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I could've been born on any day of the year, but instead, I was born on the one calendar day that rarely shows up to the party.

I was born on Feb. 29, 1988. Today is the 24th anniversary of that day, but it's only the sixth birthday I've ever experienced. What gives, world?

My friend and IBTimes comrade Julia Greenberg wrote a terrific piece this morning on the Leap Day phenomenon, and about those people like myself who were born on this rare calendar day. Here are three of my favorite facts from her piece:

    • The chance of being born on Leap Day is 1 in 1,461. I like my odds.
    • For centuries, astrologers believed that children born on Leap Day (also known as Leapers) have unusual talents, unique personalities and even special powers. For the first time in my life, I agree with astrologers.
    • Without Leap Days, the calendar would be off by 24 days within 100 years. This is silly. Instead of Leap Days, every 100 years, December should just be a six-day month. We could cut to the chase and start the month on Christmas.

    Beyond Ms. Greenberg's fascinating factoids, there's so much more to Leap Day. Here are three things about Leap Day babies that you didn't know:

    • The chance of being born on Leap Day, and being extremely good-looking, is 100%. Again, I like my odds.
    • Leapers and lepers have an unusually strong bond. Because nobody understands us.
    • Ancient civilizations believed it was good luck if a person born on a Leap Day mugs and robs you. It's true! I'm constantly mugged by other Leaplings, and I typically experience some good fortune afterwards.

    Being born on a Leap Day comes with some great perks, but unfortunately, this day doesn't come around very often. On the years that I don't have a real birthday, my superpowers are heavily subdued, which makes me depressed.

    On those non-Leap Years, I prefer to celebrate my fake birthday, or firthday, on Feb. 28, but ultimately, it doesn't make a difference. Whether I celebrate it on Feb. 28, or March 1, or May 11, I'm still celebrating a day that's not my actual day of birth. It's like celebrating Halloween in April, or Kwanzaa in August. It just doesn't feel right, no matter how you much you try to dress it up.

    So, three out of every four years, my birthday is a point of awkwardness. It's especially evident on Facebook. A few examples from last year:

    • Facebook is lying to me.. it is not your birthday. I know.
    • Because I love you I'll ignore the fact that it's not your birthday, you 5 1/2 year-old liar It was almost sweet...
    • Happy not birthday!!! Not Thanks?

    I don't take any of it personally, but on those non-Olympic years, there's not a whole lot to look forward to.

    But finally, the day's here. I have one shot at this every 1,460 days, so I better make it count.

    In case you haven't already seen it, the top of the page has an account of my day's events. Please enjoy, and check back as I update throughout the day. As for tonight, I plan on hanging out with my friends from the leper colony and maybe even mugging a few of them for good luck.

    Victory
    A photographer snapped this picture of me riding into work today. Courtesy
    Before the birthday...
    11:55 AM: Better go welcome my birthday in my favorite room of the house: the bathroom. Courtesy
    Midnight Strikes
    12:00 AM: As I'm flossing, I turn on my phone and take a quick picture, or a "quik pic" as the kids call it. Boo-yah! Courtesy
    Zuck calls.
    12:03 AM: Mark Zuckerberg calls to wish me a Happy Birthday. I tell him I have an idea for a social network called “Harvard Connection.” He hangs up. Reuters
    Breaking records
    1:32 AM: Jack Dorsey calls to congratulate me for breaking the Twitter record for most "Happy Birthday" wishes in a single hour. Dorsey said I couldn't release the numbers, but I'll tell you this: the second place guy was Jesus, and he wasn't even close. Reuters
    My Chosen Undershirt
    A gift from the Pope, this brilliantly white cotton tee has been handed down by angels, kissed by monks, and delivered by a flock of doves. Courtesy
    My Chosen Shirt
    A new blue and white striped shirt. Actually, this long-sleeved professional t-shirt is the first in world history to be composed of two different shirts fused together. Scientists in Haiti took a blue dress shirt and a white dress shirt and chemically bonded them together so it would retain its structure but the colors would alternate in stripes. It's extremely complicated science, but let's put it this way: It's a miracle that I'm wearing it. Courtesy
    My Chosen Sweater
    I call it "Big Green." This sweater -- woven out of baby yak hairs and tested in the harsh climate of the Himalayas -- takes cozy and warm to the extreme. It’s the only sweater I’ll wear both at work and when I’m cliff jumping. Courtesy
    My Chosen Shoes
    Will Smith tripped on these shoes once. Clearly they're good luck. Courtesy
    Breakfast
    7:32 AM: Dressed to the nines, I decided to make a breakfast of equal or greater value. It is a birthday I rarely experience, after all; I figured I ought to treat myself. And I have to say, it was the best bowl of Reese's Puffs covered in ice cream covered in chocolate syrup covered in Ex-Lax I've ever eaten. Courtesy
    The scene at the office
    8:31 AM: My office bursts into noise and celebration as I enter the office. Copy editors circle me with streamers and my managing editor sucks helium out of several balloons to achieve his helium voice. It’s hilarious and good fun, but I remind everyone that we have to get back to work. After all, Snooki may or may not be pregnant. Courtesy
    Make a Wish
    11:11 AM: I make a wish, and it immediately comes true. My black shoes are suddenly rocket boots, and I take a lap around my office in three seconds. Courtesy
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