Who's your baby?

I just hooked up with an old friend from high school that I used to sing with.

Facebook has it's moments, that's for sure.

She's raising baby and I'm raising Cain.

More and more women my age are having their first babies. I noticed it when I went to my highschool reunion a few years back. Some of the gals were almost done raising kids, the girls who had their babies early, right out of school. Others were just starting their families, in their late 30's second marriages for some, finally finding the time for others.

We made the decision not to have kids a long time ago. It's a choice we are pretty happy with and at the time it was based on the fact that I would probably have been one of those hard to get knocked up types that would have needed a certain amount of medical intervention and would have ended up with sextuplets. Oh, there are many reasons we are childless, most of them good. So here I am, 40 something and in good company as most of my friends have chosen not to have kids too. Bless the one's who have, I love being an Auntie and will become one again in a few weeks. Regrets? Not so far.

I love kids. I just can't eat a whole one.

Right now it's no kids, no pets, nothing tying us down. It's good to remember that and feel the freedom even if we don't choose to do anything about it right now.

For those of you out there starting families now I say good for you. You will no doubt be wiser, calmer more experienced in life and secure parents. Or not.

This one goes out to all the new parents out there. Just a little guide on how to (and not to) take care of a baby. Very funny to read, but must be taken very seriously. You could print the images and bundle them to a little book that you could hold in your pocket just to be sure.

Who needs a reason to have a Happy Day?

Today is my birthday and I have a nice day planned. I will take lots of pictures and tell you all about it tomorrow.

OMG all this social networking is crazy. I had 11 birthday wishes on Facebook at 8:30 this morning! I'm also having a big party on Saturday night at the restaurant up the street that Superman's band is playing at. I plan on having a lot of fun. Just saying.

Some years I let my birthday slip by unnoticed but this year I want to celebrate and enjoy everything that comes my way.

Here are some facts about people born on this day. Some of them might even be true.

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Other people born on September 12th-

1966 George Milne, super guy

1931 George Jones, singer

1944 Barry White, singer

1818 Richard Gatling, inventor of the Gatling gun

1888 Maurice Chevalier, actor/singer (Gigi, Fanny, Can-Can)

Virgos born on September 12 are much more jovial and relaxed than the typical Virgo. They are naturally happy and always look on the bright side. Whether they possess a great deal of wealth or only a nominal amount, they find a way to give something to someone who has less.
Virgo Information for September 12
You should embrace: Originality, imaginative people, accountability
You should avoid: Showing off, need for constant approval, personal fulfillment at the expense of others
Friends and Lovers
Friends are one of the most important factors for September 12 individuals. They draw inspiration from pals. It is far more difficult for them to trust a lover than a friend. These generally good-natured people have a hard time putting their happiness at risk because they may have experienced more than their share of heartbreak.
Children and Family
Even if they did not have a pleasant childhood, September 12 people are fond of remembering their youth. They are likely to rewrite their upbringing to create a reality that reinforces their emotional needs. Often becoming parents late in life, they encourage the hopes and goals of their youngsters. They are often too indulgent.
Health
People born on September 12 need to watch out for health problems brought on by their love of indulgence. They enjoy all the good things that life has to offer, including excellent food and drink. As long as they keep active, they'll have no trouble remaining healthy.
Career and Finances
The people born on September 12 do not believe in setting limits on what they can accomplish. Their career aspirations are often strengthened by the conviction that they have been "called" to follow a particular path. Although money is not usually a deciding factor in their career choice, they are eager to make a good living.
Dreams and Goals
Getting to the top of the ladder is a common desire of people born on this date. But instead of being motivated strictly by self-interest, they truly want to make a difference so they often involve themselves in humanitarian issues.

Why so Crabby?

Yesterday was a special day. My parents had to come into town for a medical appointment and because it's close to my birthday and they still hadn't seen our new apartment, we had some catching up to do. They met me at the shop and I was able to look after Moms birthday present pretty quickly. Her birthday isn't until October but now my ass is covered and she found something she really liked so I'm happy about that. After checking out the shop we came up to our apartment and I had a chance to show them around the building. Mom was really impressed by the roof top garden brimming with tomatoes and cucumbers, herbs, beans and corn.

