Early Birthday
I turn 39 tomorrow. No big plans for the birthday, and I won't make any big plans because it would be hard to top how great today has been.
This morning began with the Sunday walk with a couple friends. I was a bit nervous about the weather--it was 85 degrees (30 degrees for you metric folks), and very humid. And sunny!
There was a time 60 degrees (18C) and sunny wiped me out. The sun used to sap any energy I had on walks.
Today I thrived! I wanted it to get even hotter and more humid--I wanted to see where my breaking point was. I'm sure I'll find it sometime in June or July, but for today, 12.5 miles in very warm/hot and humid weather was a big accomplishment for me.
Of course it's easy to walk and not think of the heat when you're with good friends. The walk kicked off with my two friends giving me birthday presents that they didn't have to give me, but meant so much to me to the point I struggled to refrain from getting all teary eyed.
Okay, so one of the gifts was a gag gift: four fake tomatoes for juggling. One of the friends shot this video of a real four tomato juggling mishap last weekend:
No more messy mistakes.
The friends also got me a very generous gift certificate for juggling props. I was truly touched and plan to use the gift certificate to get seven beanbags. One of my goals is to get back in shape with juggling 6 and 7 things, and it will be easier to do with props that were a gift from two friends who keep me motivated in so many ways!
The walk was great: a slower pace than usual, but 12.5 miles of great talking and lots of laughing.
I know it's cliche to say the best things in life are free; you couldn't put a price on how much walking with my two good friends means to me.
I'm a very lucky guy!
When I came home from the walk, I was greeted by darthcynthia in one of my favorite outfits she has. Her hair was down and pulled back in a hair slide I love. I was covered in sweat and sunscreen, so I couldn't give her a hug, but it was a great birthday present seeing my sweetie in my favorite outfit looking confident and hot!
Cynthia was dressed nicely because my mom planned to take us out to lunch for my birthday meal. Yeah, tomorrow's my birthday, but the place I wanted to go has a Sunday buffet, and I worked up an appetite walking. Since Cynthia was dressed casually nice, I threw on a dress shirt and blazer and headed off to my mom's place.
We went to the buffet at Ali Baba, in Irving.
The food at Ali Baba is very streamlined and simple, the way I like Mediterranean food. Oh yeah--and garlicy and lemony! Hell, they have a garlic sauce that's like garlic with more garlic.
Their falafel...I wouldn't say it sucks, but it's not what I go there for. (Falafel is one of my favorite foods. I'm not sure I'd even call what they serve at Ali Baba falafel. It's tasty, but it's not falafel to me. When I want a good falafel sandwich, it's the reigning champion of falafel in my book: Yummy's Greek, in Denton!)
All the dips at Ali Baba are wonderful, though, and all the dishes I like there are fresh and yummy. It's simple, the place is very relaxing, and it was the perfect meal for after walking a lot in the heat!
After Ali Baba, we hung out at my mom's place. She made brownies for dessert and we had a blast hanging out and chatting.
Some pictures:
My sweetie and me.
It doesn't show in this photo, but in those heels, darthcynthia is as tall as me.
Another shot of us.
Spending the afternoon with Cynthia and my mom was great. It was another priceless moment today, and I couldn't have written a better afternoon. (Okay, maybe some ouzo...)
I'm a very lucky guy!
So far, it's been a great weekend. My walking buddies took me out for lunch Friday, we got out of work early for the holiday, and then my friends took me out for a couple beers.
Yesterday was a great day with Cynthia, and today was another great day with friends, my mom, and Cynthia.
There's just been something about this weekend so far--it's been one of the best birthday weekends I've ever had.
Did I mention that I'm a very lucky guy?
* * *
EDITED TO ADD:
Walked five more miles with darthcynthia, bringing today's total to 17.5 miles :)
This morning began with the Sunday walk with a couple friends. I was a bit nervous about the weather--it was 85 degrees (30 degrees for you metric folks), and very humid. And sunny!
There was a time 60 degrees (18C) and sunny wiped me out. The sun used to sap any energy I had on walks.
Today I thrived! I wanted it to get even hotter and more humid--I wanted to see where my breaking point was. I'm sure I'll find it sometime in June or July, but for today, 12.5 miles in very warm/hot and humid weather was a big accomplishment for me.
Of course it's easy to walk and not think of the heat when you're with good friends. The walk kicked off with my two friends giving me birthday presents that they didn't have to give me, but meant so much to me to the point I struggled to refrain from getting all teary eyed.
Okay, so one of the gifts was a gag gift: four fake tomatoes for juggling. One of the friends shot this video of a real four tomato juggling mishap last weekend:
Click to viewNo more messy mistakes.
The friends also got me a very generous gift certificate for juggling props. I was truly touched and plan to use the gift certificate to get seven beanbags. One of my goals is to get back in shape with juggling 6 and 7 things, and it will be easier to do with props that were a gift from two friends who keep me motivated in so many ways!
The walk was great: a slower pace than usual, but 12.5 miles of great talking and lots of laughing.
I know it's cliche to say the best things in life are free; you couldn't put a price on how much walking with my two good friends means to me.
I'm a very lucky guy!
When I came home from the walk, I was greeted by darthcynthia in one of my favorite outfits she has. Her hair was down and pulled back in a hair slide I love. I was covered in sweat and sunscreen, so I couldn't give her a hug, but it was a great birthday present seeing my sweetie in my favorite outfit looking confident and hot!
Cynthia was dressed nicely because my mom planned to take us out to lunch for my birthday meal. Yeah, tomorrow's my birthday, but the place I wanted to go has a Sunday buffet, and I worked up an appetite walking. Since Cynthia was dressed casually nice, I threw on a dress shirt and blazer and headed off to my mom's place.
We went to the buffet at Ali Baba, in Irving.
The food at Ali Baba is very streamlined and simple, the way I like Mediterranean food. Oh yeah--and garlicy and lemony! Hell, they have a garlic sauce that's like garlic with more garlic.
Their falafel...I wouldn't say it sucks, but it's not what I go there for. (Falafel is one of my favorite foods. I'm not sure I'd even call what they serve at Ali Baba falafel. It's tasty, but it's not falafel to me. When I want a good falafel sandwich, it's the reigning champion of falafel in my book: Yummy's Greek, in Denton!)
All the dips at Ali Baba are wonderful, though, and all the dishes I like there are fresh and yummy. It's simple, the place is very relaxing, and it was the perfect meal for after walking a lot in the heat!
After Ali Baba, we hung out at my mom's place. She made brownies for dessert and we had a blast hanging out and chatting.
Some pictures:
My sweetie and me.
It doesn't show in this photo, but in those heels, darthcynthia is as tall as me.
Another shot of us.
Spending the afternoon with Cynthia and my mom was great. It was another priceless moment today, and I couldn't have written a better afternoon. (Okay, maybe some ouzo...)
I'm a very lucky guy!
So far, it's been a great weekend. My walking buddies took me out for lunch Friday, we got out of work early for the holiday, and then my friends took me out for a couple beers.
Yesterday was a great day with Cynthia, and today was another great day with friends, my mom, and Cynthia.
There's just been something about this weekend so far--it's been one of the best birthday weekends I've ever had.
Did I mention that I'm a very lucky guy?
* * *
EDITED TO ADD:
Walked five more miles with darthcynthia, bringing today's total to 17.5 miles :)