Sannali should appreciate this. I just spent a few minutes discussing the science thriller “The Cobra Event” with my friend Madeline. I was trying to remember if the author’s name was Richard or Robert Preston. I eventually figured out that it was Richard Preston, and Robert Preston was the actor who played Harold Hill in “The Music Man”. In sum, one sells bands, the other bands cells.

I need to spend less time in the sun.

Muaha, go me. I found out two weeks ago, but I wasn’t allowed to say anything until it was formally announced today. I’m a National Merit Semifinalist, based on my PSAT scores. ::grooves:: I’l find out if I’m a Finalist later on in the year. So fwah, that’s my Ego Trip of the Day. Yay.

Hey, check out all the great quotes you’ve been missing out on by not being by my side 24/7!

Me: I heart Crowley.

Marcelina: I “less-than-three” Crowley.

Oh, cool! It’s milking the paint cow!

–Marcelina, remarking on the paint mixer at Lowes that looked like someone milking a cow. We were tired.

It’s just like breath! Bad breath is better than no breath.

–Mr. Dubsky

Wait a second! This is “Capitalism”! I’m cheating, dammit.

–Drew, playing cards

It may be possible to do without dancing entirely.

–from an amusing passage in Emma

I can’t believe Angua was such a brazen hussy.

–My mom, regarding MAA

Our border says “Go away”, not “come over here and look at our road signs”.

–Rachel M, referring to our signs that list miles versus kilometers.

Me: How does one go about ravaging a mermaid? It seems to me that the farthest base someone can get to would be to fondle her bosoms.

Chungy: I read this story about a mermaid who was able to become immortal by making love with a man. That sounds kind of difficult.

Me: Maybe she laid eggs somehow… or yeah, maybe he really just fondled her bosoms.

Chungy: I can imagine some mermaid sitting on a street corner holding a sign saying “I wish to become immortal–”

Both: “–Please fondle my bosoms”!

Guy nearby: !

…But they didn’t break their necks, so we were really disappointed, because that meant our calculations were incorrect.

–Marcelina, who spent a few bored minutes of the Senior Retreat calculating stuff for guys jumping off a platform into the water.

We tried to figure that in, but then we ran out of sand.

–Marcelina, cont’d

Erin: That’s not projectile motion anymore.

Me: That’s “we are bored and we have a Physics textbook”.

He’s a spooky guy. Was a spooky guy. Even spookier now, ’cause he’s dead.

–Mr. Loh, referring to Stanley Kubrick

Maybe the cancer will eat the pneumonia and I’ll be okay.

–Mr. Loh, after a particularly unhealthy-sounding cough

Want to know about the Senior Retreat? Sure you do.

It consisted of a godawful number of Form Meetings, with niftyness interspersed. We voted on the graduation speaker (I’m not allowed to say who, but it’s not Dave Barry or Ira Glass. Sadness. But Dave came in 3rd, so if the first two are unavailable, squeeage will ensue), class motto (“2003 — Let it Be”, much to the joy of the Beatles fans), class t-shirt design (“Daised and Confused — I just got my 03rd wind, let’s hit the road”. As I’ve never seen Dazed and Confused, I’m rather dazed and confused myself), yearbook dedication (again, can’t say), and some class officers. We also had a 3-hour campfire thing, full of tears and hugs and such. I didn’t think I’d even come close to crying, but when I spoke near the end, I couldn’t help myself from getting all choked up and teary. Sniff.

The niftyness consisted of canoes, kayaks, waterslides, the Blob, and a zipline. Squee. As soon as we were let loose, Chungy and I raced for the 2-person kayak, where I got the double-bladed paddle and Chungy got an oar for steering. We rained watery doom upon all the canoers, as we were about 3-times faster, what with my double bladed paddle and our lightweight, streamlined shell. We declared ourselves scurvy pirates of the briny depths, I the captain with my trusty first-mate Chungbeard. We zoomed around the lake, attacking canoes and splashing them with as much fervor as we could muster. We shouted “Arrr!” at them and traded pirate insults. Too much fun. As we sped away, we took turns shouting:

Me: What’s a pirate’s favourite letter of the alphabet?

