On turning 35.
2:40PM, April 06, 2007 - [ Permalink]
Yup. 0x23. 0o43. 0100011. 35. No matter how you count it, 35 still is thirty-five.
[Warning: this is a long, rambling post]
My birthday celebrations tend to get spread out over a week - starting last Sunday - after brunch we went to Laser Quest. A group of us were to go, but somehow, they lost our reservation, even though they had called back to confirm it shortly before we arrived.
Standing in the parking lot, we discussed some options and settled on going over to Dooleys to shoot some pool, only to find the place under construction *and* be full because of some tournament.
This led to us loitering in front of the McDonalds (we did actually go inside, but were chased out by an angry mob of children). In the end, we wound up at a close by pub, where we sat around eating nachos, wings, other unhealthy snack foods, and chatting for a couple of hours.
We eventually went home, then went out for a walk, and went to bed early.
Wednesday, I slept in a bit, got up, puttered around the apartment for a bit, and then we went out for a walk to run a couple of errands. Then we went to Tuckers for a quiet lunch.
Then, Tracey bought be Star Trek 1,2,3,4 and 6 (five isn't worth spending money on, I think) for me! yay! I guess I'd been pining about Star Trek of late. We came home and I played video games for a bit, and then we watched Star Trek: The motion picture.
I think I scared Tracey a bit. The last time I saw that movie was over ten years ago.. But I still can quote parts of the movie. ;-)
I went to badminton and played some really good games. Then I came home and quickly showered, was joined by Tracey and Leslie, to meet up with the badminton gang who took me out for "a beer or two" for my birthday, as is our custom with the core group. Mel, Gabriel, Alex & Crystal, Kevin, Vlad, and Paul (who should remember revenge is a dish best served cold, because I will).
Well.
Nachos. Pint after pint of Guinness. Then the shots started. Cameraphones came out. Pictures were taken (if I get any, I'll post one here). I get the feeling Paul and gang were trying to make me really drunk. Tracey went home first, as she's a morning person, and eventually the group whittled down to myself, Leslie, Paul and Kev.
Like all conversations under the influence, we went from one rat hole to another (alt.tasteless.*, anyone?), eventually leaving Patty's sometime around two in the morning.
We all walked to Leslie's car, where she showed me her new fire fans, and her sword, and she kindly drove Kevin home, who showing foresight, took a bus to badminton instead of driving. The walk home did some good to help clear my head.
But the three of them actually got up in the morning and went to work. I, on the other hand, got home, sat down at the computer, surfed around a bit and went to bed.
Thursday, I felt like I'd been run over by a truck. I really should have been drinking more water - any at all would have been a good idea.
Friday was the usual errands, a short meeting, then working at Pattys, then off to "Is it Alright...?" (a fundraiser for the Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre). My favorite part was Ann's Indian/Belly dancing fusion to a version of Karsh Kale's Milan. We walked back downtown from the Glebe, and stopped at Metropolitain Brasserie at 700 Sussex to try it out - we nearly left due to the service being slow, but decided to try it out anyway. They don't have Guinness on tap, so I had a diet Pepsi. Their corn chips and salsa were pleasantly dry and tasty.
Saturday involved some additional sleeping in, followed by some video shooting, and then my final (official) birthday event.
We had most of the back of Patty's, and I was taken with the turnout. We had dinner (Shepherd's pie for me), and then just hung out and chatted. I got a bunch of cards (thanks all). The best part for me is just the opportunity to see everyone, and chat. Some four-ish hours later, we returned home, had some ice cream and watched Start Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (KHAN!!!!).
Oh, how things have changed. Fifteen years ago (!), I would have been content to spend my birthday watching movies, ordering pizza, while playing video games. How I've changed, hopefully for the best, some of you will agree.
Thank you for all taking time - the most valuable thing we can give - out of your lives to spend some with me (in chronologicalish order): Tracey, Lindsay, Alex, Ray, Ang, Susi, Mel, Gabriel, Kevin, Paul, Vlad, Leslie, Crystal, Craig, Rob, Liz & Peter, Sara, Michele, Linda, Sue, Rock & Robin, Marielle (great hair!) & Pete, Nikki, Gailene, Gabriel & Kristina, and of course, lastly Dar. Hopefully, I didn't miss anyone, because I hate it when that happens..
To the few of you who chose to give me a gift (oddly they were all iTunes gift certificates), thank you, thank you, thank you!! I love music, as you obviously all know.
And very lastly, thank you Tracey for organizing all the festivities. I can't imagine life with out you. Thank you for assisting me to grow into a (hopefully) better person.
