And so it is that another birthday has come and gone. I spent it as I wish to spend most birthdays ... alone, locked in a library, my only company as my books, my only sounds as the classical bliss escaping my earphones. I have been as this for several years. I believe the tradition was started on my tenth birthday. Seven years ... It bothers Nic; it has always bothered Nic, me being so reclusive on my birthday. I never really understood why people made such a big deal out of birthdays. Parties, presents ... I developed a theory a while back, however, because I was a clever child. On my ninth birthday, Vati and Nic threw me a surprise party. Given, it was small, as I did not have many friends back then ... actually, I rarely got out of the house, come to think of it. I saw some there that I had not seen in nearly two years, and one was a girl - and sadly, I developed my first crush on this girl, at that party, during her consoling of me after the loud "SURPRISE!" had nearly made me faint. But that night, she had to leave, returning to France. Her father worked in Versailles ... a diplomat. Their family was always moving around. And thus, I discovered why, exactly, it is called a "crush." Fairly difficult birthday. Not the worst one, but enough to bring me to hermit status each year. I think the reason why people throw parties for children and give them presents on their birthdays is to give them incentive to live another year. Yes, kids, life is horrible. There are some perks to living, but God-willing, they come much, much later. In the meantime, here is some candy and a toy airplane to make it all better. Not fond of birthdays ... at least mine, that is. I hope he can understand that ... and why I would rather lock myself in a room full of books rather than face a house full of persons making a big deal out of it being the day of my birth. Though I am seventeen now ... ... that makes me legally an adult in most of Europe - and some parts of the United States and Canada. Not that it makes much difference.