hip pappy bithuthday! the celebrations begin

I always make a big thing out of my birthday, as I mentioned in 2006 (part 1 and part 2), 2007, and 2009. In 2008 I was in bad-job hell and apparently either had no fun for my birthday or failed to comment upon it. In 2005 I posted on my birthday with no mention thereof. Go figure.


Anyway, my celebration began on Saturday at the Art Institute, where I met some fun people (through my Meetup.com group that I created, Lakeshore Sketching & Painting). We went to the Asian gallery that's basically the first thing inside the entrance, and went to work - I sketched an 11th-century statue of Vishnu (in the guise of a man-lion) tearing a demon apart. Kinda gruesome, but hey, there was a bench in front of it.

I developed affection for the statue as I sketched it. Particularly for the very, very subtle curve of arms and legs that made them appear so graceful yet strong. At left, my little effort, which reflects the fact that I couldn't resist a pack of colored pencils in the gift shop.

Then, yesterday, we went shopping at Macy's (celebrating Valentine's Day by spending the day together, but I'm considering it a dual-purpose celebration, also counting as part of my birthday :) ). I bought a new coat so now I look like a grownup with a job instead of a homeless person. I love my new coat - it's brown suede lined with plush faux mink that's sooooo soft and yummy. Super-warm too. Then to go with it I needed a new hat, gloves and scarf. I spent $80 on the coat (between a sale and a $50 gift card) so is it unreasonable that I spent $180 on a sheepskin hat? I think yes, but it's brown, matches the coat, and I think both appropriate for Chicago yet not unattractive.

I stopped myself from also buying a new briefcase and shoes. Well, I didn't really stop myself; we ran out of time.

Also hit Lane Bryant and got new jeans (finally) and new pants for work, which necessitated new underwear. If you don't know what I mean, don't ask.

So we went a lil nuts. It was great. We topped it off with dinner at our fave sushi restaurant where I had the chef's special for $40 - and it was special indeed!!! Worth every penny! (of course I could have had the chef's very special for $80, so it's not like I didn't practice some restraint!)

Today the plan is to get some work done and also get my hair cut and colored. I will look like a new woman at work tomorrow. (Yes, we had a four-day weekend! Yay!)

This coming weekend, Rie and her significant other are visiting, so that will be a blast - and it's specifically designated as a birthday celebration, since she and I have almost the same b'day, yay!

The following weekend is when I'll have my birthday party, where I'll gather a bunch of people from two previous jobs, the current job, and one from the meditation center - it's kind of a motley crew, we'll see how it works out. We're going to dim sum at the Phoenix, which we have greatly enjoyed in the past.

On my actual birthday we have to do something, because in the past, if we don't, I have gotten kind of depressed. So we'll probably have dinner out somewhere.

So that's the birthday plan for this year. I love my birthday.