Another trip around the Sun, another birthday. The first one I've spent in Hilo since 2017, in fact. Which in itself is a birthday present. We finally got some belated winter rain for most of April and the beginning of May, but the weather's been really pleasant these past two weeks or so, with a mix of brilliant sunny days, enough clouds to keep it from getting too hot, and light showers.
This past weekend was AstroDay here in Hilo (also my 137th birthday on Mercury!), annual event where various observatories and astronomy-related organizations (like the UH Hilo astronomy department) set up tables in the mall and engage with the public. I've volunteered before both as an undergrad and with the JCMT, but the latest I would've done it would've been 2015, so it's been a while since I last participated. This time I was at the Gemini Observatory table with a few co-workers, and while it was rather draining (so many people!) it was also a really positive experience. It's nice to interact with a generally very supportive and interested public and engage in some outreach, and with the pandemic this was also my first chance to really work together with some of colleagues in person.
Anyway, I'm off to play board games with some friends as a birthday get-together this evening. Here's to many more birthdays in Hawaii!
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