Paraskevidekatriaphobes Unite!

Well, it’s Friday the 13th today, and I’m going out for some friday funk. More on that in a minute, but first let’s talk for a second about this infamous date…

Today is noted as a unlucky day in many cultures, and seems to have been this way for a very long time; however, the specific reasons for this seem to remain unclear. I did manage to locate a ton of theories but I haven’t found one I really like yet. Today is also Steve Buscemi’s birthday, so I’m thinking it can’t be all bad luck today. Also, Black Sabbath’s self-titled debut album was released on a Friday the 13th (2/13/70). I’m assuming that was on purpose.

Despite several bright spots in the history of this infamous calendar date, some people remain petrified of any friday falling on the 13th of any month. This fear is called Paraskevidekatriaphobia, and is a specialized form of triskaidekaphobia, fear of the number 13. So widespread was this fear that at times the number was avoided all together. Floors in buildings would jump from Floor 12 to Floor 14. What does this accomplish? You can call it “Floor 14″ all you want, but it’s still the 13th floor from the street, right? Apparently this fear can get pretty crazy for some people:

“It’s been estimated that [U.S] $800 or $900 million is lost in business on this day because people will not fly or do business they would normally do.” ^-Donald Dossey, Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina

Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they are simply unable to get out of bed when Friday the 13th rolls around. The Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute estimates that more than 17 million people are affected by a fear of this day. Despite that, representatives for both Delta and Continental Airlines say that their airlines don’t suffer from any noticeable drop in travel on those Fridays. ^{(from Wikipedia.org)}

Well, if you do not consider yourself among those who are afraid to venture out of the house on a Friday the Thirteenth, consider joining me to see some funk tonight:

AFROSKULL, Friday July 13, 2007, 10 PM at Two Boots Brooklyn in Park Slope. This little place is a combination Cajun-Italian place (hence the “two boots” of italy and louisiana) that I’ve never been to, and I have to say I’m tempted to go early and get something to eat. It might help to have some food anyway, to help absorb the alcohol that will inevitably follow.

I still haven’t decided if I’m making it a mellow, drive-myself-home night, or a night of drunken debauchery culminating in a spinning night’s sleep on someone’s floor. Only time will tell.

~ by lisa on July 13, 2007.