The Holidays, Part X: The Birthday

 (Days of work remaining until holiday time off: 7)

My birthday is December 20. That's eleven days from now.

I have no plans for my birthday. 

Usually, I get a new tattoo (or attempt to do so). This year I already did that -- I got the blue jay on my arm in July. I don't want or need any more ink right now.

I wanted to go see the new Ghostbusters movie for my birthday -- it was originally slated for release on my birthday. But, it got pushed back to the spring, so...can't do that.

There are no movies coming out that I am even a little interested in. 

I used to request we go to a Chinese buffet for my birthday every year -- well, I've been a vegetarian for over five years now, and even before that the Chinese buffets in this town that used to be good experienced an incredibly drop in quality, to the point where I wasn't interested anymore even before I went vegetarian.

I sometimes request pizza from our favorite local place at some point around my birthday/Christmas -- it's a treat. However, we've had their pizza multiple times since Halloween or so and I really don't need/want more of it at this juncure.

We've already gone to the zoo to see the fancy light displays (the night before Thanksgiving; I documented this here too). 

Any cats at the humane society that I'm interested in either disappear or are adopted very quickly before I can even go see them with Daisy.

Going shopping in a post-pandemic world, five days before Christmas, sounds like a terrible idea. And generally shopping requires money. Also, there's nothing I really want or need. I rarely leave the house unless I have to -- it's not like I need more clothing to "show off." Who would I show it off to? The cats?

We generally always have enough food and supplies in the house, and when we don't, we go get more or order necessities online. Food shopping right before Christmas is a terrible idea -- I generally advise people to avoid that nightmare as much as possible.

There aren't any events coming up anytime soon that I'm aware of or interested in. 

I hate parties and have discouraged Daisy from throwing one for me. I did a birthday party with a bunch of friends at the house but once. Halfway through it I wanted it to end, and by the actual end of it I had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room.

Soooo....yeah, no plans.

Throughout the morning today -- while we were in the car driving to and from a humane society in Iowa to look at (yes, you guessed it) more cats, Daisy and I began to brainstorm ideas. I'm not dead set on anything yet, but putt-putt golf and a special dinner are some strong contenders.

I told Daisy in our conversation that it didn't have to be anything special, I just wanted to do something different that I'd enjoy. I'm not one of those people who needs to have grandiose plans or have everyone make me the center of attention, lavish gifts on me and generally be an asshole about his birthday. There are very few things in life I want or need, and most of them I already have in abundance. Any excess just seems wasteful and labor-intensive. 

I'm not dead set on anything yet. I have some time. Daisy is supposed to be off the 20th, 21st, and 22nd (she clarified with me this morning) -- so if weather doesn't pan out, or if one of us isn't feeling that great, or anything along those lines we do have some options and some time to work with. 

As for the cats? Eh. There was a beautiful little female tabby that Daisy wanted to see and visit with, but she was already "on hold" for someone to come get her, per the humane society staff. We looked at a tiny little black cat, a boy, who was very much like Pete, and a male gray tabby that was very much like a male version of Sadie, but while both of them were very cute, they didn't have the vibe. Daisy later told me that if I'd wanted the little black boy she would not have been opposed to us taking him home, but...after Hank, and seeing Pete's reaction to Hank (it got better) I don't really want to introduce another male into the household for territorial competitions. If we only had Hank and didn't have Pete, I would've immediately brought him home. I'm sure he'll make a wonderful little boy for someone who's not us and I don't expect him to last long in the shelter before he's snatched up.