Happy Birthday, Riese!: An Internet/national Party Post

Posted byLaneia

on September 23, 2012

Hey welcome to Riese's Internet/national Birthday Party! Grab a drink or don't, it'll be fun either way. There are snacks and brunch/dinner-y foods -- all Riese's favorites, of course -- as well as some sweet beats. And look, all your friends are here! I hope you're wearing something black. Tinkerbell looks AMAZING, you guys.

tink started pregaming last night, via marni

We just wanted everyone to be together for Riese's birthday -- like, all of us, even you! -- because we love her so so much, but that's logistically impossible, so an Internet/national Birthday Party is the next best thing. This means that you can all have your own Riese birthday parties right where you're standing and no one will have to worry about cab fare. Here are our recommended menus:

via vanessa

Now you'll just need some music. Rachel and DJ Carlytron have put together this birthday playlist, including a surprise track featuring risen star, Haviland Stillwell!

[STREAM THE PLAYLIST]

I Want You Back - Jackson 5
Defying Gravity (Dance Mix) - Idina Menzel
Jolene - Dolly Parton
We Are Young - Glee Cast
Least Complicated - Indigo Girls
Maybe This Time - Liza Minnelli
Set Yourself On Fire - Stars
Shameless - Ani DiFranco
Get Out The Map - Indigo Girls
Take Me Or Leave Me - Idina Menzel and Tracie Thoms
I Dreamed A Dream - Haviland Stillwell
Iowa - Dar Williams
SOS - Rihanna
Are You Ten Years Ago - Tegan and Sara
Heart - Stars
Little Plastic Castle - Ani DiFranco

Riese We Love You from Autostraddle on 8tracks Radio.

Ok! Let's take a little walk down Riese Memory Lane. Hold my hand.

this is still riese's go-to pose

alex, riese and carly via tlw recapping dayz of thunder

riese is an astronaut duh

riese getting her wrist tattoo

alex and riese at the carousel of progress aka the best ride ever

riese and crystal

alex, riese, haviland and caitlin on the r family cruise

Hey look! It's the video Riese and Carly made for their tv show, Living It Out!

haviland and riese at a live birthday party, circa 2008

alex, haviland, riese and caitlin

alex and riese are looking at the future and it is hella bright

katrina, riese, emily, laura and lily at nyc pride 2009

riese and carly are birthday dinosaurs

laneia and riese are chained to a fence near a birdhouse, in support of both same-sex marriage rights and birds' rights

julia, riese and jess r. during trlw parody filming

riese moved to california in 2010

riese and marni, on their way to something fancy

riese draws names for the reaping at april a-camp

marni and riese, being normal

riese and alex at september a-camp, via rachel walker

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RIESE!

via the amazeballs intern geneva

93 responses to “Happy Birthday, Riese!: An Internet/national Party Post”

Carmen SanDiego (member)
September 23, 2012 at 1:24 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy birthday, Riese! All the best!
May you always have health insurance and never need it

Wow! 27
Susi (member)
September 23, 2012 at 1:28 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Feliz cumpleaños Riese! I hope you dance to this a lot:

2
Emma (member)
September 23, 2012 at 1:34 pm Permalink Reply Report user

It’s cute that Riese basically still has the same haircut from when she was little.

Happy Birthday!

9
1. riese (member)
  September 23, 2012 at 7:05 pm Permalink Reply
  
  it’s a classic style
  
  17
leafdarking (member)
September 23, 2012 at 1:34 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy birthday Riese! Thank you for everything you do for us every day! I hope you get all the bourbon you want for your birthday. <3

2
kd15 (member)
September 23, 2012 at 1:37 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy Birthday, Riese!

2
however (member)
September 23, 2012 at 1:38 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Joyeux Anniversaire Riese! I wish you a stress-free day.

2
Jay (member)
September 23, 2012 at 1:56 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy Birthday Riese!!

2
Allie (member)
September 23, 2012 at 1:58 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy Birthday Riese! Much love and fuckery!

2
Niki (member)
September 23, 2012 at 2:03 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy Birthday Riese!! You deserve ALL the whiskey!

*Hunger Salute*

4
1. riese (member)
  September 23, 2012 at 7:06 pm Permalink Reply
  
  *hunger salute*
  
  3
Remy
September 23, 2012 at 2:06 pm Permalink Reply

How cool is it that I actually ate egg and toast and a chicken brocolli combination today! On to the wiskey now! Happy Birthday!

