Sometime this week was my birthday. Not revealing the exact date, but this year’s celebration was lovely. I’m truly grateful to have friends who care for me deeply. This time I was taken out for some delicious Indian food, where we stuffed ourselves so silly, we could barely walk out. Afterwards I received a lot of kind birthday wishes and messages from all over. Let’s just say this all warmed up my little black heart.
It was one of the nicest birthdays I had in recent years. The other memorable birthday was when I arrived back in NYC in late 2007. The year 2008 was pretty significant, both professionally and personally. Especially after spending two years in sheer purgatory. In a way, it was a good thing I was back in the big bad rotten apple during 2008. Looking back I was very lucky to catch much of the old NYC before everything closed down, becoming ultra gentrified.
One of my best friends, arranged a surprise gathering in honor of my birthday. We all met somewhere in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, in which we headed towards Double Down. Once inside Double Down we eventually took over the entire bar. This wasn’t planned. The rather spontaneous invasion was pretty wild. That kicked an entire week of me celebrating my birthday returning to New York. Think of it as the lost weekend extended. Don’t ask me what else happened that week. By the time my actual birthday came around, it was on Saturday and I was so completely hungover. Then came the realization I was supposed to be at Stony Brook, Long Island. The occasion? Vending at a table then speaking on a panel for I-CON. We boarded the Long Island Railroad, regaining my composure in time for both the table and panel.
Rest assured, I’m professional most of the time. I-CON 27 went rather well, and then a small group of us headed for sushi somewhere in Nassau County.
Blast from the past. Me on Saturday April 5, 2008 at I-CON 27, Stony Brook University, Long Island, New York.
This year was no need for any sort of alcohol. The company, conversation and Indian food was good enough. Perhaps this is a sign of maturity. Somewhat. A bonus was receiving all these wonderful gifts, like jewelry, and a copy of Howard Chaykin’s The Divided States of Hysteria in collected graphic novel form.
Here’s a quick birthday sketch. Purposely done in garnish colors, because life can be a bizarre circus. Enjoy.
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