Birthdays

Gaear · Wed, 8th Aug '12, 5:01pm

Here's another poll thread to pass the time ...

The Happy Birthday Thread and news of Ofelix's birthday got me thinking: how important are birthdays to you? There seems to be a fairly wide variation in this.

Personally I'm willing to concede that birthdays for kids can be kind of important, both to them and in acknowledgement by others, simply because they haven't had that many of them and because kids kind of should celebrate things like birthdays. They're kids after all, let them worry about heavy stuff later. The other side of the coin is a fairly ugly and embarrassing one though - those older people who make a point of telling the entire office (or pick your social setting) that their birthday is coming in the desperate hope that they'll receive a cake and public accolades, and who seem to derive deep satisfaction from the experience, and who seem to feel horribly mistreated if the don't get their perceived due.

I tend to barely even acknowledge my own birthdays, being as they seem to be abstractions to the extent that they are almost meaningless. (Roughly x number of cycles of the earth orbiting the sun have occurred since the day you were born, not counting leap years and the fact that there's some spare time left at the end of each year - so that estimate is very rough. And even if you do pin it down, so what? Did you change somehow, fundamentally? And the more years you tack on, the more they blur together anyway. It's also embarrassing to wear a pointed hat and have people mumble through the song for you after you're, say, 15 years old or so.)

What do you think?

Taluntain · Wed, 8th Aug '12, 5:53pm

I'm in your camp... I always found all the hoopla surrounding birthdays once you get past your childhood exceedingly pointless. Birthdays are next to meaningless to me but so many people seem convinced that if you don't throw a big party for each one and celebrate like it's the second coming that there must be something horribly wrong with you. Heh...

I realize I'm in the minority though as practically no one I know shares my view on this. I get my validation of continued existence by waking up every morning, don't need to celebrate it in an anniversary of birth every year.

Mesmero · Wed, 8th Aug '12, 5:54pm

Birthdays are a good excuse to go out with some mates and have a beer, or throw a bbq. I never pay that much attention to the day itself tho, as most of the time I celebrate it in a weekend close to my actual birthday.

As for cakes in the office: around here you're expected to bring your own cake on your birthday, to share with the people you work with.

Blackthorne TA · Wed, 8th Aug '12, 6:08pm

I care so little, sometimes I forget how old I am. If it ever comes up I have to do a quick mental calculation with my birth date

Gaear · Wed, 8th Aug '12, 7:44pm

I know the feeling. I'm aware of my birth date, but not always my age.

Ofelix · Wed, 8th Aug '12, 7:47pm

I hate birthdays, I really do. All those relative making a fuss about this day... It's never about what I want (I'd seriously be happy playing Dawnguard, Skyrim's new DLC, and wait by the phone for news of my recent interviews) noooooooo, it's all about what others want to do for my birthday. So it's off to the movies and dinner with my aunt. I really don't want to, but hey it wouldn't be polite and stuff... So I got expelled out of a vagina 24 years ago, big ****ing deal.

Aldeth the Foppish Idiot · Wed, 8th Aug '12, 8:24pm

They grow less important the older you get. My son turns 5 next week - it's a big deal. I turned 38 this year - it was no big deal. I find my birthday an annual occassion in which I have the opportunity to redefine what I consider to be "old".

dmc · Wed, 8th Aug '12, 8:42pm

Too true, AFI. Old is my current age plus 10 years.

Splunge · Wed, 8th Aug '12, 10:28pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmc

Too true, AFI. Old is my current age plus 10 years.

dmc and I must being sharing some sort of cosmic mental ray these last couple of days, because that is how I look at "old" as well. When I was 30, 40 was old, and 50 might as well been on death's doorstep. I'm now 52, and I think of one of my co-workers who is 58 as still being young. The 61 year-old, OTOH, is a geezer.

