So the other night I went out to a poetry reading (how very beatnik of me, eh?) that my aunt was in. She had sent her poem in (one of many in her published book of poetry, A Moment Changes Everything - order your copy by sending an e-mail to sharethejourney@aol.com) amid hundreds of others, and had gotten chosen as one of the 25 finalists who would read that night. After several rounds of poetry hosted by "Mario" (a man who wouldn't have done well hosting a Tupperware party, let alone a poetry competition) the 5 finalist were announced, and Carla (my aunt) was one of them. And although she wasn't the winner of the contest she'll always be a winner in my heart. ...However, my heart cannot award the $500 prize that the contest gave out to the winner, but my heart can give love...sometimes.

The other highlight of that night was the bathroom at the Guild Complex where the competition was held. It was a tiny one person bathroom which I entered, and quickly realized came with a door that wouldn't lock. At first I found this impossible to believe, and tried locking it several times. No luck. I then had to come to terms with, "Well, maybe I can HOLD the door with one hand, and kinda...pivot...and...well..." So this is what I was forced to do. And let me tell you, this is not an easy task my friends. It made me quite nervous. SO nervous in fact that it was hard to go to the bathroom, but I finally got started; unfortunatly in that instant someone tried to open the door. Luckily I hadn't let up my grip on the doorknob, and I kept it closed, but I was frightened to start peeing again. Luckily I got zipped up without further incident.

P.S. People....send in your lists! I've gotta move this carton of milk and phone cord, and I've got to move them now!