It’s my blog (I can cry if I want to)

If you’re my “friend” on Facebook, then you already know what a bust today was. I was supposed to do something stellar for turning 23, and instead, spent it crying.

I hate to whine, but as it goes: it’s my party and I can cry if I want to.

 I was up till midnight the night before cramming for a test. Rose at 5, where pains from my hiatus hernia (I was diagnosed in January) struck. I studied until 6:25, and arrived so late to my 8 a.m. math class I skipped.

After my my art test, I walked hunched over to the Humanities building, where I almost fell asleep in the breakroom listening to Beethoven on my iPod.

When school let out, I had ever intention of exchanging the dress mother bought me as a present that I didn’t like. But I ended up returning it and having my first dismal shopping day in weeks. I’m still in pain, and extremely tired.

I suppose the best part of this birthday was getting to live to 23, and drinking Starbucks.

Arts related things that never fail to impress

My favorite arts-related things that never fail to impress me:

1. Triple stops on the violin.

2. Maurice Ravel’s “Tzigane.”

3. When conductors turn to their orchestra in rehearsal and say “Intonation.”

4. Conducting without a score.

5. When dancers execute turns from second position.

6. Dancers with more artistry than skill.

7. Extreme photo-realism.

8. All things Frank Gehry.

The laureate rings for thee.

Last nights birthday dinner was punctuated by a call on my cellular. Alabama’s Poet Laureate Sue Walker was on the line.

We chatted briefly about the upcoming ceremony, where I am to accept an award and give a reading of my own creative non-fiction piece. I had resigned it in my mind that I was not going to speak.

“Don’t say no until you’ve thought about it five times,” she said in her cheery, smooth voice. I hung up still being firmly intent on not reading at all, and very pleased that the option was open to receive an award and not read. I’m very good at and accustomed to sitting in couture and walking in heels, but not public speaking. So now, the whole ordeal is settled. Thankfully.