Year of the Homer is over

I feel as heavy as Homer though. "Drawing" courtesy of the official movie web site.

Yesterday, my Year of the Homer officially ended. Thankfully I didn’t have any Homeresque moments at work (I’m probably more like Moe there), in marriage, in friendship or bowling (it’s pretty hard to injure yourself through the Wii). Oddly, the two major Homeresque points both involved keys and didn’t cost a lot of money. According to the scale, I still weigh less, but not by much. Obviously I have way more hair too.

I have been watching all the DVDs in order too. Yes, Homer used to be 36 and he stated it in an episode when he stumped a carnival weight guesser. But the writers, etc. have pinned it down to 38 these days.

My 39th birthday was a pretty laid-back affair. First we took in the Simpsons movie (the review will posted soon, I’m still on the first draft), then anniversary T-shirts at Mondo Tees because our fourth year of marriage is supposed to be clothing (those will be posted too ‘coz they’re funny), a trip to Book People (gift on order, D’oh!) and then my friend Jeremy was very generous to loan his home for the little get-together. Okay, his place was volunteered by me since he has a 42-inch television and we played Guitar Hero II and Rocks the 80s on it. I think everyone had a good time, there was so much laughing as I would demonstrate how all those hours of air guitar in high school and college paid off in clobbering Jeremy (or was it Mark?) at Eddie Money’s “Shakin’.”

Other people sent in birthday wishes by mail, phone and electronically. So awesome of them and I feel vindicated. Why that emotion? All my life growing up my parents insisted that friends don’t matter, only family did. This was their rationalization to Brian and me when we moved to another city, especially during the “turbulent” times known as high school. They never did like me pointing out their lack of any close friends outside of Caroline (the unusually cool, antithesis of my mother) and how often family members give each other the shaft all the time. Days such as my birthday always make me glad I follow my instincts because the great friends I have made since college and on have pulled through at numerous levels.

Thanks everyone and now here’s a quick heads up. Next year’s celebration, the big Four Oh, will be in Las Vegas. We have a timeshare a few miles south of the famous part of the Strip. Meanwhile, through my MGM Visa card I have earned vouchers (fear not, I’m good at clearing the balance wisely) which will go toward an awesome suite for the party to take place in. We know where the Costco is so that will cover the drinks, etc. We’ll probably just need permission from the hotel to do such a thing. Think it over, besides, we owe some of you a party for drinking your booze and eating your food at your wedding.