Birthday ups and downs

Friday June 17 was, in fact, my 31st birthday, and it was a doozy. I left for Seattle with no agenda other than to have some fun and relax after a long school year. Thank goodness I have friends like Superfrankenstein and the CIB, because they made my birthday memorable and fun.

Let's just say there was plenty of spiritous libations and good eats. I found a quarter on the bus. We had good conversation -- and plenty of spiritous libations.

That was the nice part of my birthday. The earlier part was not so fun.

It all started because I just had to watch a few more minutes of the Today show. I needed to get in the shower, but there I was, enthralled by the fashion segment on the "Boho" style -- the return of Bohemian style of dress. I don't know why I thought it was interesting, but it was. Then I was late. After filling up with gas, I was on the road with just one hour to get to Ellensburg. Should have been fine, and I might have been just a couple minutes late for my 11 a.m. haircut at The Clipper (just $10 and so good).

Then, I knew I was doomed. I always say that Highway 97 over Blewett Pass is not a painful drive unless you get stuck behind a boat, camper or tractor-trailer. As I was cruising along on a glorious Friday during summer vacation that was also my birthday, I had to decelerate rapidly approaching a tractor-trailer full of bins of apples or pears. It was going no more than 40 mph. I was screwed. The passing lane was still a few miles away, and I was traveling at a painfully slow speed given my need to get to Ellensburg. Here is where I should have just used my cell phone to call the barber to reschedule and to call my friend with whom I had lunch plans to move it later.

But no. I decided I would pass the truck and then try to make up some time. Big mistake. Going up a hill, everyone has to press the accelerator a bit to get the car moving up the hill. That's what I did, and I was all alone. I honestly did not realize that as the hill flattened, I was up to 75 mph. The posted limit is 60. I only realized this when from around a bend came a state patrol trooper who literally flipped a U-turn and flashed those lights.

Officer 626 was very polite and nice about the whole situation -- as nice as I can handle when I am receiving a euphemistically titled "notice of infraction" for $153. Thank goodness this was also in Chelan County still as I plan to explain the circumstances in court as is my right.

Officer 626 also asked me if I knew my license expired. Oh yeah, I thought, today is my birthday and it expires today. Honestly, who looks at their license for the expiration date? I asked if the Department of Licensing should have sent me a reminder, and he explained that perhaps if I had sent in a change of address within 10 days of moving, as I should have, then I would have received the notice. Embarrassment.

After 10 humiliating minutes at a slow vehicle turnout, I made my way to Ellensburg. Changed the haircut appointment. Finished lunch. Went to the Department of Licensing in Ellensburg to get a new license, which, thankfully, took just about four minutes start to finish. I have a laser printout as a temporary and then the new card will come from Olympia in about two weeks. My old one was seven years old because I had the original four years plus a three-year extension sticker (part of the reason I forgot it expired this year), and I really liked that picture. It's amazing how much I have changed. Smaller glasses, bigger forehead and chins. Oh well.

All in all a birthday to remember. And I will keep remembering it every time I pay what I am sure will be an increased insurance premium.

-- Wenatchee, Wash.