That's right, the contractions are coming less and less apart now.

Whether I like it or not, I'm leaving the stage of breathless anticipation behind. That magical moment is upon me. I feel an irreversible surge, and there's no turning back now.

It's those last few pushes.

The first bundle of joy to pop out will be my Law & Ethics final. How appropriate that this initial step I fear the most.

Second brought to life will be my editing final project: an inside-page layout. This one should be the easiest. Plus, it's a recreation of the Reagan death news event from over the summer. Don't think I'm not having fun with that one.

Cut the umbilical cord, and bring on special little gift number three: a lame stats & trends story on residential tear-downs in Glenview/Skokie.

1-2-3. The Miracle of Life.

It's all gravy after that. Or birth-goo, I guess.

Put me on a plane.

Hand me my longboard.

Some wax.

Don't bother me.

I'm surfing.

(And yes, I am in fact sorry for any small children traumatized by that unsettling - if not altogether disturbing - acount of my final push. Wish us all luck.)