First, of all, to the Valentine haters... it's okay to be bitter. God knows I was last year at this time, not just on V-Day but every freaking day. But to be really vehemently spiteful towards people who celebrate it, wishing painful STDS on happy couples (yes metaquotes, I'm talking to YOU), is just out of line. I've lost all but one grandparent... on Grandparents Day, I don't hate all my friends who still have theirs. I've lost my religion, I don't wish evil on those who have it, on Christmas. Relax, already. Watch your slasher films and stew if you must but give those of us who are happy a break.

Then, thoughts on getting older. I remember when I was little I was wishing I could be a grownup, so I could buy gingerbread cookies whenever I wanted and maybe a talking parrot. My dad sadly told me not to "wish my life away", that I would lose my childhood soon enough and be forced into a world of bills and responsibility and stress. I've definitely been thinking about that a lot recently as I deal with lots of bills and a fair amount of stress. Being an adult is stressful. But good lord, so is being a child. Remember disappointment? It wasn't tempered. When something disappointed, the world came crashing down. Remember not understanding and people not giving you a good explanation? "It just is," "Because I said so," "You'll understand when you're older." Not understanding the world around you and not having the freedom to make your own choices SUCKS.

Then I thought about being a late teen, early 20-something. People didn't get married yet for the most part, you could be best friends with a guy without pissing off his wife, or go out with your girlfriend without worrying about a babysitter. But no relationship was ever certain. People were still insecure enough that they were mean (hell, sometimes that never goes away, cough cough ex-best-friend). Jobs were insecure, you never had seniority, and if you did get sent on a business trip or get a paid vacation you couldn't rent a car.

Being a kid was glorious, while it lasted. Being a 20-something rocked, for a while. But I wouldn't go back. Everything in its time. Peter Pan said to die would be an awfully big adventure... I think to be 30 will be too.