Monday, August 17, 2009

Birthday Weekend!

I began my birthday celebration this morning not with biscuits and gravy, as I would have liked, but with a 5:30 trip to the gym, where I typed in 34 when the eliptical asked me my age. I don't know why the eliptical needs to know my age. But it asks every time. Cheeky.

I actually started the celebration on Friday night. Katie, Laura and I went to the Disney Concert Hall for a Broadway sing along. I LOVE sing alongs. LOVE THEM! First of all, you can always count on a good crowd, because generally people who go to sing alongs are fun. (The exception being people from Orange County. Years ago we went to the Sound of Music Sing Along (the Mother of All Sing Alongs) at the Orange County Performing Arts Center and it was a drag. We were so relieved when it moved back to the Hollywood Bowl.) People who go to sing alongs sing with gusto! And they sway and cheer and hoot and shimmy. It is basically my kind of crowd. The event was held outside the hall in the amphitheater. Have I mentioned how much I love that place? It's just so beautiful. You can look at the hall at any angle at any time of day and you will always get a lovely view. So there we were, in the amphitheater with 300 other people, as the sunset reflected off the walls of the hall, singing, with gusto, songs from West Side Story and Les Miserables the Little Mermaid (Disney, natch). It was wonderful! I may or may not have shed a small tear as we all belted out "I Dreamed a Dream".

And then there was the ice cream social. Thanks so much to everyone who came out!!! You're the loveliest people I know. It was exactly as I hoped...friends, ice cream, pinata, crown and sash, wonderful weather. And bonus, extra ice cream! Come on over for a cone any time.

Last night I had my birthday dinner with the Fam and 5 strangers. Casey is down from school for the next few weeks and he brought along 5 friends for the weekend. I grew up with a couple of brothers and I know how boys can eat, but seeing 6 of them together was like watching one of those food eating competitions. You feel both awed and slightly full just watching them. Impressive.

My plan for today was just work and the Dodger game tonight. But I decided that I wanted to get a Disneyland pass because they knock off a chuck of the price on your birthday. So I asked Chiquita if I could take a 2 hour lunch and she said to just take the whole afternoon. Happy birthday to me!

13 comments:

The Katzbox said...

Happy Birthday!!!

And yes on watching boys eat...yikers! My son recently had four boys over and I cooked spaghetti for them all plus my husband and I. I had to keep my hands down by my sides so as not to lose a limb. It was like dining with sharks. Very hungry sharks. Charming.

Your sing-a-long sounds delightful. You sound right-on about the crowd it would attract. Why would leather-clad, motorcycle-riding, serial killers be drawn to such an event. I'm sorry I missed it.

I'm also sorry I missed that ice cream social. RATS!!!! Rachel, I would have come if I hadn't read about it the day it was happening. Darn this being out of touch....

And I had no idea that you get a discount on the season pass to Disney on your B-day...hmmmmm...my b-day is the day after Christmas...I wonder if it still holds during that crazy time....I would hate to think my b-day is *shudder* blocked or something....

Great post...as always...

big birthday hugs to you my friend!

Wendy said...

Happy Birthday! Did you pull out the special goblet you got a few years ago for occasions such as this? In keeping with a tradition learned form you, I got you an excellent gift, and then decided to keep it for myself. Saves on shipping. Just kidding! I didn't really. But it's a good idea.

Jeanette said...

Happy Birthday! If I lived closer I would have totally brought you Bisquits and Gravy to you so you could eat like a woman of leisure in bed. I would have also attended the ice cream social and loved whacking the pinata. I am so sad I wasn't there for all the festivities.

Glad you had a fabulous birthday!

Anonymous said...

i totally remember that you told me your birthday is august 17. you told me that when i did a post about how good i am at remembering b'days.

however, i thought today was the 16th, so i was so caught off guard when i discovered it was the 17th. had i had my head on straight, i would have wished you a happy b'day earlier today.

anyway, happy b'day!

Chris said...

Happy Birthday!

I'm so jealous about the Disneyland pass. I really miss having a pass and going to Disneyland anytime I want.

AJ said...

Happiest of birthdays, Rachel. I wish you the best and I wish I could be at the sing along next time. I've never been to a sing along but I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to! My sister and I create a sing along for ourselves, but it just isn't the same. And her husband doesn't appreciate it. Good that Chiquita gave you the day off. You should take two, they're small.

Gloria said...

Happy Birthday Rachel! I'm glad to hear you had a great day (well, weekend!) Love Gloria and Alyson!

Valerie said...

So, I see you decided NOT to move the party to Central Park. Hmm. Well, happy birthday, anyway.

p.s. Start walking on the treadmill. They tend to be much less nosy than the ellipticals.

Bronwyn James said...

Happy Birthday Sunshine! Will you eat some cotton candy at Disneyland for me?

Stephanie said...

Happy birthday. I wish I could make you my homemade biscuits and sausage gravy that has more fat than anyone should be allowed to have for breakfast. I lived in the south for 10 years and it shows in my biscuits and gravy.

It pays to have me as a friend sometimes . . . except when you live so gosh-darn far away.

Happy Birthday anyways.

courtney said...

this post made me so happy--sounds like a perfect series of celebrations. happy birthday!

Rach said...

I'm glad you had such a fabulous birthday. I only wish I could have come to the sing-a-long with you (is it presumtuous of me to think you'd want me along?). I've never been to a sing-a-long, but going to a Bon Jovi concert with you was kind of the same thing, except for the drunk guy next to us that kept invading our space while we sang along to Livin' on a Prayer. Or does that happen at sing-a-longs, too? But I digress. Happy birthday. Your card is in the mail. I am glad there was a sash and a tiara.

Laura said...

You are so RIGHT about sing-a-long people! It was such a fun night! I feel so special that you and Katie though to call me! It was hilarious!! I had many favorite moments, but I especially loved our "choreography" during Do You Hear the People Sing!