Monday, November 11, 2013

Formula 1- Marcel Rimrodt

By Marcel Rimrodt
Panther Staff Writer
The Formula 1 (actually the “FIA Formula One World Championship”) is also known as the Champions league of the car racing.
The races are on the weekends and are called a “Grand Prix”. On Saturday the Qualifying takes place. This race is important to figure out the order of the drivers in the main race on Sunday. The actual race has normally a length of round about 305 kilometers.
Many of the Grand Prix’ take place in Europe because the “Formula One” is the most popular in Europe.
Nevertheless there are periodical Grand Prix in America, Australia and Asia as well.
The three dominating drivers right now are Sebastian Vettel (Germany), Fernando Alonso (Spain) and Kimi Räikkönen (Finland). In each race you can get points*. Sebastian Vettel won the last three World Championships in a row and has a too many projection points to Fernando Alonso so he will win the next one as well.
If you’re interested, you can search for videos on Youtube. There you can watch whole races and I’m sure you will get a great impression!

* Points System:
1
st place -> 25 points
2
nd place -> 18 points
3
rd place -> 15 points
4
th place -> 12 points
5
th place -> 10 points
6
th place -> 8 points
7
th place -> 6 points
8
th place -> 4 points
9
th place -> 2 points
10
th place -> 1 point
11
th – last place -> 0 points

Makeup Madness- Courtney Monzon

Makeup Madness
    I think all girls can relate to the love hate relationship I have with makeup. What’s not to love about something that enhances your appearance you may ask? Well, for starters it takes at least 10 minutes to do and frankly I’d rather sleep than look good. Secondly, it clogs up my pores n stuff. My face breaks out all the freaking time. So if I don’t wear it my face looks sick, but if I do later it will just make me breakout worse. I don’t mind foundation, it’s easy to apply and I’m all for looking natural. But don’t even get me started on mascara… It’s literally the worst. 1. it’s annoying to apply because I’m weirdly paranoid about making both eyes look exactly the same. 2. I have a habit of picking at my mascara. Eventually I pick all the mascara off my eyelashes (always losing a few lashes) and the partial chunks of mascara remain on my face. Cool. 3. If I’m lucky and didn’t pick at it, I still have to take it off with remover which is always a hassle. 4. This one is probably the biggest for me… Applying mascara when I’m in a hurry (I’m literally always late to everything so this happens often) is the worst. I’m just going along and then I blink really fast or do something that messes it up not just a little but literally destroys my whole creation. What’s the freaking point? I think I’m gunna stick with wearing makeup on occasion.

Godzilla- Isaac Sprague

                                   
Godzilla, a monster movie phenomenon, created in Japan and later made into some American films has been my favorite type of monster movie ever. You can’t say no to a monster movie where a giant monster attacks a city using fire and his huge body. Also, the acting is so poor that you love it!
But in the past few years there hasn’t been a new movie for Godzilla. If only somebody could put them all on DVDs and upgraded the graphics. I mean I loved the old movies except for the black and white ones. I am sure many people do not like Godzilla because they say something like “oh, he is just some stupid monster who always attacks Japanese towns.”  I love Godzilla on the other hand because he often times saved humans from a monster threat even though he often times originally attacked their towns and cities; he always left for the ocean.
After looking at the list of Godzilla movies on Google, I saw that there have been quite a few Godzilla movies but none in the past nine years. I doubt they will make another one anytime soon because the latest film is called Godzilla: Final Wars.

Band-Julie Gross

Band
You know band is really not as bad as you might think. Sometimes of course you have bad days, like when you have early marching band practice, but it’s actually really enjoyable. In band you are kind of like a family. Including, the fact that we all get on each other’s nerves a lot. My favorite part of band is ether pep band or concert band. Pep band is exciting and we get to play fun music but in concert band the music is beautiful and peaceful. You really get to express yourself through music in concert band. And in band you create so many memories good or bad. Like when we all took the band trip to Florida. We all had good memories such as the hilarious pictures of people during the roller coaster rides or that cute foreign guy. But of course our bus had to break down at 12:30 in the morning creating havoc and chaos. I think all the band members remember that episode. We found out Perkins isn’t so perky at 12:30 in the morning. Also in band you get this great feeling after you’ve got a superior rating at contest. Contest is a bit nerve racking but it’s a great feeling to see all of the hard work we put into it pay off.  You also notice the different personalities of the different sections. As Mr. Roegge puts it the trumpets are full of themselves. And as a saxophone I notice all of the saxophones we have had have been very sarcastic. The drummers are just plain annoying after a while and the trombones are supposed to be the “smart” ones.  Even with all these clashing personalities, we come together to form a whole and always strive for the perfect show.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

School Without Laptops- Zoe Walsh

  
I understand that the funding is not available for the laptops to be one-to-one for each student, however, let me take this time to vent about how inconvenient it is. I used to complain about having to lug around my laptop every day, but I took my laptop for granted.
  • Communication with teachers- Teachers communicate with us through emails. Whether they send us notes, reminders, or assignments they are in touch with us through a quick and easy email.  With a laptop, checking my email was an everyday ritual. Without my laptop, communicating with teachers is more of a hassle.  
  •  Notes- Notes are a huge part of most of my teachers’ lesson plans. I like to stay organized. Typing my notes is an easier faster way to stay organized. Plus we are saving paper!
Broken/Locked laptops- Too many times have I logged onto a laptop from one of the carts, and it was logged in by the previous user. It’s a pain; just log out! Also, I took very good care of my laptop while I had it, so it’s irritating to have to use a laptop that clearly someone has abused and broken. Take care of them, people!

