I forgot to mention a very important event in my life, probably one of the most exciting things I have ever witnessed. Of course I am talking about the International Rubik's Cube competition held at the Exploratorium in San Francisco.
If you have never been to a Rubik's cube competition, I highly HIGHLY recommend it. There are lots of different events (something for everyone!) including the 5x5x5, 4x4x4, 3x3x3, "magic stick", "pyramix", 3x3x3 "one-handed" and 3x3x3 blndfold. Not only did I feel like the coolest person there, I got to meet a lot of new friends including:
Ellery: his social skills could use some work and at first we thought he wasn't that cool. Then he solved the "Pyramix" in 5.68 seconds and shot up about a million points in my book (also in Molly's. I explained to her that this is part of the "speed goggles" phenomenon)
Tom: Though wearing an "Addicted to the Cube" t-shirt, he claimed that he "just wasn't that into Rubik's cubes. I think he was trying to impress us. Ha. if he REALLY wanted to impress us he should have spent more time practicing the Pyramix.
Danny: an eleven-year old cube phenom who was a real crowd-pleaser. Molly and I have higher standards than the average cube competition-watcher, though, so we weren't that impressed. (I could do that when I was ten!)
"David" (can't remember if that's actually his name): He goes to stanford! He's big (and I mean BIG) in the cubing world (he's probably in all the magazines, I have GOT to subscribe). The officials running the event made sure that he was last (best for last, you know) and when it was his turn the crowd gathered around to watch. While his average solve time wasn't amazing, he did do a single 10.00 second solve!!! (It wasn't a world record, though, as some guy in Germany has done a sub-ten). I'm holding out for a world record holder.
Others: a "cubester couple" who worked on their cubes together, a guy who looked exactly like wolverine (his hair alone said a lot), some extreme cubers who brought a giant plastic tub of about 60-70 cubes (I'm not making this up!), a kid with one hand who did surprisingly well in the one-handed division, some bros who were surprisingly good at the cube.
I will just say that I love going to the Rubik's cube competition because in a sense, it's sort of like a cross country meet, or a regatta, or any other type of event in which the really hard-core enthusiasts come out of the woodwork. I will say, though, that it's probably a good thing the cuber's don't wear unis.
In other news, my brother wrote a Christmas carol to the tune of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town:
You better watch out
You better be shy
Better run out
I'm telling you why
FBI/USA/CIA is searching Iraq
They're pretty pissed
Your head has a price
They're gonna find out who’s gonna get knifed
FBI/USA/CIA is searching Iraq
They hear him when he’s talking
They’ll search when he’s awake
They want you to be dead and gone
You should run while you still can
O! you better watch out
Better be shy
Better run out I'm telling you why
FBI/USA/CIA is searching Iraq
Osama should be running from town
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inventory/Father Time
Well so basically I am the oldest person alive in existence ever to live ever. And by that I mean I am now twenty three. (in the olden days they would say, "three and twenty", "they" being poets and James Joyce, etc.). I threw myself a birthday bash, appropriately titled "Methuselah Strikes Again". (in case you are slow, Methuselah is the oldest man in the bible at like 700 years, also the world's oldest tree!). The party was a HUGE success. There were donut bombs, cake bombs, cookie bombs, koolaid, and some sweet jams. That's basically all you (you=I) need for a party (party=hours of table-dancing).
Also since I have updated the blog I have done lots of things, many too exciting to share. Obviously. Did you think I would do something boring? no. I would not. If you think that, you should not be reading this blog.
To provide an overview, I will use one of my favorite methods: a list. (NOTE: my FAVORITE method is "song", but it's hard to convey the right tune/rhythm/raw emotion on a blog).
Here is my weekend inventory of net gains and losses:
lost:
Dignity (duh)
Probably a few friendships along the way
1 pair of pink sunglasses
$110 dollars (spent on koolaid and donuts)
A lot of fitness
A "race" but not really with erika this morning
Zebra dress (recovered!)
Pink shoes (recovered!)
Gained:
5 lbs (estimated)
New appreciation for julia
6 temporary tattoos
A large gray men's "Old Navy" T-shirt
A "Hand Grown in California" avocado sticker (stolen)
A new great dress from american apparel
A new sense of how insane yaz is actually becoming
My gray sweater vest that I thought was missing (thank GOD)
Let's focus in on the most important acquisition of the weekend: THE TATS.
