Dude. A Shameless Plug. And a List!

Sometime last year, I had this epiphany about getting older, and in true drama queen fashion, I tried to spell it out on the blog so that everyone could taste what it was I was feeling:

I am facing one of those those life jolting moments where I was young and innocent, but then BAM! Just like that, I now feel old and worn out - like that picture you envision in your head (or maybe just I do) about how your life is split into 2 halves - half walking up one side of the hill (and there are birds and sunshine and a nice summer breeze and it's happy), and the other side of the hill - well - you know - the side with withered old trees and everything is black and dead and it's freezing cold and you don't have a coat, and you are essentially walking downhill until you are in your grave, because, well, the grim reaper lives at the bottom of the hill.

I have one foot in the grave.

I was trying to use a little hyperbole to mix things up a bit - because, well, I don't use enough of that around here.

Ahem.

And sure - it's true that I've started to notice those crazy crow's feet people are always whining about - they're slowly taking up residence around my eyes...and I think there's a possibility that a kangaroo mistakenly placed her kid in my belly, because I have this mysterious pouch there that wasn't around when I was 27. And there's that extra pocket of insulation growing under my chin that must mean I am evolving into a more superior - and warmer faced human.

Note to self: "Oh man - you are totally gonna get a million hot dates with THAT description running around loose in cyberspace."

Dude. If you are reading this and you are a man, pay no attention to the above paragraph. Oh no. There's no need to be scared off because of my exquisite beauty descriptions. You needn't hate me because I am beautiful. Or sarcastic. Or whatever.

Ewwwkay. The digressing.

So the point, good people, is that TODAY is my birthday! WOOT WOOT! Which means, I must be wiser, right? Either that, or I want all of you who lurk about here silently to reveal yourselves to me by wishing me many happy returns, or good luck with the word vomit thing, or whatever. Because word vomit? It's hot. And so is shameless birthday advertising.

The lovely Camille happens to share this splendid date of birth with me * , and published an inspired list of accomplishments she has made in her short life to celebrate. I was totally going to copy and do that here, but you know what? There's no way I could ever top her list.

So how about this - as a birthday present to me, let's make a list of all the lovely accomplishments all of our bitchin' girlfriends have made in this world. That way, when the crow's eyes and the kangaroo pouches start to get us down, we can reflect upon our exceeding awesomeness. I'll start:

1. We are one of the first generations that has really broken through the glass ceiling and succeeded in the workplace in much the same way as the men of previous generations have. [Editor's note: Don't even get her started on her theory about the men her age...]
2. Not only do we have more access to high-powered careers, but many of us are choosing to stay home and raise babies instead. That? That is totally impressive, if you ask me.
3. We have more access to travel and culture than our grandmother's did - and most of us are taking full advantage. Seeing the world, learning about other places, all of that good stuff. The world is getting smaller everyday.
4. We've lived through the Cold War, the war on drugs, the attacks in 2001, and will, um, hopefully make it through that never ending conflict in the middle east (grr). For the first time in history, many of the soldiers defending our fine country are women. That's cool.
5. We've seen the economic up's of the 90's, watched our jobs fly out the door as a result of outsourcing, and are now getting a sense of what a recession tastes like. And you know what? We women - we keep saying "bring it!" - like it's a bull fighting contest that we won't back down from.

Your turn. Don't let me down, y'all. This better be the most comment-en-est post I've ever had.
No pressure!


And when we're done - let's go eat birthday cake.



* For a long time, Camille and I would forget this interesting tidbit - and when we would hang out, it would come up in conversation...and we'd both be like "Whoa! Your birthday is on the 31st! ME TOO!" And then Kate would roll her eyes because, duh, we have this conversation everytime we're together. Good times!