43

Journal

Thank you very much for your birthday greetings, birthday text messages, birthday calls, birthday emails, and birthday gifts. It is all greatly appreciated. Boy, do I feel spoiled on this birthday.

May 2: started out with a lot of walking around the city, and a nice meal at Two hands in Tribeca; a cute brunch place, with delicious food. After, a walk to the financial district, to sit in the park. After, it was time to treat myself to a nice massage. I usually love a good deep tissue massage. But this woman? It was so deep, to the point where she actually pinched a nerve. Since Friday, I’ve been taking Advil, and icing my arm. I won’t be going to that salon again. This day. I ended up walking 4 miles.

May 3: Saturday was the hot, sunny day. Started the day in Washington square park. Then, walked to the Hudson River. Then, more walking; headed south to Tribeca, Went to the Odeon, a frequent hangout of Warhol and Basquiat. Everything was ridiculously overpriced. Let’s just say, the dessert was better than the main course. Walked 3.5 miles.

May 4: Sunday: one drizzly, cloudy day. I wanted to hang out with friends, which was wonderful. We went to Balade, in the east village. It’s a cute and delicious Persian restaurant, which I recommend. After, the library bar, on Ave A. The smell of booze, and old piss filled the air. Classy 😂

After, we walked to the lower east side, to the parkside lounge, for another drink. My choice of drinks at bars are either a bitters & soda, or ginger beer. Both are good for digesting food, as well. Walked another 3.5 miles.

May 5 (My birthday). It was a wonderful day, overall. Although, cloudy & rainy out, I wanted to relax, and watch movies all day. I did absolutely nothing (which is what I wanted), except go out to dinner. Originally, I was going to go to a comedy show at the comedy cellar, but I was too tired to head to the city.

Time to dress up for dinner. I posted this pic on Facebook, and the pic was already flagged. Why? Who knows. I find it unbelievable, yet comical, that I was flagged.

Birthday Dinner time: I went to one of my favorite French restaurants: Cafe Eloise in Jackson heights (Queens). This place is just incredible. Everything is good: the appetizers, the main course, the desserts, the service. This place is an un-pretentious, under-rated, yet a top-notch French restaurant, which I highly recommend. They know exactly what they are doing here.

It was nice to have lovely conversations with family members & close friends, although I’d rather see them face to face.

One of my relatives called out of the blue, as well. We had a nice conversation. He moved out of Chicago, to the Deep South, to a town filled with 1,400 people. It’s interesting, hearing about his life now. Then, I tell him about my life, and living in a town filled with 8 million people. He says, ‘No thanks; I’ll take the peace and quiet anytime.’ I heard from other family members, who I also miss dearly. Having FaceTime chats, wishing me a happy birthday was very nice.

Every year, around my birthday, I tend to go to a salon, and the yearly check-up from the doc, because I find it important to treat yourself, although sometimes, I’m not a fan of the doc.

For my 42nd birthday, I went to the dentist, for dental work. For my 43rd, I went to the eye doc. I never thought I’d ever need glasses. These are readers. They work. I’m still getting adjusted to them. Pic taken today, 5.6.25.

Again, thank you all for the birthday wishes ! It is much appreciated ❤️❤️❤️