Temporary tattoos are quickly becoming a nationwide fad, and by nationwide, I mean global. And by global, I really mean universal. They are pretty much my new favorite form of art/expression/procrastination. By my observations, a fake tattoo must comprise one or more of the following elements (more is ALWAYS better):
Thorns
Unicorns
Skulls
Abbreviations (ex. KTO NBD)
Dragons
Pirates
Cosmetic value
Flames
Large cats (ex: tigers, panthers)
Roses
Butterflies
Sparkles
Asian religious symbols
A good tattoo has 3 or more of these (ex: my sparkly dragon circling a thornbush tattoo)
a GREAT tattoo has all of these.
the BEST tattoo looks like this:
One other thing I must mention on today's post is the issue of life philosophies. These can include:
"no standards"
"no shame"
"no standards no shame"
"slam and jam"
"mash and dash"
"brews and bros"
SPEAKING of BROS....they are EVERYWHERE, including the English lexicon. For example, would you rather row in a Pocock or a BROcock? (With Crokers or BROkers?) Would you rather be friends with Vincent van Gogh, or Vincent van BRO? And of course, if you have to read Shakespeare, wouldn't you rather read the timeless tale of Bromeo and Dudliet? I know I would.
This has gone on long enough---arthritis has stricken my aged joints. I will close with a collaborative blog made by me and two of my friends. It's pretty good. (DUH).
"Castaway Bros: A Stanfordian Abroad....Too Far Abroad"
“Day 24: as we approached the shadowed figures, it was uncertain whether the oncoming ship would be friend or foe. With provisions running low, our main concern was fashioning a rudimentary hunting spear. Focus did not come easy, however, as the sunset was one of the most glorious I have ever beheld (when one gets the chance to see such a sight, one takes it!). “This is living”, I thought, as another breath of the sweet salty sea air filled my lungs.”
" Day 26: As we forlornly took leave of our new compatriots, I breathed a sigh of sadness, as in these short days we had formed a deep bond. When one faces hardships such as these, one cannot help but share a connection with those friends - nay, brothers - alongside. As we paddled away into the brisk morning, I was deeply sorry to leave them behind. Nothing but the joy of following the rippling back muscles in front of me could have lifted my despair. (it's only a physical man-crush, I swear!)"
" Day 36: Our makeshift craft beached itself like a dying whale struggling to cling on to its last breaths as the tide pushed us repeatedly onto the rocky shores of a small island. The night was cold, but the stifling night I knew would pass in a very likely claustrophobic cave made the breeze more refreshing than biting. As we wandered the coastline, we discussed the philosophies of the greats: Sophocles, Aristotle, Socrates. And moreso we related our own journey to that of Thoreau and the escape he found from being in nature. Oh how the great minds of history can so accurately portray the human condition. Here props must be thrown out to Dixon Bross if he's reading this. Aceing Philosophy 1A man? You're an animal! See you in a month.
My time here has been truly wonderful, but there are some small, simple things back home I miss. Spending time finding myself and my way home not only helps one understand other cultures, but it gives you a true appreciation for your own. Here's a list of some things I looking forward getting back to:
* Big breakfasts with pancakes, sausages, eggs, toast, OJ… you know, the works!
* Sweatpants & Sweatshirts- sweatpants aren't exactly functional when wading through bogs or slipping through jungle reeds to escape whatever beast might be on the hunt. I fought long and hard with myself over whether or not to weave a pair from the hairs I gleaned from the outsides of the coconuts we have been surviving on. In the end, I managed only a beanie with which to protect my locks from the harsh weather patterns of this glorious piece of land.
* Taking showers standing up- The only way we have managed to achieve a warm shower has been to leave a tarp with some water out in the sun and to pour said water on over each other.
* Fluency- the natives we have happened upon in the thickets speak in clicks and tongues, but luckily their internet connection has been strong enough to allow me to keep up my blog.
* Easy access to workout facilities- Not that I mind the well worn feel of rocks as I use the sheer rock walls for some pull ups from time to time. But I do miss the warm steamy showers after a great game of ball with the bros.
* Eating a real dinner: taking the time to create a meaningful tablescape that sets the tone for a memory that will forever be mine to reminisce about.
Also since I have updated the blog I have done lots of things, many too exciting to share. Obviously. Did you think I would do something boring? no. I would not. If you think that, you should not be reading this blog.
