this year’s birthday tally started out weak early in the day, but it ended pretty strong:

Ripped a hole in elbow of my favorite shirt: -1
Poured a glass of milk to go with my breakfast, took a big gulp; said milk was sour and tasted of old sneakers: -1
Beautiful, sunny spring day in Chicago: +1
Chelsea made me birthday cupcakes: +1
Birthday haikus: +1
Have to work 10am-midnight on birthday: -1
Ripped the Friday crossword a new one on the train on the way to work: +1
Saturday night dinner at my favorite French crepery, and drinks with friends afterward: +1
The fluted baking pans, canned salmon and recipe for Salmon Loaf my grandmother sent me: +1 (for sheer amusement value)

watch out…i’ll be regifting that can of salmon to one of you when you least expect it…