two dozen

As of Sunday, I've officially been on the planet for 24 years. And though there are certainly many things from my younger years that I miss -- college, England, sorority life, living at home, being able to buy a pitcher of beer for $6 -- I have decided that I am only looking forward to growing older.

Every age in my life thus far has held its own new adventures, surprises and changes. Though some have been better than others, each one has been dynamic, never static, and always an educational experience one way or another. I am looking forward to 24 for those very reasons, with the hopes that this year will be as rich with opportunity as the years before it have been, and then some.

I never want to be one of those people who dreads growing older. I think old age will suit me very well, mostly because the older you get the more you're entitled to boss people around and always be right. Besides, I think it'll be a long, long time before I even begin to feel old. As long as I can go out on my birthday and get all my drinks paid for by boys I just met -- and I think I'll still be pulling it off at 50 -- I will feel as young as the born-on date on my Budweiser.

The photo of Holly and me was taken at Cafe Wha? in the West Village near Washington Square. They have a killer house band who play everything from Motown to Radiohead to the Talking Heads, and of course, every southern sorority girl's necessary party song: "Don't Stop Believin'."

happy birthday to me,
elizabeth