Happy Birthday in the Weird World of Social Media

I remember when birthdays were a quiet thing. A few phone calls from first degree relatives. A couple of cards from extended family members. A special meal with family, and a couple of gifts.

Now there's Facebook.

Birthdays are have become a multi-media event. The phone rings, repeatedly, a friend drops by with a giraffe toilet paper holder, there are text messages from ....my cousin, my kid, my kid's girlfriend, a friend of my other kid, and yes, a text message from the Vision Care place where I get my contact lenses. My father-in-law sends an e-card with music. Forty of my closest friends, including people I haven't talked to since elementary school, and my prom date, wish me the best. The request to serve on yet another committee comes in an email and notes "Happy Birthday." And yes, the Vision Care place also sent a happy birthday email, complete with animated balloons. For the first time ever, my beloved sibling seems to think that writing on my Wall suffices and I don't warrant a phone call, and this year, I did not get a greeting card from the Toyota dealer.

As long as the roses and chocolate continue IRL (in real life), then count me in! When the cake turns virtual, I'm signing off.

The Sunday Morning Shrink Rapper Update.

I've decided to start reading the Sunday New York Times in bed--- no electronic distractions and I actually sort of read. I love the internet, but I think it makes me crazy.

The NY Times has a feature on Debra Winger and talks about her acting come back in the role of Frances on In Treatment. Click here if you'd like to read it.

I'm reading a wonderful book, a memoir by Dr. Mark Vonnegut called Just Like Someone With Mental Illness Only More So. When I was a kid, I loved Kurt Vonnegut's novels. Unusual family with lots of genius and mental illness. I will write more about the book when I finish it, maybe later today?

Tried a great new pizza place last night. Trouble parking and I thought I'd never go there again, and then we ordered a boring pizza because we have topping-issues in my marriage. Great spinach salad, and as we waited for the pie, I coveted the pizza's around us with sausage, veggies, mushrooms, oh.... but then our Four Cheese Pizza arrived and it was amazing. We didn't even mind that we were by far the oldest people in the place, and I will definitely go again, maybe on a weekday. So here's a plug for Iggy's.

As for the rest of my day? Roy wanted me to go to lunch with him so he could convert me into someone who fully understands the details of an issue that has come up in our state with hospital reimbursements. The restaurant he chose isn't open on Sundays. Oh, and he's decided he's busy with one of his many other projects. Clink wanted to work on posting another podcast with me, but got a last minute invite to a birthday party and has blown me off. I've pointed out to her that she was on my "A" list as a first-choice friend for a Sunday afternoon. The day-before birthday party invite and she was clearly on that person's "B" list. Apparently, my company doesn't compare to the prospect of birthday cake.

Our little dog, Kobe, the hyperactive one, was shaved down yesterday in an event called grooming. I suggested husband take him to the Ravens Game (Kobe would like that) but was told, "As a comfort dog? Kobe is the farthest thing from a comfort dog."

Shrink Rap: Grand Rounds is up at Diabetes Mine

This week's Medical Grand Rounds is over at Amy Tenderich's Diabetes Mine.  She is calling this the Birthday Edition, I think because today is her own birthday (Happy Birthday, Amy!).  But still, this is quite a coincidence since today is also Shrink Rap's birthday -- 3 years old today (see Dinah's post coming out at noon).

Amy notes some other birthdays today or this week -- Alison Finney from Shoot Up or Put Up; Chris Nickson from Life in the Fast Lane; Health Business Blog (Happy 4th!); and the Queen of England (and others).