The Umpteenth Journal Attempt

'Nuff said.

Thanks to: Irene, Citra, Fitri, Hanief, Evit, Dad, Mum 2, Wiwit, Emi, Andhika N., Leti, Isyana, Poppy K., Emanuel, Danis, Halief, Maria, Menik, Dimitri, Astrid, Wanza, Ale, Biggie, Notz, Avie, Mirna, Ikmal, Olive, Rara, Jamal, Yoga, Peds, Rani, Donna, Anna, Dhitri, Lila, Josh, Ardian, Vale and Anita K. Special mention to Silva and Ida for jumping the gun.

Addendum in response to a comment:

My day wasn't too flashy, but it did start nice pleasantly enough in the wee hours of morning, as I watched Liverpool comfortably outplay Monaco in their Champions League game. There are better ways in which to start off a new year of my life, but as the final whistle blew with the score 2-0, I really couldn't ask for much more. Plus everyone else bar football fans were asleep, thus unable to provide any special birthday gestures at that particular time of day.

In the afternoon, I travelled by Busway to the new Hard Rock Cafe at EX (EX stands for Entertainment Xenter. A case of creative spelling or too many drugs consumed by the people who decide these things?) to score a free meal. Not because it was my birthday, but because there was a launching event for this thing that enables 30 second-snippets of songs to be played through your receiver when you're trying to call someone through your cellphone. Can't remember the last time I spent money on a meal at the Hard Rock. In fact, I don't think I ever have.

From there, took the Busway with Dhitri (who works at Aksara Plaza Indonesia, adjacent to EX) back to Al-Azhar, where I'd parked the car. It was the first time I'd taken the Busway during weekday rush hour, and I have to say it was rather lovely. Didn't have to worry about the 3-in-1 regulations, didn't have to get all stressed out at traffic. I think I'll do it more often...

After getting the car back, had a quick bite at McDonald's Kemang where we were greeted by the sight (and sound) of a middle-aged (and probably drunk) Australian expat shouting obsceneties at the staff because they were out of fried chicken and rice. Forget the embassy; the suicide bombers should've just gone to this arsehole's house.

Then it was on to Dhitri's to drop her off, and then to 12 (to be more precise, a row of food stalls located somewhere near SMP 12) to hang out with Rija and bask in the glory of Liverpool's win, and then back home to watch this week's Star World installments of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel.

Overall mood of the day: while it's nice that people remembered, there was something that bugged me about the fact that just about everyone mentioned that they hope I get my love life sorted out soon, or words to that effect. I'm sure that: a. they mean well, b. it's just something to say to someone whom they know is currently single, c. a combination of a and b. But factor in my paranoia and neurosis, and I get the impression that my love life (or lack thereof) sucks so badly that my would-be well wishers feel the need to bring it up, especially as I enter another year of life. I mean, they could've just said anything, something vague like, "Good luck in your advanced age!" I know it's hard to be creative about sending greetings without resorting to the usual cliches, but if a cliche does come up, it's to be expected. But in my case, the frequent appearance of one particular cliche makes me think that they're trying to tell me something...