Wednesday, July 11, 2012

A Shared Birthday

Deb: I LOVE my birthday. My husband started this particular birthday as per ush, with “Birthday” by the Beatles blasting as I emerged from my cozy bed. I did, as is my wont, proceed to dance about the house punctuated with the joy of another birthday bestowed. Lovie me m’ birthday, I do! I followed my birthday dance workout with my husband’s blueberry pancakes and tea.

Then my husband and I got on our bikes and partook of a long and lovely ride through the ravine below us, and it was sweet and it was warm, and it was sun and shade, and fuck my legs hurt! Come on legs!!!! Why are you hurting? You work out with me every day!!!! Is a bike so different? And, if it is … why? Or ... tell me beforehand. Warn me! The shock of it freaked me out. Okay ... on with the story.

My husband laid out the world of possibilities for me on my special day and I chose peace. My original plan for my birthday was a city tour brimming with new experiences. But on the day, on the actual day, I knew what I needed for my 58th birthday and gift ... thy name was peace. And I woke up and grabbed me a piece of that peace. I did some sitting and some reading and some puppy belly rubbing. I had a day of nothing special and everything special. It was a huge revelation for me that I actually chose ... whatever! Come what may. In the moment. Peace baby peace.

Birthday. Birthday. Gift to me.

So. With a day spent outside and in our pool, with my kisser in a book and my toes in the sun, I reveled. And afterwards went willingly into the shower to fancy myself up for dinner. And we visited my parents on our way to dinner and I said to my Mom (given that she was shocked to see us) that I just wanted to see them on my birthday. Her response was, “Well, I was the first one to see you on your birthday!” True. I had celebrated with Mom and Dad a few days before at a BBQ at our home, but I just wanted to give them a smooch, you know?

And we arrived at our wonderful dinner, after a parking episode which deserves it’s own blog but for the moment will go unrecorded. Suffice it to say, we had many laughs, managed our way uphill to the restaurant, ate well, chatted much, and finished the evening with a dessert devoted to the lady of the hour—Nasim—which was the name on my birthday dessert. And so Nasim, if you are out there, and were perhaps treated to a Happy Birthday Deb cake, I can only hope you appreciated the mistake as I did—with some howling tearful laughter and the thought that maybe we were somehow meant to connect.

Happy Birthday, Nasim! Deb loved your cake!




Barbara: Deb, as you know, this birthday perfection—and especially the final (hilarious) touch—made me so happy for you. But the one (trivial) question I never asked you: is it possible that Nasim is a guy??? This makes the idea of a stranger getting YOUR cake even funnier!



66 comments:

  1. wow sounds like you celebrated a birthday like it should be celebrated . what a nice day you had .

    i must say too that blue dress you had on is a lovely colour and suits you very nicely .

    this Nasim has sent me off to the hospital with a smile on my face . as barbara says i wonder how Nasim reacted especially if he was male.

    have a good day !

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    1. You know Linda I never even thought of that fact! How funny for a guy to get Happy Birthday Deb on his cake!

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  2. sorry that should read the Nasim mishap :-)

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  3. Peace!! sounds like you made a lovely Birthday choice Deb (although the bike ride through the ravine sounds great too) a holiday in your own backyard. How often do we allow ourselves a day in our own backyard with a good book, just relaxing and enjoying our home and the peace of it.....Love your Blue dress and the PINK SHOES!!!!Looks like you had a wonderful birthday! Cheers! xo

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    1. I did Jo, it was a needed day. A gift for Deb...or Nasim!

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  4. Sounds like a lovely day Deb just the way a birthday should be, and the cake well that's just the icing isn't it!

    I've got something exciting to share or at least exciting for me. I've made the decision to go back to school. I finally got my high school transcript yesterday(wow does that seem like a lifetime ago) and have my official starting point on my way to something new. I unfortunately need to go back to the high school level first and bring my abysmally low senior physics and chemistry marks up first but I signed up for evening courses as soon as I got my transcript and I'm now ready to go. I'm a little nervous about if I even remember how to study or how I'm going to find the time and I've also discovered a real dislike for the term "mature-student" but I'm going to give it a shot!

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    1. Erin, kudos to you for going back and finishing something you once thought of starting.

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    2. Erin this is FABULOUS! Wow, kudos to you girl. You must be so thrilled with yourself right now!

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    3. Hooray Erin! Best of luck to you.

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    4. Awww... All the best Girl..!!! you're gonna be FANTASTIC!

