Happy Friday the 13th!

A lot of people FREAK OUT on Friday the 13th… But what does it mean really? The good people over at MSN put together a bunch of little known Friday The 13th Facts…

Learn a little bit about the day… Then watch your back!!!

Three’s a Charm
In 2012, we will see three Friday the 13th’s (the others fall in April and July), the maximum number that can occur in one calendar year. Interestingly, another year with three Friday the 13th’s had a notoriety similar to that of 2012, although prophesized via literature: George Orwell’s book 1984, about a Big Brother–controlled society, also had many concerned over the eponymous year’s fate.

The Back Story
There are different theories on how Friday the 13th came to be, but the prevailing one is linked to The Last Supper. Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th person to arrive at dinner, making 13 an unlucky number on any day of the week. Add to that the fact that Jesus died on a Friday, and Friday the 13th gets its bad rap.

Fear Factor
Although people are far less superstitious now than they were in the past, the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in North Carolina estimates that 17 to 21 million people in the U.S. have a diagnosable phobia of Friday the 13th. The illness Is called friggatriskaidekaphobia.

13 Is One More Than…
Part of the reason the number 13 is considered so treacherous, is simply because it’s right after 12. Numerologists consider 12 a “complete” number: 12 months complete a year, 12 signs complete the zodiac and 12 inches complete a foot.

Addressing The Issue
You may have noticed that most buildings leave out the 13th floor, but did you know that planes often lack a 13th row and some hotels eliminate a Room 13? In Florence, the house between 12 and 14 is actually addressed as 12 and a half.

Risky Business
Some estimates suggest that the U.S. economy loses up to 900 million dollars every time there’s a Friday the 13th—many people avoid business deals, or even work altogether, on the allegedly doomed date.

Proceed With Caution
Fearing an increase in accidents, many Americans won’t hit the roads on Friday the 13th. While traffic crashes do peak on Fridays—probably due to alcohol intake—there’s no decisive data that Friday the 13th is more dangerous than other Fridays in the year.

Nature’s Wrath
There’s no proof that natural disasters are more likely on Friday the 13th, but Australia’s biggest wildfire, Florida’s especially costly Hurricane Charley and Kansas’s “Great Flood of 1951” all occurred on a Friday the 13th.

The Naysayers
To prove Friday the 13th superstitions as nonsense, a group of affluent New Yorkers started a “Thirteen Club” in 1881. Thirteen people met every Friday the 13th and dined in Room 13. During the gathering, guests walked under ladders and through piles of spilled salt. Take that, superstitions.

The Followers
Some of our nation’s most famous 20th-century luminaries feared the day. Henry Ford declined to do any business, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt avoided travel. Rumor has it that FDR refused to roam not only on Friday the 13th, but also on the 13th day of every month.

So what’s your deal? How do you handle Friday The 13th??

Jay-Z’s sweet song to daughter:

We all know the princess of musical royalty was born this past Saturday to parents Jay-Z and Beyonce.

Jay-Z has just released the song “Glory” in dedication to his daughter Blue Ivy (the name has an interesting meaning). You can even hear the baby cry at the end of the song.

Click here: http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F32882225&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false&color=ff7700

Some of the lyrics:

“The most amazing feeling I feel, words can’t describe what I’m feeling for real / Baby, I paint the sky blue, my greatest creation was you,” and later rhapsodizing “You’re the child of destiny / you’re the child of my destiny / you’re my child with the child from Destiny’s Child.”

Casey Anthony Speaks Out – Video Diary

Celeb Barbies!

We’re going to be Barbies!

Barbie, the ultimate career gal who loves to dress up, is teaming up with three new likeminded friends: Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian!

A source tells the new Us Weekly, on stands Friday, that the reality stars will be immortalized as Barbie’s pals in an upcoming limited-edition doll line. “The dolls will reflect the girls’ measurements and may even comes in Kardashian-designed outfits,” says a source.

JT is officiall off the market!

If you believe Us Weekly… Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are engaged!

Apparently, a source has told the magazine the pair got engaged in Jackson, Wyoming last month. Rumors surfaced in late December that Timberlake had popped the question while on vacation with Biel, but no confirmation (or denial, for that matter) was ever reported.

Biel, 29, and Timberlake, 30, broke up in March 2011 after four years together, but were spotted spending more and more time together after three months apart. The source tells the magazine, “When they reunited, they had a conversation about taking the next step.”

If the rumor is true, all the best to JT and JB!

Jersey Shore season 5 preview clip:

http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:722499/cp~series%3D2214%26id%3D1676653%26vid%3D722499%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A722499

Get More: Jersey Shore (Season 5)

Happy Cusemas to all!

Had to share this Syracuse Christmas poem written by Joe Bufano: Enjoy ‘Cuse fans!

