My year of enlightenment apparently starts today.

The year began with a three-hour trek to Whistler while toting about 1,000 pounds of luggage. (My bags are like wet Gremlins, multiplying by the day.) Then I settled into my new home for the next week, a condo on Whistler Creekside, grabbed some lunch and got a birthday surprise. My friend Amy arranged for me to have a much-needed birthday massage at the hotel next to the Whistler Press Center. I could not have asked for a better way to spend my afternoon.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DRIVE -- WHEN I WASN'T SLEEPING ON THE BUS ...

Then we ate dinner at a fun Japanese steakhouse and had a proper birthday dance-a-thon at a silly bar called Buffalo Bills in Whistler Village. It felt like we were in a European discotheque. And, since this is the Olympics, there were a lot of Europeans dancing the night away right along with us. It was a fun night.

And, to quote Amy, an epic birthday celebration. Who knew you could have that much fun ... and without trapeze?!

MY BIRTHDAY NIGHT WAS ON FIRE!