35 will go down in history as the best birthday ever! In the weeks leading up to the big day, I was feeling blue and it was slowly dawning on me that I was actually 35 and no longer 25; that somehow time had occurred and I was officially in my middle thirties. I wasn’t sure I liked that. You’re as old as you feel, or so they say. After a rather nasty fall down the stairs – which took me an entire month to recuperate from – I wasn’t so sure I was feeling all that young.

I woke up and the sweetest husband in the world brought me breakfast in bed, even through we’re totally out of food prior to a full refrigerator cleanse for repair. He then brought me presents! He got me a negative scanner and a sound machine. Yay. He loves me. I was feeling pretty good at this point. I figured I’d spend the day kicking back, trying to get rid of a headache I’d had since the day before. I went down-stairs for coffee and on the way back to my office, happened to glance into the dining room and there it was: A 1960′s British-import 3-wheeled bicycle – although 3 wheels officially makes it a tricycle. I’d seen it on Craigslist and was pining for it. I’d been searching for one for a long time and had determined that even though I could afford it, I should probably spend what little money I have on photo equipment. I’d emailed the owner and told him I’d be coming for it, but was sad I had to change my mind. Sneaky person he is, AJB emailed the owner, told him not to sell it to me and that he was getting it for me as a surprise. A lo, there it was in my own dining room with a big bow on it.

Now, I think the last time I was this happy with a present had to be the last time I got a bike – when I was 5 years old, although since then I’ve gotten some great presents. My five year old bike, that beautiful banana seat number with flowers and tassels – the one my Dad sold without my permission at a yard sale when I was 11. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes. I couldn’t believe that my husband had done that, what an amazing and clever thing! I rode my new baby up and down the block a few times. She’s over 45 years old, but with some TLC she’ll be good as new. Structurally, she’s sound.

Later that afternoon, AJB, JCS, and I had lunch at a darling new cafe called “Novel Cafe” on Colorado Blvd. – they serve fresh, organic food and were playing 80′s alternative music. I will be back. Afterward, we rounded the corner and dropped my trike at Pasadena Cyclery for some new tires and breaks. I’ll clean her up this weekend and take some photos to share. She’ll eventually need a paint job, but for now, she’s wonderful and I love her so very much.

The day would only get better from there. AJB had already told me we were dining at one of my favorite places in Los Angeles, the legendary Magic Castle. What he didn’t tell me was that 3 of my favorite people would also be there! Surprise! Andy, Jason, and Dave. Yay! We ate, we drank, we talked, we laughed, we sang. I drank wine like it was going out of fashion and got a bit tipsy. Good tipsy, you know the kind where you love everyone? I hope I wasn’t obnoxious, but AJB assures me I wasn’t too bad. When we left the Magic Castle, I exclaimed that I wanted to go dancing so AJB drove us to Perversion, although in my drunken haze, I wasn’t quite sure where we’d ended up.

There was just about an hour or so left in the evening, but I danced like it was going out of fashion. Now, back in the day, my friends and I used to go to Perversion every week. The place would be packed. Sadly, the club is a shell of it’s former self. Hardly anyone was there and the music was fairly terrible, even though I got the DJ to play Bauhaus and Siouxsie for me. The people that were there all looked pretty tired. While I realize the glory days of the Goth scene are far behind me now, it’s sad to see what it’s become. No one dresses up and the dancing has become an even mopier version of the beautiful moves we used to do in my day. Kids just sort of slowly flail around, as if they’re about to pass out – but not in a cool way. I didn’t let it get me down. I had a great time dancing by myself, dancing with my husband. I was happy to know that I wasn’t the oldest person there. I wonder if I’d be interested in going back. I mean, what I always loved about the clubs wasn’t the people anyway, it was always about the dancing and the music. I do miss it. I suppose I shouldn’t care how old I am. When I was 21, I used to look at the folks in their 30′s and think how sad it was that they were still clubbing at their age. I suppose now that the shoe is on the other foot, I understand why they were there.

I passed out cold on the ride home. AJB got me into bed and I awoke the next morning with not the worst hangover ever, but didn’t feel great. I’m also a bit sore from dancing so hard. Yikes. I guess I’m out of practice.

Every happy moment on my 35th birthday was due to my lovely and wonderful husband for making it happen. I couldn’t have asked for a better celebration, for better gifts, or better friends. It was sublime. It’s one for the record!