It's not just Earth Day for some people

Song of the Day: "Birthday"-The Beatles

Today is Recovering DJ day too.

It’s funny how it's such a big deal to some people it’s their birthday and some people could care less. There must be a big psychological study about how you react to your big day defines the kind of person you are. As if it's that easy.

I have friends that go way overboard on their day, all "me me me" and it's like come on, we’re gettin' too old for this. But then I have some friends who don’t make a big deal at all and I think that’s wrong too.

Your birthday is your day; (unless you share it with other's- I happen to share it with four people I know, which I feel is an unusually large amount. I want my own day, HA). But regardless, you should be nice to yourself, treat yourself to something-however small but important only to you.
I think of my birthday as New Year's Day, which it really is. Another year of your life. I reflect on the past, and future and pour myself a glass of vino because it's all so much. Another story for another day.

I also try to do something nice for myself-like a mani/pedi, and responsible- I schedule doctor and dentist appointments before my birthday, that way I know every year when I’m due for my check ups. Ugh, that’s such a grown up thing to do now that I go back and read that.

When I worked in radio, saying a birthday over the air was a BIG DEAL, to both the birthday person as well as the person who made the request. I felt I possessed a great power over civilians, which I guess I did. But the simple gesture made people happy, so it was worth using the power for good instead of evil. At least I don’t think I ever used it for evil, unless I said someone’s age or something, broadcasting it to thousands of people at once…Oops.

Aaliyah (may she rest in peace) sang: “Age ain’t nothin’ but a number”. True, but sometimes it’s not a good number, not a number you want out there. I know some people hide their age, although now that I think about it, not in my circle. I am probably the only one who has started to think about shaving a few years off here and there, I mean who would it hurt really? I know some people who think they'r sooo old and therefore are acting so waaayyy too soon. And then I know people who don’t act their age, and I’m not sure if they ever will. I think I fit somewhere in the middle.

Today is also Earth Day, something I find veddy veddy amusing. Without giving too much away, Earth Day was created AFTER I was. Therefore, a somewhat egotistical maniac who thinks the world revolves around her might think Earth Day is about her.

Alas, not so. Just a funny little coincidence, which I think might help people remember my b'day. Or not, if they're aren't Earth Day sort of people.

At any rate, it’s certainly better than being born on a day like Christmas. You really get gypped on the gifts. Of course you do when you get older too, but that’s a story for another day boys and girls.

Bugs Bunny Lunch Box

Song of the Day: Borderline-Madonna

Today is the birthday of a dear dear friend of mine. I’ve known her since I was around 6, so I’ve known her most of my life. We have not lived in the same state most of our adult lives, but she is always there, on the phone, online via IM or e-mail, and I just got her started on Facebook.

We are very different people- different values, different lifestyles, and different hair color. But we both loved the Bay City Rollers, and Madonna and Bonne Belle lip-gloss and all kinds of food.

Our shared loves have evolved into "Seinfeld" and "Lost", and Bonne Belle lip-gloss, and all kinds of food. And we love each other, no matter what. I think we both know that now, we’re stuck with each other; after surfing wave after wave of events; sometimes together, and sometimes apart, good and bad.

We met very innocently, (I think she hates when I tell this story). It was first grade at Longacre Elementary. I had already done kindergarten there, so I was in the loop. She was new. She looked scared, as all the kids pretty much knew each other from last year and had already begun to form their clique’s.

She stood on the outside the circle, head down a bit, biting her lip, blond wavy hair swirling around her face. I'm betting she was wearing a matching sweater and skirt ensemble as sweaty hands grasped a Bugs Bunny lunch box, that I thought was exquisite. Even in first grade I thought in big words, Ha Ha.

I did not have a Bugs Bunny. I think I had some stupid plaid lunch box, or maybe one with monkeys. Lunch boxes were the designer bags of our time, and I didn’t have a Canal Street connection back then.

So, I went up and talked to her. I couldn’t tell you what was said. (This is why I could never in good conscience write my memoir’s, who can remember?)

At any rate, the die was cast for our lifelong friendship. We have so many memories together from grade school through high school, through marriages, and deaths, through losses and triumphs.

Now, we are as different as salt and pepper, as moon and sun. Our lives have taken completely different routes. I used to say, if I met her now, I probably wouldn’t be friends with her.

But that’s just plain silly you rascally rabbit.

We judge people so quickly; you never know what kind of inspiring person might be hiding behind that lunch box. You may miss out. If I hadn’t taken a chance and said hello, who knows…I might not be writing today about blonde haired first-graders and Bugs Bunny lunch boxes.