you can see pictures of me turning 1+2+3+4+5+3+2+1+2+3+4+1

Dear Kate,

Happy belated birthday! I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your party. Did you have a good time?

Love,Your Friend Who Couldn't Be There For Any Number Of Reasons, All Of Which Are OK

Dear FriendWhoCouldn'tBeThereForAnyNumberOfReasons,AllOfWhichAreOK,

Why, yes, thank you! I did have a lovely birthday! I started the day by sleeping in (sort of) and wrapping presents. Then I headed out to the spa, where I got about $80 worth of extra treatments because it was my birthday (and because I rock). When I went to pay, I thought the cost of my service (minus the extras) was $100, and I had $91 left on my gift card. When the lovely checkout girl told me that it was $125, I must have blanched to the core (though I don't recall it) because she got on the phone and asked her manager to charge me only $100! Truly appropriate birthday behavior!

I hopped in a cab (mistake) and headed uptown to the Guggenheim, where I met up with Andrea (who bought me lunch -- yay!!). We headed inside and with one quick flash of her Columbia student ID, she was in like Flynn (for free, no less)! I asked the lovely ticket girl if there was a birthday discount, and she looked at me knowingly and asked, "Are you a student?" "Why, yes, I am!" was clearly the right answer, and I got my second discount of the birthday.

After looking at art (getting free commentary from my Columbian Art History/Architecture Grad Student Guide) and discussing boys in great depth, we walked through the park and parted ways on the west side. I headed down to Deacon Brodie's, the bar I had chosen for my birthday celebration, where I was met almost instantaneously by Kate and a slew of Prompt Pals. We had a drink there, and then, half an hour later, they stopped serving us because the bar was closed for a private party.

Someone (who, kate, who???) should probably have called ahead on this one.

We headed across the street to the House of Brews (leaving behind a sign on the door saying "Kate's Birthday Across the Street," which made me feel kind of famous) and ate and drink and smiled and somebody (who, kate, who??) got a tiara.

I had one of the best birthdays I've had in years, possibly since my surprise 17th. I know that part of this was releasing my expectation that hoardes of people would show up and another part was making definite plans with one or two people to ensure that, in fact, someone showed up.

And lots of people did. (who, kate, who??) More people, in fact, than are in these pictures, but somebody was smiling really hard and looked kind of scary those photos, so they won't be making an appearance here. (Note: that's not to say I don't look scary in some of the pictures that are here. I just look less scary.):

Me & Dan, both pretending that I'm short.

Me & Kai, who has his birthday the day before mine, pretending that we love being December babies.

Me & Jimmy. I don't think we're pretending anything. Except maybe that we're not quite so shiny...

Me & Alli. She's pretending to be mysterious and I'm pretending to be sober.

Ave & Tom, pretending they're not about to eat nachos for dinner.

RJ and Ruthann, pretending this wee little dram didn't cost them $13.

me and Kate, pretending that, um, my tiara isn't crooked?

Me & Ruthann, pretending she's not leaving town for half a year in less than two weeks. (sigh)

I can finally say, after way too many parties that fell flat on their faces, that I may have found a way to have an Exceptional Birthday (Even if it is a Week Before Christmas).

Much love,

k8