Day 395: Humbled and Exalted

Can't get better than a high status lion

Wow. Today got better and better. 

It's my birthday, and normally I really find myself listless, mildly distressed, pensive in a bad way and generally glum. I don't mind getting older. I do mind other things about it. This year, I was working in Geneva. I got to the hotel at about 11pm last night. It sounded posh. There were knarly, atmospheric trees on the outside. It was promising. In reality, it was grim: tiny twin beds, no bath, a shower that almost touched the toilet and a fitting that meant it wouldn't stay higher than waist height. 

I spent a fair bit of time last night laughing at myself and saying what WAS good about it. I got there easily. It was warm and safe. Maybe the receptionist was a bit arsey when I asked for an iron, but the fact that they didn't have one didn't ACTUALLY change anything as I had a non-iron alternative and still looked smart. And the room had free internet. Limited, maybe. With a code on a bit of paper, admittedly. But enough to blog, yes, definitely. 

Today's job went smoothly, even though last minute changes meant it wasn't the langauge-filled job porn I'd been hoping for. My one delegate (!) was nice and having just  him meant we could go a bit deeper in some ways. We talked about lions. I worked with funny, lovely people. We laughed. In the afternoon I picked up a message to ask if I could work today and I've ended up in Leamington Spa. And this hotel. Oh, man! Grateful for a lift to Wycombe and a train to LS and a smooth and happy ride from there.

My taxi brought me right to the ornate stone archway and big wooden hotel doors. Three uniformed, friendly midlanders welcomed me. We talked about the murder woods leading up to here and the likelihood of me being killed in the night. I admit that I started it, but they really ran with it and added lots of lovely touches. I liked it very much. They promised to ignore it even if they heard me scream.

Look at the big words

And the room! A big double bed in the middle of long room. Old stone windows with latticework across. A bath! A bath with little dints for your feet. Organic shower gumpf. Free internet. No herb tea, but a decaf that hit the spot as I lay in the bath (aaah, tea in the bath - such a joyful moment). A robe. I have a crispy-fluffed white bathrobe on. I'm in bed. I'm warm and comfortable and cruising for a mammoth sleep. 

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And thank you, thank you, thank you, all you lovely people who have facebook-messaged, texted, called or emailed to wish me a happy birthday. I am humbled, touched, very entertained (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQmxVMkYSJo) and all sorts more. I have had the pleasure of talking to or reading or making some connection with nearly all the people I love the most today and I feel very, very lucky indeed. Thank you.