MALCOLM'S "BIRTHDAY WEEK" PLANNING

The Birthday Week is my annual attempt to see how many different things can be scheduled into consecutive days surrounding my birthday. The goal is to have something different happen each night.  Also, to have each event cost $15 or less if possible so everyone can feel they can attend more than one event without breaking their budget.  And besides, *I* have show up for everything...

Most of the events take place in the evening so I don't have to take time off from work. For that same reason, each event happens in or very close to Lansing. The exception is Saturday which is when I could schedule something that requires driving out of town so more people have the chance to come along.  It doesn't HAVE to be out of town, it just often works out that way.

2007 was the year I attempted the never-before-achieved, 14-day Birthday Celebration!  I did it, but I doubt if I could survive it again.  I will only make efforts toward 7 consecutive days in future years, but as many as 10 could occur...

GENERAL IDEA DESCRIPTIONS:

** BASEBALL NIGHT
Does your city have a minor league baseball team? This is usually an interesting night because there is always something comical going on between innings. Another option is if you know about an adult softball or children's little league. Those are free to sit and watch.
As long as the balls are flying and the bats are swinging!

** BOWLING NIGHT
Why not go out and knock down a few pins? If it happens that you're part of a league, that pre-scheduled day will be one date that's easy to fill!

** COMEDY CLUB
A local club brings in many stand-up comedians each year.  Standard admission for a "regular" comedian is usually somewhat inexpensive. Even if the performer is very well known and is expensive, it IS your birthday, after all!

** CONCERT/MUSIC NIGHT
While you COULD just sit around the house and do nothing except listen to your music collection, I suggest going out to see a stage performance of a musical nature.  The best success I've had so far is the local college/university's School of Music having a recital or performance.  But if someone really famous that you really, really like comes through town and the date lines up, that would be grounds for breaking the "minimal cost" rule.

** DUDE'S/GAL'S NIGHT
Got two, three, or more other people to build up a rotation? The birthday person picks the outing (dinner and a movie is the easiest and most universal combination) and the others in the group pay for the birthday person.

** GAME NIGHT
With this event, you choose a game to be played and people come over to play along.  This could be anything from a multi-player networked-computer game, a board game, several rounds of cards, or even an out-of-house event like paintball or laser tag.

** HOBBY NIGHT
Here's a night where you can dedicate the evening to doing something both constructive and relaxing - literally. Anything from scrapbooking to painting figurines to cup-stacking competitions.

** HOME VIDEO
This is an event where you stay home (or maybe go to someone else's place) and just watch a video.  Okay, it's a very thin difference from just going out to see a movie in the theater, but it's cheap to attend and it makes it easier to fill another date in the schedule.

** HOUSE PARTY
It can be done on any day, but I usually have mine on a Sunday (after I get home from church) to maximize the amount of time. You can open the door to your house or set up a tent in the back yard and wait for people to come by for a semi-traditional idea of a birthday party. Pointed hats, a birthday cake, and even presents are optional... unless someone just decides to bring them over (Hint!  Hint!  Wink!)...

** IMAX EXCURSION
Let's immerse ourselves in a movie shown on the 5-story high screen and a sound system superior to most standard theaters.  More often documentaries than not, there are more and more theatrical releases coming out in the IMAX format.  It's not JUST going to see a movie.

** DINNER OUT
Go out to a local restaurant and buy dinner. Simple enough, right? Perhaps you can splurge on yourslef a little and buy that steak dinner instead of the chicken or spaghetti special.
For me, this is "a cheat" since I already go every Wednesday night to a small group meeting (LASFA) at a local restaurant. But dinner out is dinner out, and I DO splurge on myself a little...

** MOVIE NIGHT
Go out and see a movie.  Different from Home Video Night in that you actually GO OUT to the theater.

** MUSEUM VISIT
Expose yourself to a bit of culture. You may be surprised to find out that museum exhibits can be more than just stuffed animals behind glass walls. You choices can include a hands-on Children's Museum, a university museum, a Science Center, a village's history center, or some other little out-of-the way-place you may discover.

** PARK DAY
This event could also be nicknamed "Picnic Day".  Best on a weekend, this is a relaxing day in a local park.  Okay, so you'll need a day with good weather; perhaps "Plant Day" with an arboretum visit as a backup (or alternative to winter dates).

** PLANETARIUM VISIT
Unless you've already bought your own telescope and several hundred books on astronomy, how many times do you go out to look at stars and planets?  Lately, most of them have upgraded from that big ungainly frame with the two big balls to the modern age.  The new systems are called Digistar and are capable of projecting pictures and short films onto the domed ceiling.

** PUTT PUTT
How about a round of Miniature Golf?  Easier and more fun than regular golf (and probably cheaper), you don't have to possess extreme talent to play - and that may be a good thing.  You don't want to show-up the rest of us, do you?

** THEATER NIGHT
* College or University School of Theater
  A student-run show at the campus auditorium.  Obviously of student-level of talent, but you may spot someone you know.
* Community Theater
  A community or semi-professional theater located somewhere in town.
* Professional Theater
  A full-fledged professional performance (with prices to match) is usually too expensive. But if you're bound and determined to see it, go for it!
* Children's Theater
  Either plays for children or plays BY children (or both). Children DEMAND entertainment value, so you may be surprised by the quality of the content.

** WORK PIZZA
Inspired by the little people from the book "The Hobbit" (more-recently famous from the Lord of the Rings movies), I bring pizzas to work on my birthday to inspire every one else to bring in on ONE day of the year and eat for many other days for free... but it hasn't caught on... yet. You don't have bring pizzas to where you work - any food will do. Even just donuts.

** ZOO VISIT
Admit it, when was the last time you went to the see the animals at the zoo?  Heck, even being a chaperone for a school field trip counts (and you'll be volunteering for your local school system).