A Happy Birthday Indeed

Gifts: a constellation-projecting turtle from my family, a book and cd combo and a glass of Leinenkugel Summer Shandy from a friend Mike, an adorable hair purple hair bow from Natalie, gloriously decadent cocoa and a slice of strawberry cake from my friends Natalie, Julia, and Chibi <3

Even if I’m repeating, I don’t know how I could have celebrated my first quarter century better than with these things that I love: rain, family, stars, books, music, chocolate, strawberries, baked goods, friends, beer, and conversation.

The one birthday phone call…

I feel sufficiently well-wished via facebook and text message. I’m at work anyway so it’s not like I can take a lot of calls. I’m pretty swamped answering the work phone every minute.

But I just got one happy birthday greeting over the phone. And it was only a minute and a half long. Twenty minutes have passed and I still can’t keep this creeping smile from crawling along my face - pulling along my cheeks until the corners of my lips feel this rogue sensation curling them up.

I’m terrible when it comes to over-thinking. I’m sure it was just a friendly gesture. But even still, I have lots of friends. And so far, just the one phone call. And even a friendly birthday well-wisher just wants to make the birthday celebrator happy. And I’m happy. Even despite my best efforts to stop smiling so smugly. It was nice.

I sound terribly neurotic about this. But honestly, the bottom line is this:

It was nice. The effort of the phone call; it was nice. Because it’s so easy to just text or do it over facebook (which is fine, too I swear!) And even now, even though I forgot what was said besides “Happy Birthday!” and “Thanks!” and “Well, I could have on Facebook, but I KNOW you” and having to pull away to talk to a coworker about invoices and checks that have been paid/mailed/etc., even though it’s been half an hour, now, I’m still smiling a bit smugly to myself - quietly pleased and warming myself over someone’s wish that I have a birthday that is qualitatively happy.

Social networking makes you forget, I guess, and therefor appreciate the slightly more antiquated versions of communication. Things like letters and phone calls, especially to express the more simpler sentiments. Relatively big things like love letters and long phone conversations - those are still longed for, missed, and sometimes even received. But you forget about the little thank you letters, postcards, any mail that isn’t a bill or bulk, the calls to check in that aren’t your parents or other family members and… the quick birthday phone calls.

Guys, I’m just saying, it was nice.

Perfect Birthday Weather

It’s cold, overcast, and raining. Which makes me want to scurry indoors with a cup of a warm beverage with a friend or six, talking, laughing and not trying so hard to pretend anything at all. I hope I can see you guys later tonight.