Locksmith Keys Doorway Harmony Friday the 13Th Has Murky Past Infamous Day Has Alleged Ties to Last Supper, 14Th Century History
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SERVING SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1934 SPARTANSPARTAN DAILYDAILY WWW.THESPARTANDAILY.COM VOLUME 122, NUMBER 10 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2004 Locksmith keys doorway harmony Friday the 13th has murky past Infamous day has alleged ties to Last Supper, 14th Century history By Zakk Jones Daily Staff Writer One look at a calendar reveals that today is that most unlucky of days, which arrives after the 12th and before the 14th. Whether Friday the 13th represents a warning not to have dinner guests, to avoid getting up on a certain side of the bed, or to keep off the path beaten by charcoal- colored felines, research reveals that a wary fascination with the lucky number 13 is one of those things that many timelines and cultures have in common, according to one Web site. Writer David Emery operates the Urban Legends and Folklore section of about.com, which features articles on a wide variety of thoroughly researched topics. In his article on Friday the 13th, Emery lists several phenomena associated with the supposedly cursed num- ber 13. Among them: many cities skip 13th on their way to 14th Street or 14th Avenue, and notorious fi gures whose names contain thirteen letters include mass murderers such as Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer and Theodore Bundy. Superstitions are attached to the number as well — for example, the idea that 13 people who sit down to eat dinner together will all die within the year. According to the article, although tracing the origins of superstitions is “mostly guesswork,” the general belief is that the myth is quite old, possibly dating back to the times of primitive man, when the number 13 held an air of mystery because primitive man had only his 10 fi ngers and two feet to count with. Photos by Nicholas R. Wright / Daily Staff The article, however, does not answer the question of San Jose State University locksmith Rick Best makes sure every single door in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Joint Library closes, opens and locks properly. Best, who whether or not primitive man had toes. has been working as an SJSU campus locksmith for two years, says he enjoys the exercise he gets from walking around the multilevel library. Lucky 13’s mystique has continued to spread throughout the centuries, though no one culture has SJSU locksmith ran own electric magnet behind the door. The been credited with starting the phenomenon. magnet, he explained, is supposed According to Emery, one of the earliest points of business before coming here to keep the door open. During fi re reference for belief in the number’s hidden power lies alarms, the little devices de-magnetize within a Hindu belief that deemed 13 people gather- and cause all the doors to close, which ing in one place (for example, to share a meal) to be By Mari Sapina-Kerkhove prevents fi re from spreading. unlucky. Daily Staff Writer Best has been working for SJSU’s One famous meal involving a party of 13 is the bibli- lock shop on Tenth Street since 2002. cal Last Supper, after which one of the guests betrayed Dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, A division of Facilities Develop- Jesus Christ, whose crucifi xion — which occurred on a with multicolored glasses slightly ment and Operations, the lock shop Friday, no less — soon ensued. askew on his curly head of hair, Rick serves every building on campus As for the sixth day itself, Emery writes that it was Best breezed through Dr. Martin except for the Student Union, the considered bad luck for ships to set sail on a Friday. Also, Luther King Jr. Joint Library’s eight Event Center and the dorms, said Ray it was supposedly on a Friday that biblical fi gures Adam fl oors Wednesday afternoon opening Brooks, lock shop supervisor, who has and Eve fell from grace after eating the Garden of Eden’s door after door only to watch them worked for SJSU for 18 years. forbidden fruit. close again. The lock shop also services several Where the two legends converged to form what we Finally, the San Jose State Univer- satellite campuses, such as the Moss know as Friday the 13th is not known, writes Emery, but sity locksmith stopped in front of an Landing Marine Laboratories and one idea points to one event that could be the reason for emergency exit and exclaimed, almost the aviation department on Coleman the day’s infamy. triumphantly, “See, what’s this — it’s Avenue, Brooks