I wouldn't say I'm the most superstitious person in the world, but I don't go looking to test my luck either. I thought I had a handle on everything, but oh how life can jinx your handle.

I had been patiently waiting for June to arrive this year. Not because it's my birth month (I'll be 32 on Wednesday), but because the cab company I work for allows you to change your schedule in June & December. Six months ago, a lot of cab driver switched to have only one scheduled day a week. While we are allowed to walk-in any day we want, we all have some days that are mandatory. I have always been a Tuesday & Wednesday driver. Most hacks had to start with a three day schedule, but from my first day almost four years ago, I've been a two-day mandatory man. I wanted to switch to one day, just to make it easier on my random rock/theater/movie moments. As June rolled around, a sign went up at The Shop, stating there would be no one-day or open leases given out anymore. Apparently a lot of those cabbies who switched to one-day leases abused the privilege. I'm still a two-day mandatory driver, and I'm not complaining. It was just something that I was looking forward to changing. Little did I know, the June jinx had begun.

Last Sunday, I was at a local theatre, helping take down some lights from a show. I'd agreed to help a buddy with the light design for the show Greater Tuna. I was moving a 14 foot ladder around by myself, and to save time, I got under the ladder to maneuver it best. Someone commented "That's got to be a lot bad luck you're getting." My scowling reply was "Only if you mention it." I had been under ladders plenty with no problems, but like I said, I don't go looking to test my luck.

My band has been without a practice space during June. We have gotten to the point where we no longer can jam at anyone's house. We are a LOUD band, and neighbors don't like us interrupting their American Dream. We had a gig earlier this week on Wednesday, and we hadn't practiced together since Memorial Night. On the way to the gig, I noticed that one of our guitarists only brought one guitar. He had a habit of breaking strings in the early days, but he had gotten a handle on it. Of course, I had to say something to my drummer. "Shouldn't he bring an extra guitar, just in case..." The drummer explained that he'd been bringing only one guitar for a while now. Sure enough, first song we played, he broke a string. We covered with some covers while he got an extra string from the other band, but I could help but think that I shouldn't have said anything at all.

At the gig, a couple folks asked me about the girl I've been dating. Mainly, they asked why she wasn't there. I explained that she's 20, and I don't want to get into any trouble with bars. I explained how we get together about once a week, and how easy it's been so far. Women can be complicated (it's in their nature), but this girl has been simple and fun. I called her the next day and left a message, She didn't get back to me. First time she didn't do that. Jinx? It turns out that her mom kicked her out of the house that day, and she has been staying at a friend's for the past few days. Whoa! Now I'm passing my jinxes to others! What could happen next? The big bomb was coming.

Around 8 a.m. on Friday morning, I get a call from the theatre where I was preparing to direct Glengarry Glen Ross. The head of theater told me another local theater had just posted an audition notice for that play at almost the exact same time. I asked quite rationally for the early morning, "Who has the rights for the play? That's who gets to do the show." My theater had not gotten the rights yet. The other theater had them. I had been preparing to do this play for months, and a technicality and bizarre coincidence jinxed me. This is the second time the theatre gods have stopped me from directing that play. Now, it will be a mighty long time before I try to direct Glengarry Glen Ross again. Jeez, June! What is up? How do I break out of this bile?

Fortunately for me, I had tickets Friday night to see Beck. It was the first time he'd come to Albuquerque. His opening act was a group of Aztec dancers who twirled and hopped around stage with massive headdresses to the percussion beats. They blessed the place and all the people in it. Normally, I take my blessings with a grain of salt, but this time, I actually thought I could use a few blessings. Beck came on later and did a medley of his bevy of works, and I felt much better. If jinxes can start from something simple, I figure something simple can reverse the curse. Thanks, Aztecs.

All in all, I think I survived the jinx all right. I still have a flexible job, my band will move into its new practice space at the beginning of July, the girl still likes me, and I've been cast in a short play and had a good audition for a short movie this morning. All in all, it could have been worse.

When I was a kid, I didn't take any superstitions seriously, but the longer I live, the more I see the signs and the consequences. We will have good luck and bad luck, and there's nothing that will change that. We have to live life regardless of lack of mojo, jinxes, jihads & curses. I just hope to stay away from them for a while.

Chris Jungle believes roadrunner sightings mean it will be a good day.