I know I've slacked off on the birthday tributes in the past few months. I owe several. Becca, Vic, Laura, Gina...it doesn't mean I don't love you! It just means that I'm really self-absorbed which leaves me very little time to draw up essays regarding anything other than me, myself, or I.

BUT! ALL SHOULD BE FORGIVEN! BECAUSE IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!

I'm going to write a tribute to myself, because who better to do something like that? And nobody else updates their blogs anymore, so it's not like I can count on outside sources for a Birthday blog tribute (MUPPET.)!

Behold: My self-writ Birthday Blog Tribute.

My name is Danielle and today is my birthday. It kind of snuck up on me. I'm twenty-nine today and I will be for the next several years or so. Today I am going to eat fried food and sugar, and not feel guilty about any of it. I'm also going to eat lots of steak.

This is a very different type of birthday for me. It's going to be quiet and fun and low-key, which is exactly what I wanted. I'm going to force-feed myself some popcorn. WITH BUTTER.

I also have never had a birthday where I was pleased to give up the year that was. Previously, I had always felt that my birthdays marked wasted time and one long, low current of displeasure with myself.

But this year I'm fairly pleased with myself for taking the baby steps that lead to the leaps and bounds that continue to help me challenge myself.

Last year I was crashing on someone's couch and just super-fuckin' lost. This year I'm not.

Last year I never imagined that anybody could make me feel as special as I've felt for the past several months, but someone has and that makes this pretty much the best motherfucking birthday EVER!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!



*I dare you to deny it. TO MY FACE.