Forty-Seven Trips Around the Sun...

*Taps mic* Hello... Hello? I just wanted to make a small announcement. 

Today is MY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Wooooohooooo!!!!!!

🎈🎂🥳🎉🙌🎁💃

I'll never understand the vibes that some adults give off; that they're not fussed about their birthday. It's the best! Even when I've spent the day on my own, had no plans, or been 'going through a rough patch', the anniversary of my birth is a lovely glimmer of light. It's the positive upside of the week. It's provides a Ready Brek glow all the day is long. And it's not about presents. It's not about getting stuff. It's the FEELING. 

My first birthday cake.
The mood is nonchalant.

The past seven days were officially designated as My Birthday Week. The normal rules didn't apply; all bets were off. For example, I used my posh bubble bath more than once. I chose the best picky teas and had patatas bravas on a week night. I also rewatched the ten second video I've got from 2012, where my Grandma (who died later that year) wishes me a happy birthday. All the loveliest things. 

The brown decor suggests 
this was 1971 but no.
It was 1987.

So, whilst I'll carry on with the Weekly Update, be aware it's infused with more positivity, more self-care, and more Ready Brek glow than usual. What do you expect? It was MY BIRTHDAY WEEK after all. I've had a ball!

Writing News

I've done NOTHING. Ha. My empty head is happily enjoying the break. Whoop!

Mikey Madison in Anora.
She was exceptional.

Culture News

I finally managed to see Anora - the film that won four Oscars last month. You know what? It's pretty good. I let it pass me by when it was originally released. To be fair, if it hadn't been lauded so much, I'd have continued to give it a swerve. It sounded too gritty and depressing on paper. Happily, on screen, it's funny and poignant, as well as sad and scary. All the feelings!

Food and Drink

Check out my birthday week picky tea. Isn't it beautiful? I also broke my no crisps in the house rule (because I'd eat them all if there was a stash) and so had the odd packet here and there. I also made a cake (for another household birthday - in MY week! Tsk) and there was no question. I went straight to my Queen, Nigella. Her chocolate and Guinness cake is utterly delicious and I could eat it forever. Something about the Guinness means the sickliness is dialled down so it's properly fit. And then finally, there was an Albert Schloss Sunday lunch yesterday. All tasty birthday fun!

Out and About

I did an overnight to London. I know! What a week I've had! For Christmas I'd got tickets to one of the Off Menu live shows. Hurrah! I didn't know who the guest was going to be, but I could listen to James Acaster and Ed Gamble riff with anyone. As it turned out, when I rocked up to the London Palladium, the secret guest was Rhod Gilbert! Whoop. An excellent evening was had by all. (It's my birthday so I feel I can speak for the entire audience.)

HELLO 47

So this is forty-seven. Isn't it a nondescript age? I remember the heady thrill of turning sixteen and knowing I could buy a cigs and a lottery ticket if I wanted. This time, it's more of the same. But isn't that marvellous! More of the same will suit me just fine. And even though my birthday week peaks today, and it's back to normal tomorrow, I'll ease back in slowly. I think the fancy bubble baths and the patatas bravas can hang around a little longer, don't you?

Have a lovely week, folks.