Saturday, July 28, 2007

This and that

At about 2:30 yesterday, I shut off the phone and the computer and sat down to read. Eight hours later and it was finished. The saga of Harry is over. (This didn't really "take" in my mind though, and all night I had dreams sprinkled with places in the book. ) It was a hugely satisfying finale that had my heart racing and my eyes tearing. The woman honed her craft well with this tale, and gosh I'm sad it's over. It's a good thing I've got the Kite Runner sitting here ready to crack open, or I might become desperate.

We got our cellphone bill. It was a horrifying bit of reality to see that each and every minute we used our phones in California cost $1.70. Serge discovered that sending a photo taken from his cellphone and sent to his friend cost $3.50. So it ended up costing almost $300 for 138 minutes (plus the usual $120 per month). I think next time we'll leave our phones home and use the hotel phone. At least at the hotel you don't get charged for receiving calls. Sheesh.

Today's my last day as a 41 year old man. 42 is the magical year. The answer to everything.

35 comments:

Polt said...

Wow, enjoy that last day as a 41 year old. My last day in my 30's is fast approaching...*GROAN*...

HUGS...

bardelf said...

I can hardly put my copy of Deathly Hallows down!
I continue to sing the praises of J.K. Rowling -- she is brilliant.

Anonymous said...

That's right, and it has been a perilous time with none of us living the answer for the moment. Only a few hours to go...

Wow, pretty studly closeout to the series too.

Anonymous said...

I was told when I got my first cell phone last fall -- yeah, I resisted for a long time -- that I should avoid using it if ever I cross the border into the U.S. Meanwhile, I was in Toronto on business earlier this week and, dummy that I am, it never occurred to me that there would be a charge for local calls from my hotel. Fortunately, they weren't for a huge amount and my employer paid them without even blinking.

Happy last day of being 41! I'll be in the same spot in 3 weeks, day for day...

My adventures said...

happy birthday!!! and as linda evans said in that hair commercial in the 80's... forty isn't fatal!!! lol... damn, now i'm having the urge to pull out shoulder pads... and, the kite runner is a great book... i loved it...

Spider said...

42 was a good year for me - I hope it is even a better one for you! Happy Birthday tomorrow - enjoy!

CoffeeDog said...

Happy Birthday!

Jeff said...

Happy Birthday!
I was kind of disappointed at how the book ended :-/ I wanted something darker.

Robert said...

My spouse and I are reading the book together. We are almost finished. I can't wait to get to the end, but I don't want it to be over either. Happy birthday, fellow Leo.

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TORNWORDO!!! Believe me when I say 52 is even more magical. May you have a decade of Love and Peace and Joy!
I've just finished Harry Potter book one for the first time and intend to read a book every few weeks and finish book seven just before Christmas.

Chunks said...

Last summer, I made a "local" call (next town over) when I was in Halifax. Imagine my surprise to find out the hotel charged me over 40 dollars for the call! They'll get you coming and going if they can!

I'm off to find something I can email you for your birthday....

Curtis said...

And many happy returns of the day!

Enemy of the Republic said...

I read The Kite Runner. I have his second book, but I don't know when I will get to it. Harry ended well.

Happy Birthday!!

Rick Rockhill said...

I'm just making my way through HP and I need to get off this computer and pick up the book again. BUT U was compelled to read your blog. I hate how the cell phone companies screw you when you travel and roam a pet peeve of mine!

Doug said...

I just started book 2.

Sending 42 virtual spankings your way! Happy Birthday!

Todd HellsKitchen said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOMORROW!

Devo said...

Is 42 the magical year? I thought 39 was-haha. We need to find some really good poop jokes for you. Cell phones are the root of all evil-ha! I am so far behind on the HP series I may not read it until my kids are old enough to start it.

Phil said...

Kite runner is a great read. I hope you like it.
Happy Birthday, enjoy your day! Yet another Leo here :-)

Anonymous said...

not just everything.

Life, the universe, - and everything.

happy birthday, you made it another lap.

A Bear in the Woods said...

Ah, surely you know that 42 is the year in which all of life's questions are answered and you find perfect happiness and fulfillment.

Or was that my 18th b'day?

A happy, happy birthday to you, friend.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Eve!

The last time I went to Montreal, I contacted my cell phone company and they changed my plan to include Canada. When I returned, I called and changed the plan back to my regular. This was all on the advice of the company. All of my calls were 'local' in North America. I think it cost me an additional 35$US. Just a thought for the future :-)

dpaste said...

I can't wait to see how it works for you. My answers await me in October.

Robert said...

Oh nice. Happy birthday from one Leo to another!! *GRRRR* :-)

Sorry to hear 'bout your phone bill! :-(

Sunshine said...

I feel exactly the same way. It's so sad that there is no more HP but the finale was utterly satisfying. I'm glad she didn't do the artsy thing and came up with a horrible ending that left you hanging.

tankmontreal said...

When we go away, we pay $40 for 100 minutes of cellphone use anywhere in North America. Over 100 minutes, the per-minute charge isn't bad.
This is with Bell Sympatico. Surely other providers have plans for people who need long distance cellphone minutes when they travel.
Oh yeah, and live begins at 42. I know this.

r said...

Whoops.

I was just reading over the comments, and mine's not there! I left one yesterday... I promise. I hope you're out having fun today.

Crazy Me said...

Stumbled on your blog from a link, of a link, from a friend's blog. Interesting reading.

I have to agree. I loved, loved, loved the book! My boy laughed at me because I was one of the crazies at the store by 12:20 a.m. to get it on release day.

Anonymous said...

Looks like I got back home just in time to read your post and send you sincere wishes for a very happy birthday!

Travis said...

$120 a month for 2 phones, are they solid gold?

Superdrewby said...

happy birthday!

daveincleveland said...

always a day late....but happy birthday anyways....god i wish i could see 42 again and know then what i know now...,hope the birthday was great......:)

Jason said...

Happy Birthday! Does that make you a cancer too?

Mark in DE said...

Your desire to savor the latest HP book and not read it too quickly is exactly how I felt about the latest Armistead Maupin book "Michael Tolliver Lives". And just like you, I finished the book in one, long reading sitting. I really didn't mean to do it but I couldn't seem to help myself.

Mark in DE said...

P.S. Happy Birthday!!!

dawn said...

The answer to EVERYTHING comes this year? Sweet. I've got awhile before I get to 42, so can you share the answers? Patience is not my strong suit.