Happy Birthday to Me

Yesterday Rob surprised me with a birthday dossier that included tickets to see Phil Lesh in the city. We left around 1:30, arriving at the Sheraton around 2:30. With car parked and bags in hand, we waited to check in. There were hordes of post-marathon zombies hobbling around. Lots of ahsifiggernemani, several wheelchairs, many crutches and even a few people with medals proudly hung around their necks.

I started chatting up one woman there - telling her it was my birthday surprise so Rob hadn't used my Starwood Preferred number when booking the room. "So can we add it and check for any potential upgrades?" Clearly a woman who appreciates a birthday, she zipped us up to the counter, telling the check-in woman to upgrade us. But, uhhhhh. No room.

Turns out there is ANOTHER Sheraton right across 7th avenue. So we schlep over there with our bags. Bad news was that this was the worse-looking of the two lobbies. Good news was the woman from Sheraton #1 came running over with a special birthday order for us! She probably felt badly for us in the dumpier Sheraton! The man at the desk DID upgrade us - to a bigger, corner room on the 16th floor. With a cool view straight down Broadway to Time Square. This shot was taken with my blackberry from the room - not bad!

Then we went to a yummy restaurant in Hell's Kitchen - Taboon. Luckily we got in early enough to eat without rushing and get out in time to stop into the hotel to change before the show. We got into the Nokia Theatre with ease and were happy to see they WERE serving drinks. I love the venue - small and intimate with easy acess to the loo and the bar! Here is another phone pic of Phill jamming it out. We were super close to the stage and still had lots of room to bust a move.

When we returned to the hotel (with take-out slices of birthday cake in hand) we found a bottle of nice wine, cheese and crackers and a bowl of cut strawberries. Our little friend from Sheraton #1 hooked us up. Very nice indeed. Too bad we both passed out after just a few bites and sips!

All in all a great birthday. Now i'm watching election excitement on TV. All news looking good right now... PHEW.