27 Years Young

Summary
Best birthday present: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ties with bin-bins from Kate, which she brought from Dakar, Senegal. They're beads that you wear around your waist as a compliment to lingerie... something I didn't know existed, but is rather fun!

All-star birthday guest: Carolyn! She came all the way from Philly to spend the weekend with me and we had so much fun.

Yummiest birthday cocktail: Gin and ginger ale (purchased by someone else of course!).


Some people are afraid of their birthdays. I know a girl (woman now I guess) that cries every year on her birthday and she's my age. She's been doing it since her late teens. I can't imagine reacting that way to a birthday. Honestly, they weren't that big of a deal when I was growing up and I still don't think that they are.

That said, I had a great birthday. The actual day was spent nursing a hang over on a day that was perfect for it: a rainy Sunday. The only cake I consumed was mixed into my cotton candy ice cream at Cold Stone along with rainbow sprinkles. It was just too hot and humid for anything but ice cream.

The party the night before was really fun. My close girlfriends joined me for dinner at B Bar on Bowery and E. 4th, which has a really large outdoor space with baby chinese lanterns and trees growing out of the cement. After that, we headed two doors down to Swift, which is my favorite bar. Ronit and I have befriended the manager, Rob, so we always get free shots from him. More people joined us at Swift, and I even managed to miss poor Jenny H., who came after her show and didn't find us in the bar! After that it was off to dance at Sway, another favorite spot. Only a couple of us went to dance, but that was ok. Had our party been larger, I don't think we would have gotten into the club at all. As it was Ronit had to plead with the bouncer and then the hostess to get the three of us in. I wrapped up the night around 5 AM.

Window screens built by hand

I undertook a major (well, depends on how you define major really) project yesterday, which was the construction of custom screens for my front windows. This project has been in the works since the end of May, which is when I first acquired a roll of fiberglass screen. Since then, I've been on the lookout for wood, but honestly, I was just lazy and never really got around to looking for it. Then the complaints came rolling in from my new roommate about mosquito bites and I knew it was time to pick up the project again.

My colleague and friend Amanda gave me the brilliant idea of using painter's canvas stretcher bars as the frame, which come in every length from 8 - 50", so I was able to get the exact sizes after two trips to Chinatown's Pearl Paint (37" tall, 35" wide) and they are already grooved to fit tightly together in a lovely square shape. Amanda loaned me her staple gun and I set to work yesterday afternoon. I completed two of the three screens and they are beautiful if I do say so myself. Tonight I am going to finish the third one and get it installed. The last steps will be to find a little self-adhesive rubber gasket for the sides and to paint them black so they match the windows. Then the place will be bug-free! Isn't that exciting? I thought that Emily would be more impressed than she was when I proudly showed them to her last night, but whatever. She'll be grateful enough when she no longer gets any bug bites.

Maybe I'll take a picture of one and put it up here tomorrow. Keep your eyes peeled for it!

Midsummer Night's Swing

Jung and I strike a pose

My friend Jung, who I met in Vienna and lives in Flint, MI, is in town to visit. On Saturday night we hit Lincoln Center for a sweaty night of salsa dancing. Ronit and my new roommate Emily joined us. As you can see, we girls were all wearing various shades of pink and people kept asking us if we were part of a bridal party or a singing group. It was rather funny. Jung's still in town but staying with another friend now. Tomorrow he's going with me to my German meet-up group, which he's totally pumped about. Should be a good time!

The Pink Ladies--watch for our record soon!

My Thai Vacation Was Fabulous!

With the Buddha at Doi Suthep, a temple on a mountain in Chiang Mai

Ahhh! I've been back almost two weeks and haven't managed to get anything organized to tell people about my trip. Photos are still waiting for captions before I can send out the album. The blog entry can't seem to get done. I have been out and about EVERY night since getting back! Tonight is my first "down" night and I am using it to do my laundry, and hopefully, get a real post and the pictures done.

Phra Nang Beach. Irene's head is the one on the right.

The short and sweet version? Thailand rocked. I love Irene. Asia and Kari Watson can be compatible. Snorkeling can result in fish nibbling and coral injuries. Phra Nang beach has the softest sand of any beach I've ever been to. Everyone who goes to Chiang Mai should take a cooking class and learn to make curry pastes. Thai massages are awesome. I love giant cats (tigers, jaguars, lions, etc.).

My chauffer.

Ok, back to work.