I had also shined the place up pretty good and it's still nice and clean this morning. I love waking up to a clean house. My parents would never care if my house was clean or messy but for some reason I consider it the benchmark for clean and tidy, "parents coming to visit" clean. It's a standard that I put on myself and I have to say, I dealt with a bunch of crap that needed dealing with and the place is feeling pretty good.

After a drinky and a visit at our place we planned to go for a special late afternoon early evening dinner and Dad chose The Boathouse in Richmond. After an incredibly complicated drive we finally found the entrance to the restaurant. Turns out it was "Crab Fest", or "Crabtastic Extravaganza" or "Stuff yourself with Crab" or something like that. So we did.

I enjoy my parents so much. We had a great visit and a great meal and always seems too short. I am so grateful for the relationship I have with my parents. I'm not just saying that because my Mom reads my blog.

HI MOM!!!

Can I have one more?

Can I just tell you... My life is blessed.
My friends are awesome and I am just so grateful. The last two nights we had a BFF staying with us. Her husband passed away a few weeks ago, from cancer (fuck you cancer), she is doing pretty well. You know, she's sad and a little depressed but she's living her life and being so real and courageous about it. Her strength through this whole thing has been so amazing and inspirational and we can all only hope to get through something so horrible and do it with such grace and class. I feel so lucky to have witnessed one of my peers set the benchmark for grace under pressure. I only hope I can live up to and take inspiration from her if and when I have to deal with anything so difficult. I love her.
This morning we went to the pool with my other BFF and we had such a nice time just chatting and swimming and soaking up the sun. So good.
When I finished work today I checked in with two more of my BFFs and realized that they were both going through some pretty heavy emotional stuff, you know, men, relationships, sadness and anxiety. There was only one thing to do, have a girls night. We decided, last minute to go to a movie, Sex In The City seemed the logical choice.
We met at the theatre and were all a little out of sorts due to debris from the day. We bought our snacks and sat down to watch the movie. We laughed and we cried and we related to everything, except maybe the clothes. I love the fashion on SITC, it's ridiculous and fun like art to me.
After the movie we went to an Italian "Soul Food" restaurant next door to the theatre and that's when it hit us all. We could so relate to so many things in the movie. I am not embarrassed to say we sat down and ordered Cosmopolitans at $8 a pop, we had a few and they were good. We drank cocktails and talked about our stuff and we laughed and we cried and we snuck ( I know "snuck" isn't a word but I don't know better word) drags on a cigarette on the outdoor patio, something that is punishable by death in Vancouver. I swear to God, the stuff we talked about was more crazy and interesting than any plot from any movie.
I came away from this evening a little tipsy, yes but even more important I feel a real appreciation for the friends that I have. I know that we will be truly there for each other as we age and go through weddings, divorces, funerals, new loves, break ups, kids, no kids and all that shit we haven't even thought of yet.
What I know is this, I have good friends that I love very much and who love me back. I have friends I can trust and I know that we can be there for each other no matter what. I look forward to more laughs and tears and trips and parties and stories and heartaches and music, and joyful times with these people. I look forward to aging but never growing up with these people.
I guess, like many, I have a few over priced cocktails and start telling my friends how much I loves 'em.
To all my BFF's I love you.
Yah, I know, you love me too.
Drinks tomorrow night? I'm there.

did you get the number of that train?

Well, last nights gig went very well. The crowd was into it, lots of people we knew showed up too. That's always nice. The band was rockin' and tight and we all enjoyed ourselves. The train went by behind the band just when I sang the train song so I told everyone that we had planned it that way. A really good night all in all.
This morning is another story. I feel as though I might have actually been run over by that train. I've had 4 hours sleep and that Chinese food I ate at 2 am is giving me a tummy ache now.
Superman ran into a friend from waaay back and lamented on how he was getting so old. I tell him all the time he's better looking every year as a lot of men do tend to age well and get more handsome, in my opinion. Then he turned to me with our heads on the pillow and told me I looked beautiful. Right then, with 4 hours sleep and hung over and all. He said he thought I was aging very well. That means a lot because we have been together since I was in my early 20's, back when I had no wrinkles and was quite a bit *ahem* thinner. That's one of the reasons I want to marry Superman, he doesn't see so well in the morning. And the buns of steel, obviously.
Did you get the number of that train?