One year older

As of today, I am legally allowed to drink in the United States of America.  This is a relief.  I can now also go into places to see music that I want to see.

I'm not doing much for my birthday here, at least, not what living in Isla Vista should demand of me; that is, to drink until I cannot drink no more.  I got an email to that effect generated by the office of the Vice Chancellor.  It had my name on it and wished me a happy birthday, reminded me that drinking myself into the gutter is not a good idea and informed me that everyone wants me to "have a great time but also live to see another day".  They're not kidding (by the way, I also want to live to see another day).  This is the university that has compulsory online alcohol education for every new student.  Kind of an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, given UCSB's reputation.  

So I'm going out to dinner tonight with a couple of friends, and to (finally!) see some bands play at the co-op, and look forward to tomorrow when my two mid-mid terms will be over.  And this weekend, when I'm going to pick myself up a guitar, and have a birthday picnic on the beach, and enjoy the fall sunshine and the beauty of being here.