Me and Chungy: Arrr!

Me: What’s was the pirate movie rated?

Both: Arrr!

Me: What’s a pirate’s favourite part of opera?

Both: Arrrrria!

Me: What’s a pirate’s favourite Star Wars character?

Both: Arrrrtoo-Deetoo!

Too much fun. Hugs go out to Renata, my inspiration and the queen of Bad Pirate Jokes. When we were sufficiently exhausted, we went watersliding, which was too much fun by half. After going on all three waterslides twice, we went to the zipline. We helped two women get into their harnesses, thanks to my years of Ropes Course experience, then went up ourselves. We got to ride at the same time as Mariam (there are four lines total), who asked if we were allowed to go upside down. He said that he was supposed to tell us “no”, but that they couldn’t do anything if we did anyway. And so I did. Funness squared. I think Chungy got pictures; we’ll have to see what develops. Anyway, after the zipline, we went to “Adventure Land”, where we went on the water trapeze and the Blob. The Blob is a huge balloony thing that you land on after jumping off a platform. It’s very difficult to stay on. If you manage to stay on, you crawl to the opposite end (which is difficult enough, I assure you), and try to stay on when another person jumps on. I became the Blob Queen when I managed to stay on for two seperate turns — I landed and stayed. Chloe jumped, and I stayed. Mariam jumped, and I stayed. Chungy started griping at me that we had to leave and get ready, so when Chloe jumped again, I sat in a place that would propell me as far up as possible, and I fell off deliberately. Still, it was awesome. Yo.

In our time in the cabin, lots of time was spent playing card games such as Egyptian Ratscrew and Capitalism. After the campfire, I spent some quality time with Rachel, initially to thank her for all the effort she puts into the Sci-Fi Club and for being my friend again after our nast breakup in 8th grade. Then we started talking about Star Wars, which as great fun. I want to work for ILM.

And that’s basically the end. Hurrah.

I spent a great deal of time this morning looking through my LJ archives and reminiscing.

  1. One of the most wonderful photographs in the world can be found here.

  2. Wow, was “Whatever Happened to Honor” ever actually like that, or was I just really off-key? It’s really changed since that recording… it sounds a lot better now, say I.

  3. Slightly disappointed that no one mentioned my two favourite lines from my Cheery VSD in comments. “Becoming more comfortable with femininity, regardless of beard. Feeling strange kinship with East German Women’s Olympic Team.” and “Do not understand other dwarfs’ objection to new lipstick. After all, Captain Carrot seen wearing great deal of smudged lipstick after secret meeting in broom closet with Constable Angua, and Captain Carrot not even female. Unfair.”. Heck, it amused me. Also somewhat pleased to see that at least *one* person has commented on Sibyl. Of course, still not on my favourite lines, namely Day 4. ::snerks::

  4. Hey, you’re right. The “Can I Shout Hurrah Again?” kid really works as a timid 4-year old girl, rather than an overly exciteable 9-year-old boy. Hmmm.

No, no, no, no, NO! ::throws a fit:: I refuse to have that horrible throat infection again! Never, never, never! Last time, I wasn’t allowed to sing for a week, which is the most hellish form of torture I’ve ever encountered. But now I’m coughing up small amounts of blood again, and my symptoms match my last encounter with the infection. Aaargh, I am not having fun. And Jesuit auditions are next week. I’ll probably have to sing, as it’s a musical play. Want to kick something.

No posts tomorrow, as I’ll be at Sky Ranch for the Senior Retreat. This is the place I went to camp from age 7-9. Ah, memories… While there, we’re going to vote on our class motto and t-shirt, as well as graduation speaker, most likely. I weep to report that Neil is no longer in the running, but at least Dave Barry and Ira Glass are still in the Top 10. Fingers remain crossed. Anyway, wish me luck in the motto voting. As our class jokingly calls ourselves the Senior Citizens (last year was Senior Frogs, har), I’m supporting the motto “Golly gee! 2003!”. Dear God I need a hobby…