How the number 13 came to symbolize misfortune is a neverending riddle. But it's one that's launched a million blog posts -- and provides respite from the routine crime or weather story for those cretins known as news reporters.

"The roots of Friday as an unlucky day are predominantly Christian, Good Friday being the day on which
Christ was crucified,'' contend three medical researchers who authored the paper, "Is Friday The 13th Bad For Your Health?" in 1993. The fear of 13 also has its roots in religion -- "mainly pertaining to The Last Supper when Christ dined with his 12 apostles. Even before this, the Romans disliked the number 13 as much as we do, regarding it as a symbol of death, destruction, and misfortune," according to the paper, which compared driving, accident and shopping patterns over three years in South West Thames, England. The findings? Driving injuries were up on Friday the 13th despite fewer people actually driving that day. The researchers' concluded that "Friday 13th is unlucky for some. ...Staying at home is recommended."

The Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, N.C., claims that $800 million to $900 million is lost in business every Friday the 13th. Which sounds impressive, except when you think that maybe friggatriskaidekaphobia is a convenient excuse for a long weekend? Works for me!

When you're born on an unlucky day, counterintuitiveness becomes your mantra.