Despite my otherwise rather rational, skeptical nature, I must admit to harboring a slew of small but long-standing superstitions. My conscious mind’s best efforts to the contrary, at gut level I’ve always strongly believed in the power of lucky underwear, for example, or the importance of holding my breath while driving through tunnels.

Similarly, while my rational brain rejects the notion of a higher power predestining the flow of the universe, some pre-rational part of me has always been fascinated by signs, by portents and premonitions – especially numeric ones. Hit my pillow just as the clock clicks to 12:34, and I’m certain the following day will be a good one.

Which is why I’ve been secretly pleased and perplexed by the number of times in the past week (four, at current count) at which my purchase total or change received rang out to exactly $14.92.

1492. Columbus and the proverbial blue ocean. But what does it mean? Am I bound for a long journey? Headed out on some more metaphoric form of exploration? About to discover something? To pioneer something? Or simply to bring death, disease and enslavement to an unsuspecting native people?