"Birthday, birthday, birthday for you"

“I’m 23. Remember how old 23 seemed when you were little? I mean, I thought people were going to be traveling in airlocks, and I would have 5 kids. Here I am. 23. Things are um, they’re basically the same. I think . . . um . . . time’s running out to do something bizarre. Somewhere around 25 bizarre becomes immature. . .”--Singles, Bridget Fonda’s character

So, I didn’t exactly think I would have 5 kids by 23, but I definitely can relate to what this character is supposed to be feeling. I really do not feel that much older…except when I walk past a Forever 21 store or watch any program on MTV. This is definitely a strange stage of life, but really, aren‘t they all? Anybody remember middle school? I think that it’s getting kind of exciting, though. It’s the transition from kid to adult, at least for me. I’ve slowly (very slowly) started fading out t-shirts from my closet (thanks Jan), and I’m trying to keep the impulse jean-buying to a minimum.

23rd birthday get together was a lot of fun (we celebrated memorial day weekend), regardless of my friends finding my slightly embarrassing pro/con list for places to live. It was a 3-parter. We toured a vineyard in Grapevine, which was really small, but interesting and really pretty. I now have a favorite wine--Chardonnay. I now also have a bottle of that favorite wine in my closet…but have no bottle opener. One step at a time. Then we had dinner and then we went to Pete’s Piano Bar. Mmmm…I had a slight headache the next day, but that’s ok because I got to have brunch at Einstein’s with a couple of friends. Anybody who knows me knows my obsession with brunches. And I got to walk with a friend around my neighborhood and just talk. Also have a thing for going on walks. Really, doesn’t get much better. My birthday curse officially has been lifted.

Also, this has been the best week ever! Let's recap:

So I had a hellacious day on Tuesday, appropriate because it was 6/6/06. Temp job fell through. Had to drive all around Dallas to another dead end. Freaked out and went on find-a-job mania. I went to another temp agency and filled out lots of tests and learned I can type 83 words per minute…like that’s helpful. I could always become one of those court people who type everything you’re saying…but seeing as how I’m sort of getting carpel tunnel (sp?), probably not the best idea. Anyway, as soon as I got out of the temp place I saw I had a message on my cell. Love messages. Didn’t know the number. Checked and it was a guy from the community newspaper affiliated with the DMN I had applied to. I was overly giddy on the phone, but, luckily, he still asked for an interview on Thursday. Wednesday, on actual birthday, I turned 23, and had dinner with my lady and Jan. Then on Thursday I had my interview…which sort of went well, but I still felt like a major idiot. Spent the rest of the afternoon listening to sad music…Vienna by Billy Joel became my theme song. Cried a little and was dangerously close to locking myself in my cave-like apartment. Pictured being found 2 weeks later sitting in my dark closet with a brown-paper-bag covered empty bottle of Chardonnay... luckily my evening was redeemed--I had gotten 2 Alias DVDs in the mail. Nothing like a little television addiction to take your mind off things. Watched…a lot of episodes. Thought about the stupid things I said…then woke up Friday, determined to write the most awesome thank-you e-mail ever. I had some pride left. Anyway, did that and sat on the couch to watch 13 Going on 30 (It’s my cheer up movie). As it was playing, rather loudly, I got a call from the paper. Had to run in my closet to muffle the noise. Unfortunately my apartment is built like a fort, so reception was cutting out. Had to repeat my, “I said, hello, how are you doing?“ Sounded retarded. But...was told that I got the JOB!!! I’m an assistant editor. I don’t actually write articles, but whatever it’s an in, at least sort of. And I get benefits and a salary. No more hourly crap. Although hourly it doesn't work out to much more than I have been making temping...irrelevant. And I get vacation time. I think it was God’s birthday present to me. :) Friday night, went to the movies to celebrate…and got hair highlighted. I like to reward myself…a lot. Probably should have waited to get my first paycheck…but whatever. I‘m impulsive. So anyway I definitely qualify as the VH1 candidate for having the best week ever.

Now back to my summer series for this year…Alias. It’s actually a really good show. Eye candy like Michael Vartan and the guy who plays Will Tipon…and dead Danny for that matter…aside, the story is really gripping and well-written (more props to JJ Abrams. Love that guy). Of course, the cliffhanger loses some of its appeal seeing as how I don’t have to wait a week to watch what happens (unless, of course, it’s the last DVD in the mail round. On that note, make it snappy blockbuster).

Take two:

The girl who cried Connecticut

So, I wanted to post parts of this blog earlier, but couldn't because of my ghetto internet situation. So, anyway, Perhaps this new job means I will stay in Dallas for a while, which means no CT, for now. Perhaps in a year. Perhaps in 3 months if this job doesn't work out. Who knows. Oh well. I guess I better start planning my crazy thing...meanwhile, here are the lyrics for this sad, yet disturbingly hopeful song...

Vienna

Slow down you crazy child
You're so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you're so smart tell me why
Are you still so afraid?
Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You better cool it off before you burn it out
You got so much to do and only
So many hours in a day

But you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want
Or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through
When will you realize...Vienna waits for you

Slow down you're doing fine
You can't be everything you want to be
Before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight (tonight)
Too bad but it's the life you lead
You're so ahead of yourself
That you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong
You know you can't always see when you're right(you're right)

You got your passion you got your pride
But don't you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on but don't imagine they'll all come true
When will you realize
Vienna waits for you

Slow down you crazy child
Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while
It's alright you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize...
Vienna waits for you.

And you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want
Or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through
Why don't you realize...Vienna waits for you
When will you realize...Vienna waits for you