To provide an overview, I will use one of my favorite methods: a list. (NOTE: my FAVORITE method is "song", but it's hard to convey the right tune/rhythm/raw emotion on a blog).
Here is my weekend inventory of net gains and losses:
lost:
Dignity (duh)
Probably a few friendships along the way
1 pair of pink sunglasses
$110 dollars (spent on koolaid and donuts)
A lot of fitness
A "race" but not really with erika this morning
Zebra dress (recovered!)
Pink shoes (recovered!)
Gained:
5 lbs (estimated)
New appreciation for julia
6 temporary tattoos
A large gray men's "Old Navy" T-shirt
A "Hand Grown in California" avocado sticker (stolen)
A new great dress from american apparel
A new sense of how insane yaz is actually becoming
My gray sweater vest that I thought was missing (thank GOD)
Let's focus in on the most important acquisition of the weekend: THE TATS.
Temporary tattoos are quickly becoming a nationwide fad, and by nationwide, I mean global. And by global, I really mean universal. They are pretty much my new favorite form of art/expression/procrastination. By my observations, a fake tattoo must comprise one or more of the following elements (more is ALWAYS better):
Thorns
Unicorns
Skulls
Abbreviations (ex. KTO NBD)
Dragons
Pirates
Cosmetic value
Flames
Large cats (ex: tigers, panthers)
Roses
Butterflies
Sparkles
Asian religious symbols
A good tattoo has 3 or more of these (ex: my sparkly dragon circling a thornbush tattoo)
a GREAT tattoo has all of these.
the BEST tattoo looks like this:
One other thing I must mention on today's post is the issue of life philosophies. These can include:
"no standards"
"no shame"
"no standards no shame"
"slam and jam"
"mash and dash"
"brews and bros"
SPEAKING of BROS....they are EVERYWHERE, including the English lexicon. For example, would you rather row in a Pocock or a BROcock? (With Crokers or BROkers?) Would you rather be friends with Vincent van Gogh, or Vincent van BRO? And of course, if you have to read Shakespeare, wouldn't you rather read the timeless tale of Bromeo and Dudliet? I know I would.
This has gone on long enough---arthritis has stricken my aged joints. I will close with a collaborative blog made by me and two of my friends. It's pretty good. (DUH).
"Castaway Bros: A Stanfordian Abroad....Too Far Abroad"
“Day 24: as we approached the shadowed figures, it was uncertain whether the oncoming ship would be friend or foe. With provisions running low, our main concern was fashioning a rudimentary hunting spear. Focus did not come easy, however, as the sunset was one of the most glorious I have ever beheld (when one gets the chance to see such a sight, one takes it!). “This is living”, I thought, as another breath of the sweet salty sea air filled my lungs.”
" Day 26: As we forlornly took leave of our new compatriots, I breathed a sigh of sadness, as in these short days we had formed a deep bond. When one faces hardships such as these, one cannot help but share a connection with those friends - nay, brothers - alongside. As we paddled away into the brisk morning, I was deeply sorry to leave them behind. Nothing but the joy of following the rippling back muscles in front of me could have lifted my despair. (it's only a physical man-crush, I swear!)"
" Day 36: Our makeshift craft beached itself like a dying whale struggling to cling on to its last breaths as the tide pushed us repeatedly onto the rocky shores of a small island. The night was cold, but the stifling night I knew would pass in a very likely claustrophobic cave made the breeze more refreshing than biting. As we wandered the coastline, we discussed the philosophies of the greats: Sophocles, Aristotle, Socrates. And moreso we related our own journey to that of Thoreau and the escape he found from being in nature. Oh how the great minds of history can so accurately portray the human condition. Here props must be thrown out to Dixon Bross if he's reading this. Aceing Philosophy 1A man? You're an animal! See you in a month.
My time here has been truly wonderful, but there are some small, simple things back home I miss. Spending time finding myself and my way home not only helps one understand other cultures, but it gives you a true appreciation for your own. Here's a list of some things I looking forward getting back to:
* Big breakfasts with pancakes, sausages, eggs, toast, OJ… you know, the works!
