If you really want to give me a present...

Yes, tomorrow is a landmark in my life.  45 years ago from tomorrow, my mom was white knuckling some unfortunate nurse's or doctor's hand while she gave birth.  To me.  

Do me a favor.  If you are on Facebook and happen to be my Facebook friend, you can wish me a happy birthday if you like, but you don't have to.  In fact I prefer that instead, the next time you see me at a game convention, we have a nice chat or play a game or have a beer together or whatever.  Wishing me a Happy Birthday just puts too much damn pressure on me tomorrow. 

My wife's last day at her job of fifteen years was Friday.  Last week, while she was hugging every person she has ever worked with or for, she fretted about what to get me for my birthday.  I half-heartedly suggested we go to Citi-Field and watch a Mets game.  She said, "yeah, let's do that.  It is your birthday after all."  For days, I worried about how she would be, where we should sit, etc.  What if she freaked out because of the crowds?  She hates crowds.  Where should we sit?  I don't want her (or me) to get hit by a foul ball.  Well, we could sit in the outfield; at least we wouldn't have to worry about a Met hitting a home run...wait, I digress...

After all that worrying, I finally told Lin my partner of 21 years and wife of 18 she REALLY didn't have to get me anything.  Whe had enough on her plate lately worrying about her job prospects, our cat's 5,000 paw procedure, my student loan, blah blah blah.  We decided to froego presents this year until Christmas.  Honestly, her company is gift enough.
 
I share a birthday with another Fat: tie tomorrow.  I know he and his wife have been through a lot last year.  I think about those two a lot.  Have good days, Al.  And Shellie Rose.  Not just tomorrow.  And if you happen to have a shitty day tomorrow, feel free to make it up the next day. I can't speak for Engineer Al, but for me, I don't want the added pressure of "having a good day" tomorrw when I have to go to work tomorrow anyways.  A gift of no pressure to have a good day is present enough.