4
1. Laneia (member)
  September 23, 2012 at 2:07 pm Permalink Reply
  
  THAT IS THE SPIRIT
  
  8
Caitlin
September 23, 2012 at 2:13 pm Permalink Reply

Happy Birthday Riese! Thank you for autostraddle!

3
Kait (member)
September 23, 2012 at 2:14 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy Birthday, Riese!!!

2
Carolyne (member)
September 23, 2012 at 2:16 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happiest of days, Riese! May your birthday be full of magic and wonderment!

2
Alice K (member)
September 23, 2012 at 2:18 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Woah I have been following the Autostraddle dream since the halcyon days of L Word Online, how have I never seen Living It Out before?! Did it ever get made? I’m guessing not that website doesn’t exist any more and googling just comes up with some jesus stuff, so. Still, do want.

Happy birthday Riese, thank you sincerely for everything you have given us.

5
1. riese (member)
  September 23, 2012 at 7:00 pm Permalink Reply
  
  alas, nobody wanted to make that amazing television show. as per ushe, i blame the haircut (no really, that video was shot during the three-day period between “the time i cut my own hair” and “the time i paid someone to fix it”)
  
  4
  1. Alice K (member)
    September 24, 2012 at 12:09 am Permalink Reply Report user
    
    So basically you’re saying I shouldn’t cut my own hair even though I am broke and living in Stockholm and my Swedish does not extend to phrases such as “They’re in a band” and “No they’re twins, from Canada”?
    
    4
Papa
September 23, 2012 at 2:26 pm Permalink Reply

Dear Riese,
Thank you for being born and for making such good friends with whom you can parent really great ideas – like this website- that grow up into amazing community building components in so many many many little baby queerios lives. You matter and Autostraddle matters and I think a lot of us straddlers feel like we matter too because, well, you and the whiskey and tinkerbell and I think what I am trying to say is: I’m glad you are here and that because of you, here even exists.
xoxo

13
j-bird (member)
September 23, 2012 at 2:29 pm Permalink Reply Report user

feliz cumple! I will order a pizza with chicken on it and drink a vodka tonic in your honor.

4
Alex
September 23, 2012 at 2:32 pm Permalink Reply

Riese. This is late because my time zone is different to yours, but I’m still making it JUST. You are amazing. How you ever sleep is beyond me. I presume that lots of whiskey wouldn’t hurt helping you to do so in the future. I hope you continue being well and awesome until FOREVER, because every human needs an opportunity to interact with you or read some of your wonderful words. You have been a massive influence on my life these past few years, and I’m sure many others as well. Tomorrow I shall be eating pretty much that entire brunch menu because I want to celebrate your birthday with the rest of Autostraddle. Also it sounds like the best thing ever.

A toast (of whiskey) to Riese people!

5
c is for cookie
September 23, 2012 at 2:39 pm Permalink Reply

Happy Birthday Riese! you are probably the gaymazingest person ever.

p.s. cookie cake is just the best thing ever. it’s been my birthday cake every year since age 7.

3
Rachel
September 23, 2012 at 2:40 pm Permalink Reply

omg the living it out video! how had i never seen that! wish that made it to our big or small screens the pics made me smile, i’ve enjoyed living through them all these past few years. have the best day ever riese. you deserve it. thanks for changing my life and stuff ex oh

3
Ali (member)
September 23, 2012 at 2:56 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy Birthday Riese, our fearless leader, our winner of the internet, our power-queer. Thank you for existing and being amazing.

10
Intern Grace (member)
September 23, 2012 at 3:00 pm Permalink Reply

LIVING IT OUT 4 EVER

8
madh
September 23, 2012 at 3:01 pm Permalink Reply

have a very happy birthday riese! may your day be filled with unicorns, magic, fun and love!

2
Marika (member)
September 23, 2012 at 3:17 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Riese, you are full of win.

I hope your birthday is also full of win.

I will eat peanut butter M&Ms in your honor. And maybe a small sip o’ whiskey.

6
kelurs (member)
September 23, 2012 at 3:21 pm Permalink Reply Report user

1, 2, 3, 4, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM ALL OF US TO YOU
WE WISH IT WAS OUR BIRTHDAY SO WE COULD PARTY TOO HEYY

except i suppose we could and SHOULD indeed party too, but WHATEVER this song is still awesome, AS ARE YOU!

