I hate birthdays

QuikSand · 01-30-2003, 12:58 PM

...and I'll tell you why. They inspire too much fake happiness, which I think is bad for the soul.

Back at my last place of employment, a piece of paper went out each year to every employee, detailing everyone's birthdays. I'd walk the hall on my birthday, and I'd have four or five people tell me "happy birthday."

Fine, except these are sometimes people who don't even give me the time of day any other time. These people clearly don't give a damn whether my day is happy - they are just fulfilling their duty as office-workers. It's preposterous.

If you want to convey to me that you care about me - say hello. Ask how my weekend was. Talk to me. Spend time with me. That's all fine. Don't single out one day, pretend that you like me then, and then ignore me again for another 364 days.

I don't celebrate my birthday (and am really not much for holidays, anniversaries, or commemorations in general), and I really don't much care whether you do, either. I do care, however, that you treat me with respect, and if you like me and care about my hapiness - then I really do care about that.

(The preceding many uses of "you" are meant in the generic second/third person, not as "you" a member of the FOFC forums)

So happy birthday to whomever is listed on the site today... I hope you have a great day. As it turns out, I probably also hope you have a nice year, and wish you well in general. I won't be prompted to say it to you in particular today... but if I mean it, I'll make sure that you know it, and it should mean something to both of us that way.

(This post may be partially inspired by my continuing very bad mood... take it for what it's worth)

Craptacular · 01-30-2003, 01:00 PM

I heart QuikSand.

Fritz · 01-30-2003, 01:01 PM

how is your day?

01-30-2003, 01:03 PM

Happy Birthday...

opps. wrong thread.

Marmel · 01-30-2003, 01:15 PM

Between this and the pizza thread, Quik has been rather grumpy lately.

I think he needs a 'cheering up' party.

QuikSand · 01-30-2003, 01:16 PM

You see, once you get to be the President of the General Partner, you get to lash out like this and people just call you "eccentric." back in the old days, this would have made me an "asshole." Ah, the privileges.

Fritz · 01-30-2003, 01:18 PM

asshole

ctmason · 01-30-2003, 01:19 PM

I never celebrated birthdays either, wasn't my parent's fault, because it was obviously a memorable day for them, I just never messed with it much as I grew older.

I see tons of people going out with large groups of friends to "celebrate" their birthday, or heading out to get drunk, or what have you. That's just never happened for me, and I refuse to let it.

I see tons of people, happy people, heading out the door, arm in arm with friends or significant others, smiling jovially that they're heading out to "celebrate their special day." Usually, I just smile and turn away, grab another powdered doughnut and continue cleaning my gun.

Take comfort, birthday celebrators, have your fun, your revilery. But don't you forget that there are people like C. Todd Mason towing the line, paying the freight, down in the trenches making this world work.

Happy Birthday,

C. Todd Mason

P.S. It's a joke. I think I just violated the Patriot Act Several times, though.

Marmel · 01-30-2003, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by QuikSand
You see, once you get to be the President of the General Partner, you get to lash out like this and people just call you "eccentric." back in the old days, this would have made me an "asshole." Ah, the privileges.

Who said we don't call you asshole now?

Qwikshot · 01-30-2003, 02:27 PM

Merry Christmas!!!

lurker · 01-30-2003, 02:29 PM

Wow, thanks for bringing me down. Between this and my Lumbergh-esque manager saying "Happy Birthday" followed by a phony smile and a request to get something insanely complicated done before I leave, this day is shaping up to be great.

Although I completely see what you're saying.

jamesUMD · 01-30-2003, 02:31 PM

Sounds like you need "The Office Linebacker!"

Buzzbee · 01-30-2003, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesUMD
Sounds like you need "The Office Linebacker!"

Or, the "Happy Birthday" linebacker. Anytime anyone says Happy Birthday to QS in a fake or insincere way, the HB LB wil tackle their ass into next week!

Bonegavel · 01-30-2003, 03:37 PM

Interesting analysis, but I think you need to take it on yourself to tell people this. A lot (me not included) like this. Just saying those magic words forces a smile to the lips and a twinkle in their eyes. Especially, from people they have had little to no contact with over the course of the year. They wear the "happy birthday" or whatnot, like a badge of courage for the remainder of the day/week.

My wife is like this. She will accept random acts of kindness from people she doesn't care for and gets all excited, and yet gets all over the people she feels should be saying these words (even when they do!). People suck.

