Monday's a Bitch

Back in Time

1. What was your best birthday party?

I only had two growing up: one when I was eight, one when I was 16. They were both fun, in different ways.

I recall that birthday number 22 was a fun one. Don't ask me why 22, except it was my senior year in college, and Beast and I were feted together.

Nothing very exciting has happened since then, although we went away for a weekend on our 40th birthdays, whereupon I was struck down by lice. Not a great memory...

2. What was your favourite snack your mom packed for lunch?

I don't remember. I think I usually had cookies and a piece of fruit along with my cheese sandwich. Always a cheese sandwich, no meat, nothing different. My choice, by the way.

3. Did your parents force you to take up a musical instrument?

Like my sisters, but not my brother, I took piano lessons as a child. Mine only lasted about 2 years. In 7th grade, I asked to start playing the flute with my best friend who had started the previous year. I had lessons for that through high school--which I absolutely loved--and then spent two years in band in college hating everything about it. Haven't picked it up more than 10 times in the 22 intervening years.

4. Did you take any other kinds of lessons?

I asked to take swim lessons when I was about 11. That's a horror story, a comedy of errors, and a major source of angst for me still. After that, mom refused to do any other lessons. We were financially strapped and I'd shown a great deal of irresponsibility.

5. Describe a memory from a school field trip.

I don't remember anything particularly striking. We went to the Natural History Museum a lot, I think I remember going to the Denver Zoo at least once, there was a trip to Colo. Spgs. to the Air Force Academy at least twice... The best "field trip" was to Pasadena for the Tournament of Roses Parade. Not sure that counts, though.