Friday the 13th has always had this mystique around it. Maybe at some point it just used to be about bad luck, but for me I’ve always associated it with the movie / Jason Vorhees / the hockey mask slasher thing. Like when it occurs, I don’t think “bad luck”, I just instinctually just go, “oh no” in some semi-dramatic tone as if to say “I hope we make it through the day.”
It turns out Friday the 13ths aren’t all that special - they happen pretty routinely. Chances are if you’re old enough to browse out to websites or use online calculators, then you have likely ‘survived’ more Friday the 13ths than there are sequels to the movie franchise.
I realized that I really had no idea how to estimate this, but that it was something pretty straightforward that could be figured out by a calculator. And I just happened to be a person who was trying to come up with some unique calculator ideas for his calculator website. I’m also hoping this is a calculator that may pick up steam on Halloweens or on actual Friday the 13ths.
You put in your birthday, and it calculates exactly how many Friday the 13ths you’ve lived through so far. The word ‘survival’ as part of the calculator name is my favorite part about making this - like the user is reminiscing on how many times they’ve escaped the inevitable clutches of Jason.
If we take it that literally, it’s a calculator of hope and encouragement. ‘Look at you!’, it says. ‘Look how many times you’ve made it! You’re still standing!’
Give it a try with your birthday over at the Friday the 13th Survival Calculator. And maybe share it with others - particularly if you’re suprised by the result of your own results.
I’m on Bluesky and would be happy to hear what you think.