This
year, I will be 28 years old. 28 is not a traditionally special
birthday (unlike say 21 or 40.) That's doesn’t mean it isn't special. You see, I SURVIVED twenty eight years. Despite chronic migraines, modern education, homicidal technology, and a vindictive pear tree, I've still here.
This calls for a party! However, as I've sent out invitations, I've hit a problem. Getting a bunch of friends in one place is a lot
harder than it was in grade school.
Basically, all my friends are older. They have jobs and spouses. Also, they
'grew up.'
Weirdly
enough, adults are harder to bribe than children. Chilled watermelon
and a waterballoon fight just doesn’t catch their attention. First
question out of their mouths, “Will the melon be spiked with
something strong?” (No, the melon will be sliced with a knife.)
I've
noticed the favorite excuse is “I'm just too tired” ...unless I
mention something exotic like a paid laser tag session or a night at
Dave&Busters. Oh, boy...
In
my vocabulary, “I'm tired,” means I need to switch into low gear.
That means a day reading, napping, and maybe an evening walk. (It's
an introvert thing.) I don't look for adventures or busy work.
So
the idea than my friends are too tired/busy to set and eat watermelon
on the porch, but are fine for a loud, crowded arcade...?
In the words of Phoenix Wright, "OBJECTION!"
Right now, the
only thing between my friends and an epic Birthdayzilla stomping
(lesser known cousin of Bridezilla) is a bit of foresight.
You
see, I don't want the 'princess treatment.' I haven't since I since I
was a teenager. Sitting in the center of a room as a line of well
wishers and tribute pass along sounds exhausting. If I pitch a fit,
all get is guilty and annoyed vassals.
My
idea of a wonderful birthday isn't an event or a fancy meal. It's
something much, much harder to get. I want to put my favorite people
in the same room; then to sit down in a comfy chair and bask. No
weird party games, no long speeches, just watching and listening to
them.
It's
not so much the princess treatment as the dragon treatment.
I'm greedy and want their time. I want to spend an hour or so just
being still because the adult world is nuts. I horde those quiet
little nothings. However, you can't force them into being because
that pressure taints the moment.
Being
adult means you've learned to pick your battles. I know the
watermelon and water fight is not happening. I know I have to plan
food and beverages so my people don't wander off before I get a good
basking started. I know I have to not over-think the 'polite' excuse
so we can all save face. (I also know not to let a ideal spoil the
reality.)
Adults
are harder to coordinate than children. However, dragons are nothing
if not
cunning. It may take a bit of flexible thinking, but I'm going
to celebrate this birthday with my friends – without
having to garish it with sky diving or bar hopping.
(Hmm,
now there's a story idea. What kind of dragon fusses with a parsley
garnish?)
