Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Literary four-oh (my!)

I spent the last night of 2007 and the last night of my thirties by going to see the musical "The Color Purple."


This is my brother John and my sister Joy.




This is me excited to see a musical based on the epistolary novel that helped me put together my semi-epistolary first novel "Letters to Montgomery Clift." Um, I don't know if you can see but that's a black faux fur collar on my coat. I sewed it on myself.



After the musical we went to a New Years Eve party. That's my friend Ericson. He took my author photos, like the one you see on the upper left side of this blog. My coat with the faux fur was a big hit. I got lots of compliments. When people asked me what kind of fur it was. I said, it was cat. That was my joke all evening: It was cat. If you're an animal rights activist and you're reading this, ask a French person what "faux" means.


This is me first thing in the morning, waking up being 40. I'll prolly throw a big forty birthday bash later in the year, when people are recovered from the holidays. That's the problem when you're born on January 1st. Every one is exhausted and broke. I'll wait until Spring when everyone is fresh and saved up some money. I can get really good presents then.



I reflected on being 40. I went on a hike by myself in Elysian park. I first discovered this path when I 14. As I walked, It dawned on me: I'm really doing this creative life stuff for good. I was happy and proud of myself. This same old path looks different every time.



I was also feeling kinda old. Then I went to play with my god son, Cameron. He made me feel young again.

9 comments:

Joe said...

Happy Birthday, Noel. You'll soon discover that being 40 has its own rewards. Life changes in the most amazing ways. Enjoy it.

Cheryl said...

You don't look a day older than Cameron! Okay, maybe a day, but without the faux fur collar, you'd never get served alcohol.

ver said...

Happy Birthday, oh fellow 40-year-old! Faux cat is the new black...

fred said...

Happy Birthday! Never mind those aches and pains, bouts of forgetfulness, needing more sleep, and drinking red wine more for it medicinal purposes rather than social--you'll LOVE your 40's!

Sundry said...

Glad you celebrated well and have more plans for celebration.

And...Even though you're not asking, I really like your hair brushed back better than forward. You have a great face that doesn't need the fringe.

Clayman said...

Happy birthday, Noel!!! (And happy new year, too!) Man, you don't look a day over 30. Trust me!!! Anyway, hope you had a good birthday celebration! Will you be visiting Manila any time soon? Take care.

Anonymous said...

happy new year and happy 40th birthday !!

sorry, no witty comment like you always do :(

have a great year ahead !!!

the last noel said...

Thanks for the well wishing. And, Angelo, I don't think a trip to Manila is in the cards. You never know?

Cephas said...

Hey Noel! I am so sorry to be so late with the birthday wishes. You look fabulous! Congratulations. Here's to the best year of your life ahead!
Peter