I have heard all of these. Some I believe, some I don't. I bought my ex a watch and a pair of shoes. We broke up soon after. Coincidence?
As far as the "can't get up" thing, I have experienced that. My grandmother always said it was because I watched too many horror movies and demons were visiting me.
She said I should sleep with a bible under my pillow. And, if it happened again, to call out Jesus' name or Jehovah, to chase the demons away. I used to have so much trouble going to sleep because I was scared it was going to happen again. Boy, I had a lot of sleepless nights. I don't watch too many horror movies for that very reason. Especially horror movies like "The Exorcist" or "Amityville Horror". Just in case...
My dad always said it was bad luck to "split the pole". If he and I were walking together and there was a pole, (lightpost, mailbox,etc) and we went around it on opposite sides, he'd make me go back around it in the other direction. I still do this today if it should happened when I am walking with someone else.
[This message has been edited by Serenity (edited March 18, 2001).]