(no subject)

For those of you who are stumped for birthday present ideas: ;)

http://www.miniusa.com/link/ourcars/jcw_gp_kit

Speaking of cars, time for a new mechanic. The timing belt/water pump/valve cover gaskets were replaced, then not two hours later the spark plug wires went kablooey, which is why it wouldn't start on Friday night. They replaced the spark plugs and wires and things seemed to be okay, but this morning when I started the car up I heard a disturbing noise coming from under the hood and the world disappeared in a huge cloud of smoke that smelled like oil. Screw it, I'm going to find the closest Mazda dealer and let them take a look at it.

Birthday plans

I mentioned this a while ago, but it's close enough now that I can probably make it an actual plan.

For my birthday, I'd like to get people together for a group dinner at Sakura in Fairfax. My current plan is to reserve a teppan table or two (depending on turnout), have dinner and Maneki Nekos in funny glasses, then retire to my place just up the road a bit for cake. Come join us for all or part of the evening! Since it's not exactly the kind of place where you can just pull up another table next to the existing one and it always seems pretty busy on Saturday nights, I'll need a headcount to make a reservation; please let me know in comments here or email to my @lj address by Wednesday evening (the 19th) if you'll be coming and how many people you're bringing.

Where: Sakura, 12950 Fair Lakes Shopping Center (in front of the shopping center with Petsmart, World Market and Target on Fair Lakes Parkway)
When: 7:00 PM, Saturday April 22.
What to bring: You, your partner(s), a friend, some combination of any or all of the above. Although it doesn't apply to most of my friends at this point, kids are fine if you want to bring them and think they'll be okay.

If you're coming to the house, things to note: the house is not childproofed in any way, shape or form, and we have a cat who's currently ditching his winter coat, so medicate as necessary.