New Security- Madeline Hoard




New Security at CHS
The administration team here at CHS takes their job of keeping students safe very seriously. Ensuring that people with harmful intent do not enter the building has been a main concern weighing on their minds. Various school shootings in small towns just like ours, have opened the eyes of school officials all around the world. CHS has adopted a new security system to keep students in our school safe during the schools hours of operation. A security camera will be placed outside the front doors of our school; anyone entering the school will buzz into the office and be let in by the secretarial staff. All of the doors will lock and unlock along with the bell schedule, guaranteeing entrance into the building will be monitored. The administrators here at CHS, realize that safety is an important part of education and take that responsibility very seriously.


Monday, November 4, 2013

Small Inventions That Would Change Everything - Cody Schmitz

There are a lot of great products in the world. What with iPhones and airplanes, we can do just about anything. However, this doesn’t mean we can do these things with efficiency and ease. I’ve compiled a list of minor changes we as humans need to make so that our lives can become exponentially easier.
1. A smartphone screen that doesn't shatter when dropped
It would ruin the sales of Otterboxes, but imagine the ease of mind we would have carrying around our iPhones and Galaxy S’s sans case. We could finally use our phones the way they were intended to be used, without a bulky plastic case concealing 75% of them.
2. A silent vacuum cleaner
I hate vacuuming, always have, always will. I’m like a dog; I run at the sight of a vacuum. I don’t hate the actual act of vacuuming, though. I hate the sound. It stresses me out! If we can put silencers on guns, surely we can make a vacuum cleaner a few decibels quieter. That way we don’t scare our dogs, babies, and me.
3. Change all words containing either ie or ei to a new vowel.
I’m tired of trying to remember how to spell receive. Or caffeine. Or Olivia Leif. And don’t give me that, “I before E, except after C” crap. If that’s such a tried-and-true rule, why are there a documented 923 exceptions to it?
Here’s a short list of exceptions:
albeit 
ancient 
atheism 
beige 
being 
caffeine 
casein 
cleidoic 
codeine 
conscience 
counterfeit 
deficient 
deify
deity 
deign 
deil 
disseize 
dreidel 
efficient 
eider 
eight
either 
feign 
feint 
feisty 
financier 
foreign 
forfeit 
freight 
geisha 
glacier 
gleization 
gneiss 
greige 
greisen 
heifer 
heigh-ho 
height
heinous
heir 
heist 
inveigle 
kaleidoscope
keister 
leisure 
leitmotiv 
monteith 
neigh 
neighbor 
neither 
obeisance 
omniscient 
onomatopoeia 
peignoir 
phenolphthalein 
phthalein 
prescient 
proficient 
protein 
reign 
reimburse 
rein 
reinforce 
reinstate 
reveille 
Rotweiller 
science 
seeing 
seiche 
seidel 
seine 
seismic 
seize 
seizin 
sheik 
sheila 
society 
sovereign 
specie 
species 
sufficient 
surfeit 
surveillance 
teiid 
their 
veil 
vein 
weight 
weir 
weird
 
I think we can all agree that it’s time for a change. You know that word mark that looks like an A and an E squished together? Let’s create one of those for I and E. Problem solved.
4. An option on microwaves to cool things quickly
The point of a microwave is to heat food quickly. Now what if those same machines could quickly cool food? Instant popsicles. A quick way to cool down boiling hot soups. Words can’t describe how much I want this.
5. Vending machines that take a wrinkled dollar.
Why isn't this a reality? There has to be a way for a machine to tell that a wrinkled dollar is still a valid piece of currency.

