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Kowalski Heat Treating News, Notes, and Valuable Information for Anyone Trying to Keep Their Metals & Alloys Hard, Flat, Straight or Sharp

Paraskevidekatriaphobia = Triskaidekaphobia Squared

April 13, 2018/0 Comments/in Friday Afternoon, Friday the 13th, Trivia /by Steve Kowalski

If you truly suffer from Triskaidekaphobia or worse yet Paraskevidekatriaphobia, see ya later. Actually, I’m sure you’ve already clicked off of this page. For the rest of you, that Friday the 13th movie poster reminds me of our expertise in proper blade hardening to prevent breaks and give long life to sharpness. 🙂 Click HERE to see the original Friday the 13th film trailer starring Kevin Bacon as Jack. Click HERE for your Friday the 13th afternoon background music – Friday the 13th Original Motion Picture Score by Steve Jablonsky.

As I was preparing my post for this week, I flipped my calendar and realized that this Friday is the 13th. Ever since I was young, I’ve always been told to be cautious on Friday’s when they are on the 13th – (never knew why). I figured, probably like you, a little trivia and history would help to clear things up. (Oh, and by the way the fear of the number 13 is the title of this blog post above). Thanks Wikipedia and all those who keep the superstitions going. Now in full disclosure, I happen to think Friday the 13th brings me good fortune, but that’s just me!

Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. It occurs when the 13th day of the month in the Gregorian calendar falls on a Friday, which happens at least once every year but can occur up to three times in the same year.
In 2017, F13 occurred twice, on January 13 and October 13. In 2018, it will also occur today and July 13. There will be two Friday the 13ths every year until 2020, where 2021 and 2022 will have just one occurrence, in August and May respectively.
The superstition surrounding this day may have arisen in the Middle Ages, “originating from the story of Jesus’ last supper and crucifixion” in which there were 13 individuals present in the Upper Room on the 13th of Nisan Maundy Thursday, the night before his death on Good Friday. While there is evidence of both Friday and the number 13 being considered unlucky, there is no record of the two items being referred to as especially unlucky in conjunction before the 19th century.
An early documented reference in English occurs in Henry Sutherland Edwards’ 1869 biography of Gioachino Rossini, who died on a Friday 13th: He [Rossini] was surrounded to the last by admiring friends; and if it be true that, like so many Italians, he regarded Fridays as an unlucky day and thirteen as an unlucky number, it is remarkable that on Friday 13th of November he passed away.
It is possible that the publication in 1907 of Thomas W. Lawson’s popular novel Friday, the Thirteenth, contributed to disseminating the superstition. In the novel, an unscrupulous broker takes advantage of the superstition to create a Wall Street panic on a Friday the 13th.
A suggested origin of the superstition—Friday, 13 October 1307, the date Philip IV of France arrested hundreds of the Knights Templar—may not have been formulated until the 20th century.
In Spanish-speaking countries, instead of Friday, Tuesday the 13th (martes trece) is considered a day of bad luck. The Greeks also consider Tuesday (and especially the 13th) an unlucky day. Tuesday is considered dominated by the influence of Ares, the god of war (Mars in Roman mythology). The fall of Constantinople to the Fourth Crusade occurred on Tuesday, April 13, 1204, and the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans happened on Tuesday, 29 May 1453, events that strengthen the superstition about Tuesday. In addition, in Greek the name of the day is Triti (Τρίτη) meaning the third (day of the week), adding weight to the superstition, since bad luck is said to “come in threes”.
The 2000 parody film Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth was released in Italy with the title Shriek – Hai impegni per venerdì 17? (“Shriek – Do You Have Something to Do on Friday the 17th?”).
Friday the 13th is an American horror franchise that comprises twelve slasher films, a television show, novels, comic books, video games, and tie‑in merchandise. The franchise mainly focuses on the fictional character Jason Voorhees, who drowned as a boy at Camp Crystal Lake due to the negligence of the camp staff. Decades later, the lake is rumored to be “cursed” and is the setting for a series of mass murders. Jason is featured in all of the films, as either the killer or the motivation for the killings. The original film was written by Victor Miller and was produced and directed by Sean S. Cunningham. The films have grossed over $464 million at the box-office worldwide.
Friday the 13th is considered one of the most successful media franchises in America—not only for the success of the films, but also because of the extensive merchandising and repeated references to the series in popular culture. Although the films were not popular with critics, the franchise’s popularity has generated a fan base who have created their own Friday the 13th films, fashioned replica Jason Voorhees costumes, and tattooed their bodies with Friday the 13th artwork. Jason’s hockey mask has become one of the most recognizable images in horror and popular culture.
According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day, making it the most feared day and date in history. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed. “It’s been estimated that $800 or $900 million is lost in business on this day”.
In Finland, a consortium of governmental and nongovernmental organizations led by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health promotes the National Accident Day to raise awareness about automotive safety, which always falls on a Friday the 13th. The event is coordinated by the Finnish Red Cross and has been held since 1995.
(Here’s one for my math/statisticians out there) … Each Gregorian 400-year cycle contains 146,097 days (with 97 leap days) or exactly 20,871 weeks. Therefore, each cycle contains the same pattern of days of the week and thus the same pattern of Fridays that are on the 13th. The 13th day of the month is slightly more likely to be a Friday than any other day of the week. On average, there is a Friday the 13th once every 212.35 days, whereas Thursday the 13th occurs only once every 213.59 days.

