Saturday, November 8, 2008

Wicked Weekend Birthday Bonanza

Today, November 8th, 2008, I am 51 years old. It’s my birthday. What am I doing today? Hopefully, next to nothing. I have chronic migraine issues and have had since I was 12 years old. I have many triggers, depending on my body’s fluctuating chemistry – but among the triggers are stress, lack of sleep, MSG (big one here), chocolate (bummers), alcohol (double bummers), nitrates, and hormone fluctuations. The biggest trigger is neck problems. Back in the day, when I used to tell the doctors (and I’ve been to dozens over the decades) that most of my migraines are preceded by horrible neck pain, the doctors scoffed at me and told me how all the studies have shown that these two things are unrelated. Fast forward thirty odd years and when they did a bone scan to see if my breast cancer had metastasized, low and behold, turns out I have major arthritis and compacted discs in my neck. My physical therapist, who is amazing, tells me that many of the migraine patients he has have neck triggers. Hmm. Go figure.

So, anywhos, I have been suffering with a neck ache from hell and a migraine that, apparently, is immune to Imitrix since Wednesday. I went to work every day on meds since the students were finishing up a big project and I couldn’t imagine leaving my team colleagues with a sub.

Today the headache is gone, but my neck is sore. So I plan on napping and relaxing and not going out at all. When my daughter gets home from work she is going to make us some lunch and we are going to hang out and do nothing, except maybe pedicures and movie watching.

To mix things up a bit and take an old bag’s idea of a walk on the wild side, I thought I’d try a contest AND, OMG, post a picture of myself. I am Pseudo because I want to write freely and not have to worry about what admin and parents would think. But so far, no one from Hawaii reads this blog. And so far I haven’t written anything that I think is too bombastic and controversial. And OK, it’s not much of a picture because it is not recent, so I’m not being all that out there.

So here goes. This picture was taken 11 years ago when I went to Maui with a group of friends. These friends are all women I met the first year I moved to Hawaii as we all worked together and in this picture we had been friends for 15 years already; as of today they are all still my closest and dearest friends and we have now known each other 26 years. There’s a couple more in our gang who did not make the trip that year. I have to say that I don’t look a lot like I did 11 years ago, so I am playing it somewhat safe. I am 11 years older, 15 pounds heavier, and my hair (growing out from the bald chemo state) is shorter, thicker, and curlier.
Here’s the game. Guess which one is me. All those who guess correctly will be put in a tumble and the winner will get to select a hardback from this selection from my library. The post comes down Sunday 8 PM Hawaii time and I’ll announce the winner.
And in case anyone who knows me does read this blog, please don’t out me with my real name. And now I'm off for my first birthday nap.

25 comments:

cheatymoon said...

I am so sorry you are migraining on your birthday. Not fair. I hope you feel better soon. And a pedicure sounds like a good birthday treat.

I am curious about the photo... but am not confident in the guess. I am thinking the blonde woman in the flowery dress sort of standing in the middle...

Yesterday was my other half's 48th. We are having a rainy Saturday afternoon movie marathon to celebrate.

Have a lovely b.day weekend. Feel better, Pseudo.

Pseudo said...

Thanks Movie! My daughter knows three people whose birthday was yesterday. Glad you are having a nice b-day weekend with your other half. The migriane is gone, but I am taking it easy so it won't come back. My husband was off (he's in the hotel business so works a lot of weekends) last weekend and took us to see Les Miserables at the theatre then out to dinner. The next day he took me shopping and bought me 3 new pretty tops. All good.

InventingLiz said...

Happy birthday, and hope you enjoy your birthday nap - sounds like a perfect way to spend a birthday to me!

My guess is that you are the one wearing sunglasses sitting in the front wih the child on your lap.

Kate Lord Brown said...

Happy Birthday! Our little one has just turned three - another feisty Scorpio! I have no idea with the photo - all look beautiful and 26 years is amazing - worth a celebration in itself. Hope your toes are scarlet and the M has departed - x

Candid Carrie said...

First I was going to guess woman in back with flowered dress because she is reaching out and touching several others (and I know two people can pick the same, but I'll be different) and I see you as a touch person when you are not in a migraine state.

Then I was also going to guess woman with glasses and child. Because the way you talk about your daughter I sort of figured that if you didn't have a child along you just might be the type that wouldn't mind hanging on to other children.

