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”

  1. Puffy,
    Newman has a few mates such as seeney bleije langbroek and the borg who all need political execution to restore the state to relative humanity.

  4. Bomberose, so sorry to hear about your father. Mine was a returned serviceman also and i miss him greatly.

    CK, many thanks for picking out my winning number tonight. I would appreciate it going to a Gold Lotto ticket and would love to win a Division 1 so that I could shout all the Pub Members in a manner that they would surely never forget.

    many thanks for the greetings from everybody.

  7. I had to chuckle when I read about the freezing temperatures experienced by some Pub Members.

    Today was a balmy 26 degrees here today. We had about three fairly cold days here about four weeks ago and since then it has been around 25 to 28 degrees every day. Meaning that the car aircon is always on and I am wearing shorts & a tee shirt everyday.

    The poor misguided or lying souls that can’t admit that we are experiencing Climate Change are so far off the mark that it is not funny any more.

    About three weeks ago our female Rainbow Lorrikeet laid two eggs. Their breeding season is between November and March.

    I played a game of Golf at Emu Park today & witnessed a Gallah preparing a nest in a gum tree hollow, Lorrikeets mating and doing similar and noticed on the way home that two varieties of wattle were in full flower. (no wonder my hay fever and sinuses were playing up)

    Wattle usually flowers here in late September and a bit earlier further north. I’ve got no idea what will happen to my mangos this year.

    The climate has gone totally crazy here. Bloody Abbott is a national disgrace by kowtowing to the energy lobby and doing nothing to help slow down this potential disaster.

    He claims he loves his daughters. What about his potential grand kids and great grand kids etc. I’m sure the
    energy industry will look after them if it is at all possible to exist by then.

    Hate is too kind for the likes of Abbott.

  8. puffytmd,

    [ Eh scorps.
    I found out my forebears populated half of the Longreach area. Bred like rabbits. ]

    Lucky they missed out on catching Mixomatosis then! 😉

  9. Hey, Puffy,

    In the days before TV out there there wasn’t much else to do!

  10. scorpio6to2

    My OMFG ! over the low temperatures was because it has been so warm. I grow super duper hot Chillies. Over the last 5 years each successive year has been “Worst season Eva” . This year I have had pods from Caribbean plants producing ripe pods “as we speak” .

  11. Wasn’t here last Friday, had to travel to Stansbury, York Pen, attend the internment of my former bil’s ashes.

    Nice picture:

    Three grandkids of bil. Female toddler with back to camera is my reward for giving up smoking. I didn’t want to be a ventolin–puffing, farting, shuffling old wreck when my fave niece had her kids. Took over 20 years but that redheaded moppet is it.

    I do have a living bil, god I wish they could change places!

    Pol Animal, my apologies, but there are problems about posting recognisable photographs of children. Babies not so much – they change very quickly. But even 3- and 4-year-olds are recognisable several years later – and clues are also available through institutional logos on clothing.

    So I’m sorry to have edited your lovely photograph of your grand-niece and -nephews, but truly it was especially in the latters’ interest.

    F

  12. kaffeeklatscher,

    Human effects on the climate are causing such dramatic effects on all forms of life that operate on seasonal trigger signals to propagate etc that we may be witnessing the collapse of significant sections of nature and the species that depended on reliable and consistent variation.

    The summer breeding season before last for Rainbow Lorrikeets say the females withhold their fertility and there was virtually no breeding whatsoever by them, even breeding birds owned by dedicated breeders. It was a total collapse for that breeding season with no logical explanation for it other than climate change effecting their breeding cycles.

    Bloody scary if you ask me.

  13. Scorps & Kaffeeklatscher,

    I wouldn’t be completely surprised to hear the Pyne Minuscule Blood Oaf inform us – and quite soon – that it’s “God’s Will”, plus wtte “Bring on the Rapture”.

    Bloody scary nah.

    Bloody terrifying.

  14. scorpio6to2

    Just today there was an article in NZ about how climate change is screwing over a couple of penguin species. Canaries in the coal mine .

    Warming gone too far for penguins

    Penguin species in the Antarctic that once benefited from rising temperatures are now in decline due to warming gone too far, scientists said.

    Previous scientific research was unable to determine why populations of Adelie and chinstrap penguins are in decline, while gentoo penguins are increasing in numbers.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11273464

  15. OK “F” but you can see the plaque in front of the urn of ashes.
    Moppet looks gorgeous even from the back, doesn’t she?

  16. Pol Animal,

    Yes, but you can’t see the children’s faces.

    Moppet looks like a complete cutie pie.

