Happy Birthday Bubba!

Jason celebrated his slow approach to senility last week. He turned yet another year older. Way to go Jason!

As always, Jason absolutely refused to work on his birthday, which I think is a good policy. While I was at work he spent most of his time lounging, with a few productive things mixed in here and there. I left work early so we could go see Hellboy II, which was a cool flick. After the movie we headed up to SLC for dinner at a restaurant we had never tried before, Martine. I am a sucker for trying new restaurants. Martine specializes in tapas, which are pretty much appetizer sized entrees. Typically you get 2 or 3 tapas in place of a main dish. We had a table full of different tapas to try between us. It was a fun experience.

The food at Martine was surprisingly cheap for a gourmet restaurant. We were pleasantly surprised when we got our bill and it was only for $50, which included our desserts too.

The best thing we tried at Martine was the caramel covered grilled gingerbread served with vanilla gelato. Yum!

Of course, as always, my favorite thing about dinner was the company. Jas and I consistently have a blast when we go out together.

Jas with his “stock”
Jas with his “stock”

Jason was very excited to get some Google stock for part of his birthday present. That boy is a geek through and through and has been requesting Google stock for the last couple years. He was thrilled that he finally got some. I bought him a container of chicken stock to represent the stock he was getting. He didn’t get the joke.

The Police Please!

Jason and I went to the Police concert last night at Usana Amphitheater with Andrew and Simone. All I can say is wow!

The Stage
The Stage

We had absolutely fantastic seats. We were only about ten rows from the front. These seats were well worth the $200 price tag.

Sting, Andy, and Stewart were amazing! Listening to them you never would have guessed that they had just recently reunited after a 25 year hiatus.

Stewart Copeland on drums
Stewart Copeland on drums

I am too young to have been a fan of the Police when they were in their heyday. I was introduced to them when I was in high school, a decade after they broke up. I had been a fanatical Sting enthusiast for years and once I learned of the Police their music quickly became a favorite of mine as well.

Sting!
Sting!

Thankfully the audience at this concert was not super tame and lame. Most of the people around us never took their seats-so I didn’t either. I sung, clapped, screamed, and bounced around the whole night. I knew every word to every song without any thought. Listening to the Police was like listening to the soundtrack to my life-so familiar was every chord and word.

Sting
Sting

Although Sting is now 56, he still looks like he is in much better shape than me. That man has aged extremely well! The other members of the Police didn’t look like they had fared as well over the last twenty five years but Stewart Copeland still had it going on, banging away on the drums!

Wow! If they ever tour again, I will definitely be there.

Growing Younger

For my birthday this year Jason decided to do something special. He surprised me with a trip to Disneyland.

Mr. Goofy with Goofy
Mr. Goofy with Goofy

After all, nothing makes you forget you just turned another year older like spinning in those tea cups until you feel like you are going to lose your lunch.

Me in a tea cup
Me in a tea cup

Jason decided that just going to Disneyland wasn’t enough and that some embarrassment was also in order for my birthday. He made me wear the Disneyland birthday button. Before this trip I didn’t know such a thing existed. This rather large button elicited many happy birthday wishes from the Disneyland crew. Apparently they are trained to watch for them. I got birthday greetings from all sorts of people, even the employees emptying out trash in the bathrooms or cleaning the streets.

Jas in the skull cage
Jas in the skull cage

The most embarrassing happy birthday wish came from the operator of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. In the midst of his standard “Keep all your appendages in the boat at all times.” speech he told all those in our boat, “Yell out your best yo ho ho for Captain Rachel it’s her birthday”. Everyone in our boat happily complied with his request, much to my humiliation. But even with the embarrassing moments, the birthday button was a lot more fun than I expected. Having dozens of random strangers wish you happy birthday does make you feel special, even if it is a little awkward.

Me playing in the pirates lair
Me playing in the pirates lair

Thanks Jas for one crazy, fun birthday! You just proved once again that you are the best husband ever! (I know, I know, I am slightly biased.)

Jas with Mr. Toad
Jas with Mr. Toad

On a side note, we stayed at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. If you have the funds to do so, I would highly recommend staying at this hotel when you go to Disneyland. It’s actually located in the park so anytime you feel like going back to your room for a nap, or to pick up a jacket, or whatever, it’s only a short walk away.