Happy belated
Sunday was my golden birthday - my age is now the same as my birth date. These photos are of my twin brother and I on our first birthday. My mother was of the "push them out of the nest as soon as they can and they'll learn" ilk. Plus she was exhausted with twins, so on our first birthday she gave us both bowls of mashed potatoes and our own spoons and let us have at it. She figured we'd figure it out and be feeding ourselves in no time. She was right.
I had a great birthday - I think it's my best birthday in recent memory. I went to New York and visited with some great old friends - one who was a supremely excellent hostess. I ate so very well. I walked so very far. I saw a favorite band play, and they were so very rocking. I also got to meet two blog friends who were generous and kind and fun as I thought they'd be. I am so lucky for the friends I have (new and old) - they make my life much better.
I'm feeling a little overwhelmed my the kindness I've met through this space (and flickr). I was nervous prior to meeting up with Kathleen - I joked with my friend Natasha that it was like a blind date. But I realize now it's like meeting pen pals. You are already friends, you've just never met in person. Kathleen is just as I thought she'd be, and I wish I hadn't suggested meeting at the MoMA, because we were plagued by crowds and it would have been better if we had just found a spot to chat over tea and cookies or something. It was great meeting her and M.A. Peel. I always feel like I'm tripping over myself to talk - I jump around conversation topics because we have such little time together and I have so much to say!
When I finally got back today I had two packages from another blog friend, Meg. Again, I'm just overwhelmed by the generosity and friendship I have found. Thank you all, new, old and in-between friends. Here's to another great year with new adventures.
Happy Birthday, Claire. I'm so sorry I couldn't get down to New York to meet you. But I'm glad you got together with Mrs Peel and Kathleen. You'll just have to come back here soon so we can all sit down somewhere and jump around conversation topics.
Now where's the review of Josh Ritter?
Posted by: Lance Mannion | April 29, 2008 at 12:04 AM
lady! i am heading to nyc this weekend-- any recs?? megxx
PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHAT THE HECK YOU SHOULD'VE SAID SOMETHING SO I COULD'VE AT LEAST SENT A REALLY CRAPPY CHEESY ECARD. just saying. :)
Posted by: Meg | April 29, 2008 at 12:34 AM
It sounds wonderful, Claire! What a way to spend your golden birthday! May we all have eat so very well, walk so very far and then listen to a favorite band.
Posted by: Jennifer | April 29, 2008 at 06:21 AM
Happy B-day, Claire! It sounds like you had a great time in NYC. Jealous!! MA and Kathleen are *great*, aren't they?
Also, it'll be fun when we meet -- if not a little confusing. I also tend to jump around in conversation. We'll have to record it and then YouTube it to see who can and who cannot keep up with us!
Love the shots in this post. Too cute!
Posted by: blue girl | April 29, 2008 at 07:40 AM
Also meant to say....
I'm hoping for some NYC pics over here. I'll bet you took good ones.
Posted by: blue girl | April 29, 2008 at 07:42 AM
Pardon my bad grammar, Claire. It was early and I hadn't had coffee yet... :)
Posted by: Jennifer | April 29, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Claire, that Friday couldn't have made me happier. Hop-around-conversations? When I was too shy to use my real name on my blog, I was the grasshopper. It's been my nickname forever.
Crowds, MOMA's strobe light installations (modern art, everyone), even time and its grotesque demands didn't matter. It was fun! We'll have to do it again. MA, Blue Girl, Jennifer, you, Natasha and your friends: Next up, slumber party at my place. (I'll bake and Manny will clean.)
Posted by: Kathleen M. | April 29, 2008 at 01:24 PM
MA, Blue Girl, Jennifer, you, Natasha and your friends: Next up, slumber party at my place. (I'll bake and Manny will clean.)
Now, that sounds like a plan! I'll bring a plant for your bathroom, Kathleen! :)
Posted by: blue girl | April 29, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Thanks for all the comments! Kathleen, it was so great meeting you! Lance, I wish you could have come (you too BG and Jennifer). Someday!
I'll get photos posted once I get the film processed. I realize now that the film I used was the super-duper expired film my friend Kristen gave me recently. Hopefully it turns out. :)
Posted by: Claire | April 30, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Ok, Claire. I tagged you with an easy meme. Now, stop fooling around and get to it!
lol.
Posted by: blue girl | May 01, 2008 at 03:36 PM
I am glad you had a good birthday. I thought of you on your day and was tempted to fly off to NYC, but couldn't. Next year...
Posted by: Adorable Girlfriend | May 03, 2008 at 03:20 PM