And, to get you through the day, here are 13 of the most common superstitions:

1. Black cats – You’re doomed to bad luck if a black cat crosses your path.

2. Mirrors – If you break a mirror, kiss 7 years of luck goodbye.

3. Ladders – They say walking under a ladder is bad luck. I say walking under a ladder is a bad decision. Nothing good can come of it.

4. Salt – If you spill salt, you’re supposed to throw it over your shoulder to avoid getting bad luck. In my business we know the importance of salt and spilling it is bad!

5. Purses – You should never leave your purse on the floor if you want to avoid bad luck.

6. 6.66 – If a bill total $6.66 or you receive that much change you should either buy something else or leave a penny from your change to avoid bad luck

7. Umbrellas – Opening an umbrella indoors is said to bring bad luck – never on F13 Especially if I am trying to leave the room!

8. Cutting Your Hair – If you cut your hair on Friday the 13th, legend says someone in your family will die. You can all see why I am a really lucky guy! No problems here either!

9. Funerals – If a funeral procession passes you on Friday the 13th, you will be the next to die.

10. Babies – A child born on Friday the 13th is said to be unlucky for life.

11. Floor 13 – Many hotels and hospitals have eliminated floor 13 in their elevators to eliminate bad luck. But if you’re staying on floor 14, isn’t it really 13?

12. Cemeteries – To avoid bad luck when passing a cemetery, you’re supposed to hold your breath until you see a black or brown dog. What if there isn’t one around? You may have to hold your breath until you’re the next one to move into the cemetery. My girls loved this game, except when I would stop the car before passing the cemetery.

12. Getting Out of Bed – To avoid bad luck, you’re supposed to get out of the same side of the bed you got into. This only makes sense. Jackie would not be happy if I got out on her side, especially, given the time I get up in the morning!

13. Number 13 – Many believe the number 13 is bad luck. Taylor Swift disagrees and says it’s her lucky number. Not only was she born on the 13th, she turned 13 on the 13th, her first album went gold in 13 weeks.

BONUS: You can always spin around 7 times to break any bad luck, but you’ll have to worry about what you look like to those around you. It may be easier to carry a rabbit’s foot, four leaf clover or a buckeye in your pocket. All are said to bring good luck.

Buzzer Beater

April 6, 2018/0 Comments/in Basketball, Friday Afternoon, Sports, Trivia /by Steve Kowalski

(top to bottom) Arike Ogunbowale takes the inbound, one bounce, puts it up, total swish at the buzzer, jubilation!

It happened again. This time is was a for the national college women’s basketball championship – a last minute shot when Arike Ogunbowale lofted a high, arcing jumper over Mississippi State’s Victoria Vivians. Basketball experts might call it an off-balance, half-shot leaner, (Notre Dame fans would surely call it a “prayer”), but nonetheless, the shot was perfect, this time with a tenth of a second remaining. It completed another come-from-behind run for Notre Dame that seemed unlikely, culminating with a trophy presentation at Nationwide Arena. Last minute heroics are sprinkled throughout sports history, along with fun terms like “buzzer beater” that make up the jargon-laced pastime. Around here at KHT, we have our own terms, like when a job is “hot” (needs to get out the door), a “batch”, (when we fill our ovens with work), and the ultimate PIA ones! (Yes, we have our saves too!). Fortunately, my team is fantastic and we often “crush it”! I could go on for a while but won’t. For our blog this week, I found some fun slang (see how well you know your stuff) and exciting links to You Tube game and match-ending footage. Enjoy!

See the amazing Arike Ogunbowale shot HERE.
See two minutes of the game then the amazing Arike Ogunbowale shot HERE.

