Hello,
I would like to take this gratuitous opportunity to tell you that today is the 22nd anniversary of my birth. I couldn’t have done it without you folks! As a token gesture, every post you make today at ILP, will be free of charge.
- ben
[size=200]Happy Birthday[/size] Ben. Ah, this is a good day.
A
Shouldn’t this be in the Religion Forum?
[size=150]Happy B’Day Ben.[/size]
Maybe you get what you want and not what you deserve. 
happy happy
have a good one
-Imp
Something I found on the net: Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).
Usually a Sagittarius will come off as a blissfully happy idiot. (at least he’s happy)
You are have a reckless tendency to rely on luck since you lack talent. (at least he’s happy)
His moronic enthusiasm cannot be dampened by anything - not even by a reality block falling on his head. (at least he’s happy)
After talking to a Sagittarius for five minutes, you will want to kill him quickly but painfully. (a difficult dilemma when you think about it)
From the early age, a Sagittarius will have developed the infuriating habit of forcing his stupid ideas and his company onto anyone who might so much as walk by. (is this true Ben?)
An aggressive optimist, a Sagittarius will require a lot of work in a relationship. (learning to use his hands in new and different ways, one expects)
He usually makes a habit of inventing stories and lying outright, which he rationalizes by what he thinks are good intentions. (is this true Ben?)
A Sagittarius usually loves crowds and loud social situations, as well as any place where he can enjoy a meal and a drink without paying for them (insert paypal link here)
Love prospects: When Venus transits, your third house there may be romance (just be careful tonight when Taurus rises towards Uranus)
Well,
Firstly I should say that I don’t believe in astrology. The claim of everyone who is born in the same month having the same characteristics is absurd.
Secondly, I’m sure they’re supposed to make you feel good about yourself (you will find someone, you will get rich etc.) and not tell you how stupid/fat/miserly you are? Surely no-one would pay for negative nonsense?
Thirdly, no I am not like any of those!
- ben
Happy Birthday, sweetie. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Hi Ben,
Obviously I would have wished you a happy birthday earlier but I hadn’t seen this post at that time
So here goes:
[size=200]HAPPY
BIRTHDAY!
[/size]
Hey! Happy Birthday!
Free of charge? I heard that this site is “mentally taxing” people or something like that! What’s the story?
You are one year closer to dying, Ben. Congratulations.
Would you like to say a few things to mark the occasion?
More beer! That’s my suggestion.
Hello F(r)iends,
Happy B-day Benny Boy! 22 is great… cause you are past your teens, sex is starting to make sense, women are starting to look twice, women are beginning to get over their loser biker boyfriends and they now want a smart geeky philosopher that will have a steady job and make a good father… Things are looking up for you! 
No, in all seriousness, Happy B-day!
Make a wish and maybe the ILP community will make it happen. 
-Thirst
Contrary to Nietzsche’s famous quip “coffee breeds darkness,” I think it is alcohol that breeds darkness.
Just yesterday I was hearing on the news that several medical/health benefits have been linked to “two cups of coffee a day.” Of course, two beers a day would merely dim the lights- there would be no darkness.
But who stops at two beers a day? Does one consider beer to be a recreational drug if it is drunk in such a moderation, so much that one doesn’t get even the slightest buzz?
On the other hand, two cups of coffee does just fine in recreationally altering the physical state of the body with a stimulant, might be a way to put it.
I can’t imagine that beer would be so popular if it were a health food, so drinking beer usually can be associated with extraneous use, producing ill effects on the health, however so slight.
Two cups of coffee, carcinogens and all, might give you cancer at one-hundred and ten, if you live that long.
No, beer breeds darkness, Ad. Look at the Germans, of which I do not consider Nietzsche. He was beyond culture and creed, but he didn’t like beer anyway, so nevermind.
I think that he was really Polish!
I had the beer in Europe, and it was very smooth, but it did not bring darkness as fast as the American stuff. Is that because we secretly are looking for it? Anyway, I could drink twice the amount as in the US and with a pub full of friendly lads and lasses cheering me up I felt very light indeed. However, I would not want to be in that kind of light everyday, because I burn easily.
However, stimulants do bring the kind of lightness that I crave! 
I thought that Nietzsche was nationalityless for much of his life…
I don’t think that I’m pulling that one out of my butt, but I recall reading that he had some level of Polish roots. As I think of it he is very eastern European in attitude.
Seriously guys, you wouldn’t think it was possible to hijack a happy birthday thread!
Not that I’m bitter
Thanks muchly for the well wishes, greatly received!
- ben
Ben,
As the creator of the site you have caused this kind of thing to happen. We are happy and talking about philosophers in your birthday thread.
What’s better than that?
You are making people happy and giving gifts—on your birthday. You’re a mensch baby!
[size=200]Happy Birthday! [/size]
(And a very merry UN-birthday to everyone else )
Thanks Xander. That is kind.
A