What else

I'm the official blogger for Bathtub this week. Click over there for some AWP pics and commentary.

Meanwhile, I have lots to do. Lots. And I really am going to Hutch this weekend. Tomorrow. I have no time for that kind of thing. Nor do I really have time to celebrate my birthday next Friday. Though, I promised myself that I would not grade or otherwise do anything schoolish after noon on my birthday this year. When you have a birthday in April and you go to school for nineteen straight years, many of your birthdays are spent finishing papers and doing research and crying with stress--not celebrating the day you were born. When I'm 26 (two years), I will certainly not be in school on my birthday for the first time since I was 5.

In fifth grade, I had to stay up very late (which was probably only midnight) in order to finish the science project on "Kangaroos, Koalas, and Kookaburras." I can't remember if it was the night before my birthday or my actual birthday...but I remember having the display board in the living room and coloring or something and then my mom said something about my birthday.

In sixth grade, my great grandma (the now 105-year-old) hit my neighbor's car as she was pulling out of my parents' driveway to bring homemade cinnamon rolls (see poem) to my class. Then the whole class had to stay after school because no one would admit to throwing a pencil across the room. (I can't remember who eventually admitted to it--or if anyone did.) Then I came home to find out that my dad's thumb had been crushed by a steel plate at work. I was 12. I wore a new navy, large-floral ankle-length dress. My hair was short. I had bangs. We ate at Applebee's. My dad's thumb was wrapped thick with white something. Call it the most memorable birthday.

What should I do for 24? I don't drink or party. Any suggestions? Thank you.

I will not go to Applebee's. Though I may wear a dress. Without flowers. I have bangs.