My 40th birthday has been cancelled.

[ThomCat]

:(

Several friends had expressed an interest in having a party for me for my birthday. Every one of them has since had a major upset in thier life that ties them up for the foreseeable future. They've all called me to say they can't do it.

I've never been big on birthday parties. Normally I just go out to dinner with a few deserving friends and I buy them dinner. But for my 40th I was hoping for a party.

I'm kind of bummed out. :(

I don't need any hugs or vibes. I'm just venting. I'll get this out of my system and move on shortly. :)

[lizziegrace]

1. ...

:hug:


:(

[ThomCat]

16. Hey, I said no hugs!

x(

:P

:hug:

[lizziegrace]

22. Tough!

you're getting them anyway. ;)

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

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:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Your birthday hasn't been canceled. It will occur on schedule.

Happy birthday. :party: :toast: :hug:

[ThomCat]

14. That is true.

It will definitely happen regardless.

I just won't be doing anything significant to pretend that it's a holiday. :P

[quip]

15. Incorrect!

Thom gets awarded another year of 39! Party on! :party: :toast:

[Fran Kubelik]

3. when is your birthday?

and: :hug:

[ThomCat]

9. It is May 2nd.

:)

I was born at 11:26 pm, east coast time, May 2nd, 1968. :P

[SallyMander]

4. Maybe you could take a trip?

I can think of somewhere fun for you to travel!!! :D

:hug:

:loveya:

[ThomCat]

11. You know I would absolutely love to.

But I can't. I've used all my days off for health reasons. And money is tight. x(

I'm stuck.

[Dr. Strange]

5. Let's have a Lounge party!

We can all post in our pajamas!

[ThomCat]

13. LizzieGrace suggested a virtual party.

I may spam the lounge with party posts on my birthday. You're all invited. :P

[Dr. Strange]

18. Woo hoo!

:beer:

[devilgrrl]

6. Yeah, well...

have a hug anyway...

:hug:

have a bunch...

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:
:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:
:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:
:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:
:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

[ThomCat]

20. Aww!

Hobody listens to me when I say no hugs. :P

:loveya:

[MonkeyFunk]

7. aww, sorry to hear that

if it's any comfort, my 40th sucked majorly. My live-in boyfriend made a date with the new guy I was seeing for that evening. :(

But I got me a keeper now.


I hope you'll find a way to celebrate the occasion, even without a big to-do.

[ThomCat]

24. I will. I'll be online with you having a good time.

:toast:

Or I might fall back on tradition and take some people out to dinner, and then come home and get online with you. :)

[MonkeyFunk]

27. go out for dinner

and have a good time.

[Robeson]

8. I'm sorry about that Thom....

...You know they'll always be plenty of us here to party with you on your B-day! :party:

[ThomCat]

25. I'm hoping so.

You're all my safety. :P

If I have nothing else to do, I'm going to drag you all into an online party and celebrate! :party:

[GOPisEvil]

10. I want to do something fun for my 40th birthday, too.

I'll probably have to plan it, and I'll probably get some frustrating cancellations, but dammit, I'm having fun on my 40th come hook or crook!

I have until June to figure things out.

[ThomCat]

26. Damn. Texas is too far away.

x(

I hope you have a lot more luck than I do. :)

[GOPisEvil]

28. I know...plus, my vacation days are used seeing my lovely SO.

Who is frustratingly 2000 miles away. x(

I'm sure we'll both figure something out. Sometimes, simple is best though.

[ThomCat]

42. I was in a 300 mile relationship for over 4 years.

:(

That is very difficult, time consuming, and expensive. x(

I hope it's a strong relationship and survives that distance. And I hope you can get together at some point soon and close that distance.

[Pacifist Patriot]

12. Turning 40 myself this year. I sympathize with your disappointment.

I have never been one for parties either. Birthdays have been a time to spend with people I care about with no big fuss. But this year I'm kind of hoping something is made of the milestone. I completely understand being disappointed. You may not need a hug, but I hope some empathy goes a long way. I'd be let down too.

[ThomCat]

29. I hope you get that big fuss.

It's nice, every once in a while.

I'm always making a big fuss about the people around me. I'm the one who organizes lots of stuff for other people. But that means there is rarely anything organized for me.

That's a huge part of the reason why I was so amazingly blown away when LionessPriyanka organized that fundraiser for my powerchair. I was in shock! Not only was something organized for me, but it was a huge event, and Priyanka really went above and beyond.

I'm going to be talking about it, and her, for many many years to come. :P

A birthday party is nothing compared to that. But it's still nice to have your friends come together. :)

[Pacifist Patriot]

40. Here's the weird thing.

My husband, my twin sister and I all turn 40 this year. My husband is 17 days older than me so the three of us are very close together. I'll be willing to bet you dollars to donuts that it passes by without so much as a whimper for any of us.