* Sweatpants & Sweatshirts- sweatpants aren't exactly functional when wading through bogs or slipping through jungle reeds to escape whatever beast might be on the hunt. I fought long and hard with myself over whether or not to weave a pair from the hairs I gleaned from the outsides of the coconuts we have been surviving on. In the end, I managed only a beanie with which to protect my locks from the harsh weather patterns of this glorious piece of land.
* Taking showers standing up- The only way we have managed to achieve a warm shower has been to leave a tarp with some water out in the sun and to pour said water on over each other.
* Fluency- the natives we have happened upon in the thickets speak in clicks and tongues, but luckily their internet connection has been strong enough to allow me to keep up my blog.
* Easy access to workout facilities- Not that I mind the well worn feel of rocks as I use the sheer rock walls for some pull ups from time to time. But I do miss the warm steamy showers after a great game of ball with the bros.
* Eating a real dinner: taking the time to create a meaningful tablescape that sets the tone for a memory that will forever be mine to reminisce about.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Cheesecake
Yesterday was National Cheesecake Day, which meant that the Cheesecake Factory was selling cheesecake slices for $1.50. DUH we were there! But so was everyone else on th entire east coast. Seriously, there should be more than one Cheesecake Factory north of the Mason-Dixon line! It felt kind of like Disneyland on a crowded day. You wait in line, and you think you're getting closer, but then there's a turn in the line, and another. And you've waited so long that it doesn't make sense to leave now, and then you get to the ride, and even if it is lame, you have to pretend it was the best ride of your life.
That is what it was like at the Cheesecake Factory on National Cheesecake Day. We waited for 3 hours to get our $1.50 slices of cheesecake, but because we waited so long, it tasted like the best f-ing cheesecake of our entire lives. Jen cynically thinks that this holiday was invented by the Cheesecake Factory; I have to do more research before I can corroborate or disprove that claim.
Today I lived a different sort of American dream. I walked the mile or so to this reservoir nearby, sat down by a table to read Sherlock Holmes, and saw....AN ALBINO SQUIRREL! It was craazy! Basically I was minding my own business when I saw a flash of white out of the corner of my eye. Then it zoomed up a tree and I realized I was witnessing the "Snow White" of squirrels in a dexterous treetop maneuver; if it didn't probably have rabies, I would have tried to pet it. I will have to say it was the most beautiful and majestic squirrel I have ever seen in my short life. Except it probably had rabies. They always do.
Also, I have said there are many hipsters in Boston, but yesterday we were riding back from practice when we passed a boy, college-aged perhaps, walking to work. I thought he was wearing pajama pants, Di thought he was wearing Ralph Lauren pants. He also had a sweatband and a V-neck...does that make him a hipster? also, I didn't understand the pants.
Most likely, he didn't have time to dress and we're overanalyzing. But, that's fashion!
That is what it was like at the Cheesecake Factory on National Cheesecake Day. We waited for 3 hours to get our $1.50 slices of cheesecake, but because we waited so long, it tasted like the best f-ing cheesecake of our entire lives. Jen cynically thinks that this holiday was invented by the Cheesecake Factory; I have to do more research before I can corroborate or disprove that claim.
Today I lived a different sort of American dream. I walked the mile or so to this reservoir nearby, sat down by a table to read Sherlock Holmes, and saw....AN ALBINO SQUIRREL! It was craazy! Basically I was minding my own business when I saw a flash of white out of the corner of my eye. Then it zoomed up a tree and I realized I was witnessing the "Snow White" of squirrels in a dexterous treetop maneuver; if it didn't probably have rabies, I would have tried to pet it. I will have to say it was the most beautiful and majestic squirrel I have ever seen in my short life. Except it probably had rabies. They always do.
Also, I have said there are many hipsters in Boston, but yesterday we were riding back from practice when we passed a boy, college-aged perhaps, walking to work. I thought he was wearing pajama pants, Di thought he was wearing Ralph Lauren pants. He also had a sweatband and a V-neck...does that make him a hipster? also, I didn't understand the pants.
Most likely, he didn't have time to dress and we're overanalyzing. But, that's fashion!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
boring zone
So awhile ago, we were listing all the different kinds of zones that exist. Zone is a weird word, valuable in Scrabble, and fun to think of what other words it goes with. Here are some examples:
chill zone (Cassie's brother's hang out spot)
T-zone
danger zone
heart rate zone
friend zone (this is a bad one to be in)
war zone
construction zone
discovery zone
...I forget the rest. but it is a fun game.
