Song of the day:
Video of the day (from a birthday house show in Chicago a few years ago):
Black History Month
On this day in…
1913, Rosa Parks was born; she would later go on to be a key figure in the Montgomery bus boycott when she refused to give up her seat.
1971, National Guard mobilized to quell rioting in Wilmington, N.C. Two persons killed.
1986, the United States Postal Service issues a stamp of Sojourner Truth, an abolitionist and women’s rights activist.
1986, At the 38th NHL All-Star Game, Edmonton Oilers goalie Grant Fuhr was awarded the MVP award; he was the first Black player to receive the honor.
1996, J.C. Watts became the first African American to be selected to respond to a State of the Union address.
Quarantine Birthday
Last year I got to see Hamilton in San Francisco on my birthday. This year I’ll be watching it on Disney+. Last year my mom was in town to celebrate with me. This year we’ll be celebrating via Zoom.
By now most of you have experienced a quarantine birthday. I’m one of the last batch who hasn’t, but now it just seems normal. It was weird in April and May last year, and even a little weird in the summer, but now? Normal. I’m not going anywhere or doing anything but I did take today and tomorrow off so I didn’t have to work. So I guess that’s something.
I’m not sure what I thought 53 would feel like. I don’t think I ever thought about what any particular age would feel like, what I’d be doing, where I’d be living, etc. But overall I think it feels pretty good. Yeah, there’s something insane going on with my body and this stupid rash (which is getting better but still, it’s annoying), and sure, when I was jumping around my living room Sunday night to Switchfoot’s streaming concert my knees screamed in agony, but mostly, things are good.
I’m pretty sure next year’s birthday will be in quarantine as well but maybe the world will surprise me. Maybe everyone will start following the rules. Maybe we’ll all get vaccinated in the next few months. Maybe, maybe, maybe…
Until then, I’ll look forward to connecting via this newsletter, on Twitter or Instagram, via text and email, and yes, even through FaceTime and Zoom.
Please make sure to eat a fancy dessert in honor of my birthday. Or a plate of French fries. Whichever you prefer.
Until tomorrow…
Oh! I almost forgot about my Top 25 list for the day…let’s shift our attention to food…
Top 25 Favorite Foods (in the order they popped into my head)
French fries
Popcorn
Pad Kee Mao w/Chicken
Chicken Tacos
Chicken Taquitos
Filet Mignon
Baked Potato
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Peppermint Squares
Potato Chips
Chex Mix (homemade, not store bought)
Grilled Chicken
Ham
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Nachos
Charcuterie
Grits
French Onion Soup
Chips and Salsa
Waffles
Bacon
Hashbrowns
Pineapple
Raspberries
Apple Pie