVD tucked away. I’d really like to watch it again….maybe over Halloween. That and “The Other,” another spooky movie I remember from childhood.
I never thought of superstition in the reverse with good luck, but you’re absolutely right about that too!
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I have no problem with Friday 13th. I’ve even flown on a Friday 13th. Interestingly, that flight was nearly empty. I was even able to lay out on all four center chairs. 🙂 So I believe there are a lot of superstitious people out there.
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I’m one of them, Joanne! I don’t think I’d have the nerve to fly on Friday the 13th (probably because I’m not overly fond of flying to begin with!). Of course all that comfort with the empty plane sounds nice too.
And that near empty plane on a Friday the 13th already has the muse-wheels spinning in my head. That could definitely be woven into a spooky tale!
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Oh boy…. say those phobia names 10 times in a row… and by the way, I really enjoyed today’s interviews!
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Thanks, Debbie. And, er, um….I have problems enough saying those phobia names ONE time, LOL! Happy Friday the 13th!
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My mom’s fave number was 13 and Friday the thirteenth days were her “lucky” days. I, on the other hand, feel more like you about it. lol Off to check out the interview. 🙂
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Wow, she did like the unusual, didn’t she? She would have made a great member of The Thirteen Club! 🙂
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I hate staying on the 14th floor. I think we should just call it what it is–the 13th. 😉 Lying doesn’t make it better imho. 😉
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Ooh, I hadn’t thought about it that way. Good point, Kourtney. Although, now I’ll probably shy away from the fourteenth floor. I’m not overly fond of heights so I normally try to stay below 12 as it is, but now I’ve got another reason!
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