Birthdays

[dancerjodi]

Mo posted this in her LJ and I think its perfect:
"I'm old enough that I almost resent this day that I feel like I'm supposed to honor in some way."

I believe that we should make EVERY DAY special for ourselves. This is why I don't get into celebrating birthdays or valentine's day or other similar holidays. If you wake up in the morning you should be making the best out of your day, because you don't know if you'll be here tomorrow.

People don't seem to get that I feel this way, despite me saying it each year. Those of you that know me well should also know that I mean what I say (and say what I mean). Please don't insist that I make a big deal about my birthday. I'm not anti-birthday but I'm anti 'big deal' and many of you are trying to make a big deal about this.

If you must do something please consider making a donation to http://www.straypetsinneed.info/ . I'm very fortunate to have more than enough things in my life, and I prefer company and activities to "stuff".

You are free to do what you would like with your own birthdays, so please let me do what I would like to with mine. Brian and I will be spending the day together and with family. I'm hoping that the weather cooperates and we can head to the beach, but we shall see! :)

Comments

[tisana.livejournal.com]

I've been trying to figure out my feelings on birthdays, and it's similar. It's not that I think you shouldn't make the best of every day, but I tend to treat it as a treat myself kind of day...and I'm not taking every day off of work to go pamper myself and break rules about how many frosted treats I'm allowed.

But yeah, I understand the anti-big-deal mindset.

[alonewiththemoon]

Happy ordinary day just like any other :-)

[druidesskat.livejournal.com]

My husband and I don't really get one another gifts ON Christmas/Valentine's Day/Birthdays because we very often do/get things for one another on regular ol days!

I get it.

I hope you enjoy the day and every day before and after!

[druidesskat.livejournal.com]

although I DID ask him to get me a hula hoop for my birthday this year. Heh!
I just want one!

[christmasjedi.livejournal.com]

I think birthdays are just a great excuse to spend time with the ones you love, be they friends or family. Especially the older I get, the less random stuff I want cluttering my home. Of course, seeing as how my birthday is on Christmas, I may think a bit different than most people! The last several years I've barely noticed my birthday. Most of the time I can't even remember how old I am. (I think I might be 28... Maybe? I certainly don't feel like it.)

[deadwinter.livejournal.com]

To me, birthdays are a convenient way to party. Much as I'd like to, I can't party every day.

So I try to make a big deal of mine if I can.

I believe that we should make EVERY DAY special for ourselves. This is why I don't get into celebrating birthdays or valentine's day or other similar holidays. If you wake up in the morning you should be making the best out of your day, because you don't know if you'll be here tomorrow.

I couldn't agree with you more.

Dammit!

[deadwinter.livejournal.com]

You realize the deposit on those clowns is non-refundable, right?

[roaming.livejournal.com]

I think birthdays are fun for kids under 12, because the sentiment is -- or should be -- "we're so glad you were born! Yay!" Though the wild extravagances people go to for any birthday seems repulsive to me. After that. . . eh. Get over it.

We do something (go out to dinner, big whoop) on our birthdays if we happen to feel like it on the day it happens. If it's inconveniently calendared -- on a work day -- or we're too tired or just not interested, a "hey, happy b-day / I didn't think to get you anything / you want anything? /No? / Okay, 'night" suffices.

I made a big deal out of Tom's Big Four-OH this past March mostly to make up for ignoring all the others the 8 years we've been together. And to tease him about no longer being 30-something. Hey, what can I say except "Misery not only Loves Company, it Demands Company." :-) One big friend-get-together every decade doesn't seem like a big deal.

I fervently hope everyone will be in as much denial of my upcoming (end of this month) birthdays as I intend to be. Though I suppose, as Maurice Chevalier said, "Considering the alternative, 95 ain't so bad."

I also boycott Xmas, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Valentine's Day, blah blah. Because usually if I see a gift that's good for someone, I get it and give it, no matter what the occasion. Being "held hostage" to doing it just because the calendar says so seems contrived. Or maybe I just haven't outgrown my teenage rebelliousness. :-)

[belka-zver.livejournal.com]

nice )

[protogeek.livejournal.com]

Even if it's not something to make a deal about -- what day is your birthday? Just curious as I didn't realize it was near mine. Is it today?

Bday

[dancer.livejournal.com]

My birthday isn't until 6/29, but people keep asking me what I want to do on it.

Re: Bday

[trixie.livejournal.com]

I see this as a way of people showing that they care about you, about your interests and desires. People can change from year to year about birthdays so it's also a way, early on, for those people that care to see what you'd like to do, if anything.
I hope there is no confusion between asking in friendship, and insisting after the question is answered. It can be difficult to find the patience to answer the same question over and over no matter how well intentioned the person asking.

For me, I try to see what others are really asking/doing- even when against my personal wishes. I may say... no presents for Christmas, birthday, whatever- and still I get presents. So, for me, I count myself blessed that people would try to be as generous as they are, and accept the sentiments gracefully.

I hope you have many very merry un-birthdays and a great solar return!
@-'-,--- K :)

Re: Bday

[protogeek.livejournal.com]

Ah, gotcha. How about "be relieved that people will stop asking me about it for another 11 months" :)