Birthdays are weird for me..

I just turned 25.  That's a quarter of a century.  I've passed church standards for a menace to society.  I'm fast approaching ancient as far as Utah statistics go.  My class about human sexuality says I'm in my sexual prime, whatever that means.  I'm also about to reach the cap on my physical prime :/  Sadly that last one is the only real one I care about.  I've digressed enough from my original thought though, so allow me to redirect this tangent back to what I intended - BIRTHDAYS!

Like I said, I had a birthday (shout hurray).  The age doesn't really matter to me, that whole growing old bit is inevitable.  It's the attention that gets me.  I mean what's so special about a birthday?!  It's like "oh wow, good job on living! Let's throw you a party!" or "hey, you were born! let's commemorate it by singing to you and gorging on cake and ice cream!!" I've just never understood the big deal about it and it's been that way for years.  Sure it was cool when I was a kid but I feel like I outgrew that whole 'coolness' factor a long time ago.  I wish I hadn't.  I wish I still wanted to throw big parties and invite all my friends but I honestly don't get the point.  People think I'm weird for it.  Heck, I think I'm weird for that.

It's not like all the attention just freaks me out.  I've had attention before. I've been in situations where I've had to perform in front of hundreds of people and then been recognized for it.  That makes sense.  I'm getting attention because I accomplished something and therefore shall receive recognition.   Maybe from now on I'll make an effort to make my birthday parties like that.  I'll document things I've accomplished throughout the year, things that I am proud of, and on the eve of my birth I shall invite all my friends together for an opulent evening of basking in my self-proclaimed glory.  At least then I wouldn't sit there looking like a dummy while a room full of people sing "happy birthday".  I'd sit there like a dummy looking at all the stuff I did in one year while people sing me "happy birthday".  At least I'll be able to avert my gaze from the awkward locking-of-eyes with someone during that song...

I wanted to share these ideas not only for others to enjoy them, but also so that I don't forget some of them!

I have lots of ideas; some that I don't quite bring to fruition and others that I like to revisit from time to time.  Specifically, I'm talking about date ideas right now.  I hate the cliché 'dinner and a movie' date.  Seriously.  That's lame.  With so much to offer, you're going to quell the potential with a decent dinner and a movie theater?!  Allow me to be of service, if I may:

Go for a hike.  Utah is like Mecca when it comes to outdoorsy stuff!  There are so many beautiful places to go out and explore.  Plus, it gives you an opportunity to actually talk!  (something that I find difficult to do while shoveling food into my pie-hole or whilst sitting in a movie theater).  Night hikes are a ton of fun too.  Utilize that full moon.

Have a picnic.  Pack up a blanket and some utensils and then hit up Harmon's.  Grab some fresh fruit, some cheese and crackers, nab a drink you've never tried and have at it.

Return to your childhood.  Swing by McDonalds and grab some happy meals.  Have a kite handy and fly that thing!  East Elementary has swings.  I freaking love swings...  play on the jungle gym.   Don't be afraid to be a kid again.

Paint the sunset.  Who cares if you're not artistically inclined.  St. George has amazing sunsets so get some water colors together and paint the sunset together.

Just paint or draw or color in general.  Pick something, whether it's painting, coloring, drawing, whatever, and make something for the other person.  

Cook together.  Make a shopping list, go to the grocery store, get the items, then go home and make it.

Make a video.  Come up with a story and then make a movie.  It might turn out silly, or it might turn out pretty cool.  You never know until you do it.  Most computers nowadays come with video editing software, again, it doesn't matter if you're a whiz, just go for it and have fun.

Modified 20 questions.  Chances are whoever the lucky person is doesn't know you very well, and visa versa.  Grab a piece of paper and tear it into smaller pieces, then write a question about something you'd wanna know about the other person.  They do the same.  Then place the questions in a hat and take turns drawing a question that you both answer.

Visit an art exhibition.  There are usually galas set up around town, you just have to take a minute and look for one.  Go check it out, see what your date is in to.

Boat races.  The virgin river is really close and flows year round.  Give everyone a 5 dollar budget then go somewhere and build supplies to make a boat.  Then go race it down the river.  

Glow-in-the-dark ultimate frisbee.  One of the most fun/potentially dangerous things I've done.  Separate into teams and then adorn yourself with glow sticks to differentiate team from team.  However, it still becomes difficult to see people when you're going for the frisbee..  be careful.

Bake.  cookies, cakes, pies, you name it.  Dessert is always a winner.

Skimboard.  it's obviously a little too cold for that now..  but it's a fun, free activity to do when it's warmer.

Make a song or poem.  I'm honestly horrid when it comes to music, but I've been told I have a way with words.  So lyrically I guess I can still contribute.  Stretch your intellects, collaborate together and make something up.

Browse Wikipedia.  this one is kinda messed up... buuuut since wikipedia is able to be modified by anyone, why not be the one to modify it!  spice it up a little bit, add a bit of your own flair to wikipedia!

Crafts.  Sounds cheesy, but they are fun.  Make something, you have hands; put them to good use.  e.g. take a picture from the night and then see who can make the best picture frame for it.

Go on a tour of a famous local building.  History is important.  Learn something new together.

Play a video game.  Who doesn't love a good Mario Kart race?!

Anywho, that seems to be a pretty good list for now.  The fun thing about dates is that they can be anything you want them to be.  I don't know if you noticed, but every single one of these ideas maximizes the time you'll spend with the other person while providing ample time to converse and get to know each other.  After all, isn't that the point of dating; getting to know the other person better?  Try one of these out, let me know what you think.  Hit me up with some ideas of your own.

Here is an example from the video idea I mentioned.