Thursday, May 29th
Get ready for a real post!
Retrostats.com, home of a free webcounter (see bottom of page for example of use)

COUNTDOWN: 16 SCHOOL DAYS

Well, I finally got something good to post about. A few weeks ago, I went out with the high-wheeled trimmer to mow the brush down by the lake. (High-wheeled trimmer: cross between a lawnmower, a weedwhip and satan.) It was leaking a lot of oil, which was not good given its history of starting large fires when the dry grass dried up near the muffler. Anyway, three weeks have passed and the brush is getting really high. My mom keeps trying to get me to mow it, which is really hard without a mower. Turns out the only place that sells them is Sears, and they are backordered for a month. Here's where I am going with this: my mom wants me to cut the grass (and blackberries, and small trees, ...) with a pair of garden clippers. My question was if I would still get paid $10 an hour. No. So I told her I would do it if she would be willing to clean the kitchen with a toothbrush. My dad picks up his fork and says "that's it, go out and weed the garden." My mom wasn't impressed, but am I the only one who thinks that cutting 3/4 acre of brush with scissors is a tiny bit unresasonable? Sigh... anyway, looks like I won, at least for now.
Holy crap! Killer Lemming posted on his Blog! Oh, wait. He complains that Xar and I have boring blogs??? Wow. Take a look for yourself! And apparently Nick's blog has been taken off the server, probably because he hasn't updated it for at least two months. And for anyone who wants to put a quiz on their blog: two resources I reccomend. First, HTML Goodies is a general HTML resource, works for things like deciphering those Hex Colors and changing things in the template. Second, DO A YAHOO SEARCH FOR FREE HTML POLLS! That's how I found mine! (Note: there is no poll on this website. The one I used was impossible to format, and Xar only had it for two days because it wasn't reusable.) Everything on my blog was found by doing one of the two things mentioned above. If you are too lazy to look for yourself, then I guess you will never know.

Wednesday, May 28th
I have absolutely nothing important to say about today!
Miniclip.com, GREAT GAMES!

COUNTDOWN: 17 SCHOOL DAYS
Wow. I don't have much to say today. I had a few things in mind that I wanted to post about, but I can't remember any of them. I hate it when I do that. Anyway... I beat Paul in pool today online. 4:2. The games are getting a lot more competetive, we need a real pool table! If anyone remembers what I was going to post about, please remind me.

Tuesday, May 27th
SMT Showcase: Largest waste of time since reading Dan's Blog!
Paul's pictures

COUNTDOWN: 18 SCHOOL DAYS

Hmm... It was hot again today. Probably around 90 degrees, which is hot around here. Especially when they don't turn on the air-conditioning at school... which brings me to the topic of today's rant: the SMT Showcase! This was a huge waste of time. Basically, the idea is that everyone in the program does a presentation, and everyone listens to a presentation from each grade level. The "presentation" took a whole 3 minutes, and it took less than that long to listen to other people's. Only problem: they got mad last year when everyone left after finishing this. So, they made people stay until after the awards thing at the end. Which wasn't too bad, except that the 600 wing was starting to heat up like a sauna, humidity and everything. I got an award for "hard worker". Hmmm... They seem to be trying all the wrong things to keep people in SMT. So far, all they've done is this Showcase. And they're making Junior research a full year, meaning I can't take it. So, instead of keeping people in, they are actually driving people away. Such as myself, if that whole independent-research thing doesn't work.

Monday, May 26th
HEY XAR! Look at the link below!
Do you owe me money???

COUNTDOWN: 19 SCHOOL DAYS

Nothing like a three day weekend. Yay! For those of you who didn't understand my last post, it mentioned that I would be at my grandparents. Yeah, so that's why I didn't post this weekend, got it? Hmmm... I know there was a link that I was supposed to put up here, but I can't remember what it was. EMAIL ME if you remember. I thought of a rant for today. It isn't much, but it will do nicely for now. What is it with stupid people and driving? I always seem to be following the dumbest people! Today, coming back from Seattle, a car passed me on the right, pulled in front of me without signalling, then slowed down to 60 mph. Keep in mind the speed limit is 70, and I'm in the middle lane. I go into the left lane to pass, and right before I get up to the truck in front of him this guy guns it again and cuts me off. I managed to get ahead of him after passing the truck, but it makes me wonder if they ever really fail anyone on the driver's test. Or at least I wonder how these people pass!

