Birthday Break

26 Nov

As some of you may know, I have never had anyone guest post on this blog. I’ve wanted people to post here, but as time went on, the pressure built up as to who the first person should be. The Chosen One.

My best friend/roommate approached me with the idea of writing a guest post for my birthday. When I realized I’d be able to take a day off during NaBlowMe, I wept with joy. This is better than any material gift a person could buy. Turning Sexy years old 32 years old has never been so great.

Please welcome my best friend Aric, President of the Hooked on Tonic Fan Club, and lead exotic dancer in my dreams. (P.S. He’s single, ladies! Inquire within.)

•••

Hello fans of Jen, one and all! I’m here to celebrate the awesomeness that is Jen and Tonic on her special day. Her birthday! You are all very important to her. She values the closeness and sense of  community you each have a part in creating at Sips of Jen and Tonic. I thought it would be worthwhile to give you all a peek into what life is like living under the same roof as this fun-sized, creative tornado.

Please ask any questions that you may have burning in your hearts about Jen in the comments section. My intention for this post is for it to be interactive, and I’ll gladly tell all! It’s hard to expose a woman who exposes herself to strangers regularly, but, you know, I’ll try. My name is Aric by the way. It’s nice to formally make your acquaintance. I’ve heard great things about most of you, and some terrible things about some of you. Rest assured, your secrets are safe with me, and her, and the neighbors.

Speaking of neighbors, it isn’t just strangers on a hike that she flashes: people letting their dog poop outside her window (which she loves, especially in the summer), the landscapers, prospective renters, etc. I’m pretty sure the influx of creepers we’ve had recently is due to her burgeoning reputation. I’ve thought about putting up a sign in my window that reads, “You’re looking for the next window over.”

Jen has an outstanding propensity for many things: shrewd judgment of character, collecting scarves, all things moustache and The Hoff, and much to my amusement, losing small items in the apartment. She doesn’t do it intentionally; I think these things just jump out of her hand after she’s finished with them. Three month old candy wrappers between the couch cushions, her cell phone in the fridge, bobby pins…these are just some of the things she leaves in her wake.

Yes, she’s just as funny in person as she is online, even more so probably. She’s a whirlwind of unfiltered, insightful, and creative jesting. You never really know what’s going to come next. She’s as likely to start twerking as she is to give your question serious consideration, and one of her favorite games is to make a fart sound anytime I bend over or sit down.

All joking aside, Jen is a wonderful, amazing person that I feel lucky to have in my life. She is intelligent, thoughtful, warm, kind, generous, genuine, energetic, adorable, and hilarious. I love her tremendously and I’m proud to call her my best friend. I hope you will all join me in wishing her a fantastic day and another great year.

Happy birthday, bestie!

birthday, best friends

TEAM JARIC!

114 Responses to “Birthday Break”

  1. Samara's avatar
    samara 11/26/2013 at 12:26 pm #

    Woops – I stuffed my comment in the wrong place.
    That’s what happens when I start drinking at 3:00.

    • Aric's avatar
      Aric 11/27/2013 at 10:05 am #

      Hi, Samara 🙂 Thank you for your warm birthday wishes! Yup, I really am single, haha. Thanks for the compliment.

  2. PinotNinja's avatar
    PinotNinja 11/26/2013 at 12:07 pm #

    Happy HAPPY birthday to you! May it be a day filled with cake, vodka, brownies, whiskey, ice cream, champagne, and some light nudity. So, you know, just a regular Tuesday around these parts.

    My most pressing question is, are y’all looking for another roommate? I’ll have to bring Country Boy with me, but he can fix stuff and mix drinks, so he’ll earn his keep.

    • Aric's avatar
      Aric 11/27/2013 at 10:01 am #

      Hello. I think having good friends in close proximity is one of life’s simple pleasures so yeah. Bring it in for a group hug!

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 5:04 pm #

      Cake, vodka, brownies, whiskey, ice cream, champagne, and some light nudity? I am having you consult on all future parties of mine.

  3. Amy Reese's avatar
    The Bumble Files 11/26/2013 at 12:00 pm #

    Thanks for a delightful post, Aric. Happy Birthday, Jen!! I’m sure she is just as warm and funny in person as in her blog. Jen, have a wonderful day for yourself!

    • Samara's avatar
      samara 11/26/2013 at 12:21 pm #

      Hey Aric! I’m newer to the wonder that is Jen, and I had to clic on “Vag of Honor – which led me to read about her farting in a trainer’s face, her deuces wild, her porta potty adventure…So, I don’t have any questions at the moment.

      Except…are you really single? Hubba hubba.

      Happy happy birthday, Jen. I think you are incredible. xo, samara.

      • Jen and Tonic's avatar
        Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 5:05 pm #

        You poor thing. Those are some seriously disturbing posts to read all in a row. I’m sure you’ll never be able to look at me the same again.

        And yes, he is single *WINK*

    • Aric's avatar
      Aric 11/26/2013 at 11:20 pm #

      You’re welcome. Yes, she is a very warm and funny person all around. Thanks for adding in your well wishes for her birthday 🙂

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 5:04 pm #

      Thanks, Amy! I had a great birthday.