Fritz · 01-30-2003, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BoneGavel
People suck.

and Marmel coaches them!

korme · 01-30-2003, 05:08 PM

Why don't you quit acting like such a lethargic hooligan, Fritz?

I myself enjoy happy birthday comments. Especially from the women.

Draft Dodger · 01-30-2003, 07:16 PM

Happy Birthday, QuikSand!

Draft Dodger · 01-30-2003, 07:17 PM

oh, and I LOVE birthdays.

I've got a great surprise birthday planned for my wife next weekend. Been planning it for about 4 months. Can't wait.

korme · 01-30-2003, 10:26 PM

Do tell us, DD. Do tell.

Draft Dodger · 01-30-2003, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shorty3281
Do tell us, DD. Do tell.

ok, fine.

my wife is a huge hockey fan.
I'm renting a party suite for a Monarchs (AHL) game this Saturday for 13 people. We're going to surprise her at her parents house, have a "tailgating" birthday party, and then I'm getting a couple of limos to take us all to the game.

It's going to be a blast, and the fact that it's going to be complete surprise to her (she thinks her party is the following weekend) is just the icing on the cake. The best part is that the hardest aspect - getting her to go to her parents house for the day without her thinking something is up - was solved by her; she announced out of the blue last week that she wanted to go to her moms that day to do our taxes. She thinks I'm working, so this will really catch her by surprise.

Hard keeping the secret though.

McSweeny · 01-30-2003, 10:54 PM

you're all damn lethargic hooligans

Lathum · 01-31-2003, 12:55 AM

FIrst off, as some of you know, I've worked for TGI Fridays for 7 years. So I HATE Birthdays. Why you want a bunch of strangers singing happy birthday to you is beyond me.

as for me personaly, I don't want a big deal made of my birthday, it's just another day,

A funny story about the coroprate machine, I got a birthday card from friday's about a week ago, too bad my birthday is in April.

Rich1033 · 01-31-2003, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lathum
FIrst off, as some of you know, I've worked for TGI Fridays for 7 years. So I HATE Birthdays. Why you want a bunch of strangers singing happy birthday to you is beyond me.

Well I want strangers singing Happy Birthday to me because they usually end up looking like a bunch of people who hate what they are doing. Now that just happens to amuse me, and I deserve to be amused on my birthday damnit!

Patman · 01-31-2003, 07:12 AM

I usually make the waiters sing Happy Birthday to my friend just to embarass the crap out of them.

Draft Dodger, I was thinking about going to that Monarchs game since I live about 5 minutes from the stadium and I go like a dozen times a year. If I see the limos I'll know who it is.

Grego · 01-31-2003, 10:58 AM

Birthdays lost lustre around 25 or so for me. Now they just make me a little melancholy.
Kinda like the mood that commercial for Toyota (? not sure, maybe Mitsubishi) where the 3 friends are slowly driving out of the neighborhood filled with children, past the "Leaving Childhood" roadsign.
If only avoiding old age were as easy as pulling off the road...
ack. Now I've depressed myself.

Senator · 01-31-2003, 11:12 AM

Quote:

where the 3 friends are slowly driving out of the neighborhood filled with children, past the "Leaving Childhood" roadsign.

That one bugs me as well, but I dwell on the slippage of time.

MylesKnight · 01-31-2003, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BoneGavel

My wife is like this. She will accept random acts of kindness from people she doesn't care for and gets all excited, and yet gets all over the people she feels should be saying these words (even when they do!). People suck.

Ahh, my thoughts/wife's actions exactly. Strange how people can at times be some nasty to the one's they hold dearest, but will be as polite as can be to individuals they've never seen before in their lives.

Oh well, that's something for the FOFC Psychologists to take a look into, not me.

Oh, and by the way, Happy Birthday QuikSand!!

Draft Dodger · 01-31-2003, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Patman
I usually make the waiters sing Happy Birthday to my friend just to embarass the crap out of them.

Draft Dodger, I was thinking about going to that Monarchs game since I live about 5 minutes from the stadium and I go like a dozen times a year. If I see the limos I'll know who it is.

we're both kind of jonesing a bit for a game - we have the 10 game season tickets, and it's been about a month since our last game.

we're going Friday night as well, but Saturday is the BIG game that she doesn't know about.

you should drop by and say hi sometime - we're normally in 212 (right by the back entrance), row C right by the aisle.

