Why can't I access $datastore?

[Boots]

PHP Code:

<?php

// my custom portal

// ####################### SET PHP ENVIRONMENT ###########################
error_reporting(E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE);

// #################### DEFINE IMPORTANT CONSTANTS #######################
define('NO_REGISTER_GLOBALS', 1);
define('THIS_SCRIPT', 'portal'); // change this depending on your filename

// ################### PRE-CACHE TEMPLATES AND DATA ######################
// get special phrase groups
$phrasegroups = array(

);

// get special data templates from the datastore
$specialtemplates = array(
  'birthdaycache',
  'maxloggedin'
);

// pre-cache templates used by all actions
$globaltemplates = array(
    'portal',
    'forumhome_loggedinuser',
);

// pre-cache templates used by specific actions
$actiontemplates = array(

);

chdir('/home/rc/public_html/forums/');
// ######################### REQUIRE BACK-END ############################
require_once('./global.php');
require_once('./includes/functions_showthread.php');
require_once('./includes/functions_bigthree.php');

that is the start of my page... what else do I need to include to be able to gain access to the datastore? I'm trying to access the birthdaycache and having no luck.