As James notes, yesterday was my birthday... seems weird to call it "yesterday" as yesterday only ended about a half an hour ago.  My birthday was pretty subdued and quiet... no cake, no celebrating.  Just the way I like it as a boring person. So what did happen? Well...

Pat had made some noises last night about bringing me breakfast in bed.  So when I woke this morning I lounged in bed for about an hour.  When I finally got tired of lounging I went downstairs and found Pat doing the finances on her machine and Lynnea playing Barbie Beauty Boutique on mine.

Pat said she didn't want to wake me, but that she still wanted to make me breakfast.  Breakfast was scrambled eggs and bacon and waffles with McLure's Maple Syrup (mmm).  While Lynnea played her Barbie game and Pat worked on the finances, I decided to relax with a little Blood Rayne 2 (my birthday gift to myself).

Rayne, the bad, bitchy, and beautiful half-vampire is back and better than ever.  This time instead of chopping up nazis she's out to defeat the vampires who are trying to take over the world.  The game borrows little from the original game except for  Rayne herself, and of course Laura Bailey, who gives Rayne her incredible voice.  (Visit BloodRayne2.com to see screenshots and hear a snippet of Ms. Bailey's voice.)

Blood Rayne 2 is in many ways superior to the original.  Some parts of it are very very difficult, but the game is a lot of fun.  Everything has been revamped.  Rayne's movement is smoother, her moves are cooler, and her dialog is razor sharp.  The gore is exquisite compared to the original, and the graphics? Well see for yourself:

Original BloodRayne:

BloodRayne 2:

After breakfast and BloodRayne 2, I played video games with Lynnea (HALO mostly), and then headed over to LAN Games in Leominster to say hello to my friends Matt and Sarah.

While there I tried out a new card game (no not a collectible one) called "Munchkin".  It was a game which makes light of RPGs.  I thought it was pretty funny, and bought a copy with the gift certificate Matt & Sarah gave me for my birthday.  Thanks guys!

The game is pretty cute, you can work together as a party or against each other.  First person to make it to 10th level is the winner.  Along the way you can acquire a class and race, and a number of very peculiar items such as the +3 Huge Rock or the +4 Cheese Grater of Peace (clerics only).  Looking forward to playing it again.

After LAN Games, I headed back home, stopping first at the Singapore for Chinese take-out.  I heartily recommend the Singapore if you're in Fitchburg and are looking for a nice Chinese restaurant (eat-in or take out.)  Their food is great--best in the area IMHO.

Then after dinner Pat and I watched an old scary movie we hadn't seen since we were kids.  I'd tell you about it, but I plan to use it in a future Name That Movie so tough winkies.  Mom and Dad called around dinner time to wish me a happy birthday, and I in turn wished them a happy anniversary (I was born on their wedding anniversary.)

After the movie Pat went upstairs to watch the Sox and I went back to BloodRayne 2.  So ended a nice peaceful day, with family, friends, entertainment, and good food.  If only every day could be as relaxing.

Tomorrow I have to go back to work of course... can't win them all!