A 26 looks at 40

Forty – doesn’t look so bad surrounded by a group of friends sharing laughter and memories.

Kari G threw herself a birthday bash to commemorate 40 years on this planet. It was a gathering of new friends, childhood buddies and coworkers. I was one of the fortunate few who feasted with Kari at Crispo. Much feasting and beveraging was followed by more beveraging and loads of laughter that lasted until the wee early morning hours at the Regency.

This wasn’t a typical 40th birthday party. No lame Over the Hill jokes or people dressed as old ladies. Kari’s not that kinda gal, especially since she makes 40 look like the new 29. It was just a classy celebration with a woman and her friends. And what a fabulous group of friends she has surrounding her! I’m fairly new to the bunch and only know her New York opera and theatre buddies Sarah, Roxie and Sally. It was such a treat to be invited along to meet her friends from home and school who have shaped her and made her the Kari I know today (could I sound any cheesier???).

Sometimes it’s undiplomatic to choose favorites, but of the new friends I met this weekend, my favorite has got to be Kari’s friend from high school, Kris. She’s a cop (detective) in the Madison, WI area and she is hilarious! When she was first starting out on the beat, she was called to a scene. Being the resourceful and time saving cop that she was, she decided that the quickest way from point A to point B was going right through a volleyball sand pit instead of around it. She rationalized in her head that her vehicle was rear-wheel drive and for crying out loud they do it on Baywatch all the time with no problems!!! So in true Baywatch style, Kris drove her squad car across the sand and was successful…….until she got stuck! But you know they do it on Baywatch all the time.

Anywho, Happy Birthday to Kari! Here’s to 40+ more awesome years surrounded by good times and great friends! Thanks for inviting me along for the celebration.