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So I'd better put down the tales of the epic Birthday Weekend before I forget them...
I took Friday off before my birthday because I feel I've been working really hard and doing a lot of damage control, and I am concerned that I'm about to get spread too thin but we'll see about it, but I deserved a three day weekend for my birthday. It was nice, I slept in a little, went to the bookstore for a few treats, went to lunch, called tumbling0after and we had a nice long chat because we haven't spoken in a bit. That was really nice, and it made me miss my STL friends who are so far away it seems, sometimes. But she and I giggled and gossiped plenty, and after I got off the phone, I found my present from her in the mail. Also my presents from my awesome sister-in-law who always sends me some of the best books. It's nice being an English grad and having a librarian for a sister-in-law.
Friday night I had a volunteer meeting for Jitterbugs, but it had started snowing outside, and despite this, everyone and their mom seemed to be on the roads, and it took me almost an hour to get downtown, and included a life-flash's-before-my-eyes, oh-no-I-forgot-to-tell-Mom-I-love-her kind of moment. But I came through it unscathed, and slowed way down for the rest of the trip. Which turned out to be okay, because traffic was waaaaay backed up. But I made it, caught the tail end of the meeting, and then went to dinner with Eric. He proceeded to shave another two years off my lifespan by skidding his car around the parking lot, but I think after a certain point, he decided to stop. It was almost my birthday after all, and dying five hours before the official day would've been pretty lame.
Swing dancing was fun, I got to jam with my pals, and I can tell from Jillian's video of my bday jam that my dancing is actually improving. Lee made me pretty new skirt that will be ripe for spinning, and Jillian has offered to knit/quilt/crochet me something, which makes me wonder if she would make me a quilt. I like quilts. I don't know what I'd put on it, but I do like a good quilt. I just realized that I have two, since those are my summer sheets...oh well, more quilts can't be bad.
We did not go out after JNO, thank goodness. Driving was scary enough, but I made it home alive, with Ben in tow. Bless his spectacles, he came to dancing right after his trip to Orlando and he was exhausted and fell asleep in my car about ten minutes before I got to his house.
Saturday was my big day. The golden day. I was a little nervous about it, because I had actually planned to do something all by myself, for the first time I think ever for my birthday. The word "ice" had been bandied about, and traditionally my even numbered birthdays tend to be lame, but Mom gave me presents in the morning, there was a cupcake theme which was quite delightful. She even took pictures while I was opening stuff, which I don't think has happened since I was maybe ten or twelve. But she and Dad got me nice things, as did my little brother. He was disappointed in the birthday card because it wasn't exactly what he wanted, but listening to him talk about it was better anyway.
I went to dance practice and got a handmade Mirabel-mark card from Christy my dance instructor (Mirabel is her little girl), which was a pleasant surprise. Went home and talked to my grandparents and caught up with them. Checked the numerous facebook messages for my birthday, always fun. Then I went out, and had another slight disaster when I stopped on a downhill stop and all the cupcakes slid off the backseat onto the floor. I almost cried (because I hate that stoplight, it is evil, I don't care if there is a giant church on the corner), but in retrospect, that was the worst thing that happened to me that night, and I can absolutely live with that.
When I got to the bar/restaurant, I was the second person of the group to arrive, and soon two more came, and I found myself surrounded by the Three Wise Bens. It was actually quite amusing. Then Eric and Jillian showed up, followed by Beth, Kelly, Meagan, Cecily, Merinda, and soon began the exchange of people at our table because people kind of came and went, but it was awesome. I booked the table for 25, and we had quite a bit less than that, but it didn't hurt to be prepared. Meagan and Kelly were eventually changed out for Troy and Verity and Joe, and Frank and Julia came but couldn't get in. The bar people were actually very nice and accommodating to our group, and let us keep a few spots for people even after my reservation time expired, so I have to appreciate that. We ate dinner, Eric came dressed as Mick Jones from the Clash (better looking though), and brought me flowers so I can finally cross that goal in life off my list. Let it be known that I have received pretty flowers from a handsome man whom I both like and is not related to me. I was pretty much in the Ben triangle (which is not remotely as dirty as it sounds), Jillian was knitting (actually knitting, also not code for something naughty), and Hat Ben and Cass were playing chess. Kelly and Meagan ate with us, but had to leave before the show, but I was so glad to see them. Merinda ordered me something blue and cocanutty and highly alcoholic, but I drank it because it was fun. Mainly the Ben Triad drinking game was funny.
So the whole point of the evening was the dueling piano show, which I have to say was worth it. My friends all put in the twenty bucks to get me on stage, and I was the very first birthday song of the night, and I'm so glad I was, because it was both hilarious, and because they were still pretty sober at this point so the song's weren't nearly so rude. I'm easily embarrassed enough as it is. The piano guy was checking me out a little (for comedic emphasis? For real? Who can say?) and they sang "Business Time" for me which was quite funny. I hadn't heard it before but now I must have it for my theme song, thank you, Flight of the Conchords.
After that, they played for other people and lots of requests. Eric and I managed to swing out in the room to "Brown-Eyed Girl", which is impressive considering he and I were both less than sober, and the space was tiny. I don't know if alcohol makes us better or worse, but we didn't run into anyone but each other, so hey.
We didn't stay the whole night. Show goes until 1:30 in the morning, but I was personally a little bored after the break, and pretty tired, so when the group started to decamp, I went with them. Just so everyone knows, I was very sober at this point, and safe to drive home. It was also be stupid to die one hour after I'd turned 26. It was after midnight, also, so Eric was able to inform me that the Cardinals sucked again. I went home and tucked in, feeling very grateful to my lucky stars for such good pals.
When the blog continues...Carroll's Oscar bash, birthday week rolls on and we dive into Epic Weekend #2! Stay tuned!