The Calm Before the Storm (of Awesomeness)

A wonderfully kind woman is painting my toenails right now, and, in moments, I'll be off to a soothing 75 minute massage. This is what I call the calm before the storm...of awesomeness.

After that massage, I'll be off to the races. My best friend Rhett lands around 5pm, I've got a family birthday celebration dinner at 7:30 in downtown L.A. (family includes blood relations as well as Rhett, Tim, and Aymee). After that, my great pal from Duke, Junior, will be arriving at my door all the way from Durham. Tomorrow, my friends Morgan and Jesse will be touching down from San Francisco, and then -- the party.

The projected attendance for the party is pretty staggering -- about 80 of my closest friends will be there, and I cannot wait to see each and every person. Being with people, especially my loved ones, is incredibly energizing. I've got a feeling that that energy will be even more striking this weekend, when so many of my favorite people will be all together and in celebratory spirits.

Party stuff is finalized, and I've even chosen the after party location (the 24-hour IHOP across the street) as well as the after-after party location (my place, which is only two blocks away). My dress is picked, I've set aside plenty of time to get gussied up, and the cake will be delivered at 8:30 tomorrow night. All I have left to do is enjoy the ride.

The fun, laughs, and love are going to be at an all-time high today and tomorrow. And in preparation (and to keep myself from getting too crazy-excited), I'm relaxing my body and spirit with a little pampering.

Tough life, right? I'll admit it: this cancer warrior lives a charmed life.