I had a birthday; it was awesome. I dreaded it, coming up, that’s part of my pattern. It means things like ‘getting older’ and reminders of all of what I haven’t done yet and the dark side of age and yadda yadda.

Yet the day itself was nothing short of magical. And since then I feel great. Instead of feeling older, I feel renewed. Brand new, reborn. It’s luscious.

I had a party, of course; I don’t always, but somehow this year it seemed required. I invited a bunch of people, some of whom (just the right number, and just the right people, though there were a few I expected, and missed) showed up. People stayed late, participated in my game and had a blast, in a very good way.

One person got drunk and obnoxious, and what would a party be without that guy? Actually he was kinda sweet, in a sloppy kind of way.

The game I had people play was this: we had a microphone, an amp, a bass, a bass amp, a crystal bowl, several guitars, several drums, and a wide variety of talent in the room. I started, and we went around the circle, taking turns. Each person could choose to do something themselves or request something from someone else. The variety of what emerged was amazing!

We had songs, of course; there were several songwriters in the room. Shauna requested that I read a spoken word piece that I performed at the Habitat Cabaret in December. You can listen to that performance here, if you like.

David, a salsa teacher, gave a salsa dance lesson. Thea requested to hear the crystal bowls, so Ian played them and we toned along with them. Bill wanted to hear some drumming. Ian wanted to hear a group song, so Ric played ‘Moonshadow’ and we all sang along.

Karin started and led a vocal jam (which we like to call a conniption). This involves a lot of surrender, listening and uninhibited allowing of the sound to flow, and it worked wonderfully as it always does! People are amazing!

Peter shared his shared his performance piece, which you can see here; I filmed it at Folk Yeah in March. Cheryl Cohen played the song on her new CD which she had recently recorded called ‘Sacred Hands’ and you can listen here on her MySpace page.

Ric was gracious enough to play the song I wanted to hear from him; you can hear a clip of that here; and if you want to know more about him or buy his CD (which I recommend), you can find out more about him here.

Ron read a letter he’d written to the editor. The story he told before he read the letter, about his cat, was much more entertaining. Still, as he said, ‘that’s my talent’. I’m so impressed and fascinated with the levels of talent and willingness to share that people have, when they’re invited.

A gratifying number of people wanted to hear something from moi. I suppose, I mean, it was my birthday. Pnina wanted to hear Peter and I sing a love song, so we did. And Sheya requested my brandest, newest, never before played song, which was edgy and fun to do.

Then after a full circle completed, we hung out and talked until I had to beg imminent unconsciousness and the party ended at two thirty or so.

So, oh yea. That was a good one.

You can see photos of the party here.

And oh yes… the dress. Oh, the dress. A birthday gift from Shauna, it’s luscious green silk, made of gossamer, moonlight and nothingness, which reveals all. Or it would have revealed all, if I hadn’t covered it with a black top.

Here’s what it looks like without the cover-up. Ooh, me so daring!

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