friday the 13th

of COURSE i would launch my blog on Friday the 13th.  it's in line with so many of those things i don't quite mean to do that result in initial hysteria, followed closely by surprising and unexpected joy.

this date is significant.  not just because i'm finally launching my dream blog, but it's the kind of day that people NOTICE, often exclaiming something to the effect of, 'Oh my god! It's Friday the 13th!' i've just learned that not only are an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States affected by a fear of this day, there's a word for this fear: friggatriskaidekaphobia.  whoa. how lucky i am not to feel this fear, nor to need to be labelled with this terrifying 9-syllable word.

as superstitious as i may be, i love today.  the sun poured through bluest skies over the city all day, setting just in time for me to go skating in Calgary's downtown Olympic Plaza. i met my friends at centre ice in the Limelight, a temporary spotlight installation.  It was brilliant to observe kids twirling, shining and skating uninhibited under the spotlight- and to feel myself skirting around the edges, wanting to shine in the light but feeling somehow shy...

and now, eating salted dark chocolate, i sit here supported by two talented, generous friends who built the most beautiful blogs (check paper bluejay and room to breathe!) and are holding my hand as i create my own.

now that's what i call a lucky day.