Poll Results: Bigfoot is a No-Show

Of all the 11 people who took my poll, no one believes in Bigfoot!

Let’s explore some possible reasons why...

The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization cites thousands of reports of possible sightings or “vocalizations” of Sasquatch, Bigfoot, or in simpler terms, a “large, hairy, humanlike creature.”

Hmm, that sounds like it could be my friend’s dad, some guy I once saw at the bus stop, or a Star Wars character.

Maybe it’s not so much that people don’t believe in Bigfoot, but that it’s not that crazy of an idea. Big deal? There’s so many species of animal out there that the elusive Bigfoot could just be another one, or something in the early stages of human evolution – which would be pretty cool.

Plus, anyone can just put on a Chewbacca costume and walk around in the woods.

Then again, some say there’s a connection between Bigfoot and UFOs, which, according to the poll, are even more believable than God.

Leprechauns. They're Magically Ridiculous

It’s 2 pm on St. Patrick’s Day, and you know what that means!

You’re probably not reading this because you’re out drinking somewhere.

But just in case you’re not, here’s a little poem to bring you some Irish cheer.

Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree
Live mystical, magical leprechauns
who are clever as can be
With their pointed ears, and turned up toes and little coats of green
The leprechauns busily make their shoes and try hard not to be seen.
Only those who really believe have seen these little elves
And if we are all believers
We can surely see for ourselves.
(Irish Blessing)

Also, if you like to laugh (and who doesn't?) check out this actual news report on a leprechaun sighting. (Hilarious!)

Normally I’m pretty open-minded, but this I just don’t buy.

I did enjoy that super-lifelike sketch though.

A Saint called Valentine

Is there any holiday that isn’t been bogged down with buying things? Seriously, I couldn’t even go to the corner store to buy a loaf of bread without running into little teddy bears holding hearts that say, “I Wuv U." So it’s not that surprising that I couldn’t find any information on Valentine’s Day without seeing pink and red ads galore - and without resorting to Wikipedia.

But enough with the bitterness; it’s love day!

According to legend, February 14 is the day the patron saint of love was executed. Arrested around 270 CE by Roman Emperor Claudius II for conducting secret marriages, Valentine has since become a symbol of love and romance.

After his death he became the overseer of an annual festival in which Roman men gave women they liked a hand-written letter confessing their desires. How romantic.

But like most marketable traditions, some historians suggest St. Valentine may better represent Christian love (even though the "Saint" part is usually left out of the cards).

It’s said that Claudius attempted to convert Valentine from his Christian faith to worship the Roman gods; Valentine refused, and even tried to convert the Emperor.

Either way, whichever legend is true, it appears love is still at the heart of it. And I suppose chocolate doesn't hurt either.

What's the Deal with Friday the 13th?

Today is Friday the 13th, and I’m feeling a little curious.

Why is Friday the 13th “unlucky”? And walking under a ladder? And breaking a mirror? And spilling salt?

Why do I think all these superstitions are silly, and yet I definitely wouldn’t want to get on a plane today?

Turns out the belief in the unluckiness of Friday the 13th, and 13 in general, isn’t just some behavioral quirk or hard-to-read phobia name (Triskaidekaphobia).

No, the fear of the number 13 is so powerful and so common that it affects airport terminals, airplane seating, street signs, house numbers, and elevator buttons.

(As my fellow North Americans might have noticed, the 13th floor is cleverly renamed “14,” or as in my friend’s building, just “3.”)

So, where did this superstition even come from?

The most common answer I found dates back to the Last Supper, when the twelve apostles and Jesus gathered for supper, well, for the last time. Since Judas was the 13th guest to arrive, there's one legend that says if 13 people have dinner together, one of them will die within a year.

And, as I learned from National Treasure, Friday the 13th 1306 was the day King Philip of France arrested the Knights Templar and tortured them for false confessions of heresy.

Also, 12 is a complete number (months in a year, dials on a clock, signs of the zodiac), which makes 13 quite odd.

I don’t know if I completely buy this whole Friday the 13th stuff. Today’s been pretty good so far...knock on wood.


Speaking of knocking on wood, here are some informative pieces on other things people believe for no real reason.

Debunking Myths of Bad Luck

Origins of Superstition

Superstition and Survival

Groundhog, Shmoundhog

Why do we trust the groundhog? Who decided the six-week-shadow-rule? Does anyone actually check its accuracy at predicting winter’s end?

The Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club claims Phil, the groundhog that’s supposedly been predicting the weather for over 100 years, is accurate 100% of the time. This year, according to the life-giving-elixir-drinking Phil, we’re in for six more weeks of winter.

But...the snow is melting...the days are longer...the spring seems near. *knock on wood* Has anyone considered that Phil runs back into his hole because there are so many people watching him, making tons of noise, and forcing him to take pictures when he just woke up and isn’t necessarily looking his best? Maybe the little guy just gets scared. Six more weeks of winter? Ha! I’ll leave that up to global warming.

Just one final question: Why do we trust the word, so to speak, of a furry little rodent who has supposedly been given the secret to ever-lasting life? If a person claimed to possess such powers, you’d think they were crazy! (Then again, if someone had a magic potion like that, they would probably keep it a lucrative money-making secret, Death Becomes Her-style.)

Maybe Phil is the Santa Claus for grown-ups – only they never seem to grow out of it.