03 July, 2014

Thirty-One

Thirty-one is...
and,
  • the code for international direct-dial phone calls to the Netherlands. 
Also...

  • In Buddhism, there are believed to be 31 planes of existence
  • There are 31 days in the months of January, March, May, July, August, October and December.
  • In ice hockey 'goalies' often wear the number 31. 
  • Messier object M31, is a magnitude 4.5 galaxy in the constellation Andromeda. It is also known as the Andromeda Galaxy, and is readily visible to the naked eye in a modestly dark sky.
    In music, 31-tone equal temperament is a historically significant tuning system (31 equal temperament)
  • 31 is a London bus route running through Camden Town
And of course,


*

Having spent my 30th in San Francisco onstage at Davies Symphony Hall singing the role of a lifetime, then quickly following it up with a weekend with my amazing family, last year sure does seem hard to out-do...

Oh: but out-do-it I shall.
Why, do you ask?
Because this thirty-one-derful year I am spending my birthday returning to London (a place I have not spent it in five years since birthday number 26). I can't officially tell you why I am here yet (sigh), but rest assured it is for a fabulous, exciting, bucket-list-esque singing-related reason that thrills me to my core.

But beyond a working identity, London is about the origins of my adulthood, and above all, about the friends I made and continue to love here.

It shall be a day of big reunions
Of revisitations with people
and places
     and a chance to truly look at how far I have come...

To quote my younger self,

MAN: I hate birthdays.
Well, no. That's not true.
I don't hate birthdays.
I love birthdays.
There is nothing that gives me greater pleasure than reminding people how glad I am that they were born.
     I hate my birthday.
We know this. (Remember the Nietzsche-an spiral of 24? The way I tried to get a grip at 27? The way I kiiiiinda got that grip at 29?
It's a passage-of-time thing. (I think it is also why I don't like New Year's Eve, and cut flowers for opening night...I dunno...)
I'm working on it. 

Poor little younger Al. (I wish I could give her a squeeze and tell her it all gets so much better, and life gets so much richer and calmer and deeper once she turns 30...) That said, looking at the list of "31s" above, I have to say, this number is on point: this birthday year I feel truly in my prime, as well as centered and thirty-one-derful.

I own who I am.
Fully. Deeply. Truly

Alexandra Silber.
Al.
Woman.
Friend.
Traveler.
Adventurer.
Believer.
Artist.
Actor.
Singer (a hard-won self acceptance title!).
Teacher (the most thoroughly fulfilling aspect of my life thus far).
Writer.
American. 
Story-teller.
Listener.
Forever-learner.
Homebody. 
Taker of photographs.
Maker of kick-ass salads.
Handbag-rummager.
Lover of road trips.
     and crime drama.
     and books.
     and radio. 
     and baseball.
     and carnivals.
     and meteorology.
     and one-on-one talks.
     and vegetables.
     and hand-written correspondence.
     and the ocean.
     and Angela Lansbury.
Aunt.
Daughter.
Human being.

Here's to another year. 




22 comments:

  1. Loving London, and England in general as I do, I can't imagine spending my BIRTHDAY in a more wonderful place!! So happy that this special day for you is there as well. Love you bunches! have a wonderful day!!!!

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  2. AnonymousJuly 06, 2014

    Happy Birthday Alexandra. Ah, London, a great place to celebrate it. J&N XX

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  3. Happy Birthday Al. Hope the next year is as successful and full of surprises as the past year was!

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  4. Happy Birthday, Beautiful Al! Enjoying a July day in London sounds like a perfect way to celebrate. I'm seeing J & N, also Lari & Mike, later today ... we'll be sure to raise a glass in your honour! Enjoy your day, best wishes, L xx

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  5. Happy Birthday!

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  6. Happy Birthday! 31 truly sounds wonderful!

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  7. didn't log on yesterday, Hope you had a fabulous day! Happy Birthday

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  8. Happy Birthday Al, I wish you all the continued success with the amazing journey you are on!

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  9. Happy birthday!!! Btw when do i get to see ur amazing face again?

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  11. Happy birthday Al!

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  12. Howard Barker! We've never met but... Howard Barker in common. Have a great day.

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  13. Happy birthday Al, hugs, songs & kisses, jon stanley

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  14. Happy Birthday Al!!!

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  15. Happy 31st!!! Beautiful special you!

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  16. A very happy birthday to you

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  17. "Here's to another year," indeed.... Terrific post, Al. I'm enjoying your writing quite a lot, thank you for sharing these thoughts with friends and fans. Have a rich and enlightening time in your magical city of London. May thirty-one be thirty: won.

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  18. Happy birthday, Al!!! 🎂

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  19. Happy Birthday!!! 31 is pretty wonderful- just like you! Xo

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  20. Wishing you love and happiness today and everyday

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  21. Happy Birthday! (again... stay tuned). Your listicles are my absolute favorite.

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