My Delightful Four Day 76th Birthday Party
Several days ago, on March 5, 2016, I celebrated my 76th birthday. Actually, I celebrated from March 3rd through March 6th. Why not enjoy a good thing for as many days as possible?
Since my actual birthday was on Saturday, and I was going to be out of the office on Friday, my celebration began on Thursday, March 3rd. My office staff decorated my office with balloons and a banner, we enjoyed a lovely lunch together in our conference room, and at two-thirty in the afternoon an ice cream truck showed up. I’m still a kid at heart, but the adult in me finished most, not all, of a banana split.
On Friday I flew from Los Angeles to New York City, enjoyed a pleasant dinner in the upstairs dining room of, “21,” and saw Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible on Broadway from a great fifth row seat. The show was still in previews, but I predict it will win several Tony awards.
Saturday afternoon of my birthday weekend I bought a front row seat to a performance of the musical Les Miserable. This is my favorite light opera, and I have seen it about eight times. The first time I saw it in Los Angeles many years ago, and I sat in the last row of the orchestra. I didn’t enjoy it much. Years later I saw Les Miz again in London from the third row. It was great. The next time I saw it in London I sat in the balcony and the performance was okay. Are you seeing a pattern? I always enjoy a theatrical experience far more when I’m sitting in one of the first five rows, and much less if I’m seated further back. That makes sense. How involved would you be in our conversation if we were fifty feet apart using megaphones?
Following the afternoon performance on Saturday, I enjoyed dinner at The Robert restaurant overlooking Central Park. Excellent view, excellent service, excellent food.
I worked off a small part of my dinner with a brisk six block walk to see the Saturday evening performance of Fiddler on the Roof. Outstanding dancing and the actor portraying the lead role of Tevia was even better than in the original production. Have I mentioned that I cried throughout Les Miz, and more than a few times in Fiddler?
Are you exhausted yet? Not me. Sunday morning I flew to Las Vegas, hired a car for the two hour drive to Death 
Valley (below sea level) to see for myself the unusual flower bloom. I thoroughly enjoyed my day, including several hikes to the surreal sights unique to Death Valley.
Finally a quick lunch at Panda Express, the scenic drive back to Las Vegas for a quick flight back to Los Angeles and, my favorite part of every vacation, arriving at my home where I answered a number of emails that had accumulated over the weekend.
My thoughts about my four-day 76th birthday party? I enjoy the ride, no matter what my age.
You don’t have to wait for a special event to love every single day of your life.
Alan
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