4
carlytron
September 23, 2012 at 3:22 pm Permalink Reply

I only made the Living It Out pitch tape visible to the general public TODAY, in honor of our fearless leader’s anniversary of birth. Up until a few hours ago it was password-protected and hidden deep within the bowels of the internet (specifically my Vimeo page). WERE WE EVER SO YOUNG?

Happy birthday, dearest Riese. MWAH.

18
1. Luccia (member)
  September 23, 2012 at 6:00 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  Carlyyyyy!!!! That video is wonderful. I was wondering how I’d never seen it before : )
  
  3
2. riese (member)
  September 23, 2012 at 6:58 pm Permalink Reply
  
  i was not even aware that video existed on the internet at all!!
  
  3
Angela
September 23, 2012 at 3:26 pm Permalink Reply

Happy Birthday Riese!! Enjoy your day!

PS I am LOVING that playlist! Those are my favorite Stars songs

3
Alexandra (member)
September 23, 2012 at 3:35 pm Permalink Reply Report user

HBD Riese! XOXO

2
Joleen Seeley (member)
September 23, 2012 at 3:40 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy birthday Riese! I’m so happy you were conceived and birthed into the world. If you didn’t exist then none of this would exist and we all wouldn’t be a big happy family!

And,I like the inclusion of Jolene in this playlist

5
e (member)
September 23, 2012 at 3:50 pm Permalink Reply Report user

you are a wonderful person, thank you for everything and have a wonderful, whiskey filled day.

5
Zovija (member)
September 23, 2012 at 3:51 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy birthday!

2
Pam (member)
September 23, 2012 at 4:01 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy birthday all the way from Scotland!

2
Lanie
September 23, 2012 at 4:05 pm Permalink Reply

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

2
ItzaMe (member)
September 23, 2012 at 4:15 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy Birthday! *Purple Salute*

4
Kathryn (member)
September 23, 2012 at 4:17 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy birthday, Riese! I am currently brainstorming a way to create cookie cake flavored soft serve…

3
Lauren E. (member)
September 23, 2012 at 4:30 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy Birthday! Hope it’s super awesome!

2
Melanie (member)
September 23, 2012 at 4:43 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Have the best birthday! And so many more!

2
dutchdyke (member)
September 23, 2012 at 4:46 pm Permalink Reply Report user

happy birthday riese <3

3
wasteunit (member)
September 23, 2012 at 4:50 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Take a moment to think about how shitty your life would be if Riese didn’t get born. Now stop thinking about that because thinking about sad things is sad. We should probably drink some whiskey.

I love you, Riese! Happy birthday!

12
1. Torrebelle (member)
  September 23, 2012 at 9:00 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  Seriously. Kiyomi and I had a tomato canning party today and we talked all about how A.S. is so important to us. We wouldn’t have even met, let alone had a tomato canning party if not for A.S.
  
  So, Thank you Riese! I hope you have a seriously amazing birthday.
  
  Cheers!
  
  3
  1. Jamie (member)
    September 24, 2012 at 5:09 am Permalink Reply Report user
    
    I believe I overheard some of the planning for this tomato canning party at A-Camp 2.0…
    
    3
    1. Torrebelle (member)
      September 24, 2012 at 6:17 am Permalink Reply Report user
      
      You probably did! We were pretty excited about it.
      
      2
Michelle
September 23, 2012 at 4:59 pm Permalink Reply

Happy birthday, Riese!!!

2
Katie O (member)
September 23, 2012 at 5:08 pm Permalink Reply Report user

brb, taking a shot of whiskey in your honor, riese.

4
Ren (member)
September 23, 2012 at 5:14 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Aww Riese. Happy birthday! This is odd cause we really don’t know each other but I am so happy you exist, as without you there would be no Autostraddle (and perhaps more importantly, no Things I Read That I Loved, which is high on my list of Things I Love). So have a lovely day! Whoo-hoo!

3
Missy (member)
September 23, 2012 at 5:17 pm Permalink Reply Report user

*throws whiskey-soaked kittens at you*
love you, Riese.

4
Isabella
September 23, 2012 at 5:21 pm Permalink Reply

Happy birthday you beautiful human being!!!

2
Rachel
September 23, 2012 at 5:34 pm Permalink Reply

also all the playlist feelings. very very good playlist.

