Happy Birthday...to me.

Welp, as the world crumbles around me....no wait, don't want to start this off on such a down note. Let me try it again...

WHAT IN THE ABSOLUTE F@#$%...nope, nope. That's not the right tone either. Third time's the charm...

Okay, that's better. Yes, friends, it's my birthday today. I wrote this a few days in advance of the big day because I knew I'd be out of the office celebrating. Or at least that was the plan. In light of several things, my desire to 'turn up' as the kids say has been greatly diminished and I am instead, sitting quietly on a nearby beach, trying to wrap my mind around the state of the world.

The majority of my mood is somewhat optimistic and hopeful. That&#