For Those of You Shell-Shocked by the News...

 ... I welcome you over to my boring corner of the world where I will catch you up on news of my birthday and the cool sale of multi-colored Christmas lights I found today at Walgreen's (only $25! For two!)

So, my birthday, right? That was last month, on the 18th, and I turned all of 48.  I should tell you, I'm really HAPPY to be 48. I know some people, including Shawn would like to not think about growing older.  But, for me?  I'm really grooving on heading into my 50s.  As my optometrist likes to say about growing older, "Beats the alternative."

My birthday started with a chiropractic appointment, and since I've already told you about how effusive Dr. Matt is, it will be no surprise to you that when I told him it was my birthday, he gave me a gift.  A coupon for a FREE hour massage, which was, like, seriously: Wow.  Thank you.  I only just today got around to booking it, because, while they had one that day it would have been right during the time we'd planned to go out for my birthday dinner at Masu, a Japanese restaurant at the Mall of America that I wanted to try out.  

Shawn bought me my very own Kindle, which I have to admit, so far, I have mostly used for playing games.  

I blame the library. They have for free what I would buy in hardcover, and not in e-book.  Though it was kind of cool when I read WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY BESIDE OURSELVES by Karen Joy Fowler, I simultaneously took out the e-book because it's nicer to read the Kindle in bed.  We don't really have a good bedside lamp, so having the back-lit Kindle is actually really handy. So, I just switched back and forth depending on where I was and the quality of light. I should do that for the book I have now (THE SHORE by Sarah Taylor, which is on the short list for the Guardian First Book Award.)  

I just went to the Locus Magazine site to remember the author's name and I see that I'm behind an award or two.  My list is ever-growing and I don't think I even read half of the books actually up for awards this year.  Even so, it was a fun challenge.  I've read a LOT of books (for me) this year and have been exposed to a ton more authors--many of whom I'd never read before. I talked to Bitter Empire about whether or not I should continue with the same thing, and we decided that since the Hugo could be in question again this year (and those were by far my most popular posts) that I should go ahead.  Plus, this year I'll be _at_ Mid-AmericaCon (aka the Hugo's/WorldCON), so I could do a bit of live reporting for them (possibly along with fellow Bitter Empire-r Naomi and/or Haddayr, if she comes.)

But, back to the story at hand.  The rest of my birthday continued along rather phenomenally.  When people asked me if I had "Big Plans" I told them the truth.  "Yes," I said, "My wife is taking the day off to spend with me and we plan *to nap.*"  I kind of feel like when you're nearing 50 the idea of intentionally setting aside time during the day to nap is like the deepest luxury EVER.  And we did.  We had a great nap in the middle of the f*cking day.  

Best. Birthday. EVER.

Masu turned out to be a fun experience with 'meh' food.  I have to tell you that I rather prefer Zen Box, which Mason and I went to together on the Thursday after my birthday (which is to say the next night, since my birthday this year was on a Wednesday). He and I are huge takoyaki fans, and Zen Box makes the BEST takoyaki.  (Octopus balls to those who might not know.  SO GOOD. They're a little like hush puppies, but with octopus bits inside, covered in Japanese mayonnaise and bonito [fish] flakes.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takoyaki.)  But, we had some sushi, which Mason tried and might have liked better if the chef's special hadn't included a very powerful hot pepper.  

(Note: in the absence of Jaffa Cakes, I can also be bribed with takoyaki.)

But, all was not lost because one of the things Shawn and Mason bought me for my birthday is "Japan Crate," which is one of those monthly services where they send you a box of cool sh*t.  Japan Crate specializes in candy and snacks from Japan.  The first one is scheduled to arrive here in early December and you have no idea how excited I am.  

SUPER excited.  SUPER-DOOPER.

Even though the picture function seems a little broken, I will attempt to post pictures when the first crate arrives.  Shawn and Mason splurged and got me the "deluxe" shipment, and Mason and I have already pledged to at least TRY everything.  We may also spend the day it comes (or the weekend immediately thereafter) watching anime while eating whatever the heck they send us.  I'm really looking forward to it.

Yeah, so, actually, as far as birthdays go, it was truly one of my best yet.