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Monday
Oct132003

all birthdayed out

So yesterday was my 27th birthday. I got a bunch of emails wishing me a happy 30th birthday, sent by those apparently thrown off by the overly realistic fake ID in my previous entry. Boy, nothing gets past you guys, huh? tee hee

.
Anyway, so I'm not 30. But for the first time in my life, I feel closer to 30 than pretty much anything else. Which is a bizarre feeling, considering that I've spent my whole life trying to be older than I really am.

Having been born in October, I was always the kid in school catching up to everybody else when it came to the yearly milestone. You Virgos, Libras, Scorpios, and Sagittariuses know what I mean. I started kindergarten at 4, couldn't drive till junior year in high school (the horror!), wasn't a legal adult by graduation like everyone else, etc. etc. Frequently had to explain my unfortunate situation when asked "did you skip a grade or something?" My baby face never helped matters either. When I was 18 and bagging groceries at Fiesta Market in Sebastopol, customers used to ask me if I was getting paid under the table, since I was so obviously under the minimum age to legally work in California. I know, I know, totally complimentary- but try to tell that to the little girl who wants so badly to be taken seriously.

Well, I'm never gonna be 21, 25, or even 26 again. But that's ok. There are so many reasons to be a happy 27 year old today. Here are ten:

1. I have a great job

2. I have fab friends

3. I can rent cars

4. I can finally date someone my own age and not feel like the underage twins

5. Yes, Kevin and I are the same age

6. My mom says her 27th year was just ok, but her 28th year was amazing. So I have that to look forward to

7. I love my family with all my heart

8. I'm about to move to a new pad with one of my best friends

9. I get carded and it makes me blush instead of making me feel dumb

10. I've been drinking long enough to know that alcohol is poison and we're all better off without it

Happy birthday to me! By the way, don't let anybody tell you when Columbus Day is. It's the 12th. It's always the 12th. Forever and ever. And quit with the whole thing about how Columbus Day isn't really a holiday. Just let me have my holiday birthday!

Reader Comments (50)

Happy Birthday Sarah. May the year ahead be wonderful for you.
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered Commentersweeks
Happy (late) Birthday, Sarah! I hope that you had a good day yesterday, and will have a great year until the next one.
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterMatt
Sorry for the Belated Birthday wish.. But here it is..

Happy BeLated Birthday!!!!

May your life continue to be as rock'in and blessed as in years past.
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterJeff
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

And Columbus day is always a holiday in Maine! All the kiddos are at home today, and all thier parents had to take the day off! I have to work, but it is nice cause none of my customers had to, and I have NOTHING TO DO TODAY!!! WOOHOO!
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterDewNut
happy birthdaytheres no columbus day in florida i had to go to school also i never thought to look for your birthday on ur fake i.d. cause well its was fake and they abreviated ur name ln. so why would anyone think the year even the day was right
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterDan
Happy B-Day Sarah! As a fellow Libra...my b-day is tomorrow Oct 14th. I'm a few years older than you...dont worry...even tho "getting older" kinda sucks...its all good. Just think you still have some of the great milestones ahead of you...marriage & kids!! So enjoy everyday!! Life is grand and have fun!
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterPete
Happy Birfday! I too have a holiday birthday. That's right, I'm a Veteran's Day baby. Eat your heart out.
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterJustin
Nobody outside of a car rental agency ever really wants to be any older than 21. So you'd think that time would do you a favor and slow down once you past that barrier but no, it goes by even faster than before.

So I suggest we start changing the aging system. After 21 only 2 out of every 3 years count. So you'd be only 25. And after you pass (real) 30 only every other year should count. We can't be young forever but it should at least last a little longer.
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterSpace Monkey
I know what you mean in a way about the late birthday. I have a December birthday, but my parents held me back a year. So I end up being older than most people back in high school. A little under 2 months till 21 :)
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterDave
Happy birthday! Mine was just last friday on the 10th.
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterJSmith
Sorry, I wasn't able to get online on the day of your birthday ... I was in Vegas in a hotel that didn't have internet connection. YOU BELIEVE THAT -- no internet connection.

Anyways... just wanted to let you know that I didn't forget about your birthday and hoped to be there for your 28th birthday, next year.

