I turn 46 soon too... but I spent the last few months thinking I was already 46, and it was only the idea that I might be turning 47 that made me double check the dates 😂
I've always preferred a family celebration, a meal I like, and maybe a few books as a present; the low key celebration seems to suit me.
As to the film, Jean-Claude Van Damme will always win, but I'd let my husband enjoy Molly as compensation 😉😂
Every year, I tell myself I will go somewhere to be alone and celebrate myself. Or to wallow in the reality that I've got one year less to live. Instead, I stay home, invite friends, and still wallow in nostalgia. I'm still waiting for a good solution in midlife.
There was cake! Normally, I'd go for my favorite cake, which is a Princess Cake. Or, maybe my second favorite cake, which is red velvet. But this year, all I wanted was a basic supermarket birthday cake (vanilla with white frosting and some icing balloons for decoration), and that is what I got. It hit the spot, then it hit my belly, then I hit the gym.
It's all about the marzipan and the jam for me. It's a Swedish cake, but I've found it at most upscale bakeries. It's also available at--get this--IKEA.
1. Since having children, I always ask for a day to myself. My husband takes the kids away and I go the grocery store and buy myself a lobster roll and some cheddar and sour cream ruffles and a frozen pepperidge farm cake (amazing, btw) and I eat at leisure and binge what I want on TV. It's the bomb.
2. I actually think I might try to socialize for my birthday this year. I also have a can of edibles my big sis from Boston scored for me that I haven't dug into yet. If you get a weird email on January 17th, you'll know why.
3. Fucking Facebook.
4. John Cusack had a tiny role as one of the geek's sidekicks in Sixteen Candles. That's the only reason I watch that movie now. I don't have a reason to watch Bloodsport anymore. I have children.
5. I'm probably closer to the acronym FINE, but it's fine.
I think Sixteen Candles was one of Cusack's first roles. Speaking of rolls, Lobster rolls (see what I did there?), is the grocery store lobster roll good? I assume we're talking about Stop & Shop, right? Do they prepare this New England treat at the deli or fish counter? We don't have these in Los Angeles. But we do have supermarket sushi, and while some people turn up their nose at supermarket sushi, you can actually find some damn fine fish at the right market, at the right time.
I get my lobster rolls at Market Basket, which I believe remains a regional New England chain. The rolls are excellent and at $8.99 you can't beat the price. I love grocery store sushi. There's very little I'll turn my nose up at, if it tastes good and I can afford it. 😂
Market Basket must be super regional. I don't remember that one from my days in Connecticut. Although I remember being told by some New Englanders that CT wasn't the real New England, even though we ate grinders, bought our booze from the package store (unless it was after 8pm or on Sunday), and half the state rooted for The Sox, Pats, and Celtics.
My last birthday felt disappointing. I went camping with my partner, but his dad somehow invited himself along, and his cousin. There wasn’t a solid plan for the day, so we drove around looking for things to do.
Next year (for my 30th) I have this daydream about going to Rome and celebrating my birthday solo.
You should feel fine - 46 is the right side of 50 (I’m 54 on Thursday and am telling myself it’s the right side of 60 ... which is soooo far away). But you should also feel fine because 16 Candles is a favourite film - I also love it (despite - obligatory caveat - it’s problems) and when younger tried as hard as I could to recreate Jake’s party. Got pretty close a few times, but the glass table thing was just out of reach ... Great post and Happy Birthday.
Thanks Bryan! Not sure if you’ve seen it, but Molly Ringwald had a good essay in The New Yorker about revisiting her work with John Hughes in The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles. It’s worth a read.
I turn 46 soon too... but I spent the last few months thinking I was already 46, and it was only the idea that I might be turning 47 that made me double check the dates 😂
I've always preferred a family celebration, a meal I like, and maybe a few books as a present; the low key celebration seems to suit me.
As to the film, Jean-Claude Van Damme will always win, but I'd let my husband enjoy Molly as compensation 😉😂
Every year, I tell myself I will go somewhere to be alone and celebrate myself. Or to wallow in the reality that I've got one year less to live. Instead, I stay home, invite friends, and still wallow in nostalgia. I'm still waiting for a good solution in midlife.
Belated Happy Birthday!
1. Last birthday, I streamed Predator and Predator 2 on the 1900Hotdog discord with a bunch of friends.
2. Next time, I will stream Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness. I am incapable of lying.
3. Facebook is where misery searches for strange.
4. Molly Ringwald is a national treasure, but the love between JCVD and Ray Jackson is eternal.
5. It's okay to be okay!
Thanks for the birthday wishes! Your answers, especially the Facebook one, were perfect -- 10 out of 10!
