Birthday Week, Day One
This is the first day of Birthday Week, a holiday celebrated worldwide though few of the particpants are aware of either me, or the fact that they are participating. This morning, all around the globe, young and old alike partook in sacred rituals that, I say, are small, and sometimes grand, gestures to the week that preceded my birth. It is this preceding week that is the cause for celebration; the week following my Birthday is, for some, a time of mourning.
Getting others to admit to this holiday can be something of a challenge. Naturally, I would expect a series of gifts given in daily succession with each one topping the last both in symbollic meaning and in monetary value. Alas, I am lucky if I get socks, and while I don't hold that against anyone in particular, I do hold it against J.
I will be attending the Palace today and J. will tell me the history and legend of the place. The Grand Mosque is across the street, and if we have time for J. to go home and change into clothes appropriate, (we just decided to do this, so she would not be allowed to be wearing a sleeveless shirt, or wear a skirt; and she would have to cover her head) we may go in there as well; otherwise, another time. We are then going to a vegetarian restaurant called Socrates.
When the educational testing elite of Singapore were here last August, they took those teachers who monitored the test (including J.) to this place. The Singaporeans have a habit of speaking with absolute authority on issues they know nothing about (well, the ones I've met, J. excluded, of course). I received a text from her that night asking how one is supposed to pronounce Socrates. She wrote, "I've always said Saw-kr-tees and this person is telling me it's So-Crates." I texted back that she was, indeed, correct. She wrote, "I thought so, but she seemed so sure about it, I started to doubt myself." It's funny how that happens, how we can be talked out of the correct opinion by strong-willed ignorant people, particularly if no one in the crowd will back you up. For me personally, I don't think I would have let it go. I would have insisted to this person that it is not "So-Crates." I mean, if it were, the film "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" would not have been funny, right? Oh yes that's right, it wasn't.
Birthday week greetings and donations can be made or pledged in the comments section. Contact my parents for information about how to deposit money directly into my account.
Getting others to admit to this holiday can be something of a challenge. Naturally, I would expect a series of gifts given in daily succession with each one topping the last both in symbollic meaning and in monetary value. Alas, I am lucky if I get socks, and while I don't hold that against anyone in particular, I do hold it against J.
I will be attending the Palace today and J. will tell me the history and legend of the place. The Grand Mosque is across the street, and if we have time for J. to go home and change into clothes appropriate, (we just decided to do this, so she would not be allowed to be wearing a sleeveless shirt, or wear a skirt; and she would have to cover her head) we may go in there as well; otherwise, another time. We are then going to a vegetarian restaurant called Socrates.
When the educational testing elite of Singapore were here last August, they took those teachers who monitored the test (including J.) to this place. The Singaporeans have a habit of speaking with absolute authority on issues they know nothing about (well, the ones I've met, J. excluded, of course). I received a text from her that night asking how one is supposed to pronounce Socrates. She wrote, "I've always said Saw-kr-tees and this person is telling me it's So-Crates." I texted back that she was, indeed, correct. She wrote, "I thought so, but she seemed so sure about it, I started to doubt myself." It's funny how that happens, how we can be talked out of the correct opinion by strong-willed ignorant people, particularly if no one in the crowd will back you up. For me personally, I don't think I would have let it go. I would have insisted to this person that it is not "So-Crates." I mean, if it were, the film "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" would not have been funny, right? Oh yes that's right, it wasn't.
Birthday week greetings and donations can be made or pledged in the comments section. Contact my parents for information about how to deposit money directly into my account.
posted by athensinternational at 7:16 PM
4 Comments:
best wishes fo the 1st day of your birthday week, o exalted scribe! the one who offers unconditional love, the same who brought you into this world, sends her love and says she misses you, though, when questioned directly, says she is NOT 100% responsible for the consequences of her action.sigh
I was wondering if the center of the known universe has received his package yet. If not, let me know. Rueben actually started celebrating birthday week 6 days ago and I didn't have the heart to remind him that he doesn't know how to read a calender. He also tried to start his own M.O. but I put the kabosh to that as this house already has enough powerful syndicates vying for power. Dave
I was wondering if the center of the known universe has received his package yet. If not, let me know. Rueben actually started celebrating birthday week 6 days ago and I didn't have the heart to remind him that he doesn't know how to read a calender. He also tried to start his own M.O. but I put the kabosh to that as this house already has enough powerful syndicates vying for power. Dave
All I can send are my love and best wishes. You will have to be happy with the socks. I will have a cocktail in your honor on the 25th. Good luck with the rest and let us all know how this ploy works out for you!
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