A swollen head, perhaps?

March 7, 2002

My two earliest memories are of Pullman, Washington. My brother had just been born, so I was around 4 or 5 years old. We lived on the second floor of an apartment complex on top of a hill overlooking the town. The weather was often cold and cloudy.

My first memory was lying on my back to watch television, to find that a pebble was gouging itself in my spine. I got up, picked it up, and found it was a tiny, dry piece of shit. That's my first memory of my brother.

The second memory was of me standing outside of the apartment door, taking in the view, watching people walk by below. Then, I spotted a lady that I swore looked like an actress on Sesame Street. I can't remember the actress�s name now. Although I remember that she was white, thin, and had a short haircut. If anyone remembers who she might have been on Sesame Street back in 1978, give me a e-zap.

Anyway, I wanted to make sure it was her. I didn't want to run downstairs, because (as my friends will attest), I have a bad memory for directions. I wouldn't be able to find my way back to our home. Instead, I stuck my head through the railing, to peer down below me and get a better look.

I hung my head over the edge, getting that giddy headrush from the height, as well as the blood pooling in my head. But the lady had walked too far below me, and I couldn't see her.

Disappointed I gave up, and found my head wouldn't move.

I calmly told myself that if I got my head here in the first place, I should be able to get out, but my ears were in the way.

At first, I quietly called for my mom, because I didn't want to cause a ruckus. Besides, what would Sesame Street lady say if she saw me screaming for help?

After a few moments, I began screaming for help. People downstairs saw my head sticking out, and ran up to yank it free. My mom came eventually, helped me free, and started to ask why I would do something so stupid. I didn't want to explain the reason, since it didn't make any sense. Why didn't I just walk down the stairs?

And the Sesame Street lady never came...