Take care.Highway
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterHIGHWAY
About biting your nails.... I might have a cure, at least it worked for me. Walk into the bathroom while biting your nails and take a good look at yourself with your fingers in your mouth and tell yourself "That's what other people see when I've got my fingers in my mouth". Stopped me cold. Everytime my hand went to my mouth, my brain warned me. Forgive my spelling, I really suck at it, but that's why I'm a programmer. Take care and good luck with the nail thing. Blair
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterBlair
The 12th is Columbus day, and Columbus day is the 12th. I was born then too, and I just turned 16.. can't drive yet though.
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterGreg
I'm a virgo (turned 24 this yr) and I know what you mean...i was lucky in a way - the assbackwards teachers in New England held me back because I was younger (and more immature) than my other 1st grade classmates. So that put me a year ahead of everyone when it came to driving and graduation.

I enjoy getting older...i'm finally STARTING to not feel like a kid anymore.
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterTim
Um... why would they be wishing you a happy 30th when you'd clearly be 29 according to the fake ID? :)

I just say that since I was born in 1974 and I'm pretty sure I'm not 30. Yet.... *shiver*
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterBucky
Eh, late to the party, literally.

You share a birthday with one of my sisters... what is it about Columbus Day, anyway?! ::grin::

The catching up bit, well, is something I can relate to as well (though mine is a July birthday with stories added).

Aaaanyhow.

...To a total (if notable) stranger: and many more. :-)
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered Commenterben
Just wandered over to your blog from Wilwheaton.net...I know what it's like to have a late birthday, I'm a scorpio myself. Just missed having a holiday birthday myself, I'm Oct 30, the day before Halloween...somehow, a lot of people think my birthday is on Halloween when I tell them when it is...and even though I am one of the youngest of my friends, I was the first to get my license. Oh, I'll finally be 18 this year! Anyhoo, Happy (late) Birthday! :)
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterDracoAffectus
Happy Belated birthday Sarah. You rock!
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterRobert
Heehee....you are old! At least until February 23rd when I turn 27 and then it is no longer old.
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterJason Wertenberger
Sebastopol??? Hmmm, now I work in Sebastopol here in Victoria, Australia. It's also a suburb in Paris too, took a pic of it on my trip OS.

Or is it all just the same Sebastopol....?!!!!!
October 13, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterBrett
Hello granny. ( :

hah jk happy belated birthday. Best wishes to you and yours.
October 14, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterTim
Happy birthday!
October 14, 2003 | Unregistered Commenter:: jozjozjoz ::
My 27th birthday is tomorrow (10/15) and I can totally relate to your plight. I was always the last person I knew to go through all these rites of passage associated with my age. Now that I've been out of college, I don't tell anyone how old I am and most assume I'm much older.
October 14, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterSeth
You know what's worst than having a birthday in October? Having it really close to Christmas. Now I don't celebrate either.
October 14, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterKen Shinta
Columbus Day is a holiday! I don't know what those crazy people are talking about that doubt it. Working for a bank, I get it off...along with Veteren's Day and a whole other slew of holidays that most people don't get off....so it's definitely a holiday for me. Oh and happy belated birthday! :D
October 14, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterEli
I�m a new fan who didn't really know it was Sarah's birthday yesterday, but even though I'm a day late, I hope you had a great day Sarah!
October 14, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterLon
Well, I was born in August, and am also 27, so I feel for you. I remember having my birthdays never announced in school (Our school announced birthdays every day) and nobody could come to my party (It's at the beginning of August, everyone was out on vacations). Of course, I had few friends, so meh...

I hope you had fun at it.
October 14, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterPatrick
Sarah...way too early to be going through a mid-life crisis :P
October 14, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterBrock
Bleh Enter Too Early

Anyway, i understand your problem Sarah, I was born in July and i was in the class where everyone becomes 17 before me, i'm the last in my class to hit the next year, and yes it does suck.
October 14, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterBrock
Happy Birthday Sarah I hope you had a blast.
October 14, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterGarret
All the best for a great 27th year Sarah. Did you know that a (somewhat nutty) Nobel laureate from California claimed that women reach "perfection" in their 27th year (something about 10,000 days...)? May you, our favorite bicentennial Columbus Day baby, have a perfect year.
October 14, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterTexas Fan
Happy slightly belated 27th Bday Sarah, glad to hear it was a good one, and I agree with you, alcohol is poison.. course I'm underage so never had any, but I still say it poison.
October 14, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterCoolB
Feliz Cuplea�os! I think that's right. Happy Birthday S.
October 15, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterMargarito
Happy Birthday Sarah! I don�t follow signs, I think it�s a whole lot of hooey. As far as what you have to be happy for, it�s every breath. I have worked my tail off my whole life and I�ve learned you have to be happy with what life sends your way. there is always some good in it no matter how much you see it the other way. Today I saw a velvet ant for the first time in at least fifteen years. They are so cool. Not really sure what they are called. They�re an inch or so long and just about as high and they�re varying shades of flourescent orange velvet with black markings sort of like a bumble bee. I thought they were extinct.

