I only have three things to say tonight.

I am a moody bitch.
My sister rocks the universe.
Some of my friends truly rule.   

Since the first and the last kind of relate, i will address the middle one first.

My sister and i don't always see eye to eye.  In fact we don't often even see elbow to elbow.  I can not recall her having ever bought me a meal in her life.  She is now 21.  I have experienced her having bought me presents before, although...nothing quite like this.
   Yesterday she was in town and she offered to take me out to dinner for my birthday. I, of course, jumped at the chance.  Free food is a grand thing. Especially from such an unexpected source.  On top of that, as i arrived at the movie theatre where we were going to see Ice Age before dinner she walked up to me and handed me a box.  a small box. a cardboard box.
   On the said it said Bonsai.  I jokingly asked, 'what'd ya get me a tree?'  She responded yes. I didn't really believe her and the box was tape shut.  Didn't believe her until i saw, through the bag that she had also handed me, that it was a book on care of bonsai trees. Not thinking her capable of the level of subterfuge and cruelty that i am, i assumed this meant it was, in fact at tree.
   Later while at dinner, at the urging of our very personable waitress, and the guarantee of tape to re-close the box against our sudden winter conditions, i opened the box and took out the most beautiful thing i have ever seen (certain persons in my life excluded, of course). It was, indeed, a bonsai tree.  The most gorgeous little Japanese Larch.
   I have always secretly loved Bonsai trees.  They are exquisite. Such age and grace held together with the sweet beauty of nature.  I have never bought one though.  Mostly cause i was afraid. Afraid of the responsibility.  They do take a lot, they need a different amount of care each day.  And they aren't smart like cats, they won't come and claw you to make you feed them.  And afraid of the need for a vision. If i can't visualize where i want the tree to be then i can make a horrifically ugly mess of the poor thing as we go through the pruning process and maturing steps.
   But this was a gift. So it's different. i have been given the responsibility, i didn't seek it out on my own. So i will give it a go. Here is a pic as it is now.  Ask me for another in a year and we shall see how i have done.

I don't really make a big thing of my birthday...for a number of reasons you don't need to read. (well, ok, for a number of reasons that you won't get to read)  But this year, i guess it is something a little special.  And a wonderful friend is making me make a big deal.  And that just rocks. 
    Apparently i am getting a theme dinner that...well is more than a little odd.  and i just love it.  it's all of my most favourite foods, offered up....what's that word...um....separately...right, a la carte.  A right eclectic bunch of stuff as well. I'd give you the menu but i don't want you all jealous and stuff.  Apparently everyone is supposed to mimic in me in some way as well.  In dress, speech, habits, etc.  i can't see how this would be a bad thing.

   The moody bitch thing.  well, i'm experiencing mood swings like i have never before. up and down and all around. it's kind of fun i guess. and it sucks. and it's fun. i kind of like it when my mind won't listen to reason, when i lost control of it. but at the same time the effects aren't all that nice either.  Tonight it was hearing that a friend wouldn't be coming to my birthday.  Drove me right off the bend for a while.
   You know, until i took some pictures of my new tree.

Which reminds me. i don't know if it is normal to name your bonsai, but i have.  my bonsai is named salvatore.  named after the foremost bonsai expert in europe, one of the major sources for my book on bansai trees.  it's an ironic honour because we are still trying to figure out what the hell a bonsai expert from europe is...is the one to write a book.