By Popular Demand (or, for the two people who said I should start a blog)

Today, I am 36. Ok, if you should know, I've technically hovering in this chronology for 4 days now. (In my defense, I really did mean to write this on 4 days ago. Months, or perhaps years ago, I started this-here blog account and figured having one random, lifeless mass of words with my DNA on it was better than opening a whole new blog account somewhere, and it took me a little digging to figure out what I named the original and the password... what am I saying, this is my blog. I don't have to defend myself! Go back to your point, Tara.)

Anyway... 36, that's like a yard of life! Somehow, it sounds less scary when I think of it in terms of measurement. Instead of being a 36 year old female who has done little or nothing to be proud of, height-wise, it makes me think I've still got a way to go. I mean, average life expectancy is somewhere around "Big Bird" or "Andre the Giant", and I'm still safe in the "E.T. the Extraterrestrial" ballpark, so I've still got a few good inches of accomplishment left.

To try to improve my quality of life during year 36, I'm composing a list of "36 things to do while I'm 36"; simple things to change and do to result in a happier, healthier and less-hopeless me. While I'm not done with this list (I'm up to 27... seriously, 36 is a lot to accomplish, even in a year!), I've got a few jotted down.

#10: Start a Blog. Crossed that puppy OFF! Done! I am amazing! I am a Golden God!

Well, maybe not. I'm just a mediocre person trying to get by with the help of a select group of people who still speak to me, a feline roommate, bottom-shelf white wine and, currently, Morgan Freeman in the background narrating a science program I borrowed from the library. I'm not sure what he's really talking about, since I'm also (pushes up hipster glasses) 'writing in my blog,' but as he oozes out words like "Phosphorus" and "Hadean" I feel my IQ is, at least, holding steady for the time being. Besides, I love thinking of the world in a scientific view. In science we're all connected and pretty much incosequential, which for some bizarre reason makes me feel better about my meager contribution.

Me, circa 1.5 inches, patiently waiting for delicious cake.

Oooo! I gotta run. I just thought of another list item and want to nail this sucker down before it's gone...
#28: Floss AT LEAST once a week.