Have a really great day!!
purp, thanks for the song. Your voice was never lovelier.
Qwisp, kiss,kiss back atcha. (You are a woman, aren’t you? Well, with SqrlCub trying to convert me I have to be openminded.)
Shayna, you don’t need to resort to artificial remedies to be, or stay, beautiful. Just stay out of the sun. It’s not your friend. But I am, forever. Or until I get a job and can’t sit up all day and night posting. Or just get a different hobby. We Gems do get flighty!
Tot, shut up, punk. 
Actually, I try to keep an open mind about significantly younger women (heh-heh-heh).
Dry, you’re welcome to say nice things to me multiple times anytime. And I feel bad about the placement of your birthday. Your parents didn’t plan that very well.
Annie, you have my deepest sympathy. That must have really sucked while you were growing up. And to think that your parents didn’t even have the good graces to convert to Judaism so you could have a proper birthday.
Brat, I’m sorry I had just moved in when your birthday came along and didn’t know you to say “Happy Birthday!” Which I just did.
Milo, did you say something? I suddenly can’t hear too well.
Cubbie, why, you do know how to make a boy blush! || a flash of my dark, laughing eyes through my luxuriant lashes as I quickly hide my face behind my fan || But my kids are attached to my wife’s hip and if I’m ever back in DC (love that town!) I’d be alone and I just can’t trust myself alone with you. (You think he bought it? I’m trying to remember how girls tried to let me down easy.)
Thanks, too, to soulsling! I appreciate your good wishes.
Wally, I don’t care what the anti- (or was it pro-?) Canadian types say about you. You’re alright.
AWB, screw the gifts. The ingrates. We stopped exchanging gifts with family years ago.
Demo, I think I missed yours, too. Happy birthday.
dpr, there is a point of diminishing returns. I think I reached it a couple years ago.
To be honest, Veb, I figured from your nickname you were another person who remembers the Fifties. Here’s to all of us! But as far as career shifts go, this takes me back into an industry I’ve sworn off repeatedly for twenty years. But a better company, one whose checks are unlikely to bounce.
Thanks again to everybody. Your nice thoughts are among the best presents I got today.
Another job hunt update: I was at a temp agency that used to work with the company that I gave the last ten years of my life to. Anyway, the boss at the agency told me that the VP of HR at the company (why they needed a VP of HR instead of just a supervisor in a two-person department is a long, but-it’s-not-libel-if-it’s-true story that I shan’t be it passing along) has given notice with no immediate prospects (and we know what THAT means!). Since she was ultra-creepy and treacherous and two-faced and a real unpleasant person, I am so happy! What a great present!
Has anyone said Happy Birthday today? Happy Birthday drop, or can we wait, lets see, maybe next week and have it then…
Well I see I’m late as usual. Happy birthday a day late there Drop. You are older than me, which is unusual on this board. But hey, who is counting? Big hug to ya.