QuikSand · 10-14-2003, 03:35 PM

something made me bump this today...

Bee · 10-14-2003, 03:41 PM

Bucc's going to get upset if you challenge him for the title of curmudgeon.

Buzzbee · 10-14-2003, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by QuikSand
something made me bump this today...

Perhaps some over-zealous Happy Halloweiners are getting under QS's skin. Either that or someone pissed in his Cheerios.

Or it could be the generic happy birthday threads that continually pop up here at FOFC.

WSUCougar · 10-14-2003, 04:11 PM

Somebody's got a case of the Tuesdays.

Daimyo · 10-14-2003, 04:15 PM

This is nothing compared to the time Quiksand's air conditioning stopped working.

Fonzie · 10-14-2003, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by QuikSand
something made me bump this today...

Perhaps it was my birthday?

The Afoci · 10-14-2003, 10:33 PM

I once had a birthday. I believe it was 5 ago that it happened. I learned the real lesson that day from the paper shredder.

SunDancer · 10-14-2003, 10:42 PM

Could go to Hooters for birthdays....Reminds me, last weekend we went, and they were singing and getting the pics and giving pecks on the checks to like 8/9-year old kids.

Tasan · 10-14-2003, 11:21 PM

Hey, how did the suprise thing work out DD?

SunDancer · 10-14-2003, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tasan
Hey, how did the suprise thing work out DD?

Gee...I didn't notice it was in January. He's prolly in the early stages of planning his next suprise.

01-30-2003, 01:01 PM	#3
Fritz Lethargic Hooligan Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: hello kitty found my wallet at a big tent revival and returned it with all the cash missing	how is your day? __________________ donkey, donkey, walk a little faster

01-30-2003, 01:15 PM	#5
Marmel Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Manchester, CT	Between this and the pizza thread, Quik has been rather grumpy lately. I think he needs a 'cheering up' party. __________________ 81-78 Cincinnati basketball writer P. Daugherty, "Connor Barwin playing several minutes against Syracuse is like kids with slingshots taking down Caesar's legions."

01-30-2003, 01:16 PM	#6
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	(explanation) You see, once you get to be the President of the General Partner, you get to lash out like this and people just call you "eccentric." back in the old days, this would have made me an "asshole." Ah, the privileges.

01-30-2003, 01:18 PM	#7
Fritz Lethargic Hooligan Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: hello kitty found my wallet at a big tent revival and returned it with all the cash missing	asshole __________________ donkey, donkey, walk a little faster

01-30-2003, 02:27 PM	#10
Qwikshot Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: ...down the gravity well	Merry Christmas!!! __________________ "General Woundwort's body was never found. It could be that he still lives his fierce life somewhere else, but from that day on, mother rabbits would tell their kittens that if they did not do as they were told, the General would get them. Such was Woundwort's monument, and perhaps it would not have displeased him." Watership Down, Richard Adams

01-30-2003, 01:00 PM	#2
Craptacular College Starter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Mad City, WI	I heart QuikSand.

01-30-2003, 01:03 PM	#4
couriers	Happy Birthday... opps. wrong thread.

01-30-2003, 01:19 PM	#8
ctmason High School JV Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Mesa, AZ	I never celebrated birthdays either, wasn't my parent's fault, because it was obviously a memorable day for them, I just never messed with it much as I grew older. I see tons of people going out with large groups of friends to "celebrate" their birthday, or heading out to get drunk, or what have you. That's just never happened for me, and I refuse to let it. I see tons of people, happy people, heading out the door, arm in arm with friends or significant others, smiling jovially that they're heading out to "celebrate their special day." Usually, I just smile and turn away, grab another powdered doughnut and continue cleaning my gun. Take comfort, birthday celebrators, have your fun, your revilery. But don't you forget that there are people like C. Todd Mason towing the line, paying the freight, down in the trenches making this world work. Happy Birthday, C. Todd Mason P.S. It's a joke. I think I just violated the Patriot Act Several times, though.

01-30-2003, 02:29 PM	#11
lurker High School JV Join Date: May 2001	Wow, thanks for bringing me down. Between this and my Lumbergh-esque manager saying "Happy Birthday" followed by a phony smile and a request to get something insanely complicated done before I leave, this day is shaping up to be great. Although I completely see what you're saying.