Now I am suggesting woman to the right of flowered dress woman. She has her head tilted slightly and is smiling sweetly and I really think that modest type of dress is what you would be wearing.

Don't you dare tell us that you are the woman in blue at the back table!

Anonymous said...

huh...no idea...but if i had to guess, which apparently i DO...i'll say the second from the right in the back row, for a few cockamamie(sp?)reasons of elimination...

sorry about your headache...i get the neck pain related headaches too...sometimes i think they're hormonal other times, it's just a bad sleep position. Guess it doesn't matter, it still sucks on your b'day....

and Happy Birthday To You!! have a great b'day weekend...

Lynn - the piggy bank painter said...

Happy birthday!

My first thought was the woman on the left with the black running outfit. I guess I'll stick with that : )

K Dubs said...

I am thinking back row with the flowered dress, too! Happy happy birthday :) I hope the migraine and neck pain get better :(

Enjoy!!

Anonymous said...

i know! i know! i know! (yuk yuk yuk)... just wanted to say once again -

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

(i tried to put up a nifty glitter graphic in this comment, but blogger won't allow the html, 'da bastard. instead i'll post a pic of the most awesome sky ever tonight at the end of sunset.)

love you!

Mama Dawg said...

I'm guessing the blonde in the middle on the back row.

Happy birthday!!!!!!!!

Seriously, never would have guessed 51. EVER!

Stepping said...

I'm guessing the pretty blonde on the back row, second from the right. You all look like a wonderful group of friends. Happy Birthday. Today is my first granddaughters birthday too. Here's to many more HEALTHY birthdays!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to you! I will guess the woman second from the right in the back row. don't ask me why because I don't know but that was the first thing to pop into my head.

Pancake said...

I would have guess top row third from the left, but taken so the lady on the top first on the right.

HAPPY birthday, hope you get to feeling well enough to celebrate late!

Lo said...

okay first? i hope your neck gets better!!! goodness i hate migraines. they are pesky little monsters. i get them myself (and i don't have triggers. they just.. come. and crash the party.) (oh. wait. florescent lighting.) and they are no walk in the park.

second, you are SO THE BLONDE second from the right in the top row. cuz. uhm. i dunno. you said your hair is "curlier" and she has like.. some curl... so uhm.. yeah. that's my vote.

and i LOVE that your giveaway is books from your own personal library. will you autograph them too??????

this is SUCH a good idea for a giveaway i want to do the same thing on MY blog!! hm... what books to offer up... :) that's my task tomorrow. :)

feel better!!!!

Anonymous said...

i know i know i know! i'm in this picture! i'm the cute little one in pink. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm guessing the blonde with bangs and sunglasses on her head too, second from the right!Hey- a Scorpio at 51- still young and vibrant!A Happy New Year for you! Hope your headache gets better soon.

Just B said...

Oh, I love this game! Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday!!

Let's see...definitely one of the haoles standing in the back...I'm thinking big beautiful smile second from the left...

Just B said...

opps--so directionally challenged--I meant second from the right! The one with the light colored dress.

Anonymous said...

hmmm...is 'anonymous' leaving us a hint?...tricky...is that a deliberate attempt to confuse us?...i used to be pretty good a 'Clue', but now i'm just feeling Clueless...rats....

Kristan said...

Ooo, another contest! You and TFAH are really making me want to do a contest too. And my bday is coming up as well! Hmm...

I guess the blonde in the white dress, second from the right in the back row.

Also, I really hope your neck pain goes away! Is there nothing they can do for your compacted discs? (I don't know much about it...)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Yay scorpios. ;)

Robin said...

Happy Belated Birthday! I hope your neck feels better and your toes sparkle!

My guess on the photo is that you are NOT the man with the hairy back.

bernthis said...

First time here. Happy Birthday and I just wanted to say that I have migraines and take "maxalt" for them. perhaps you can ask your dr. about it since your old standby isn't working. Either way, i hope you have pain free day and sometimes that is the best gift we can get.

Smart Mouth Broad said...

Happy belated birthday! Hope it was great!

I'm going to guess standing, 2nd from left.

Cristin said...

happy late birthday! I've been crazy busy the past few days... sorry I missed your giveaway.. I loved 'Memoires of a Geisha'..

Rhea said...

I'm so sorry I missed your birthday post AND a giveaway! Awesome giveaway, great books!!

I'm sorry about the migraines...and that you've had them almost your entire life. That beyond sucks. My mom has them, and I think I do too. NO fun. :o(