Paraskavedekatriaphobic

Today is that day when a sense of foreboding and doom permeates the air. When you just can't shake that feeling of dread, that certainty that something very, very bad is about to happen. I'm referring of course to the day before Valentine's Day.

Kidding...sort of. No, it's Friday the 13th. Black cats and broken mirrors and spilled salt have nothing on the 13th when it falls on the last day of the work week. And the Irish are the most superstitious people on Earth. Me, I'm scared shamrockless. I'm actually typing this from under my bed, where I plan on waiting out the day.

I did venture out briefly to pick up a Valentine card and while there at the shop I took a moment to check this year's St. Patrick's Day cards and merchandise. Back for an encore performance is the card that debuted last year that plays Gaelic Storm's "Kiss Me I'm Irish" when you open it. Fair play to Murphy and the band on the millions they're no doubt making on the licensing. New at your local card shop this year are green boxer shorts that have the phrase "Nice Shamrocks" printed all over them, a button with a picture of a toilet that says "Peein' Green" and enormous foam shamrock-shaped earrings that say "Happy Shamrock Day!"

Should have stayed under the bed.