01-30-2003, 02:31 PM	#12
jamesUMD High School JV Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Baltimore, MD	Sounds like you need "The Office Linebacker!" __________________ HailtotheRedskins! Last edited by jamesUMD : 01-30-2003 at 02:33 PM.

01-30-2003, 03:37 PM	#14
Bonegavel Awaiting Further Instructions... Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Macungie, PA	Interesting analysis, but I think you need to take it on yourself to tell people this. A lot (me not included) like this. Just saying those magic words forces a smile to the lips and a twinkle in their eyes. Especially, from people they have had little to no contact with over the course of the year. They wear the "happy birthday" or whatnot, like a badge of courage for the remainder of the day/week. My wife is like this. She will accept random acts of kindness from people she doesn't care for and gets all excited, and yet gets all over the people she feels should be saying these words (even when they do!). People suck. __________________ Last edited by Bonegavel : 01-30-2003 at 03:37 PM.

01-30-2003, 05:08 PM	#16
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio	Why don't you quit acting like such a lethargic hooligan, Fritz? I myself enjoy happy birthday comments. Especially from the women.

01-30-2003, 07:16 PM	#17
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	Happy Birthday, QuikSand! __________________ Mile High Hockey

01-30-2003, 07:17 PM	#18
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	oh, and I LOVE birthdays. I've got a great surprise birthday planned for my wife next weekend. Been planning it for about 4 months. Can't wait. __________________ Mile High Hockey

01-30-2003, 10:26 PM	#19
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio	Do tell us, DD. Do tell.

01-30-2003, 10:54 PM	#21
McSweeny College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Somerville, MA	you're all damn lethargic hooligans

01-31-2003, 12:55 AM	#22
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	FIrst off, as some of you know, I've worked for TGI Fridays for 7 years. So I HATE Birthdays. Why you want a bunch of strangers singing happy birthday to you is beyond me. as for me personaly, I don't want a big deal made of my birthday, it's just another day, A funny story about the coroprate machine, I got a birthday card from friday's about a week ago, too bad my birthday is in April. Last edited by Lathum : 01-31-2003 at 12:56 AM.

01-31-2003, 07:12 AM	#24
Patman n00b Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Manchester, NH	I usually make the waiters sing Happy Birthday to my friend just to embarass the crap out of them. Draft Dodger, I was thinking about going to that Monarchs game since I live about 5 minutes from the stadium and I go like a dozen times a year. If I see the limos I'll know who it is. __________________ Lock the door, kill the light No one's coming home tonight They bring news that must get through. Dying peace in me and you Locked in a place where no one goes.

01-31-2003, 10:58 AM	#25
Grego Mascot Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ohio	Birthdays lost lustre around 25 or so for me. Now they just make me a little melancholy. Kinda like the mood that commercial for Toyota (? not sure, maybe Mitsubishi) where the 3 friends are slowly driving out of the neighborhood filled with children, past the "Leaving Childhood" roadsign. If only avoiding old age were as easy as pulling off the road... ack. Now I've depressed myself.

10-14-2003, 03:35 PM	#29
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	something made me bump this today...

10-14-2003, 03:41 PM	#30
Bee Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fairfax, VA	Bucc's going to get upset if you challenge him for the title of curmudgeon.

10-14-2003, 04:11 PM	#32
WSUCougar Rider Of Rohan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Port Angeles, WA or Helm's Deep	Somebody's got a case of the Tuesdays. __________________ It's not the years...it's the mileage.

10-14-2003, 04:15 PM	#33
Daimyo College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Berkeley	This is nothing compared to the time Quiksand's air conditioning stopped working.

10-14-2003, 10:33 PM	#35
The Afoci Pro Rookie Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Moorhead	I once had a birthday. I believe it was 5 ago that it happened. I learned the real lesson that day from the paper shredder. __________________ I had something.

10-14-2003, 10:42 PM	#36
SunDancer College Benchwarmer Join Date: Sep 2002	Could go to Hooters for birthdays....Reminds me, last weekend we went, and they were singing and getting the pics and giving pecks on the checks to like 8/9-year old kids. Last edited by SunDancer : 10-14-2003 at 10:44 PM.

10-14-2003, 11:21 PM	#37
Tasan College Starter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Houston, or there about	Hey, how did the suprise thing work out DD? __________________ 2011 Golden Scribes winner for best Interactive Dynasty

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