Syd Lexia wrote:

Happy birthday! Hawk, do you not have your birthday listed on Facebook? I was on all day yesterday, and it didn't say it was your birthday. I apologize profusely for this horrible oversight.

Oh it is SO not your fault! I DELIBERATELY removed my birthday from Facebook when I realized it was getting close. Why? Excellent question:

See, the Captain in charge of the senior cadets in my ROTC battalion has this thing. On your birthday, he forces you (in front of the entire battalion) to do twice the pushups of whatever age you're turning.

I turned 27. Guess how much I didn't want to do 54 public pushups?

But, since I removed my birthday from Facebook...no one in the battalion knows or was reminded, and I get off scott free. I'll put it back up at some point next month. (I'll be long out of ROTC by the next time it rolls around.) I'm a sneaky hawk.

Ash, your plan backfired...I love Tim Curry, and his turn as Pennywise is one of my favorite things he's ever done!

I'm a seven star general before I even commission! WOOHOO!!!!!

Thank you for the Binky, GP! Now my birthday is complete!

Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. Yesterday and today were actually particularly lousy and I haven't done anything to celebrate yet, so coming onto the forum and seeing the thread is much appreciated. Wuvalluguys <3!

GPFontaine wrote:

SoldierHawk wrote: See, the Captain in charge of the senior cadets in my ROTC battalion has this thing. On your birthday, he forces you (in front of the entire battalion) to do twice the pushups of whatever age you're turning. I turned 27. Guess how much I didn't want to do 54 public pushups? Awe... I know you could have done it!

Oh, I COULD have. But did I want to? Hell no! I choose to exercise the ancient right of soldiers to avoid unnecessary labor through cunning whenever possible.

Supermouse wrote:

Happy Birthday. I don't know you, but I like you already just because of the cunning way to escape extra exercise

Hi there!

PUBLIC exercise, anyway...having 200 people count to 57 while you try to work out isn't my idea of a good time.

GPFontaine wrote:

SoldierHawk wrote: Supermouse wrote: Happy Birthday. I don't know you, but I like you already just because of the cunning way to escape extra exercise Hi there! PUBLIC exercise, anyway...having 200 people count to 57 while you try to work out isn't my idea of a good time. Tell them to send a chopper to pick me up and I'll come out and do 57 push-ups with you in-front of 200 people counting for us. Then you can explain why they waisted $30,000 in helicopter time and fuel... I just really want to get a ride in a chopper.

Yes, you do indeed! One of the cooler experiences I've had in my life was getting a ride along the California coast in a Blackhawk. I was shocked at how UNLIKE riding in a plane (even a small one) it is. Plus I had a window--or more accurately, a wide-open door--seat. Awesome.