Let's get the most important question out of the way: when is your birthday?
August 26, 1972. Although I’m technically a Virgo, rest assured, I’m ALL man.
Now when do you actually begin celebrating your birthday?
The Taylor Busby Birthday Season doesn’t officially start until August 1st, but most people start preparing after July 4th. Recently, there have been reports of birthday accolades as early as July 1st (seems like it gets earlier and earlier each year)!
Obviously you embrace birthdays. How do you deal with aging?
Honestly, I can’t believe I’m 45. That sounds legitimately old. The good news is that I don’t feel old - most of the time!
A good friend and mentor told me once that the best times of his life didn’t happen until he was after 40. I’ve never forgotten that.
What's the most badass birthday that you have ever celebrated?
When I turned 10, my birthday party was at Godfather’s Pizza at Park Rd Shopping Center. I received knockoff hightop Vans (black and white checkerboard pattern) and a grenade. I was unstoppable.
What's been one of your biggest birthday surprises?
When I turned 40, my wife threw a surprise tennis party for me. I had no clue. Two of my favorite hobbies are tennis and day-drinking. That’s a good-time combination.
Cake or ice cream?
Beef jerky. But if I had to choose, I’d pick bourbon.
Biggest birthday wish?
For my birthday, I wish everyone in the world would put aside their petty disagreements and hug. Just kidding, I’d really like Daisy Ridley to take me to the premier of the new Start Wars movie. Ideally, we would pull up to the venue in a black Ferrari GTO, we’d get out of the car and everyone would say, “Who is that girl with Taylor Busby?”
Is your whole family pretty stoked about their birthdays too?
My wife tends to downplay her birthday. She would rather forego presents and have the family do random chores to organize the house (sigh).
My oldest daughter is turning 13 this year. She’s been lobbying for an iPhone. I told her it depends on what she gets me for my birthday - she better step it up! My youngest daughter will be 11 in February. She’s more like me. In fact, she made sure that we celebrated her “half-birthday” last week. I told her to stop trying to steal my thunder and sent her to her room to refocus.
Where do you hope this next trip around the sun takes you?
Well, I just witnessed my first full solar eclipse. It totally blew my mind. So much so that I’ve already started lobbying to visit Argentina to view the next solar eclipse in 2019. I’m not joking. That said, in 2018 I’ll be setting up a GoFundMe page to make all my solar dreams come true.
What do you do when you run into someone on your birthday and they don't wish you a happy birthday?
One of two things happens:
I make a mental note to never talk to that person again.
I say, “How’s it going? Great. Today’s my birthday.”
If I run into you on August 26th, and I don’t prompt you with wish me a happy birthday, you know where you stand.
Gift or gift certificate?
I’m all about the gift. I really doesn’t matter to me what it is, as long as some thought went into it.
I once dated a girl who gave me cash for my birthday (insert cricket noise here).
Do you take the day off from work if your birthday is on a weekday?
Why would I take the day off work?! For better or for worse, my co-workers are pretty much trapped with me for an entire day. Rules of workplace civility pretty much dictate that my birthday must be acknowledged. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Any birthday tips for those who don't know quite how to embrace the day?
Good question, I’m holding a seminar that will outline the basics. The cost is only $499. Space is limited so signup today. Register via my Twitter account @schoolofcool.
Here’s a free tip: never underestimate the promotional power of a badly photoshopped image.
Do you get post-birthday blues?
Not really. Truth is, I feel pretty fortunate: great family and friends. Good health. And I’m cut like a diamond.
Favorite venue in Charlotte to celebrate a birthday?
This isn’t specific to Charlotte, in fact, it’s not even a venue, but I’m pretty sure Facebook was invented for my birthday. It’s the perfect medium to obnoxiously promote, receive, and bask in the glory of my birthday.
People of CLT wishes you a HAPPY Birthday Taylor! Thank you for taking the time to share your birthday insights. It was a privilege to feature you.
