Baby take off your cool, I want to know you

I spent my 31st birthday volunteering in 'clean-up parks' day at Fort Greene park in Brooklyn, waking earlier than I wake for work - still reeling from that groggy, from-last-night, slightly dizzy, hangover effect.

Running late, as usual, I hopped in a cab to the entrance of Brooklyn Bridge and then ran the rest of the way to the park, in absolute awe of the rippling and sparkling wonder of the city.

I spent my 31st birthday raking leaves, 'wood chipping' (whatever the hell that is I'm still not sure), shoveling dirt and plugging up pot holes in the grass, and eating lunch on the steps in the sun with fellow googlers - just like in high school.

I then spent my 31st birthday alone - smoking, drinking and blogging on my balcony - soaking in the rays of a crisp, spring sun.

I ended my 31st birthday at a dinner show at Joe's Pub - Chocolate Genius - and then I dragged my friends to Bob's in the LES.