Humility and Honor

Guess who’s back!

I know it’s been a while since I’ve written an entry. School has started and I’ve really stopped writing much of anything that isn’t related to academics. =) But I thought it was time come here and at least let you know that I was still alive.

In case anyone is wondering, the title of this entry is a play on my motto, which is on the opening page of this diary. That’s not important. What is important is that I had the opportunity to experience both this weekend and I thought you all should hear about it.

My birthday was Friday.

All week long people asked me what I wanted to do and my answer was the same: Nothing. All I wanted to do was come home, like any other Friday and watch the Kings play. I prefer to spend my birthdays like that–low key. I’m sure you know enough about me to know why.

Ron called me on Thursday, asking what my plans were. I told him I’d order a pizza and watch the game. His response to me was the same one we use with each other when we disagree with the others actions:

“You’re worthless.”

So the next day, I got up and went to class. I came home and called Marci so we could open our gifts. (I got a bunch of candy, a Superman shirt, a pair of silk boxers and a gold necklace). In the middle of this, my cellphone rang a couple of times, and then the main house line rang. I knew it was Annette, but I didn’t want to interrupt my conversation with Marci, so I told my mom to tell her I’d call back.

They talked for a while, and then the phone rang again. I could hear my mom talking to whoever it was:

“…No…Vince is going out with his friends, so we’re just going to relax.”

It was at that point that I told Marci I’d call her back so that I could find out exactly when I said I was going out.

I called Annette back and she informed me that she and Ron decided it was unacceptable for me to spend a birthday at home, so she was coming to get me.

We ended up at a bar in Old Sacramento. In addition to the three of us, three others joined us, Ron’s friends Kathleen, who I know very well, and Mike, who I’ve met once and who is really cool.

The third guest was Nate, who used to work with Ron and Annette and I when we all worked at the same place.

Anyway, we drank some beers, had some hot wings, watched some basketball, had some great conversations. Before Kamikaze No. 1, Ron and Annette said a few words and we toasted.

During Kamikaze No. 2, I was asked to say a few words, which I’ve never been good at. But I did it anyway. I told them how every year, I plan to do things low-key, and every year they get me out for some sort of celebration. I told them how every year, I don’t expect so many people to care about my birthday and every year I’m surprised.

I told them I appreciated it–and them.

The Purple Hooter toast was a bit less serious. They again asked me to do the toast, to which I said:

“Well, I definitely wasn’t planning on this.”

We capped the night off with karaoke and Mardi Gras beads.

In the end, I was honored that they would all decide to party with me on a Valentine’s Friday night.

In the end, I was humbled to know that they would care so much that they would celebrate an occasion I didn’t believe was worthy of more than pizza and basketball on my living room couch.

Clearly, it was worth a lot more than that.