My pleasure! And thank you!
So did you eat cake or wot? If so, what kind of cake?
There was cake! Normally, I'd go for my favorite cake, which is a Princess Cake. Or, maybe my second favorite cake, which is red velvet. But this year, all I wanted was a basic supermarket birthday cake (vanilla with white frosting and some icing balloons for decoration), and that is what I got. It hit the spot, then it hit my belly, then I hit the gym.
I loves me a supermarket cake. And would love to hear more about this PRINCESS CAKE.
It's all about the marzipan and the jam for me. It's a Swedish cake, but I've found it at most upscale bakeries. It's also available at--get this--IKEA.
Of course!
wait is bloodsport about a birthday?
also - what advice do you have for your 66 year old self??
1. Since having children, I always ask for a day to myself. My husband takes the kids away and I go the grocery store and buy myself a lobster roll and some cheddar and sour cream ruffles and a frozen pepperidge farm cake (amazing, btw) and I eat at leisure and binge what I want on TV. It's the bomb.
2. I actually think I might try to socialize for my birthday this year. I also have a can of edibles my big sis from Boston scored for me that I haven't dug into yet. If you get a weird email on January 17th, you'll know why.
3. Fucking Facebook.
4. John Cusack had a tiny role as one of the geek's sidekicks in Sixteen Candles. That's the only reason I watch that movie now. I don't have a reason to watch Bloodsport anymore. I have children.
5. I'm probably closer to the acronym FINE, but it's fine.
6. Happy Birthday, Michael.
7. "sad pants." 🥹
I think Sixteen Candles was one of Cusack's first roles. Speaking of rolls, Lobster rolls (see what I did there?), is the grocery store lobster roll good? I assume we're talking about Stop & Shop, right? Do they prepare this New England treat at the deli or fish counter? We don't have these in Los Angeles. But we do have supermarket sushi, and while some people turn up their nose at supermarket sushi, you can actually find some damn fine fish at the right market, at the right time.
I get my lobster rolls at Market Basket, which I believe remains a regional New England chain. The rolls are excellent and at $8.99 you can't beat the price. I love grocery store sushi. There's very little I'll turn my nose up at, if it tastes good and I can afford it. 😂
Market Basket must be super regional. I don't remember that one from my days in Connecticut. Although I remember being told by some New Englanders that CT wasn't the real New England, even though we ate grinders, bought our booze from the package store (unless it was after 8pm or on Sunday), and half the state rooted for The Sox, Pats, and Celtics.
Happy Birthday Michael! Enjoy every minute of 46, celebrate in joy or fake until you make it.
Thank you, Judith!
Happy birthday, Michael! (Go Team Virgo)
Thank you, Gabe! Team Virgo for the win!
Happy Birthday!
Thank you, Shauna!
Happy birthday!
My last birthday felt disappointing. I went camping with my partner, but his dad somehow invited himself along, and his cousin. There wasn’t a solid plan for the day, so we drove around looking for things to do.
Next year (for my 30th) I have this daydream about going to Rome and celebrating my birthday solo.
Thanks Katie! I'm rooting for you to celebrate your 30th in Rome. Make it happen, then write about it!
Happy birthday, Michael! Your thoughts on midlife are still rattling around my mind.
Happy birthday!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Thank you, Marisa!
It’s been an intense “we’re getting older” birthday week on Substack. You, Amran Gowani, me (though I didn’t write anything hilarious like you two)
Happy birthday to you! Also, even the youngsters are getting older. Happens to everyone, every day 😄
Ha! It sure does.
There is a group of mums from my kid's class that do big, wild birthdays together. The go bar hopping or out to the beach.
I took my birthday off Facebook so I could hide from them.
No regrets.
Haha, I think you made the right bday choice. Moms going wild can be a bit much.
You should feel fine - 46 is the right side of 50 (I’m 54 on Thursday and am telling myself it’s the right side of 60 ... which is soooo far away). But you should also feel fine because 16 Candles is a favourite film - I also love it (despite - obligatory caveat - it’s problems) and when younger tried as hard as I could to recreate Jake’s party. Got pretty close a few times, but the glass table thing was just out of reach ... Great post and Happy Birthday.
Thanks Bryan! Not sure if you’ve seen it, but Molly Ringwald had a good essay in The New Yorker about revisiting her work with John Hughes in The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles. It’s worth a read.
That was rad. Im 46 too. Just happy and blessed for every day I'm alive.
I love 16 candles and blood sport.
Gotta watch Blood sport with my kid... 16 candles will have to wait...
Thanks for writing that and Happy birthday :)
Thank you! Hope you and the kiddo enjoy Bloodsport!