Thank you, gang, for your sweet and funny good wishes.
I did have a great birthday. My best friend from when I was 13 and onwards came to visit, and brought another friend who became a friend, too. Over the weekend we took in an opera and a concert, and a visit to our gorgeous art gallery (Frank Gehry), and in the evening David took us all to our fave Indian restaurant. I got a mini-cake with a candle, which I blew out at one go (wow!!! Simply amazing!). All in all I loved being the birthday girl, as I always do, and enjoyed my first subway (underground for the British) ride at reduced fare.
Much love,
Ol'ga the Bear