April 13

Many people, me included, feel marginally more comfortable when their schedules are organized. In the news, we are constantly being advised to have go-bags packed and ready by the front door, so that we are prepared in the event of a disaster, such as the one that occurred when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. These preparations are also helpful in the event that we are hit with any of a wide-array of devastating natural disasters or the Rolling Stones announce that they are retiring. Therefore, on your next grocery-shopping trip you might want to throw a couple of extra bottles of water and a few cans of Spam into your grocery cart. Then, when you get back from your neighborhood Food Town, break out your day planners and note that on the 13th in 2029 asteroid 99942, Apophis, will make a pass by the Earth, carrying with it a chance of 1 in 45,000 of colliding with us.