Birthday Madness

I know it has been a while since I've posted, but honestly not a whole lot is going on. I have been going home on the weekends pretty frequently for random activities. First it was to get some space from LA after quitting my job. Then, it was to help Chris move into his new apartment. And last weekend was Labor Day and the prelude to my birthday, so I went home to see family/friends/etc. Unfortunately, not every friend I would have liked to see was actually in town (Rachel :( ) but I had a blast. Friday night kicked off what seems like a week of birthday celebrations all dedicated to me. Friday my parents took Chris and I out to my favorite restaurant in Bako, Cafe Med, and then the rest of the Petrini clan came over for cake and ice cream. Then Chris and I watched Casablanca (finally for me), which I loved. I cannot believe it took me so long to see that movie. Oh well.

Saturday, Chris took me to dinner at what has to be one of the nicest restaurants in Bako, Valentien's. It is one of those places that only has a few options on the menu and everyone is expected to order three courses and a bottle of wine. It was delicious and a fabulous atmosphere. Very fancy! :) Sunday, I met up with my favorite Bako people (Grey, Joy, Tony Sanchez, Jeny, Carly, Becca, and Chris) for dinner at Frugatti's. It was just a really nice, chill evening. We went back to Tony and Jeny's place and played Texas Hold 'Em while watching the Simpsons. I can't think of a better way to spend an evening or better people to spend it with (again, there were a few notable exceptions to my "friend's dinner," as three of my closest friends happened to all be in Northern California).

Monday was my "day off" and Tuesday Natalie and I went to dinner in Pasadena in celebrate the actual day of my birth 23 years prior. Yesterday, I decided to spend the day in Claremont. It was crazy. It felt as though I had never left. Students, professors, administration people that I worked with kept giving me a double take, "Didn't you graduate?" It was great to see people, though. After Nat got off work she and I drove into LA to see Curtains, a musical by Kander and Ebb, the duo behind Cabaret and Chicago. It was AMAZING. As many of you know, I grew up doing musical theatre. Even still, some musical theatre really bothers me. It is too cheesy and over the top and I sometimes find it difficult to suspend my disbelief. However, Curtains was fast paced, exciting, funny, great music, and engaging. But perhaps most importantly to someome with a very short attention span, it was maybe 2 hours long (not including intermission). Speaking of intermission, why don't movies still have an intermission? Are studios afraid that people will leave if given an opportunity? If that is the case, then they should make better movies. But seriously, it is very difficult to sit for three hours at a time. I think at least long movies should have an intermission. Plays/musicals have the right idea.

Anyway, tonight I am having a "LindyGroove" birthday, which should be fun. I am excited, but scared at the prospect of having to participate in the dreaded "Birthday Dance." I have only done it twice (with the birthday person, not as the birthday person) and I think I pretty much embarassed myself both times, albeit one of those times was not my fault.

Well, I have a lot of cleaning to do before this weekend. Hope everyone is having a good week. It is almost over! Huzzah!

~J