One of the best birthdays I have had involved a few girlfriends and I making reservations at a swanky spa resort for the weekend. We did the road trip thing with lots of great music and when we got there enjoyed spa treatments, massages, great dining and several pitchers of margaritas. It was a fun, relaxing weekend that was the perfect way to celebrate.
For example check out this site. mirrorlakeinn.com/ locate in New York state. Have a great birthday whatever you decide to do.
Maybe go out to dinner with some friends, or grab some take-out for yourself (even if it's McDonalds) & go home & watch tv. If your an outdoorsy person try going out to dinner, & then going to see a movie, or walking in the park with a friend (or girlfriend/wife/fiance, etc. ) Sometimes the simple things are the best :).
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.