said. That day is Friday, Oct. 13, 1307, when the Knights broken!” While Brooks said he spends most Templar, a powerful order of “warrior monks” who Pulling his glasses down on his nose, he pointed out the smashed see LOCKSMITH, page 3 see FRIDAY, page 3 Gift ideas for your Valentine In appreciation of black women ... By Maria Villalobos sage,” “Good for a night out” or “Good for one movie.” It’s Daily Staff Writer fun and creative. • Buy a heart-shaped picture frame and put in a cute As Cupid draws back his bow, you may want to think of photo of the two of you, so your honey can put it on his some more creative ways to tell your loved ones how you or her desk, so you’re always on each other’s mind or feel without getting into the commercial side of Valentine’s somewhere near. Day. Here are a few: • Write a story of how the two of you met and then write • Wine tasting is not costly and J. Lohr in San Jose has a happy ending, or write a poem expressing your feelings. hours on Valentine’s Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bottles of Your own words are more meaningful than Hallmark’s wine range from $10 to $80 (408-288-5057). — and more sentimental as well. • Take your sweetie on a guided horseback ride through • If you like animals, here’s a cute idea — adoption gift Calero Park, San Jose for $30 per person (408-268-2567). packages from Happy Hollow. For $50, you can adopt an • Pack a picnic and head out for a hike to Golden Gate animal of your choice and receive a matching stuffed ani- National Recreation Area to overlook the Golden Gate or walk mal, a personalized letter to your sweetheart of the adoption around one of the trails that lead to beaches. It’s a nice place to and an invitation for a breakfast tour. Proceeds go to help take photos or profess your love to that special someone. the upkeep on the zoo and the animal (408-277-3065). • If watching the sunset is romantic to you, then try a • Animal lovers, try a trip to the San Francisco Zoo. Two kayak trip in the San Francisco Bay for $25 an hour. A hour-long Valentine’s Day Sex Tours, from 10 a.m. to 11 change of clothes is recommended (415-357-1010). a.m. and 2 p.m to 3 p.m., look at the mating and courtship • Watch the sunset on the beach and snuggle up with a behaviors of different animals. Afterward, drink champagne warm fi re and your Valentine at Twin Lakes State Beach, and snack on chocolate (415-753-7165). East Cliff Drive and 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz. • For something out of the ordinary, try the San Francisco • Serve your signifi cant other’s favorite meal by candlelight Art Institute, featuring animation and experimental works with his or her favorite songs playing in the background. at 8 p.m. for $8 (415-771-7020 ext. 4816). • Pick up a heart-shaped wicker basket from Pier One • If you want to exercise and take in a winter view, check ($4.99), and fi ll it with your Valentine’s favorite treats. Try out www.nacski.com for a one-day bus trip, $28 without a homemade heart-shaped cookies, chocolates, a stuffed ani- lift ticket or $74 with a lift ticket. Nicholas R. Wright / Daily Staff • Take your sweetheart for a “Love mission to Mars,” and mal, lotions, champagne or some other favorite delights. Camelia Farhadnia, left, a freshman biology major, smiles after receiving a rose from Jonathan Aluko, • Buy a heart-shaped photo album at Pier One ($8.99), view Venus for $40 at Chabot Space and Science Center in and add your favorite photos of your Valentine. Oakland. From 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (510-336-7373). a sophomore management information systems major. Aluko and other members of Alpha Phi Alpha • You can create your very own love coupons to redeem • If all else fails, you can stay home under the covers and passed out roses on campus Thursday in honor of black women’s appreciation day. at a later time with sayings like “Good for one free mas- appreciate your time together snuggling. INSIDE DRINK OF THE WEEK SMU 62, SJSU 55 VAGINA MONOLOGUES Johnny V’s Crack Cocaine Mustangs deny Spartans SJSU’s V-Day responds to Cosmopolitan fi rst conference win violence against women A&E | PAGE 4 SPORTS | PAGE 6 A&E | PAGE 4 PAGE 2 THE SPARTAN DAILY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2004 • OPINION • RELOADING Cheating can cause ugly fallout in the real world In Franz Kafka’s “The Trial,” a man, Joseph K., is Both schools have received a black eye. And their will hold similar ethical standards. But not listing the DUI — apparently trying to hide arrested and brought into court, but he is never told the students will now carry a stigma.