  18. One of my great nephews in the photo asked if he could hold Demi’s leash on the walk from cemetery to the jetty. He lacks confidence, but did a good job keeping Demi heeling etc, so I praised him heaps, hope that helped build his confidence a tad. The awesome power of dogs!

  20. English family nomenclature is really weird. We have grand fathers/mothers, and their siblings are our great aunts/uncles.

    We have great grand mothers/fathers, and their siblings are our grand uncles/aunts.

    No systematicity.

    How the Brits ever got anywhere leaves me at a loss.

  23. According to, hmmm George Orwell or Parkinson (of Parkinson’s Law fame) the English went great guns until the telegraph reached the frontier—the remote administrators now could telegraph London for instructions. They were better & achieved more acting on own initiative!

  26. I believe the snowfields have been missing out on the usual falls to kick off the ski season. And Canberra had its warmest May on record.
    But there’s no climate change.
    This Government is shafting us on many levels. Not only are we doing nothing to prevent catastrophe, but with the USA and China moving inexorably towards their own “great big toxic taxes”, we are at risk of being locked out of the next big wave of global growth.
    One of Leroy’s articles last week was about China’s investment in solar energy, with the aim of making it cheaper than coal-fired. But our Government is determined to put everything on coal, just as the world is moving away from it. Complete idiocy.
    This is why I am seriously contemplating emigrating if the Coalition win the next election. I truly don’t want to, but if they are determined to make Australia a third world nation I have to look after my family.

  27. I have some relatives who own several cherry orchards, and they are climate change deniers. Sadly, cherrys need a series of frosts during winter in order to produce properly. In that district frosts usually commence in late April and you can usually expect several series of about 5 to 7 days running of frosts before late August when the blossoms arrive. So far this year there have been no frosts, and it is so warm that there are fears that blossoms will arrive early, meaning a failing crop.
    Talk about an elephant in the room which may not be commented upon!

  28. A little titbit about today. As well as being Friday 13th it is also a full moon and the next time this happens it will be a bit out of our league. The next time things lineup is 2049.

  32. From Kezza 2 over the road at about 9.30pm.

    CTar1
    Are you having a thyroid crisis?

    I’d love to see the answer! 😉

    And how are things going with the Dweller from northern Canberra & his lovely other half? (or should that be, better half?) 😉

  33. Scorps

    Walking and talking.

    On sort of OT she’s at Nice Sophia Antipolis at the moment..

    So at home in Menton and just needing to do the up difficult hill on the way. home too Csastillon.

    I wonder about how long she’ll she talk about French and Russian submarines. Allow Russias’s current efforts not to be scoffed at..

    They are building a big Navy again. Shame about the old ones just rotting in Vladivostok and Murmansk.

  34. Good morning Dawn Patrollers.

    More good work from our leader. Complete with Socceroos scarf (and matching blue tie) and the usual stultified, asynchronous hand movements.
    http://www.smh.com.au/fifa-world-cup-2014/australia-2014/good-luck-mike-tony-abbott-gets-socceroos-skippers-name-wrong-20140614-zs7q2.html
    Michael Gordon on the lead up to the debate in the Labor party room over its policy on Manus Island.
    http://www.theage.com.au/comment/labor-confronts-a-debate-the-nation-has-to-have-20140613-zs75m.html
    Another excellent column from Mike Carlton. He gives Murdoch and NewsCorp a good serve.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/line-up-for-an-audience-with-king-kong-20140612-zs5mx.html
    Peter FitzSimons in defence of ASADA.
    http://www.smh.com.au/sport/the-fitz-files/criticism-of-asada-investigation-ignores-the-real-issues-20140613-zs6vi.html
    Caroline Wilson comes out swinging at Essendon.
    http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/time-to-put-players-club-and-the-game-ahead-of-lengthy-legal-stoush-20140613-zs6zp.html
    And Tim Watson reckons it game over for James Hird.
    http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/tim-watson-calls-james-hirds-future-as-bombers-coach-into-question-20140613-zs7k1.html
    The Saturday Paper examines the kangaroo court unions RC.
    http://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2014/06/14/renovated-truths-and-royal-commission-trade-unions/1402668000#.U5ts__mSyX4
    Let them waste their own money – but not ours!
    http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/public-school-exodus-starts-as-early-as-year-2-20140613-zs5lp.html
    About time, too, but it will need attendant levels of regulation and enforcement.
    http://www.smh.com.au/national/freerange-egg-to-get-legal-definition-20140613-zs6l9.html
    Jaqui Maley says Hockey didn’t get away with mentioning the war. Not a bad article.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/joe-hockey-did-not-get-away-with-mentioning-the-war-20140612-zs5v2.html

