I know I am lacking a vacation tweet. That will take more as I have to do a bunch of photo sorting so it’s going to have to come later in the week. For now, we will update on my most recent adventure, my birthday extravaganza that ended up being a crazy success.

First and foremost, I want to thank all of my friends for being so incredibly amazing. The flood of birthday wishes I got via various sources throughout the day was so overwhelming and flattering. I cannot believe that many people cared enough to wish me a happy birthday and I love you all. There were so many that I found it hard to thank everyone individually. I truly apologize if this bothered you. Please know that I am ever so flattered and grateful.

Thursday, I headed to the Yucca Tap Room which I haven’t been abandoning for ages to enjoy some good ol rockaroke. A nice sized group of my friends showed up (Bob, Jessy, Eric, Debbie, Noah, Marc, Nicholas and his wife) and actually stayed for a good amount of time. It was nice to finally get to meet Noah in person and he even bought me a party pink fedora as a present. Additionally, I was able to wear *the* pink fedora for a few minutes, in which a photo op occurred. I got to sing one song, (after they played the birthday medley since someone informed them) which was Cheap Trick’s I Want You to Want Me and we got to see several classic rockaroke moments as well.

Photo Courtesy of @hepnova

Friday, was Phoenix Actually’s first event and it went perfectly well. We held an open bowling event at Sunset Bowl in Phoenix which was $11 for all you can bowl and shoes. So many people showed up that I knew as well as new people I had the pleasure of meeting. I am so glad to see this really starting to take off and am excited for the future of Phoenix Actually. I got a birthday medley here as well which included Shorty It’s Your Birthday . I believe that moment got captured on video by my dear friend and fellow Phoenix Actually visioneer Matt. Once again, it was a fantastic night. Related, I had the best bowling shoes ever.

Last night was my polka dot light rail party, which started out with dinner at Hanny’s. I hopped on the light rail with my dear friends CJ and Jessica and we were instantly in love with the decor and vibe of the place. We took over the 2nd floor of the restaurant and were joined by about 12 other people throughout the night. The service sucked and the food was okay but we will had a blast. About 10 of us ended up heading over to SideBar afterward where I was able to enjoy a red velvet, a white rabbit, and a lemon drop on top of crazy conversation. It was a late night, and I didn’t end up at home until 3:30am. This is pretty much why I didn’t wake up until 11am on Sunday. The cutest shot of the night was one Marc took of CJ and I at SideBar.

Photo Courtesy of CJ

Today, the festivities got extended as I ended up with a group of 12 or so at Fez for breakfast. And yes, their breakfast is just as good as their dinner. I will be back for sure. Afterwards I went to watch District 9. Well worth it. Now I’m trying to catch up with everything I haven’t done in two weeks with the combination of vacation and birthday.

You all have spoiled me. I wouldn’t know what to do if I ever stopped having such wonderful friends. Thank you for making my weekend so spectacular and for keeping me younger than my age. You’re all super fabulous. Special thanks to Marc for being the one to stick it through all three birthday events. You rock.

I love celebrations. I love birthdays. A typical summer for me involves careful planning of my birthday celebration that happens towards the end of August.

This summer has been different. It wasn’t until a week ago that I even remembered my birthday was approaching in a couple months. Now that I’m slightly more aware that I was before, I’m still not really doing any planning.

It’s not that I’m still getting settled. I’ve been here for over 8 months now. I’m well settled into Phoenix. I have friends, I know the area well, and I’m living my pretty much typical over hectic lifestyle rather well.

I don’t really think it’s because I’m one year closer to 30 either. I’m not really bothered by that.

On the contrary I think it’s because rather than always being loaded up with social events with my various groups of friends, I’m also doing various activities for other organizations more than I usually have in the past.

Point blank I haven’t really been thinking of myself lately, aside from my 30 before 30 list which should be ready in a month. Any suggestions of things I should do before I’m 30? Let me know.

Last night I headed to Sheila and Evo’s house to celebrate Debbie’s birthday Hawaiian style. Second Hawaiian themed party I’ve been to this month, and it was as fantastic as I expected.

As it started out that day, I ran errands that afternoon to find something I was in the mood to bring, ingredients for a dish to take along, and Strongbow for Debbie. I was able to pick myself up some Boddington’s but four stores had no Strongbow? Ridiculous.

By the time evening came around I was ready to head out. First stop though? Coffee for me and then Bevmo to pick up Strongbow. I ordered a large mocha from Solo (mmmm), but on the way to Bevmo discovered a flaw in the cup. It was religiously dripping.. not only on my almost white new pair of jeans but my cup holder was holding about 1/8 of my mocha. Ugh. So there was a detour back to my house to change jeans as well as grab a Pipeline Porter to start the night off, as it has Kona coffee in it. I guess I jinxed myself with the slight mention on twitter that I was thinking about turning my awesome off.

When I finally arrived, I thought I had ended up at the wrong house on accident; it was way too quiet! Good thing I was wrong, because I was ready to party. I handed Debbie her Strongbow and opened up the porter. I was then lei-ed twice at once and thus initiated into party mode.

Sheila made the best red velvet cake, despite it not having a red coloration. I’m serious. It was damn good. And I know red velvet cake. It’s one of the only two cakes I really like. I think for my birthday I will have Sheila make me her red velvet cake and CJ make me her cherry cake of awesome.

There were so many awesome people there and it made me so happy to be invited and considered part of the gang. Sometimes I think I am still an outsider to Phoenix so it’s nice to know that I’m really not. You are all amazing friends. Truly.

Dancing happened. Talking happened. Drunk dials happened. Chaos happened. Good times happened. Sea Monkeys happened.

I also realized that I have been a small topic of conversation. I think I came across last night like it was a bad thing, but it really wasn’t. It was kinda cute and flattering really. You guys are awesome. I have such great friends. Now just hook me up with a man that fits my requirements and we are good!

Oy. Now it’s time for Monday to start.