Twenty Six

Today is my 26th birthday. I’m not one of those people who dreads a birthday, grays or getting older. Maybe because I feel like “old” is still a long way off? We can revisit that in a few more years over a dish of Werther’s Originals, but for now I’m excited about getting older; I’m excited about the next 365 days of my life, what they will hold, what I might accomplish with them.

For posterity: I took today off of work to “celebrate.” My close friends and I went out for burgers and drinks on Saturday, so the larger celebration—the wild one, if you could even call it that—has already taken place. Today, the actual day, has just been quiet. I am going to go get a tomato, mozzarella, cucumber and basil sandwich for lunch, read my book somewhere outdoors, work on some stories I have in-progress, and have dinner tonight at Gjelina in Venice.

My joy, does it speak for itself? I feel a bit spoiled this year in the gifts department. I can now officially shut my fat mouth about not owning a typewriter! Cameron got me the exact seafoam Hermes 3000 typewriter-of-my-dreams that I had been staring at for months and months. It’s from 1962 and it’s in beautiful condition, complete with its original manual and cleaning brushes. I unwrapped it on Saturday and I think, like a child, it has crossed my mind at least once an hour since then. I wake up in the middle of the night to make sure it is still there.

The typewriter was made in Switzerland (Serial# 3140602) and, as usual, I would really like to name it. Boy or girl? I’m not sure. If you have a suggestion, please let me know!

As well, Mom and Dad chipped in and I was able to buy a gently used Canon Digital Rebel XTi EOS 400D camera for my birthday. I’m on the very-very amateur scale as far as photographers go, but I’ve been wanting to learn and practice; I think this is the perfect opportunity.

So.

I feel like I am in a very good place going into my 26th year. Grateful and lucky, yes. There is so much to work on. My hopes are high and through the ceiling for what I can learn and accomplish. LET’S GO!