Birthday imminent
Tomorrow it’s my birthday. This has never happened yet in the history of the blog, because I began it a few days after my 30th, but I guess we all knew it was inevitable eventually.
I’m quite a fan of birthdays and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I know there are people who dislike the pressure-to-have-fun aspect of these occasions, and then there are those who say ‘why do I want to be reminded I’m another year older’ and so forth. I respect these points of view, but obviously, my whole career is spent in an environment of pressured fun, so that doesn’t really alarm me. And as for getting older: well, nobody is more terrified than me of the idea of aging, dying, becoming irrelevant to the march of eternity and so on – not existing forever is an idea so creepy that the human mind reels trying to come to terms with it. However, can I do anything to make the problem go away by NOT having a party? No, so there you go.
If anyone is already 31 and can give me any advice on dealing with this latest step-up, it’d be much appreciated.
Posted by NickH on February 15, 2011
I get panic attacks when I try to come to terms with the fact that I will either be eternally conscious or will go out like a light when I die. The problem is that both outcomes are not very favourable. (Can anyone seriously imagine what they might be thinking about a trillion billion years from now?) If I think forever I will not be able to affect my thoughts and consciousness with drugs, hormones or sleep so I’d better hope I’m happy with my inner self.
And what if I am conscious after I die but only until the end of the Universe – this would seem to simply prolong the dilemma (but maybe I wouldn’t get the panic attacks if I was pure thought).
I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s the thought of the transition from the current state of affairs to whatever happens next that most gives me the willies.
Happy Birthday!
Posted by Rachael on February 14, 2011
Belated Birthday wishes x
Posted by Glamlovinkitty on February 14, 2011
A belated happy birthday from me. I am 39 (and a half) so can barely even remember 31.
Actually no, 31 was pretty great. I had been miserable on my 30th because everything in my life was the opposite of what I wanted – miserable at work, no cash, and was with a guy I really wanted to ditch.
But the time I was 31 – new job, new man (same one as now), more cash, generally happier.
This is a long winded way of saying 31 will be awesome for you too.
x
Posted by Cathy (traineeflorist) on February 13, 2011
Hi Mark,
Thanks again for last night’s Reading gig, my only regret is that my husband couldn’t make it, so I have booked us a couple of tickets for your Oxford gig in June to make amends, he is a Watson virgin but knows he is in for a treat as I told him at great length how fab your show was when I got in last night haha!! I will definitely bring you flowers this time to prove to you I am an actual florist
)
Hubby nicked my signed copy of Eleven and hour ago and has not moved since, so thanks for that! He is not often this little trouble!
p
Hope you had a fab birthday, I am guessing you are partying up as I type this, and I’m concerned you may miss your Sunday blog spot if you’re not quick about it … x
Posted by Simone on February 13, 2011
I hope you had as much fun in your birthday eve as I did.
Happy Birthday. x
Posted by Laurs on February 13, 2011
Happy birthday Mark!
Hope you are having a wonderful day and you are being spoiled rotten by family and friends!
Enjoy your day (and 31 is nothing!)
xx
Posted by Ingrid on February 13, 2011
HAPPY BiRTHDAY!
xx
Hope you have a great day Mark! At fourteen i have no advice for being 31.
Sorry!
Posted by Dawn on February 13, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK
I hope you have been totally spoilt today by all your loved ones!
Tomorrow it’s my 52nd Birthday and it always feels special because it is
on Valentine’s Day.
This year will be EXTRA EXTRA special because my daughter Laura is expecting my first Grandchild in the next three weeks and I will become Nanna Dawn at last!
Posted by Zoe Fell on February 13, 2011
Kindly read my note written in the card from Aislinn, Simone and I. Yeah, that.
(Hope you’re having a lovely day.)
X
Posted by Aislinn on February 13, 2011
I repeat the sentiments from the poorly-sung Happy Birthday in Reading yesterday. x
Posted by Suzanne, aka Senior on February 13, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARK!!! AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS!!! I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful day and the best bit is that I WON’T sing!!!
Hey, you’re catching me up BUT I’m sure I can widen the gap again in May …
Loved your slot on JM’s programme – frightened my dog when I laughed out loud at the King’s Cross punchline – BRILLIANT!!! I also love Alfie Boe so it was a really special treat for me … thank you!
Posted by amycool on February 13, 2011
Many happy birthday wishes Mark! Did you get anything nice? How big was your cake? Did you have 31 candles or 3 blue and a yellow (blues are worth ten)?
It’s my Mummy’s birthday tomorrow but I can’t say what I’ve bought her because she might read this. She knows she’s getting a new door handle though. Being 52 is very glamorous.
Posted by Laura on February 13, 2011
I turned 31 in September. Bit of an anti-climax after all the nail-biting and gnashing of teeth about being ‘old’.
Happy birthday!
Posted by Megan on February 13, 2011
I’m 33, but as to ‘dealing’ with 31, I couldn’t say what needs doing. Birthdays are a blip for me, usually. Being perpetual single/born old might have something to do with it.
