Hitting the road, leaving on a jet plane...only not really

So I'm at my folks' place right now, and Mom insists I'm getting too skinny. Which ain't true, 'cause I've put on weight since I got here last week, I swear to God.

However, because it's my birthday, she made me baklava. I ain't complaining. Thing is, she made me enough to feed a fuckin' army. Which, I might add? Is what I plan to do.

So Sassy? If you're reading this, you get a kitchen break today. I'm gonna stop by on my way outta town to say goodbye to you girls, and I'm bringing like three boxes of homemade baklava. After that, I'm outta here and heading home.

So if anyone wants to get ahold of me today? I'm on my cell...I'll be home either late this afternoon or early this evening. Dee, Theo, if you get online before I'm there? I'll see ya soon.

Catch you all in Hollywood.

[magic man] for Sassy

While taking to her bed, Sassy rolls over and is promptly injured by rolling on something hard, cold, pointy, and jagged enough to bruise her hip. When she digs it out, she finds a set of handcuffs with a note rolled up and stuffed in one locked shackle. The other is, quite apparently, open and the cause of her future bruise. The note reads as follows...

Sass, get your ass outta bed and stop pouting! I'm six hours away.

If you really miss me that bad? Wear these. Necklace, bracelet, somewhere visible. Cuffs are the symbol of the Fraternity, you head to Vegas and the magicians will know you as a friend. You'll be ankle-deep in children of Pandora in no time.

It's my birthday, damn it. I want a smile.

Love ya babe,
Tommy

Zee? Baby, it's you...

This was supposed to be a note to everyone that I was gonna post over an hour and a half ago that I got home safe, I'm fine, and my birthday's totally chill.

Then I came home to my girl and all hell broke loose.

Long story short (because the homecoming gets personal, so I ain't gonna blog about it), Zee gave me my birthday present and knocked me on my ass.

The woman gave me back my plane.

I don't know how she did it, but Zee located the 1909 I bought in Germany for five grand in 1910. The one that Houdini bought, I mean...and? The whole damn thing's been restored. She's just like I remember her...and I do remember her. I sat in the cockpit, and it was like I was back in Australia again...

She's being stored in a hangar in Playa Vista, and it's the most amazing thing to happen to me today since my mom's baklava and the ring my folks gave me. The trip was just amazing, and I learned a lot. Reconnected with my roots, my family, and I had a lot of fun.

This has been a really awesome birthday, even though I spent most of it on the road, but thanks to everyone that's been so cool to me today. I'll have vacation pictures up later, some of 'em I gotta get from my crew in Searchlight (Hank, e-mail me that stuff from the Mirage, will ya? And tell your Dad thanks for the roundhouse pointers.)

Dee, Theo, you get in okay? Call me.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go pet my cat and spend time with my girl.

It's really good to be home...peace out, folks.