I love JP, but sometimes (and by sometimes, I mean when I've got a hungover stomach) I wish there was a nice, greasy, chain fast food place. So in lieu of killing my body and soul at McDonalds, I fried up a chili lime chicken burger (thank you, Trader Joe's) in olive oil, ate it on a whole grain hamburger bun, and wondered when I became a hippy.

At least I still eat meat.

And shower.

Usually.

I had Burger King for dinner and I feel like I'm going to die. I don't know why I had Burger King for dinner (the rest of my day was very low fat, so that's good), other than that I couldn't really stomach - heh - paying $9.00 at Fineagle a Bagel to get a teeny sandwich and a soda (seriously, that's what Bill paid) when I could pay $5.50 and get a giant burger, fries, and a drink. Plus now you can get salads instead of fries. Not that I did, though only because I didn't notice it was an option until I was leaving.

But it was a lot of food. And a lot of grease.

I'm apparently more concerned about money than calories. Not really sure what's going on there. Maybe I just really wanted some fast food to make me feel better about the Rule Against Perpetuties and the different sort of recording statutes. Maybe that's it.

I don't want to study any more.

Wow, Top of the Hub. The view (we were overlooking the Charles River and Cambridge) was spectacular. And the food was amaaaaaazing. I'd read middle-of-the-road reviews, but was pleasantly surprised. We had the tasting menu, which I think is the secret. Seriously, anytime there's a tasting menu get that. There's a reason the chef picks stuff.

So the courses: foie gras and some fruitish thing on a piece of buttery toast dodad; lobster, avocado, and citrus salad (I had a green salad); some kind of grilled swordfish with coconut rice and mango slivers (my favorite course... it was the best swordfish I'd ever had, cooked perfectly); seared tuna with wasabi potatoes (or something) in a miso sauce with black truffles; beef tenderloin and potato gratin (melt in your mouth beef, for real); beet salad (seriously, Kate V., you missed out); some sort of dessert sampler with creme brulee, lemon gingerbread, a white chocolate "lolipop" with grand marnier and a chocolate "stick," and a white chocolate mousse thing with strawberries.

And these were pretty large portions for a tasting menu.

The gift rundown was thusly: my sister's boyfriend got me a sushi magnet and X-Men 3 (collector's edition). My sister got me a dirt devil Kone (it looks like art! but cleans like a dirt devil!) and a one year subscription to Rachel Ray's magazine. My mom got me some slippers, a briefcase (to be picked out later), and she pre-ordered me Guitar Hero 2 and the wireless guitar controller. Eee! I don't think my mom's bought me any video game anything since the N64. Damn. I miss the N64.

Anyway. I had a really nice day, spent entirely with my family. Next week's a party with my friends. Tomorrow Colleen's coming. I love my birthday.