Birthday's for me have always been pretty lame.  Simply put, it's the curse of the December birthday.  Christmas looms in the background, where little baby jesus waits to steal your thunder.  You get the dreaded combined birthday-Christmas present.  It's far too cold to have a pool party.  You get the idea.  During my 27th birthday, for example, I ended up taking a solo trip to Lost Rocks because no one was able to take time off work since they were already taking time for Christmas.  I ended up seeing a bear and getting thoroughly freaked out.  This year, I wanted to make sure 28 was special.