Today I turned 35, which means I can officially be president of the United States now. It's an awesome responsibility turning 35.
And it has been an awesome birthday! Susanne got me an Ancient Roman coin from 200 AD! She gave it to me first thing in the morning, so my day was way off to a good start. It's a coin from Roman Syria and it bears a portrait of the Emperor Elagabalus, who I've since learned was famous for "eccentricity, decadence, and zealotry." Supposedly he once smothered an entire dinner party to death with rose petals dropped from the ceiling. (It's probably not true.)
Anyway, the coin is 1800 years old and totally cool, and I will carry it with me as a reminder to keep a little perspective.
So then there was work, which was our christmas potluck and a birthday cake for me, and then off to pick up Sam, where Dave and Ericka and Becky and Chelsey gave me a very cool Concrete Blonde DVD (my favorite band.) Then Sam and I met up with Susanne and Jordan and Claudia for Claudia's band concert. It was her very first band concert. They were fabulous. They really had swing!
So then we got takeout and came home and I talked to my Mom and Dad and Grandpa and Grnadma and Andy called too. Then we had cake (each girl plus esposa picked out one aspect of the cake, ie., shape, flavor, color, etc.) and ice cream and presents. I got a very nice card from Don and Anita with a Barnes and Noble card inside (and I am soooo in need of new books) and also a very nice card from Grandma and Grandpa.
Which reminds me, it is Grandpa's birthday today too. So happy birthday to me, *and* Grandpa! It turns out December is a month for people of grace and intelligence to be born in. I highly recommend December for birthdays.
So then from Susanne and the girls I got a Happy Dog the Happy Dog book by the guy who does Dinosaur Comics and also a t-shirt that says "My Baby Got Stole by a Bear Holding a Shark" from the Homestarrunner people. It is just exactly what I wanted and served to push the birthday Good-O-Meter to 11.
(Also, I burned my thumb really badly lighting the candles for my cake, which was admittedly stupid. But hey, I console myself, at least I never smothered my guests in a bed of rose petals.)
Anyway, Happy Birthday to ME and what an excellent birthday it was. Thank you all you wonderful people for making my day so great. I promise not to forget you when I'm president.
(p.s. Ignore the signature tag at the bottom. This was not posted by Susanne. It was posted by me. I am just practicing my plausible deniability.)
Andy and Caeli
