Howdy, all, and thanks a ton for the birthday wishes. As always, the family came through with some standouts. Sister Fi's "At least you made it another year without dying, even if your life is that much closer to mediocrity" card and Brother Eddie's "Happy Birthday, homo" text message kept it real. Props to Sister Sarah for going the heartwarming route with the "HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER!!! LOVE YOU!!!"

As for me, I'm sick. Like nasty, middle-of-winter flu sick, so I'm postponing my annual turkey-dinner-at-a-diner routine for some time when I'm feeling less like launching whatever I eat. But I tell you this--the one thing I have been able to eat are the surprise Splenda birthday cupcakes Doctor Cheese dropped on me yesterday (picture above). Awesome, tasty, and, apparently, flu-proof. Plus the birthday message:

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
You ate lots of cupcakes,
Now get over your flu!

Sweet as, well, Splenda, I tell ya.

Happy birthday to my Columbia / Jupiter doppleganger, Joe Laszlo (or am I his? I think he came out first.), my homeboy Reggie Jackson, and the memory of Frank Capra. And Mt. St. Helen, while I'm at it.

Back to bed. And thanks again.