Happy birthday to me

Here is an overview of past birthdays since today is one such.

Yes, it happened: in the early hours of today I got the best present that no money could buy. In the first half Luka Dončić scored 27 points, the same as all of the Suns combined. It only got worse (for the latter). Just one clip to illustrate the defence. Jason Kidd, the coach for the Mavs, was mic’d:

I reckon that now, with Luka and the Mavs making the final four of the whole of NBA – and how! – I may as well shut up because you will start hearing about them for yourselves, finally, wherever you are.

I’ll go quieter overall after Thursday when my one year of daily blogging is complete. The year went well and was over in a flash, but I need to get out of this chair.

Not quite yet. Today we have a look at some photo evidence of past birthdays starting with my 40th in chronological order with commentary.

And today? I didn’t take any photos. In the evening amore came home with cake, cannoli and the gift of a new green tunic. After the full moon fast today, breakfast guaranteed.

And now? On to more years and new victories. On Wednesday night it’s the first game in the Western Conference finals: Luka and the Mavs vs. Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. I hope you don’t have any family there.

• 

  2010: For my 40th I gathered my friends and family in my garden and we had a lottery for who will ride in which car to the party. The only rule: couples must not end up together. Do I love to people-manage or what? Much fun was had as ten cars or so drove for an hour or so to the party location in a straight line over the hills.

• 

  When we reached the destination, I made us all walk to the nearest hill when we had sparkling wine from plastic glasses.

• 

  Recreating an old holiday photo with my two friends at the party. I have it right here next to bed.

• 

  I got this shirt as a present. It says “Don’t give up”. I had to put my hair into action.

• 

  Also that year two other friends, who live abroad and I rarely see, were summoned by my parents to join us in Piran for dinner. This was a complete surprise and a major success. Here is my travelling accommodation on the way to the restaurant. I shared it with our first dog.

• 

  2012: Two years later I turned 42 and sister made me The Answer cake. Amazingly, it worked. It was high time.

• 

  2013: A mere one year later and look at me in Tuscany! (How? I still don’t quite get it.) Amore organised the visit of my parents for just one day, my birthday, in complete secrecy. I was FLOORED when I saw them arrive.

• 

  Mom picked me flowers, and dad took this photo.

• 

  And this one. And then they left again.

• 

  2014: But the next year they came back! With mom’s cousin Duša and her husband. We had such fun playing Dixit that we almost didn’t go out. (Almost.) The paintings are by Duša. The shelves are FULL of stuff by now.

• 

  But then she had to leave again. (And again she picked me flowers.)

• 

  2015: Mom (right, with glasses) was quietly asking But why? when she had to wait for all hundreds of old-timers to pass noisily at the 1000 Miglia race. All for her daughter!

• 

  On the way back dad clicked me clicking the cypress trees in Val d’Orcia.

• 

  2016: Travelling uncle came over with presents.

• 

  2017: We took my parents and amore’s uncle to Trattoria da Maria Moretti in Pereta where they tried to murder us with food. You pay 25 eur and they just keep bringing and bringing. Dad’s photo is shaky but joy is palpable.

• 

  2018: My parents came over – for the last time so far – and dad made his famous shrimp cocktail sauce.

• 

  And mom made the ikebana.

• 

  2019: I went to Slovenia for my birthday, for a change, and we had lunch at dog-friendly Finisterra in Kodeljevo Castle in Ljubljana. Bestia was interested in the menu.

• 

  2020: I certainly knew how to choose the year in which to turn 50. Amore and Flavia organised a secret all-day online birthday party with participants from all over the world. Memorable and much fun.

• 

  2021: It is amazing how hard it is to make him go anywhere. Our day-trip was wet but included lunch in Pitigliano, a new town of Sorano, and a little monastery with a lovely door and a nun operating a drone.

This day in my blogging history

• 

  2014: When parents came over with father’s bread for my birthday

• 

  2016: A collection of human and animal fakeless faces.

• 

  2016: Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself. —Miles Davis