TheRapidsNerd Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Originally, I wasn't going to put up a PTR or otherwise, but the events of the day seemed worthy of sharing. So sit back, relax, and have a laugh at one of my more memorable birthdays. Today is my birthday. I turned 33, and for the first time in my life, I feel something of an adult. I feel a bit more stable, established, and pretty comfortable in my own skin. It's odd, because inside, I still feel around my early 20's, but with more life experience. Too bad my jokes haven't improved with age as well. Anyway, the original plan for the day was sleep late and play tourist at the US Space and Rocket Center, then meet girlfriend and parents at Carrabba's for dinner, then gifts and cake at the parent's abode. Like I said, that WAS the plan. My girlfriend called last night saying she had strep throat, but was coming anyway. Bless her heart she didn't want to miss this day. I quickly talked her out of it, emphasizing rest was more important and that we'd celebrate later. She grudgingly agreed. *sigh* major bummer and no romance for this nerd on birthday night. Crap! I woke up this morning, still bummed about my girlfriend's illness and found it was very dreary and cold. Do I really want to get out in this? No. It's just not the day for the space center. So I slept late, worked on a coaster model, posted the vid on YouTube, and had a lazy day, but still in a bummed mood. Got dressed for dinner around 4 pm to meet the parents at Carrabba's at 5. Curiously, I wanted one glass of wine to go with the always spectacular lasagna. That's rare, because I'm not much of a drinker. Upon getting to the restaurant, I didn't see the folks, so I was seated and waited. Saw dad walking across the restaurant to the host stand, flagged him down, and found their table. We ordered dinner and a bottle of wine, a 2006 Gabbiano Chianti (yes I though of THAT movie and chuckled). When the wine came, I was offered the sample to test. Now I'd SEEN what do, but didn't know WHAT exactly it was I was doing or why. Here's the transcript of those moments in my head: "Ok, I gotta look at it, smell it, swirl it around, and taste it. Looking at it...yep looks like wine in a glass. What am I looking for in this? Alright I guess I'll smell it now that everyone's watching. Yeah, smells fruity and stuff, like wine. I really have no clue what I'm doing, but I guess I look like I do. Looked at it, smelled it, ok, I'll taste it. Hmmm...smooth taste, not harsh or bitter. I like this. Oh, they're waiting on me to say something here. Uh, ok, I'll just smile and nod approval. That should work." The rest of the meal was just small talk and poor dad getting attacked by food splatter on his new shirt. He just couldn't win. While feeling bad for him, my attention was drawn by the inpending birthday singing that follows a public birthday meal. I don't hate it enough to claw my eyes out, but if I can sidestep it, it's not a heartbreaker. Thankfully, Carrabba's did something really cool. Instead of a half hearted song sung by spaghetti splattered servers , the wait staff autographed the menu and put a special page in it with my name and a birthday wish. What a great thing! It really made me smile! Yes there is a pic in here of that. Awesome! On the way out, I thanked the host who seated me for a terrific birthday dinner. He says "It was your birthday? How old are you?" I told him 33. He says "That's really wierd because I seated you at table #33 when you arrived." We both laughed. Somewhere, Rod Serling was too. I snapped a few pics on the way out of the restaurant and headed back to the parent's house for Key Lime Pie and gifts. The pie was the second craving of late (the first was the lasagna) and it was just right. Not coma inducing sweet like a traditional cake, but just right and flavorful. We got back and opened gifts, including some trip cash, a medusa lamp, and THE SAME CHIANTI from Carrabba's! Dad found a bottle of it on the way home and it was cheaper at the grocery store! Yes! Told him I was happy he got a good deal on it and we both laughed again. Finally we come to the happy birthday song and my camcorder's doom. We took pictures, played that extremely annoying candle that screaches a tinny version of happy birthday worse than an 80's cell phone, and started to film the big blowout. Right at the end of the song, the camcorder slipped out of dad's hands and smacked the linoleum harder than a prize fighter after a good right hook. It wasn't quite dead, but the buttons and internal chip were scrambled. Could only turn on. No menu access, nothing. Poor camcorder. The video being shot at that time was corrupted and wouldn't open, though the evening's pictures did survive. What follows is the LAST ever from my camcorder. Humorously, I had been eyeing an HD version and been looking for a good excuse to upgrade. Well, the powers of the universe gave me a big 10/4 on that upgrade. Just bizarre. Anyway, to wrap up this epic, what started out as a crappy birthday really turned into something nice and entertaining. I enjoyed this one much and was glad to share it with my folks. Glad to share it with those of you who read this too. And now, the pictures... And I'll end with the smooth and creamy pie, one of my fav desserts. I love eating pie. Thank you for reading my ramblings. It's much appreciated. Me. Same bad jokes, but now with more hair, and a sport coat. Beware of low flying pigs and frozen hell... As I've gotten older, I've really come to appreciate the gesture behind a gift, more than what or how much received. Simply put, I'm grateful to be thought of. Words to live by. This was just a great idea. It still makes me smile. I did enjoy this wine so. I think you know this place by now and the Chianti is Lector approved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UniversalGSHo22 Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Happy Birthday!! I celebrated mine on Tuesday with a trip to Disney and a Dole Whip Float as my birthday cake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share Posted January 27, 2008 ^ Hey Thanks! Wait, you did WHAT?!? Oh wow! Dole Whip Float > Key Lime Pie Happy Birthday to you as well! Yeah, there aren't many pictures, but if folks take the time to read the text (granted it's a lot) there are some humorous bits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCFreak Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 First off, Happy Birthday! Sorry to hear it didn't go as planned, but I'm glad it all ended up working out! And I'm sure your girlfreind will make it up to you. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share Posted January 27, 2008 ^^ Aww thanks man. I appreciate it. Lord only knows what I'm in for with the girlfriend. ^Hey thanks! Juliana? Oh man! Tell me she doesn't work there. If I did see RIP's woman, I'd have said hi. Amen brother! Carrabba's is awesome. My leftover lasagna got devoured about an hour ago. Carabba's. Always a good decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceace12 Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Happy Birthday, Sucks about your camera, but like you said, good time to upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 ^ Well, the thing was gonna get hosed sooner or later, not that I'm rough on equipment or anything. I'm looking at options and have time to work with. Luckily no real needs in the next couple months. Dad was kind enough to offer to replace it (poor guy felt bad), but I'll just take care of it later. Anyway, thank you for the well wish and sympathy. To all of you really, a heartfelt thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downunder Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I keep thinking Carabba's is that place they had the birthday party in South Park where Cartman wasn't invited, and he abducted one of the kids who was so he could go. I'm gonna have to check this place out, Elissa rates Carabba's highly so it must be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 To borrow someone's catch phrase,"Elissa's instincts are strong". If you like Italian, it's really worth trying. Had several meals there now and not one of them bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downunder Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I did the Olive Garden with R & E and that was pretty good, and Elissa rates Carabbas well above that, so I'll be in first chance I get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 ^ A bit off topic but something you might enjoy, I'm doing an RCT3 recreation of Wonderland Sydney's Demon (that later became Zoomerang at Alabama Adventure). At present I'm still working out some scenery/landmarks for it, but it's almost finished. Hope you enjoy Carrabba's whenever you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downunder Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Thanks. It's sad when the marquee attraction at your (former) home park is a Vekoma Boomerang. Oh well at least there's some good ones a 1000km up the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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