On the imminent death of my 34th year on this plane....

Last year, my Dad called prior to my birthday and asked, "what do you want for your birthday?" I thought about it while on the phone and realized I didn't have a clue. I told him I would call him back. Later it dawned on me that all I really wanted at that time was a juicer. I called Dad and said, "All I want is a juicer." It sounded simple. Apparently finding the juicer was not as easy as the request for it. Dad graciously and dutifully scoured the stores and procured 1 juicer. I love it.

This year, I decided to send out a list. Ah yes, the recently popular "Wish List". At any rate, I made it up, sent it to family that I thought might find it useful. My Dad's only reply was "I got your list. I'm not sure I could find any of the things you asked for, and even if I did I might get it wrong, so...." Dude. My dad could find a way to make peeling a banana difficult. Dad, if you're reading, I love you...but life is a lot simpler than you make it out sometimes. I'm just sayin'.

So, here's the list. I thought it a) was comprehensive, b) spanned a variety of price ranges and shopping locations and c) was creative to the point of amusement. Apparently so did my Mom's boyfriend, because this morning he sent me the attached picture in response to my #9 request. It was a sincerely thoughtful gift and one which I will cherish for many years to come. I've really got to print it out and hang it somewhere, because it just can't go unseen by the rest of the world.

1. iTunes gift cards could be quite useful
2. "Portable Kitchen" - re-issue of a 50's model bbq pit that is just brilliant
3. Talking Book:Limited Ed. - Stevie Wonder CD (release date 1972 - Motown)
4. Multicoulored ball point pens (never mind what I need them for :)
5. Pedicure or Manicure gift certificates...to anywhere...we have "Classy Nails" here in BTR.
6. Any Bert's Bees products
7. Money to help fund the impending Sushi gorging of all time...next Friday at Ichiban's around 7:30ish if you're in town :)
8. Writing journals...you can never have too many...as has been proven by my paternal Grandmother.
9. Jumpin' Jesus on a Pogo stick...I just want to see if anyone really knows where to get one of these...or if it's just an exclamation without basis.
10. A new Jesus for the dashboard of my truck...cause Jesus may be the only one who can help him (Irving, my truck) now.
11. Any assistance with getting my A.C.E. certification http://www.acefitness.org/ (currently on schedule for Dec 08), which could totally include visiting me and grilling me with anatomy and physiology questions - or just calling me weekly to ask if I'm studying :).
12. Or, you could just send love (to me, my truck or Shelly, whichever works best for you), love always works too.

Well, this begins the week of birthday adventures. Tonight I will dance at Arzi's until 9 at which point we will gather the masses and head over to "The Industry" for a screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, where more than several of us will be "virgins". I can't wait. Saturday we have a birthday party instruction/performance for a group of 13 - 14 year old girls...which will *definitely* be an adventure. Next Friday I have taken the day off of work to have myself pampered with a massage and ionic foot bath...Krys is coming over to share :) then we will head off to the studio for our monthly Whirl. Afterwards we shall descend upon Ichiban like a flock of vultures for copious amounts of sushi and sake. I fully intend to spend the rest of the weekend in a canoe...in Lake Fausse. I'll let you all know how that goes later.

"Business is Great, People are Terrific, Life is Wonderful" George's Bumper stickers...only found in BTR, LA.