Birthday Extravaganza

This year, as my birthday rolled around, I really never found the excitement that usually comes with birthdays. Chalking it up to old(er) age, I initially thought a very small (read: family) gathering would be just perfect. Some of my friends would be out of town and I wasn't keen on a large happy hour type celebration like I had last year. After much harassment by other friends, I finally planned what is now known as the Birthday Extravaganza. I kept the event pretty small and the weekend remained mostly low-key and I can say, at the end of it all, I had a very happy birthday.
First, I should point out that I celebrated a little early with family. My mom and I made a somewhat annual trek to the York Fair to see a concert. For the second year in a row, Daughtry performed at the Fair, but this year was the last concert and quite the attraction. Mom let me take her camera this year and from our 3rd row grandstand seats, we got some good pictures!




And then, for week 1 of the NFL season, Richard and Sarah made a trip to visit me and watch the Jets take on the Dolphins. The game wasn't aired back home and as it was Brett Favre's first game with the Jets, it was a must-see for the Carters! They were also supposed to bring an old tv of theirs to replace mine which is relatively obsolete (namely as it's the same one I had my senior year in college) so that I would have television come February. Imagine my surprise when they show up with a box and Richard says that we're watching it on this and produces a box with a 22" LCD tv. I was largely confused until Sarah says "Happy Birthday". Once I was over the initial shock, I was very surprised and excited with my present. Here is a generic picture of my new tv:

Friday after work, a small group of us ventured across town to Matsutake Restaurant for dinner. I have never been to a hibachi restaurant, so it was quite the experience. Matthew chose some sushi rolls for me to try; I am being a little more adventurous with sushi now that I am 6 years removed from the inorganic chemistry incident. Here is Matthew ordering:

While we waited, I opened my presents. First, I opened Leah's present. Oh, here's Leah and I at dinner:

Back to the present...I had an inkling about what I was getting as nearly ever year, I've stumbled upon something I think might be for me and she tries to convince me that it is, in fact, something she bought herself. I was still excited however to get a "Little Miss Trouble" notepad...

...and a Vera Bradley "Hannah" purse in the new Puccini pattern.

I love my new purse and even though it's kind of tiny, I can still fit my favorite wallet in it. This was not the only purse I received for my birthday; Monica made me a small pink tote purse and decorated it with rhinestone appliques of a soccer ball, flip flops, a martini, cupcakes, a big fabric M and a black and white floral ribbon. After Leah's present, I opened my present from Drew, Matthew, and Michelle. The wrapping was particularly awesome...

...paid for by your government tax dollars! I really liked the packing tape bow. After what turned into quite the excavation process, I found a KPL Scientific tote bag, clearly hijacked from the research festival. But, more importantly is what was inside...

...also known as best. present. ever. For those unfamiliar with football teamwear, this is a "throwback" jersey, which is meant to resemble the uniforms of past. This particular example is the NY Titans, the team preceding the NY Jets, the team on which Brett Favre now plays.
After present opening (there are more presents to come later), it was time to eat. We first were brought a course of soup and salad, and the sushi for those who ordered some. I liked the first sushi roll I had, but everything was cooked. The second was topped with raw salmon and I wasn't too fond. I'm getting better, though. Here, Drew, Monica, and Michelle enjoy their soup and salad.

Following the first course, the hibachi chef comes out and goes crazy on the little grill in front of us. It's not really a grill in my mind, more like a bit flat piece of metal. It made good food, however. We had rice that was freshly fried and grilled veggies. Main courses ranged from scallops, shrimp, chicken, and steak. I had chicken and shrimp. The chicken was good, but the shrimp was somewhat void of flavor. Oh well. Since I had opened presents, it was quite obvious to the staff that it was my birthday. Lucky me, that came complete with song and free dessert.

This is some sort of sherbet...undecided whether it was mango or melon or some combination. The waitresses all sang and one played a gong. Drew really got into the parts where they sang "ya ya ya". He even danced. To cap off the dinner experience, we took a group shot. The lady couldn't use Leah's camera and most everyone wasn't in their best form.

After dinner, we walked the short trip to Maggie Moos for ice cream. Only Matthew and I got ice cream. Everyone else was full, or something. Birthday ice cream has no calories! Leah took pictures of me from outside the store and scared the poor little boy behind the counter. Clearly, at 28, I am still immature.

Following ice cream, we walked a few more steps to the movie theater. The feature for the evening was "Nights in Rodanthe" starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane. It was opening night for the movie and the theater was quite full. Prior to seating, Matthew and Michelle played a few video games:

We went and got seated shortly after our fun...it was quite adventurous since half of us had tickets for theater 11 and the other half for theater 12. Oops. We had an entire row saved and Drew was in charge of saving the last two seats for Richard and Sarah, who joined us at this point in the evening. He was unsuccessful and they got stuck in the first row craning their necks for the entire movie.
After the movies, Monica and Michelle bid us adieu. The rest of us moved onto Terrace Lanes for bowling! Here, a tired few get our lane and ready ourselves for competition!

While we waited for everyone to show up, I opened Jami's present. A while back, we had gone to Pier 1 and I contemplated getting an apron, but having spent money to redecorate my dining room, I didn't find it important. Jami remembered and got me this adorable apron from Anthropologie:

In the first lane, Leah, Kathy, Jami and I. In the second lane, Richard, Sarah, Drew and Matthew. We got some beer and settled in for two hours of laser bowl. Once we got going, things started looking up. Here, Drew and I were waiting our turns...and yes, his eyes are red.

I had an excellent first game. I usually do the best in the first game, so I was not surprised. I rolled a turkey in the middle and was well on pace for my best game ever, but fell a little short. In the meantime, we had a little fun...

To be fair, this was the second take of this photo. I was pleased to have Matthew and Drew getting along well with my brother.

After game one...first lane - Leah 71, Kathy 112, Melissa 139, Jami 85.

...second lane - Richard 101, Sarah 77, Drew 74, Matthew 116.

This gives us a total of 407 for lane 1 and 368 for lane 2. Trailing lane 1 by a good margin, the members of lane 2 tried to kick it up a notch. Richard finally remembered how to play, Drew started using Richard's ball and did well. Here are a few individual shots - Drew:

Jami:

Kathy:

Leah:

Matthew:

And a few classics - me and Leah, again:

One of Sarah and I:

During the second game, I also channeled my inner Drew:

Yes, those are his Lasik sunglasses. And then I channeled my inner Matthew:

Finally, we came down to the wire in game two. Richard had a split in the last frame, with two pins on one side and one on the other. To tie my 2-game score, he needed 1 pin, to win, he needed 2 pins. It looked like a sure thing.
Game two, first lane (two game score) - Leah 94 (165), Kathy 95 (207), Me 112 (251), Jami 76 (161). Total for lane - 377 (784)

Game two, second lane (two game score) - Richard 149 (250), Sarah 108 (185), Drew 129 (203), Matthew 113 (229). Total for lane - 499 (867)

Lane two won the second game and the overall 2-game score, but most importantly...Richard put his ball right through the middle of the split and lost the two-game total to me by a point. He was a good sport about it.

Richard and Sarah left after game 2 and the rest of us mainly spent the third game goofing off until we ran out of time. Drew was determined to bowl a 20-mph ball and did so on his very last attempt. Jami managed to get the ball to curve down the lane like the professionals. And Leah and I took more pictures:

It was a late night, but one well spent!
Saturday, Leah and I made a trek to Westminster for some NY & Company and Steve & Barry's. There were no photos of this excursion, but I did get the beginnings of my Halloween costume and Leah bought lots of pairs of pants. Upon returning home, I had every intention of going to PA for the night, at which time my parents and I would purchase my present. I was tired and decided to take a nap. Falling asleep around 7pm, I awoke around 9am. What a nap!
Sunday morning, now, I ventured to PA for a laid-back day of football and family. The Packers game was on Fox, so we were able to get that on local stations, but the Jets game was not being aired locally. We relied on our usual online viewing websites and Richard streamed the game through the computer to the TV.

During Jets game commercials, we watched the Packers. Of course, we both had recently gotten new Favre jerseys, so we supported our boy.

Sarah and the puppies also got into the action:

Brett Favre had a career day, throwing 6 TDs - a personal best - in a 56-35 rout of the Cardinals. That was also one of the games were the losing team surpassed the winners in total yardage! The Packers lost a heartfelt game to the Bucs, whose kicker had just lost his son and was instrumental in the victory.
After football, we went in to Bella Italia in Littlestown and had subs. I love Bella Italia subs. We also hit Walmart up for a short trip, initially to buy my present, but since I had found it cheaper online, we ordered it upon returning home. What is my new present, you ask? Good question! Mom and Dad put in money toward a new digital camera and I got a plum Nikon s210:

As soon as I can rescue it from the post office, I will be sure to make the most of my new technology and take awesome pictures at my next birthday event - DC United vs Chivas USA on Saturday. But, for now, friends, it is time for me to hit the showers and retire.