Thursday, May 22nd
Three four day weeks in a row? I'll take it!
Free Surfer, possibly the world's best Pop-up killer (and it's free!)

COUNTDOWN: 20 SCHOOL DAYS

Wow, only 20 school days left. And I for one think that it is about time. Oh, I apologise about the lack of a post yesterday, someone cut the cable for the internet down the street, and they didn't get it fixed until sometime today. Oh well, I probably wouldn't have had time to post much anyway. I watched the season finale of 24, also mentioned by Xar. Very good, if you haven't been following the show for the last two years, you should definately pick it up next season. It's a little too late now for this season, unless you get the DVD set. Anyway... tomorrow night I'm going up to my grandparents' house in Seattle, so I may or may not post this weekend. Might go see Matrix Reloaded tomorrow afternoon, depends on if we can find someone who is old enough to get us in! Hmmm... I don't have any good rants tonight, but I'll try to think of a good one for tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 20th
Sleep deprivation is bad. Very bad.
AIM buddy icons

COUNTDOWN: ONE MONTH FROM TODAY

Wow, Canada was a really good trip. See Xar's Reviews for my comments on the hotel... not good. We took the ferry up after the Hazel Dell Parade on Saturday, we got in to Victoria around 7:00. The ride up was really rough, quite a few people got sick. (Not me, although I was feeling a little queasy.) After unloading stuff in the hotel room, I went to dinner at DQ across the street, then I spent some time up with April and Megan because their room was better than mine. (Yeah, like you believe that!) I shared a room with Randy, Chris and Brandon. To anyone who doesn't know them, that just looks like a list of names. To anyone who does, it looks like a mix of ok people and a recipe for hell. Surprisingly, Chris shut up after the first complaint call and Randy helped keep Brandon in line. Sunday was fun, we had a lot of free time to go out and explore the city. Lots of shops, lots of food. :) We did some early-afternoon band stuff, then we were free again until dinner. Dinner was as a group at some restaraunt, something with a swan in the name. Food was ok, nothing special.
After dinner we had planned to either see a movie or do something else, but almost everything was closed at 5, and we made it to the theater too late for the movies. Probably a good thing too, because the crazy people were starting to come out. All day we had been passing beggars and bums, but now the stalkers and druggies were out. We decided to go back to the hotel after a couple of encounters with "Canada's Finest." Really, really not safe to be out in the city after 7. We were in a group of three, sometimes four, and we still got harassed by the transients. Oh well, we watched a movie back in the room. (The room not meaning my room, I basically only went in there to sleep. It smelled like feet, with occasional bursts of Axe Body Spray. Not plesant. Plus, there's a certain daily limit of Chris I can handle.
Monday came way too early. We left for a parade, stood around for two hours, then marched probably three miles. After packing back up, we went to Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch. It was that or the Matrix, but seeing as it was 2:00 and all I had for breakfast was the sawdust bar and some bitter OJ, it was time for some real food. More time to explore the city and eat afterwards, then the ferry ride home. Not nearly as rough of a ride. The bus ride home was mostly talking and sleeping, with a break to pick up some people from Columbia River's bus, after it broke down on the freeway. Got home about 2:00 this morning. Ugh.
Not much happened in school today, band class was basically empty. One month until school is over. Can't believe we're almost Juniors.

Friday, May 16th TO Monday, May 19th

GONE IN CANADA, NEXT POST TUESDAY, MAY 20

I'm spending time packing and getting ready for a jazz thing in Hockinson tonight, so no time for a real post today. I leave at 7:30AM tomorrow morning, so I'll post again on Tuesday!

BOSK

Thursday, May 15th
Don't you just hate Thursdays that feel like Fridays?
El blog de Mini Yao!

