Why I love birthdays, by Jacqueline Gault

Every year around mid-May I start to plan my own birthday party. Why do I plan my own party, you ask? Because on my birthday I only want to do what I want to do. In past years when I have left it up to someone else to plan, I always end the day feeling like it was someone else's interpretation of what I would like most to do on my birthday, not mine. Sound selfish? So what. It's my birthday. It's the one day of the year that I allow myself to be totally selfish. It's the one day of the year that I don't want anyone else telling me what to do. It is the one day of the year that I feel this enormous sense of entitlement and I don't feel bad about it. Not one little bit.

I grew up in a household where we always made a big deal about birthdays and they often stretched out to include events and activities that spanned the entire birthday week. As an adult, that has gotten even worst - there is often a celebration with my parents/siblings/nieces/nephews, and then another similar celebration with my in-laws, and then one more with my husband and our son, and then the big party - the one that I plan and invite anyone and everyone who wants to come play. One year I made all of my friends dress up in '80's attire and go to Lola's room for '80's night. It was one of my very favorite parties because everyone really got in to the spirit of things. David's "Prince" costume was the best - purple velvet jacket and all!

So this year I started planning my birthday at the usual time. Coincidentally, Toys Story 3 in 3D opens on Friday - so Jacob (my 7-year-old son) is going to take me to a matinee. I invited my mom, Kimmie (my niece) and David (my nephew) to come along as well. Then my fabulous husband and I are going to have a quiet, relaxing dinner somewhere cozy and romantic. AND THEN it will be time to bring on the karaoke! Sent out a Facebook invite to all of my friends with plenty of time for them to block the date out on their calendars (or come up with a good excuse as to why they can't make it) - to those that have been with me for many, many years and celebrated many, many birthdays and to the dear friends I've made in the past year. It will be one of those rare moments that my two worlds will come together.  With roughly 40 people expected to show up, looks like we will pretty much be taking over the bar! The only thing that would make my birthday even better is if the weather would warm up enough to take the boat out on the river on Saturday.

The other big event that is happening on my birthday is the end of our Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign for Meet Jane Doe. We still have $19,975 to go to meet our goal. Or as I like to think of it, we only need to find 133 people with $150 to support our project. Is it doable with less than 3 days to go? I'm an eternal optimist, so I think anything is possible. The moment I think it is impossible is the moment I seal it's fate as being impossible. We shall see what we shall see. Until then, I plan on having one hell of a *gulp* 38th birthday!