old friends and celebrations

6:31 p.m.

I've known Victoria since the mid-nineties.  Vic is my Sex-and-the-City sister, my jet-setting girl, my independent friend.   We've seen tons together: lots of men, lots of career moves, lots of life.  She was the maid of honour in Marcus' and my wedding.  We've been through a lot, Vic and I.

One of the cool things about us is that our birthdays are a day apart.  (Out of respect for Vic, I should clarify: our birthdays are five years and a day apart.  No need to rush her!)  For this reason, even though months may go by where we don't see each other, we always know that at some point in mid-July, we're going to catch up and have good food, good drinks and a good natter together.

Tonight was that night.

6:33 p.m.

6:38 p.m.

6:44 p.m.

6:52 p.m.

7:08 p.m.

7:34 p.m.

We spent the evening exchanging birthday gifts, catching up on news of each other's families, and, as expected, giggling inappropriately.  Eventually, our conversation turned to the merit of life lists -- I told her how much mine had changed my life, and encouraged her to start her own.

She decided she would.  One item on her list?  Try 50 scotch whiskies.

So considering that we have such similar goals, toward the end of the evening, we decided there was no time like the present to try her first:

8:22 p.m.  In the background, her Glenlivet scotch; in the foreground, my Captain Morgan rum  I was surprised: I didn't expect to like it, but it was decent.  I'd give it a 7.5.

It was such a great night.  You know, I've been very lucky in the last two or three years: I've made some really lovely friends.  But sometimes, it's so comforting to sit with a friend who has known you forever, who you can reminisce on old times, and celebrate new ones.  It keeps you grounded, you know?

Images:  All photographed with my Nikon D300 and 50mm lens.

Song:  Scooby snacks by Fun Lovin' Criminals.  Marcus was listening to this when I came home tonight.