  35. Section 2 . . .

    Bob Ellis with more on what the new social security changes will bring. It’s not pretty.
    http://www.ellistabletalk.com/2014/06/13/kevin-andrews-deconstructed/
    Yeah sure, Tone!
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/i-am-a-conservationist-tony-abbott-says-no-friction-with-barack-obama-on-climate-change-action-20140613-3a192.html
    Lenore Taylor says Abbott is no action man on climate change.
    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/13/tony-abbott-is-no-action-man-on-climate-change
    How many in the US see Abbott as “our George W Bush”.
    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/13/your-george-w-bush-tony-abbott-makes-a-splash-in-the-united-states
    The US gun lobby’s new tactic – redefine school shootings so they don’t exist!
    http://www.theguardian.com/news/oliver-burkeman-s-blog/2014/jun/12/gun-lobby-tactic-redefining-school-shootings
    How many more things is Brandis gong to stuff up?
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/brandis-disputed-claim-ruffles-coalition-feathers-20140613-3a3f8.html
    Peter Hartcher is less impressed with Canadia’s PM than is Abbott.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/tony-abbott-and-stephen-harpers-maplesyrup-mateship-has-a-sour-taste-20140613-zs7c5.html
    Michael Pascoe taxing the truth on carbon pricing.
    http://www.smh.com.au/business/comment-and-analysis/taxing-the-truth-on-carbon-pricing-20140613-3a1oq.html
    David Pope and the Iraqi spectre.

  36. BK

    Good morning, thank you for the great links. I can’t get the Pope cartoon one to work. Have I ever asked you what time you get up in the morning to find all these links?

  37. America’s stunning gun violence and stupidity. A good video at the end of the article.
    http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2014/06/13/gun-advocates-think-they-know-how-any-scenario-involving-guns-will-play-out-they-dont/
    An America’s Got Talent contestant overcomes depression and anxiety.
    http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2014/06/13/gun-advocates-think-they-know-how-any-scenario-involving-guns-will-play-out-they-dont/
    Neil deGrasse Tyson nails it again.
    http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2014/06/13/gun-advocates-think-they-know-how-any-scenario-involving-guns-will-play-out-they-dont/
    How Oklahoma so badly botched an execution.
    http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/06/13/3448802/autopsy-oklahoma-botched-execution/
    The dumbing down of America – Mike Papantonio and Sam Seder
    http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017196707

  39. BK

    Thanks for the new link it works, will look in a minute. Wow, 5.30. And I thought we got up early at 6am, although lately I’ve been sleeping longer. A bit worried about that though.

  41. “An online video of Tony Abbott wishing the Socceroos well is taken down after the PM got captain Mile Jedinak’s name completely wrong”

    There’s nothing like a good laugh to get the day off to a good start. Honestly, why do they allow this fool to make videos? A cardboard replica would do a better job.

  42. 5:30? That constitutes a sleep-in for me these days. 4 year old (well, she will be this week) thinks any time after 5am is a ridiculously late time to be up.

  43. ” 5:30? That constitutes a sleep-in for me these days. 4 year old (well, she will be this week) thinks any time after 5am is a ridiculously late time to be up.”…………”…lookshery, lad!….we had to get up two hours before…etc.”

  44. My two moggies start harrassing me to rise and shine at 4 am. I usually resist their claws and purrs for a half hour before I give in and fill their plates with food.

  47. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/croakey/2014/06/13/the-health-wrap-co-payments-coag-and-cutting-costs-racism-is-unhealthy-health-environment-ties-tobacco-tussles/
    worth a browse, lots of links to political health issues you may have missed this week

    http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/06/13/comment-collective-wisdom-individual-ignorance

    http://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2014/06/14/clive-palmers-bold-bid-build-his-senate-bloc/1402668000

    http://mattcowgill.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/playing-games-with-tax-statistics/

    http://www.wired.com/2014/06/absurd-creature-of-the-week-lions-mane-jellyfish/?mbid=social_twitter

  49. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/12/china-environment-idUSL4N0OT3BG20140612

    http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/12/5804122/tesla-opens-patents-to-all

    http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2014/06/11/what-does-it-mean-to-put-a-price-on-carbon

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/american-scientists-controversially-recreate-deadly-spanish-flu-virus-9529707.html

    http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/06/will-self-orkney-case-prefigured-our-acknowledgement-abuse-toda

  50. Everytime I come page to this page today, I see that beautiful title Friggatriskaideaphobia.

    The previous Friday 13 was last December and was the day my eldest granddaughter, Sarah, tied the knot with Damian, her partner of the past few years, an excellent day.

    Today was the day that the Socceroos lost, principally because their newly appointed captain, Mike, wasn’t there – I think he was diverted to Canadia.

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