A guy I work with has a seventeen year old daughter who is making a trip out to your state soon to do a shoot. She makes tons of money and spends it like water but she really isn�t happy even with her boyfriend, new cars and the boat that her looks gave her. I respect people or don�t for who they are. The most you can do is be true to yourself and those who are important to you. If you do that you should always be happy. Columbus day of all things, couldn�t you get yourself a decent holiday?
October 15, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterTed
!!!Happy Late Birthday!!!
October 15, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterCorey
You all think Columbus Day is bad for a birhtday, try a Scorpio Birthday. That's right, mine is on Oct. 26, and I will be 42. As a comfirmed bachelor, I don't worry about my age or anyone else's for that matter :p
October 15, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterShannon D. Freeman
Happy Birthday Sarah! I came here from SkyPe. You have a great Blog. Catch ya sometime
October 15, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterManish
Late Happy Birthday...!!! Sarah...
October 16, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterFrancisco
Happy belated Birthday! Finally seen you on web cam for the first time today, you certainly look terrific for your age ;). I am a great fan of TechTV, I think you all do a great job!
October 16, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterRizens
Sarah! Happy (belated) Birthday. It doesnt even matter whether 21 or 42, although it may help if you've got the answers. Or at least the questions.
October 17, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterCamilo
Ello, have a good one!
October 17, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterTim Yong
Columbus Day: A celebration by a predominently English-speaking Protestant country in honor of a Spanish-speaking Catholic for discovering a country he never set foot in and didn't believe in the existence of. In view of which, it's really no surprise the money is emblazoned with an eyeball floating over a pyramid and a motto in a dead language.

But, happy birthday, dear, from one old enough to be your...uh...older brother....

terwilliger
October 18, 2003 | Unregistered Commenterterwilliger jones
Happy Belated Birthday!
October 18, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterAshley
You are getting to be as worthless as Morgan Webb for updating your blog. My my, what a little screentime will do.
October 23, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterTyler
Sarah,I turned 28 on the 1st of Oct., and I know what you mean. For the first time I feel old. I look at women I might want to date and think "but they're 30", then I think "but I'm almost 30". Ho hum. I'm used to it by now. Hope you are doing well too.
November 4, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterCorey
Sarah,

I like your reasons for being happy you are 27. You have a positive attitude and that is a plus for anyone. I really like number 10. Even though I do drink, I appreciate someone who has the courage to stand up for their convictions, even when they are not popular ones.(Did that make any sense?) I love the Screensavers and love seeing you and everyone else on their. Keep up the good work.

AlvisP.S.Come on, tell the truth, we all know Kevin is only 17. :)
November 9, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterAlvis
Happy Birthday Sarah.... You Rock
November 16, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterRalph
All of us October people have to stick together. 10/31 here. I fully understand not turning 18 til my freshman year in college. Have a great 27th year.

Bob
November 18, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterBob Daum
Yes us oct people must stick together. 10-28 and i am behind as well. Wow, i just realized how behind in this post i am. oh well. happy b-day (very belated :D)
December 27, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterGary
Hey there... this is my first time checking out your site... very cool! I stumbled across this entry and, being a December baby, I just had to post. (I can relate with being "the young one" in the peer group.) I'm now a frighteningly old 32 and if you think your top ten list is great now, it gets better.

My top reasons to be happy that I'm an old man?

1) Hearing "Daddy, I love you" every day of my life2) Finally understanding why my Dad found so much joy in taking care of yardwork, home repairs, etc.3) Realizing that I'm turning into my parents... and it's a GOOD thing4) Understanging that I'm at least marginally cooler than the folks depicted in the old TV show "thirtysomething"5) Having a two-page resume6) Being old enough to afford the cool toys my son wants for Christmas and being young enough to enjoy playing with them as much as he7) Leaving the refrigerator door open for as long as I wish without people yelling at me (but I still never run with scissors)8) Discovering that even the most mundane tasks can be a blast when you do them with your spouse/best friend (assembling Christmas presents, for example... stressful, but fun)9) Finally getting used to being called "sir"10) Looking at old photos of me & my wife when we were in college and just dating... and comforting each other about weight gain, hair loss and now being old, married and "comfy"

Belated "happy birthday" and best wishes for a wonderful 2004! (Oh, and thanks for the SlickRun tip... it ROCKS!)
December 29, 2003 | Unregistered CommenterMarcus

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