COUNTDOWN: 25 SCHOOL DAYS

Good job Paul, you got that blog working. On a related note, this is directed at Killer Lemming, and the rest of you who refuse to update with no explanation: All blogs inactive for 2 weeks during the school year will be crossed out on the links. After one month, they will be removed. (Note the lack of a link to Nick's blog...) Basically, all this means is that I'm not going to promote your site on mine if you are too lazy to update it. Once a week is all it takes! Anyway... I was looking at movies in Canada, because it's supposed to rain on Saturday and Sunday, and they have a really screwed up rating system! They have the standard G and PG, then they go off to 14-AC, 18-AC, R, and A. Apparently, the "AC" stands for accompanied by adult. R is restricted, A is adult. What you have to love about this system however, is that they rated Matrix Reloaded at 14-AC, the same as X-2. Their R and A films are like our NC-17, except that it's 18. But you can drink in Canada at 19, so who knows. Crazy Canadians.

Wednesday, May 14th
Wow, talk about a change of weather!
El blog del Tortuga!

COUNTDOWN: 26 SCHOOL DAYS

Wow, today was another one of those days where nothing is planned, and yet everything happens. I bought 3 pounds of candy for the Canada trip, I figure that should last for a little while. Oh, just a reminder for my visitors who have not yet signed my guest book: SIGN IT! NOW! Thank you. Anyway, what else happened today? Ahh, yes. The rowing crew was out practicing on the lake, but it got really windy and one of the boats capsized in front of my house. So, I ended up with 5 cold, wet, teenage girls in my backyard for about 10 minutes while we got the boat out. I helped carry the stuff back to the Crew launch, about a quarter-mile down the road. That's something you don't see every day. That's about all I have to say, except that PAUL NEEDS A BLOG!

Tuesday, May 13th
Why is it sunny only on days with no parade practice?
Hey! I'm out of good links! Give me more, or see this message again tomorrow!
COUNTDOWN: 27 SCHOOL DAYS

Took the last SCUBA class tonight. I have to do the dives the weekend after school gets out... don't know if I really want to, since I'm the only one going up then. Guess I'll wait until people get back from the first one, see if it is really worth $140 and a weekend of my time. We'll see... We're watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail in World History over the next few days. Can you believe I'd never seen the whole thing? I bet I've seen the first hour 3 or 4 times, but I've never got to the end. Oh well... this time! After that is biology with Fleck. We're doing human anatomy this week, so class is pretty interesting. Anyone who knows Fleck at all will understand what I mean... Sub in spanish, she remembers me from Middle School. I don't know how that is possible, although I must admit that I remember her. (Shudder...) Paul, if you show this to her, I promise you will never drink anything again. Got it? Good. I probably didn't need to say that, but just in case. We got kazoos in band today for our parade song. Hmm... just when I think there couldn't be any more bad ideas in that class, WRONG! ... That will be interesting to see... Thats about all for today, so hasta manana.

Monday, May 12th
Wow, no school for three consecutive mondays!
College University, suggested by Paul
COUNTDOWN: 28 SCHOOL DAYS

Wow. For some reason, this page took five minutes to load today. By this page, I mean the one I'm typing on, not the one you actually see. Any of you with blogs know what I mean. AP test today, 4 hours long. Not as hard as I thought it would be. Freshman orientation for band, looks like we'll have at least one really good freshman in the baritone / trombone section next year! Oh, and by the way, for those of you who will see me tomorrow, you will wonder why my arm is all wrapped up. Well, it's because I cut it on the window last night when I was running from the cops... ok, so you don't believe me. I burned it on the oven, remember? But tomorrow, when you ask, just know what I'm going to tell you...
Goo job Xar, you got some new Xar Doctrine there. I know, I know. I'll work on my tan more this summer!

