It's kind of a funny story...
In ten days, I will be seventeen. It turns out that you don't actually really get anything awesome when you turn seventeen. Y'know, like, when you're fourteen, it's the legal age of consent. When you're fifteen, you can have a permit, when you're sixteen, a license. When you're eighteen you can vote and actually be a citizen and buy cigarettes and porn. But seventeen? Nothing. Nonetheless, it seems so much cooler than sixteen that I'm bursting with Obnoxious Birthday Excitement (hereby referred to as OBE).
Last night at debate, we were discussing the new resolution (In the United States, juveniles charged with violent felonies ought to be treated as adults in the Criminal Justice system), and it came up that in the United States, most seventeen-year-olds are treated as adults already. In response to this fact, I burst out with OBE, saying "HEY! I'm seventeen in ELEVEN DAYS. Or, ten days and five hours..." And then, after a minute of thought, I made up my mind.
It went something like this...
"Guys! Let's go do illegal stuff! I have ten days and five hours before I'm treated as an adult LET'S GO!"
A: "Or we could just work on our cases."
B: "What kind of illegal stuff did you have in mind?"
I immediately blurted out, "Drugs!"
But not actually, because somehow, I don't think I would fit well into the role of heroin addict.
But all of this led to some interesting mind bubbling and brewing. I decided to fuel my OBE with a challenge. A good challenge, because I like them.
Welcome to the Law Breaking Challenge of 2011.
Haven't heard of it? That's because I made it up. In the next ten days, I will try to break as many laws as possible.
These may include, but won't be limited to:
-Not bringing a shotgun to church (in case of Native American attack)
- Driving (no license!)
- Walking outside naked at four in the morning
- Walking a dog on a leash more than eight feet long.
-Spitting out of a second story window
Showing posts with label Rainy Day Activities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rainy Day Activities. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Monday, November 29, 2010
Winter and Germs and Collard Greens? Oh my, oh my.
Snow has fallen
and stayed fallen
blanketing the mud and green
covering up the cracks
and filling in the potholes
of the roads we crack and curve
Dear winter,
you're here
and so am I.
Thanksgiving break brought snowfall almost everyday. It's not quite enough to make legitimate snowbanks, but it's just a slight blanket over everything. It puts me in a good Christmas mood, which is nice, because there are plenty of seasonal things to do. Friday night will be our annual Classy Christmas Shopping, where we all head downtown to buy presents for each other locally (sneakily, because we all go together...to buy gifts for each other). This year we're making it a ladies night, because we decided not only that it would work better logistically (as in, we can get our gifts for the boys without them being around), but that boys are impatient shoppers. Downtown is not only a great place to shop for Christmas because it tends to be cheaper and much much more unique, as well as local, but because our downtown is so beautiful in the snow. The sun sets super early, so even when we go right after school, the streetlights come up to deter the falling dark and cast everything into a golden orange glow, the snow glistening nearby. Shopowners put up little lights in their windows and wreaths on their doors. The bagel shop puts out a menorah, and there's eggnog and cider enough to make everyone glad.
and stayed fallen
blanketing the mud and green
covering up the cracks
and filling in the potholes
of the roads we crack and curve
Dear winter,
you're here
and so am I.
Thanksgiving break brought snowfall almost everyday. It's not quite enough to make legitimate snowbanks, but it's just a slight blanket over everything. It puts me in a good Christmas mood, which is nice, because there are plenty of seasonal things to do. Friday night will be our annual Classy Christmas Shopping, where we all head downtown to buy presents for each other locally (sneakily, because we all go together...to buy gifts for each other). This year we're making it a ladies night, because we decided not only that it would work better logistically (as in, we can get our gifts for the boys without them being around), but that boys are impatient shoppers. Downtown is not only a great place to shop for Christmas because it tends to be cheaper and much much more unique, as well as local, but because our downtown is so beautiful in the snow. The sun sets super early, so even when we go right after school, the streetlights come up to deter the falling dark and cast everything into a golden orange glow, the snow glistening nearby. Shopowners put up little lights in their windows and wreaths on their doors. The bagel shop puts out a menorah, and there's eggnog and cider enough to make everyone glad.
My beautiful city in the snow
We still haven't picked our collard greens, and I suppose now it's too late. They're a really hardy vegetable, okay to eat after the first frost. But after the first three snows, I'm not so sure.
