Item 1: Thanks to all who put in their two cents about what we should be blogging about here on "Living it up Severson Party Style!" Chances are good you'll be hearing from me a little more regularly, especially now that my internet adaptor has been replaced.
Item 2: I'm happy to report that I survived 2 fillings at the dentist today. I know, I know. The dentist again. Royce insists it's because I eat too much candy; I think it's genetic (let's be honest, Royce is probably right). Luckily they were both small, plus I had the distraction of laughing gas and Dreamworks cartoons. The fear is diminishing, slowly but surely! (Also, am I the only one who incessantly pokes their lips when your mouth is numb? I just think it's hilarious how I can push and poke and not feel a thing.)
Item 3: As I drove home from work today, I was having quite the involved conversation with myself about why I dislike the "Happy Birthday" song so much. I'm not sure what sparked the topic--may have been some lingering laughing gas . . . In any case, my confession to you all is that I hate, hate, really dislike, singing or being sung "Happy Birthday." I kind of feel like the Grinch of birthdays. I try to be a good sport about it, but inside I just cringe.
I don't recall when my revulsion to the song began. I know as a pre-teen I would sing along when it was being sung to me because I felt so awkward about the whole thing. And I always questioned why my family felt that we had to sing it for the cake and again for the presents. But I think the recognition that I just don't want to sing it EVER is a more recent development. Regardless of when it set in, here's some of the reasons why:
*There's really not much to the song. Six words total people!
*It feels obligatory. I would rather have a heartfelt "I hope your birthday is great" said to me than "Happy Birthday" sung.
*It's overused. You hear it at home, school, work, etc. etc.
*I don't like doing things just because everyone does it. Sometimes I cave though (e.g. I didn't want to cut the cake or throw the bouquet at my wedding. But Royce really wanted to do the first and my nieces begged for the second; seems futile to explain to excited little girls your philosophy for not following tradition for tradition's sake).
*There are other birthday songs out there. Let's at least mix it up a little. I like the Primary variety best. You get to "Shout Hooray!", learn different languages, and sing words like "zipadeeay" and "heigh-dee-ho."
So maybe I'm alone in my negativity towards this hallowed tradition. But what do you guys think? Agree, disagree, think I need to stop being so cynical and just focus on making the world a better place? Or do you have similar traditions that just make you cringe? Please share.
