the daily snivel
Feeling the love
Yesterday was my dear friend Natalie's 29th birthday, and she had really wanted to make this a special celebration, since she is now applying to law school and thought that, by this time next year, she might not have the time or money or energy to have a big party given that she'd be writing her first-year law exams. As well, I won't be in Ottawa next year, so it seemed like a great time to get people out, do something fun and special, and really make it a birthday party to remember.
And so it was.
Natalie had originally planned the festivities for December 19th, to make sure that everyone was finished with their academic commitments but then e-mailed a bunch of us to say that she actually rescheduled for the 11th. Reservations were made at the Palais Imperial, which is perhaps the best Chinese restaurant in Ottawa, and appropriately elegant and fancy besides. I met her last night in the Byward Market at 7:45, and we walked down to the restaurant together.
When we got inside, I started looking to see if anyone else from the party had yet arrived, and quickly spotted the lovely Celeste sitting at a large table in the back, and as I walked towards the table, realized that she was sitting with my friend Kari from law school. Then I noticed my friend Sandy from law school. And Aimee. And Karla. And Aniel. And my good friend Tara [formerly known on this blog as Caira].
Not only was this Natalie's carefully planned birthday party, but it was also my surprise un-birthday party, complete with my most beloved friends, cake, presents, and dinner and drinks. It was unbelievable, and, according to reliable witnesses, the look on my face was of someone about to throw up.
Which is probably quite an accurate description. I was in no way expecting the party to be about me and was fully looking forward to making a big fuss over Natalie and her friend Candice (who has the exact same birthday as Natalie, December 11, and was also a guest of honour last night). I was not expecting people to be making a big fuss over me. In fact, it makes me nervous and squirmy to have a fuss made over me, and here was a room full of my nearest and dearest friends singing "Happy Un-Birthday to You!" and throwing cards and presents at me and generally making me feel like the luckiest boy on earth.
My birthday is on Christmas Eve, and it's always been a night of mixed feelings, since everyone I know is always committed and/or out of town with their families (naturally enough), so it's hard to have any kind of party, but also it's the anniversary of my father's death, who passed away of a heart attack on my fifth birthday in 1980 when he collapsed while cutting down a Christmas tree. Years ago, Tara pledged to start holding unbirthday parties for me so as to get around these problems. And there we were last night, having a fabulous and huge party that I can honestly say goes down as the best birthday I've ever had. It was simply incredible and despite the laughter and wonderful stories and spirited debates, I was nearly moved to tears several times last night, especially the more I drank.
And oh the presents that were lavished on me. I have more chocolate than any housebound, studying law student should ever be able to lay his hands on. Belgian chocolate, people. And wine. And a gift certificate to Timothy's Coffee, my fourth home (after the Clinic, the Royal Oak, and school. Based on time actually spent, my own apartment actually counts as my fifth home, or my home away from my home away from my home away from my home away from my home away from home). And a copy of The Corporation by Joel Bakan, given to me by Tara. And a gorgeous, stunning, cherrywood clock given to me by Natalie, that will someday be fit for a refined law office and now is ticking away happily and looking much too classy and therefore very out of place in my cluttered, multicoloured bedroom.
But, as I said last night (and as could only sound sincere coming from a sentimental sap like me), the best present of all was being surrounded by so many of my friends. Everyone took time out of their busy schedules, and studying for exams, to come out and celebrate with me. To show their affection and respect. It makes you feel humble, but also incredibly lucky, and truly fulfilled. It's like at the end of It's a Wonderful Life (one of my favourite movies, softy that I am) when everyone in town comes out to help George Bailey and let him know how much he means to them and what a difference he's made in their lives, and suddenly he feels like the richest man on earth.
I feel so good inside, and the only thing that puzzles me or troubles me is the question of what I could possibly have done to deserve such attention. But I won't agonize over that too much today. I'm going to study for my upcoming civil procedure exam, eat some chocolate, drink some coffee, and revel in the warm, glowy glowing feeling of being loved.
Thank you, Natalie. And Happy REAL birthday to you, once again.
