I had a lovely birthday
Time was I wouldn’t be caught dead at work on my birthday. The crushing reality that I am not the center of the universe – not even on my birthday – was usually too much to bear. I found it safer to stay at home. I could avoid emotional peril and just dig the moment among people who could dote on me as prescribed (by me).
But now that I’m 31 (since yesterday), I think I reached a point where
birthdays aren’t as wrought with sheer terror at the thought that
someone will be mean to me. After all, you make your own positive attitude. Others can try to destroy it, but you have to keep your spirits up in spite of your and others’ insecurities.
All this is to say that I had a fantastic birthday. There was a gift waiting for me when I awoke (a copy of Augusten Burrough’s latest book, Possible Side Effects). When I got to work I had several emails, a card on my desk, and then more and more emails came throughout the day.
I skipped lunch because I was going to dinner at Green Street Cafe in Northampton. The reputation of Green Street is such that one is likely to be very disappointed if things aren’t completely perfect. Like if the busboy looks at you funny, the place is overrun with snooty Smith professors or the waitress ignores you. Thank goodness none of these things were true.
The whole place is understated, right down to the laissez faire approach of the waitstaff. You could probably take off your shoes or loosen your pants after the main course and they probably wouldn’t care. The decor is pure New England antique. Rustic. Dark. The walls in the backroom are painted dark blue, while the front room is a deep aubergine. The furniture looks like it came from a very expensive flea market. Think Haymarket without the stinky smell of potstickers.
We were quickly served our water and bread while we perused the handwritten menu.
I will finish this later. Lunch hour is over. Stay tuned.
daily life, food and drink, western mass | sighclub June 29, 2006
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By Kathleen, June 29, 2006 @ 10:39 pm
Happy Belated! Welcome to the land of 31!
By Jamie B, June 30, 2006 @ 12:35 am
Happy Birthday! Be nice to squirrels!
By k, June 30, 2006 @ 8:45 am
Thank you! Thank you!
Jamie, I will try. i don’t really hate them. my blog post title was for shock value.
By Rick M, June 30, 2006 @ 10:24 am
Happy belated birthday. I’ve been away. I had no idea. I have no excuse. Green Street Café is an absolutely wonderful place, suitable for an absolutely wonderful birthday girl.
By k, June 30, 2006 @ 10:49 am
Thank you Rick. You are forgiven.
By Geo, July 2, 2006 @ 6:22 pm
Have you been working straight since you went back after lunch? Where’s the rest of this?!?!?!
By k, July 3, 2006 @ 9:18 am
ha- i’m currently PA … my dad brought me toast and a latte… i’m working remotely from my laptop. i promise updates when I get back