34 Cards, 30 ballons, 1 party,

Priceless.

That's what turning 30 was to me. To date I've received 34 birthday cards from a variety of people ranging from my 3rd grade superintendent (maybe principal I'm not sure), middle school gym teacher, various relatives, people I've never met, and one card with no signature and no return address from somewhere in New Hampshire. My mother claims not to know the origins of these cards but I don't really believe her on this one. Thank you to everybody who sent a card. I intend to send thank you notes, which is very rare for me, but I think people deserve it for the effort they put into this exercise. I don't believe you mom.

I did get 30 Balloons sent to me a work as well. Friends from college got together and conspired with friends from Seattle to figure out my work address. There was a singing princess balloon, which was a popular thing to set off at work during the course of the day. Tomorrow I intend to walk around with the balloons and have people take pictures of me in front of Seattle landmarks. It should be fun times and similar to Amelie.

When I got home I went over to my friends place thinking it was to meet up for drinks before dinner and heading to dinner. I was wrong on that count too. It was a surprise party and I was 100% oblivious even though the receptionist was trying to ruin it by asking me "are you here for the surprise party?" I still had no clue. It was well played by many people so it truly was a surprise. After heading to a bar and getting a few shots and and drinking a fair amount of beer it was an excellent birthday. I didn't do 30 shots before you ask.

May 2nd was the first Saturday in May and that means the Kentucky Derby is being run. As a random event a few of us went down to Emerald Downs, the Seattle horse track, to play the ponies and watch the Simulcast of the Derby. I didn't win any big money on the Derby but I did hit a Trifecta Box on a race in Seattle that payed out over 40 to 1 so most of my random bets were covered. It was a good way to spend my birthday weekend. A little sushi and some kickball rounded out my weekend.

I'm 30 and, frankly, it doesn't feel any different that 29 and 360 days old felt. 30 was a hell of a lot scarier when I was 18, 21 or maybe even 25 than has been for a very long time. I think 40 is a lot scarier than 30 and I'm sure once 40 starts to approach on the horizon I'll push the scary age out even further. Whatever, age is all relative. I'm still one of the youngest people at work and I can do plenty of fun stuff without having to worry about the repercussions. I'm not that old.

Good times were had by all. I did overhear a good conversation today at breakfast about a neighbor kid stealing Oxycodone from the medicine cabinet. People watching at its finest.