...begging for change. I lucked out and did some work ALL-DAY on Saturday. A friend’s boss needed people to sell merchandise at a San Jose Earthquake soccer game. You’ve all been to a sporting event or a concert with those little merchandise cages with overpriced paraphernalia all over the walls? I did that. We had to load up at the warehouse in SF, drive to SJ, unload it, clothespin examples of the merchandise to the wall, label it with pre-printed price tags, grab our money-fanny-packs and sell away. Then we get to do all that in reverse, take it all down, pack it up, take it back to the warehouse and unload. As my friend drove me to the warehouse, I discover that I had to drive the rental truck because her boss forgot her driver’s license. I hadn’t driven since January and she wants me to drive a TRUCK(!) through San Francisco(!!) onto the FREEWAY (!!?!!!) and on to SAN JOSE!!?!!??!!! I reluctantly agreed. I don’t know WHAT she would have done if I didn’t have my DL and I ALMOST didn’t bring it. I can’t believe she just thrust the responsibility on me to drive a rental truck on a freeway and I honestly told her that I was not comfortable doing it. But it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I did okay. I even had to put gas in it and I didn’t hit the tanks and blow a hole in the world or anything! I walked with $120 cash ($10/hr for a 12 hour day) and will get my commission later (about $30) after they verify sales and stuff. I told her I could do it next week but…I don’t know. It’s a lot of work and the lady can be really condescending. But, I desperately need money. I’ll have to lower my rent to get a subletter into my room and I’ll need to pay my bills while I’m gone. AND… I’ll need to fund my Quarter-Century Birthday Extravaganza come end of July. I’m putting all my eggs in this basket, my birthdays typically _________________ (feel free to fill in your favorite colorful phrase that means “not-good”) Last year, I was home alone with Pick-Up-Stix and I love Lucy reruns. 23: I shared a birthday dinner with my friend Scarlett’s nine-year old aughter, so I was out with her family and boyfriend. 22, Scarlett and her man were there along with 2 of my other friends. 5 people was the best I could do and even my sister bailed on me. I wanted 22 to be a big party to redeem my 21st birthday which involved a clinic visit, stirrups and a salve (Love the word much more than what it was supposed to soothe) I know, I know...too much infomation... I’m sorry, but this is where honesty comes to bloom. My birthday is mid/late summer and I never have parties or do fun stuff, but now I get to spend my 25 in Europe. In friggin EUROPE!!! This does have the potential to be as disastrous as it could be a life-altering experience that movie plots are made of, but let all say a prayer that it's the latter one, huh? I think I may post on Craigslist London and start recruiting for party-mates. You all know how I feel about CL (see previous article). Sympathy usually works. “Yankee loser seeks party-mates for her Quarter Century Birthday Euro-extravaganza.” Should I come up with a different title?