Black Celebration

I have had a special request to talk about 40th my birthday party. No, I did not celebrate my birthday drinking Champagne on the Champs-Elysées, pretending that the Bastille Day parades, fireworks, and fighter plane flyovers were for me (although that is a grand idea and I’m thinking of maybe trying for that on my 50th). Instead, I had a very nice little celebration at home.

From the evite:

“Beating all reasonable predictions and expectations, Jimmy has managed to live to be 40! Come celebrate this remarkable anomaly of science and probability on July 14th at the Pribble home. Food and drinks will be provided. No gifts, please. Spouses, Partners, and Significant Others are welcome.

Jimmy may have lived to be 40, but alas, it looks like he will never have any money, so give-up on those blackmail dreams and bring whatever embarrassing photos or stories you have regarding our hapless lad, for the entertainment of all.

Casual attire recommended, unless you are coming from a wedding. If you are vacationing in Scotland and unable to attend the party, it is requested that you hoist a single malt Scotch whiskey in honor of your Scottish-American friend.

The party will run late, so come by when you can.

Cheers.”

I had my family come over a little early, so that we could spend some quiet time together, before my friends arrived. My brother was on duty that night, but was still able to come by briefly. That put his police car in front of the house so early that I’m hoping it gave me some street cred with the neighbors (“Jimmy’s party just started and the police are there already! I told you he looked like trouble!”)

Soon after, my friends came over. David Sylvester, his wife Melissa, and Rob Booth drove-in from out of town. Mat Farabee and his new girlfriend Allison were there. I had old-school friends, new-school friends, the BS Girls (uh, that’s Bible Study Girls), the BS Boys, the Gourps (ACF 2:42 Group), work friends, car friends, boat friends, and neighbors. It was great.

“Surpassed expectations 33% in the lifespan department, and far more than that in the “assimilating into a normal suburban guy” dept. I hope the party reminds you of the good times to date… since your memory is certainly failing at your advanced age.”

– Charles Braden

I had asked that nobody bring gifts, but of course, some did. The presents were split down the middle between the good and the gag. Predictably, I got a pair of reading glasses, a daily pill case, and some Depends. I should note here that within a week, I was using the glasses and the pill case. I haven’t needed the Depends yet, but the way this month has gone, let’s just say they are under the sink, where I can get to them easily. Good presents included some nice clothes from mom, a bottle of Bourbon from Peyton and Rob, a bottle of wine from the Bufkins, and Every James Bond Movie Ever Made from Mat!

“How did the 40th birthday celebration go? I predict you played “Black Celebration” at least once…”

– Charles Braden

Rob Booth’s present was a special birthday playlist, which you can read about here: My Name is Rob, I got a real funky concept…

Anyway, I think it was a good party. I certainly enjoyed myself and the company of my family and friends. We way over-bought food, so despite our best efforts, we didn’t run out of food or drink. The usual suspects stayed late and played iPod Wars. For some reason which I don’t entirely remember, I pulled-out all of my LP records, even though I didn’t have the turntable hooked-up. I let Peyton look through my scrapbooks of embarrassing photos, to make-up for what we did to her on her 30th birthday.

“Thanks for stalwartly treading the path to old age in advance. If all goes well, I may consider following your lead.”

– Beth Welge

Dave Elliott was kind enough to make drinks for me all night. If I have been drinking for awhile, I tend to simplify my drink recipes. For example, I might fill a glass with ice, pour it to the rim with bourbon, drop-in a single mint leaf and call it a Mint Julep. Or, fill it to the brim with rum, drop-in a single mint leaf and call it a Mohito. Really, it’s much easier to remember them that way, but it’s probably better to have somebody helping me with a more balanced approach to properly mixing cocktails.

The Fluhr Bros. and their dates Jackie and Nöelle reinvigorated the party with their late arrival from Chip Workman’s wedding. The boys had been in the wedding party, so they all looked smashing in their formal wear. Of course, they had brought me car-related gifts. They gave me a racing style rear-view mirror (same height, but twice as wide) for the Audi and I guess to show his contrition and concern for almost breaking my neck a couple of months ago, Ken gave me a neck support, which fits under my helmet. Now that’s a funny and thoughtful gift.

So, how does it feel to be 40? Well, since turning 40, I have begun using reading glasses, I have seen a cardiologist about chest pains (and hence, have begun using a daily pill case), I was sacked from my job of the last seven years, and my grandfather has died. To be fair, it hasn’t all been bad – there have been some good things, too. Still, it has been a wild month. I’ll talk more about some of this stuff soon.

jimmy