I Got Your Birthday Candles Right Here

I hate my birthday. I really shouldn't say that, but I do and it's not because I don't like getting older. Getting one day closer to 40, 50, 60, etc. Doesn't bother me. I hate drawing attention to myself and that extends to banquets, award ceremonies, etcs. I know what kind of work i've done and I know how well it was done. Do you get award for doing something poorly? Seriously?

That's one of the many reasons - I won't got into all of them - why I want to get married - when it happens, cool your jets - in Vegas. Some little chapel off the Strip with an Elvis impersonater and/or Wayne Netwon, the actual guy, performing the ceremony. Afterwards there can be a big party with as many people as possible just having a good time, but idea of standing up in front of all those people doesn't thrill. It's not stage fright, I have no problem being in the public eye. Eight Saturday a week I'm on the sidelines in front of 85,000 people and I'm right in my element. Maybe that's because only about 100 of the 85,000 know who I am, whereas a whole church full of people would know who I was.

It's the need for little attention that makes me good at my job. My job is to make other people look good and that's how I get my gratitude. When one of my athletes or coaches wins an award, I know I played a part in that and there's a good chance they wouldn't have won had it not been for my efforts. Yes the athletes and coaches do the majority of the work, but how do you think Lee Corso or Kirk Herbstreet finds out about someone, through someone like me.

Anyways....the one thing that I like about my birthday is that it brings people that I like around. I like hanging out with friends, it really doesn't matter what we're doing, just as long as good people are around. Gloria, as they call my lady friend in the office, asked what she could make me for dinner on my birthday. I told her that I didn't care if it was franks and beans, as long as she made the gesture. I'm a substance guy, not style, which most of you have can tell from my wardrobe.

With that said, I'll be spending most of the night with my friend Daisy while her husband and Gloria go to this banquet. After dinner there will be the usual cake and presents but it will be low key and that's how I like it. Besides, 31 is nothing to celebrate. Now 35, when I'm eligible to be President, that's another story.