We must be separated at birth. I'm always the one making the big to do about others as well.

[ThomCat]

43. Damn. You would think that people could at least

combine all your groups of friends and have a combined party of some kind. :(

I love sharing my birthday with other people. Shared parties can be some of the best. :)

[SPKrazy]

17. Meh, you are just a baby Thom, unfortunately you will still turn 40

and happy birthday, get it out

:hug:

[ThomCat]

31. I know. In my head I feel like I'm finally turning 30.

But the rest of me feels like it's turning 60. :P

I'd like to get at least one birthday out of this. :rofl:

[SeattleGirl]

19. Well, damn, ThomCat.

But it's still a month away. Maybe some things will change and you'll get to go out after all.

In the meantime, though.....

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[ThomCat]

33. It is vaguely possible, but very unlikely.

:shrug:

My office used to all go out for birthdays, but this year the boss paid for one huge dinner as a combined celebration for everyone. So there are no more birthday lunches. You may recall that I posted about that big company dinner. It was at a steakhouse. :P

So even that has fallen through this year. I am just now taking the hind. :)

But you're awesome and sweet for being optimistic. :loveya:

[SoxFan]

21. Look on the bright side

Now you can honestly say your still 39!

[ThomCat]

34. That is true.

I was hoping that 40 would be a better year. But if I don't actually turn 40 then it can't be a worse year, can it? :P

[malta blue]

23. Vent away Thom

but you will still get a hug from me :hug::hug:

[ThomCat]

35. Hey,

If I decide to plan a random day-trip some weekend and get on a train. What are the odds that you'd be available to hang out for a day and show me someplace cool and mellow to sit and look at some trees or something? :)

:hug:

[malta blue]

67. Odds on any weekend for you are 100% -

we may be with or without the Little MB, but there are some great parks, etc where we can just hang out - or we can just come to my house and sit on the deck and enjoy the big trees in my yard :loveya:

You are ALWAYS welcome in my neck of the upstate woods.

[ghostsofgiants]

30. That sucks, dude.

I can imagine that would be a bit of a disappointment. Maybe you could just do something once everyone has their stuff taken care of.

[ThomCat]

36. Unfortunately, everyone's stuff looks to be fairly long-term.

I might end up having a 40.5 party. :P

[ghostsofgiants]

41. That sucks even more.

[Ava]

32. aw, that sucks

:(

we should have a DU cyber party! ;) :pals:

[ThomCat]

38. At the moment that is looking like the available plan.

:)

I'll spam the lounge with party related posts and we'll all get silly and have a virtual party.

I have to figure out how to do virtual party games. :P

[DarkTirade]

37. My great-uncle's got his double 40 coming up

and he had to cancel his big party because of upheavals in his own life.

Hard to believe he's as active as he is and yet he's about to turn 80.

[ThomCat]

39. I hope those unheavals are minor and temporary

and I hope he's that active for a lot longer. :)

[DarkTirade]

44. I don't think he'll stay down for long.

If he can make it as a gay pastor in this day and age, he can manage just about anything IMO. :)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

45. Can we have a party for you here?

We can create a special party thread, festivally decorated, and drink and snack and such. :party:

[ThomCat]

46. If I'm home on my birthday

I'm going to be thread-jacking left and right. :evilgrin:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

55. Go for it!

:hug:

[Robeson]

47. Great idea GoddessOfGuiness....

...:thumbsup:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

48. I'm sorry.

:hug:

We should get together sometime.

[ThomCat]

50. Hey, we should!

You're practically next door, and I can take long lunches. :P

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

49. My dear ThomCat!

Yes, we'll sure as HELL have a virtual party here just for you!

I'm really hoping I can get east this summer, and if I do, I'll move heaven and earth to come see you!

:hug: :hug: :hug:

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[ThomCat]

51. That would be awesome!

There are a lot of people who haven't had a chance to meet you yet. :)

And I'm always up for an excuse to sit down over good food somewhere and talk for hours. :7

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

53. Oh, that would be sooooooo much fun!

I will try to do it...

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

52. I have an idea

It may be late for your birthday, but I'll be just north of NYC in late June for a week.

I'll buy you lunch if possible.

:hi:

RL

[ThomCat]

54. A very sweet bird was telling me about your trip in June.

I am hoping to take a train up there to meet you for an afternoon. But if you can come down here for a day too, hey, that's even better.

I'd love to spend more time with you. :pals:

[quakerboy]

56. I hereby cancel mine

as a motion of solidarity.

