Annoying birthday occurances

[bill_schubert]

I was born during the 1953 Perseid meteor shower which has an annual show that I've never seen. Not sure how I missed it when I was on the ships but the best time to see it is around 2-3 AM and, of course, the sky has to be clear of clouds and you have to be in a place where every person does not leave their outside lights on all night.

Once I went on a short journey with my then wife and we tried to find the right place and time. Complete fail. Most of the time I sleep through it. I don't do much at 2AM other than sleep and I sure don't feel like driving all over the country trying to find a place that is dark.

Every year like clockwork there are articles saying how wonderful is the meteor shower, 'especially this year'. They do it to tease me.

I saw Halley's comet while deployed crossing the Pacific ocean (where NO ONE has their lights on at night!) in 1986 carrying a book with my grandfather's story of having seen it while serving in the German Merchant Marines on a steel hulled sailing ship in 1910. Son of a son of a sailor.

So screw the meteors. Puny things next to the comet.

I did have a lovely, quiet birthday. I didn't tell many people (especially the Spaghetti Factory) that is was my BD. No muss, no fuss. If you're in the area I've got left over spice cake. It is pretty good but will not be here for long.

School begins day after tomorrow here. Get the urchins locked back up during the day so the rest of us can play. I'm ready for that and may even hit the swimming pool if the water is not actually boiling.

Comments

[lenine]

This is such a coincidence! Just yesterday Mr. L and I were talking about the meteor shower. I stayed up Saturday and saw nothing, despite being out in the country with no lights and no clouds. I said I remembered seeing Halley's comet in 1986, in the Chicago suburbs, and no meteor shower would ever stir me like that did.

Puny meteors.

[bill_schubert]

It's so nice to be validated!

[msconduct]

I was just thinking that your Navy career would have been a good place for star-watching. We have the world's largest dark sky reserve here, and I was staying close by it on my last South Island trip, but wouldn't ya know it, it was cloudy.

[taz_39]

Happy Birthday :)

The comet sounds cool. Especially as a sort of full-circle moment, for you.
I haven't seen either the comet or meteor shower yet, but have randomly witnessed many meteors while traveling at night on the circus train.

[mollywheezy]

So cool that you and your grandpa both saw Halley's comet while at sea! I remember seeing Halley's comet in 1986, too. I was outside our house in the suburbs of St. Louis with my dad. :) I've never seen the Perseid meteor shower, either.