Friggatriskaidekaphobia Friday Evening Raffles

Fiona Uncategorized

Oh Noes! Not only is it …

(Image Credit: SuperCouponLady))

… but it’s also …

(Image Credit: 1000 Steps))

Here’s SBS’s advice on how to avoid misfortune today:

Donald Dossey, founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville in the US, said the phobia affects 17 to 21 million Americans alone.

“It’s been estimated that $US800 or $US900 million is lost in business on this day because people will not fly or do business they would normally do,” Mr Dossey said.

Symptoms of phobia may include mild anxiety to debilitating panic attacks.

There’s only one Friday 13 this year and it’s already proving to be a special one.

Superstitious stargazers will be treated to a rare “Full Honey Moon,” which hasn’t happened on Friday the 13th for about 14 years.

So, full moon aside, here’s what you need to do to avoid bad luck on this ominous day.

1. Don’t own, walk into, or help a friend look after a black cat.

Black cats are thought to be a sign of bad luck. Unfortunately, because of this superstition, black cats are half as likely to be adopted.

2. Instead, keep a cricket by your side for good luck.

3. Don’t let a bird fly into your window or into your house.

It is thought to be bad luck.

4. Don’t walk under a ladder.

It’s just not a good idea.

(Image Credit: Karin Dalziel))

5. Avoid unlucky numbers like 13 (obviously) and 666.

In some East Asian and Southeast Asian regions like China, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, people also believe the number 4 is bad luck, as the pronunciation is similar to the word ‘death’. This fear of the number 4 is known as tetraphobia, and some buildings or apartments in these countries even skip floors 4, 14, 24 and so on.

6. And while you’re at it, don’t use umbrellas inside.

7. But if you need break a spell, turn seven times in a clockwise circle.

Seven is thought to be a lucky number.

8. Whatever you do, don’t break any mirrors.

Apart from being a hassle to clean up, some people believe mirrors hold bits to your soul.

9. If in doubt, knock on wood for good luck.

The symbolism of wood may come from the Christian belief that Christ died on a wooden cross to save humanity from sin.

10. And if all else fails, stay in bed until Saturday 14 comes along.

Just make sure you get out of bed on the same side you got in.

Meh. As far as moi is concerned moi only needs to worry about …

(Image Credit: Cindy Lu’s))

Moi thinks we should put on our dancing shoes …

(Image Credit: New Ballroom Shoes))

(Image Credit: Carl Charles Entertainment))

… strike up the band …

(Image Credit: Australian Broadcasting Corporation))

… sip the tipple of your choice (remembering always that moderation is essential, and The Pub’s staff always observe the Responsible Service of Alcohol) …

… line up for your tombola tickets,

(Image Credit: P & J Entertainments))

and …

(Image Credit: DOGOnews))

PS – a fun fact:

The Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics (CVS) on June 12, 2008, stated that “fewer accidents and reports of fire and theft occur when the 13th of the month falls on a Friday than on other Fridays, because people are preventatively more careful or just stay home. Statistically speaking, driving is slightly safer on Friday the 13th, at least in the Netherlands; in the last two years, Dutch insurers received reports of an average 7,800 traffic accidents each Friday; but the average figure when the 13th fell on a Friday was just 7,500.”

250 thoughts on “Friggatriskaidekaphobia Friday Evening Raffles”

  9. Found a nice kohlrabi today. We had it for tea, roasted with some other root vegetables and sprinkled with thyme & pepper and a side serve of braised chicken in pesto. I had forgotten how sweet roast kohlrabi tastes, but was seriously cheered by the description:

    Uncannily alien-like in appearance, you can almost imagine him hovering over the dinner table, observing you as you eat.
    That is, until you grasp him by his slightly sweet, nutty mothership body and chop him up in a salad.

    I must confess it cheered me up …

  12. curioz,

    Kohlrabi (turnip)is one of the vegetables that adds bulk and no taste.

    Not in this household.