‘Twas the night before Cusemas, and all through the Dome,
every fan was watching, in fact none of them were home.
The stands were filled by the court with many chair,
No UCONN fan would attend, would they even dare?

The players were dressed all snug in their threads,
while visions of victory danced in their heads.
Best friend in their jersey and I in my cap,
had just settled cheers during a long scoring lapse.

When out on the court there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my seat to see what was the matter.
Down to the court I flew with a dash,
tore open my camera, and took a big flash.

The tune to the rest of our ears did we know,
gave the muster of a scoring drive twenty to zero!
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a re-energized Jim Boeheim and five starters to his rear.

With a snick and a yell, so lively and quick,
Jim Calhoun called “Time Out” in one seconds tick.
More rapid than eagles, SU’s field goals they came,
the fans whistled and shouted and called them by name:

“Go Southerland! Go Joseph!
Now, Baye, Triche and Scoop!
On, Melo! On,Waiters!
On Rakeem, to the hoop!
To the top of the key!
To the three point line!
Now Shoot away! Shoot away!
Shoot away fine!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
so up to the hoop their courses they flew,
with their minds full of a win, and Jim Boeheim, too!

And then, in a twinkling, I watched with a poof
Joseph’s three pointer sent the fans to the roof!
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
down the court C.J. Fair came with a bound!

His jersey was white, from his head to his foot,
and his head band was covered in sweat and soot.
A bundle of energy, Dion passed the ball back,
and C.J. dunked it with authority, a potent attack!

Boeheim’s eyes–how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and his shine on his head was as bright as the snow.
The grin of a lead he held tight in his teeth,
and the fans cheered crazily as UCONN fell beneath.
He had a happy face and a firm little belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was tall and didn’t slump, a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, he signaled time out,
”We want walk ons!” the SU fans did shout!
And pointing his finger, up in the air it rose,
signaling “We’re number one!” Now every one knows!

He sprang to his feet, as the ref blew the final whistle,
And away they all flew to the locker room like a missile!
But I heard him exclaim, As he ran out of sight,

“Happy Cusemas to all, and to all a good night!”

Golden Globe Nominees

Here is a list of nominees for the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards, announced yesterday by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The awards will be handed out on January 15th in a ceremony hosted by Ricky Gervais.

Motion Pictures:
Picture, Drama: “The Descendants,” “The Help,” “Hugo,” “The Ides of March,” “Moneyball” and “War Horse.”
Picture, Musical or Comedy: “50/50,” “The Artist,” “Bridesmaids,” “Midnight in Paris” and “My Week with Marilyn.”

Actor, Drama: George Clooney – “The Descendants,” Leonard DiCaprio – “J. Edgar,” Michael Fassbender – “Shame,” Ryan Gosling – “The Ides of March” and Brad Pitt – “Moneyball.”

Actress, Drama: Glenn Close – “Albert Nobbs,” Viola Davis – “The Help,” Rooney Mara – “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Meryl Streep – “The Iron Lady” and Tilda Swinton – “We Need to Talk About Kevin.”

Director: Woody Allen – “Midnight in Paris,” George Clooney – “The Ides of March,” Michel Hazanavicius – “The Artist,” Alexander Payne – “The Descendants” and Martin Scorsese – “Hugo.”

Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jean Dujardin – “The Artist,” Brendan Gleeson – “The Guard,” Joseph Gordon-Levitt – “50/50,” Ryan Gosling – “Crazy, Stupid, Love” and Owen Wilson – “Midnight in Paris.”

Actress, Musical or Comedy: Jodie Foster – “Carnage,” Charlize Theron – “Young Adult,” Kristen Wiig – “Bridesmaids,” Michelle Williams – “My Week with Marilyn” and Kate Winslet – “Carnage.”

Supporting Actor: Kenneth Branagh – “My Week with Marilyn,” Albert Brooks – “Drive,” Jonah Hill – “Moneyball,” Viggo Mortensen – “A Dangerous Method” and Christopher Plummer – “Beginners.”

Supporting Actress: Berenice Bejo – “The Artist,” Jessica Chastain – “The Help,” Janet McTeer – “Albert Nobbs,” Octavia Spencer – “The Help” and Shailene Woodley – “The Descendants.”

Foreign Language: “The Flowers of War,” “In the Land of Blood and Honey,” “The Kid with a Bike,” “A Separation” and “The Skin I Live In.”

Animated Film: “The Adventures of Tintin,” “Arthur Christmas,” “Cars 2,” “Puss in Boots” and “Rango.”

Original Score: Ludovic Bource – “The Artist,” Abel Korzeniowski – “W.E.,” Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Howard Shore – “Hugo” and John Williams – “War Horse.”

