So it's Madonna's birthday, and I head over to Kristen's pad to celebrate with her, M and another friend. The fish was divine, the cheesy salad somewhat, with the beans lacking a bit. The vintages were all funky fresh and in the mood, from the light reds to the terrapin love at the beginning. Good company was matched with delightful conversation, an impromptu dance, and the culmination of cake. Madonna isn't a quarter century yet (a true gentleman never asks a ladies age, but she volunteered it, for the record) but she's already grappling with questions I have put off for years.

Principally, the main vein of argument concerns path. I have always believed that I will fall into the correct path through chance alone. History is on my side, and yet when M asked me an important question, my answer was too slow. I am quick on the glib and trite respoonses; those that take longer I actually waste cycles thinking about. Regardless, half my answer was exposed before departures were made, so at least some of it was elucidated.

There was more fun, of course, but one had to be there. Back to your regularly scheduled program. Who are the people above? I have no idea...