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    5. Best of luck, Erin! I have never heard the term "mature-student" before. I have had several classes with students that are older than me, but it isn't something that is really talked about. We are all just students, trying to find the time to study, eat, do laundry,and possibly have 5 mintues to relax (although that may not happen)!
      Just a little advice on studying: Try to avoid using flash cards to study. Some teachers may suggest it, but flash cards are for short-term memory; they will work for a quiz the next day, but not for a major exam that covers several weeks of material.
      Best of luck!!

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    6. When you are middle aged, "flash" card takes on a whole new meaning Steph! ;-)

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    7. Erin, congratulations on making such a big decision and going through with it!

      I don't know what you'll specifically be studying, but I found in the world of science that flow charts work wonderfully.

      Cell starts here--->does this--->then this--->then THIS-- = Done!

      History can work this way, english. Maybe even math.
      Start w/ 12--->divide by-->add to --->answer.

      That is the kind of organized thinking I needed. Whether this does it or not, I hope something works for you.

      Best of Luck!!

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    8. Wow, Erin! What brave, exciting news! This is so cool!

      I wish you were close by. I used to work as a math and science tutor at a college. What science did I tutor? CHEMISTRY!

      For fun and learning, are you familiar with the Periodic Table of Videos?

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxZBZQaMcoI&feature=plcp

      It's a fabulous online chemistry resource from The University of Nottingham over in England. They address elements, molecules, reactions, and vocabulary terms and go on cool chemistry field trips. And, PTOV has a sister program for physics called sixtysymbols. You can follow Brady Haran (the filmmaker) on Twitter at @periodicvideos .

      Periodic Table of Videos:
      http://www.periodicvideos.com/
      and, the YouTube channel:
      http://www.youtube.com/user/periodicvideos

      sixtysymbols:
      http://www.sixtysymbols.com/
      and, the YouTube channel:
      http://www.youtube.com/user/sixtysymbols

      I love, love, love the PTOV folks, especially Brady and the Professor, because they long ago "adopted" my geekling and have been so gracious toward Eddie. My son is very much a bullied outsider at school: the peculiar, brilliant, enthusiastic, energetic, clever, different boy (autism spectrum) with the incredible imagination and sensory filtration issues, verbal processing disorder, and low tolerance for frustration. *sigh* And, these dear chemists over in England have given him a precious dose of being an insider. They have given him geek street cred. ;) *warm fuzzies* *bursting mommy heart* Martyn Poliakoff is pretty much a rock star in our household. lol

      http://www.flickr.com/photos/periodicvideos/4229689492/in/photostream

      http://periodicvideos.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/one-of-our-biggest-fans-at-periodic.html

      Inspired by both PTOV and Mythbusters, Eddie even had a chemistry themed birthday party one year! All of the young guests got to experiment with Diet Coke, Mentos, and rock salt.

      Anyway, seriously, Erin, if you need chemistry help, email me! Barbara and Deb can give you my email address behind the scenes (please!). And, I'll give you my phone numbers via email. I hope you have a GOOD experience with chemistry this time!

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    9. Erin!! Congrats and good luck. So inspired!!

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    10. Thank you all so much for the support! I knew I'd get some sharing this news here but you all exceeded my expectations! I'm so nervous but classes don't start until September 3rd so I have a bit of time to adjust to the idea.

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    11. Congrats Erin, and the best of all possible luck to you. You'll do great! :)

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  5. Deb, loved the blue dress and of course those pointy, pointy, pointy shoes. My feet would not even get into those shoes let alone allow me to wear them for 10 seconds.
    Loved the cake story. Did anyone mention to the server about it? Unless Nasim means something else to go along with the restaurant or the chef's native language it was a joyful mistake.
    I have a cake story you might enjoy. When I was in Turkey, (my birthday being Halloween), I wanted to celebrate with other guests at the B and B so I asked the owner if she could get a cake made. She answered sure just write what you want on a piece of paper.
    I wrote choc/choc icing and my name. Yep you guessed it- my cake came and it said Happy Birthday Madge choc/choc icing right on it. We all enjoyed a great laugh as we ate.
    I saw Colin last night on the new TV show. He was terrific. I also pre-ordered two tickets for his show here in Los Angeles in August. Maybe you will come with him and you can visit with me and I will take you back to the places you loved when you lived here. I will know in a few weeks if I get the tickets. They go to subscription folks first before they let the general public buy them.

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    1. Madge this made me howl! Soooooooo funny! Thanks for watching the show Madge. Yes I thought it was great. So glad you got tickets. Maybe I will come! I don't usually. We'll see! Thanks for the offer!!!!!!!

