Sweetpea’s Garden

What is RSS? No, not some dread disease — it’s Really Simple Syndication, and it will change the way you use the Internet. You choose a newsreader site (like netvibes or iGoogle), sign up for syndication feeds from the sites you like, and whenever there is new information posted it comes to your personal page. I’ve sung the praises of RSS in the past, but since there is now a “holiday” for it, it seems worth doing again.

The folks putting on RSS Awareness Day have created a handy page where you can watch a video about what RSS is and how it works. I was just explaining RSS to my brother in a bar yesterday, and this site would have come in handy — I think he thought I was making it up.

I was going to write a bonus, post-birthday three beautiful things list today, but there were way more than three things that made yesterday beautiful, and fun, and laughter-filled. In no particular order, here are some of them:

Officially-sanctioned office hooky. I spent yesterday morning on a tour of one of our newest historic sites, President Lincoln’s Cottage. Of course, being a big history nerd (and one with a particular interest in Lincoln and the Civil War) this was enjoyable not only for being a chance to spend time away from my desk, but also for a chance to experience an incredibly well-restored and well-interpreted bit of history.

Cupcakes. Sprite made an outstanding batch and brought them to the bar last night. I got to take home the leftovers, and I am not embarrassed at all to admit I had one for breakfast today. (I need to eat them all before I leave for Houston tomorrow, after all.)

Scratchers. When I got to work I found a FedEx envelope from Mom that contained a birthday card with about 20 scratch-off lottery tickets. I don’t think I’ve scratched a lottery ticket since I used to help Grandpa McG with his his when I was a kid. Nevertheless, they amused me all day long, though I’ve only won $4 so far. I still have a few to go, though.

Victory. A huge group of friends joined me at the Argonaut’s regular pub quiz, to help me meet the goal of finally winning. (It’s team trivia, so this wasn’t cheating.) And we did, despite a rocky start with the first category — boy bands.

Family and Friends. Both my sister and sprite wrote lovely blog posts for my birthday, and other friends and family piled on in the comments. I got a bunch of phone calls (including one with my four-year-old nephew singing me happy birthday, which was adorable) and emails. I got taken out to lunch by work friends two days in a row. Through the wonders of Facebook, I received birthday greetings from as near as the next office and as far as New Zealand (one of the people I met while traveling in Thailand). Being entirely irreligious, blessed is not a word I generally throw around, but I do feel absolutely blessed to have a life filled with such amazing people.

Updated to add: When I say above that others “piled on in the comments,” that includes you, Sionna. Mom called last night and was concerned that I had left you out and that you would be mad. I’m guessing you’re not, but just wanted to clarify in case anyone else was puzzled. I can’t link directly to a specific comment (they don’t have unique URLs) or I’d have linked to you, too.

We are not a hearts and flowers family. Greeting cards are much more likely to have that grumpy old lady saying something sarcastic or off-color. Although I can’t remember the last time I actually got a card in the mail in time to get it to someone by the actual occasion. Such is the case today - Sweetpea save yourself a trip to the mailbox - there is no card - sorry! (But there will be chocolate cake when you get here!)

So instead I decided a “public birthday greeting” would suffice. I thought I’d try something new…

If you had asked me when I was little if I thought my big sister would be one of my best friends in this world, I’m not sure what I would have said. Of course, I love my big sister but as a kid I didn’t think we had much in common - she’s a book worm, a night owl, creative and artistic, articulate, intelligent, knows how to have fun, and so many more things than I can list.

Sweetpea writes beautifully and has put in to words thoughts that I can’t even get out of my head (there have been quite a few of those in this last year). And my big sis has always had the confidence to march to her own drummer. She lives life fully. Truth be told, I’m inspired by her coolness.

So I decided today that I’d rather her tell her this than think it but not say it. And on her birthday seems like the perfect opportunity. I miss our Saturday morning strolls through Eastern Market and our almost weekly dinners at La Lomita. Thanks for being such an awesome big sister. I can’t wait for you to come visit.

I love you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!