2
Marianna Massa (member)
September 23, 2012 at 5:43 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Disillusioned by much of the stuff that was already out there, I found Autostraddle when I frantically started googling around for an interesting/fun/happy-making lgbt site about a year and a half ago. Clicked on Autostraddle, and I’ve never looked back. Thanks, Riese – and all the rest of you that make it so good. Happy Birthday!

6
naiiimah (member)
September 23, 2012 at 5:47 pm Permalink Reply Report user

I hope you have the happiest of birthday’s Riese!!!

2
Jules (member)
September 23, 2012 at 5:54 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy birthday Riese, CEO of my entire Internet and so basically my life. Thanks for genuinely making both of those things way better.

3
Luccia (member)
September 23, 2012 at 6:05 pm Permalink Reply Report user

This post is too fucking cute. That playlist kicks ass.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RIESE! I really don’t want to know what my life would be like right now if you didn’t get born. I hope you’re having the best birthday ever!

3
Cassandra (member)
September 23, 2012 at 6:28 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Carousel of Progress IS the best ride ever! I don’t care if you’re kidding. I never kid about Carousel of Progress.

Happy happy happy birthday Riese! I can’t even imagine what it’s like to know you’ve made such a difference for good in the world. Isn’t that the dream? I kept looking around at A Camp and thinking, “All these people are here because of one person. All this is happening because of *one person*.” I am so so so glad it was you / it could never have been anyone but you. I have no idea how you managed to take a spirit of good and make Autostraddle so we could all be a part of it, but I will be grateful forever that you did. Have an amazing day.

5
1. riese (member)
  September 23, 2012 at 7:20 pm Permalink Reply
  
  I LOVE THE CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS
  
  http://marielynbernard.blogspot.com/2008/02/wednesday-top-eight-its-great-big.html
  
  2
  1. Cassandra (member)
    September 24, 2012 at 6:48 am Permalink Reply Report user
    
    How did I never know another living human thought this?? I love everything about Walt Disney’s auto-animatronic feelings about tomorrow.
    
    Also, I too have maps and itineraries for WDW and have done since the first time we went, when I was a small loud 7-year-old telling my family what to do because no one else had read the 400-page guidebook. So at least we know I came by my weirdness honestly.
    
    2
Heather (member)
September 23, 2012 at 6:36 pm Permalink Reply Report user

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RIESE. May your future be SO BRIGHT.

4
Sar (member)
September 23, 2012 at 6:48 pm Permalink Reply Report user

whiskey in a flask, whiskey in a glass ~~~~~ happy bday <3

6
Mary (member)
September 23, 2012 at 6:51 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Riese! what a year! Have a happy birthday, I hope this year is even better!

2
carrie (member)
September 23, 2012 at 6:53 pm Permalink Reply

“much like my mother’s jeans, we tapered off at the end.”

this is why we love you, riese. happy birthday!

5
Vanessa (member)
September 23, 2012 at 7:06 pm Permalink Reply Report user

happy happy happy birthday riese! when are you and carly producing living it out? i’m ready.

<3 <3 <3

4
bfc (member)
September 23, 2012 at 8:15 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy Birthday to one of the best things to ever happen to the internets.

3
trillion (member)
September 23, 2012 at 8:36 pm Permalink Reply Report user

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RIESE WE LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH!!! thank you riese’s mom for giving birth to riese!

2
T-Pain (member)
September 23, 2012 at 9:25 pm Permalink Reply Report user

ok first things first happy birthday riese!!!!! you are the most amaze love you forever and ever also that video of you and carly you are BABIES i’m dying. the future IS bright! so so bright.

but can we talk about the fact that there’s a dance remix of defying gravity?
what? even is that.

5
Brittani (member)
September 23, 2012 at 9:35 pm Permalink Reply Report user

happy birthday leader of the free world

11
Rose (member)
September 23, 2012 at 10:01 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy Birthday Riese!

I hope it isn’t too late now that it’s 1 am in Boston…

3
1. Vanessa (member)
  September 23, 2012 at 10:17 pm Permalink Reply Report user
  
  the website runs on PST so you’re a-okay
  
  4
hematopoietry (member)
September 23, 2012 at 10:05 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Oooh! I knew there was a reason for why I was seeing so many cute gay people today on the street. WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY. Also a fan of hipster Tinkerbell. You rock those frames, Tink.

