28

As some of you may be aware, Friday was my birthday. While getting older is getting more cringe worthy by the year, I had a great one.

A intimate dinner at Echo, cream puffs from Beard Papa (where they are TALKING coffee), followed up by thee Old Oaks, one of the greatest drinks ever - a mixture of dark rum, brandy, and whatever else makes it delicious, at Angel Share. We took slow sips and stared out of the street side windows, observing the gaggles of NYU undergrads (who amusingly still traveled in packs) and the other too cool denizens of Soho. It was the exact way I wanted to end my week, end my birthday, and start the weekend.

Saturday found Ji and I figuring out our wedding band situation. Ji is deciding between two, and I just wish I had fingers that complimented wearing rings. Stupid pinkie knuckle. An iron chariot downtown and I was buying socks, she was buying pants. These two articles of clothing are often paired together when dressing. However, I wouldn't recommend guys wearing women's trousers unless you have been castrated or are a prominent member of an emo band...which some may argue is the same thing. Finally we looked at some invitations, mostly just to get ideas, at Kate's Paperie. We were a little unimpressed by how limited the choices are. Perhaps we're just turned off by how safe and uninspired the options tend to be.

We later met up with Dirt and the Pub Crawlers for some Unos. The birthday doesn't end, as I was serenaded by the staff and presented with a celebratory cheesecake. Later that night, I joined in consuming a fish bowl full of adult beverage for the right to claim a plastic alligator. He is actually smiling as I write this.

Sunday found me sitting in my Union meeting, waiting to meet Ji for brunch. My taste buds have decided to confuse me more these days. The other night I had curry despite not liking Indian food. Sunday I ordered an omelet. It was filled with cheddar cheese and bacon so it's not like I really tasted any of the egg though. It was a splendid meal despite getting someone's pear Bellini spilled on me. Since the rain was holding off, we spent the afternoon strolling through some of the 250 acres of nature in the middle of the city.

We saw:
- Two couples taking wedding photos
- A puppet show that features a very depressed frog
- Trees that grew flowers all over their bark
- A dog stroller
- Two guys Bo fighting on a bridge
- A birthday party by the merry-go-round
- Shy turtles
- A guy who sucked at softball
- A kung-fu rasta in plaid
- An egret named George

It was a very New York weekend. More importantly it seemed like a weekend off. It was the both of us enjoying each other's company with no stress. I think it's just as crucial a step as any: not to forget how to spend time together. Whether you make plans or just let the day take you where it may, it's what being a couple is all about. That it happened on my birthday weekend was just a bonus.

28

Grateful Penguins

I had a sample size of bridesmaid dress shopping this weekend and I plainly admit to be boggled.

I had it easy. I made one trip to a boutique that was near closing time and didn't have to rifle through satin, silk, and tumults of taffeta. I looked at one panel of color swatches and offered my tyronic opinions. You like navy? Yellow is good. Those seams look like Charlie Brown's shirt. Good feedback right?

It's a lot of pressure finding something beautiful and appropriate...and then you have to think about the girls who are going to be wearing the dresses. Will they like them or will they be muttering for your head behind your back, swearing revenge on your veiled soul? Then you think think about the pictures. The pictures! We still don't have a photographer...oh man.

So while the search for gowns continues, I wait with great anticipation to find out what color tie I will be wearing. Isn't a tuxedo a wonderful thing? Did you know it's spelled cummerbund? Did you know there is no chance I will be wearing one?

The girls will look beautiful. The gentlemen will be dapper. The pictures will still be expensive.

Until next time. Keep it natty.

Your Homework!
Give us any feedback you can cull on people's honeymoons. We need suggestions, reviews, ideas, and generally anything that will help us figure out where to go. If we go where you suggest I will bring you back a souvenir from there. That's what's up.

Revelations of a Zip Lock KIng

Spent the weekend relaxing in beautiful suburban Blue Bell at the Lee Compound.
Spent the weekend working in commercially industrious Blue Bell at the Lee Factory.

Quoi?

You know that grace period when being a guest meant that the only finger you lifted was inside the handle of a coffee cup? Enjoyable to be sure but I always found that a bit awkward. The resident Julius Caesar, being hand-fed grapes of unwarranted generosity, is hardly representative of my visitation expectations.

So when I was ushered to the kitchen table and put to work, I was happy. Alternating between unsealing the bags, labeling them with the treats they'd soon be filled with, heat sealing them back up, and boxing them for transport, it made my day.

I'm not some kind of masochist that loves doing work. Sometimes that's painfully obvious. It all goes back to what I mentioned above. When you are staying at someone's home and you aren't a guest anymore, what does that make you? When you're sitting at the table and working towards the same goals, what does that make you? And when thanks are not necessary, what does that make you? Family.

Sure, we met up with a photographer, talked wedding, and attempted to figure out where to live. All very important and increasingly pressing steps. It may not seem like we got enough done but I feel like I got more accomplished this weekend than I ever expected. Now it's time to get back to work, but let me just say one thing.

I love my family.