Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Happy Birthday to Moi

Actually, I'm jumping the gun because today is officially Donna's Birthday Eve rather than the day itself, but I like to warm up with the self-congratulations and arbitrary indulgent commands to everyone in shouting distance. Birthdays are big at our house. In fact, they start the day before and continue on through the weekend. Naturally most of the celebration involves meals and other sensual treats. Tonight we're having a homemade pizza bash with friends--dessert is my friend Jennifer's famous homemade cheesecake which is luscious and light and my vote for the Best in the World (although admittedly of limited production). Tomorrow begins with a Japanese breakfast at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. I'm not sure what other selfish whims will come to mind. There will be a nice wine in the evening and some costume drama chick-film I'll force on my men. We'll spend a quiet evening at home away from the drunk drivers, stay up until midnight, and stumble into bed.

What's it like to have a birthday on the last day of the year, you may ask? Even if you don't ask, I'm going to tell you. It's not the day I'd choose. I'd prefer another time of the year, one that isn't already saturated in specialness and self-indulgence. I mean, seriously, at this time of the year we're all sick of gifts and special foods. I'd rather have a birthday on October 9 or June 12 or some day that could be mine alone. Plus, I think I still haven't recovered from my birthday party in first grade, when I invited all the girls in my class. My friend Pam did that for her birthday in October and everyone came. But for my party, five out of twelve showed up because the rest of them were visiting grandma or otherwise engaged.

I was really bummed and I've been sort of spooked about throwing parties ever since.

Over the years, however, I've come to see some advantages to a December 31 fete. First of all, it's really easy to figure out my age at any given point of the year. Secondly, my dad was really happy about the tax deduction. And last but not least, the whole world is in a festive mood right along with me--and I can get great deals on champagne!

So, world, tomorrow night, raise a champagne flute to all you've learned in the old year, the new year of hope and fresh beginnings, and of course, yours truly who is one year older and a wee bit wiser (but still hasn't thrown a birthday party for herself except for one ersatz Kennywood Park party in May in fifth grade which was mildly dissatisfying because everyone gave me May birthstone jewelry....)

And yes, the photo is me--like my frilly dress?

Happy New Year to you all!

11 comments:

LVLM(Leah) said...

Happy Birthday! I get the whole celebrating on a holiday thing even though my birthday is in the middle of nowhere and all my own.

But you are right, the whole world is celebrating. How cool is that?

Have a good one and I hope this next year is just as fun as the last year seemed to be for you.

Neve Black said...

Donna!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Capricorn girl!! Wow and Yaaah! Thank you for sharing this with us.

You would not be the Donna you are today if your birthday were Oct 9, or June 12th. I think knowing the world celebrates your very special day, is very cool, just like you. Hey, I would have come to your party in first grade. :-)

Yes, I will drinking champagne and celebrating Donna's Eve along with the rest of the world.

BTW: Love the dress.

Donna said...

Thanks for coming to my party, MB and Neve. You know how much this means to me ;-)!

And my special thanks to you both for making my 2008 especially fun here in Blogland.

Craig Sorensen said...

Happy Birthday!

Sung, with feeling:

"You must have been a beautiful baby!"

My eldest brother's birthday is today, so I have a little second hand perspective on the holiday Birthday thing.

Have a wonderful birthday weekend! Indulge!

Anonymous said...

Hey, you didn't give me a chance to prove that I made note of your birthday ever since you first told me when it was and have been looking forward to wishing you a happy one ever since! :) Well, actually you did, because if I had gotten you the actual physical birthday card I've had on my calendar to get you and put it in the mail before now, you would have known that I remembered when it was....

Anyway -- I have managed to slack considerably on that, but yay for your birthday, and a spendidly happy one and year (and life) to you! Happy happy birthday!!!

Xoxoxo,
Emerald

EllaRegina said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DONNA!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

XO

HAVE A GLORIOUS DAY AND AN EQUALLY GLORIOUS YEAR!

(Look at that perfect cake! I see baking started very early with you...)

Heidi Champa said...

Happy birthday, Donna. May your New Year be everything you hope for.

Here's hoping there are some extra fireworks just for you!!

Nikki Magennis said...

Happy Birthday, Donna! I'll be raising a glass of whisky to you later tonight!

Maryanne Stahl said...

Happy Birthday! a day late! your plans sound ideal; hope they turned out so.

but May birthstone jewelry? emeralds!!!! I'll take them!

xxx

Donna said...

I hear you, I LOVE Emeralds of all kinds, but it felt inauthentic to wear a charm bracelet with the "May" dangling from the chain as well (and besides, what I got was really just green glass :-).

Jeremy Edwards said...

[Arriving very late to the party.]

Happy Birthday! Cleary this makes you the official New Year's goddess of the erotica world (and possibly the entire world). Here's to you!