So anyway, speaking of charities, I had a quiet birthday last Saturday, with a few friends coming over for pizza.

Now, I don't really do birthdays well at all. It's not a "getting older" thing. It's just that I don't know HOW to do them well. I suppose I feel a little uncomfortable being the center of attention, or maybe the days just never live up to what birthdays are supposed to be or something. But having some friends around, having some drinks and playing some games was just perfect.

However, a few people have asked what I'd like for my birthday. Now, I honestly don't need anything (except maybe for a gig at E-Week). However, if you really want to do something, I'd deeply appreciate any and all donations to the Dane County Humane Society. This is the shelter where Judith got Maude, our beloved littlest kittie and sometimes-star of Wild Life.

To donate to the Dane County Humane Society, go to http://www.humanesociety.dane.wi.us/, and click on the brick. Then hit the general donation/membership link, and you're there!

If any donations come from this, that'd be a good thing.

Another good thing to come out of my birthday was the creation of the Camparita.

If you like Campari (it's not to everyone's taste, but Campari and Orange is one of my all-time favorite drinks), here's a version with a kick that Markus Candinas and I created:

CAMPARITA
1 oz. Campari
1.5 oz Tequila
1.5 oz Triple Sec
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
Shake and serve over ice.