Friends threw me a surprise b-day party last week then we went out. Sounds corny but I was touched—by how far some friends went to see that I had a great time (no prostitutes were involved, I swear) and how some people I haven't seen much lately showed up and gave me a gift.

Didn't do anything wowow during the weekend. Had a picnic at Hains Point and played football. And, of course, parties. On Fri. nite, Bren and Nate threw one to celebrate IKJ's retirement. There was a board with a sign next to it saying before scribbling your words of "appreciation" for him, you must've had downed at least 5 shots. Let's just say the Pope wouldn't be pleased with most of what's scrawled. Bren says he's serious about handing the board to IKJ. Yeah right.

There'll be plenty of parties ahead. I enjoy them for the time being. However, I'm thinking about establishing a club—call it Urban Adventurers. The city has so much to offer and we Gallaudetians end up doing the same things and going to the same places over and over. The purpose of the club would be to shatter that monotony and challenge ourselves to constantly find exciting new activities and places.