Paracelsi · Wed, 8th Aug '12, 11:02pm

Same as Mesmero. It's like Thanksgiving (for the sales) or Christmas (if you're not religious) except with emphasis on "me". We sometimes even "celebrate" (bbq, fishing, beer fest, depends) someone's birthday one month in advance/late, so everyone has a chance to join. Nothing particularly elaborate though. Sometimes we just order pizza and play console games.

All of us are 25-30, less than half are married.

Dice · Wed, 8th Aug '12, 11:23pm

I didn't go out and celebrate my last birthday but it was significant for me because it was the first birthday I was happy in a long time. The important thing was that I was with people I care about

.

reepnorp · Thu, 9th Aug '12, 2:11am

The reason I love my birthday is because it's the one time of year I can really get all my friends together. Unlike some people who have one really close-knit group I have many different friends who aren't really friends with the others. There's my friends from high school, friends from university, friends from my co-op jobs and friends from my current job. Usually that means that I tend to go long periods of time between seeing some of my friends but my birthday gives me a chance to put make sure I haven't missed anyone!

And as far as old is concerned, my manager turned 28 in December and I still haven't stopped harping on her for being "so old". Then again there are times when I think to myself "Holy crap, as of next month I'll have been able to drink (legally) for five years" even though it seems like just yesterday that we had to get older friends to help us find liquor. I can't even begin to imagine how those memories will feel in 20 years time

Montresor · Thu, 9th Aug '12, 2:09pm

Birthdays get less and less important over the years, I think.

Harbourboy · Thu, 9th Aug '12, 6:58pm

What a bunch of humbugs you all are!

Sure, you can argue all day that a year isn't a cosmic time period (actually, it literally is, but never mind) but its great to have a day of the year that's special to you and to think a bit differently about. It's milestones like birthdays and anniversaries that remind us to get out of our rut of doing the same thing over and over every day. They become anchor points to look back on in life.

Cheer up a bit you lot! And Happy Birthday!!

henkie · Thu, 9th Aug '12, 7:36pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by reepnorp

I can't even begin to imagine how those memories will feel in 20 years time

Faded, I would imagine.

To me, birthdays and stuff like new years is just like a complete non-issue. One day is much the same as the other and birthdays are no different. I've had it happen that I forgot about my birthday and only was reminded of it when someone else remembered it and congratulated me.

Also forgetting how old I am happens a lot - I usually remember the year in which people were born so I can calculate it, including for myself.

Spellbound · Mon, 20th Aug '12, 9:36pm

Birthdays are fun to celebrate, but I've forgotton my own until some friend calls or visits to remind me. lol I kind of agree with Tal -- if I can open my eyes in the morning and see light....I know it's a good day.

joacqin · Mon, 20th Aug '12, 9:53pm

I do think it is mandatory that close friends/relatives have some kind of ruckus when they turn even. Have a few rockin' 30-year parties to look forward to in the next few years.

Troy's Owner · Wed, 5th Sep '12, 8:00am

I love them, especially my kids birthdays

Marceror · Mon, 1st Oct '12, 4:59pm

My birthday? I don't give a damn about that one. I don't see the point in jumping up and down every year just because the date happens to match that of the day I was born. Just why?

Gehennis · Sun, 18th Nov '12, 2:34pm

I'm a Valentine baby- bah, humbug!

View Poll Results: How do you feel about your birthday?
My birthday is the single most important day of the year, bar none.	0	0%
I kind of like it when my birthday rolls around. Parties are fun.	2	10.00%
I could go either way. If you want to celebrate, fine. If not, fine.	7	35.00%
I would really rather not get involved in any birthday shenanigans.	2	10.00%
I simply don't give a damn about my birthday.	8	40.00%
This is a stupid poll.	1	5.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll

