Lordy, Lordy, I'm Friggin' Forty

It's my fortieth birthday. And it's been unexpectedly wonderful wonderful. I was expecting a few e-cards at most. But in my BabyKid classes I had them sing "Happy Birthday" to me. And then Rinako took me out for lunch and gave me a small present - hair accessories, which I really need since the wind started up and the static gets pretty horrific at times. Then when I went to Skyland tonight, we started the class as usual at 7:00 talking about our past weekends and future ones as well. About 20 minutes in I mentioned it was my birthday and thought they might sing to me. Boy was I wrong. The place broke into Defcon 1 and plans were made on the fly. 15 minutes later all 8 of us had been whisked off to the Act Tower by taxi. I thought we were going to a nearby bar. Once again I was wrong. We proceeded to the 30th floor to the very posh Paganini restaurant with a gorgeous view of the city. Shortly thereafter I was drinking Dom Perignon and blowing out the candles on a beautiful cake while the pianist played "Happy Birthday" on the Grand Piano, and the wait staff applauded with the the beautiful view of Hamamatsu at night as a backdrop. I was so touched I started to tear up when I was blowing out the candles. I was really quite speachless. So I said a simple, but heartfelt "Thank You." We continued to drink and eat and chat until 10:30. Then they sent me home with the aid of a daiko. This is kind of a tag-team designated drivers for hire. One of them drives you home, while the other follows to pickup the DD. I can't tell you how touched I was by the whole experience. It's just been very mindblowing. And fun. Damn, can I turn forty again next year?