Every year that my birthday falls on a weekday, I get suggestions from friends and coworkers to take the day off and enjoy myself. So far, I can't remember one year that I've actually done that. In fact, seven years ago today I started my new job at CM#1 (we're #1, yay!). People thought I was nuts for not waiting a day and starting on the 28th, but my birthday was on a Monday and it made sense to me to start the job on a Monday. *shrug*
This year is no different - I'm off tomorrow and Friday, but today I'm at my desk and (kind of) working as usual. It never occurred to me until yesterday why I do this.
Hubby-head has to work today, as do all of the friends that I might have wanted to spend the day with. If I took the day off work, I'd just be sitting around by myself, playing on the computer and watching TV. Or doing housework, which is just not a fun birthday. Or perhaps shopping, but this year I am planning to splurge tomorrow on my makeover, so I wouldn't be spending a lot of money today either. But in any event, I'd be by myself.
At work, I can spend the whole day waiting for people to say the usual "Hi, how are you?" so I can announce "I'm great! It's my birthday!" and get all the Happy Birthday wishes. I can get taken out to lunch by my coworkers. I can still get my birthday e-mails from friends and family, check my mail when I get home for more birthday cards, and spend quality birthday time with the Hubby later.
There's nothing more depressing to me than having a birthday go by without getting birthday wishes from as many people as possible. One of the worst birthdays I can remember (not the worst, mind you) was 8 years ago when I got a card from my parents and my grandparents, but other than that, not a single phone call or "happy birthday" from any of my friends or acquaintances. It was a Sunday, and none of my friends at church said anything either. That was a lonely day.
Now, the worst birthday I can recall was two years ago. That was a Sunday also, and our pastor had called a day of prayer and fasting. We were allowed to have fruit juice and water, but no food until after our evening prayer service. After the evening service, we'd planned to go to Village Inn together as a large group and break the fast. I think I was on the praise team for both services that day, and I. was. miserable. I had a splitting headache all day, and was so light-headed that I thought I was going to faint during the evening service. I believe I found out a couple of weeks later that I had a kidney infection, which probably caused most of my misery that day. Anyway, after the evening service, we did the Village Inn thing, and since I was feeling awful, I just ordered their cheddar cheese soup. As soon as they set it in front of me, I was hit by a horrible wave of nausea and barely made it to the bathroom before everyone at the table became acquainted with my friend Ralph. Happy barf-day to me.
Tell me your birthday stories! What's the worst birthday you can remember? How about the best?
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!! Good thing you can't hear me sing with the typing. ;-)
Posted by: vw bug | July 27, 2005 at 05:03 PM
I worked on my birthday last Friday but then had the weekend to enjoy an 'extended birthday'.
Mind you, I love my job so it wasn't too much of a problem to be working.
Have a great day and enjoy your days off.
Posted by: Rodney Olsen | July 27, 2005 at 07:30 PM
Hey! Here's another joyful wish for a happy birthday -- even if it is about a half hour late, Pacific Time. I like your way of thinking: it isn't a celebration without friends or loved ones to share it with. So if they can't be with you on your celebration day, bring your celebration day to them on a day they can share in the fun with you!
My best birthday: each one I get.
My worst birthday: the one I won't make it to.
:D
Posted by: Mellie Helen | July 28, 2005 at 12:28 AM
Happy Birthday!!!
My worst birthday---I was 6 months pregnant and my husband had failed to make plans to celebrate in advance. That afternoon, I heard him whispering on the phone to friends inviting them over for a last-minute, thrown-together party. OH. HOW. HUMILIATING. Well I called a friend and made her tell me what his plans were, then I made her spend the day shopping with me. I spent a ridiculous amount of money that day and showed up unfashionably late for the "party". Needless to say, my husband learned a good lesson about last minute planning and I got a very cute comforter set for my bedroom. ha!
Posted by: Pam | July 28, 2005 at 09:40 PM
I never take my birthday off. My worst birthday was a few years ago when it was obvious that by all that was done, I was a complete afterthought by my husband.
My best one was last year... which I'll post on when my bday comes up in Sept.
Posted by: Bou | August 01, 2005 at 09:47 AM
Happy belated birthday!
I've had a few best...
30... my girlfriend (now wife) had her cousin record Happy Birthday on a cassette for me and played it while she brought out a giant home-made Swiss Roll birthday cake! Her cousin has an amazing basso voice and he plays guitar like a dream! Definitely the best... made me cry.
21... my friend Dennis and I share the same birthday; this year we took my motorcycle 100 miles south through the Champlain Lake area of New York State and rode the ferry enjoying Vermont's Green Mountains in the background.
23... I flew home from my escapade in Vancouver for Easter and my family and friends regaled me with birthday cake and balloons at home.
... and a couple worst ...
12... couldn't stand the idea of becoming a narrow-minded complaining adult person! Great big day of crying!
39... dreadful anguish, feeling age bearing down on me.
Posted by: John M | August 01, 2005 at 10:21 PM