September 14 Also Marks the Day Francis Scott Key Wrote the Star Spangled Banner

Today I am 34 years old. I don't feel any different. OK, fatter, but not wiser. I still can't believe I'm in the same age group as any of the characters on Thirtysomething. I guess that's because that show was set in the 80s, when 30 was 30. Today, 40 is the new 20, so 30 must be the new 10. I guess that makes me 14. That sounds about right: no self confidence, rapidly changing body, sober, bad hair, worse attitude, fear of boys (if only the one in my belly), inexplicable love of Ashlee Simpson... yeah, 34 is definitely the new 14.

Except this morning, when my husband asked if I wanted to ditch work and go to Seaside today to gorge on cheesesteaks and play air hockey and Ms. Pac Man, I made the 34-year-old choice. That's why my birthday fun has so far consisted of eating an ordered-in diner breakfast at my desk while typing this. Tonight I'll get a haircut and go to a nice restaurant - maybe I'll even splurge and have a sip or two of wine. Woo hoo!

My mother left a message on my voicemail at work this morning. She said my horoscope predicts it will be a very good year, one that will leave me "twinkling with money, or something like that." Does that mean I'll be inheriting some gold bullion, or just hauling HG's change bucket to Commerce Bank in desperate need of grocery cash? Horoscopes have a way of working every angle.

Happy Birthday to me.