I was born a pain in the gas and I plan on staying that way

[thebratqueen]

I'm fond of the story of my birth. Basically, the way that it goes is that I was born on the day after Thanksgiving to, naturally, my Mom who hadn't had a kid in 6+ years and had therefore blanked out on little concepts like, say, "contractions". So when she started going into labor she refused to believe that it was actually labor and instead told my dad that it was gas pains leftover from the turkey.

"Okay," my dad said. "But your next 'gas pain' is going to be in five minutes."

My folks then eventually hauled themselves over to the hostpital after dealing with a broken down car and my mom's insistance on showering and shaving her legs because these were the days when the hospitals actually understood that having a baby was actually more traumatic than, as for example, a flu shot and therefore you might want to keep the mom and kid around for more than a New York minute.

Of course that also meant that my dad was not allowed in the room when I was born, because these were also the days of men not doing that because, I dunno, it proved they were gay or something.

So there's my dad, in the waiting room, when finally someone hands him a phone.

"We have a little girl!" my mom said.

"Who is this?" my dad replied.

Ladies and gentlemen - the story of my birth.

Which I guess is really just a sixpense summary of the story of my life because is anyone really surprised that I came onto the scene whenever I damn well felt like it in a moment of pain, vague angst and humor?

The arrogance I figure I grew over time. ;)

I've been thinking back on the ol' TBQ: A Life Story thing for the past week, mostly b/c of the birthday. My birthday hits the actual day after Thanksgiving every 11 years and whenever it happens it feels like another milestone to sit back and judge myself by.

This year's verdict? Still as hot shit as ever.

I guess I'm lucky in that I honestly don't have any regrets. Not that I haven't done stupid shit in my time 'cause hey - boy have you guys met me before. But honestly I'm just not a regrets kind of person. Life's all about the learning and the experiences. You can't find out what you are until you find out who you're not. So - I live my life trying to find out what I'm not, I guess.

It's been interesting for me to go back and ponder the Life of TBQ this time around. I suspect because thanks to the wonder that is the internet and esp things like LiveJournal, this is the first time I've had a chance to compare and contrast myself with the way others see me. And can I just say? I have no idea what y'all are talking about.

When browsing friends (and good 'ol friends of friends) and seeing the random times my name comes up for whatever reason, I get this picture of a stone cold bitch (meant in a good way)(well except for the people who really do hate me for various reasons, I guess ;) ) who speaks her mind and doesn't take guff from anyone and how the heck does she do it?

I (again, see arrogant) don't argue the first but geez do I not get the second.

I guess my problem is I've never not spoken my mind, nor have I understood why I shouldn't. My feelings, my opinions - just as valid as yours. I'll open my mouth and share if you'll do the same. Otherwise why are we even bothering to leave the house and interact with other people?

Of course this was something that got me in trouble a lot. I did this even as a kid and if you want to make TBQ break out in a nervous tick, accuse her of having "attitude". {TWITCH} My elementary school teachers always accused me of that one and even in my single-digit ages I knew that was a load of crap. I didn't have ATTITUDE. THEY were morons. GEEZ.

So there we are personality wise. Born a TBQ, will die a TBQ, snarking all the way.

Life-wise I've got to say I'm pretty content. I keep thinking back to when I was a kid and what I pictured myself doing at this age. I don't do well because as a kid I stopped at age 25 since that's when 2000 would roll around and I figured I'd wait to see if the world ended before buying any bonds ;) But beyond that I'm happy. I've got a car and a mortgage and a mountain of debt. I've traveled around the country, had a few interesting life exeriences, learned new things, made new friends, made new enemies - it's all good.

So, on this morning of my birth, I'm happy. Which is a pretty spiffy thing all things considered.

Thanks to all those who've shared my life with me up until now. I hope to wring at least another 28 more years out of ya ;)