I sometimes have a tendency to overestimate my ability at something, leading to unfortunate consequences. For some reason, my own birthday parties used to be an area where this quality of mine could really shine. Exhibit A: Second grade, YMCA pool, birthday girl forced to wear swimmies because her feet don’t touch the ground and her swimming skills are subpar. That one was slightly traumatic.

Less troubling, but still awkward, was my sixteenth birthday party at the ice skating rink. Despite the fact that it had been four years since I’d gone ice skating, and three years since I’d been on my roller blades (thirteenth birthday party, also not my best), taking ten or so friends to the rink seemed like a good idea. I can’t remember if I fell or not, but my guess is that I did, and probably multiple times, because my memory must have blocked out that entire party for a reason, right?
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