Ah, yes. Today marks a minor historic event in my so called life. I'm another year older an another year wiser. "Ah, my birthday. Normally I'd put on a festive hat and celebrate the fact that the Earth has circled the Sun one more time. I really didn't think it was going to make it this year, but darn it if it wasn't the little planet that could all over again." Now who do I sound like?

That's right, I came screaming into this world on March 3 and I still love a good scream every now and then. Since Mum is still under the weather, I won't be celebrating with the rest of my family until Friday. I already got a birthday card from my step sister, Melanni and a gift certificate from one of my favorite places, Barnes & Noble.

Mom asked me what I wanted and I told her I wanted a man. Unfortunately, I told her that in Wal-mart within earshot of one of the male employees. He told me he would accomodate me anytime. I decided to settle for lumineers instead.

Also, happy birthday wishes go out to

Jessica Biel who turns 26 on March 3. Happy Birthday, Jessica!

Some Famous People with Sun in Pisces: Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars in Pisces), Drew Barrymore (Sun and Venus in Pisces), Kurt Cobain (Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Pisces), Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan, Cindy Crawford, Billy Crystal (Sun, Mercury, and Mars in Pisces), Albert Einstein, George Harrison, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr., Michelangelo, Aidan Quinn (Sun and Moon in Pisces), Rob Reiner (Sun, Mercury, and Mars in Pisces), Dr. Seuss, Sharon Stone, Elizabeth Taylor (Sun, Mercury, and Mars in Pisces), Bruce Willis, Holly Hunter, and Glenn Close.

So now that we know some of the famous people born under the sign of Pisces, I thought it would be fun to learn more about the origins of birethdays. Happy reading and don't forget to stop by my blog on Friday and see what famous faces will be partying with me.

Birthday celebrations are relatively new. Egyptians observed birthdays, but only for their rulers. They held parades, circuses, gladiatorial contests, and sumptuous feasts! The Romans staged parades and chariot races to celebrate birthdays; some of which were created for their gods. Mere mortals were not honored or even remembered on the day of their birth.

Definition of Birthday Cake
In Western culture Birthday Cake is defined as a pastry or dessert served to a person on his or her birthday. Birthday cakes are usually decorated with person's name and carry a message of congratulations. Candles equal to the number of year's a person has been alive are also placed on the cake. There is also a tradition to place one extra candle to bring good luck. Birthday cakes are usually spongy and the most popular flavour in cakes is chocolate.

Birthday Cake History
History of Birthday Cake can be traced back to the ancient Greeks who made round or moon shaped honey cakes or bread and took it to the temple of Artemis -the Goddess of Moon. Some scholars, however, believe that the tradition of Birthday cake started in Germany in Middle Ages. Sweetened bread dough was given the shape of baby Jesus in swaddling cloth and was used to commemorate his birthday. This special birthday cake later reemerged in Germany as a Kinderfest or the birthday celebrations of a young child. Germans also baked another special kind of a cake called Geburtstagorten as it was baked in layers. This was sweeter that the coarse and bread like cake that were usually made at that time.

Traditions and Superstitious Beliefs Related to Birthday Cake
In medieval times people of England used to place symbolic objects like coins, rings and thimbles in the batter of the cake. It was believed that those who found coin in the cake would be wealthy while the unlucky finder of the thimble would never marry. Wedding was signified for the person who found the slice of cake with ring. Even today some people follow the tradition and place small figures, fake coins and small candies inside the cake.

If the cake fell while baking it was considered to be a bad omen and signified bad luck for the person in the coming year.

History of Birthday Parties

In the beginning, it was royalty that first celebrated birthdays. Having a party was a way to ward off the evil spirits, since one is surrounded by family and friends in a celebration of life. These evils spirits were thought to be more active on the day of ones birth. A celebration or gathering became a protection from harm. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer. Later in Germany, children were included in the birthday parties. And so began birthday parties.

Birthday Trivia

• More people celebrate their birthdays in August than in any other month (about 9% of all people). The two other months that rate high for birthdays are July and September.
• Close to 2 billion Birthday Cards are sent each year in the U.S. alone, accounting for nearly 58 percent of all cards sent.
• The world's largest birthday cake was created in 1989 for the 100th Birthday of the city of Fort Payne, Alabama. The cake weighed 128,238 pounds, 8 oz. and used 16,209 pounds of icing.
• The most famous rendition of "Happy Birthday" is when Marilyn Monroe sang to "Happy Birthday, Mr President" to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden on 19 May 1962.
• Paul McCartney's Birth Certificate was auctioned in March 1997, for US $84,146. It is believed to be the world's most expensive Birth Certificate.
• The Sultan of Brunei hosted the world's most expensive Birthday Party to celebrate his 50th Birthday on 13 July, 1996. The cost was a whopping US $27.2 million. Three concerts featuring Michael Jackson costs US $16 million of the total amounts.
• Anne Frank's world famous diary was given to her as a present for her 13th birthday.
• William Shakespeare's died on his 52nd birthday: 23 April 1616.
• A recent survey suggests that more people are born on October 5 in the United States than any other day. October 5 holds a not-so-surprising significance, as conception would have fallen on New Year's Eve.
• The least common birth date in the U.S. is May 22nd.

