About the "Do you mind me taking the car today?" vs. "Do you mind my taking the car today?" - I've heard the first one used as "do you mind me taking the car?" (should I stay here & do something while someone else takes the car?) and the second used as "do you mind anyone's taking the car?" (do you need the car?) I haven't heard it often - but sometimes; it's another language in process thingie, I think.

And happy birthday!

Tsyganka, who hopes you have a glorious plenty of them