update

By special request, I post a post-birthday post (say that 10 times fast), admitting that my birthday this year was not nearly as traumatic as I predicted. In fact, it was rather nice - thanks to the creative efforts of a certain rather nice team of individuals, to whom I wish to say thanks.

Grandma. Kyle. Kelly. Rob. Avery. Liam. Darcie. Dean. Uri. Ivan. It wouldn't have been the same without you.

So, the day started off well when I awoke and realized I was still alive, which is always a nice way to start a birthday I'd say. Then a bunch of work stuff, which went fine (which I wouldn't have expected, it being my birthday and all).

Lunch at Manteo with my grandma followed (we share the Big Day) and - surprise of surprises, she actually loved the venue, tolerated the food, AND had a lovely time, all at the same time, which is (believe me) rare when it comes to going out to eat anywhere with her.

Kyle showed up just after 5 p.m. with a shroud of secrecy about what the evening would entail. At close to 6 p.m. we headed out - where? I wasn't supposed to know - - although I guessed accurately that it was Ozeki's when we turned Right on Spall. Didn't guess, however, that the whole gang would be waiting there for us, ready to gorge on apple and yam sushi (my two favourites), green tea ice cream and other yummy things, and just be together and have a good time. Which we did.

Then we parted. I thought we were done. But - SURPRISE! - where am I taken (the veil of secrecy continues) but to Planet Laser for a rollicking couple of games of LASER TAG!!!! And yes, I totally kicked butt (with the exception of "Jetboy" Liam).

I only found out later that, while I was slurping coffee with Kyle at Starbucks afterward, Rob and Kelly and the kids were hiding in the dark in my house, thinking there was ice cream cake - which would have been kewl as well.

But it was a very good evening, with an exquisitely memorable end. No mishaps, no tragedies, no disappointments or regrets. In the words of a new friend, Adeja, "I'm sure you are on a new cycle of happy, wonderful, lucky birthdays."

I have a feeling she's right.