Friday, March 07, 2014

A Pleasant Birthday


We were in New York City for my birthday; also for another four days distributed unevenly on both ends of that day.

I would normally tell you many things. I am a man of many words, usually. Since returning home, however, I have been enjoying a runny nose, a sore throat, a hacking cough and a head that generally feels as though it had its brains replaced by oatmeal (and goopy oatmeal, at that.) In other words, I have a cold. And I don't feel like writing.

I will not leave without telling you about my actual birthday, though, because that was an awesome day. That's because MY WIFE and I visited with Mr. & Mrs. Edelstein of the Upper West Side. You may know them as Daryl & Ray (or "Toonman", in Ray's case) and that's how we know them, too, so I have no idea why I just wasted a sentence being so formal. Not only did we get to hang out with those two wonderful folks, but we also had the pleasure of meeting Andrew Johns, playwright, artist, and raconteur extraordinaire.

You may know Andrew & Ray as Slim & Cody or Micky & Patsy. If you don't, you should. Both men are wonderful comic actors and Andrew writes tremendously funny stuff. Everything they've done as a team is vastly entertaining and there are some 25 or 26 videos featuring the two men on YouTube, ALL of which you should watch.

Anyway... We were treated to brunch, witty conversation, a tour of some of Daryl & Ray's building (including a space containing a permanent installation of some of Andrew's artwork), and a visit with the best cats in Manhattan, Harry and Jack. It was all a hoot and I wish I was feeling a bit more up to the task of an honest blow-by-blow account (but I'm not; I have a miserable cold.)

So there you have whatever that was. Thanks, Daryl! Thanks, Ray! Thanks, Andrew! Thanks, Harry! Thanks, Jack! Thanks, MY WIFE (who has some serious cat dander problems, but who loves Harry and Jack and wishes she could spend a longer time with them, but she is physically unable.)

Soon, with more better stuff.

(No, that's a lie. My writing has an infinitesimal chance of being improved in the next go-round, but the time we had certainly couldn't have been any pleasanter.)

14 comments:

Daryl said...

it was indeed a truly wonderful visit ... i know Harry considered going back to Boston with YOur WIFE ... Jack well he liked you but he liked it better when you left .. nothing personal he is like that with everyone .. we all yes even Jack wish you and YOUR WIFE lived closer so we could see you more often xo

Daryl said...

oh! i forgot to say feel better soon xo

Lil said...

Happy belated birthday. Sounds like it was great.

Buck said...

Happy Belated Birthday! An occasion like this, spent with friends in an exciting environment, is the best of all possible worlds.

Hilary said...

Awww sorry you're not feeling well. I hope that changes soon.

I'm envious of your visit. How lovely that you and YOUR WIFE got to spend time with Daryl and Ray. Sounds like a perfect birthday gift. And how wonderful for them too.

Belated Happy Birthday, Jim. :)

Anonymous said...

I hate that you're sick, but I'm so glad you had a wonderful birthday (despite my jealousy that you two keep meeting in person!!)

Craig said...

Sounds like an observance worthy of the occasion. My hat is off to Daryl & Ray, et al, for pulling off something appropriate for the celebration of your august coming-to-be.

And now you get to enjoy what I had a couple years ago, where your age and your birth-year are the same (altho, come to think of it, that would be true if you were seven years old, too. . .)

Happy Birthday; as we like to say to each other here, I'm glad you were born!

Maggie May said...

Belated Happy Birthday and get well soon!
Maggie x

Nuts in May

(not necessarily your) Uncle Skip said...

"...brains replaced by oatmeal (and goopy oatmeal, at that.)"


I hate it when than happens.
That's worse than soggy bagels.

Feel better soon.

messymimi said...

May you have many happy returns of the day, and no returns of the cold!

The Broad said...

Sorry to hear you are feeling so miserable :-( Happy belated Birthday -- sounds like a splendid celebration!

Jenny Woolf said...

Sounds as if the happy visit is some kind of a counterbalance to feeling so bad now. Happy belated birthday!

Pat - Arkansas said...

A belated Happy Birthday to you, Suldog. I'm glad you had a wonderful time; sorry you're feeling puny at present. Get better soon!

lime said...

feel better soon. and make your way just a little west the next time you come south :)