Thursday, November 30, 2023

46 πŸŽ‚

On this day forty-six years ago, a scrawny, bald headed, and very pink baby boy was brought screaming into this world. I say screaming because apparently, I began crying shortly after I was born and that continued for the next year or so with little relief for my parents. It’s been suggested that I had migraines even back then, but I’m not going to think about that today. Today is a day of celebration. πŸŽ‰ 

My birthday hasn’t been a big event for me in years for a number of reasons, and these days, I'm just happy to still be alive on this earth. I have to go to work this morning (I usually take my birthday off, as is a tradition with people at my museum), but I have a class to teach this morning, so I’m working until noon and then heading home. I’m also taking tomorrow as a vacation day. 

Other than possibly going to dinner with a friend tomorrow night, I probably won’t do anything special. Besides, I doubt anything will ever top my forty-second birthday in 2019. That year, I spent several days in Manhattan visiting my friend Susan. We had Thanksgiving dinner together, and for my birthday, she took me to see Chicago (a personal favorite of mine) on Broadway. It was no doubt the most special birthday I’ve ever had. 

That same trip, I got to see and actually go inside the famous/historic Stonewall Inn. 🏳️‍🌈 This photo is one of my favorites not only because Joe Coffee is on Gay Street, but Gay Street also crosses Christopher Street, where the Stonewall Inn is.


What has been your favorite birthday memory?

19 comments:

RB said...

Happy Birthday! Too bad you can't recreate that NYC trip for every birthday. What about Montreal? That's a great city and very gay friendly. How far of a drive is that?

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!!! I hope your special day is wonderful!!

-Alan, Chattanooga, TN

Eric said...

I am sure there will be wonderful, happy moments on your birthday, as there are most special days. I hope you're able to enjoy those moments today. Happy Birthday!

Joe said...

RB, I went to Montreal for my 40th birthday. I’d love to go this year, but don’t have the money. Maybe soon. It’s only a 2.5 hour drive to Montreal.

Joe said...

Thanks, Alan.

Joe said...

Thank you, Eric. It is a special day, and I’m going to enjoy some relaxation.

Dan1957 said...

Happy birthday. 🎁. It maybe one of the cause for the migraines. Trauma at birth can be a factor in many issue one may have.

JiEL said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY young man Joe.
46 is a nice age. Young enough to do all you like and old enough to achieve wisedom.

Hope this special day will be joyfull.

Jean Luc, Montreal.

Jeff said...

Have a simply fabulous day Joe!!

Bill said...

Happy Birthday, Joe! Enjoy the day and smile a lot! All the best!

Joe B said...

Happy Birthday Joe, Hope you day is filled with some pleasant surprises! As far as special birthdays, it was my 31st. I was feeling very down and depressed and my family all got me gag gifts. It lifted me up and made my day. Something I will never forget.

jos said...

Happy Birthday, jeunot* et qui porte le mΓͺme prΓ©nom , en Belge Joseph
* moi je suis nΓ© en 48 comme le roi _Charles III

VRCooper said...

Happy Birthday, Joe!!

Wishing you many more to come!!

We need to get you married off and having children before your eggs dry up! :) :)

Treat yourself to a nice dinner. And don't forget dessert.

My favorite childhood memory? Actually, I don't remember much of my childhood. Nothing really stands out. Let me think about it. I may need to lay on your coach.

Stan said...

Happy birthday, Joe.

Joe said...

Thank you, Dan, JiEL, Jeff, Bill, Joe, Jos, VRCooper, and Stan.

It’s been a nice relaxing day. I got a prosciutto pizza from my favorite pizza place, and I’m going to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants with a good friend of mine.

Joe B, that sounds like a really nice birthday.

VRCooper, if you or anyone else knows of a nice man, then send him my way. I’m not picky. I just want someone who’s nice and has a brain (being a sci-fi fan and/or being rich would also be nice πŸ˜‚).

Thanks, everyone, for the birthday wishes. They mean a lot.

naturgesetz said...

Happy birthday, Joe, and many happy returns.

Joe said...

Thank you, naturgesetz.

uvdp said...

Happy birthday and have a good weekend.
My best birthday? The one from my twenties but it's so long ago...

Joe said...

Thanks, uvdp. I’m not sure at my age I can remember any of my birthdays from when I was in my 20s.