Ghosts of Birthdays Past

1970 - it all began.

1974/75 - not sure which year, but there is photographic evidence of a Mickey Mouse cake with a young lass with pigtails and coke-bottle glasses in The Bookstore kitchen.

1976-1977 - Pool Party! Which, due to the overexcitement resulted in severe migraine headaches and a 2-hour nap to sleep it off. My "friends" were having a grand time not missing me in the swimming pool.

1977 - Star Wars movie. I also remember listening to Rick Springfield.

1978 - due to 2 years of migraines, no more pool parties. We went to see the movie Grease! 8 girls with 1 adult in a movie theater! Let the giggling begin!

1979-1994 - apparently unremarkable. Oh wait, 1986 I did NOT get the convertible like I thought. Instead, I got the keys to the Cutlass Ciera. Oh yeah, didn't get carded in 1991 on my 21st birthday either while buying alcohol FOR REAL at the gas station. No fake ID no more!

1995 - HOLLA with the Hoochies in G'town! There is also a lot of mixing of liquor involved with a quick stop at a random place to get hosed down after a bout of puking on the side of I-45.

1996 - Goodbye 25. A farewell to the best year yet.

1997-1998 - again, apparently unremarkable.

1999 - the worst birthday ever. It sucked would be an understatement. Alone in Charlotte, feuding with family, no friends, and a nasty apartment with fleas. Just found out for real the ex-beau was lying to me. Decided to dramatically change my current position. So I moved back to TX in 2000. My lowest point ever.

2000 - The BIG 3-0. B'day with Steph & Lori. Consisted of pool day and wine spritzers. Then a little out & about town that started off at Fonda San Miguel and a melted German Chocolate Cake and the staff singing Happy Birthday to me.

2001-2002 - unremarkable.

2003 - Me, James, Steph, Lori, & Katie. A LOT of adult beverages & a video camera to record it all. That heretofore is considered unmentionable and known as blackmail to some of us in the party. Also includes the now quotable "Join your friends in the fiery flame." Oh, that poor candle. You know you are getting old when the candles on your cake are now hot enough to start a blazing fire.

2004 - Me & James visit Tari in Galveston. I get an allergic reaction to Peach Schnapps, James suffers from kidney stones. Results in a 10pm trip to Wal-Mart for reasons unknown. Not the best b'day in history, but the next day, Tari treats us to tapas in Houston and it was a BLAST. Listened to a Spanish band play music while sitting next to the wooden-hand man clapper.

2005 - The 6th Annual 29th B'day Festivus. Adrienne-ukah has started off with various dinners, movies, lunches, wine, chocolate, shopping, & time spent with friends. And no gray hair (yet found.) Pretty damn good day.