Happy 39th B-Day to me
So, here I am facing my last year in my 30’s. Next year, it will be the big Four - Oh! Where on earth did all the years go? It doesn’t seem like it was all that long ago that I was just turning 29.
So far, this year has not started off to be a very good one. Certain aspects of my life seem as if they are turned upside down, and I just don’t know how to get them back the way that they need to be. I sometimes think that with the way that things are going, I may not even make it to 40; and I’m surprised that I’ve made it to 39.
As far as celebrations go, no big deal this year. Karen and I have spent some time together, and I actually got her to “give it up,” (as she and brandy are so fond of saying) for my birthday. But otherwise, today and tomorrow are just laid back stay home from work and relax kind of days.
Next Year… With it being my big 40, and me being in my Mid-life Crisis years (they say that 40 is mid-life… but I have serious doubts as to whether or not I will actually make it to 80. I don’t think that any of the Mullen men have made it past 70 to 75 over the past several generations. I’ll have to check mom’s genealogy research, but I don’t think any of the men in this family have made it that far since coming to America from Ireland.) I’m looking forward to a monstrous BASH to rival all other birthday parties that I’ve ever had. Of course, that really won’t be too difficult since I have not had very many birthday parties to begin with, and other than getting together with a pretty good sized group of friends to go out to dinner and the comedy club, I’ve never had any large birthday parties. The only time I’ve had anything closely resembling a BASH are my wedding receptions.
For years, I had dreamed (oh the grandiose dreams I had of a massive party with all of my friends) of having a huge party to ring in my 30’s. I can’t tell you how many friend’s or relative’s parties that I had been to over the years, where they rang in the big three-oh with a massive party filled with food, games, entertainment, and other things that I probably shouldn’t repeat. But that time in my life coincided with the collapse of a previous relationship, and those dreams of a grand event never came to fruition.
Fortunately, for me, I had been dating Karen for just over 6 months, and she made sure that my birthday was not wholly forgotten. In fact, she made sure that I had a very wonderful evening, by taking me to dinner theater at the Lemp mansion, and then spending the whole night with me being the best friend that a guy could ever hope to have. While it wasn’t the party I had hoped and dreamed of, or had looked forward to ever since my 21st birthday, it turned out to be a wonderful evening.
BUT….. that means that I have two big parties to make up for next year. It will be my 30 and 40 year birthday bash all rolled up into one.
My actual birthday date will fall on a Thursday next year, so I guess that my party will be either on the 12th or the 19th (probably which ever does not interfere with whatever biker fest it is that everyone takes off to go attend every year. Being in February, and so close to valentine's day, I usually get screwed in the get together / party arena. Unlike the May birthday group that always seems to find a time and reason to get the whole group together somewhere fun.). But my actual birthday is on a Thursday. Maybe I'll take off that day and Friday to celebrate on my own.
I know it's awhole year away, but I can't help but think about what Karen may be planning. A vinyl clad dominatrix stripper? If she does get a stripper, or dancer, I just hope it doesn't end up being some skinny chick with no tits. Everyone knows I like curvy girls.... then again, maybe I don't need a stripper. My Bubbie is the only girl for me.
Spaghetti wrestling? BBQ feast or luau? I'm a horrible party planner, but I'm sure Karen's going to cook up something fun. Maybe just something kind of like a small "wedding reception" like party (50-60 people or so, mostly our friends group and some family) - with a buffet of food (maybe pot luck, or just something simple and catered), lots of drinks so I can get plastered, plenty of good 80's and 90's themed music, a picture slide show of all of my growing up years projected on the wall or showing on a TV, and dancing and games. I don't want anyone spending money to get me any big presents. I'd much rather get funny cards and lots of hilarious gag gifts; and maybe a year's membership to a gym or something.
Start the countdown now: There are only 364 Days left to shop and plan for Dwight's BIG FOUR OH BASH!.
Then again, who knows, we may be pinching pennies and just simply not able to do anything that grand at this time a year from now. In which case, I guess there's always my 50th birthday {{Sad FACE}}.... if I live that long. Heck, forget gifts, we can just charge a small admission fee, and let that pay for the food... or do a pot luck. Save the money for the entertainment.
I'll just stop now. I don't want to ruin the surprise a whole year before my next birthday. If we're still together, Karen will have it all under control. She's awesome like that.