Taverna

Some friends took me out to dinner last night for my birthday. We went to one of my favorite restaurants, Lebanese Taverna, and it was excellent—great food, great company, the works.

If you're local to DC, I wholeheartedly recommend this place if you're in search of awesome middle eastern food beyond the usual kabobs and stuff. The mezze (appetizer-sized dishes analogous to Spanish tapas) are great. I usually get three of these for dinner, mix-n-match style. It's a fun way to try different things, especially if you're up for sharing with your friends.

I took a few photos, but they turned out pretty crappy. I put a couple up at flickr, if you want to see 'em.

Highlights of the evening (aside from the awesome food):

+ Meeting Canan. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Sarah's friend from Turkey who was pretty damn amazing. She's currently living in Germany working toward her Ph.D. in archeology. She also speaks three languages fluently, has travelled the world, and is very nice and cute. Despite the fact that we'll probably never meet again, a burgeoning crush has already developed.

+ Birthday kiss. OMG. There I was, stuffing my face with falafel, when I was suddenly blindsided with a surprise smacker. It was Catherine making good on an inside joke. Yow! Needless to say, I'll never wash this cheek again.

+ Friends...How many of us have them? Me! I do! Thanks again to everyone who came out—you guys are awesome. And thanks especially to Tim, for organizing the whole thing.

White Rain

It's beautiful outside, what with the branches covered with snow and all. It's almost worth the disappointment I felt when I found myself going to work this morning. At one point last night they were calling for as much as ten inches and saying it was nearly a sure thing. Needless to say, it didn't happen and I woke up to nothing. I stayed in bed until the last possible minute before getting up and trudging off to the Metro.

I can hear it melting now. And still the sky is spitting snow.

Listen to Clearlake: “Wonder If the Snow Will Settle”

Twenty-Eight

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (February 27). You believe in yourself this year, and others believe in you, too. In fact, you are being groomed for advancement over the next 10 weeks. Relocation is an option, but take it slowly, and investigate carefully before making a move. In May, your confidence attracts passion. Big money follows an educated risk in July. Love signs are Taurus and Cancer. Your lucky numbers are: 30, 51, 24, 27 and 45.

It's true: I'm no longer being thought of as a fictitious character. [And it feels great!] Also, these next 10 weeks of grooming should be interesting. I love a good delousing. Confidence? Passion? Big money? Sounds great, liar.

Really, it couldn't be less of an event. The even years (with the exception of 18 and the years that mark each decade) always seem less significant. The odd years just feel older. Plus, I think I'm finally ok with the fact that one year older no longer means much more than just that. All these years I seem to have been hoping for a Pink Panther cake with licorice whiskers and a trip to Chuck E. Cheese. Of course, this hasn't happened since I was seven. I think I've finally accepted that it was a one-time deal.


Here's to another year of possibilities. I'm confident I'll attract passion, earn big money and advance to a carefully investigated relocation of ideals. Believe it.