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    2. Hilarious!! You hear these stories, but almost can't believe them -- until they happen for real to a friend.

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  6. Awwww Deb First off...LOVE.YOUR.DRESS..(And I love anything in Blue!!) And you gorgeous Girl...... You look ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING!!!!!!!

    Ahhhh I spend my Birthday the same way...Just have one intention "HAVING FUN" and I just let the day unfold. Then It could mean visiting a local and very spiritually vibrant temple or singing 500 miles (in my Wonderfully designed Scottish Accent) with my deranged buddies!! And Believe me... When people spend more time with me THEY GO CRAZZZZZY !! Sorry too late for you :D

    OMG... and the Nasim thing So Funny!!! Well From what I know Nasim is a girl's name...but what if Barb is right? what if it is a guy?? LOL. I read it on your FB wall few days ago and kept wondering...."WHO THE HELL IS NASIM ??? AND WHY IS DEB EATING HER CAKE??? ...AAAAHH, maybe she was REALLY hungry!"...And now I know what it ACTUALLY meant...BAHAAAHAHAAAA!!!

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    1. P.S. I have the EXACT SAME GLASSES !!!!!

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    2. I actually thought that when I saw your glasses Shalaka! Yes-having fun and letting the day unfold. Works for me!

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    3. So cool... I never realized that I bought those !!! lol I thought they were like Colin's !!! :D HAPPY ACCIDENT, EH ?

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  7. LoVe the dress
    LoVe the Shoes
    Love the clutch
    LoVe the sexy tousled hair!!!!
    AND LOOK AT THOSE LEGS!
    LoVe the Story
    LoVe LoVe YOU!

    Miss you truly madly deeply! Cant wait to travel with you in November. I need my Deb fix. :)

    xoxox
    Seana

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    1. I'll just say AMEN!! and by November if you mean INDIA, I can't wait to see you guys either! :D

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    2. Yes yes Yes! Cannot wait till November with Seana and a special guest appearance by Shalaka!

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  8. Glad you had a wonderful birthday, Deb. :) I can absolutely relate to wanting a peaceful birthday, as I sometimes feel that way too. Fab pictures, too! And what's a birthday without lots of laughter? I hope Nasim saw the funny side as well. :) xoxo

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    1. Yes Roz. And the cow. The cow was a bonus too!

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    2. Oh, and adding my appreciation of Trust Us! Absolutely hilarious! Luckily it's been posted online so we get to watch it over here. I didn't want to miss out! I'm so looking forward to watching more - the episode I was in the audience for was a cracker. :D Tell Colin that he's still my favourite. ;) xo

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  9. Wow sounds like you had a great birthday Deb..

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  10. I'm so happy you had a wonderful birthday. You look amazing. You have a most wonderful attitude towards birthdays. Some people don't like them or don't like to share them, but you take the day and enjoy every single minute. Loved your biking story. Hope your legs recovered quickly.

    I watched Colin's new show, Trust Us with Your Life, last night. It was so much fun. Some fun old games, some fantastic new ones... Colin was amazing, as always. Tell him congratulations from me. I look forward to next week.

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    1. While we were watching Colin's performances on Trust us with your Life, my husband commented, "No wonder Colin's always throwing out his back." It can't be easy doing that sideways game, although I have to admit, it is one of our favorite new games to watch.

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    2. Molly thanks and I will tell Colin you loved it. And yes no wonder he throws his back out right????? Sideways game is so great isn't it? Thanks for watching Molly!

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  11. What a lovely day you had! Just perfect for a B-day. Little mishaps always makes the day. :) I remember when I was living abroad, I would always have to spell my name. Once I gave my passport as a model for them to write my name (it was a schools official card) and when I looked at the card, I noticed that they misspelled it anyway! :) Oh well, the way it was now spelled helped others say my name correctly. Funny thing, that still makes me smile after all these years.

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    1. Glad your name thing still makes you smile Kasku! Don't you love those stories of your life that make you smile years after? I think Nasim will!

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  12. LOVE that dress!!! Blue is my favorite color! Sounds like an ideal birthday to me. If I had it my way, it'd be pizza and obnoxious music/really long movies.

    BTW, Trust Us With Your Life premiered last night. HIIIIIIIIIIIIIILARIOUS!!!! Holly and I LOVED it!!! Looking forward to it next week! :D

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    1. Thanks Kelly I love that dress too! So glad you liked Trust us! I did too!!!

