Obama Ruined My Birthday
Posted at 1:32 PM Jan 20, 2009
By Rachel Perry
January 20. Every four to eight years, depending on whether there's a second term, it becomes the day that a new president is sworn in. And today, Barack Obama, the 44th (and first black) president will be the focus of the whole world's attention. It also happens to be my birthday.
It always seemed like people who were born on Christmas had it bad. They have to share their b-day with Jesus, and frankly who are you compared to the son of God? But let me tell ya, it's nothing compared to sharing yours with the biggest historical event of our lives.
It's not like having my birthday overlooked or undermined is without precedent, however. For one, January
20 has to be the coldest time of year to have a birthday. Growing up
in Canada, there was never the possibility that I'd get to have a pool
party, never mind the fact that we didn't have a pool. There was never
going to be a scavenger hunt because you can't play outside. You would
be lucky if the weather was good enough for people to even show up. Not to mention you always get shorted in the gift department because it's
just far enough past Christmas that people feel like they already gave you a present, and besides, they're busy paying off their credit cards.
I recently asked my mom if they had a first birthday party for me and she couldn't remember. There isn't any proof either, because I was a second child so nobody took pictures of me, as apparently the novelty had worn off.
The first birthday party I remember having was when we rented a movie for the occasion. Unfortunately that movie was TRON, which failed to make me the most popular girl in first grade.
On my 17th birthday my mom and stepdad went to Cuba because it was the cheapest time of year to go on vacation. Eventually I stopped telling people when the day arrived. Last year my boyfriend had to go to out of town for an important business meeting for one day: January 20.
So look, Mister Obama,
I've shared my b-day with crappy weather, credit card debt, cheap
vacations, work obligations, awful Jeff Bridges movies and a great
cootie quarantine. You are not going to swoop in and steal my thunder!
The truth is, there's nothing I can do to
stop people from paying disproportionate attention to Barack today, and I suppose I
don't really mind. The late, great George Burns, who was also born on
January 20 once said, "Too bad all the people who know how to run this country are busy running taxicabs or cutting hair." Too bad George didn't live long enough to see someone who actually knows what they're doing end up in the White House. Good Luck Barack! (and happy birthday to me).
Comments
Maybe everyone and everything is trying to tell you something...
Posted 01/20/2009 at 02:43:35 PMAre you VH1 Rachel Perry? Damn, you fine!!!! Screw Obama, it's all about Rachel damn it!!!!
Posted 01/20/2009 at 03:54:44 PMhappy birthday!
Posted 01/20/2009 at 04:02:17 PMLou-bert,
What? You didn't know NCSDUV only uses the creme da la creme of contributors?
Anyway, you will hopefully be reading more of Rachel on the site in the future.
But even if one were to deem here fine, the more important detail is she's damn fine human being.
Posted 01/20/2009 at 05:13:29 PMHA HA! That is the best! Thanks lou-bert!!
-Rachel
Posted 01/20/2009 at 06:22:35 PMFrom another January baby (31st) - I agree that it sucks to have a winter birthday!
Posted 01/20/2009 at 07:30:21 PMRachel,
From how you describe it, Canada sounds horrible. I'm sorry Canadian parents are so neglectful, Canadian children are so exclusive, and boyfriends travel on their girlfriends' birthdays.
I'm happy that you're a fan of George Burns with whom you share a birthday.
:)
Posted 01/21/2009 at 08:26:51 AMHAPPY BIRTHDAY. EVEN THOUGH IT IS A WEEK LATER.
Posted 01/27/2009 at 03:55:12 AMHAPPY BIRTHDAY. EVEN THOUGH IT IS 50 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS EARLIER.
Posted 02/03/2009 at 01:02:50 AMHappy 26th birthday (LOL) from your loving fans in T.O.. Michelle Jean is a bigger deal than Obama; she's black, she's a woman, AND she has Her Majesty behind her.. It's good to have Canadian perspective, just look at the crippling terrorist-snow-attack on London...(gasp)
Posted 02/03/2009 at 01:52:03 PM