Raoul’s 2 Cents
Friday the 13th
Let’s talk about the number 13. Did you know that there is at least one Friday the 13th in a year and that sometimes there are as much as 3. This year we have March 13 and (today) November 13.
Maybe we like to challenge the old superstition because (unlike most people) in my family, this is our favorite number. This was my son’s favorite number in all his sports jerseys. He wore that number proudly as the captain of their successful basketball team. This was such a coveted number that In his last year in High School, one of his classmates had the nerve to apply for that number. My son convinced his classmate that the number 13 was sacred and could only belong to my son. My son got the number back.
How superstitious is our population? Do you know anyone who lives on the 13th floor? Do you know anyone whose street address is 13? How about a license plate number 13? Did you know there is actually a medical term for the phobia of the number 13? It’s called triksideskaphobia (trick-suh-desk-uh-foe-be-uh).
Great things have come from the number 13. There were 13 original colonies in America; hence 13 stars in the original flag. Everyone remembers the problems of Apollo 13 but we forget that they were also “lucky” to survive. Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain wore the number 13. You’re fortunate if you get an extra loaf in a baker’s dozen. There was a total of 13 original apostles (Judas was replaced after he committed suicide). Jacob, the patriarch of the Jews, had 12 sons and one daughter. I heard Italy also celebrates the number 13. The expression fare tredici (“to do 13”) means to hit the jackpot.
As you can see, 13 has been given a bad rap. Of course one very big reason why I love the number 13 is because today is also my grandson’s birthday.
Be safe, be healthy, and remember: the number 13 is special … just like ALL the other numbers. TGIF people!
Raoul
Joke of the Week
Thanks to Mel of Washington, D.C. for sharing this joke.
Some of you may not remember the old-time Jewish comedians: Shecky Green, Red Buttons, Totie Fields, Milton Berle, Henny Youngman and others. But some of us miss their kind of humour. Not a single swear word in their routines and you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy their jokes.
Video: Corona Sweepstakes
Thanks to Mel of Washington, DC
Don’s Puns
Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who sent this pun.
Parting Shots
Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C.
Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA
Thanks to Naomi of North Hollywood, CA for this last gag
Tom
November 27, 2020 at 6:48 pm
Thanks Raoul. Looks like Pandemic is still ruling our social get together. Your Weekly humor is now more needed than ever.
Looking forward each and every Friday to see what you make us smile with. Tom
Reggie
November 27, 2020 at 6:49 pm
Nice. That is interesting.
Lois
November 27, 2020 at 6:50 pm
Loved today’s newsletter.
I doubt that you’ll find anyone who lives on the 13th floor – I’m talking about people who live in hotels. As I’m sure you know, hotels have no 13th floors. Apparently. the owners learned from experience that people refuse to book rooms on the 13th floor.
Although I hate to admit it, I find myself a little superstitious about some things.
Whether they know it or not, I think that people who believe unequivocally all the outlandish things coming out of the mouth of an orange-faced troll are, indeed, superstitious. That’s the only explanation I can think of.
My daughter and I laughed and laughed at the Jewish jokes. I remembered those great comedians. Henny Youngman (“Take my wife . . . please”) was one of the best. I loved the following joke that he told: “My wife got a mud pack at the beauty parlor. She looked wonderful for two days – then the mud fell off.”
As I’ve told you before, Rodney Dangerfield was my favorite. I previously told you the joke that ends “You’re ugly, too.” Another joke of his: “When my wife and I went into the bedroom, the dog liked to watch. He wanted to learn how to beg.” It bugs me when people quote his tagline as “I don’t get no respect,” because what he actually said was “I get no respect.” Admittedly, double-negatives are okay in comedy, but I think people should be quoted accurately.
That’s all folks!
Lois
Heather
November 27, 2020 at 6:50 pm
Thirteen is my favorite number! I heard from Jerry. I sent a text and didn’t hear back for over a week. He’s swamped with work for now but well. Stay well…
Melanie
November 27, 2020 at 6:51 pm
RAOUL!
Thanks for the laughs.. you have some very precious friends.
MB