If I'm running late, I might not show up at all, or show up for dessert. I damn well would pay for it if it is someone's birthday! Damn.

This.

Aims, that is craxy. I'm sorry those fucktards made your birthday less than absolutely fabulous.

I have 45 minutes until my massage. Wheeeeeee.

Aims, that is craxy. I'm sorry those fucktards made your birthday less than absolutely fabulous.

And this! Also, I don't remember extending my wishes for the wonderful birthday you deserve.

Thanks for the comments on my 19 yo self. Honestly, it was a major developmental moment in my life that taught me to never accept the unacceptable. I am grateful it happened so early.

I also had a yelling boss when I was 25. This was a particular concern as I listened to him bark at all the other people in my first weeks on the job. I knew that I would surely burst out crying if he yelled at me. In particular since I was very unsure of what I was doing as the job was much more complex than my skill level. You never really can predict your response, but I shocked myself in a good way when the day came. He came into my office with the arms flaying and the curses flying. I stood up and actually yelled back at him. I told him we had two choices, he could do my job his way or I could do it my way, but if he wanted me to be responsible for the tasks I had to do it my way. He laughed and never yelled at me again. (how I didn't vomit I have no clue)

Over the years it seems that I have this mirror response. It is fight or flight no doubt because the alternative is to curl up in a ball and cry. My confidence level is often zip, but if it a choice between admitting my incompetence or being boldly defensive apparently my choice is instinctive.

The rest of the attendees - especially Joe - made sure I had a fabulous birthday. I was "caught" putting the candles on my cake and was promptly shooed out of the kitchen with a cocktail and put into my chair. Then I was "caught" again handing out cake to people and was shooed away. Then we played Cards Against Humanity where I won a round by making the phrase, "When I was tripping on acid, Hot Pockets turned into masturbation". Then we played a new-to-us game called "Telestrations" which is HIGHLARIOUS. We highly recommend it. It's Telephone and Pictionary combined and I don't know that I have ever laughed so hard in my LIFE.

It was a magnificent birthday. And in my attempting to be a responsible adult and balance the checkbook, I saw where Joe ordered my gift from (it hasn't arrived yet) and I know what it is and I am SO FLIPPING EXCITED to get it. (He doesn't know I know.)

It is so good to read that your birthday turned out perfect. So, you're getting a camel?!?

Sadly, no. What I am getting is this: [link] on a black t-shirt. t bounce bounce bounce

MM should know better than to let "Camels R Us" show up on the bank statement if he wants it to be a surprise.

I'm glad the majority of your birthday was great!

Nice!

Aims, that is the BEST.