My Birthday

We’re back from Ireland, but I wanted to make a quick post about yesterday, which was my 46th birthday.

I don’t know when the tradition started, but every year for my birthday I go and see movies in the movie theater. This has been going on for decades, as far back as my teen years. There has only been a couple of years when I missed this tradition, once when I went to WOMAD – and that’s about the only one I can think of. Even if it’s only one film, the tradition hold.

This year would be no different. While I wasn’t going to approach my record of 6 films, I’d get in a good amount. The plan was for three films to be seen. I was excited as I hadn’t seen many films at all this year on the big screen.

My schedule in recent years is dictated by the kids and the requirements to transport them to and from summer activities as well as wanting to include whoever wants to join me for at least one film.

After dropping off Déla and Ciárán at their summer camp in the morning it was time for my first film of the day – Pacific Rim. A big monster versus mechs summer spectacle. Not only is it a “perfect summer movie” but it’s in line with my personal interests and a film I had been hoping to see on the big screen. Heh, big screen. I saw it in IMAX 3D. It was great fun.

Then Laura had picked up Déla and Ciárán and dropped up Déla and August with me to see the next film – Despicable Me 2. This was another fun film, but I do wish I had the time to rewatch the first one ahead of this. I still remembered much of what went on, and you only need the broad strokes to get into the plot of the sequel, but I would have enjoyed it more I think had I rewatched that first film.

Dinner was Chinese food. Actually, it wasn’t my first choice, or even my second. Initially we were going to grill some burgers, which again wasn’t my first choice, but that’s the food we have in the house that I wouldn’t mind having. About 4:30 or so there was the rumble of thunder, and combine that with the fact it was Greenwood Mandarin’s last day in business, well, Chinese take out it was. I will miss Greenwood Mandarin.

I was going to see a third film, but was getting too tired. About 5 minutes before I left I figured I shouldn’t go. The movie was going to start at 7:45 and I was tired. While I would have been fine for the film, I didn’t want to risk being too tired driving home after a 2 hour movie. The jet lag from returning home from Ireland was beginning to hit me.

So I altered the plan and we were going to finish putting the kids all to bed then go downstairs and watch some television. I sat on the couch in the living room and the next thing I know Laura is waking me up. “It’s 9:30. Time for bed.”

What?!

I missed even getting to watch some television and having leftover birthday cake. Damn.

Still, it was a good day.