Weekend O' Fun!

As I've mentioned, tomorrow is my 27th birthday. Yea! *^_^* So, this past weekend being the nearest to the big day, celebrations and fun were had in spades!
Saturday, I went out with some friends to an indoor, black-lit, mini golf course! It was such a silly blast! We all agreed that the first five holes were not much more than the usual mini golf course. Granted, it was inside, so we weren't freezing our bums off. And, you know, everything was painted with black light paint so the cosmic rays of the mini golf planet's black light sun would set all we could see aglow. Aside from those two minor details (*rolls eyes* "Right; minor...") nothin' big. Then, we got inside the "transport." Two holes inside a spaceship manned by two, remote control apes. Dreamboat (as I will call the fella I admire) really got a big kick out of the apes! It was cute watching him try to get one of them to mouth my name. :P
The last hole in the transport captured our balls and, well, transported them to the next hole. I should mention, we had two other golfers in our party; Red (a bubbly actress) and her beau, Knight (quiet fellow who's competitive side comes out when playing games, ala Silent Knight of the comic world). Now, onto the second bit of the course.
To get to the eighth hole, one had to leave the transport by way of time warp tunnel. This was created with a simple, metal floor grate and thin, metal railings for balance. Dreamboat was the first to go through. He had a little difficulty. Here is why. As you travel over the see-through grate to the other side, your trip is enhanced by the swirling cosmos of the tunnel. Not only is the tube black-lit, it is spinning around the walkway.
Knight went next. He was almost perfectly normal in his walk through time. Red declared that she wasn't going alone. So, we joined hands and stepped into the fun-house throwback. I'm certain the boys were rolling their eyes as our cries of "Oh my god!" and "Woah!!" echoed out onto their victors' end. I remember thinking to myself, "Don't look up. Don't look up," as I was staring at the grate to get across. Did I listen? Nope.
The opening at the end of the optical illusory path was twisting and turning on its side! And, off I went. This was when I checked Red into the railing! Oops! I apologized profusely for the rest of the night through nervous giggles. Red laughed it off and we laughed more as Knight went on to the next hole while Dreamboat kept running back and forth through the tunnel! When Knight hit his first turn, he, too ran back through a few more times!
Boys. Heehee *^_^*
Really, we all had a good time. I wouldn't mind going back.
Yesterday, Sunday, Auntie, Oldest Sis and I went vintage shopping at a favorite antique shop off-Cape; Antique Asylum. We always have such fun trying on the vint. jewelry and clothes. And, sometimes, if we're really lucky, we find a really great deal on something we just can't live without! I found a pair of cotton/poly gloves in cream, with a leafy detail for $4! What a steal! They fit me, well, like gloves. But, see, I have long fingers, so vintage gloves don't often fit me. These beauties feel like they were made for me...decades ago... Oldest Sis bought them for me for my birthday! I adore them and know that they will definitely get some good use at teas and outings.

Off to lunch at a newly opened diner; the Patriot Diner. This is the location of the former My Tin Man Diner, to those of you who know the area. If I'm wrong, please correct me. *^_^* Upon first entering, I have to say, I was a mite disappointed in the fact that there were not one, but two, flat-screen televisions mounted near the ceiling on either side of the bar. The majority of tables were not booths, and the general place felt a little dirty and in general disarray. However, the staff were friendly and talkative, efficient and not at all pushy. In fact, our waitress reminded me of Jessica from True Blood, but, well, when she's not upset. My Veggie Melt and homemade fries were delicious, but the decaf coffee was really weak. All in all, not a bad experience, but I would never eat there alone. Having friends along definitely helped lighten the atmosphere. Auntie, Oldest Sis and I were dressed time appropriate, too. That always makes things more fun. Not to say that I didn't enjoy myself, mind you; I really did. These, however, were my first impressions of the diner.
Mmm...then to the Ice Cream Sandwich for, you guessed it! Ice cream. Even in the windy, chilly, early Fall weather we enjoyed our coconut-dipped cone (Auntie), hot fudge sundae (Sis) and coffee mocha shake (me...) Oh! So full! We enjoyed the remainder of our sweets over a few hands of crazy eights at Auntie's house.
When Uncle returned home from work, he played a couple of hands until Middle Sis and her Boyf joined up. Much chatting and laughter was had while our homemade pizzas baked. After dinner, and Auntie's amazingly delicious red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, Mid Sis insisted that I wanted to open my (very unexpected, but dearly appreciated) gifts. No resistance from me! What grand loved ones I have that know me so well! Here is what I received from Auntie and Uncle.
"The Complete Stories and Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Anderson"
and a collection of five novels by Charles Dickens. I've never read any Anderson, but have always wanted to read the originals. A Tale of Two Cities is decidedly one novel I have never truly appreciated. I have been told that it was Dickens' weakest story. Knowing this, I plan on diving into his other works. This massive tome will aid me in my quest to read the classics that were skipped in high school. (I read Tale... twice in school. :/ Long story.) You know? I may read it again. As an adult, it may be enjoyable. Why not? Right?

Mid Sis and Boyf brought me:

Locally, handmade chocolates from Ghelfi's!

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Other Stories by Lewis Caroll. These, too are stories I've been looking forward to reading at the insistence of those who know me and what I read. Now, I can!
This is one of two handmade shirts Boyf crafted for me. For those of you who don't move in the Otaku-Verse, this is Maetel; the beautiful, major supporting character of Leiji Matsumodo's masterpiece anime, Galaxy Express 999. GE999 is the first anime film that I saw as a budding otaku. It is precious, even now in Japanese culture. If you have not seen it and can, at the very least stomach anime, I urge you to see this epic tale. It is a heart-wrenching commentary on society's obsession with eternal youth and life, and its destructive determination to those ends. You won't be disappointed.
The second of these gifts is a basic, white tee with the same, hand-printed design. "Pajama shirt!"I said. Mid Sis agreed. *^_^*

Mid Sis and Boyf also bought me a massive bottle of Riesling that we all shared with dinner. Yummy!

Thank you, everyone! This has been a marvelous birthday! *^_^* I love all of you dearly.
The gifts only sweeten the deal! *~_^*