I leveled up

This is a birthday card from my creative dad in the form of a character sheet. It resembles how I tried to describe the FATE RPG system to him. Looks like he took the concept and ran with it. It is awesome.

Birthday 39

I had to work on Labor Day.

We were to meet at the Keys Cafe in Woodbury. I cruise over there after I'm done with work, find the van and park next to it, and make my way toward the strip-mall where the restaurant is located. As I come in the door, the family sees me and attacks me with happy birthdays, but...

A brunette girl is behind me calling for my attention. I look back. My first thought was this was Leesha (dressed as I feel she should be, rather than her choice attire), but my next thought was- no, this is not Leesha, but I do know her. From way before. I knew her well. I do believe this is Ruth, whom we (and by we I mean the boys of 8144 Bloomington Ave) lived with at one time. Next thought was- this couldn't be. There's no context for her to be here now. This thought was overridden because the previous thought was indeed correct. By some Labor Day fluke, here was Ruthie.

There were several fantastically awkward moments of half trying to get caught up with Ruth and at the same time thanking my family for the birthday wishes. We said we'd catch up online and she departed, it was all over as quickly as it had escalated.

The rest of the day was as expected, celebrating over brunch with Cara's folks, my folks, Gramdma Mary (kind of celebrating her birthday, too) and the kiddos and Leesha. When we were finished, Willis South and Grandma departed for MO and Cara's folks went home.

RAS

On this day Haile Selassie was born in Ethiopia... and so was my wife, also in Ethiopia. So for her birthday we met her folks at an Ethiopian restaurant that we hadn't been to yet. The food at RAS is excellent and is served in great portions. It is a bit spicier than other restaurants in the are that we used to frequent. There is an abundance of space inside the facility as well as for parking behind the building. Access is very convenient right off of West 7th or coming in from Davern. The owner was extremely friendly and has been in St. Paul for twenty years. His family opened RAS three years ago and has seen great business. He is sure to get more from our family. We were quite impressed.

www.rasethiopian.com

Jack and Simon

2

Jack Elliot Willis turns 2 years old today. Happy Birthday, Action Man!

Darlene's Birthday and Jack Be Nimble

We went to church today. Jack was submitted to the Kid's Station area. Everyone likes him. He is a natural charmer. Eric, Keane, Jack and I hung out in the lobby instead of singing worship songs. I got to chat a little bit with Mike Dougherty about the Indiana Jones movie finally. We both liked it a lot.

Tonight we went to Maplewood to celebrate Darlene's birthday. We had dinner at the Olive Garden and then went to David and Darlene's for dessert- poppy seed cake and ice cream.

Jack has been taking steps all on his own, maybe two to three at a time. He's growing in his own confidence.

Best birthday since #9.

T's, Willis West, Capital Ws, CaraJoy's folks. Greg made me two t-shirts- one of Dr. Midnight and the other was Snake-Eyes vs Storm Shadow. Very good Birthday

Today is Leesha's 9th Birthday!

I remember my 9th birthday. Its one of the only childhood birthdays I do remember. Mom and dad and Greg and I took one of our marina's houseboats out on the chain for the evening and overnight. We anchored off of the little island on Scattering Rice Lake, I think. I remember I got a Star Wars action figure for my birthday. Ree Yees I think was what his name is. Greg got a Star Wars guy, too. Chief Chirpa- our first ewok figure. Brothers getting something on the other's birthday seemed logical back then.

Dah is back. She must've been feeling ill yesterday because she is back to her normal self again and that pleases me.

A couple of weeks ago I made a mix CD for my brother of all David Bowie music. So that's what I've been listening to a lot lately. Because of that, all day I've had music and dialog from the movie Labyrinth in my brain. I've been craving that movie again for a while now.

After dropping off the last students this evening, dispatch called for me over the radio- "Base to 192, Jeff?"
"This is 192, go ahead".
"See me when you get in tonight"
"10 4". Now my mind starts up. What could I possibly have done to get the attention of dispatch? Did I get tagged for speeding? Has my temporary license expired? What did I do? I park, sweep out the bus, clean up everything and make the trek across the parking lot to the office. When I get in, Peter in dispatch throws a paper at me. I look at it and it is a check! Monarch Bus Services have a policy that if you are on time to work and all your stops and schools every day- you get a $.60 bonus for every hour you work that month. That is what I received tonight.

Before I went home I delivered an eBay package and picked up a birthday balloon.

When I got home, Leesha was on the phone with my folks. A bit later I got to talk with them, too.

We studied Matthew chapter 23 tonight for Small Group. Our group has developed a thing where we serve food for everyone (who wants to partake, about half eat before) and anyone can bring food to add to the bounty. We will socialize while people arrive and help ourselves to the food. Tonight, Steve and I ate in the dining room while the rest of the group ate in the living room. I could overhear Rob joking about saying the line from Labyrinth about the Goblin King taking his baby away. So from the dining room I reply, quietly - "did he say it?!" and to my delight Rob caught it.

It was a good night for discussion. Talking about Jesus and his smackdown on the Pharisees. We pretty much got through the whole night without talking about poop- but that's because Rauchwarters weren't there.

Almost as soon as we were done with group, Cara went to sleep. She was wiped out.