  4. Ruby Tuesday's avatar
    Ruby Tuesday 11/26/2013 at 11:42 am #

    Aric — Good show, talk about a seriously meaningful and quality (not to mention hilarious) birthday present to a singularly wonderful lady who deserves the best to celebrate her day! Would you please pass along my best wishes for the coming year to Jen? And thank you for being such a good friend to her. If anyone deserves truly wonderful friends. . .

    Oops, I do believe they’re playing the “you’re-about-to-start-getting-mushy-off-you-go-now” music. That’s my cue…

    Many very happy returns of the day, Jen!

    • Aric's avatar
      Aric 11/26/2013 at 11:17 pm #

      Nonsense, it’s nearly impossible to get “too mushy” with me and I’ll let you in on a big secret. Jen puts on a tough exterior, and she may punch me for saying this when she finds out, but she’s a bit gooey inside too 😉 I’ll definitely pass along your best wishes to her.

      I’m glad you appreciated the post and also hold Jen in high regard. She is certainly a wonderful lady who deserves the best.

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 5:03 pm #

      Thanks for the kind words, Ruby. Aric is a one-in-a-million friend, and I think everyone should be lucky enough to have at least one friend like this in their lives.

      He passed along the good wishes, and even watched me stuff my face with cake without passing judgement.

  5. jaklumen's avatar
    jaklumen 11/26/2013 at 11:32 am #

    32 is sexy years old? Will you say that in seven years? You see, last August, another Jen with an extra n (Jenn), who is my sister, rubbed her hands gleefully, so sure that I was turning the big 4-0 until our baby sister burst her bubble and said that wasn’t until 2014. I don’t know about you, but when one family member is secretly cackling evilly and others are pointing out gray hairs…

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 5:02 pm #

      Leave it to family members to laugh at the fine lines and cracking joints. My youngest sister is (almost) 19, and takes pleasure in the fact that I’m a super old fart.

      • jaklumen's avatar
        jaklumen 11/29/2013 at 5:34 pm #

        My youngest sister does that too.

        But then, she’s 32.

        Yet… it was my middle younger sister that was rubbing her hands with glee, hoping that I would be 40 this year, so she could give me an embarrassing birthday party or something like that, and it was youngest sister who burst her bubble and informed her it’s not ’til next year.

  6. Vanessa's avatar
    Vanessa-Jane Chapman 11/26/2013 at 11:30 am #

    Hey, happy birthday Jen! And what a great tribute from Aric, go Aric! I want to think of a question, but I can’t!…hang on…how about…no, not that….and no, definitely not THAT…erm…let’s see…ooh yes!…no…yes! I know, does she ever leave her cell phone in the fridge? Oh wait…

    • Aric's avatar
      Aric 11/26/2013 at 11:11 pm #

      Thanks, Vanessa. She does leave her cell phone in the fridge! 😛 The T.V. remote occasionally too.

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 5:01 pm #

      Thanks for the birthday wishes!

  7. L A F E I S T's avatar
    georgia + darlin' 11/26/2013 at 11:26 am #

    happy birthday, jen! xo

  8. philosophermouseofthehedge's avatar
    philosophermouseofthehedge 11/26/2013 at 11:20 am #

    Happy Birthday ( and happy day off)

  9. Patty Durgan's avatar
    Patty Durgan 11/26/2013 at 11:18 am #

    Aric, Jen didn’t tell me you were also a great writer. I’m very impressed and enjoyed reading your post today. I already wished Jen a ‘Happy Birthday’ but will say it again here. Happy Birthday, Jen! So glad you guys have such a great friendship.

    • Aric's avatar
      Aric 11/26/2013 at 11:09 pm #

      Thank you for the compliment, Patty! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the post.

      I used to love hearing her stories about the office shenanigans when you two worked together. I know she misses that dynamic and your friendship means a lot to her.

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 4:58 pm #

      Isn’t he a good writer? He doesn’t like me exposing that dirty little secret! Thank you so much for your thoughtful e-mail! Responding is on my “to do” list this weekend. Thank god for holidays…

      Thanks for the birthday wishes!

  10. speaker7's avatar
    speaker7 11/26/2013 at 10:59 am #

    Happy Birthday! Knowing that you make fart sounds anytime Aric bends over or sits down only makes my love for you stronger.

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 4:57 pm #

      Every time I make a fart noise, an angel gets its wings.

  11. salmanalvi's avatar
    salmanalvi 11/26/2013 at 10:44 am #

    Happy birthday!!!

  12. rachelocal's avatar
    rachelocal 11/26/2013 at 10:29 am #

    Happy Birthday, Jen!

    Aric, do you think there’ll be any overexposure during her birthday celebrations?

    • Aric's avatar
      Aric 11/26/2013 at 11:05 pm #

      Well, the day is winding to a close and I haven’t seen any overexposure to innocent bystanders yet. Although, she went to the grocery store while I was at work so who knows what happened there… She did have a twinkle in her eye when I got back.

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 4:56 pm #

      Thanks, Rachel!

