Birthday Blues

Hello blogosphere!

Today is the 4th April and therefore it is my birthday. My birthday is on the 4th April every year and I fully anticipate maintaining this tradition for many years to come.

One of the main reasons, indeed possibly the only reason, that I went into the education profession was that the 4th April is always in the Easter holidays and so, theoretically, I would never have to work on my birthday.

This theory has been proven incorrect on three occasions since I joined the teaching ranks. Arguably the worst was a few years back when my birthday fell on a working Monday, but today was almost as bad, for today is Tuesday and once again I found myself at the metaphorical coalface of my profession.

Although I have but three more days until I am off work for two full weeks, and therefore have scant reason to complain, I was more than a little put out to be ‘celebrating’ my birthday in my place of work.

Not least because apparently I was still expected to actually do some work while I was there.

And not everyone seemed to be aware that I was deserving of their unreserved affection and adoration.

I mean I told everyone who would listen obviously and when properly briefed most people did indeed wish me a happy birthday, but should I have had to tell them? Shouldn’t they just know?

There were some highlights. I was greeted enthusiastically first thing by a student who remembered it was my birthday, without any prompting, because it was also her birthday today. Apparently we’d had that conversation some time ago. I felt bad for not remembering it was also her birthday until she pointed it out, although I was slightly marvelling at her apparent psychic abilities up to that point.

Later in the day some of my colleagues gathered together to sing me happy birthday. That was genuinely touching.

And I did stuff my face with cake throughout the day, which was nice, even if it was me who bought the cake in the first place.

Still when the time came to down tools, I needed no second prompting and I raced out of my workplace and drove quickly (but at entirely legal speeds obviously) to my homestead and the loving arms of Mrs Proclaims, who greeted me with lots of presents.

Indeed for a man, now very much in his late thirties, my present haul this year was embarrassingly good.

I loved everything I got, and to all of the present buyers (many of whom read this blog) I can only offer a wholehearted thank you – I’m loath to single any out but the R2D2 oven mitts that my sister bought me were pretty inspired.

As ever Mrs Proclaims also provided me with a giant birthday cookie in lieu of a cake. Obviously if she got me a cake I’d be happy enough, but given the choice I’d always opt for a giant cookie. I’ve already eaten a massive piece and it’ll be a surprise if it makes it to the weekend before I’ve scoffed the lot.

For the little that is left of my birthday I’m going to try and make merry. I can’t make too merry because  I have more work on the morrow but Mrs Proclaims and I are off for some fine dining this evening.

We’ll probably be ordering from the set menu though – it is only Tuesday after all…