Interesting (kind of), I just realised that a friend named Madison Watson also has a birthday today (I *think* she’s 25). It’s a good day for M. Watsons.
(She is a giant-hearted Watson as well – just got back from doing a second multi-month stint doing relief work in Haiti.)
Posted by Tracey on February 13, 2011
Happy Birthday Mark! Trust me, 31 will be a breeze! I’m 47 and don’t feel much different mentally than I did at 27! Not sure if that’s a good thing or not! Many Happy Returns. Tracey x
Posted by Jen on February 13, 2011
Happy birthday toooo youuuu…happy birthday tooo youuu….happy birthday dear Mark….happy birthday toooooo youuuu!!!!!….av a fab day!!!Jx
Posted by Meg on February 13, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK! Amazing show last night, glad you liked your present. Being 15, I have no advice about being 31. Sorry. But I hope you have a lovely time while you’re 31. And all the years after that too.
x
Posted by Clembear on February 13, 2011
Happy birthday for tomorrow – I’m only just 29 so don’t have lot of advice for being 31, I imagine its fairly similar though. And you’ll probably get an extra present from Kit!
Odd numbered years tend to be more fun too.
Posted by Lydia on February 13, 2011
Happy birthday. Have fun xx
I have no advice for you since I barely even coped with being 18.
Posted by Nuala on February 13, 2011
At 31, I had a 5yr old and a 1yr old and was exhausted. Now I am soon to be 40, with a 14yr old and 10yr old and a lot less tired, more confident in myself and less worried about what other people think. Happy Birthday, Mark. It just gets better.
Posted by issey on February 13, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!! hope it’s a good ‘un
Posted by Georgie on February 13, 2011
I haven’t been around much lately because I’ve been all preoccupied with holidays (just got back from my family’s shack at the beach!) but today I realised the date, remembered it was your birthday (because it is now, in Aus) and that I have been terribly neglecting this blog.
So: sorry! And happy birthday. Look forward to seeing you at MICF. All booked for the 3rd of April in row E. Hopefully chat to you after the show! x
Posted by Kathryn on February 13, 2011
Can’t say I can help but I do freak out when I remember it’s six months until I turn 20. That’s a whole new decade and everything. Scary times.
Happy Birthday! 22 hours left to enjoy it at this point.
Posted by Someone on February 13, 2011
Happy birthday! Have a gooden!
Posted by Alex on February 13, 2011
For about 2 minutes I really really thought this was The Blogless Day. Then I realised that Twitter was completely calm and decided the blog must just be playing up again.
However, for those two minutes I was VERY concerned.
Posted by Misha on February 12, 2011
As an 18 year old person I have no advice, but would like some.
Posted by lisan66 on February 12, 2011
Right, I know that there are sites like Trip Advisor that will probably answer this question, BUT, I’m going to ask you guys instead. I’m going away in June, and I’m staying (I think, haven’t actually booked it yet) in the Travelodge Central on St Mary’s Street in Edinburgh. Just wondering if the area around there is ok (parents are cautious of me and my best friend going to somewhere dodgy) and if anyone knows if the hotel is nice? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Oh, and on the cake subject…I made bread today, which is kinda like cake. I promised to make it for my sister a few months ago, but never did. Cake is next on my list. Possibly red velvet cake?
Posted by Corey on February 12, 2011
Being 31 carries alot less pressure than being 29. This is why:
You have had a year to get used to being in your 30′s, and you realise its not that bad at all. In fact its great. But, being in your late 20′s you have the upcoming deadline of your 30th to worry about when you imagine as soon as the clock strikes midnight you will run out of energy, your hair will fall out if you trip over people will say ”he’s had one of his falls!”
Early 30′s is the same. the pressures off until you reach 38 or 39!!
Its just a theory
Posted by Beth (Bloomability) on February 12, 2011
Happy Birthday for tommorrow, Mark!
If only you had a P.O Box so we could send you cards & things…
Posted by Anji on February 12, 2011
Ah getting older. Just the other day I realised I’m 29 this year which means next year it’s the big 30. Which is scary, but only because of the pressure and ideas I had of what I would be like at that age. Or what I wanted to be like. And no doubt I’ll spend a lot of time worrying about what I haven’t done and what I should be doing. Which I’m learning isnt helpful, if anything I’ve come to learn some things can’t be planned out, you have to make the most of the situations you find yourself in. What will be will be. I’d hate to get to the end only to realise I’d missed a million wonderful things I had the chance to actually do by worrying about two million things I had no control over.
Happy birthday for tomorrow – enjoy, relax and have a wonderful time. 31 is bound to be a little like 30, just with lots more wonderful opportunities to take and learn from.
Posted by ediecott on February 12, 2011
It’s so long since my 31st that any advice I could give is long past its sell-by date and superceded by technology. However, you will discover that getting older is not as bad as it’s cracked up to be and is greatly preferable to the alternative. Celebrate with gusto.
Posted by Rachel on February 12, 2011
Have no advice, only being 17 and all…however…
Happy Birthday for tomorrow!