[ThomCat]

59. That's awesome! You've started a trend too!

:)

Now everyone's cancelling their birthdays. :P

[puerco-bellies]

57. I turn 50 in less then an hour.

Umm, can I cancel and be 39 too?

[ThomCat]

60. Happy Birthday!

It seems to me that you've earned those years and made them meaninful. :)

I hope we can all do so well.

[puerco-bellies]

62. Thank you,

Some I've earned, so much has been given.. I am a lucky bastid'

[Critters2]

58. That sucks. Sorry. I'd do something for ya if I was there.

Wonder if that could happen for my 50th.

[ThomCat]

61. I hope it doesn't happen for your 50th.

half a century should always be worth one hell of a party. :)

And you seem like the type of person who would know a lot of people, so I hope you have a really good crowd of friends and well-wishers looking forward to your 50th.

[Contrary1]

63. Well, then; there is only one thing to do.

Throw yourself a party! It's not about surprise. It's not about gifts. It's about sharing a very special day with very special friends.

Send out invites. Gifts optional. Have a scavenger hunt, play Twister, Charades, and some other goofy games. Ask that they contribute to the suicide punch bowl**, and bring a snack. Really, I am serious about this. You won't regret it...well; maybe the morning after you might, but hell, you only turn 40 once. B-)

**Suicide Punch Recipe

1 Brand new never used diaper pail

Contributions:

A fifth of some sort of alcoholic beverage (no beer)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ or ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1/2 gallon vanilla/fruit flavored ice cream or sherbet.

Mix well and have a great time.

[ThomCat]

68. That is exactly what I would like to do

but the people I would invite are the people who just said they won't have the time or ability to do anything for my birthday, so who would be there? :shrug:

[Contrary1]

72. Maybe they meant that they don't have the time or ability

to plan a party. With the economy in the toilet, I can see that as a reason. So, if I were you, I would make a few calls, and see if they would consider coming to your party. An informal pitch-in would be fun, and it wouldn't put all the expense and time for planning on just one or two people.

[TZ]

64. Here's the answer

We'll just call April 19th your b-day..a little birdie told me that there's a party going on that day.......:hi:

[ThomCat]

69. I definitely do not want to change

or take over anyone else's party. There's no way. That party is all about LynneSin and her new home. :)

[LynneSin]

74. Takeover how - so now I'll have to serve all you folks Cake - the horror

:eyes:

[lightningandsnow]

65. Well...

We could have an online birthday party for you!

Or something.

:hug:

[ThomCat]

70. I'm taking this as permission to have exactly that kind of party.

I'm going to be online all evening on Friday, May 2nd hijacking threads with party related stuff. :evilgrin:

[Darth_Kitten]

66. If you want a party, you DESERVE a party.

:hug:

[ThomCat]

71. I don't know that anyone "Deserves" anything.

But I would have liked a party. :)
:shrug:

[LynneSin]

73. Your birthday is officially April 19th

I'll have cake!

[zanne]

75. I know how you feel.

I'm very touchy about birthdays. For my 50th birthday, my husband waited until two days before to invite people to a party. We had two guests who didn't even know it was my 50th.

My 56th birthday is tomorrow. Yesterday, my husband got a belated birthday card from my brother. Just as I was finishing reading his card, he said "So do you want me to mail your birthday card or can I just give it to you"? GAH!

[Lorien]

77. Happy early Birthday Zanne!

:party: :bounce:

Your husband sounds like 90% of the men I know. They just don't understand why we get "touchy", but then again, most of them aren't forgotten on their special days because they have US!

:hug: :loveya:

[zanne]

78. Thank you, Lorien! nt

[Lorien]

76. So sorry Thomcat! I had a 40th like that too

Every one of my friends were otherwise occupied, so I went up to see my family. My dad didn't want to do anything with me that night, though, because "LOST" was on. :-(

My birthday was on Sunday, but I didn't do a thing for it. However, last year I did go out with a bunch of friends and had a fine time. Hopefully your NEXT birthday will make up for this one!

Happy birthday, fellow Aries!!

:hug: :party: :bounce: :toast:

[ThomCat]

79. Hi Lorien!

:hug:


Weird development:

I just found out that my mom wants to get my ex-girlfriend to organize a party for me so she can contribute to it.

My mom apparently wants to do this because she's making a big deal about a party for my twin brother. I'm 400 miles away. She will feel guilty throwing a big party for my brother and not doing anything for me, so she's trying to get my ex-girlfriend to assuage her guilt.

My ex really does not like my mother, and we are still very close friends even though we don't date anymore. So of course she called me immediately to tell me she heard from my mom.

I can't believe how complicated a birthday can be. :P