Laissez le bon temps roulez!

I'm in a very good, hyper mood today. Why? #1 - It's Keeley's birthday, and we all know how I feel about birthdays! I sang ye olde standard "Happy Birthday to you!" to him on his way to the bathroom this morning. I'm pretty sure he was awake enough to appreciate it. #2 - I made it to the gym last night for the first time in ages, and despite the soreness in my arms, I'm feeling pretty good! I re-upped my membership with New York Sports Clubs , and even got a cheaper rate than what I was previously paying. Go me! #3 - It's Mardi Gras!! Ok, I'm not in New Orleans, and nobody's tossing me beads for showing off my breasts, but really, isn't that a good thing? Tonight's Geekfest, actually, which is as far socially as you can possibly get from a Mardi Gras celebration, but it's a nice way of celebrating the aforementioned #1, Keeley's birthday. Besides, I made cookies! Delicious, delicious cookies!

Actually, it's shaping up to be a pretty busy week. Last night, I met with my new trainer, tonight's Geekfest, tomorrow I have to get back to the gym to get my new membership card and photo taken (as well as work out), Thursday is the Jones New York Signature Launch party at Macy's, where I get my $150 gift certificate prize for my "Signature Style" essay, Friday a bunch of us are going to see Spoiled Rotten at O'Flanagan's, and then Saturday is The Fenians' show at Rocky Sullivans! Plus, Stacey will be back for most of that. Yippie! I miss you, schmooopie!

In other news, as I received my Angel Season Two DVD present on my birthday, I heard the bad news that the show's being cancelled. Rat phooey! If you're a petition-signing, letter-writing type of person, you may want to check out the site SupportAngel.org. As their logo goes: "Love the show? Show the love!"

Planning my birthday festivities

It's up! You've just got to check out the Reluctant Divas for all the latest news of my training regimen! In related news, Yi Shun, Elena, and I were enjoying a few cocktails at Trinity and discussing Yi Shun's novel last night whilst complaining that I hadn't heard from my Diva trainer, when who should call but the man himself! We've plans to meet next Tuesday for a get-together training session, and see where that takes us. Looks like after a slow start, I'm about to get serious about getting ready for this tri.

In other fun news, it's almost my birthday!!! Yay! I love this day. I mean, really. I'm so not one of those women who hates all mention of her birthday and refuses to acknowledge her age. Bring it on, baby! And while you're at it, bring on the presents, and the parties, and the cupcakes, and the cards... it's all good! So far, I'm planning a little swing dancing on Friday, dinner with friends on Saturday, lunch with my mom on Monday, and then, in two weeks, a Fenians concert at Rocky Sullivan's. Stacey will be back by then, though Maureen is currently locked in a castle in Scotland for the next 23 days. Last time the Fenians were in NYC, Terry called me to make sure I was coming, and I promised to do so and bring a "vertible horde" of friends. Well, I did it then, and I'm hoping to do so again.

Nothing really new going on in the boy situation. I had a horrendously uncomfortable date the other week, but I'm meeting another guy for drinks tomorrow, actually, who's a friend of Stacey's sister. We met at a party a couple of months ago, and have finally arranged to meet up again. We'll see how this one goes. I feel a little like the title of Adam Sandler's new movie (if not the plot): "50 First Dates." Will I ever make it to a second date with a guy I'm interested in? Not yet, but here's hoping.

Boobgate

Well, the New England Patriots won the Superbowl, but all everyone's talking about is how Justin Timberlake flashed Janet Jaskson's boob in the halftime show. In more intellectual news, last night I went to the first meeting of my new writers' group, the GiveEasy Girls, which Kyrra is leading. So far, so good! I feel creative, and had a great morning, getting up early to do "Morning Pages" -- three pages written in longhand first thing in the morning which should serve to clear your mind for the day, and begin the process of making time for writing. Which I did! One of my big goals for the group is to work on the three or four novels I have begun writing, and to finish one of them. If I tell myself it's doable, it is. The main thing is just to be writing. And in a way, even this is helping. Getting me thinking, putting words down for someone else to read and look at.

And speaking of reading, I'm putting the finishing touches on my first article for the Divas in the Dirt. Yi Shun should have the new website up in a few days, and then I'll have to tell everyone to check it out there. Until then, I guess I should do some work...