With winter (which, by the way, is defined by the temperature and snowfall in Maine, not the date) comes a whole 'nother season, one much less pleasant. The season of SICK. Everyone around me has a cold or a flu, so I know that this tickle in the back of my throat has got to be something. Hellooo throatcoat.
I'm of the conviction that all of that crap about using Germ-x or whatever to clear away germs is a load of bullshit. You need germs to live long, and Germ-x doesn't actually kill anything unless you wash your hands right before. There are little hand sanitizer dispensers at places all around my school, and I just want to knock them down with a baseball bat. I mean, some of them make sense, like in the bathroom next to the paper towels. Although, the thought that a lot of girls then bypass actual handwashing for a squirt of alcohol on the palms of their hands is a little nasty. But sometimes, the dispensers are just holstered up in the middle of a hallway. What? Hold up guys, I've just gotta smear a glob of chemicals onto my hands before I walk into Spanish class.
It is time to bid adieu to my lovely bicycle, at least until next spring. Goodbye, dear. It's been a wonderful season.
We still haven't picked our collard greens, and I suppose now it's too late. They're a really hardy vegetable, okay to eat after the first frost. But after the first three snows, I'm not so sure.
With winter (which, by the way, is defined by the temperature and snowfall in Maine, not the date) comes a whole 'nother season, one much less pleasant. The season of SICK. Everyone around me has a cold or a flu, so I know that this tickle in the back of my throat has got to be something. Hellooo throatcoat.
I'm of the conviction that all of that crap about using Germ-x or whatever to clear away germs is a load of bullshit. You need germs to live long, and Germ-x doesn't actually kill anything unless you wash your hands right before. There are little hand sanitizer dispensers at places all around my school, and I just want to knock them down with a baseball bat. I mean, some of them make sense, like in the bathroom next to the paper towels. Although, the thought that a lot of girls then bypass actual handwashing for a squirt of alcohol on the palms of their hands is a little nasty. But sometimes, the dispensers are just holstered up in the middle of a hallway. What? Hold up guys, I've just gotta smear a glob of chemicals onto my hands before I walk into Spanish class.
It is time to bid adieu to my lovely bicycle, at least until next spring. Goodbye, dear. It's been a wonderful season.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Halloween! BOO!
I thought I'd be waiting a lot longer to say this. Hoooboy, here it goes...
It snowed yesterday. That's right, a snowy halloween! I woke up, and looking out my window, the first thingI saw was slanted white flakes drilling by. I was so confused that I had to open up the window and stick my head out to make myself believe and understand it.
I was expecting it to continue snowing for about a half an hour, but it just snowed..and snowed and snowed and snowed.
Not much of it stuck, and it stopped snowing around twelve thirty. The aftermath was a wet, muddy ground and a chill in the air.
But did that stop us? Of course not!
Halloween was met with a day full of costume disc (frisbee, but in ridiculous costumes. Most of us opted to keep our shoes on today, considering the risks of hypothermia) and (sort of) scary movies.
When I was growing up, I had a friend whose family didn't celebrate halloween. I think we all know a family like this, someone who's religious and believes that participating in the traditions of such a pagan holiday would be sacreligious. I always felt sort of bad for her, because while we were out getting candy, they were out at the bowling alley, in normal clothes instead of costumes. And the costumes are the best part. Sometimes, I wish I could just dress in weird clothes whenever I feel like it. I should.
I'm pretty sure I'd just look like a freak every day.
On a completely separate note: Nanowrimo has begun. No more blogging, no more fun.
I'll probably be gone for awhile, because I'll be using this study hall for my nanowrimo project, which will hopefully go over better than last year.
On another completely different note, today is my dad's birthday! Happy...47th? Dad!
It snowed yesterday. That's right, a snowy halloween! I woke up, and looking out my window, the first thingI saw was slanted white flakes drilling by. I was so confused that I had to open up the window and stick my head out to make myself believe and understand it.
I was expecting it to continue snowing for about a half an hour, but it just snowed..and snowed and snowed and snowed.
Not much of it stuck, and it stopped snowing around twelve thirty. The aftermath was a wet, muddy ground and a chill in the air.
But did that stop us? Of course not!
