"Happy (?)" Birthday

Tomorrow is my birthday; I'll be 23 years old (or years young, as Matthew likes to remind me how much older he is)

Yesterday, I received a birthday card in the mail from Allstate, our car insurance company.
Let me quote the front cover for you:

Happy Birthday Katie Rose!

Looking Back to 1986:

- Challenger exploded 74 seconds after lift-off,
killing all 7 astronauts.
- Nancy Regan began "Just Say No" anti-drug crusade
- Wall Street was hit by insider trading scandals
- President signed sweeping revision of the US tax code
- Supreme Court upheld affirmative action
- Libya fired on United States warplane
- US bombed Khaddafi headquarters
- Chernobyl nuclear power plant mishap threatened world safety
- 100th birthday of the Statue of Liberty was celebrated with fireworks and tall ships
- WiIlliam Rehnquist took the oath as 16th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court


Now, I have always been mildly interested in history, so I'm always willing to hear some facts about what went on in the past. I just don't think "The Challenger exploded the year you were born" is the best way to open up a HAPPY birthday card. Kind of starts on a depressing note, don'tcha think? Everything else that follows it is either (to me) not very interesting or equally depressing.

Then, when you open up the card, it gives some stats comparing American Living then and now. For example:

In 1986, Stamps cost 22 cents. Now.... 42 cents (should I feel special that they were anticipating my birthday so much that they made my card several months ago??)

Then, the average expense for a new home was $80,300. Now.... $218,400 (this one belongs on the cover with other depressing facts about 1986)

Bread cost 64 cents for a one pound loaf in 1986.
But in 2009, it's $3.19!

Then, on the next page:

"It's your day to make a wish! Happy Birthday!"

I would say I wish I was back in 1986, but the only good thing was the home price :-)

And lastly, to end the card:

"Allstate. You're in good hands."

~Katie