Hug Me, I’m Vegetarian *
Today, September 26, is International Hug a Vegetarian Day. The (in)famous organization PETA, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, started this celebration about two years ago. Held every last Friday of September, it has been a huge success all over the world. I can imagine the millions of hugs, smiles, and greets that vegetarians and vegans, and even non veg’ns, exchange during IHAVD. 
I have been a vegetarian for almost six years now (two years as vegan), and I have never wanted to revert to being a meat eater since then. I found out about this holiday last year, spread the word around, and got lots of e-hugs. Hehe. Not only that, I also got real hugs: I got to hug each and every one of my former team mates (about 22!), plus my boyfriend’s hug (which was the most special, hehe).
So to the veg’ns (and even non-veg’ns!) out there, give each other a hug! 
Happy International Hug a Vegetarian Day! *hug*
* PETA started this line (and this holiday), so credits to them.
Armin van Buuren Live in Manila! (plus Above and Beyond!)
Un-fucking-believable! Armin van Buuren, hailed by DJ Mag as the World’s Number 1 DJ for 2007 and 2008, will be coming to Manila for the second time! This time, I am so not gonna miss it.
Trance people, reserve your tickets early. Armin van Buuren will play live in Manila on November 21, 2008, which is just two months away! Just so you know, AvB is my third favorite Trance DJ (after PvD, Ferry Corsten, and followed by Tiësto, and Markus Schulz). Oooh, I can’t wait for Manila to be in A State of Trance once again.
But wait, there’s more! As a pre-AvB bonus, Bigfish brings us another group of trance music producers. Above and Beyond, the trio that gave us the hit track, “Air for Life” is also coming to Manila! Hear them play at the Cream Halloween Ball on October 30, 2008 at the World Trade Center. You can call the numbers, or visit the Bigfish site for more info.
Are you ready to party yet? I so am. See you there.
*Update: Tickets for the AvB event are pre-selling for Php800 at selected MusicOne and Folded&Hung stores. Get yours now.
Why 13 is a Lovely Number
Much have been said about the number 13. It has many associations to various historical, theological, and superstitious beliefs that more often than not resulted to irrational fear.
In Christian history, it is believed that Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th person to sit at the table for the Last Supper. For most laymen, 13 is a plain, old unlucky number. Triskaidekaphobia, the irrational fear of the number 13, is a common source of various negative beliefs and practices about the number. We can trace this to ancient historical data: in the Code of Hammurabi, 13 is omitted from the list; and in the Persian calendar, the 13th day in the calendar is believed to bring bad luck. From this fear resulted the practice of omitting the number 13 when assigning numbers to building floors, streets, airport terminals, and other public spaces. The fear of Friday the 13th, known as paraskevidekatriaphobia, has also been a widespread result of this belief.
Despite all these, 13 has not always been hailed as bringing bad luck. In other ancient practices, 13 was considered a positive number. Sikhism believes that 13 is a very lucky number. In Punjabi, 13 is translated as tera, which also means ‘yours’ (or I am yours, oh Lord). Science also has a different relationship with 13. Mathematics, in particular, gives us fascinating interpretations for 13: it is a Wilson prime; a part of the Fibonacci sequence as a Markov number; a star number; and (get this), a happy number. Incredibly, Archimedes gave us 13 solids that are highly symmetric and identical in vertices. Abaker’s dozen, which contains 13 pieces, is another positive concept of 13.
As for me, 13 has never been an unlucky number. In fact, right now, 13 has just gotten luckier. Today marks the 13th month that I have been with my boyfriend. As a couple, we have just qualified for a baker’s dozen, discredited triskaidekaphobia, unknowingly affirmed a belief in Sikhism, and made Archimedes even prouder. Yes, it has been 13 months since we have officially left our past and entered into sweet oblivion together. It has been 13 months of our ups and downs, but the best part? It has been 13 months of bliss. And boy, don’t I feel lucky. 