So now that you know more about the origins of the birthday, let's all enjoy some

And just because I feel festive, the party will continue throughout the week.D

Hugs to everyone!

Ok. First of all, I'd like to apologize to HugeHouseFan and JordinaJamaica for accidentally hitting the stop tracking button when I e-mailed them. Redheads are allowed to have a few blonde moments but I've had more than my share of blonde moments over the past few weeks. I think I need a vacation-someplace warm and sunny is what I'd really enjoy. I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping that I don't get the bug that my step father and Mum have had. The good news is that Vern was able to make my mother go to the doctor's for some medication after she had a long coughing spell. She's one of those people who will not go to a doctor even when she knowls she should. Oh, the only bit of bad new is that my hours were cut back to 36. Luckily, I do have some interest to fall back on.

Now for 5 random things about me:

The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter and My Antonia are my two favorite pieces of American Literature.

I'm not a girly girl. I don't wear aritficial fingernails, false eye lashes, or eye shadow.

I love bananas with peanut butter, kiwis, and clementines.

I'm an Anglophile-I love anything British and I have alot of british comedies on DVD and most of the books I have are written by british authors.

When I'm alone, I like walking around in the buff. People should learn to embrace their bodies.

I tag Brinchen, Kathey Reynolds, HugeHouseFan, JordinaJamaica, and GwenPiper.

Of all the gadgets that technology has given us, the thingy I find most annoying is the cell phone. Just to clarify one thing-there are no bad cell phones, just bad cell phone users. Cell phones are handy for emergencies and touching base with family and friends. They are great for business people who need to stay in touch with clients and they are great for those shoppers who need to find someones correct size (I've seen this use alot over the holidays).

One thing I seem to have noticed is how addicted people get to their cell phones. I have co-workers who clock out for lunch and the first thing they grab is their cell phone. Others can't wait to get on the cell phone as they are leaving work. People drive while talking on the cell phone and find it necessary to leave them on while they are in restaurants and shopping malls for fear that no one will love them if they don't take a call.

Other than that, there is a handy off button that really should be used more often. More businesses should have a cell free zone for those of us who don't care to hear bits and pieces of someone elses conversations. I feel like a voyeur who is unintentionally forced to eavesdrop on a conversation I really don't care about when I'm in a restaurant or shopping. One of the biggest annoyances I see at work are those people who feel the need to answer their cellphone when they are being checked out and have the nerve to complain that the customer service person didn't greet them or thank them. Then there are those people who feel the need to stand in the middle of the isle and talk as loud as they can so everyone within a 10 mile radius of the story can hear them.

My suggestion to businesses who can't provide a cell free zone is to provide an area set aside just for cell phone users. I'm sure after being stuck with dozens of other cellphone users and being forced to talk above other cell phone users, they will come to realize just how much fun it is for us non cell phone users to be subjected to your cell phone conversations.

Ok, there is another subtle point I need to make-I don't have the desire to own one. Well that was until my step father gave me a box containing this

My phone is Burgandy colored and I love the cool features. He's been meaning to put me on his plan for sometime and he just wanted to give me an early bday present (ok, so my bday isn't until March 3) and well, I just think it's rude to refuse a present. Now all I need to do is find a House ringtone and I'll be happy.

At least it was way cooler than this

Yes, my friends, this is what the very first cell phone looked like. My step father has one that he keeps for show. I'm glad that cell phones have evolved nicely over the years. For those of you who haven't seen one, they are ungodly bulky, a bit on the heavy side and remind me of a walkie talkie.

Oh well, I guess some thingies I was just meant to have. So far, my very first breach of cell phone ettiquette was forgetting to turn it off in the Library. Luckily I was on my way out so I don't think anyone heard it ringing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJdjovDAKp4

And not to leaveout my friends out at the CSI:NY Forum, I watch this video over and over. It's hard to find a video where Mac and Co. are actually having fun. Some of you may have seen it but I watch it over and over because Flack and Danny have the funniest expressions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4cY8c9vBdc

There is a House version of this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzC1bRl4p0U

So tell me which version is better.