Also I will say a little something about Walden pond. It is the best pond I have ever visited. The type of pond I usually think of is the type that Park Center Pond would fall in. Park Center Pond is pretty much the worst pond. I had to swim in it for a triathlon last year and it is full of snakes and goose poop. While I did see a snake at Walden pond, there was no goose poop. Also it was crystal clear, very much the opposite of how Park Center pond is. I can definitely see how it would inspire great works of literature and a conservation movement. Hopefully I can visit again.
I called my house the other day; I think my brother and sister may be an old retired couple. I asked my brother what he was doing for the day and he said he was just making some grilled cheese and vegetable soup for himself and my sister. Then they were sitting down to play a game of gin rummy. It is very suspicious.
This is a boring post. I will have to think of something wittier.
chill zone (Cassie's brother's hang out spot)
T-zone
danger zone
heart rate zone
friend zone (this is a bad one to be in)
war zone
construction zone
discovery zone
...I forget the rest. but it is a fun game.
Also I will say a little something about Walden pond. It is the best pond I have ever visited. The type of pond I usually think of is the type that Park Center Pond would fall in. Park Center Pond is pretty much the worst pond. I had to swim in it for a triathlon last year and it is full of snakes and goose poop. While I did see a snake at Walden pond, there was no goose poop. Also it was crystal clear, very much the opposite of how Park Center pond is. I can definitely see how it would inspire great works of literature and a conservation movement. Hopefully I can visit again.
I called my house the other day; I think my brother and sister may be an old retired couple. I asked my brother what he was doing for the day and he said he was just making some grilled cheese and vegetable soup for himself and my sister. Then they were sitting down to play a game of gin rummy. It is very suspicious.
This is a boring post. I will have to think of something wittier.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Urban Survival
I am surprisingly good at packing not necessarily the essentials, but a roundabout set of objects which, in the case of an emergency/adventure, could be used for survival. This conclusion was made after my flight to Boston, in which my luggage was lost for three days. I still had my carry-on, however, which proved to contain an invaluable assortment of items.
First, I realized I wanted to work out, which was easy, given that I had a full set of workout shoes and clothes. I also happened to pack a towel, toothbrush, and deodorant. After a bit more digging, I also found: a star gazing book, a calendar, weights-training schedules, a pack of ramen noodles, THREE pairs of sunglasses, an ipod, temporary tattoo "bling", a reader's digest, water bottle, and, while I didn't have my wallet, I did have my brand-new credit card.
This means that, were I to be stranded Hatchet-style in the woods, desert, or mountains, I would be able to survive via:
a) food and water (ramen!)
i) Also I should include hunting. I could use the "body weights" exercise portion of the weights schedule to become strong enough to stalk and hunt prey.
b) shelter (towel lean-to)
c) entertainment (readers digest and ipod) as well as fashion (fake bling tattoos)
d) sundries and commodities (credit card duh)
e) escape. I could use the calendar to track the days and then look up the corresponding star map to plot my course back to civilization.
So I pretty much had it all planned out. Unfortunately, Delta gave me back my luggage eventually, so I didn't get to try out my flawless survival plan.
Boston, also, being a large metropolitan area, has more than enough sundries to go around, which further negates my opportunity to face the elements.
First, I realized I wanted to work out, which was easy, given that I had a full set of workout shoes and clothes. I also happened to pack a towel, toothbrush, and deodorant. After a bit more digging, I also found: a star gazing book, a calendar, weights-training schedules, a pack of ramen noodles, THREE pairs of sunglasses, an ipod, temporary tattoo "bling", a reader's digest, water bottle, and, while I didn't have my wallet, I did have my brand-new credit card.
This means that, were I to be stranded Hatchet-style in the woods, desert, or mountains, I would be able to survive via:
a) food and water (ramen!)
i) Also I should include hunting. I could use the "body weights" exercise portion of the weights schedule to become strong enough to stalk and hunt prey.
b) shelter (towel lean-to)
c) entertainment (readers digest and ipod) as well as fashion (fake bling tattoos)
d) sundries and commodities (credit card duh)
e) escape. I could use the calendar to track the days and then look up the corresponding star map to plot my course back to civilization.
So I pretty much had it all planned out. Unfortunately, Delta gave me back my luggage eventually, so I didn't get to try out my flawless survival plan.
