Sunday, July 25, 2010

Another Shameless Birthday Post

One of these days I'll sleuth around and find out why South Pasadena High School has these numbers in the sidewalk. But for today I'll just use this one to mark my 46th birthday!

I'm hopelessly obnoxious when it comes to birthdays. Everyone's birthdays. Even birthdays of people I don't know. (Yes, I'll sing along in a restaurant when someone is getting serenaded by harried waiters and well-meaning friends. I'll join in from across the room even if I don't know the person. I might even get a little misty-eyed.) That's right, I'm a full-fledged (birthday) card carrying sentimental fool and proud of it.

Birthdays don't always yield the best presents, and sometimes they roll around in the middle of one of those chapters in your life that, if written, might begin with lines like "the primroses were over" or "midway in our life's journey, I went stray from the straight road and woke to find myself alone in a dark wood." or even "as Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect."

Life is funny like that.

But birthdays offer a great chance to celebrate, ponder and plan your next big plot line. One with a brand new number on your jersey. So, dear readers, on this day of my birth you are ALL instructed to party hardy and eat cake! I'll be the one in the corner of the restaurant with a silly hat, a "46 is the new 30" T-shirt and an inferno of birthday candles just waiting for a really good wish. (By all means, sing along.)

27 comments:

Shanna said...

Oh WOW! I think I'm the first to make that great wish and start the song...HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR LAURIE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

Anonymous said...

I want one of those shirts! Happy birthday from your fan Jennifer.

Mister Earl said...

Happy Birthday, Laurie. How can 46 be the new 30 when 62 is the new 20? (Mine is next Saturday.) Let's have a Leo Fest!

The numbers in the walkway at South Pas high school are for the years of the graduating classes. After each class graduates, they put in their year. They do the same thing at Stanford and probably lots of other schools. It does seem a little silly, doesn't it, because all the numbers are the same (i.e. nothing unique about each one) and they're inevitable. In addition, each class also seems to give a gift to the school. Some of them are visible in the form of a sign or a logo painted on a building.

Dixie Jane said...

All together now: "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Laurie, Happy Birthday to you."

I hope the Universe has pulled together a sure cure for your case of the mocus which has grounded you far too long and frees you for a real birthday bash.

I hope that the cake Jon and Raine planned to make is a roaring success and lit up like the 4th of July.

I hope you get at least one thing that you really want.

And never forget how much you are loved by your Mom.

Noisemakers, horns, balloons, confetti, music and fun, fun, fun. Begin!

All for Laurie's number 46. I love you a bushel and a peck and more hugs and kisses than you can imagine.

bertN said...

Happy 46th birthday!

Anonymous said...

Hey Ishmael, wanna go fishing?

Happy Birthday, my beautiful friend. I just have a feeling this one will be very special.

Sharon said...

Happy Birthday Laurie! One thing I might wish for you is that you continue writing. You do it so beautifully.

dbdubya said...

Feliz Cumpleanos, my friend. Sorry that the Chieftess and I have been out of touch, but we've been out of the country for 2 weeks. I hope #46 is the best yet! You deserve only the best.

Wayne said...

It seems like the last time I checked you were 44 Laurie. Year 45 seems to have come and gone when I wasn't paying attention.

Happy, Happy! LA!

ben wideman said...

Happy Birthday!!!

Hope this year is the best yet.

Jon said...

Happy Birthday SweetPea!

Mike said...

Happy birthday Laurie!

Judy Williams said...

Here's a toast to stilettos and wine
Cake, party hats, celebration divine
46- hope your day's tailor-made
you'll always be that girl in braids
my sweet little sister
I prayed for so long
And now we're all grown up
And for you, is THIS SONG

wv: pecatuf- today just bite yourself off a pecatuf - hope it's tasty!!

Jim said...

Happy Birthday Laurie!! And may your day be spent in Paradisio, not Inferno ...

Leslie Saeta said...

Happy Birthday Laurie! I hope you have a grand day!
I am pretty sure there are time capsules buried under each "number" at the high school that represent one item from each classmate. If not ... that would be a cool idea ...

Petrea Burchard said...

"Many years later, as she faced her 60th birthday (the new 40), Laurie Allee was to remember that distant afternoon when her blog friends wished her a happy 46th."

Happy birthday, dear Laurie.

Margaret said...

Happy, Happy. Have a great day.

Mister Earl said...

I'm guessing you're right, Leslie, about there being time capsules under the class-year numbers. I'm guessing there are representative items, although probably not one from each student. I wonder when the time capsules are supposed to be opened, if ever. This year, the time capsule should contain something from Glimpses of South Pasadena and at least a photo of one of your paintings.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to you!!! I love the way you write and look forward to these personal posts. My whole family enjoys your blog and admires your incredible photos of the area and witty but wise writing style. I hope this year is a great one for you and your family. Thank you for your daily blog!!!

Cheryl in Pasadena

Laurie Allee said...

You guys are AWESOME!!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

GratefulTwinMom said...

Happy Birthday, Laurie. Thanks so much for chronicling our sweet little town.

Pasdadena Adjacent said...

The death of Ivan Illyitch (?) gads, I was looking for that line awhile back.

Happy Birthday. You are shameless and I couldn't be happier.

So sorry to have been late to the party. It's what happens when you take a day off from blogging

Pasdadena Adjacent said...

Dixie Jane " a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck"


thats what my mom used to say to me

big smiles

Anonymous said...

I’ve never met you, but have followed your bloog for a while and like it.

Happy birthday to you.

I hope you had a nice day together with friends and family.

DAYo.

Mister Earl said...

I for one promise never to follow your bloog.

WV: smudeppr - exactly.

Laurie Allee said...

You're all so wonderful. Thanks again. (And Mister E, you smart aleck!)

TheChieftess said...

Happy 46th Laurie!!! Sorry we missed the party, but if we'd realized, we would've toasted you at dinner while sailing away from Naples!!! Happy, happy!!!

ps...Mr E, I thought 59 was the new 29...although without the stillettos...