Happy birthday, Catherine!

Happy Birthday, young lady.

Hooray! 26 is hott. That's what I've been trying to convince myself of since late November, anyways. Happy Happy. Hope you guys have a great weekend in Chicago.

Happy Birthday, Catherine!

I'm sure Lost is coming back tonight just for you.

HB!!!!! 26 was my best year, hands down.

Happy Birthday! Make sure to enjoy it.

Bonne anniversaire!

Man, do I feel young. [ducks]

Happy Birthday! According to the web, you have 54.02 years left to live. Better get a move on everything you want to do before you... well, you know.

thanks, everybody! unfortunately, today is the first day of official wire reporting at school, so things are totally crazy, and i haven't had time to reflect on my newly-acquired old person wisdom. i'm sure i'll have something awesome to say by tonight, though.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CATHERINE!!! I already told you and I see you diligently typing away at your computer right but I felt that I should tell you as many times and in as many formats as possible. Expect a phone call from across the newsroom next.

I FORGOT!!! Your present is a new episode of LOST!!! yay. i know you don't like it so much anymore, but still, get psyched. and tivo veronica mars or whatever.

Happy Birthday, Catherine!

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday, Catherine!

Happy birthday!

aw, i'm feeling the internet love. thanks, guys!

happy birthday!

Happy birthday!

It's returns of the day, tom. Many happy returns (of the day), as in, more birthdays! Survive another year, and another again!

Why is it "HAPpy birthday"? I'll be honest: my first thought when I saw the subject line was HUP, as in "kill -HAPPY_BIRTHDAY 26"

i wondered that too, ben, but i think tommy just meant to write the spoken emphasis in how some people say happy birthday when they say it enthusiastically. or at least that's what i figure.

Actually, I *was* wondering what the "returns" thing was supposed to mean. So thanks, Ben. Although I still think it doesn't make much sense. The birthday clearly belongs to the person being addresses, but the "return" belongs to the birthday. Yet they're used in the same way, grammatically. It doesn't make sense to me (although of course I understand the sentiment and the need to express it concisely).

As for the capitalization -- my mind has been poisoned by that stupid frosty the snowman cartoon. He says happy birthday with that emphasis a lot, and it's how I always hear it in my head.

Returns of the birthday. I don't see what the problem here is. "Hey you: many happy returns of your birthday. Not this specific date, but your birthday generally. Don't die, now.". What's the confusion?

It's confusing because the happy birthday is an event applying to the listener, but the return is an event that applies to the birthday. It's like saying to a newly set up amateur rabbit breeder, "Enjoy the pet rabbits, and all the rabbit fucking".

You must be easily confused.

oh, shut up wolfson. happy birthday to me, remember?

I already wished you a happy birthday! Happy birthday again!