In the Summertime

In about 23 hours, it will officially be summer for me. 5 out of my 7 exams are complete, and though tomorrow is my toughest day (Pre-calc and English), something tells me I'll survive. Here's the tough part. Saturday, I have to take the SAT. And then go to work from 4-9. Not to mention, that keeps me from being able to go to Mariemont's state game in lacrosse. For those of you who don't know, my fine school has not won an athletic state championship in ANYTHING since 1953. It'll be very exciting if we win at lax this year, even if it is Division II.
And no, if you're wondering, I'm not on the lacrosse team. I just have vicarious spirit.
Senior roast was last night at VI. I roasted LFD and Coleman. I have to say nothing is more embarrassing than trying to be funny and having a silent audience. I did alright, though, even if I did rip on Lauren a little more than necessary and even if I didn't get to tell my favorite story about Dave... Atch told it way better than I could have.
Currently, I'm looking for a job. If anyone knows of a place that's hiring, preferrably a restaurant or something non-manual labor and non-lifeguard related... let me know.
OOO, and Elevation is in 25 days! Exciting! In the meantime,

Live big, stay classy.

Is it over already?

So for those of you who either know me well or follow this blog (that's pretty much the same handful of people), you know this school year has been a long one for me. It has had its tremendous ups and disappointing downs. But the weird this is... it's almost over.
When I was a freshman, summer was the coolest thing ever. I had a whole year of high school under my belt. I felt like I was growing up, and that was a good thing. I wasn't a little kid anymore. After my sophomore year, I felt more mature than the year before. I realized I was an upperclassman in school and in VI, and came to grips with the responsibilities of having a job, a car, etc.
But here after junior year, there's something somber about ending the school year. I turned in my English AP on Wednesday and thought... well, there goes everything I've been working so hard for non-stop for eight months now. I expected some huge sigh of relief from within, but I got more of a whimper.
Some of my closest friends in the world are seniors. In three months or so, they'll all be going off to college. It wasn't so strange when the people taking off for college were older students who I wasn't super-duper close to... but the class of '07 is practically family to me. It's weird.
I'm going to be a senior.
This Monday, in English, we have a rough draft of our college essays due. College essays. I'm taking the SAT in three weeks. I'm supposed to submit my PSAT scores from last fall to certain schools in the next week. I might be getting some awards at the ceremony early next week.
I'm old. And for the next 6 months, my life will revolve around one thing: getting into college. And before you know it, I'll be there. The worst part is, I don't know where there is.
What a crumby way to start summer.

Live big, stay classy.

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1PM

Yes, I know. The post time says it's a little bit later than 1PM. The title doesn't actually refer to a time of day. 1PM is an acronym for my latest idea. Could be a flop, so just tell me if I sound like a dilluted hack.

1PM = 1 page message. My idea (could call it a dream, actually) is that everyone has at least 20 people in their lives who they could write a one-page letter to. Could be a best friend, a relative, a teacher, anyone. But if this person (let's call him Charlie) were to write at least 20 heart-felt one-page messages to those people, and send them out, it would improve not only Charlie's life, but also change the world a little bit. Ever seen "Pay it Forward"? Sort of the same concept, only with letters, and no requirement of requiting the letter. Still, you never know.

Here's my suggestion for this blog post: pull out a pen and paper and write down the names of ten people you love. Yeah, that's right, do it right now. Just think of those ten people. Is there something you really want to say to one of them? Something nice that you never got the chance to say, or an uplifting piece of wisdom? Out of those ten people, this week, write a 1-page letter to one of those people. Give it to them. See what happens. If it makes that person's day, write another letter. And another. It's 1PM, and the world is about to change.

Live big, stay classy.

And be encouraged (that one's for you, Atch)

Prom

Okay, so it's not exactly a creative blog title. But it's all I could think of. We'll just get right to it, since everyone loves pictures.

Yup, that's me and LFD at the Mariemont Concourse before prom. Now, I know I'm a pretty scruffy lad when you see me at VI, in the halls of Mariemont, or roaming the streets of town. But you must admit: I clean up real good.

Prom was a lot more fun that I could have even expected. I danced more than I anticipated, I really liked the dinner, and after-prom was SO much fun. Laser tag, ice skating, a giant inflatable obstacle course race (on which I hurt my knee), all kinds of arcade games, and a raffle. I wound up winning 4 tickets to see Dave Matthews Band when they come to Cincy this August. Should be a great time.

Basically, that's all I have for you guys. I had a wonderful weekend, and I'm going to be spending the next two weeks with my nose in the books, studying for AP tests.

Live big, stay classy.

And by the way, I look VERY classy in that picture.

Full House

No, the above title is not a reference to the 90's sitcom (though I do love it). Nor is it a reference to a pretty decent poker hand (I rarely have those). Instead, it refers to the fact that VI was absolutely PACKED tonight!! I was really surprised and very excited. Not to mention, there were about a dozen girls there who had just come from a lacrosse game, and half a dozen guys who had just gotten off the baseball diamond.
Music tonight was fun. A few flubs as always (starting "Over my head" in the wrong key, for example). It felt so good to be up there after such a long break; it feels like I'm back in the swing of things in so many ways. Not to mention, my guitar sounded unusually good tonight. Not to brag, I'm just saying usually it sounds a little iffy.
The next two or three weeks are going to be crazy with a capital K. (just seeing if you were paying attention) I have prom on Friday, mass homework due Monday, AP's next week, battle of the bands next Friday (I'm not competing, just observing), then more AP's, then final exams, then the SAT the day after school gets out. Hard to believe this year's almost over, isn't it?
I feel bad for not having a picture here, since I usually attach one or two of those things. But hey, I promise the next blog will have some multi-media junk. Maybe a prom picture or two, so you can see me in my fabulous tux!

Do I even need to say it?
Live big, stay classy.