Friday, June 13, 2008

Is Friday the 13th really unlucky?

Until five years ago I never considered myself a superstitious person. I didn't cringe if a black cat crossed my path. I could easily walk underneath a ladder. I even broke a couple of mirrors without losing any sleep.

But when I started to feel labor pains in the evening of Thursday, June 12th, 2003, I locked my thighs together tighter than Suzanne Somers on her Thighmaster. I was NOT giving birth to my first child on Friday the 13th. Images of Jason in his freaky ski mask filled my head as I writhed around on my couch in pain. My husband urged me to let him take me to the hospital. I muttered something, probably obscene, and he backed off. The pain would subside then return with a vengence. (I wish I could remember who told me childbirth is like having bad cramps so that I could smack them.)

My original due date was June 6, so the 13th had never been a concern. But as the days wore on I had done some research. It turns out that an estimated $800-900 million dollars is lost on this day because so many people just stay home. And when have you ever seen a 13th floor in a hotel or office building? A quote from the 1800's states that a child born on a Friday is doomed to misfortune.

In the end I didn't need to worry. I was in labor for 36 hours and didn't have my son until the 14th. I realized later how ridiculous I was being. I blame the pain. Besides, the Olsen twins were born on a Friday the 13th and look how UN-misfortunate they've been!

Are you superstitious? And will you be seeing The Happening this weekend? (Tina, I already know your answer!)

xo,
Stephanie
www.stephaniehale.com

12 comments:

Dona Sarkar-Mishra said...

I really have never been superstitious...to the point of where I would get a black cat if I could (my husband however is a different story...he believes in EVERYTHING)

As for The Happening...absolutely...tonight's midnight show!

TinaFerraro said...

I actually AM going to the movies today, but to see SEX & THE CITY. But funny, I saw the previews for THE HAPPENING on TV recently, and asked my sons if they'd go with me. They both looked at me like I was crazy since I rarely go to the movies, and NEVER to scary ones. At first I was surprised they were surprised; then I realized that oh, yeah, no one's told them their mom's in love with Mark Wahlberg. :)

As for being superstitious: a little bit, but in good ways. I tend to believe in good things happening in three's and that money's coming your way when your palm itches. But I never worry about opening umbrellas in the house or black cats...

Wonderful post and subject, Steph!

C.R. Evers said...

It's a lucky day for me. My very bestest friend for over 25 years was born on Friday the 13th. :0)

No movies for me this weekend. :0(

stephhale said...

Dona, you lucky girl!
Tina, you won't be disappointed. I saw SATC a few weeks ago.

And no movies for me either. :(

Me said...

I guess I would call myself passively superstitious. If I can accommodate a superstition without major effort (like throwing spilled salt over my left shoulder or walking around the ladder) I will, but if it's a major disruption (like burying a broken mirror under a full--or was it new?--moon to avoid seven years of bad luck) I just tell myself it's nonsense.

And I sooo want to see The Happening (just not much of a movie-going mood at the moment).

Dona Sarkar-Mishra said...

I promise a review of The Happening as my blog post next week :)

Anonymous said...

I have been very unlucky today! For Example I lost a raffle today for an Itunes card also I had a social studies packet I needed for homework the first minute I had the packet the next it was gone. Also A glass almost fell over my head because a waitress spilled my moms margarita all over me

~Susan

Christina said...

I want to see The Happening but I can't find anyone willing to go with me.

Cara King said...

I'm not at all superstitious, so I don't believe in luck, good or bad.

As for this weekend...If I'm lucky, I'll see both The Happening and The Hulk!

;-)

Cara (the geek)

Simone Elkeles said...

I am superstitious, but not overly so. And my boyfriend in high school was born on Friday the 13th and I think my grandma was, too. Boyfriend was an alcoholic, but I don't think it had to do with the day he was born.

Gabbi said...

I've never been a very superstitious person. Until yesterday (friday the 13th) that is.

In hindsight, I could tell the universe was giving me little signs. An iPod graced the cover of out local newspaper. I awoke with That Feeling. The I-Should-Just-Stay-In-Bed Feeling. Which I chose to ignore.

And so, on Friday the 13th of June, 2008, my iPod was stolen by my best friend (who was found and, in turn, suspended for three days), I got locked out of my own bedroom and had a huge fight with my mom.

alexgirl said...

In labor for 36 hours? Oh my goodness!!! As for superstition... Nah. But I like the idea of superstition. It's fun and mysterious.
I'm not so sure about The Happening. Yes, Marky Mark is a hottie, and Zooey Deschanel is my girl crush, but I'm over M. Night. He's getting kinda boring, and I hated the Village.
Hope your summer's going well, Steph!