But then I try not to 'should' on myself anyway. To begin with ... because it's 1 am and my brain is functioning at minimum capabilities.

Wow.

WOW

no ... seriously ... WOW.

You may remember the random-ish post I put up at this time last year. But, to be just absolutely honest, I was fairly concerned about this birthday. Considering it's the big 3-0 and my life is not nearly what I expected it to be at this point. I was concerned about how I would handle it. So far surprisingly well. Then, we have a grand adventure to add to it.

Because the fun part will probably take awhile I'm going to just recap the day super quick. I worked, went to a luncheon, finished a few things at work, left early to shop, did more shopping, bought a shirt and the Leona Lewis CD, went to the parents for dinner with the out of town family and ran back to the other side of town to watch Prince Caspian.

I had two friends waiting for me, who'd never met each other. Thank God Allison is so outgoing and fun. They had a spot waiting for me in the theater. And right before the previews Allison informs me that there is a group in the front row of the back section who came in costume! And that she told them it was my birthday and we are getting pictures with them after the movie. If you know me, you can guess my reaction.

YEEESSSSSS!!! (In a sort of 80's RIGHT ON!! way)

We watch the movie, which was very good. Review will be up here eventually. Once I get around to writing it. But I felt absolutley compelled to get this post you're reading right now up first.

Movie gets done, we laugh at the ridiculous titles and jobs that some people have. I even offer to take the job of the 'focus puller' on the next film. Yes that was an actual job title ... wonder what s/he does ... or maybe I don't. Get done laughing at that, begin walking out, see the group in costume and begin chatting.  I, at this point, am fairly easily excitable. It's my birthday, I am surrounded by friends who came to see a movie with me, I have family at home waiting to celebrate my birthday, and we're celebrating at this huge party we put together all for me (so I don't end up so depressed about being this 'old' that I can't get out of bed for a month) AND if all that weren't enough there are random people IN COSTUME I get to have my picture with. Woo Hoo!!

So we all go outside and take a few different shots, me and Allison and her son. Lots of laughing was involved. Because it's sorta easier and gives me an excuse to link it, the pictures are over here on my photoblog. They were just as in to it as we were, which, obviously, made it all the more incredible and fun and adventure! We (allison and I) told them we'd have pics up on myspace or wherever. We all said our goodbyes and allison and I walked one direction while the 'Narnians' went the other direction. Allison and I stood in the parking lot talking for 5ish minutes and two of the Narnians came jogging over to point out that they never got any information from us about how they'd find us on the internet. So I gave them a card I have in my pure with my blog address on it and we chatted a few more minutes. Then they said that they had decided to go eat at Perkins and if we'd like to join them that'd be great.

Well, not only were they fun and not only is it my birthday but one of them was a guy and he was sorta cute .... so, why not, right? I know mom, i'm crazy, but it's perkins in JANESVILLE for goodness sake. I believe in the goodness of people and I figured if they creeped me out or stopped being so much fun I could simply excuse myself by being tired and having a big party the next day and leave.

As I'm driving towards home from the movie theater I'm debating whether or not to show up at Perkins. Any number of arguments and reasons go through my head. Why not? What kind of person DOES something like that? What if this is a really great guy who's a little shy and will never have another chance to get to know me? What an absolutely hysterical and fabulous 'meet someone' story could that end up being??? What if I make some new friends? I have a reasonably handy excuse. It is my birthday. As if the picture adventure weren't enough, how much incredibly way better would an entire evening spent with virtual strangers be to add to this blog that I've long neglected???

I'll give you 3 guesses what I did and the first 2 don't count.

Now, if you know my track record in situations that require some amount of boldness or bravery you might actually have guessed wrong. If you were paying good attention to the previous writing, you probably guessed right.

I went to Perkins. I beat them there. I sat in my car listening to Leona Lewis' fabulous hit (that you may be still listening to right now) and trying to decide if I'd get out of the car when they got there or chicken out and go home. I'm there maybe 1 minute, at most, when they pull in AND pull in right next to my car. So I gather my purse and decide that I will very meekly ask if the invitation really was a valid invitation 'cause I can totally go home. But as I have my head turned to grab my purse I hear this noise and when I turn one of the girls has basically thrown herself against my window and is smiling at me! Well, clearly this was a valid invitation ... because if not then throwing yourself onto my car is really not the way to sneak into perkins without being noticed so you can be left to enjoy your friends in peace. So I joined them. When I got out I said “I guess that answers my question.” They asked what question that was and I told them “Well, whether or not it was a real invitation or if you were just being nice to a birthday girl.” To which Lucy replied that no they had just said in the car that they thought I was a really cool girl.

We got a table, I sat next to the guy. We all enjoyed a variety of conversations about a variety of topics. Alicia (is that spelled right?), or Susan as she's known in Narnia, drank her Coke out of a horn. No joke. Amy, also known as a Gryphon, had these great sea creature looking feathery things in her hair. Liz, the local Dryad, was lovely, included her green face. Amanda, or Lucy, and Travis, or Edmund, were a very sweet couple. Chris, or High King Peter, cut a fairly stunning picture with the light wind blowing his cape back while standing in the parking lot. Actually all of them looked pretty cool with the wind blowing their costumes around. Edmund and Peter had real swords, which they left in their vehicles during the movie. Susan blew her horn before we left the movie theater ... actually Lucy blew it, but it was funny regardless.

Oh and ... when I got to mom and dads for supper they sang to me. After we got done taking pictures they sang to me too. Then, at Perkins, they sang to me again. Plus I am certain they will sing for me tomorrow at my party. So that definitely makes a record. Oh and my friend Katie sang to me on voicemail this afternoon. Absoulutely a record.

I have to note here what are likely the two funniest parts of the evening. We're sitting around a table at Perkins and this older gentleman is led to a booth near our tables. As he is about to sit down Chris points and says something I can't remember anymore, I think maybe “Wow, look at that!” To which the older gentleman looks at the host and gets moved into the next section of seats! Chris was pointing at a cop car going down the road outside the restaurant and the guy just happened to be in the line of pointing, but it made for a lot of amusement in the group.

Then, we stand up to pay and leave and this girl in the opposite section from the older man just starts staring with this incredulous look on her face as if she just can't comprehend how people would actually go out in public dressed in these outfits. Or maybe how she is confused because it isn't October and there is no Renaissance Fair in the near vicinity. So we laugh at her a bit.

BUT WAIT! You had to know there was at least one more good piece. We are all standing outside saying goodbyes and doing our final chats etc. And you'll never guess who leaves the restaurant!! The old guy! So, because I am sweet and kind Christian woman I say “Have a nice night!” And he doesn't break stride, doesn't hesitate for a nanosecond, says “yeah” and keeps walking straight to his car. As if we are insane and might mob him.  Again, very amusing.

Now if you're not amused by all this or you don't quite get what is so funny there are a couple of things you have to keep in mind. At the point these stories happened I, personally, was fairly hopped up on sugar and caffeine. Not to mention the sheer energy surge I get from being around interesting, new and fun people. To my knowledge none of us were drinking anything nor influenced by anything else. Plus it was almost midnight and half of them had been up since pretty early this morning.

It was an adventure. What else can I say? Are you surprised? Didn't think so.

(P.S. If you're one of my fellow Narnians and you want Allison's myspace, send me a message or leave me a comment and I will email it to you. )