Another Year Around The Sun ...

It was my birthday today. I'm a lot older than I look, but I feel like I'm getting younger. Every year that passes, I seem to need wonder more and more in my life. My metaphors may change, but my hunger for it, and the utter fucking necessary-ness of it, just keeps growing.

The first part of the day was quiet, with E & J at work, but so much love & kindness from my other dear ones. Emails & a blog comment from Nancy. A text from Julia. An email & card from Beth Ann. Tweets from Cara, Erin, Patrick, Tempest & Bug's new friend Sae. I admit, I love being loved.

When the workday ended, there were lovely cards to read and a few presents to unwrap. (The big present was Sigur Ros the other night, of course.) A few Gene Kelly movies. The new Justin Timberlake album. And a little dinosaur named Douglas. Yes, he's a brachiosaurus ...

My birthday dinner, not that this should surprise anyone, was at the PQ, before getting on the road to head to the only place that would make sense for me to have celebrations at this point in my life. Yes ... that means The City for the third time in four nights. Is it any wonder I just want to stay there ...

The traffic on the West Side was unusually stiff, so we took Riverside to Broadway and drove through Times Square at 7pm, which was just as stiff but infinitely more colorful. These are the things which must be obeyed on birthdays ... color, whimsy, and not taking things too seriously!

We got to our garage on 14th street, and walked down 6th to the IFC Center, to see the latest Studio Ghibli flick, From Up On Poppy Hill. Year in and year out, Miyazaki-san and his company produce stories that are unlike anything else you will see. I'm already looking forward to The Wind Is Rising ...

After the movie, we headed back up 6th to 14th to Broadway, where we stopped at Max Brenner's for chocolate. We had planned on sitting, but it was PACKED at 10pm, so we got our Italian Thick Hot Chocolate (or melted brownie in a cup) and went to sit on the steps at Union Square.

What a perfect way to end a birthday, in my necessary city, sitting there at Broadway and 14th eating heavenly chocolate with my family, watching an inept skateborder try to do tricks. I didn't want to leave. I never want to leave. But it was late, and so we left, for now.

Thank you to E & J, for yet another birthday together (give or take 20) and everyone else who loved me and sent me words that told me I mattered to them, that I make a difference on some level. Really, that's the reason to continue onward, isn't it? Love. Always love.