Original Song: “Hello Hello” – “Gnomeo & Juliet” (Elton John), “The Keeper” – “Machine Gun Preacher” (Chris Cornell), “Lay Your Head Down” – “Albert Nobbs” (Brian Byrne), “The Living Proof” – “The Help” (Mary J. Blige) and “Masterpiece” – “W.E.” (Madonna).

Television :
Series, Drama: “American Horror Story,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Boss,” “Game of Thrones” and “Homeland.”
Actor, Drama: Steve Buscemi – “Boardwalk Empire,” Bryan Cranston – “Breaking Bad,” Kelsey Grammer – “Boss,” Jeremy Irons – “The Borgias” and Damian Lewis – “Homeland”.

Actress, Drama: Claire Danes – “Homeland,” Mireille Enos – “The Killing,” Julianna Margulies – “The Good Wife,” Madeleine Stowe – “Revenge” and Callie Thorne – “Necessary Roughness.”

Series, Musical or Comedy: “Enlightened,” “Episodes,” “Glee,” “Modern Family” and “New Girl.”

Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin – “30 Rock,” David Duchovny – “Californication,” Johnny Galecki – “The Big Bang Theory,” Thomas Jane – “Hung” and Matt LeBlanc – “Episodes.”

Actress, Musical or Comedy: Laura Dern – “Enlightened,” Zooey Deschanel – “New Girl,” Tina Fey – “30 Rock,” Laura Linney – “The Big C” and Amy Poehler – “Parks and Recreation.”

Miniseries or Movie: “Cinema Verite,” “Downton Abbey (Masterpiece),” “The Hour,” “Mildred Pierce” and “Too Big to Fail.”

Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Hugh Bonneville – “Downton Abbey (Masterpiece),” Idris Elba – “Luther,” William Hurt – “Too Big to Fail,” Bill Nighy – “Page Eight (Masterpiece)” and Dominic West – “The Hour.”

Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Romola Garai – “The Hour,” Diane Lane – “Cinema Verite,” Elizabeth McGovern – “Downton Abbey (Masterpiece),” Emily Watson – “Appropriate Adult” and Kate Winslet – “Mildred Pierce.”

Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Peter Dinklage – “Game of Thrones,” Paul Giamatti – “Too Big to Fail,” Guy Pierce – “Mildred Pierce,” Tim Robbins – “Cinema Verite” and Eric Stonestreet – “Modern Family.”

Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange – “American Horror Story,” Kelly Macdonald – “Boardwalk Empire,” Maggie Smith – “Downton Abbey (Masterpiece),” Sofia Vergara – “Modern Family” and Evan Rachel Wood, “Mildred Pierce.”

Cecil B. De Mille Lifetime Achievement Award: Morgan Freeman.

SAG Awards nominations announced:

The nominations were announced by Regina King and Judy Greer, and the prizegiving ceremony will take place on January 29th.
The main list of nominees for the 18th Annual SAG Awards is as follows:

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:
The Artist
Bridesmaids
The Descendants
The Help
Midnight in Paris

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role:
Demian Bichir – A Better Life
George Clooney – The Descendants
Leonardo DiCaprio – J. Edgar
Jean Dujardin – The Artist
Brad Pitt – Moneyball

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role:
Glenn Close – Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis – The Help
Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton – We Need to Talk About Kevin
Michelle Williams – My Week With Marilyn

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role:
Kenneth Branagh – My Week With Marilyn
Armie Hammer – J. Edgar
Jonah Hill – Moneyball
Nick Nolte – Warrior
Christopher Plummer – Beginners

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role:
Berenice Bejo – The Artist
Jessica Chastain – The Help
Melissa McCarthy – Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer – Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer – The Help

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries:
Laurence Fishburne – Thurgood
Paul Giamatti – Too Big to Fail
Greg Kinnear – The Kennedys
Guy Pearce – Mildred Pierce
James Woods – Too Big to Fail

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries:
Diane Lane – Cinema Verite
Maggie Smith – Downton Abbey
Emily Watson – Appropriate Adult
Betty White – Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Lost Valentine
Kate Winslet – Mildred Pierce

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series:
Patrick J. Adams – Suits
Steve Buscemi – Boardwalk Empire
Kyle Chandler – Friday Night Lights
Bryan Cranston – Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall – Dexter

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series:
Kathy Bates – Harry’s Law
Glenn Close – Damages
Jessica Lange – American Horror Story
Julianna Margulies – The Good Wife
Kyra Sedgwick – The Closer

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series:
Alec Baldwin – 30 Rock
Ty Burrell – Modern Family
Steve Carrell – The Office
Jon Cryer – Two and a Half Men
Eric Stonestreet – Modern Family

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series:
Julie Bowen – Modern Family
Eddie Falco – Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey – 30 Rock
Sofia Vergara – Modern Family
Betty White – Hot in Cleveland

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series:
Boardwalk Empire
Breaking Bad
Dexter
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series:
30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
Glee
Modern Family
The Office