a continuing happy

[mrissa]

I had some people over for cake last night. Every time I do something like this, I have to remind myself that I like more people than I can chat satisfyingly with in an evening, more people than I could fit in the house, and so I have to invite a subset of the people I like. And then I do, and then I still don't get to talk enough to half of the people involved. Still, a good time had by all, particularly by me, and my house has a new motto! Courtesy of the youngest scion of the house of haddayr. We're thinking of having it embroidered to hang:

"mrissa's house: it's not icky."

I think one of the reasons I have such good birthdays is that I have such broad good expectations of them. I loved walking in the rain with the dog on my birthday. If it hadn't rained, I would have been pleased that it had stayed so clear and fine on my birthday. If we'd been in a tornado warning, I probably would have enjoyed snuggling in with a fresh book. I am pleased by presents I knew I wanted and presents I didn't know I wanted. Presents of objects, presents of ideas, presents of experiences, presents of greetings. I am even pleased by absence of presents, because I don't like anybody to feel that a gift (to anyone at any time) is an obligation, and if they didn't give me one, it clearly means that they don't feel a gift is an obligation, and so I have succeeded in that regard, and that makes me happy.

I have more birthday happiness ahead of me today with a few more people, and I have arrangements to make for more good things in my life, and all in all, it's been a good time to be the mrissa lately.