and, oh yeah, i got older, too . . .

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a month or so ago

in the middle of all the newness,

i aged.

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so tim, that scoundrel,

threw a surprise party for me

right after the toronto shoot.

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needless to say,

the food was . . . impressive.

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he went with a dessert theme,

and the last cake is my favorite,

a "triple berry with whipped cream frosting"

that pretty much kills and leaves you a little wet.

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the friends who showed up,

fresh from the set, and from my past few years in l.a.

made it amazing.

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even bic, who LOVES having her pic taken . . .

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needless to say, i was happy.  and thankful.

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you gotta enjoy it as it happens, babies . . .

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the sunset towers at night, the holy day of landis at sunset . . .

if you're going to have a big birthday,

i highly recommend calling my production family,

and having them plan the night.

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connie and kira know me too well.

a small dinner on the terrace of the sunset towers hotel,

overlooking the pool and l.a. laid out below us as the sun set . . .

divine.

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La Bang knows how to take care of me.

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there were moments i thought i might have to separate jo and tim.

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i mean, seriously . . .

manacop and betania kept us laughing all night:

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poolside for gift opening.

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well, you know what the best gift of the evening was:

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an old ukranian folk story. with charlie chaplin. and some mongolians.

so,

if you were to ask me to explain the picture above,

i would have to tell you that old ukranian folk story.

the one that begins with vitalina, you adored seamstress,

inviting you and your . . . comrades . . . to her favorite ukranian restaurant for traditional food.

in encino.

that's right.  the fabled land of encino.

so, we showed up, and wandered around a bit looking for the restaurant.

it was down a little alley.

there were men in black leather bombers smoking and drinking outside.

no one spoke english.

thank GOD vita showed up.

inside?

laser light show.

live music.

(the highlight was the two men belting out "take my breath away".  in ukranian.)

but wait.

it gets more surreal:

yes.

that IS a charlie chaplin impersonator.

going chair to chair.

giving massages while you ate.

charlie chaplin.  ukranian food.  massage.

i have no idea.

neither did anyone else.  kira's face says it all:

although, he was GOOD.

betania went twice.

as the evening progressed,

the kiev came out.  with shoestring potatoes.  traditional.

oh, did i mention there was vodka?

the moral of our tale?

i have no moral.  evenings like this are just wonderful randomness.

especially if the mongol hordes accompany you.

behind the mtv shoot - split screens

the day,
in slices: