...almost forgot

...and one of the highlights of my birthday was omitted because it happened 9 days later...but that didn't keep it from being awesome.  By now I know Tiffany noticed I didn't mention her fantastic gift...she took me out to a Brazilian Steakhouse.  For anyone unfamiliar, its all you can eat 16 kinds of meat in giant hunks being walked around the restaurant on swords by men wearing pantaloons and tiny vests, with a waiter who continuously replenishes your supply of mashed potatoes and fried bananas and small rolls, with the world's best salad bar in the center of the place.  Oh yeah, its expensive, and oh yeah, its magnificent.  We stayed for two hours and tried maybe 10 kinds of meat and most everything at the salad bar- they had mushroom risotto, cheese tortellini, ceviche, oysters, spicy shrimp salad, fresh mozarella, four kinds of cheese with prosciutto and salamis, and then the other half of the salad bar.  Wow.  We were disgustingly full.

I wish I could take people there.  There's now four of em I think in downtown Chicago- so they must be doing something right.  It was my second time!  Uncle Tony happens to be a fan as well ;)