I don't really even know how to begin.  I wish we had something like the Gilman around here.  Hell maybe we do and I just don't know it.  I mean, when you are a non-profit, you don't usually have the kind of budget that allows for extensive advertising.
    Anyway, I got this email today, which prompted me to go to this site and read it extensively, after which I wrote this letter.  Feels good, but probably isn't enough.  I'd love it if you'd have a look and see if the petition is one you feel comfortable signing, and if you feel like writing a letter about the situation.
    
    I had dinner with El Prez and his wife last night.  I was hoping to talk them into checking out Java Hut with me.  It's a place I'd first walked into night before last, and I loved the place on the spot.  Anyway, I met them at Chili's in a horrendous crowd, which was getting worse because somebody had passed out and all kinds of emergency personnel were beginning to arrive.  We finally got seated and fed and were pretty satisfied with what we got, which was country fried steak for him, a regular steak (I forget which cut) for her, and fajita nachos for me.  Next thing I know, the staff is bringing this bigass scoop of ice cream on a brownie to me, singing happy birthday.
    I got all choked up.  Nobody ever surprises me on my birthday.  Ok so it wasn't actually my birthday, which is Wednesday, but still.  For years I planned birthday activities in honor of other people, I got them gifts, I spread the word and passed around cards and all that stuff.  But when my birthday came, it was just another day.  It got pretty depressing after awhile and I finally just gave up on thinking about birthdays at all, even other folks'.  I got pretty lazy about it.
    So here we were in this restaurant, and these two had thought to do something nice for me.  For my birthday.
    I think I'll start making extra effort to recognize other peoples' birthdays again.
 

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