Friday the 13th!

Well, today is Friday the 13th, which means, in theory, that bad luck will befall you (and us, and everyone, except in the Spanish-speaking world, where Tuesday the 13th is the day to watch). Bostonist did wake up with a hangover, but besides that the day has been good to us so far (knock on wood). Apparently, though, companies lose over $750 million every Friday the 13th because people avoid doing everyday activities (at least, that's what they say at the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in North Carolina, which is reputable enough to be cited by MSNBC, but has the ghettoest website ever), and lots of people are genuinely afraid of the day. For what it's worth, Bostonist urges you to cast aside your paraskevidekatriaphobia and enjoy yourself: It's impossibly nice outside, the weekend is almost here, and Arisia, Boston's own science fiction fan convention (now in its 17th glorious year of nerdy existence), starts today. Also, for those of you whose spirits are lifted by thoughts of locally born, nineteenth century writers of trite, uplifting, rags-to-riches novels, today is the birthday of Horatio Alger, who was born in Reveah Revere in 1832.