Wed, 8th Aug '12, 5:01pm	#1
Gaear SPS Account Holder Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,680 Like: 48 Liked 69 Times in 45 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 4,753 Level: 21 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 67.36% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 66.28% Achievements Awards	Birthdays Here's another poll thread to pass the time ... The Happy Birthday Thread and news of Ofelix's birthday got me thinking: how important are birthdays to you? There seems to be a fairly wide variation in this. Personally I'm willing to concede that birthdays for kids can be kind of important, both to them and in acknowledgement by others, simply because they haven't had that many of them and because kids kind of should celebrate things like birthdays. They're kids after all, let them worry about heavy stuff later. The other side of the coin is a fairly ugly and embarrassing one though - those older people who make a point of telling the entire office (or pick your social setting) that their birthday is coming in the desperate hope that they'll receive a cake and public accolades, and who seem to derive deep satisfaction from the experience, and who seem to feel horribly mistreated if the don't get their perceived due. I tend to barely even acknowledge my own birthdays, being as they seem to be abstractions to the extent that they are almost meaningless. (Roughly x number of cycles of the earth orbiting the sun have occurred since the day you were born, not counting leap years and the fact that there's some spare time left at the end of each year - so that estimate is very rough. And even if you do pin it down, so what? Did you change somehow, fundamentally? And the more years you tack on, the more they blur together anyway. It's also embarrassing to wear a pointed hat and have people mumble through the song for you after you're, say, 15 years old or so.) What do you think?
	Last edited by Gaear; Thu, 9th Aug '12 at 7:32pm. Reason: sp

Wed, 8th Aug '12, 5:53pm	#2
Taluntain SPS Account Holder Founder Resident Alpha and Omega Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Cori Celesti Posts: 20,798 Blog Entries: 13 Like: 151 Liked 120 Times in 78 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 53,135 Level: 58 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 48.71% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 49.01% Achievements Awards	I'm in your camp... I always found all the hoopla surrounding birthdays once you get past your childhood exceedingly pointless. Birthdays are next to meaningless to me but so many people seem convinced that if you don't throw a big party for each one and celebrate like it's the second coming that there must be something horribly wrong with you. Heh... I realize I'm in the minority though as practically no one I know shares my view on this. I get my validation of continued existence by waking up every morning, don't need to celebrate it in an anniversary of birth every year.
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Wed, 8th Aug '12, 5:54pm	#3
Mesmero How'd an old elf get the blues? Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,957 Like: 2 Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 3,318 Level: 18 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 53.62% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 1.73% Achievements	Birthdays are a good excuse to go out with some mates and have a beer, or throw a bbq. I never pay that much attention to the day itself tho, as most of the time I celebrate it in a weekend close to my actual birthday. As for cakes in the office: around here you're expected to bring your own cake on your birthday, to share with the people you work with.
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Wed, 8th Aug '12, 6:08pm	#4
Blackthorne TA SPS Account Holder Administrator Master in his Own Mind Attack of the Tweety Zombies Champion! Balloon Bomber Champion! Barrel Jumper Champion! Belter Champion! Birdy Champion! Blast the Enemy Champion! Bubbles Champion! Color Boxes Champion! Counterstrike Champion! Emergency Champion! Fishy Champion! Galagon 2004 Champion! Grand Slam Shredder Champion! Helicopter Champion! Home Run Champion! Jackhammer Rampage Champion! Micro Machines Champion! Moon Lander Champion! Odd World Champion! Pingu Sports! Champion! Sheep Dash Champion! Snake Champion! Space Rescue Champion! Ten Pin Bowling Champion! The Viking Champion! Tiny Pinball Champion! Reaction Game Champion! Wilie Coytes Rocket Factory Champion! Storm The House Champion! aim and fire Champion! Batting Champ Champion! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: San Pedro, CA, USA Posts: 9,722 Blog Entries: 18 Like: 19 Liked 44 Times in 32 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 22,002 Level: 41 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 37.93% Daily Activity 53.57% Weekly Activity 8.01% Monthly Activity 39.55% Achievements Awards	I care so little, sometimes I forget how old I am. If it ever comes up I have to do a quick mental calculation with my birth date
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Wed, 8th Aug '12, 7:44pm	#5
Gaear SPS Account Holder Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,680 Like: 48 Liked 69 Times in 45 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 4,753 Level: 21 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 67.36% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 66.28% Achievements Awards	I know the feeling. I'm aware of my birth date, but not always my age.

