This is your favourite birthday correspondent, Birthday Girl, reporting from the cool climes of the Liguanea valley. I’ll be bringing you all the latest updates on Bianca’s Birthday, the 2007 edition.

Day 1

The birthday season began early this year, sailing in two days before usual. Saturday November 10, saw the lady of the week waking up inordinately early (i.e. before 7am) to prepare for an out-of-town trip. The lady’s gentleman showed up with a sly smile leaving her wondering what he was up to.

The trip was accompanied by a “mix CD” that’s right, hours of mushy love songs, no staticky radio for us. Arrival in Ocho Rios was at about 10:30. First stop Dolphin Cove. Bianca lived one of her dreams and swam with the dolphins. Unbelievable! Combined with petting iguanas and holding a stingray (de-barbed), the day was one big creature feature.

Next stop Riu Ochi Rios. Let the food fest begin. Before reaching the room the young couple stuffed themselves at the pizzeria. After checking out the room, the hotel tour included stops at the bar. A little nap and then off to dinner Like I said, a food fest.

Nothing like a little show after dinner. The Riu entertainment team had a whole theatrical production going on with fabulous dances and strange gender-bending. Not to mention an almost naked Michael Jackson. Hmm. No comment on that.
Day 2

Day 2 was all about the rain. Having woken to the sounds of rain, a light drizzle greeted the lady of honour on the way to breakfast. During the meal the rain began to pour and pour and pour. That didn’t stop the intrepid pair from walking to another restaurant to check out the breakfast there.

Amidst the soaked tourists a second breakfast was had before a quick nap. Checkout was followed by a little snack for the road and off they headed back to town.

All in all, Birthday ‘07 is off to a good start. Let’s see what the rest of the week holds.

It’s really sad when…
instead of your job being a part of your life…

it gets in the way of your life.

Today is my mummy’s birthday. Every year I try to figure out some way to kind of say thanks for everything and make her feel special. Up to last night we were talking about the surprises we have pulled on her in the past. This year my father and I have collaborated on a present that will definitely surprise her. No way we could sneak it in in the night so the plan is to hopefully get it setup before she gets back from work. Fingers crossed. Of course, she will probably beat me home so I won’t get to see the face. Oh well.

Wow! It is amazing how much difference it makes when you really care about what you’re doing. Of course, being able to compare it to other things you do really makes it clear.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to teach a 2-hour session at the Edna Manley School of Dance. Not in dance though (ha ha, that would be funny). No, I was a guest lecturer in a Theatre Arts Management class being given to final year Dance students. The course is being run by a friend of mine who asked me to help out. So I spent 2 hours lecturing and conversing on Fund-raising, Sponsorship, Proposal Writing, all tailored to the arts in Jamaica. I must say I enjoyed it.

Now contrast that to a 3-hour training session I gave the day before at work. Same small class size, similar level of familiarity with the material but talking about software definitely does not give me the same buzz. When I was finished I was just relieved to have gotten it over with, though I actually have several more of those (exact same) sessions to do.

It’s a small thing but it really felt good to be doing something (anything) in the direction of where I want to go, even if it was teaching which I never saw myself doing really. Apparently I don’t do badly though because I may be asked to help out with other sessions and perhaps be on the panel to evaluate their final project presentations.

Hmm, a wind is blowing.

Many a time in my life I have felt the sweet relief of freedom as I jump into my car. The ability to direct one’s travels in very liberating. Those people who have had to go without their vehicle for some time quickly feel burdened by having to wait for someone else.

But there are those moments when that same car can make you feel trapped.

Yesterday I left work at my usual time (5 p.m. that is, not the under-project-pressure time of after 7, 8, 9). As always I found myself sitting waiting for the traffic light at the end of Knutsford Boulevard. Eventually I was the second car from the front. The light had just gone red so I whipped out my cellphone to make a call. Unfortunately this meant I did not notice the indigent fellow approaching my car. His hand out, he began to ask for some money. I politely responded that I had nothing to give him (perfectly true unless he takes credit cards).

He continued to ask. I shook my head, began to scowl, flashed my hand at him as he continued to plead his case. Well, I guess he saw an opportunity. He leaned on my window and proceeded to shout through the closed window. The general gist was how much he loved me and my “ripe breasts”. I would laugh if I had not been feeling so very trapped and violated as there was nothing I could do.

Luckily the light changed shortly thereafter and I was able to move off. But my skin was crawling all the way home.

Is it any wonder I refuse to drive with my windows down, and burn AC all the time when it’s cool outside?

Today I received an interesting comment. Was a first for me. This person, who I have known (not well obviously) for about a month, told me they always thought that I had kids. Apparently I was conveying this air of tolerance and wisdom that they usually see in women who have kids, the ones who have been through it, the ones who “know”.

Now on the one hand it may just be a good thing, some wise old part of my personality that was escaping. On the other hand is it that I have just been through that much shit in my life already that it comes across to strangers? Something for me to think about I guess.

Of course, the conclusion of the discussion came when he said “Well, you definitely should have kids.” Not that he was offering to provide them for me, but it seems the impression is that I am suited for it. Hmmm.

I’m a cello again!!

Well the last 3 weeks have been eventful. Would have been sad if I’d been sitting around doing nothing and not blogging.

At the beginning of August, I took a well-needed break. Headed to Miami for some rest and recuperation after the successful concert season. The shopping was good, the company was better.

Once I was back at work, I had mad catching up to do plus deadlines like crazy. That more or less took up the last couple weeks. Imagine, me, leaving work after 9 p.m.?!? What has this world come to?

Then of course, there was the whole date with Mean Dean. My family fared well, no major damage to anyone’s property. So now it’s post-hurricane season and I am so happy!! We got back light today! So only one real day spent in the dark.

So now that life is back to “normal” I will be trying to blog a bit more often. See y’all.

A sea of faces,
eyes not seeing
my fears arise

A chorus of voices,
sharing thoughts
that once were mine

A circle of hearts,
open yet closed
to the cries outside

A circular sea in chorus,
so full of joyous life
and all without me