Short & Sweet

Mum told me she read my "Toothpaste" blog and couldn't stop laughing.

I thought that was really cool.

Me.

P.S. Got 79% for my 'Lucy's Plight' assignment thing. My creative story was described as "compelling" but I fell down in my critical analysis. But 79% = distinction so I'm happy happy happy! :)

May 3 – The rest of it [introducing the Nokia E65]

The remainder of May 3 was pretty low key. I got out of bed at eleven-ish, and went through the motions of waking up. My bedroom was not looking so neat. It was as though the clothes, wrapping paper and shoes had been having wild clothes/wrapping paper/shoe sex over the past four hours. I considered tidying but realised it was my birthday, and one doesn’t tidy on one’s birthday, so with careful foot placement I made my way out of my room. There were two balloons tied festively to a chair at the breakfast table, which I appreciated, but the chair wasn’t where I wanted it so I switched it around with another so I could see the TV (Will & Grace was on – couldn’t ask for a much better start to the day). Did other boring stuff before checking out my myspace and feeling grateful for all the birthday wishes, then I blogged the blog before this one [thanks people for all the birthday wishes there too :)] and then mum got home from work and it was time to go get my main birthday present – a new phone!

Made our way to the 3 shop in Glen Waverley, answered a lot of questions (including “how long have you lived at your current residence?” to which I answered in a moment of realisation “Twenty” whilst thinking Man, I am old...), signed a bunch of forms (may or may not have my soul anymore, not too sure), and was presented with a brand-spanking, new-fangled, super-awesome Nokia E65. Two words: it slides. That pretty much explains the rationale behind why I got it. Haha, no I’m not serious (much), it has heaps of other cool features too. Plus it’s better than my brother’s phone. :)

Ventured home phone in lap, assembled and plugged the charger into the wall at first available opportunity despite being ravenously hungry for lunch. After quickly reading over the manuals and 3 brochures, and sliding the phone up and down repeatedly mum and I ate lunch including a delicious vanilla slice – confirming my theory that food tastes better when you have a superior piece of technology in your possession.

Paul came around at 3:40, right on time. Although to be honest the fact that he was coming had slipped my mind – such was the excitement over new phone (sorry Paul). Anyway, enjoyed and appreciated his company immensely. It’s always good to see you best friend, but even better when they skip a university class to do so on your birthday! He bestowed upon me gifts three. All will be put to good use eventually... somehow. Paul left.

Dinner arrangements were up to me. I had no clue what I wanted to eat, but felt that because I was now twenteen I should be mature and go out somewhere rather than just settling for a fast food substitute. Ended up at Sofia’s in East Burwood. I had a bourbon and coke and a disgusting glass of wine over dinner and felt very grown up, especially watching Mark with his Pepsi. Ordered spaghetti carbonara – mistake. I had never seen such a gargantuan pile/mountain of pasta in my life, and I ordered the small size! I reckon I ate about a sixth of it. It was kind of embarrassing when the waiter person asked if everyone was finished while looking straight at me and seeing the condescending look in their eyes when I said yes – as if he was secretly saying “So you think you could devour an entire serving of one of our ridiculously sized meals? Well we sure showed you,” whilst proceeding to scoff, tip his head back and laugh maniacally (all in a French way).

Made it home, was sung happy birthday to before a white chocolate cake with a 2 in the middle and ten candles around the outside. It was touching, and I realised it more this time than others for some reason. I wished for my family to live happily and healthily for many, many, many years to come.

Eventually bade everyone good night (including my phone) and went to bed to dream contented birthday dreams.

May 3 – From midnight to 7am

I wasn’t supposed to be working last night (Wednesday May 2) but unless I did I would have had to work tonight – on my birthday – and there was no way in hell that was gonna happen! Anyway, I worked a “close” shift at Maccas from 9pm-1am last night/this morning. It was… both good and bad. Word had got around that my birthday was tomorrow (starting at midnight) and for the whole night the other crew were offering to bring me drinks or cook me food while I was out the back doing wash-up. It was really nice of them all: Tanya, Jess, Lucas and even the Nazi-like manager lady known as Simone.

At midnight (pretty much on the dot) they came out the back to where I was hastily washing stuff. They presented me with a donut from McCafe. It was a very “sweet” gesture. I really appreciated it. At the end of the shift Nazi-Simone gave me two apple pies to take home which was also kinda nice. During the shift I also:

• Burnt all of the finger-tips on my right hand removing chicken patties from the deep-frier thingo. The pain was quite excruciating, and I still have the burn marks to show for it if you want proof!
• Got some kind of disgusting rubbish sludge all down the right side of my body when I was throwing the black plastic garbage bags in the dumpster just before it was time to go home.
• Somehow managed to bang my shin into a wall leaving a nasty bruise.

So I was slipping ice blocks down into my right hand glove, trying in vain to get the right side of my body clean, and limping slightly, but I didn’t care because it was my birthday!

After getting changed and dropping Lucas at a friends house where he said he would “get drunk in my honour”, I made it home and proceeded to wash myself further. After the said self-cleaning, I got my first and so far favourite birthday phone call (from Nathan). Then I hopped into bed at 2.30ish, knowing that I would be woken in a mere four hours…

Three knocks at my door disrupt the silence of my room, and as it slowly opens the light scares away some of the darkness. I hear a chorus of “Happy Birthday Dale!” – it’s Dad followed by Mum followed by Mark. I slowly rise out of my slumber and smile. Turning on my light I’m patted on the shoulder/hugged/punched playfully. Gifts and cards are thrust upon me by my loving family. I open the cards which were hilarious this year – Mark always makes me laugh with the messages he writes in his. This year it was: “Daley boy, Have a happy, happy day. From your superior, Mark.” It was damn funny. :)

I open cards from Grandparents and other extended family members and mum stands all the cards up on my desk. 6:55 comes – Dad has to go to work and Mark to school athletics. They wish me a great day once more and leave my room. Mum, still in her dressing gown, does the same shortly after, leaving me sitting up in bed appreciating how awesome that all was and how much I love my family. About ten seconds later I’m asleep again.

Dale

Things to blog about:

Dale - the family inconveniencer
Driving girl home from work late at night
The great competition that is Supercoach
My assignments (creativity and criticism)
Blogging (and annoyingly forgetting interesting topics to blog about)
My upcoming birthday celebration of sorts
Phone disappointment
Discussing drugs in a tute at uni (Mini-man)
Surreal moment of bonding
May 3 - Midnight to 7am