Mirthday Badness, I mean, Birthday Madness

Last week was a VERY MONUMENTAL week for me.

1). I found out that I am going to join this lovely lady on stage at the University of Southern Maine commencement. Because I'm the chosen representative of the student body to speak at commencement.  (!!!)

2). I'm not ready to make the announcement official, but an email came from a woman in human resources at Tom's of Maine, "Amanda- your background check went through. I'm working with payroll to put together a compensation package and start date for you." My income will basically double, I'll be spending way more time at Bentley's, the biker bar in Arundel, and I'll be driving again.***

3). My 28th birthday came and went. Let me tell you, it was awesome. Have I mentioned that I have been OBSESSED with the Talking Heads "Stop Making Sense," the live album? I listen to it all the time. An embarrassing amount of listens. But it always fits my mood. I never get sick of it. It cheers me up when I'm sad, it supports the spring in my step when I'm happy. 

At some point, I realized  still had not seen the film. I posted on FB about it, and an unexpected amount of people responded, indicating that it was the most amazing concert film ever and shaming me for not seeing it. Actually I shamed myself. 

So I told Mandy that all I wanted for my birthday was to have a bunch of people get together at a bar or whatever and watch Stop Making Sense together, because it felt like such a momentous occasion that I wanted to share it with those I care about most. And I did! Mandy and my boyfriend kept me almost completely in the dark- We showed up at Pizza Villa and they welcomed us with open arms. The owner kept trying to give us shots, the bartender has us turn the tv to improve his view. Random Pizza Villa customers stopped and watched for a bit. It was perfect.

This was the best scene, from "Life During Wartime." David Byrne? Be still, my heart.

Thanks again to everyone who came out. It was really nice to see you.

FINALLY

 4). In the words of Billy Joel, I'm movin' out. Know of anything? Wanna help me decorate my new solo digs? (Once I find them?)

***Since I started writing this post, I received an official job offer and I accepted. My first official day is May 7. I'm so excited to get a new dentist!

Zombie Jesus Day

A couple of years ago, within the existence of this blog, my birthday fell on Easter. The night before I had a party at the Snug- I wore a very revealing dress and drank like it was my birthday. I barely remember closing the bar making out with a dark-haired, talented, Meca-grad-turned-fine-dining-waitstaff.

The next morning he rushed out*^ and I realized I hadn't planned anything for my actual birthday. I spent the majority of the day alone, in my 300 sq ft studio, feeling lonely and frustrated about my hangover. I was single, all of my friends were going home to their families, and there was no bus back to Lewiston. My family wasn't celebrating anyway because my mom usually works on weekends and holidays.

Today is Easter and my birthday is next week. In honor of Zombie Jesus Day, I made myself breakfast tacos (which are a lot like huevos rancheros, I think), with a sake/fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice cocktail. 28 isn't exactly a milestone, but the good news is that I have nearly about reached my goal of getting a bachelor's before I turn 30. May 4 is the last day of classes, then commencement 10 days later. Did I mention that I applied to be student commencement speaker? I made the final 5- if I don't get picked, I promise I'll post it here.

Meanwhile, I'm contemplating serious life changes. Some voluntarily and others are in the hands of fate... or the background check company. It's been stressful, dealing with the fear of the unknown. So I'm shopping for Noritake china on Etsy and watching Cheers on Netflix. I'll post some Cheers observations soon. Between homework assignments, of course.

*It's odd that he rushed out so fast... because I accidentally gave him like, five hickeys. TMI? Well, would you be rushing home for Easter if you were going to show up to Grandma's looking like that? I didn't think so. 

^I ran into him during restaurant league while waiting tables at Bayside Bowl. He bought a bunch of shots of Jameson for his teammates and put them all on his tab. Before I could bring him his bill he said, "I don't even want to know the total. Here's my card. Tip yourself 20%." I thought for a second about tipping myself more than 20%, a bit of redemption for leaving me on my Loneliest Birthday Ever. But I didn't.