Sunday, May 11th
No school tomorrow! (Just an AP test, that's all...)
New Blog: People Who Owe Bosk Money!
COUNTDOWN: 29 SCHOOL DAYS

Well, I have a couple of interesting things today. First: why the heck are there 20 dead snakes in my backyard?!?!? I went down to the lake, and the ground is littered with dead snakes, from 6" to 2' long. Most of them look like they have been ripped apart. I guess something is hungry... I'll avoid the water. 20 dead snakes at one time, with no signs of decomposing... kinda spooky! Have to ask Fleck how that could happen. On to number two: ovens are hot. This is the point when you thank me for being a master of the obvious. Anyway, I was putting breakfast in the oven (at 475 degrees) and I managed to touch the bottom of my arm to the door. Lucky me, I got to watch the skin biol off the bottom of my arm! Not fun, not fun. So just remember: ovens are hot. Not that I didn't know that, just that I wasn't expecting the door to come back and hit me in the arm. On another, totally unrelated note, our fall show for next year features some music by Aaron Copland, as well as a patriotic theme. I guess it's kind of ironic then that the FBI labeled him as a closed commie in the 60's! Betcha you didn't know that. Also bet you didn't care. But oh well.

Saturday, May 10th
Wow, a free weekend? Nice.
Xar Doctrine
COUNTDOWN: 29 SCHOOL DAYS

Well... hmmm... I really don't have anything great to say today. My grandparents are here, so we looked at some old family videos last night. Wow. Try doing that sometime, its amazing how annoying everyone is when they are little kids! I think I'm pedophobic, assuming that's fear of small children. If it isn't, then never mind. But I think it sounds right. Anyway... Yeah. Like I said, nothing to say today. I should probably think about starting that biology paper... Nah. No school Monday, I can do it then!

Friday, May 9th
Friday! Yay! Whohoo! Enough said!
Miniclip.com, great games for free!
Countdown: 29 SCHOOL DAYS

Once again, a day's break between posts. I can only blame that on someone else's poor planing. I went from school to parade practice, to homework and dinner, to Alki for a jazz thing. Got back late, and I didn't really have anything urgent to post. So I didn't. And I wonder if any of you even cared? Oh well. In related news, I may miss a post or two this weekend because I'm spending time with my grandparents. That and Mothers Day. And writing Fleck's biology research paper. And studying for Monday's AP test. Oh, thats good though. No school for me on Monday! I laugh at you because you will be stuck in school, while I will be free. Except for the 3 1/2 hours where I am testing, but lets just say we don't count that... One week until Canada!

Wednesday, May 7th
Late Arrival tomorrow. (I'm a big fan of late arrival Thursdays, second only to no school Fridays.)
Take a look at this movie!
COUNTDOWN: 31 SCHOOL DAYS

Sorry about the lack of a post yesterday, I didn't get back from SCUBA until after 10:45, and seeing as I had jazz band this morning, I really didn't feel much like logging on and posting. Robertson has jury duty, so we may have a few subs (including Niemeyer) for the next few weeks in band. We have two jazz concerts, after school marching practices, and the Canada trip coming up. But I'm boring you, because you really couldn't care less, could you? No, I didn't think so. So I'll change subject: English class. What is with the string of depressing books? Our latest book is All Quiet on the Western Front. It doesn't look like it will be too hard to get through, but it looks a little bit gloomy and depressing, being about WWI and all. Anyway, at least it is sure to move faster than A Tale of Two Cities or Things Fall Apart. Two very slow, very depressing books about people who eventually die. I would ask why we read these books... if I didn't already have a good idea of the answer.

Monday, El Cinco de Mayo
Good day, bad day.
The best blonde joke EVER!
COUNTDOWN: 33 SCHOOL DAYS

Hmm... Nothing like WASL testing on a Monday to really screw things up. We didn't actually have a teacher first period, so we just got to hang out in the 800 forum for a period. Biology was fun, Fleck was back. He did his demonstration of "froggy love" with his hands as props, gave us a description of a "cocaine enima" and had us carry boxes of preserved minks into the storage room. Good to be back to normal... Science WASL was a waste of time. Several of the questions were even indirectly related to science! Arrgh... only one more day of killing brain cells for me! Turns out we're playing Karn Evil 9 for our second parade song... didn't like it last year and I don't like it this year either. That's going to be interesting. Band parent meeting tonight, not to exciting. Sat next to Goose, made sarcastic comments for the full hour. Didn't see April, apparently she sprained her ankle doing softball today. Ouch! Just in time for marching season too...