Boston, also, being a large metropolitan area, has more than enough sundries to go around, which further negates my opportunity to face the elements.
Friday, June 6, 2008
The Trifecta
Today was a trifecta of sorts. And I mean that in the best possible way. Usually when I think of trifectas it's in a deadly sort of way, like a trifecta of plaque-fighting ingredients. It seems like toothpaste is full of them. But this is beside the point. Anyhow, today was a very good day because of three things.
The first reason this was a good day was because today is National Donut day! I love holidays, and I looove donuts, so I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened up firefox to see that today was the first Friday in June, commonly accepted as National Donut Day! (sidenote: it is probably also officially accepted, as basically anything will pass into a law these days. Case in point: Idaho's new official state raptor.)
To celebrate, I went to happy donuts (obviously) and asked if they had a special for National Donut Day (NDD from now on). The guy working had no idea it was even going on, but he agreed to give us a deal (just for us!). We were pretty excited and bought 6 donuts, 2 of which I ate immediately after while trying to back out of the lot. (If we're going to talk about legislation, someone should outlaw donuts while driving. Much more dangerous than cell phones, and they're illegal now). So basically NDD was a success, even though they didn't have the sprinkle kind which I like.
More importantly, the second part of the trifecta. So I have this hummingbird feeder that I installed right outside of my window. Before yesterday only one hungry bird had come to taste my nectar but apparently had found it unsatisfactory because no other birds followed suit. WELL. Today that changed. Practically an entire FLOCK of hummingbirds visited today; I almost couldn't concentrate from all the humming (and my heart rate was pretty high also from the excitement)! So either the hummingbirds are starting to value my nectar (expertly concocted, I assure you) or one very hungry hummingbird keeps coming by. EDIT: The latter cannot be true. I have looked up different species of hummingbirds and at least TWO kinds have visited. One is the Rufous Hummingbird, whose wings make a cricket-like chirp as it flies!
The third reason: I'm done with undergrad aaand I found my backpack which was missing! 2 for one (like the deal we got on donuts!). Now I can wear the clothes I couldn't find while relaxing from not having class! Woohoo summer.
And by relaxing, I mean I will just be watching this link over and over again: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-442520862512743500
My brother is working on an autobiography so I'll post that as soon as possible.
The first reason this was a good day was because today is National Donut day! I love holidays, and I looove donuts, so I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened up firefox to see that today was the first Friday in June, commonly accepted as National Donut Day! (sidenote: it is probably also officially accepted, as basically anything will pass into a law these days. Case in point: Idaho's new official state raptor.)
To celebrate, I went to happy donuts (obviously) and asked if they had a special for National Donut Day (NDD from now on). The guy working had no idea it was even going on, but he agreed to give us a deal (just for us!). We were pretty excited and bought 6 donuts, 2 of which I ate immediately after while trying to back out of the lot. (If we're going to talk about legislation, someone should outlaw donuts while driving. Much more dangerous than cell phones, and they're illegal now). So basically NDD was a success, even though they didn't have the sprinkle kind which I like.
More importantly, the second part of the trifecta. So I have this hummingbird feeder that I installed right outside of my window. Before yesterday only one hungry bird had come to taste my nectar but apparently had found it unsatisfactory because no other birds followed suit. WELL. Today that changed. Practically an entire FLOCK of hummingbirds visited today; I almost couldn't concentrate from all the humming (and my heart rate was pretty high also from the excitement)! So either the hummingbirds are starting to value my nectar (expertly concocted, I assure you) or one very hungry hummingbird keeps coming by. EDIT: The latter cannot be true. I have looked up different species of hummingbirds and at least TWO kinds have visited. One is the Rufous Hummingbird, whose wings make a cricket-like chirp as it flies!
The third reason: I'm done with undergrad aaand I found my backpack which was missing! 2 for one (like the deal we got on donuts!). Now I can wear the clothes I couldn't find while relaxing from not having class! Woohoo summer.
And by relaxing, I mean I will just be watching this link over and over again: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-442520862512743500
My brother is working on an autobiography so I'll post that as soon as possible.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Non-opposite Night: Back to the Future
Today is Thursday. Meaning tomorrow is Friday. Friday. Question:How much angst did I experience with every Friday growing up? Answer: too much. Why? First of all, Friday was "Spirit Day" at school, which meant that instead of uniforms, we could wear jeans and our "Spirit Shirt"! Well, my Spirit Shirt was never around, or it would be the case that there would be three of us girls, and only two spirit shirts. Sorry Megan, but I have to call seniority on this spirit shirt.
