I’ve kind of always loved my birthday. It mostly stems from the fact that I grew up with a lot of social anxiety and my birthday always was the one time of the year that I felt I could plan something and expect people to come. And its a day where you can allow yourself just about anything because it’s your birthday.

For instance, you can wear a new pair of fuzzy socks. And a brand new Anthropologie sweater you’ve been saving for months. And stop for a Starbucks mocha in the morning. And get Chipotle tacos for lunch (even though you know you’ll be having a big dinner). And eat several cookies your coworker baked for you and some coffee cake your department bought.

Apparently “allow yourself anything” means “allow yourself to gain 50 pounds in one day.”

So on Tuesday I turned 29. If you don’t know me well are you shocked? See, I am dealing quite wonderfully with the fact that I am a year shy of 30 because I still look 24 or so. I am finally at the point in my life where I love looking much younger than I am.

Since Heather’s birthday us next week we decided to do a big joint party this weekend, but I still made an excuse to have people come out! Because really, who wants to sit at home alone watching American Idol on their birthday?

My theory on birthdays: if it’s on a weekday you get to have two parties.

I met up with a few friends at Volo Wine Bar for dinner and drinks. It’s a nice little place and right down the block from me. Unfortunately a bunch of people had to cancel for various reasons but I still had a few come out.

It was nice to see Nadia and Josh because I hardly ever see them anymore. And Heather and Alyssa came too! I had a flight of whites, a glass of Riesling, some mussels in a garlicky white wine sauce (that I may have finished off like soup), some Wagu Steak Tartare with a sweet sesame cracker, and duck confit. See, your birthday is an excuse to eat anything and everything you desire.

After dinner Nadia and I headed back to my place and Eric and Eric’s friend Adam and Chelsa and Jen came over.

Eric looked through my photo albums but alas I had no dance recitals to show him. He was also impressed that we no longer lived in a frat house.

We busted out the cards for Trivial Pursuit 80s. I told everyone that the game was impossible and that the answer to every other question was Ronald Reagan. Eric read a question. Chelsa said “Ronald Reagan.” She was correct.

Alyssa gave me a present. It was in the freezer with Jack Bauer. I love Jack Bauer. Just sayin.

Turned out to be some high heel shaped plastic ice cubes. In pink. Of course. I put them in everyone’s wine.

We cut the pink sparkle cake and used some candles that were in a candle holder. Heather held my hair back so that I wouldn’t set myself on fire. And I made everyone sing. Again, on your birthday you can get anything you want.

We had lots of dessert wine. OK, maybe I had lots of dessert wine.

Eric left early to go make a porn with Adam. Here’s a sneak peak of it…

Thank you to all those who came out! :-) Happy birthday to me :-)

p.s. by the end of the night my photos were getting really bad…

Saturday afternoon was…
coffee at Julius Meinl.
brunch at Southport Grocery.
Hash with mushrooms and eggs and sour cream.
I picked around the peppers.
Waiting forever for the check and being told that we just had to go up front.
Even though they brought a check to the people next to us.
we swear.
Buying pink sprinkles.
a giant blow up of a drunk guy drinking beer at kinkos.

Saturday night was…
Ron’s birthday party.
Rum and cokes.
Ron taking a piece of cake with no fanfare.
Ron’s tongue turning blue.
A guy telling me the same story about his nickname three times in ten minutes without realizing it.
A guy throwing up and using my coat as a blanket.

Sunday night was…
24 premiere!
Veggie lasagna.
putting together the sky.
Jack wielding an Ax!

Monday was…
baking.
Heather was perplexed by the fact that you could bake a cake without a box of cake mix.
my cake fell apart so we smooshed it together.
And then I covered it in pink frosting.
And then I covered it in pink sugar.
And then I covered it in pink pig sprinkles.

1. Tuesday Chelsa and I headed to BW3s for some wings, because I haven’t been there in forever and I like their wings because I like the selection of mild sauces and I am a wimp.

2. Last night Mat and I went to the iO and saw Felt and another group. It was a really funny program. And he explained how improv worked in a way that made me actually get it. Not that I didn’t get it before but I always thought when the audience yelled out the suggestion of nougat they were supposed to do an improv show about nougat, but apparently they aren’t.

3. American Idol Started again. I watched the first episode and didn’t pay much attention to it. I haven’t watched last night’s episode yet.

4. The 2010 color of the year is turquoise. This makes me happy because everything I own is pale to this shade of blue. And now I will be able to own more.

5. I am in love with this Polaroid. Except I am a little creeped out by their new creative director.

6. Remember when my credit card was cancelled and I thought it was for no reason? I actually think there was fraud and it is still happening! UGH! I don’t know how to deal! There was a random charge on my last statement then it occurred again on this one (this is after my card was replaced so I am so confused!) I called the company and they wanted me to give them my cc number to look up the charges…umm, yeah, I am not handing my number to people who I already think are charging me unfairly! Hopefully the bank can deal with this…

7. I always crave Bonkers and Dynamints. All my favorite candies were discontinued after the 80s.

8. “We’d cover more sky if we stayed split up.”

9. Oh, so I went to see Doctor Pain about my back. He said it was nothing and to just stretch it. I kind of figured but it lasted a long time. It feels better now. I need to make an appointment with a podiatrist next though. I am falling apart.

10. Top Ten Things I want (or have) to spend a lot of money on that I need money for:

1. Backpacking Europe/Australia/New Zealand/etc.
2. Road tripping the U.S.
3. New Camera (Yes, I know I just bought one last year, but if I want to do anything professionally it is wise to have a second body)
4. Canon 35mm 1.4 lens (because almost every photographer I admire says its their favorite)
5. Condo…eventually.
6. Wedding…eventually.
7. Surf Camp. And Swimming lessons (to take before surf camp.)
8. New Computer. Considering switching to Mac because all I do is design work and photography, in which case, new software too…
9. Asia, Africa, Antarctica, everywhere else in the world, etc. etc.
10. College Debt.