    I recommend Daikon as a substitute: it is a quite delish of radish, if you catch it young enough.

  14. curioz,

    If you want nutty taste from your greens try broccoli and any of its Asian varieties.

    If you don’t want any of those then just add three drops of sesame oil.

    There are recipes which call for “toasted sesame seed” to be added at the end. Toasting those is time consuming. I recommend adding sesame oil 20 seconds before your wok or pan serving.

  15. As far as I am concerned, the only watchables in the World Cup are Brazil, Argentina, The Netherlands and Spain.

    I don’t give a stuff about France, Italy and Germany. They have too many “my leg is broken!” or individual talents who do not want to pass the ball (the loafers).

  17. This little black duck, I find that its the unexpected sweetness of roast kohlrabi that I find most enjoyable … but then, most roast vegetables become lovely and sweet *g*

  18. Found a nice kohlrabi today.

    It sounds like something your doctor prescribes for.

  20. Talking of writing things down – this morning I was making a list of stuff to get at the shops. The pencil was blunt and while sharpening it I notice it’s embossed with ‘Crest Hotels Business Services’.

    I think on this for a bit and realise that the last time I stayed in a Crest Hotel was in 1986.

    So I still have 90% of a pencil that’s from Glasgow and that’s at least 28 years old.

    Go figure!

  22. Good morning Dawn Patrollers.

    Hunt did worse than not seek Abbott’s approval for this policy announcement – failed to get Peta’s!
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/greg-hunt-kept-prime-minister-in-dark-on-solar-policy-20140614-3a4l1.html
    Another upstanding type whose voting persuasion would not be difficult to guess.
    http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/alexander-sandy-street-being-sued-by-former-motherinlaw-20140614-zs6zy.html
    This is going to develop into a decent stoush.
    http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/council-bid-to-halt-construction-20140614-zs7vx.html
    There is a movement to emulate Kathy McGowan’s win in other seats. Unfortunately these hopefuls won’t be up against an opponent as unrespected as Mirabella.
    http://www.smh.com.au/victoria/democracy-seeks-a-new-voice-20140614-3a4k7.html
    Truss taunts Clive Palmer at his short term medium term peril.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/nationals-leader-warren-truss-dismisses-political-saviours-20140614-3a4hx.html
    The Manus Island Senate inquiry has been an interesting spectacle with more to come.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/manus-island-senate-inquiry-gives-yes-minister-a-run-for-its-money-20140613-zs6lf.html
    Peter FitzSimons’ weekend column.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/bairds-courage-on-the-line-poles-and-wires-20140613-zs6th.html
    Things are looking even worse for the CBA as now forgery is exposed.
    http://www.smh.com.au/business/misconduct-claims-widen-in-cbas-planning-scandal-20140613-3a2wn.html
    Another one for the Senate!
    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/14/nationals-and-palmer-party-urged-to-keep-low-income-super-scheme-going
    Only an idiot would forego the revenue and emissions reduction of a carbon pricing policy. But that’s what he have in charge!
    http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/fall-in-greenhouse-gas-emissions-biggest-in-24-years-20140613-zs7be.html
    Jetsar – Australia’s Ryan Air.
    http://www.theage.com.au/nsw/jetstar-business-model-leaves-jim-conway-stuck-in-wheelchair-20140614-zs7vr.html

  23. And from the Land of the Free –

    Batshit crazy Sarah Palin.
    http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2014/06/14/full-palin-clinton-pregnancypalin/
    A handy guide for evangelical bigots.
    http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2014/06/13/bigots-tout-bible-live/
    The continuing polarisation of the US.
    http://crooksandliars.com/2014/06/study-politically-engaged-liberals-and
    How FoxNews must die.
    http://crooksandliars.com/2014/06/fox-news-must-die
    The NRA must share the blame for mass shootings.
    http://crooksandliars.com/2014/06/should-nra-share-blame-mass-shootings-hell
    Bill Maher examines Eric Cantor’s loss.
    http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017196934
    Bill Maher’s “New Rules”
    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/14/after-maureen-dowds-pot-disaster-bill-maher-offers-new-rules-for-marijuana-beginners/
    Chris Matthews Shreds Bush and Blair over sowing the seeds in Iraq.
    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/13/chris-matthews-shreds-ideologues-bush-and-cheney-for-sowing-seeds-of-chaos-in-iraq/

  25. More mumblings of dissent on the government front bench. Rumour has it Greg Hunt is not happy with some (or a lot) of Abbott’s cuts to environmental programs.

