23

Last few minutes of my birthday. It was truly a lovely one. Having a spring break birthday, it's always been difficult to coordinate a celebration where lots of people can attend. I recall my 13th and 18th birthday parties being big smash hits at home, probably an influence in my affinity for dance parties. Those two had close to 40 people each, but usually it's much more meager, maxing out around 15 if I'm lucky. My last two (21 and 22) were bad weather, weekends when people left, you name it. It always got me in a tizzy that I'd put something together and no one could come, or worse, just blew it off.

But the truth is I love planning events. I love making the guest list, finding a venue, sending out invitations, receiving RSVPs, the menu, the soundtrack, getting all dolled up. It's great fun for me to put a group of people together for something special. It feels like a departure from the grind, and those are so precious to me these days.  (Secret is, I'd love to be an event planner at some point...) This year I knew it was important to do something but I had no idea how great it would be.

So, today. I'd taken a vote and brunch won. One of the owners of my restaurant- Carmine Club Cafe- convinced me to have it at work, as we've just started brunch. So my group was sort of a guinea pig. We organized a family style thing: plates of scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, bacon, sausage, grits, and spinach salad with bottomless mimosas, bellinis, and bloody geishas (sake instead of vodka). I did my whole planning routine and 15 showed. My good friend Mackenzie got the flu suddenly, but she'd come in to Carmine the night before to surprise me- sweet girl! It was a wonderful and random group, but turns out some people knew each other without me. We all got along famously and were there for the better part of 4 hours! It was nice knowing my way around, getting extra plates and silverware, being able to ring up our check on my own. :) Funny though, when I heard "Hands!" in the kitchen my radar went off and I had to stop myself from running plates. The food was delicious and everyone raved. Success!

It was a beautiful day in the city, if a bit cold. Blue skies and sunshine. There were lots of unexpected presents too, and I was overwhelmed with the Facebook/text message/technology generation love I received in addition to a good, old-fashioned, wonderful birthday. I spent a total of 2 hours on the phone with various family members and friend-family members, bought myself a lottery ticket, and lounged at home. I've been so happy all day. I told a few stories about Dad at brunch and there was a new tone to my sharing. I didn't feel the need to explain, or pause, or change the subject, it just came to me. I wished for him all day, and I think he was there.

That's all folks! Big audition weeks coming up, keep me in your thoughts and prayers that I BOOK A GIG!! And for my photo, this is my favorite picture of myself. You'll see in the time stamp, I'm 24 hours old in my mother's arms. She says that still feels like yesterday.