Happy Birthday, missjanna! By now you've had your cake (and eaten it too) and are hopefully on your way to celebrate further.

Happy Birthday to you, too, sunbabe!

Rave: The air routing to Oaxaca next Christmas that I thought was sold out has not even been made available yet. (That's why the website showed "no seats available.")

Rave: We are getting positive indicators on the likelihood of getting a permit to expand our house. (We're in a stream conservation zone, so thought it might not be possible at all.)

Rant: People who direct their venom at you even though you are not responsible for their problems.

Happy Birthday, missjanna!
Rave: had a phone conversation a few days ago with friends I haven't seen for nearly 20 years. We drifted apart - not exactly a falling-out, but not on the best of terms either. I sent them a note when there was a sudden and tragic death in their family, and got a very warm note back last week. I decided to phone. It was a great conversation, very warm and affectionate, and we're getting together tomorrow. They'll get to meet my sweetie for the first time. It feels very good indeed. Hope everybody has a great weekend!

Rave - the Suimeikan Ryokan in Gero, Japan has *big size* yukata. Unlike the normal Japanese-sized yukata that stop halfway between my knees and ankles, this one went all the way to the too-small slippers.