"You Say it's Your Birthday? Well, it's My Birthday,Too, Man"
Posted: Thursday, September 08, 2011
by Jack H. Schick
I didn’t wake up this morning thinking, “Hey, it’s my birthday!” During the night, my heart monitor gadget went off, waking me up at 1:08am. One of the electrodes had fallen off when I rolled over. After I reattached it and acknowledged the alarm, I had a little trouble getting back to sleep. After that, I had a dream and woke up again, at 2:24am. It was a ‘feel good’ dream. Before I fell back to sleep I laid there a few minutes reviewing it in my mind, promising myself that I would remember it. But, as usual, I didn’t. My brother was in it, that’s all I know. So, when the alarm went off at 4:45am, I was a little groggy. I sure could have used a couple more hours sleep. Per routine, I staggered out of the bedroom and flicked on the coffee pot as I headed for the bathroom. It hadn’t even occurred to me yet that it was my birthday.
The coffee was done. I poured some then threw a handful of raisins in the pot of water and turned the burner on high to make oatmeal. It didn’t take long. Just as I poured in the oats, the dogs began ‘knocking’ at the door. I use Quaker Quick Oats so I hollered for them to “hold on,” as I stirred it for a minute. They were knocking again as I got there and were pretty wet when they came in. They shook off all over me and quick hopped up on either ends of the couch. They have a routine too, and it certainly doesn’t involve getting up at five in the morning unless the guns are out and they know we’re going hunting. I carried my bowl and mug into the computer room and sat down to check emails. When the machine warmed up I noticed the date down in the lower right and thought, “Darn, I was going to remember it when I woke up! It’s Patsy Cline’s birthday today! And Jim K—‘s, the goofy guy at work, and, best of all…it’s my birthday, too!”
When I started up the car and headed off to work it was raining, but not hard. I listen to the news station on the radio and was shocked to hear about devastating flooding in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. “Tropical downpours” were reported. Trains were shut down, highways were closed. There were mudslides and bridge washouts. It wasn’t bad at all in my part of the county. When I heard that the three routes by which I could get to the wastewater plant where I work were all closed, I panicked a little. The plant had been battered by a couple of floods in the past week. I wondered why the boss hadn’t called me in early. Maybe to let me sleep in then work me a double shift that night, I speculated.
I couldn’t help but think about a cynical essay I wrote the night before for SearchWarp. It sort of mocked people who panicked over hurricanes and made fun of frantic weathermen. I wondered if I’d jinxed myself. It looked like it was going to be another rough day. Luckily, they opened one of the roads just before I needed it and I got to work only a few minutes late. My office had been flooded again. The creek was up in the yard and covering half the plant. Every pump was running at full speed. The night shift guys looked bedraggled and the boss was in a bad mood, having been there since 3am. When I saw Jim K--, I called him over and wished him a happy birthday. He wished me one too.
It was a pretty rough day, but we handled it okay. My oldest daughter called me about lunch time and we talked for a little while. My son and other daughter left me messages, along with about two dozen “friends” on Facebook. I got off at the normal time. I almost had to come in at 3:00am to cover for a supervisor who was on vacation, but someone else volunteered to cover. My wife and I went out to the diner for supper and I had a nice phone conversation with a good friend later that night.
When I finish this, I’ll go to bed and read for a little while—I’m in the middle of a Ross MacDonald, Lew Archer novel. I like him. I’ll probably spend a few minutes thinking about the mess I’ll encounter when I get to work tomorrow, and rue the fact it’s my turn for weekend duty. It’ll be okay, though. I get a comp day next Friday and goose season is still open. I’ve lived through worse than this. Just before I turn on the alarm and shut off the light I’ll try to remember to say to myself, at least once “Hey, it’s your birthday!”
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Well happy birthday Jack, by the way how old are you?I've just celebrated the 20th anniversary of my 39th birthday.
Happy Birthday, Jack! It sounds like it was quite the day.thanks
From one Virgo to another, I hope your new year is full, rich and rewarding... Always- EllaThanks for readign and commenting
Happy 39th Jack. I'm sorry these birthday wishes are a little late. It sounds like you had a decent day. You had dinner out and in my book anytime I don't have to cook that's a great day!Thanks for reading and commenting
Raisin oatmeal, my dad used to make that and date oatmeal - let the raisins or dates soak all night - yum! then I began to get allergic to oats (hives)I just throw them in when I put the pot on- thanks for reading and commenting
Happy Birthday,.thanks so much
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