Getting a Gift from the Cosmos

Last night was pretty exciting.

As soon as I got off work and descended the hill, I looked to the east to find the moon already phasing into its eclipse. It was an exhilarating to see, and I was excited to be able to witness it. As soon as I found it safe, I whipped out my phone and called Garrett to wish him a happy birthday. As I was heading east from The Valley, he was heading south out of Daly City to try to find a good spot sans cloud cover so he can see the eclipse without any obstructions. As we were driving, we included commentary about our moon view status as we continued a regular conversation.

I really do miss hanging out with Garret and driving around with him, talking about the full range of random things, but our long-distance conversation was in a way a very neat thing to do, as we were talking to each other from our part of the world, and were telling each other of how we were viewing the same thing even though we're on different parts of the state.

More so than anything, it was really great to share those few minutes talking to him on the phone while we both were on moon watch, while still trying to drive (sounds like a complete combination of dangerous). I was a bit jealous of him, as he was getting one amazing birthday present from the heavens. It's not every day that a total lunar eclipse happens, and for it to fall on one's birthday is not a small thing.

That's a great celebration if anything. I think the biggest thing that happened on my birthday was when Mission: Impossible opened on the day I turned 16. I celebrated it by going with a bunch of girlfriends to watch it, and afterwards, I stole a bit of the movie's caution tape with which the theater was decorated that had my birthday on it.

I think Garrett and Karina's birthday event wins.

But I think my old elementary school friend, Sarah, trumps all: She was born the day and year Mt. St. Helens erupted. Five days before me.