Twenty-one and not even hungover, thanks to the miracle that is Health Center aspirin. I'm filled with a warm feeling of general goodwill towards all mankind.

And I have a cake, which my mom had delivered to me at eight this morning.

In spite of a slow start and a few annoying and unexpected guests, last night went well. I had fun and ended up passed out the couch; Jubb carried me to bed.

Cleaning up the numerous wounded soldiers today, I'm struck by how little everyone (myself included) drank. The Sky, a gift from Ben and Nora, is still there. My flask full of rum, a gift from The Politician and Jonas, is still full. The mini-keg of German beer, a gift from Jubb, is about half gone.

The Politician tells me that there were several hours of crazy partying after I'd gone to bed.

Still, I got drunk on my 21st birthday, and I suspect that others did as well. That was certainly what I had in mind.

It was a night full of surprises, some of which I had a hand in (Jinx's singing valentine) and others I did not. I'm not thinking, at the moment, of the giant cookie Miß Sarah's mom made me.





This surprise, at midnight, was the most interesting and, to be honest, the most fun. I was blindfolded and then, with the help of more than a dozen (sometimes-mustachioed) anonymous volunteers, I successfully quadrupled the number of people I've kissed in my short time on this planet.

It's blurry (you have to press down the button on my camera twice, for the record: once, lightly, to focus and once, firmly, to take the picture) but this is what it felt I felt like at the time.

At midnight the mature, legal, adults left the party for a quick trip to the VR. I couldn't even finish my honey weiss (my excuse: German beer sits somewhat heavy in the stomach) but it was still enjoyable. Frisbee Matt, the gentle makeout king of Lawrence, heard that he'd missed out on The Great Midnight Makeout and gave me a make-up kiss.

I remember going back to the party, and talking to various people there (the pictures seem to show me spending an unusual amount of time with Rock Show Girl) and laying down on the couch.

But I know (and celebrate the fact) that there are gaps in my memory.

This, as they say, is how we become men.