Test Your Sports Slang Knowledge

Nutmeg
Frozen Rope
5 Hole
Sparkplug
Catch a Crab
Lettuce
Stinger
Ace
Pepper
Juiced
Kayo
Facial
Pine rider
Bean-ball
Haymaker
Six Pack
Chunk
Dirty Air
Irons
Gong Show

How many did you get?
Scroll down to see the definitions.
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KHT Sports Slang/Trivia Answers

Nutmeg- A nutmeg (or tunnel, nut, megs, megnuts, panna, brooksy), is a playing technique used chiefly in association football (soccer), but also in field hockey, ice hockey, and basketball. The aim is to kick, roll, dribble, throw, or push the ball (or puck) between an opponent’s legs (feet). A nutmeg cannot be called (or counted) if the ball touches an opponent’s legs on the way through
Frozen Rope- A baseball line drive, or basketball free throw, or shot from the floor with little/no arc.
5 Hole- The “five-hole” is a nickname for the space between a goaltender’s legs in ice hockey. If a player scores by shooting the puck into the goal between the goaltender’s legs, he is said to have scored “through the five-hole,” or to have “gone five-hole.” The nickname can also be used in basketball, when a player throws a bounce pass that goes through a defender’s legs. This expression comes from Canadian five pin bowling.
Sparkplug- There are many things coaches and managers look for when picking the players for their respective teams. One thing often overlooked is the high energy guy – the sparkplug of the team. “Spark plugs” are people who help their team stay energized game after game, night after night.
Catch a Crab- A crab is the term rowers use when the oar blade gets “caught” in the water. It is caused by a momentary flaw in oar technique – and it has happened to anyone who has ever rowed. A crab may be minor, allowing the rower to quickly recover, or it may be so forceful that the rower is ejected from the boat
Lettuce – I don’t have this problem!!- Lettuce is the term used by hockey and lacrosse players to describe the look of their helmut hair, just after a game. Debates abound between lettuce, and “flow”, the natural outcome of long hair, heavy sweat and of course, a good mullet cut.
Stinger- A stinger^,also called a burner or nerve pinch injury, is a neurological injury suffered by athletes, mostly in high-contact sports such as ice hockey, rugby, American football, and wrestling. The spine injury is characterized by a shooting or stinging pain that travels down one arm, followed by numbness and weakness. Many athletes in contact sports have suffered stingers, but they are often unreported to medical professionals.
Ace – My team is full of these.- A clean first serve in tennis that is not touched. Also, a nickname for a very good player.
Pepper- To pepper, two players face each other separated by a distance of 5–20 feet (2–6 meters). Distances vary based upon the players’ preference. Player 2 starts by hitting or tossing a volleyball to player 1. Player 1 then passes the ball back to player 2 starting the drill.
Juiced- Often the term used to describe an athlete that has used strength or performance enhancing drugs. Also, a slang word for when a baseball bat has been altered, to initiate more power, as in a “juiced bat”.
Kayo- In Boxing: To put out of commission. From the boxing phrase “knockout” (knock unconscious), abbreviated “K.O.” and pronounced and often written as “kayo” or “kayod”.
Facial- In basketball, when you slam dunk the ball so hard that the defensive player standing beneath the goal gets a ball hard in the face. Often this happens to the unfortunate 12th man that is playing during mop-up time in a blowout game.
Pine rider- In most any sport, a nickname for a player who never gets to see action in a game and is sitting on the “pine” bench.
Bean-ball- A Beanball is a colloquialism used in baseball, for a ball thrown at an opposing player with the intention of striking him such as to cause harm, often connoting a throw at the player’s head (or “bean” in old-fashioned slang). A pitcher who throws beanballs often is known as a “headhunter”
Haymaker- A powerful forceful punch. The word usually used in boxing, or when fighting breaks out in a match/game. It is often referenced when a person/player swings with full force, twisting his waist and shoulders round before turning back unleashing a mighty blow! (it comes from how hay used to be harvested by swinging a scythe, since the punch resembles the same motion and level of power).
Six Pack – Nope!- Often called “six-pack abs” (abdominal muscles). Someone who has a flat, muscular stomach is said to have a “six pack” or “six pack abs”. The next time you see a person with a flat, in shape stomach, count the firm muscles just above the belly button. You will see three muscles on one side and three on the other, thus referred to as a “six pack”
Chunk – Yup!- Most often used in golf, it is when a player catches more of the ground than the ball, and “chucks” the earth, reducing distance and spin. Players who did not hit their intended target and come up short will say, “I chunked it”.
Dirty Air – Yup!- A car racing term, clean air is the undisturbed air that flows over a car, allowing for the wings and body to get the maximum amount of downforce. Dirty air, on the other hand, is disturbed air from a car in front. This means that the amount of air coming into contact with the car following behind another car is less, which reduces downforce and impacts performance.
Irons- While you might thing golf, it is also a horse racing slang term for the stirrups.
Gong Show- A hockey slang term, started in Canada and in recognition of the popular TV show, when a game gets out of hand, and becomes unpredictable, as in “this game’s become a Gong Show”.

Happy Easter

March 30, 2018/0 Comments/in Easter, Friday Afternoon /by Steve Kowalski