    The ‘gossip’ is right at the end of this clip. It’s about Labor’s intention to support the government’s Green Army legislation, something they were always going to do if they could get some amendments to it, but the gossip from Mike Berwick, chair of the Queensland Regional Natural Resource Management Collective at the end, is very interesting.
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-13/rural-green-army/5520554

  26. http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/huge-rally-for-forests-as-thousands-protest-governments-wha-delisting-bid/story-fnj4f7k1-1226954576221

    http://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/south-australian-government-to-guarantee-850-pensioner-concessions-threatened-under-federal-budget/story-fnii5yv4-1226954592623

    http://www.news.com.au/national/from-turbo-tom-to-treasurer-koutsantonis/story-e6frfkp9-1226953385387

    http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/weakening-energy-targets-will-hurt-the-bush-20140614-zs752.html

    http://www.economist.com/blogs/analects/2014/06/hong-kongs-politics-0?fsrc=scn/tw/te/bl/ed/nopapertiger

  27. He has been ridiculed around the world and yet –
    Tony Abbott hails world tour a success as he returns to Australia

    He said the trip had been significant, bolstered trade and security ties, and highlighted Australia’s place on the world stage.

    “We sometimes underestimate our clout around the world,” he said.

    “Yes, we are a middle power. Yet, nevertheless we are a significant, even a substantial middle power.”

    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-15/tony-abbott-says-round-the-world-trip-successful/5524544

    Perhaps Peta hides the TV remote and doesn’t allow newspapers or smartphones anywhere near Abbott. She can’t have him finding out the world thinks he is a narcissistic clown. Or worse.

  28. Tonight the World Cup, Football game played with a “Stick” , is to be fought between Australia and the Netherlands. Go Aussie Go.
    Which of course is also a low scoring game like Foot(soccer)ball.

  33. muskiemp….I remember in high school we were sometimes in sports drawn up into hockey teams…no-one liked the sports teacher…he was a bit like C. Pyne, if I recall…and so when we chanted the ‘hockey one, hockey two” and he dropped the ball in, both players would immediately smack him in the shins!

  36. leonetwo

    Welcome to the soviet union under Leonid Brezhnev. A Russian joke at the time was that a man arrested in the Red Square for shouting Leonid Brezhnev is an idiot was sentenced to 20 years exile in a Siberian gulag. Five years for insulting the president and 15 years for revealing state secrets.

  37. kk
    It won’t be long before mocking Abbott in public gets you a holiday on Manus Island.

  38. “Magistrate Paul Heaney told Rooke that even if what he was chanting was true, it was not a defence”

    😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

  41. Fooled me. I thought that was going to be “Here Come De Judge”, by the late, great Shorty Long. Whatever happened to comedy records? And Ray Stevens? And bubblegum music???

  45. Roy

    I put that version up because it was by the Magistrates and thought that was more fitting, I was about to redress with shorty longs version however the ever vigilant leonetwo beat me to it. Anyway I hope you enjoy this – – –

  46. Another wise judge’s decision whose praises Chris De Burgh sang about 🙂 His decision at about 2:20

  47. As long as we’re clear here that the guy wasn’t arrested because of what he said. He was arrested because he was doing it drunk at the top of his voice at 2.35am, ie. disturbing the peace. Some people on Twitter I notice are treating it as some kind of political issue. That’s drawing a very, very long bow.

  48. Aguirre

    Forget the details it is the humour of it. The magistrate’s comment being icing on the cake.

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