I'm turning 17 on Friday, and while it's not exactly as exciting as a sweet 16 with a driver's license to look forward to, or the big 18 with the various new rights acquired from legally being an adult, according to various sources I should still have some reasons to turn 17.

Today is my 17th birthday.

I always get really excited about my birthday. It's probably my favorite day of the year. Last year, I was especially excited because it was my all-important sweet 16. I would get my driver's license and therefore the fact that I live half an hour away from everything would no longer matter, because I would not have to get rides from my irritated parents.