No Birthdays Here

Another year older but this time I got more than a day to celebrate my birthday. My day started in NZ and ended in QATAR so technically I got 34 hours worth. So got a couple of emails the evening before, which was great. Really appreciate them. Now I hadn’t mentioned my birthday here but there was a discussion about age last week and someone remembered that my birthday was on the same day as Murphs (This was something he had shared with them one day after Ridges). So this started a chain reaction. I’m waiting with a couple of colleagues for my driver down in the foyer of our apartment block and the Aussies drive past and shout out Happy Birthday. So then my Kiwi colleagues knew. This in turn was communicated to my boss and the Qatari staff at work. My Qatari boss explained there is not really a birthday celebration in Islam. What is supposed to happen on your anniversary of your birth is that you are to reflect on the year that has past and think how you can better serve god and others for the coming year. Even so she wished me a happy birthday. Now the Aussies had organized a ticket for me to go with them to the Comedy Club. This is a monthly stand up comedy event at one of the hotels. They had organized a table for the 20 or so of us and had also organized a cake and presents. So the photo shows the collection which all have some meaning. The big box of very flash choices is from Mary my boss. Now the green hat is important because Keren is like the camp mother and events are organized with lists and colour coded spreadsheets. My colour is green so if she receives an email from say Murph back in Aus she then colour codes the bits of the email which relate to individuals and forwards it on. So I know I just have to read the green bits or look at the green timetable. The photos are to remind me that my Aussie mates are important. The Aussie certificate I think is because a number fo times now I’ve been mistaken for being an aussie so I sort of get Aussie status (until I open my mouth). The CD is Roberta Flacks, Where is the love. My GR5 team will remember I was a “share the love” and kumbya sort of guy. I’ve had to adopt the same sort of phrases as these guys like to chip away at each other. Hence, ”where is the love?” Some vouchers for Titto Bluni. I bought some jeans which I really like from Titto’s so can now get some new gear as well. Plus I brought my possum and angora socks Ma and Pa form NZ. So not bad for a no birthday.