Halloween was met with a day full of costume disc (frisbee, but in ridiculous costumes. Most of us opted to keep our shoes on today, considering the risks of hypothermia) and (sort of) scary movies.
When I was growing up, I had a friend whose family didn't celebrate halloween. I think we all know a family like this, someone who's religious and believes that participating in the traditions of such a pagan holiday would be sacreligious. I always felt sort of bad for her, because while we were out getting candy, they were out at the bowling alley, in normal clothes instead of costumes. And the costumes are the best part. Sometimes, I wish I could just dress in weird clothes whenever I feel like it. I should.
I'm pretty sure I'd just look like a freak every day.
On a completely separate note: Nanowrimo has begun. No more blogging, no more fun.
I'll probably be gone for awhile, because I'll be using this study hall for my nanowrimo project, which will hopefully go over better than last year.
On another completely different note, today is my dad's birthday! Happy...47th? Dad!
Monday, October 11, 2010
SOOOO Much Yarn.
I am drowning in yarn.
No, seriously, whatever sheep were shorn meant business.
My cousin came up for the long weekend (she lives in Boston, where she does fabulous things. She really deserves a whole post for all of her stories), and, taking advantage of our dual power, my aunt invited the two of us over to paw through a bunch of her old yarn. As I understand it, she just has a huge back up of yarn that was intended, upon its purchase, to become something. But she just doesn't have the time to knit anymore, so she gave it all to us.
Fine by me.
Because she buys really, really nice yarn. Not the "nice" stuff from AC Moore, but the nice stuff from the local knitting holes.
We split the yarn evenly between us, which, if you can believe it, left each of us with overflowing extra-large shopping bags.
Some of it's sock yarn (I'll be learning to knit socks soon, which is good, since my feet are constantly the temperature of a dead body left in Alaska), some of it's for felting (destined to become finger puppets, probably), there's a little bit of hemp, and then a bunch of the types of yarn that sort of fall in the middle.
WHAT DO I DO?
I would like all of your suggestions, please.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
This Gets Me Through The Day.
So, I've been spending copious amounts of time not doing my homework and reading a new blog I found (thanks to my most marvelous cousin), Hyperbole and a Half I love her drawings. So. Much.
And stories.
And personalities.
In fact, I'm pretty sure that, given the opportunity, I would marry this woman.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
People Helping People Makes Me Happy, or, An Ode to Wonderful People 1
Today is an ode to the unrecognized Wonderful People, Capitalized like a title, because it is.
A lot of things go into making a store, a city, a church, a world go round. I spent the morning working with the wonderful people of Grace United Methodist Church.
Over a year ago, my church's youth group got involved with Grace United's Third Saturday luncheons. Every third Saturday of the month, a team from Grace United (or from our youth group) makes a meal to serve to anyone who needs it in the community. The room is always full, and twice as full in the winter, when the weather is cold and money is scarcer. The meal is given free of charge, and all of the workers come of their own accord. I can't even begin to explain how it feels to stand serving food to a person who lives day-to-day, not knowing if they'll be able to eat or not, living in a shelter, or with a family. That's what hurts the most to see, is the families that come in with armfuls of children. There's not very much space in the basement, where the luncheon occurs. But strangers and friends willingly rub elbows, share laughs, and get a good hearty bite to eat. The courage it takes to live lives like many of these people do is incredible. The stories that they have to tell are just as incredible, and I can't explain how much I look forward to serving them that one day a week.
But that's not the only time a month that Grace United comes to life. The church, whose congregation is comprised primarily of the older generation, runs a small thrift store out of part of the basement. They get all sorts of donations, but everything is marked very low. The store sees a lot of business from the same people who come to the luncheons, who are looking for essentials like clothing or just little things to make their abode look nice. I've recently started working here, and I've met so many incredible Wonderful People. I'd encourage anyone in the Bangor area to stop by! If I'm not mistaken, a good deal of the proceeds from the shop goes to the luncheons, so it's an unstoppable loop of goodness. Everyone who works in the store is a volunteer, and they work really really hard to make it nice, and also accessible to those with low income. Even moreso, the relationships that form around the store are great. It's a bit of a nice routine. I see lots of the same people when I work, and I've begun to learn names. Just the other day, a man came in saying that he had hit a spot of trouble, and that someone from the store had said that they had some clothing for him and also some sun tan lotion. It's these interpersonal relationships that bloom that make things like the Grace United Thrift Store so wonderful.
