Thursday 13: About Minerva Jane

1. I was born at 9:04 am on a tuesday on the first week of January 1973 on the 7th floor of the Bethesda Naval Hospital.

2. This birthday nails me as a Capricorn. I don’t think the descriptions of Capricorns bear any real resemblance to me, though. And, in fact, a recent blogthing poll I took says I am actually only 40% Capricorn. So it must be true.

3. Even though I don’t believe in the whole horoscope thing, I read my entry every time I get a newspaper. And worry when danger is predicted.

4. My mother gave me the nickname Minerva Jane. She went back to school to get her PhD in Child Development when I was 2. For her dissertation she wrote about “Minerva Jane’s” psychological development. She filled three composition books during a two-year period. During which time my sister was born; I began preschool; and my best friend and neighbor--Jennifer--died of leukemia.

5. When I moved last year I discovered my mother's notes in a box of books I’d been storing at her house. I kept them.

6. I don’t remember Jennifer’s death. But I do remember going over to her house every day for two weeks to play with her dog because of course he was lonely. On the 15th day he was run over by a UPS truck. When I heard I sat down in the dirt beside Jennifer’s grandma’s VW van and cried.

7. I have long curly hair that drops naturally into sausage curls. When the air is humid, my hair wicks up all moisture and I’ve got a big blonde ‘fro.

8. I’ll never ever straighten my hair.

9. I was an obsessive reader as a child. At one point I was so into reading that I’d bring the book into the shower with me. How? By holding it with one hand extended away from the spray. The book got wet, but I could still read it. My mother thought I was nuts.

10. She still thinks I’m nuts, but for different reasons.

11. My right leg is shorter than my left by just a little bit. My father and sister both have this abnormality, too.

12. I love ice cream, cheese and tofu in that order but not together.

13. The wildest thing I’ve done is skinny dip with a fat Danish chick while we both were fucked up on valium and cheap red wine. That was 6 years ago. In Mallorca.


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants





Tags: Thursday 13 Minerva Jane