Wed, 8th Aug '12, 7:47pm	#6
Ofelix The world changes, we do not, what irony! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mons Regius - provincia quebecum Posts: 5,679 Like: 5 Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 13,069 Level: 33 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 37.97% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 1.73% Achievements	I hate birthdays, I really do. All those relative making a fuss about this day... It's never about what I want (I'd seriously be happy playing Dawnguard, Skyrim's new DLC, and wait by the phone for news of my recent interviews) noooooooo, it's all about what others want to do for my birthday. So it's off to the movies and dinner with my aunt. I really don't want to, but hey it wouldn't be polite and stuff... So I got expelled out of a vagina 24 years ago, big ****ing deal.
	__________________ Non Hubris Si Victor

Wed, 8th Aug '12, 8:24pm	#7
Aldeth the Foppish Idiot Mod Reviewer Armed with My Mallet O' Thinking Froggster Champion! Gold Miner Champion! Straw Game Champion! Tubin Champion! Worm Catcher Champion! Join Date: May 2003 Location: MD Posts: 12,311 Like: 26 Liked 44 Times in 38 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 30,012 Level: 46 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 87.56% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 29.86% Monthly Activity 59.29% Achievements	They grow less important the older you get. My son turns 5 next week - it's a big deal. I turned 38 this year - it was no big deal. I find my birthday an annual occassion in which I have the opportunity to redefine what I consider to be "old".
	__________________ "I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it." - Mark Twain

Wed, 8th Aug '12, 8:42pm	#8
dmc SPS Account Holder Distinguished Member Moderator Speak softly and carry a big briefcase 3 Card Poker Champion! Balloon Shoot Champion! Bumper Golf Champion! Falldown Champion! Plumber 2 Champion! Rotations Champion! Towerball Champion! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California, USA Posts: 6,496 Like: 18 Liked 53 Times in 43 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 15,912 Level: 36 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 23.03% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 8.01% Monthly Activity 46.13% Achievements Awards	Too true, AFI. Old is my current age plus 10 years.

Wed, 8th Aug '12, 11:02pm	#10
Paracelsi Gems: 13/31 Latest gem: Ziose Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: East Coast Posts: 598 Like: 5 Liked 32 Times in 31 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 1,384 Level: 12 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 63% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 8.31% Achievements Awards	Same as Mesmero. It's like Thanksgiving (for the sales) or Christmas (if you're not religious) except with emphasis on "me". We sometimes even "celebrate" (bbq, fishing, beer fest, depends) someone's birthday one month in advance/late, so everyone has a chance to join. Nothing particularly elaborate though. Sometimes we just order pizza and play console games. All of us are 25-30, less than half are married.
	Last edited by Paracelsi; Thu, 9th Aug '12 at 4:01am.

Wed, 8th Aug '12, 11:23pm	#11
Dice Gems: 31/31 Latest gem: Rogue Stone Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,477 Blog Entries: 35 Like: 32 Liked 50 Times in 29 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 11,390 Level: 31 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 50.65% Daily Activity 53.57% Weekly Activity 8.01% Monthly Activity 22.28% Achievements	I didn't go out and celebrate my last birthday but it was significant for me because it was the first birthday I was happy in a long time. The important thing was that I was with people I care about .
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Thu, 9th Aug '12, 2:11am	#12
reepnorp SPS Account Holder Lim'n Lime Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada, eh? Posts: 1,671 Like: 6 Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 4,164 Level: 20 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 46.2% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 1.73% Achievements Awards	The reason I love my birthday is because it's the one time of year I can really get all my friends together. Unlike some people who have one really close-knit group I have many different friends who aren't really friends with the others. There's my friends from high school, friends from university, friends from my co-op jobs and friends from my current job. Usually that means that I tend to go long periods of time between seeing some of my friends but my birthday gives me a chance to put make sure I haven't missed anyone! And as far as old is concerned, my manager turned 28 in December and I still haven't stopped harping on her for being "so old". Then again there are times when I think to myself "Holy crap, as of next month I'll have been able to drink (legally) for five years" even though it seems like just yesterday that we had to get older friends to help us find liquor. I can't even begin to imagine how those memories will feel in 20 years time