Wonderful People. They inspire me.
*P.S. Yesterday's picnic was a wonderful success, as was night disc, which was followed by the first fire and s'mores session. All in all, a very lovely day. Posting soon.
A lot of things go into making a store, a city, a church, a world go round. I spent the morning working with the wonderful people of Grace United Methodist Church.
Over a year ago, my church's youth group got involved with Grace United's Third Saturday luncheons. Every third Saturday of the month, a team from Grace United (or from our youth group) makes a meal to serve to anyone who needs it in the community. The room is always full, and twice as full in the winter, when the weather is cold and money is scarcer. The meal is given free of charge, and all of the workers come of their own accord. I can't even begin to explain how it feels to stand serving food to a person who lives day-to-day, not knowing if they'll be able to eat or not, living in a shelter, or with a family. That's what hurts the most to see, is the families that come in with armfuls of children. There's not very much space in the basement, where the luncheon occurs. But strangers and friends willingly rub elbows, share laughs, and get a good hearty bite to eat. The courage it takes to live lives like many of these people do is incredible. The stories that they have to tell are just as incredible, and I can't explain how much I look forward to serving them that one day a week.
But that's not the only time a month that Grace United comes to life. The church, whose congregation is comprised primarily of the older generation, runs a small thrift store out of part of the basement. They get all sorts of donations, but everything is marked very low. The store sees a lot of business from the same people who come to the luncheons, who are looking for essentials like clothing or just little things to make their abode look nice. I've recently started working here, and I've met so many incredible Wonderful People. I'd encourage anyone in the Bangor area to stop by! If I'm not mistaken, a good deal of the proceeds from the shop goes to the luncheons, so it's an unstoppable loop of goodness. Everyone who works in the store is a volunteer, and they work really really hard to make it nice, and also accessible to those with low income. Even moreso, the relationships that form around the store are great. It's a bit of a nice routine. I see lots of the same people when I work, and I've begun to learn names. Just the other day, a man came in saying that he had hit a spot of trouble, and that someone from the store had said that they had some clothing for him and also some sun tan lotion. It's these interpersonal relationships that bloom that make things like the Grace United Thrift Store so wonderful.
Wonderful People. They inspire me.
*P.S. Yesterday's picnic was a wonderful success, as was night disc, which was followed by the first fire and s'mores session. All in all, a very lovely day. Posting soon.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
A Bit of Biking Frustration, and Untied Shoelaces
Yesterday, biking in the wonderful downtown of Bangor in the rainy weather, I found it difficult riding behind people. My conclusion is that it would be wise for me to invest in a bell for my (already tricked out) bicycle. If I am not mistaken, the law as it exists in Maine requires bicycles to be ridden on the road. I've only recently (as in within the last year or so) begun to use my bicycle for transportation, as opposed to recreationally. Learning to ride with traffic is very difficult, especially when you are not a serious biker. I'm still not entirely sure what the law states concerning speed and where I can ride on the road. What I do know is that on many roads, there is not a wide margin to the right of the white line, which requires my riding closer to the yellow line, for safety's sake. Yesterday, riding in the road downtown, I was honked at and passed very quickly by someone (incidentally, who had their phone out texting on the steering wheel) in a car. This has happened before, and I generally hop onto the sidewalk for the rest of my ride. But see, here it gets a bit confusing. After being yelled at by someone outside of the library last year to, "Get off the sidewalk!", I decided that I ought to only ride on the roadway. Either I don't have a clear understanding of the law, or the citizens and motorists around me do not. I can't seem to find a raw wording of the law, does anyone know it?
My moderately tricked out bicycle.
It used to be my grandmother's.
In any case. As I was riding (on the sidewalk, now), I found myself behind two nicely dressed young men. Later on, I realized that they were Mormons, making their routes and evangelizing. But as I tried not to run them over, one of them turned around and very kindly told his friend that I was behind him. As we waited for the light, they pointed out to me that my shoe was untied.
My moderately tricked out bicycle.It used to be my grandmother's.
We wouldn't want you to crash!
I do usually crash when my shoes get untied. I just thought I'd share this. They were quite thoughtful, and it got me thinking about how we behave towards strangers. Just some food for thought.
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