Early And Low-key

I'm on the train an hour earlier than usual for a company breakfast in Willow Glen, the town within San Jose. The neighborhood is made up of old, tiny homes on narrow streets under the canopy of full-grown trees. The downtown section is mainly composed of independent stores and restaurants, but signs of homogenization are becoming more apparent.

My birthday is tomorrow, but let's keep that between you and me. The office has a tradition where the birthday boy or girl brings in goodies for everybody. This year will be donuts. The older tradition involved singing the birthday song, but some compassionate soul put an end to the humiliation a couple years ago.

Anyway, what made yesterday special was C, E, A and J treating me to lunch at Hukilau, one of my favorite restaurants. J had to rub it in that this would be my last year as a twenty-something. He didn't want me forgetting that fact in my old age. It was a small and low-key celebration, which I prefer and enjoy more than being in the spotlight. I'm lucky to be working with such good people.