it is with great pride that I accept this award as recognition of the drama that has entered my life since becoming a mother. I would like to go down the list and thank all of those people who made this passion and pathos possible. But I don't have the time to name everyone right now -- I have to prepare for the impending arrival of Merry Maids.

First, thanks to my daughter, Julia, for not being one of those "easy" babies. While easy babies sleep through the night and refuse to scream for hours each day, they fail to provide their mothers with the fodder from which free maid service may be obtained.

I would also like to thank my husband, Erik, for pretty much ignoring my daily descriptions of the melodrama that is motherhood: If he had listened and sympathized, I may never have turned to Salon for solace.

Finally, I would like to thank the "Academy" of fellow "Drama Queens" for making it possible for me to parlay my memories of a crappy day into a clean house.

Yours in high drama,
Beth Myler
Aug. 8, 1997

You could be our next Queen! Share your pain and vie for next month's coveted title. Deadline for story submissions is Aug. 25, 1997.