Sunday, May 4th
Why does it start to get sunny after the weekend is over?
Guess what time it is? That's right: It's time to SEND BOSK SOME LINKS!!!
COUNTDOWN: 34 SCHOOL DAYS

Wow. Went hiking today in the Gorge. See my review on Bosk's Hikes for more on Larch Mountain. Would have been a fun hike, had it not been raining. Starting from the Multnomah Falls parking lot, we climb to the top of the falls then beyond. On our way up, a small rockslide came over the falls. I'm sure it would have been interesting, had I been around the corner 20 feet I would have even been able to see it on the way down, instead of after the first bounce. But yeah... 9 miles in the rain. Took about 2.5 hours. Would have been faster, but the oblivious fat people (straight out of that one Dilbert cartoon) were rampant. If you are over three feet wide, then for crying out loud people: you don't need to walk side by side! Especially if you are going to tune out anyone behind you who wants to go more than .5 miles an hour! Grrr... When will these tourorists stop anyway? (Tourorist: terrorist + tourist. I think it explains itself!) The rest of my afternoon has been spent doing those little things that aren't worth doing on Saturday, because you know you have one more day of weekend. They included: my last SCUBA lesson, two chapters of math hw, memorizing the first half of our first parade song ("Chicken Run")... don't ask me why, I didn't pick it. Now I'm waiting to see if The Simpsons is any good tonight. Well, adios!

Saturday, May 3rd
Insert gigantic smiley-face here!
AHHHHHHH! Look who's a member of Egil! (Hint: not quite Elias...)
COUNTDOWN: 34 SCHOOL DAYS

Imagine my surprise as I checked the Egil site for the first time in several weeks, and found a new post. By a new member. Welcome. I assume you'll eventually read my blog, if you don't already. Hmmm... dunno if I want everyone reading my blog. Well, I guess that's why I have my other ones, the ones I don't show people. But now I'm just rambling... I went to see a play this evening; it was La Bete, performed by the Skyview Drama group. It was really good. I won't tell you what it is about, although I may eventually (read: tomorrow, if ever) get around to reviewing it on Xar Reviews. Highly reccomended, it was a great show. Not too much to say, except that today was a very good day... ;-) ... Ahhh... goodnight!

Friday, May 2nd
Why yes, it is about @#&$#*! time for a weekend!
BYU Independent Study: By far the easiest way to take those stupid little semseter classes. (Aka health and PE.)
COUNTDOWN: 34 SCHOOL DAYS

I enrolled in my BYU PE class today. I figure if I do my exercise program over the summer, and I take my final sometime after school starts up again, I'll have a PE credit. Hopefully they'll waive the last .5 credit my senior year, otherwise I'll have to take two IS classes at the same time, my senior year. Doesn't sound like fun to me... Today was basically a big load of nothing at school, only 34 more days to go! Yeah, so anyway... as Xar mentioned yesterday, it's been getting warm and sunny here. That's fairly unusual for this part of the country, but not at all unwelcome. It'll probably rain tomorrow, just to spite me for saying this. Well, I'm really running out of stuff to say, so I guess I should probably stop saying stuff.

Thursday, May 1st
Now remember kids, bad Karma sucks!
What the heck???

Bwahahahahahaha! I will admit defeat to Xar's Blog only after he has an HTML chatroom (and shows the code to me!)
So anyway... Not much to talk about today. Mowed the lawn, much less of a fire this time. Gotta figure out how to fix that, it's getting old! Managed to mostly fix my baritone, just missing three screws. Finished the English portion of the WASL, only two days of Science left to go! (Shouldn't take too long, so I'll probably have two lunches again! We played a little joke on Paul today, but he didn't think it was so funny. Apparently Sierra mist, chocolate milk and apple juice don't mix well visually, even though there may be little taste difference!