I turned 47 today.

I really never have cared much for my own birthday celebration, except for the important numbers like 16 (driving) 18 (drinking) 21 (legal?) 33 (lucky) 42 (the answer to all questions in the universe) and soon 50.

WTF?! 50 is just around the corner. I certainly don't feel like what I think the number represents. My body appears to be defying the number's status as well. Fingers crossed, if I keep eating my peas all will be well.

For the first time this year I checked my dusty facebook account and was initially delighted to see almost 100 well wishers had posted on my wall. I'm pretty sure, after checking the actual messages, that a good 80% of them just see my birthday pop up on their screen and were able to muster up just enough effort to write the obligatory 4 or 5 words.

The real love this year came from emails (yes, I still consider that to be a personal medium) and I'll even add twitter to the list. But above all, yesterday Ms Micky organized 'the kids' who came over to throw me a birthday dinner at the house.

They made a complete mexican, theme. Christina's boyfriend (gasp!) Juan cooked the main meal with Franklin (Micky's former PA from Amsterdam who is visiting) and she baked a good old betty crocker double layer white cake with chocolate (dark, red, white and green) frosting, just like my Mom used to make.

Combined with pickings from the 5 different potted pepper plants Micky gave me as a present, it was a true feast!

Food is love, especially when prepared and presented as a gift.

Followed by a pinata smashing, spewing choclate gold coins and water pistols that resulted in an intense but brief water fight and coffee with iFart apps by the firepit, I think I'm living up to my respectful age nicely :-)

Thank you Christina, Micky, Juan and Franklin for an unforgettable 47th, as well to those who took the trouble to give me an actual telephone call. In this day and info age, it's that kind of stuff that really matters.

 9/3/2011; 12:26:15 PM.   .