let them eat cake

It’s my birthday today. I celebrated a little at the weekend, and was shocked to find out how much a night pubbing and clubbing now costs. It’s time to stop celebrating birthdays.

On Sunday I visited my parents. The rest of my family was there, which was nice. We still mark everyone’s birthday with a cake and singing “Happy Birthday”. It’s for the kids. Honestly it is.

I was given smelly stuff, some sports tops and The Wire box set. All five series. I have only seen the first series all the way through. So I am looking forward to watching one episode an evening for the next few months.

As it was my birthday, I got to pick the meal. I went for a Chinese takeaway. This was always a treat when I was a kid. I rarely eat takeaway these days. It is my birthday treat to myself.

As I was cutting my cake, my mother said something strange. My parents had given me a card which said on the outside:

“As another year goes by, remember that while GROWING OLDER may be mandatory”

Then when opened:

“… GROWING UP is optional.”

My mother asked if I knew what ‘mandatory’ meant. An unusual question to ask of a political journalist.

Sometimes I am sure I am missing something.