I turned 20 yesterday, and that’s about as interesting as moving up half a shoe size. Less interesting actually, I didn’t even get new shoes.
Living in Champaign is great on your 19th birthday, because you become bar legal. And that’s cool. Because otherwise 19 is a meaningless birthday. However, this extra attention on your nineteenth in Champaign only throws into drastic relief how incredibly unimportant your 20th birthday is.
My twentieth felt an awful lot like making a reservation for a kick ass birthday one year from now.
So what actually makes the twentieth birthday unique? Many people said to me, “You’re not a teenager any more!” To which I thought, “…and?” Your 20th is the first real, adult birthday. What do I mean? I mean it’s your birthday, and no one gives a shit. Not even you.
Your 21st is a step back in this regard. Everyone is excited for your 21st. Your twentieth? Don’t care.
Also, today is my parent’s 35th anniversary. Much more impressive. Especially considering that when my parents got married my dad was, oh that’s right, 20.
It might not have felt like a birthday anyway, since none of my friends from home were around (see previous posts for a ride on the waah-mbulance).
Plus, it’s the 21st century. So your birthday means that people who you forgot existed write on your wall in the blandest happy birthday terms possible. There’s nothing wrong with this practice, but it is a little strange to get a “happy birthday, Carl” from a girl who moved away from my home town when we were twelve.
But what was truly surprising to me about the event was how little I cared that it was my birthday. It wasn’t exactly a sad-panda style event. People called me and said, “Happy birthday, Carl!” and I said, “yeah thanks.” And that was it.
Ho-hum, growing up is hard to do.
Carl Newman: appreciates when you don't feel like commenting, but still want to tell him what an asshole he is at warriorpoetresponds@gmail.com
Comments
steve (steve) says:
(Posted June 11th, 2008 at 9:25 am)
” Woo-hoo I’m 26!”
Shut the fuck up, go to work.
nikki (nikki) says:
(Posted June 11th, 2008 at 11:29 am)
Birthdays are nothing to get excited about. My 27th was the first birthday that I didn’t spend at work in the last 9 years (yes, that even includes the ones that fell on weekends years back… damn part time retail job…).
elle (elle) says:
(Posted June 11th, 2008 at 8:55 pm)
you should have just thrown a ridiculous party at someone else’s house. that’s what i did.
Kendra (Kendra) says:
(Posted June 12th, 2008 at 8:47 am)
Sometimes, you are just that bored. Also, even in internship lame-ness, you are cooler than a lot of the people I wish happy birthday to on the facebook. Although that’s not saying much. Hmm…
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Carl Newman
appreciates when you don't feel like commenting, but still want to tell him what an asshole he is at warriorpoetresponds@gmail.com
Sarah (Sarah) says:
(Posted June 10th, 2008 at 10:56 pm)
It’s your birthday. You’re 20. Now shut the fuck up and go to work….Thank you Patton Oswalt, for making birthdays funny again.