But I digress. This is not why Fridays were so stressful. As any child knows, Friday is OPPOSITE DAY! HOW EXCITING! It's unbelievable how much I simultaneously looked forward to--and dreaded--opposite day.
For those who don't know, Opposite Day (I think it deserves to be capitalized) is when you say the opposite of what you mean. for instance, "I love your haircut!" would be a great compliment to hear on any day of the year. Any day except Opposite Day, that is.
My problem with Opposite Day was not that I didn't take it seriously enough, but that I took it too seriously. WAY too seriously, some would say, although to them I would say, "what a nice haircut".
Here's the deal. it's Friday, Opposite Day, and let's say I want to have a secret meeting with my sister Christine in her room after dinner (this isn't so far-fetched, we had a secret club and thus meetings were essential). Would I say, "Christine, I DON'T want to have a secret meeting upstairs after dinner in your room"? Well that seems pretty obvious. Great. now EVERYONE knows. So how do I phrase it in an opposite-way?
well it can get complicated, to the point of "I don't want to not have a public meeting downstairs before breakfast in my room". Ha! Who's going to crack that code?! (Turns out, not Christine, which defeated the purpose).
Novice mistake.
I always got too hung up on what constitutes an opposite...e.g. dawn is the opposite to dusk , before is the opposite to after, but is before dawn really the opposite of after dusk? It seems like those are the same thing. Do two wrongs make a right? do two rights not make a wrong?
And when I would say, "Megan, don't give me your spirit shirt later", she didn't seem to respond to what I meant, being, "Megan, give me your spirit shirt now!" And then I would have to wear my uniform to school. Not cool, Megan.
To me, it seems like the point of Opposite Day would be to have the meaning of your phrase be the opposite. Maybe this would have been easier if I weren't the only one celebrating Opposite Day. I'll get my revenge some day when I'm testifying for the Supreme Court. "But your honor, it was OPPOSITE DAY! Ha!" I guess it's a good thing I still have that "in" with Sandra Day O'Connor.
With that, I say, Unhappy Monday to nobody!
But I digress. This is not why Fridays were so stressful. As any child knows, Friday is OPPOSITE DAY! HOW EXCITING! It's unbelievable how much I simultaneously looked forward to--and dreaded--opposite day.
For those who don't know, Opposite Day (I think it deserves to be capitalized) is when you say the opposite of what you mean. for instance, "I love your haircut!" would be a great compliment to hear on any day of the year. Any day except Opposite Day, that is.
My problem with Opposite Day was not that I didn't take it seriously enough, but that I took it too seriously. WAY too seriously, some would say, although to them I would say, "what a nice haircut".
Here's the deal. it's Friday, Opposite Day, and let's say I want to have a secret meeting with my sister Christine in her room after dinner (this isn't so far-fetched, we had a secret club and thus meetings were essential). Would I say, "Christine, I DON'T want to have a secret meeting upstairs after dinner in your room"? Well that seems pretty obvious. Great. now EVERYONE knows. So how do I phrase it in an opposite-way?
well it can get complicated, to the point of "I don't want to not have a public meeting downstairs before breakfast in my room". Ha! Who's going to crack that code?! (Turns out, not Christine, which defeated the purpose).
Novice mistake.
I always got too hung up on what constitutes an opposite...e.g. dawn is the opposite to dusk , before is the opposite to after, but is before dawn really the opposite of after dusk? It seems like those are the same thing. Do two wrongs make a right? do two rights not make a wrong?
And when I would say, "Megan, don't give me your spirit shirt later", she didn't seem to respond to what I meant, being, "Megan, give me your spirit shirt now!" And then I would have to wear my uniform to school. Not cool, Megan.
To me, it seems like the point of Opposite Day would be to have the meaning of your phrase be the opposite. Maybe this would have been easier if I weren't the only one celebrating Opposite Day. I'll get my revenge some day when I'm testifying for the Supreme Court. "But your honor, it was OPPOSITE DAY! Ha!" I guess it's a good thing I still have that "in" with Sandra Day O'Connor.
With that, I say, Unhappy Monday to nobody!
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