Thu, 9th Aug '12, 2:09pm	#13
Montresor SPS Account Holder Distinguished Member Online Walkthrough Writer Mostly Harmless 30k Starfighter Champion! Bomb Bandits Champion! Breakout Champion! Cutie Quake Champion! Driller Champion! Hexxagon Champion! Michu Champion! Treasure Hunt Champion! Driving Mad Champion! Moebius Syndrome Champion! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 2,979 Blog Entries: 2 Like: 43 Liked 34 Times in 26 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 7,848 Level: 26 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 90.34% Daily Activity 53.57% Weekly Activity 15.29% Monthly Activity 28.04% Achievements Awards	Birthdays get less and less important over the years, I think.
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Thu, 9th Aug '12, 6:58pm	#14
Harbourboy SPS Account Holder Take thy form from off my door! Join Date: May 2003 Location: North Harbour Posts: 13,220 Like: 53 Liked 11 Times in 10 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 28,186 Level: 45 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 71.74% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 11.59% Achievements Awards	What a bunch of humbugs you all are! Sure, you can argue all day that a year isn't a cosmic time period (actually, it literally is, but never mind) but its great to have a day of the year that's special to you and to think a bit differently about. It's milestones like birthdays and anniversaries that remind us to get out of our rut of doing the same thing over and over every day. They become anchor points to look back on in life. Cheer up a bit you lot! And Happy Birthday!!

Mon, 20th Aug '12, 9:36pm	#16
Spellbound SPS Account Holder Distinguished Member Mod Reviewer Fleur de Mystique Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tornado Alley Posts: 1,259 Like: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post vBActivity - Stats XP: 3,607 Level: 19 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 22.64% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 1.73% Achievements	Birthdays are fun to celebrate, but I've forgotton my own until some friend calls or visits to remind me. lol I kind of agree with Tal -- if I can open my eyes in the morning and see light....I know it's a good day.
	__________________ We cannot get out. The end comes...drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out.....they are coming. - Lord of the Rings

Mon, 20th Aug '12, 9:53pm	#17
joacqin Confused Jerk Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Helsingborg, Sweden Posts: 6,065 Like: 7 Liked 12 Times in 11 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 14,075 Level: 34 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 42.93% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 33.39% Achievements Awards	I do think it is mandatory that close friends/relatives have some kind of ruckus when they turn even. Have a few rockin' 30-year parties to look forward to in the next few years.

Wed, 5th Sep '12, 8:00am	#18
Troy's Owner Gems: 1/31 Latest gem: Turquoise Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 9 Like: 9 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post vBActivity - Stats XP: 56 Level: 2 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 59.67% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 1.73% Achievements	I love them, especially my kids birthdays

Mon, 1st Oct '12, 4:59pm	#19
Marceror SPS Account Holder Editor Chaos Shall Be Sown In Their Footsteps Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sword Coast Posts: 2,394 Like: 21 Liked 92 Times in 75 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 5,824 Level: 23 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 66.47% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 3.37% Achievements Awards	My birthday? I don't give a damn about that one. I don't see the point in jumping up and down every year just because the date happens to match that of the day I was born. Just why?
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Sun, 18th Nov '12, 2:34pm	#20
Gehennis Gems: 1/31 Latest gem: Turquoise Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 5 Like: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 30 Level: 2 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 17.33% Daily Activity 2.55% Weekly Activity 0.73% Monthly Activity 1.73% Achievements	I'm a Valentine baby- bah, humbug!