Freddy Friday

As it happens, I was born on a Monday the 13th, at seven ante meridiem no less. As if I was born ready for school (or work).

Each time I brush with traditional bad luck omens, like black cats or walking under ladders or my unlucky watch (of which etc cetera), I am constantly confronting my conditioned reactions to them an assessing what they make me feel and sometimes do.

I do not, for example, walk purposely under ladders. It seems like a reasonable precaution given the uncertain agility of he who balances thereabove. I do not throw my hat on the bed (primarily because I do not wear hats all that much). And I do not open umbrellas in the house, because... why would you?

Common sense, I suppose.

On the other hand, every time some occasion arises to exercise common sense, I find myself second-guessing my motivation. Did I do it because of FEAR OF REPERCUSSIONS? Do I seriously and secretly somehow believe that if you spill salt someone will cry? And if I tried to avoid all the cracks in the sidewalk, I would probably never go anywhere. But DO I? Do I REALLY?

Tough questions... We are conditioned and trained to keep these superstitions despite all evidence of their inherent Silliness. Are we, therefore, inherently silly? Friday the 13th has its origins in the Last Supper where there were thirteen at the table where the Son got stuck with the Bill (take this cup away from me!).

But now Friday the 13th has become International Freddy Kruger Day. In fact, even as I write this, I notice that my spellchecker has accepted Freddy Kruger as a legitimate word. Admittedly, although I have been around through all 756 sequels, I have not seen one of them. Is it because I am afraid? Probably.

Afraid of being dumbed to death.

As it happens, this Friday the 13th is nearly over by now and nothing worse has happened to me besides someone snaking my parking spot out from under me this morning (cue low growling).I suppose we have time still, but we will just have to wait and see if -

      c:/FATAL SYSTEM FAILURE