When I Was 28, It Was A Very Good Year
Wednesday was my 29th birthday. Highlights included shish-kabobing and the acquisition of a Wii Fit. Twenty-eight will be tough to top, especially on so much less sleep. Here are some of the things that happened since the last anniversary of my birth.
1. I Became The Next Food Network Star
After years of charring hamburgers and serving potentially lethal chicken, I’m coming into my own behind the grill. My culinary point of view is “using random ingredients you didn’t realize you had (as long as they’re not spoiled).” Expect my first cookbook in ‘09.
Super Sweet Potatoes.
1. Cut three sweet potatoes into quarter-inch wedges and set aside in a bowl.
2. Pour 1 cup of orange-pineapple-banana juice and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon onto sweet potatoes. Let those ingredients work their magic for 15 minutes.
3. Grill using indirect heat for 20 minutes.
4. Remove from grill. Pour a splash of orange-pineapple-banana juice over cooked sweet potatoes. Serve warm.
You might not believe this, but I have no culinary training.
2. The Giants Won the Super Bowl
An unexpected treat. I need to pick up the highlight DVD to show Charlotte what she missed.
3. My First Fantasy Football Title
As much as the Lombardi Trophy meant to Eli, the check from fellow Duke ATO alum Eric Weinberger meant more to me. I can’t decide whether fatherhood will hurt or help my chances in ‘09. I am watching a lot of Sportscenter these days (well, more like these nights).
4. Good Times at mental_floss
A few days after my 28th birthday, I signed on to mental_floss full-time. A series of arbitrary title changes later, I’m now the Managing Editor of mentalfloss.com. I could not have designed a better position. The work is great, the people are fabulous, and we’ve also had a lot of success—in May, the site welcomed 2.7 million visitors, accounting for 10.5 million pageviews. Let’s aim for 15 million pageviews by my 30th b-day. Your gift to me can be taking every quiz every day. Twice if you don’t score well.
5. Family Expansion
Charlotte is a relatively new addition to our lives, but she’ll probably have a bigger impact than even the Giants’ historic Super Bowl run. (Or at least equal.)
Also receiving consideration: 1. My sister getting engaged (and getting a dog)—I left this off because the wedding will end up near the top of next year’s list. 2. Bailey not destroying anything of value. 3. Charlotte not crying the entire time I was writing this post. Even though that was technically after my birthday, it was still pretty remarkable.
We’ll get back to posting baby photos later today.