Birthday Black Out 2006

[hollyking]

Today is the 23rd of August. That means in two months I'll be turning 40. It also means that I'm officially on a purchasing black-out and won't buy anything that I don't need until the end of October. My mother and I setup this plan years ago because I would buy things for myself on a whim that she had already purchased as a birthday present. So the wish lists have been updated and I've sent them out to her.

It would be easier if I could get my mother to just send me a check. It's cheaper to mail a check than ship a bunch of wrapped packages. Also a lot of things I want aren't available in the mall or Costco. My mom enjoys shopping, wrapping and shipping presents. So I've come to accept her way, it doesn't cause me any stress and it gives her joy. A win for both of us.

Before I go any farther I want to say that this isn't a post about trolling for gifts. This is about explaining me and opening up to the world after years of keeping things bottled inside. Anyone is welcome to give me a gift but only if that's what you want.

What I really want for my birthday aren't things but experiences. Don't get me wrong. I love opening packages and receiving gifts. It's just that enjoying some time with people last longer and gives me a great memory. With a few notable exceptions I can't tell you what items I've been given over the years. I can tell you all about the night Ternon leaned next to me and said, "I've just thrown my lighter in the fire."¹

When thinking of what I want for my birthday the idea that keeps popping to the front is sitting around a fire with some friends, drinking, talking and watching the stars. I used to be part of a group that went out each full moon to do just that. I sure miss those times.

Another thing I enjoy is sitting in a pub with a jar and talking with people. Such as datavore's farewell dinners at The Jones. After that night I have been trying to work "Shaking hands with President Lincoln"² into conversation without success.

For distant friends nothing surpasses the pleasure of a letter. Holding something that they held and wrote for me is a special joy. I still look forward to the mail delivery even though I haven't received a letter in a long time. Knowing how a letter makes me feel has made me get off my duff and send a few myself. Even just a postcard is a boost knowing that someone was thinking of you.³

Just in case someone wants to give me a gift and, like my mother, they would be happier buying and wrapping something I have setup a few wish lists on Amazon.com. They are:

• ARES Related Items
• Movies & TV
• Classical Music
• General Items

1. He did and he did.

2. Thanks a lot walbourn!

3. I received the first confirmation that a postcard I sent through postcrossing had arrived.

Comments

[pallidbat.livejournal.com]

*waggles eyebrows* If you're looking for experiences...

*smoooooch*

Non-pervy aside: I didn't know that your birthday was on our anniversary! And my kid sister's birthday. I won't tell you how old she's turning. ;)

[hollyking.livejournal.com]

I am! Did I forget to mention pictures? >:)

What did you think we were doing at the Rheinlander in late October? ;)

[pallidbat.livejournal.com]

*cough* I never said my association skills were all that great.

[hollyking.livejournal.com]

What about your other skills?

[pallidbat.livejournal.com]

I get a lot of practice, so I like to think they're pretty good. ;)

[hollyking.livejournal.com]

That's one QA job I would volunteer for...

random responses

[vixyish.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday in advance!

I like letters too. Mail is still neat. My friend jhitchin does rubber stamp stuff for fun and is always sending little cards and letters just for the hell of it. I need to do that more often. I love creating pretty things and sending them out into the world.

My friend adamselzer insists that Abraham Lincoln is always funny in any joke. (His favorite: [pointing with index finger] "Why doesn't Abraham Lincoln point with this finger?" [pause] "Because it's MY FINGER!")

We used to do beach fires at Golden Gardens sometime. Maybe we can get people to start doing that again. Marty was kind of the coordinator sometimes; Marty, you out there? You interested?

Re: random responses

[hollyking.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

There's an idea. I'll have to ask Marty if he had to get any sort of permit and gather up people to go.

Re: random responses

[maida-mac.livejournal.com]

No permit, you just need to get there in time to snag one of the fire pits. They're right on the beach and they get taken pretty quickly.

Re: random responses

[hollyking.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind.

[poetry-lady.livejournal.com]

Postcard, eh? Send-ez moi your snail addy via my-user-name @ LJ and you might get one sometime...

[boo1.livejournal.com]

Oooooo, postcrossing!

Looks like they have a more worldwide scope than Postcard Fun did/does.

I have not exchanged in PCF in years.

I have missed doing something like this, and it looks like postcrossing would be more what I am looking for.

[hollyking.livejournal.com]

I like postcrossing. Now that I've sent out some cards I'm up for receiving a few. I can't wait.