So (e:paul) wanted to have a surprise party. But of course you can't expect that - so we did absolutely nothing on his actual birthday. The next day, we had (e:mike) take him to the mall (it would be suspicious if (e:terry) or I took him, I swear) while we prepared an afternoon surprise party - it started at 3 and went into the next day.

A lot of people showed up and it was a drunky awesome time. (e:libertad) and (e:mike) added to the crunk level with St. Germaine (?) cupcakes, which tasted amazing.






A lot of kitchen cramming. Here's mike and dave taking the gay finger test. Sorry, Mike - Dave is straight.












The microwave has some sass to it




I would say a good hour of the party went from attempted spankings on Paul to a full UFC-style tournament. I pinned Paul, got pulled off by (e:terry), and then had to face (e:yesthatcasey) and Troy to make it ridiculous. I actually like grappling but this was a lot for one party. Look at this beautiful bruise I won as a consolation prize.


Hope you were surprised Paul!

We've celebrated (e:paul)'s 39th trip around the sun today. He worked during the day of course, but we took him to his facorite restaurant Sato for lunch with (e:Heidi) and (e:Dianne). We even drove ?.

Then went to Tony and Maria's shortly after for round two. Cheesy lasagna, artichoke and mushrooms, a million desserts.

I'm so stuffed right now I want to lay down on the floor like (e:Mike) is. Good thing because Paul got an electronic scale with a body fat measurement.

Right now we're all watching cable about a show of people watching other TV shows.

Here's to another year amazing Paul! <3 you

It finally snowed on Sunday. I don't think it ever felt like winter until now. It really all came down in only a few hours - so I took a walk with (e:terry) when he went to go work and got to play in it for a bit.







When I got back, (e:paul) helped me continue stripping the upstairs back hall with the steamer. I worked about 5 hours on one side of the hall with the steamer - what a pain in the ass. If it wasn't for the embodied energy in this plaster I'd say rip it out, replace the electrical and put up dry wall. It would have taken less time, and we wouldn't have a patchy, delaminated plaster wall anymore.

I have seen lots of sites that show fixing delamination and cracks with plaster buttons and adhesive. Then you have to learn how to do a good job mudding it. If I had more time I'd be interested in learning but this has taken two months to get back to to begin with.

Saturday has the obligatory farmers market pictures - all these jona gold apples for $8, onions and cabbage heads for $2 each, and a huge delicious bag of sweet winter carrots for $4.





Later we headed over to a family dinner at (e:mike) and (e:libertad)'s with (e:paul)'s family including (e:czarkasm). Somehow I only got a picture of the food but it was a good time. Everyone took a shot at (e:libertad)'s wooden "nose in the hole" game.

Last Wednesday my old fraternity brother Brian passed through town on his was to a juggling convention in Quebec. Originally he and his friends were supposed to stay here but it turned into just a pit stop - so I zoomed on my bike over to see him at the mythical Wegman's liquor store.



He started juggling vodka bottles while balancing a wine bottle on his nose. I was so suprised I didn't even take a picture and I'm pretty sure the workers were about to need a change of pants.

I don't think I really have talked to him since school almost three years ago (or really anyone else for that matter). In a sense it's kind of shitty that we could connect and don't, but I agree with Paul when he says it's nice to catch up with someone and not already know everything they've been up to.

He's applying to ChemE PhD programs in Switzerland. Lucky!