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  13. Wow, Deb! What a lovely birthday you had, my dear! So happy that you had such fun and peace on your special day. I can't wait to hear about the parking thing! And the cake looked so yummy! I can't believe the name mix up! Ha! Things like that just make a great day even better!!

    P.S. Trust Us With Your Life was fantastic! Loved it and looking forward to next week! Colin was wonderful, as usual!

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  14. Steph thanks so much. I will pass all these compliments over to Colin!!!!

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  15. Deb! Those pictures!!! WHOA SEXY MAMA!!!!!

    So, so, so glad you had a PEACEFUL day. You most definitely needed it! Mmmmmmmm, a book and sunshine on toes? Niiiiiiiice!!!

    I'm squeeeeeeeeeee'ing because Trust Us has posted online! (At least, it has here in the US.) It's on hulu. I'm watching it this afternoon! :D :D :D

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    1. Thanks Rigel!!! So glad you got to see Trust us on line.

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  16. What a great way to celebrate your birthday! That is too funny about the cake. I love the blue color of that dress. The hemline is different, but I'm no fashionista. I'm sorry your legs hurt, but they sure look hot!

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  17. Thanks Eileen. You are very observant. The hemline is not hemmed at all. It is frayed silk.

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  18. That sounds like a wonderful birthday. Would like to spend mine just the way you did. :)
    I love that blue dress!

    And I really want to know how Nasim is...maybe he/she didn't get a birthday cake at all :( What if it was a present for the chef's girlfriend/boyfriend (with all the little hearts), and the waiter stole it from the kitchen...

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    1. Becki I think we could forge on and find any number of great scenarios. I think however that the truth might be really boring. The waiter did not bring the cake, his assistant did and as soon as the waiter realized what happened he ran to our table feeling so bad, until he saw us laughing and loving it. I think the guy who brought it might have been a nubie!

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  19. Oh, I found the first episode of "Trust us with your life" on youtube...

    For all the people, who can't watch it on TV...

    Part 1
    www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkgvKkhJ3GE

    Part 2
    www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oPAdQszyhI

    (You can delete the links, if it's illegal or something)

    The show is awesome! :D Especially loved the sideway scene. :D

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    1. Yes-sideways scene is awesome!

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    2. The sideways scenes are my favorite!!!

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    3. Oh yay! I was going to check youtube for it today! I wish I could tune in on tv and give my bit to the ratings but for a NZ tv to get it there'd have to be some kind of magic going on =)

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  20. Deb, I'm glad you found your definition of peace and were able to spend your day relaxing in it. One of the loveliest gifts you can get is the one you give yourself. Cliche, perhaps, but it also happens to be true.

    I'm with the crowd who thought "TUWYL," as I'm sure it will be shortened to in the chat world, was absolutely hysterical.
    Please let Colin know we love it, in case our tweets get lost in the shuffle. :D

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    1. I will let him know but I think he has been following as best he can and is grateful for the praise for the show. Or as you said Dawn-for TUWYL!

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  21. I googled the name Nasim. It seems to be that of a female, and there is one well-known lady, Nasim Pedrad, who is currently part of the SNL cast.
    Perhaps the restaurant mixed up plates of their lady comedians? :D

    The cake story I've heard is about a woman who ordered a birthday cake for her husband, a chocolate cake with his name on it.

    Cake she got said "Happy Birthday His Name."

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    1. That is so funny Dawn. If only my cake had said Happy Birthday Tina Fey!

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  22. (Separating this so it's more obvious to other readers here)

    http://www.cakewrecks.com/

    You will laugh your ass off seeing and reading about these cakes.

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    1. Love the cake wrecks site. Endless amounts of LMAO to be found there!

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    2. wow! Wrecks indeed!!!!!! So funny.

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  23. just a quick note to say the internet was my friend after all . i found the pilot and the current episode of trust us with your life . i am just finished watching the Serena Williams episode . it was total and utter class . I am looking forward to seeing the next one . Colin is so cool .

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    1. Thanks Linda! Funny wasn't it? And she was so charming.

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  24. So glad you had a blast and shared some pics with us!! Are you in a park full of cow statues!?!? Looks cool : )
    Loved TUWYL : )

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    1. Yes Kelly a park full of cow statues right in the middle of downtown nestled between giant office buildings.

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  25. So glad you had a good birthday, Deb. The cake story was ever so neat, and you looked very pretty in your blue dress. (I wish I could say I liked the shoes as well, but something about shoes that pointy bothers the heck out of me. Like nails on a chalkboard, for some reason...)

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  26. That's okay April, you don't have to like them. I adore pointy shoes but I hate nails on a blackboard!

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