During my trip to Mt. Everest last March/April, I was extremely fortunate to have attended a small ceremony for our trekking party up at the Tengboche Monastery before we ascended to Kala Patar (19,500 ft). The lama who performed the service blessed each of us and placed a red string around an individual’s neck, a sungdi, which brings the wearer good luck.

Well, since April of 2001, I’ve worn it. That is, until last week, when the ratty-looking string broke. Since then all sorts of little mishaps (ex - credit card number was stolen, blew up a logic board, today’s crapfest, etc). Now, im not the superstitious type, but things have been pretty weird since that little string broke.