Ghosts of Birthdays Past

I don't remember my 21st birthday.

In fact, I clearly remember only two birthdays:

• 16, when my girlfriends and I had a pool/slumber party at the Holiday Inn
• 29, last year; I was on 'American Idol' duty

I have a terrible memory, and never been much into my birthday, but still -- that's just pathetic. Remembering names, faces, dates and events of the past is definitely my greatest weakness. The kind and generous might say I only retain when I need to know now. The cynical and unforgiving (such as myself) would say I'm just self-absorbed.

Though, if I were really that self-absorbed, you'd think I'd at least recall things that happened to me -- such as birthdays. But over Christmas, my friend Christy gave me this notebook from 12th grade containing long, angsty notes about boys and ... well, boys. And I was shocked to discover a long, two-page note about a Beck concert I'd attended with my crush. Because I have absolutely no recollection of it. If you'd asked me before Christmas whether I'd ever seen Beck (whom I love) live, I would've said no. And the Cardigans (whom I also loved) were the opening act! Even after reading this detailed account -- nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. It might as well have never happened.

That made me sad (as did the non-recollection of birthdays past), which is partially why I started this blog. I had such a good time reading the 12th grade notebook (sample quote: "I don't mean to treat boys like stuffed animals." Hi-larious), and I don't want 10 years to pass by, and not recall my 30th birthday. I'd like to be able to read an account of what happened to me -- and not just special events, but the mundane, random day-to-day stuff, too.

So, 30 has been the Energizer Bunny of birthdays -- it keeps going and going. Because the majority of my friendships are one-on-one, I have various dinners and brunches and other food-related events scheduled for the next two weeks, culminating in "Fake Birthday" (Feb. 6). I tried valiantly to put together one big shindig, but with people out of town, people not able to make into town, people with infants, etc., it just wasn't going to happen.

At least, this way, I get to eat good food: Korean BBQ Thursday; fried chicken Friday; crab boil last night (my friend Amanda's apartment is going to stink for, like, three days ... thanks though!); Max Brenner's today for brunch; Babbo tonight; and later -- Fleur de Sel, the Modern, Gramercy Tavern and more!

It's safe to say, this just may pass the birthday in the post below, gastronomically.

me eating fried chicken out of a
drink cup (ingenius); crab feast pics to come