This is the Birthday Party invitation I drew for my 24th Birthday, my first birthday in Seattle. I’d been living in the city for nearly half a year at that point, so I had a smallish handful of friends. I recall that my high school friend, Steve, showed up unexpectedly (which is how he always showed up): He was in the Navy, I think, and did three-month stints in a submarine, and then got to come ashore for a weekend from time to time. Whenever the sub emerged in Bremerton, he’d call me up, I’d go pick him up, and we’d live on crackers and avocados for two days until he went back to the sub for three more months. It was a good surprise to see him show up on my birthday weekend.

       This evening I re-read a few journal entries from that weekend, and was startled by what a manic mess I was at the time. Here are a few excerpts of what I wrote on Feb. 13, the day after my birthday, and two days before my 24th birthday party:

      “Maybe I oughta make today my Birthday instead of yesterday. Yesterday wasn’t such a hot day. Cried a lot yesterday. Went for a walk when a Bad Mood set in, and it kinda scared me because it had almost a will of its own. I thought I might go get drunk by myself, but the thought of that was so depressing I started to cry again….”

       Then: From the morning after my Party:

        “The Party was FUN. A lot transpired.

         Jordan and Gabriel showed up together with a bottle of whiskey which we drank remarkably quickly. Sandy and Laura came with plastic green-tinted party glasses for everyone to wear. Steve showed up from Bremerton, straight off the sub. Kurt and I got high in the kitchen. I told J. I was in love with her. Bad Natalie showed up!! My calves hurt from dancing. My head hurts from drinking. I think I’m happy.”

     Ah, Sweet 24! Happy Birthday, All!