Birthday (and Halloween) redux

I turned 29 yesterday. I'm not one to worry about getting older (for the most part), primarily because I love to celebrate my birthday. Usually, I try to have a huge party and am subsequently disappointed when I end up with a small party. So this year, I started small, stayed small. Four of us went to dinner at Quartino, which is quickly becoming my favorite restaurant in Chicago. We drank too much wine, ate too much food, talked about babies, relationships, school...got a little rowdy and offended people at the next table...and generally had an amazing time. I don't think I've ever had a group of girlfriends that felt as solid as these girls do for me.

I can't quite give up on my love of big, rowdy birthday celebrations, though, so I'll be having a second celebration on Nov. 13 after I read at the Hull House. My sister Carla will be in town, and a lot of folks will already be around for the reading, so it just seemed like a better day for a big party. I'm looking forward to that, too.

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And it wouldn't be right if I didn't mention Halloween. Four of us dressed up as smurfs and went to the costume parade on Halsted street. We were nearly celebrities...everywhere we went, people shouted: "Look, it's the smurfs!" and asked to have their picture taken with us. But really, the best part for me was checking out all the drag queen costumes. I have a bit of a secret obsession. The best was the human disco ball, who I unfortunately couldn't get a very good picture of.

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I did more socializing this past weekend then in the whole month prior, so I'm quite exhausted today and even further behind in my work. I guess that means I should sign off and get to it.

Happy November, folks!

All Saints

Everyone thought I'd be a Halloween baby, and sometimes I think I should have been. When I was a kid, everyone dressed up at my birthday parties anyhow. Alas, I was born a day late.

I celebrated with my family last weekend, but tonight, I'm going salsa dancing with my new Chicago friends. Hopefully I don't break an ankle.

Happy Birthday to Karen, too!

Sweet November

I have been 27 for 4 minutes. Yay! I love my birthday a little more than any self-respecting adult should. I make sure everyone knows about it weeks ahead of time so I never have to be one of those sad people moping around saying, "No one remembered my birthday." If someone forgets, it is my own fault.

I just got home from celebrating with some friends from school. This was one of the best bday parties I've had in a long time. Why? Because usually I try to do something elaborate, but today we just did the usual - Pints after class. Friends, thanks for the drinks and for celebrating with me!

Hey Jay--you look pretty tall in this picture! You should hang out with me and Mary all the time!

Birthday Horoscope

Just what I needed to read today:

You always get what you want eventually, but right now you have to pay a few dues. Fortunately, you have the strength of mind and the physical stamina to deal with way more than this. Have faith and you'll come through fine.

Leave it to Yahoo Horoscopes to set the right tone for my birthday.