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The original name of this blog was A Year in the Life, a not so cleverly disguised copy of my favorite song from Rent. That year ended almost six months ago. I've reached a stalemate in my mind. I don't write enough; I feel a little guilty about that every day. But lately these guilty feelings have actually begun to inspire me to do things, instead of just sitting there sulking in my brain. I want to get out and do something, not just sit around and dream and make plans. I want to take control, make a difference, say I'm doing something worthwhile and real. Something tangible. Something that I can point to and say, "Yes. That's mine. I did that."

So today is my 24th birthday. Birthdays are important in this family - from the time I was born, great planning went into every June 2nd and it always turned out beautifully. Mom always went out of her way to make my birthday special. There was the time she surprised my friends and me with a limo ride around Atlanta, I think when I was 10 or 11. She turned the living room into Paris for my 20th birthday. And for my 22nd, I helped her convert the back patio into our own little restaurant, complete with little cafe lights and bottled soda in tin buckets.

We videotaped all of my birthday activities from the time I was born until I was seven. I watch them every year; it's become tradition, and June 2nd wouldn't feel quite right if I didn't sit in my favorite comfy chair and watch my little self running around on the screen in front of me. It's amazing how these days intertwine and all feel the same.

Mom and I just got back from lunch; tonight, we will hit Pozole, this amazing margarita bar in the Highlands, for drinks and dinner. I thought I'd finish this post now, before the warm buzz I always get from tequila kicks in. Another year down, this one much different from all the rest. School is over (for now), I'm working every day, I moved into my first place, I broke up with my first boyfriend. There's so much material here, waiting for me to sort it all out into piles and start writing...waiting for me to find the common threads, to learn the lessons, to gain experience and knowledge. I think it's finally time. Time...to stand up, or grow up, to step faithfully into the future and carpe the shit out of the diem. So here we go.