So the birthday was this weekend, and while 37 isn't really a noteworthy milestone (beyond being in my late 30s, rather than mid), this was really one of the best yet. All sorts of things went right, and thank you to everyone who sent emails, cards, texts, or calls (particularly that Happy Birthday song voicemail). Thank you to Hair of the Mangy Dog for a present I'll never use (at least on myself). Thank you to Kate Danley for guilting my entire sketch class into singing this morning. But most of all, thanks to my ninjette, Rachel, for a fantastic birthday weekend and the most epic of presents ever--my own, custom-sculpted pirate action figure.

Word. That picture of me to the right is, in fact, a snapshot of my 12" pirate action figure Rachel commissioned from my favorite figure-making homies:

Sculptor: Jon Stevens
Mold/Cast: Jon Stevens
Paint: Scott Akers
Project Co-ordniator and general Dude-in-Charge: Jed Haigh

If you want one of your own, email jhaigh@valyrianresin.com.

It's fantastic. I'm a freaking pirate. And an action figure. And a pirate action figure. Jed, John, and Scott--you guys rock. Rachel--you rock worlds--mine and every other world with half a lick of sense or cool.

Did I mention that I'm a pirate action figure? Pictures here.