Yeah, yeah, Friday the 13^th, ooh, scary.  We already covered that topic, you can read it here:

http://thequicksliver.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/11-13-09-friday-the-13th/

But there’s been enough bad luck recently and since the world probably won’t end in 2012, we’d prefer to be optimistic.  There are plenty of signs we’re headed for a good year.  For example, there is a man named Rollo Maughfling (don’t laugh) who is the Arch Druid of the Standing Stones of Wiltshire (OK, go ahead).  This year at Stonehenge, on the morning of the Winter Solstice, the weather was fair and the sunrise was clear and beautiful.  The Arch Druid declared the day a “jolly occasion” and a good omen for the year ahead. (Cheers, pass the mead.)

Then there’s this: one of Warren Buffet’s favorite economic indicators is railroad traffic, because it’s a good objective measure of the flow of raw goods. This month, the Association of American Railroads reported that rail carloads are up 3.0% versus last year and intermodal units (whatever they are) are up 3.7%.  Since the economy moves at about the pace of a fully-loaded freight train, this year-long uptick indicates a slow but steady improvement throughout the year to come.  (We’re rolling.)

And now the clincher: January 23 begins the Chinese New Year, and this is the year of the Dragon, the most auspicious symbol of the 12 that make up the Chinese zodiac. (Quick, name the other 11.)  Dragon years have consistently proved to be powerful, successful periods.  Among the Dragon’s well-documented effects is the fact that more children are born in Dragon years than any other year.  (That’s a lot of folks getting lucky).

Oh yeah, the sun is up, the economy is moving, and folks are, um, busy.  Who cares about Friday the 13^th?  You’ve got a whole year of good luck coming.

(As long as a piano doesn’t land on your head today.)