spryng | 27

I turned 27 on Saturday. I had agonized over what to do to mark the occasion - aside from celebrating Cake Month and having a plethora of cakes throughout August - and settled on watching the sun rise and set with friends. At first, I wasn't sure if it was too lowkey, and then I couldn't think of anything else, but I can now say that it was perfect. From here on out I want to make at least watching one or the other (or both!) a birthday tradition, because it's something I love and I love sharing it with others.

We grabbed

pennywhistle from her warm home and started from the bottom of Tumamoc Hill at 5am. It was humid and dark, but the clouds were all bunched in the west, promising a fantastic sunrise. It even drizzled a little as we hauled ass up that hill, which, by the way, is a pretty steep climb. It's all paved, but at times it feels like you're hiking up at a 45 degree angle.

Lora met us at the top right as the sunrise was getting good. We broke out the spiced buns I'd made the night before and drank coffee (and water) and just kind of chatted and sat and watched and ate and basked in the breeze.

After, Lady and I hit up the chickens to try and grab one and get a photo taken. I'd wanted to do something with dramatic lighting, but my transmitter has been on the fritz so I could only work the one light. It turned out okay, but I probably should have worn a lighter shirt and waited until it was evening. Oh well. :P

The afternoon was fairly chill. I slowly opened presents - there was a salt cellar, a shit ton of canning jars, a book about preserving, matcha tea, a shirt that says "eat more kale", a book on fermentation, and a cheese-making book. It's always interesting to see where my interests appear to lie at this time of year. :)

In the evening we went to Gate's Pass, spread some blankets, and passed around hunks of bread and delicious cheese while watching the sunset.

Again, super chill and a lot of fun. We broke out the tiramisu and passed it around and drank wine and swatted away flies and mosquitoes. Eventually the rest of the light was gone and we laid back on the blankets and watched the stars come out, one by one.

The best part of turning 27 was realizing how happy and content I am. I have great & wonderful friends and a loving wife and two ridiculous cats and a job and an ongoing drive to learn new things. I'm even fitting in writing more often than not and coming to terms with the fact that it will just take time and a buttload of persistence. Things are good. Life is good. For 27, I can safely hope for more of the same. And a little of something different. :)

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