Or, Mommy-kah? Huh. Last night I got home from a class pretty late and saw that K and the kids strung our birthday banner up in the kitchen...over the sink. Considering this is pretty much where I spend a good deal of time at home, I guess it was appropriate; but, still funny--very unexpected.
I am convinced that the universe is conspiring to help me have a good birthday celebration. There was a choice parking space left for me at school last night (which if you have ever tried to find parking in Providence on a holiday that involves drinking, like St. Patrick's Day or Cinco de May, say---you'll understand, this is a pretty big deal--and it was free!), therer was also an uber-choice spot left for me at work today--right behind the library (thank you), all technology that I have interacted with today has worked without problem (including my laptop which I have decided is possessed by a ghost in the machine, or something, I have no idea), and all the archives patrons who have asked for assistance today have been really nice and cordial (and uncharacteristcally un-needy). If the first two days are any indication of the next six, it's going to be a great celebration, indeed. But I digress.
K and the the kids have been leaving me little gifts on the kitchen table (kind of near the birthday banner, actually). A very fun thing, obviously. Really, the only thing better than presents you get for yourself are gifts that other people give to you (especially when they are shopping from a wishlist or some such thing).
The second gift of Novakkah (or, the gift I got myself) is a new camera lens. I have been wanting a 35mm lens for a while, so I figured now was as good a time as any to get one... so, yes.
I am looking forward to taking some pictures with it at Maryland Sheep and Wool tomorrow. Speaking of wool (that was a segue, by the way--transition skills, I have them), today's gift is...wool!
I have here a four ounce braid of hand-dyed roving (superwash merino) from Squoosh Fiberarts and a Winter 2009 Spin Off magazine (it's a good one, I just happen to have two--the same could be said about the fiber, actually). Should you be interested, please tell me, in a comment on THIS POST, about the best birthday tradition that you, yourself, observe or that you have heard of others observing (you can't list Novakkah, that's cheating...well, you can, but you need to tell me about something else as well).
I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or2359, should you prefer that), Thursday, May 12th. Please leave your responses on the appropriate post. One entry per post/person. I will show you what I have to gift each day and let you know what you need to tell me to try to get it. Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.
Have a great weekend everybody!
Have a great time and Maryland Sheep and Wool! Someday I'll go to such a festivus.
My only birthday tradition is to always always take the day off from work.
My first birthday after high school graduation I spent starting college summer school (you remember my mad school skillz) and each year we were there it was lame. So, as soon as I had the choice, I've vowed never to work on my birthday. The last couple years I've spent taking a leisurely walk to/from our Peets (about 3 miles total), but I think that is just part of the larger tradition of not working on my birthday.
Posted by: Kathy | May 06, 2011 at 02:12 PM
yay for new lens! and novakkah!
Posted by: Minty | May 06, 2011 at 02:23 PM
In our family, you get to go to the Lego store on your birthday. I WIN. (What do you mean, the best answer doesn't automatically win?)
Posted by: Annika | May 06, 2011 at 02:48 PM
My mom always told me not to open any cards or presents until the very day of my birthday. When I was little, I hated it, but now, as an adult, where the present are fewer (but in some cases, pricier), I enjoy it. The birthday cards I get from a few relatives are saved in a tiny stack until the day, and it's very nice to savor them in that way.
Also, without fail, my mom tells my birth story, which I pretend to be annoyed by, but secretly kind of love hearing year after year. I roll my eyes when she starts in, but it's all a show.
Yay for your new lens! Also, that fiber is beautiful!
Posted by: Jacey | May 06, 2011 at 03:14 PM
Novakkah is an awesome birthday tradition!
My sister makes a point to cross something off of her bucket list every birthday. The last one involved making plans (and going!) ziplining in the Dominican Republic.
Posted by: Heidi aka Digital Misfit | May 06, 2011 at 03:51 PM
We know a family that likes to sing the Happy Birthday song to any tune, as a group. Everyone picks their own -- from 'Camp Granada' to 'ABC'. It is so funny every year when the grand-mother of the family, who just turned 80, laughs and says "okay, now sing it RIGHT!" I hope my family has fun traditions like this someday.
Posted by: Hannahbelle | May 06, 2011 at 05:11 PM
I don't spin, so I have no use for that (admittedly very nice-looking) roving, but I'm going to play anyway. My sister calls our mom on her own birthday to wish her a happy birthing day. She kinda figures the day is actually more meaningful to our mom, and she certainly did more work to achieve the birthday, so she should get some of the credit.
Posted by: kingshearte | May 06, 2011 at 05:30 PM
My favorite birthday tradition is "NO working on your birthday!"
Posted by: jj | May 06, 2011 at 05:33 PM
love that new lens!! i just got one too but love my 50mm so much haha!! (Hysterical btw that the banner was over the sink! ha!)
Posted by: Margaux | May 06, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Wow - do you live in Providence? I've read your blog for well over a year and I live in Providence. AND I'm going to MD Sheep & Wool tomorrow too ;)
Anyways, the birthday tradition I try to stick to is two-fold: I never work on my birthday, and I always try to get a massage on my birthday. Took care of the first this year, not so sure about the second.
Posted by: lauren | May 06, 2011 at 10:30 PM
Happy Novakkah :) my birthday tradition is to come up with as many goals as my "next" age and plan to complete them by the next birthday...
Posted by: dorre | May 07, 2011 at 07:03 AM
Happy Novakkah!! Miss you and wish I could be there to celebrate with you!
Posted by: Stacey | May 07, 2011 at 02:59 PM
In our family, the "birthday person" can no longer talk after they take their first bite of cake. If this person happens to speak, they must sit under the table eating their cake until everyone is done. It's actually quite fun, attempting to get the person to slip up!
Posted by: Andrea Kuck | May 08, 2011 at 09:26 PM
In our family, the birthday boy or girl gets to choose the birthday dinner. Everyone joins in for the meal.
Posted by: Elaine | May 09, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Dinner out at the restaurant of my choice followed by red velvet cake.
Posted by: Angelia Batson | May 09, 2011 at 08:33 PM
Happy Novakkah! In my family, everyone eats at the birthday boy or girls favorite restaurant and goes home to have their favorite cake!
Posted by: Megan | May 10, 2011 at 03:50 PM
Novakkah of course!
Now for other traditions, I love the tradition we have of my husband making my cake and dinner. He REALLY struggles in the kitchen and I love seeing him put out the effort to cook and bake for me. He demonstrates affection by doing things, so I know he loves me when he tries so hard to do things for me. When I was younger I loved really fancy cakes, but now I am thrilled with Yellow box cake with Nutella frosting.
Posted by: Kat | May 10, 2011 at 08:28 PM
Happy Novakkah!!
My favorite birthday tradition for my own birthday is that my husband and I always dress up and go out to a fancy restaurant downtown.
My favorite tradition for my boys' birthday is that after everything else is done (cake, gifts, etc), we turn off the lights and light a candle and put it in the middle of the living room. The birthday boys take turns walking one time around the candle for each year of his life (so this year, they'll each walk 7 times around the candle). Then everyone else in the family tells the birthday boy one thing we love about him. It's pretty special.
Posted by: earthchick | May 11, 2011 at 11:09 PM
While I don't have any tradition per se, I just love having a casual birthday without work or other obligations (seems like my bday always comes on a busy work day).
Posted by: DoesLizKnit | May 12, 2011 at 05:56 PM