  13. michellestodden's avatar
    michellestodden 11/26/2013 at 10:20 am #

    Wow. I thought I was the only one who leaves my cell in the fridge. I don’t feel so alone in the world now. Aric, tell me: Is her twerking as magnificent as I imagine it to be?
    Have a wonderful birthday, Jen!

    • Aric's avatar
      Aric 11/26/2013 at 11:00 pm #

      Hi, Michelle. Yes, it is absolutely as magnificent as you are probably imagining it: graceful, well practiced, just the right amount of bounce, and superb timing for making you laugh uncontrollably at her zaniness.

      • michellestodden's avatar
        michellestodden 11/27/2013 at 6:43 am #

        It’s a shame she didn’t demonstrate her mad skills at Blogger Interactive. I guess I’ll have to wait until I visit Portland. *sigh*

        • Aric's avatar
          Aric 11/27/2013 at 9:53 am #

          Yeah, her full awesomeness can take awhile to come out. I’m sure she’d love to hang out and twerk with you if you visited!

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 4:54 pm #

      No, my cell phone has seen the icy tundra of my fridge many times.

  14. Dawn Quyle Landau's avatar
    talesfromthemotherland 11/26/2013 at 10:10 am #

    HaPpY bIrThDaY Jen… hope your day is filled with tonic and other yummies!

  15. becca3416's avatar
    becca3416 11/26/2013 at 10:09 am #

    Happy Birthday lady! I’m proud to call you my friend and my partner in BI adventures! That could have been read wrong…. but I don’t care. I’ll be bi with you too. Why not! Happy freaking burthday 😀

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 4:43 pm #

      “The BI Adventures” sounds like a kickass porn name. Let’s copyright that.

  16. Dani's avatar
    daniheart21 11/26/2013 at 10:05 am #

    Nice to meet you Aric… I am so glad Jen has a great friend like you in her life. I too, think she is amazingly funny and authentic, and am happy to call her my friend. I don’t really have any questions… although clearly I should think of one while I have the chance..lol Jen I hope you have a fabulous birthday. Hugs

    • Aric's avatar
      Aric 11/26/2013 at 10:56 pm #

      Nice to meet you too, Dani. 🙂 Yes, she is a very cool person and totally deserving of awesome friendships. It makes me happy to be able to spend such quality time with her and I know she also appreciates you and others on this site for your friendships.

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 4:42 pm #

      Aric is an awesome friend, and so are you, Dani!

  17. La La's avatar
    La La 11/26/2013 at 9:59 am #

    Happy Birthday, miss!

  18. Calamity Rae's avatar
    Calamity Rae 11/26/2013 at 9:58 am #

    I heart this post. And Happy Sexy Birthday!

  19. Marissa Bergen's avatar
    Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth 11/26/2013 at 9:56 am #

    Happy Birthday Jen!

  20. saradraws's avatar
    saradraws 11/26/2013 at 9:56 am #

    True or False: You don’t love Jen’s dinner time twerking as much as she does.

    Please, consider your answer carefully. I know where y’all live and I’m not afraid to double dinner twerk with your delicious lady pal.

    • Aric's avatar
      Aric 11/26/2013 at 10:48 pm #

      False! I DO love her dinnertime twerking as much as she does. I usually shake my head and roll my eyes at it because of the sheer randomness she can bring to a situation but I love it. If I’m feeling energetic I’ll even join in.

      You’re welcome to come over and join in on the twerking. Twerk party! *twerk, twerk, twerk*

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 4:41 pm #

      Your threatening question has brought us closer together. Some people pray right before dinner, but now we twerk together.

  21. Madame Weebles's avatar
    Madame Weebles 11/26/2013 at 9:55 am #

    A perfect birthday tribute, Aric. I love reading your description of her—pretty much as I imagine her in my dreams.

    • Aric's avatar
      Aric 11/26/2013 at 10:42 pm #

      Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Yeah, she’s definitely crazy but in an awesome way. 🙂

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 4:40 pm #

      Am I also devilishly sexy in your dreams? Because then they would be crazy accurate.

  22. El Guapo's avatar
    El Guapo 11/26/2013 at 9:53 am #

    Happy birthday!
    Hope the president of the fan club feeds you grapes whilst you languorously lay on the divan, clicking buttons on the remote control.

    Or something…

    • Aric's avatar
      Aric 11/26/2013 at 10:40 pm #

      How about a foot massage while she puts together her next post?

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 4:39 pm #

      He microwaved a Hungry Man Dinner and put on Law & Order for me. Close enough.

  23. Maggie O'C's avatar
    Maggie O'C 11/26/2013 at 9:48 am #

    Happy Birthday Jen! I would drink to you but I’m at work and don’t usually pop open the Bar Drawer till after 11 so enjoy without me.

    • Jen and Tonic's avatar
      Jen and Tonic 11/29/2013 at 4:39 pm #

      I’ve had several drinks in your honor since you posted this. You know, because I’m giving.

  24. Twindaddy's avatar
    Twindaddy 11/26/2013 at 9:46 am #

    Happy birthday, Jen!

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