Birthday Friday: Yeah, it was yay.

I turned 43 today. I'm not afraid of it. It doesn't bother me. I'm 43. See? I said it again. FORTY-THREE! And it was an excellent day! I did have to work this morning, but it wasn't too bad and leaving at noon meant traffic was a breeze. 

My first stop was Pluto's and I had a yummy salad while enjoying the 70 degree weather. Yeah. SEVENTY DEGREES! In February!! This is why I love California. 

Next I walked further into Santana Row and spent some time at Burke Williams having a divine facial. I left there completely relaxed and wishing I could visit every day. Pure joy.

From there I journeyed across Winchester to the old Century dome theatres (now the Winchester something or other) and saw The Fighter. Wow. GREAT movie. I can't believe I waited this long to see it. It's deserving of everything it's nominated for and everything it wins. Also, the popcorn was yay.

When that was over I wandered back to Santana Row and met my friend Marcie and her daughter Ashley at The Counter for dinner. The burgers are always good, but let's be honest, I really only go there for the sweet potato fries. Tonight however, I got an extra bonus because Ashley made me a cake. And not just any cake, but a divinely decorated Happy Bacon Birthday cake - YES! Seriously, could this be any cuter? No. It could not. 









We roamed about the Row after dinner, then I came home and opened presents and cards from my family and I can honestly say this has been an excellent birthday! I'm so thankful to the 100+ people who posted Happy Birthday wishes on my Facebook wall, and to the numerous others who tweeted, called or sent me a text (text'd?). I am truly blessed.


Finally, I decided to continue a tradition I started two years ago by re-doing the whole iPod/iTunes shuffle and seeing how things have changed. I selected this year's songs from the Recently Played section of iTunes, so this is what I've been listening to obsessively for weeks, months, maybe even since last year. In case you don't remember last year's version, you can check it out here. Or the year before, here. It's a little cheesy, but then again, so am I.


ENJOY!

Opening Credits:
Where Are You Tonight - Todd Carey

Waking Up:
Your Love Is A Song - Switchfoot

First Day at School:
Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day

What Your Friends Think of You:
My Only One - Plain White T's

What You Think of Your Friends:
Drawn Out - Dishwalla

What You Think of Your Best Friend:
Hurricane - Thirty Seconds to Mars

What You Like in a Boy:
Always - Switchfoot

Falling in Love:
Start A Fire - Ryan Star

Fight Song:
The King Of Cliche - Todd Carey

Breaking Up:
Photograph - Todd Carey

Prom:
Today, Tonight - Dishwalla

What You Wanted to Be When You Grew Up:
Enough To Let Me Go - Switchfoot

Life:
Party Up - Brandon Mychal Smith

How You Describe Yourself:
Cry Out To Jesus - Third Day

How You Feel Today - Your Birthday!:
Friends, Lovers or Nothing - John Mayer

Mental Breakdown:
Sing It Out - Switchfoot

Your Life's Purpose:
Revelation - Third Day

Your Motto:
Feel - Matchbox Twenty

What You Think About Often:
Suspended - Matt Nathanson

Your Hobby/Interest:
Give Me The Meltdown - Rob Thomas

Your Biggest Fear:
Last Train Home - Ryan Star

Your Biggest Secret:
Holiday - Green Day

Driving:
Gotta Be Next To You - Todd Carey

Flashback:
Masterpiece - Todd Carey

Getting Back Together:
Don't Waste The Pretty - Allison Iraheta f/Orianthi

Wedding Scene:
Hallelujah - Todd Carey

Your Wedding Dance:
New Morning - Alpha Rev

What You Think of When You See the Love of Your Life:
The First Day - Todd Carey

Birth of Child:
Assassin - John Mayer

Life Story:
The One - Brandon Heath

Final Battle:
Count On Me - Bruno Mars

Death Scene:
A Beautiful Lie - Thirty Seconds to Mars

Funeral Song:
Losing Your Memory - Ryan Star

End Credits:
American Idiot - Green Day

Blogging New York...Day Six...

Home sweet home...that's where I am now, after a long afternoon and evening and night of travel after another half day in The Big Apple. I had an amazing week and can't wait to go back!

I met an old friend for breakfast this morning at the famous Carnegie Deli. It definitely lived up to the hype, from the old school waitresses to the fact that they only took cash - good thing we had some! But the highlight for me, no doubt, was the "side" of bacon. Seriously. SIDE. 

My friend and I wandered around a bit and had a good time catching up, but then I took my last subway ride back to the hotel and got on the Not-So-Super Shuttle to the airport. 

I knew the traffic would be bad since it was Friday afternoon of a holiday weekend, but I didn't realize I'd barely make it to my flight. When I flew in, it took about an hour to get from JFK to my hotel. Going back it took more than 2 1/2 hours. I was less than pleased and was very thankful the Jet Blue terminal was not busy or I would have been hosed. The driver pulled up to Terminal 5 at approximately 5:01pm - less than an hour before my flight was supposed to take off. For those of you that have traveled with me or know me at all, you know my head was about to explode. I got to the gate about 5 minutes before they started boarding - barely had time to visit the little girl's room and get a snack. The best I could do was a pack of Lunchables.

The flight left right on time and, hallelujah, the seat next to me was empty. That was most yay, as it appeared to be the only empty seat on the plane. I was on the last row, so I got to hear a lot of the flight attendant chatter, which was a real treat. Jeremy is apparently based in New York, but he only moved there because of his boyfriend who he just broke up with so now he's stuck, and he's staying with a friend, but you know, it's not the same, and blah blah blah...female flight attendant whose name I didn't ever see seemed sympathetic but she definitely had a 'tude when she walked the aisles. She definitely thought she was cooler than the rest of the world, and I did not approve. I kinda wanted to trip her, but I refrained. 

My Lunchables were actually quite tasty, and I felt pretty satisfied with them...until I went to put the plastic container back in its box and spilled all the turkey water/juice/fluid on my pants. Yeah. That was awesome. And wet. I was forced to get up and visit the bathroom to see if I could at least dry it a little with some paper towels. It was a special highlight.

Some other notes from the flight:

1. bags of snacks may explode during flight and spread cheese-flavored snacks all over the floor; just ask the woman in the row in front of me
2. someone could sell cheap headphones in the gate area for $1 and make some money since they sell for $2 on the plane and they don't take cash
3. the announcement about getting off the cell phones is clearly useless; multiple people were still talking on them when we were backing away from the gate; they are much firmer about this on Southwest

I was psyched when the plane landed 35 minutes early, thinking I'd get home earlier than originally planned. But the problem with landing early? They have no gate for you. And you know what happens then? You wait. On the plane. And when they finally get you a gate? Yeah. It's about the time you were supposed to arrive in the first place. And also, that gate is the farthest one from the baggage claim. But, I'm now, and clearly more awake than I thought I was. Of course, the Coke and popcorn I just inhaled might be part of the problem.

Anyway, here ends the New York blogging...a great week was had and now I'm looking forward to a long weekend before heading back to the work world...Happy 4th of July everyone! Celebrate safely.