And thank you to Celeste, Kari, Aniel, Aimee, Karla, Sandy, Tara, Galen, Nick, Bill, Tonia, Candice, and Nancy.
And so it was.
Natalie had originally planned the festivities for December 19th, to make sure that everyone was finished with their academic commitments but then e-mailed a bunch of us to say that she actually rescheduled for the 11th. Reservations were made at the Palais Imperial, which is perhaps the best Chinese restaurant in Ottawa, and appropriately elegant and fancy besides. I met her last night in the Byward Market at 7:45, and we walked down to the restaurant together.
When we got inside, I started looking to see if anyone else from the party had yet arrived, and quickly spotted the lovely Celeste sitting at a large table in the back, and as I walked towards the table, realized that she was sitting with my friend Kari from law school. Then I noticed my friend Sandy from law school. And Aimee. And Karla. And Aniel. And my good friend Tara [formerly known on this blog as Caira].
Not only was this Natalie's carefully planned birthday party, but it was also my surprise un-birthday party, complete with my most beloved friends, cake, presents, and dinner and drinks. It was unbelievable, and, according to reliable witnesses, the look on my face was of someone about to throw up.
Which is probably quite an accurate description. I was in no way expecting the party to be about me and was fully looking forward to making a big fuss over Natalie and her friend Candice (who has the exact same birthday as Natalie, December 11, and was also a guest of honour last night). I was not expecting people to be making a big fuss over me. In fact, it makes me nervous and squirmy to have a fuss made over me, and here was a room full of my nearest and dearest friends singing "Happy Un-Birthday to You!" and throwing cards and presents at me and generally making me feel like the luckiest boy on earth.
My birthday is on Christmas Eve, and it's always been a night of mixed feelings, since everyone I know is always committed and/or out of town with their families (naturally enough), so it's hard to have any kind of party, but also it's the anniversary of my father's death, who passed away of a heart attack on my fifth birthday in 1980 when he collapsed while cutting down a Christmas tree. Years ago, Tara pledged to start holding unbirthday parties for me so as to get around these problems. And there we were last night, having a fabulous and huge party that I can honestly say goes down as the best birthday I've ever had. It was simply incredible and despite the laughter and wonderful stories and spirited debates, I was nearly moved to tears several times last night, especially the more I drank.
And oh the presents that were lavished on me. I have more chocolate than any housebound, studying law student should ever be able to lay his hands on. Belgian chocolate, people. And wine. And a gift certificate to Timothy's Coffee, my fourth home (after the Clinic, the Royal Oak, and school. Based on time actually spent, my own apartment actually counts as my fifth home, or my home away from my home away from my home away from my home away from my home away from home). And a copy of The Corporation by Joel Bakan, given to me by Tara. And a gorgeous, stunning, cherrywood clock given to me by Natalie, that will someday be fit for a refined law office and now is ticking away happily and looking much too classy and therefore very out of place in my cluttered, multicoloured bedroom.
But, as I said last night (and as could only sound sincere coming from a sentimental sap like me), the best present of all was being surrounded by so many of my friends. Everyone took time out of their busy schedules, and studying for exams, to come out and celebrate with me. To show their affection and respect. It makes you feel humble, but also incredibly lucky, and truly fulfilled. It's like at the end of It's a Wonderful Life (one of my favourite movies, softy that I am) when everyone in town comes out to help George Bailey and let him know how much he means to them and what a difference he's made in their lives, and suddenly he feels like the richest man on earth.
I feel so good inside, and the only thing that puzzles me or troubles me is the question of what I could possibly have done to deserve such attention. But I won't agonize over that too much today. I'm going to study for my upcoming civil procedure exam, eat some chocolate, drink some coffee, and revel in the warm, glowy glowing feeling of being loved.
Thank you, Natalie. And Happy REAL birthday to you, once again.
And thank you to Celeste, Kari, Aniel, Aimee, Karla, Sandy, Tara, Galen, Nick, Bill, Tonia, Candice, and Nancy.