5
msamanda (member)
September 23, 2012 at 10:31 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy Birthday, Riese.
I’m so so happy that you worked so hard to make this space for all of us.
I hope you had a really great day:)

3
Dana (member)
September 23, 2012 at 10:32 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy Birthday Riese! You are an amazing human. Tomorrow I will honor you by eating many peanut butter-y things.

2
Deb
September 23, 2012 at 10:33 pm Permalink Reply

Only an hour and a half left of Sept. 23rd; hope it was a winner day for you, Riese! Thanks for all you do and all you dream of doing. We all love you to bits!!

2
Ashley Catharine (member)
September 23, 2012 at 10:46 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy birthday!! wish we could give you as awesome of a gift as you have given us!! <3

9
1. Chelsea (member)
  September 24, 2012 at 8:43 am Permalink Reply Report user
  
  I second this!
  
  2
Ariel (member)
September 23, 2012 at 10:56 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Pretty sure this is the best birthday party I’ve ever been to.

Happy birthday, Riese! Hope it was great!

2
Ellen (member)
September 23, 2012 at 11:58 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Riese omg it’s my birthday too

This feels really special because I love you and your writing has helped me through my weird confusing gross dark gay teenage years

Happy Birthday!

5
HarryTheHandsomeExecutive (member)
September 24, 2012 at 12:28 am Permalink Reply Report user

Riese, happy celebration of your womb escape, and may the odds of consuming peanut buttery items on this day be ever in your favour!

6
1. HarryTheHandsomeExecutive (member)
  September 24, 2012 at 12:32 am Permalink Reply Report user
  
  (Or in the day just been.. Time zones are confusing. But don’t feel like the peanut needs to stop just because the birthday has! Eat the peanut if you want! YOU DO YOU)
  
  2
2. Vanessa (member)
  September 24, 2012 at 6:46 am Permalink Reply Report user
  
  omg “your womb escape”
  best phrase i have ever heard
  you win everything!
  
  2
Lina (member)
September 24, 2012 at 2:14 am Permalink Reply Report user

I had whiskey yesterday and on somepoint totally said: ” cheers to autostraddle!” several times. so I didn’t know it was your birthday but still had drinks in honor of you. automaticwin!
happy birthday!

3
Chelsea (member)
September 24, 2012 at 8:42 am Permalink Reply Report user

Bappy Hirthday Riese!

2
C. (member)
September 24, 2012 at 10:05 am Permalink Reply Report user

Happy birthday! The world is a better place with all your hard work!

3
fynnie (member)
September 24, 2012 at 11:19 am Permalink Reply Report user

happy happy happy birthday

2
Gaela (member)
September 24, 2012 at 12:50 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy belated Birthday! Thank you for all you do.

2
Paper0Flowers (member)
September 24, 2012 at 12:55 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy birthday!! <3 <3 <3

We totally should've had a pre-birthday party for you at Camp though. I'm disappointed that this didn't happen.

4
Lisa W (member)
September 24, 2012 at 2:17 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Hope your birthday was wonderful! I’m a 9/23 baby too, so it was a fun surprise to see we share a birthday! I’ve always loved the day’s proximity (and sometimes coincidence) with the equinox.

2
Bostongrrl (member)
September 24, 2012 at 8:48 pm Permalink Reply Report user

Happy Birthday! Raise your glass and keep it going for the whole week.

2
Sophie (member)
September 25, 2012 at 3:51 am Permalink Reply Report user

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RIESE! I wish my internet was working so I could look at all those photos. Thank you for making Autostraddle, and thank you to Anyone But Me for leading me to Autostraddle, and thank you to The Webbys for leading me to Anyone But Me, and thank you to Cracked.com for leading me to The Webbys. No really. Cracked.com brought me here. And I’m so happy it did. Thank you for having feelings and thank you for writing about them. Thank you reading things you love and thank you for writing about them too. Thank you for existing I guess. Thank you to your parents. Thank you to their parents. Thank you everyone. Thank you Riese.

1
riese (member)
September 25, 2012 at 12:42 pm Permalink Reply

Thank you all for the warm birthday wishes of love and kittens! This post is amazing and these comments are even more amazing. I spent my birthday physically alone but virtually surrounded by love and peanut butter products! So thank you, thank you, thank you.

1