"It's a Senior Life" - Olivia Leif

  
    As a high school Senior, there are many chapters coming to a close and many chapters ready to be opened. The final athletic competition, the final music concert, and the final drama production are among the many loose ends to be tied up in the next few months. While these ends are being tied up, new strings are falling off the yarn ball as well. In the next few years, I along with all of my classmates will be stepping out of the safeties of childhood and into the realm of adulthood.
    Ten months from now, we Seniors will be officially be on our own in a new environment, with new teachers, new friends, and an endless list of new opportunities just waiting to be tried out. These new experiences will come at the senior class in a whirlwind and take each of us by surprise even after the warnings and guidance from parents and teachers.
    Despite the slow-motion world seniors feel while still in high school, the last seven months will fly as quickly as the first three did. Hopefully, each member of the Class of 2014 enjoys what is left of high school, and soaks up all of the wonderful ends that are coming to a close.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Halloween Movies - Leyli Biems

When I think of Halloween, images come to mind of jack-o-lanterns grinning ghoulishly, bags stuffed with colorful candy, crimson and gold leaves gently raining down on a dark, cozy street, and excited children running around in a wide variety of costumes. As you can probably tell, Halloween is my favorite night of the year. I spend the entire month of October getting into the Halloween spirit by going to haunted houses and corn mazes, watching old Goosebumps episodes, and making my favorite festive fall foods. However, the best method for getting into the Halloween spirit is watching scary movies. I have compiled a list of my favorites:
  1. Dracula (yes, the black and white one)
Rating: Not Rated
Why It’s Great: In a culture where vampires have become more sparkly than scary, it’s hard to find a good vampire movie. That’s why it’s best to go back to the basics. Although it can get pretty cheesy, this 1931 classic delivers all the creepy vampire lore a person could hope for.
  1. Hocus Pocus
Rating: PG
Why It’s Great: Anybody born in the 90’s has been raised on this movie. I’ve seen Hocus Pocus a million times, and it will never get old. There’s nothing like watching a group of kids foil the evil plot of a trio of mean, grotesque witches to get you in the Halloween mood.
  1. Young Frankenstein (sorry, more black and white)
Rating: PG
Why It’s Great: I love funny movies, and this film is one of the best comedies ever made. Lucky for us it’s also one of the best Halloween movies ever made! Young Frankenstein simultaneously provides laugh after laugh and a creepy atmosphere that’s perfect for Halloween. Besides, you can never go wrong with Mel Brooks.
  1. Poltergeist
Rating: PG
Why It’s Great: Poltergeist is by far the scariest movie on this list. What I love about this movie is that it’s undeniably creepy, but unlike movies like Halloween, it has nothing to do with a psycho killer going around violently murdering half-naked teenagers. This movie is terrifying in more of an eerie, supernatural way. It’s perfect for anybody looking for a great scary movie without the gore.
  1. The Wolf Man (I know, I know, I’m killing you with the black and white)
Rating: Not Rated
Why It’s Great: Just like Dracula is the perfect vampire movie, The Wolf Man is the perfect werewolf movie. The special effects aren’t exactly high-tech and it can definitely get a little hokey, but that’s why I love it. Besides, there will never be a better werewolf than Lon Chaney.
  1. Halloweentown
Rating: Not Rated
Why It’s Great: Another of my childhood favorites, this movie is perfect for getting into the spirit of Halloween. Halloweentown is such an important part of this holiday for me that it doesn’t even feel like Halloween until I watch it. If you’re looking for a family-friendly movie full of fun and fear, definitely watch Halloweentown.
  1. House on Haunted Hill (last black and white one, I swear!)
Rating: PG
Why It’s Great: Made in 1959, this movie is loaded with overly dramatic acting and the cheesiest effects known to man, but that’s why I love it. Everything in House on Haunted Hill is intended to give you the creeps, and, although it’s in the hokiest way possible, that’s just what it does. If you’re looking for a fun scary movie, this is the one for you.
  1. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (I lied, this one’s black and white too)
Rating: PG
Why It’s Great: Another hilarious Halloween movie made by comedy legends, I watch this movie every year. It has all of the elements a good Halloween movie should have: lots of classic scary monsters, tons of creepy moments, and loads of laughs. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is a must-see at Halloween!
Obviously, I had to leave out some my favorites like The Exorcist, An American Werewolf in London, The Omen, and the original Fright Night (rated R, not quite school appropriate). However, if you’re looking for a movie that’s not too scary but will get you in the perfect mood for Halloween, this list is just for you. Happy Halloween!

Flush the Toilets People! - Chelsea Martin


Obviously it’s a natural thing to use the restroom. Whether you go many times throughout the day, or just once, it’s a regular habit. While bathrooms aren’t a very appealing place to be anytime, it’s even more horrible to find a little surprise waiting in the toilet when you’re going to use it yourself. I’m not quite sure what provokes people not to flush the toilet, but I’m like seriously?!?! What do you do at home after you use the restroom? Have your mom flush it? I can’t stomach the thought of not flushing the toilet after I use it. What if someone was in a dire emergency? Like having to make a bee-line for the toilet because you’re about to vomit. You sprint into the restroom and go to the first toilet you see only to find it full of human feces and urine which would probably make you puke right then and there… well, me anyways. Plus no one knows for sure (besides the person who did it) how long that little surprise was waiting in the toilet. A day?! A week?! No one knows! I understand the electric toilets should flush themselves, but if they don’t, come on people have the common courtesy to FLUSH IT YOURSELF. You can wash your hands after touching the handle and most of the germs will be gone, trust me. Sometimes you also flush it with the handle and it doesn’t always work. Therefore, FLUSH IT YOURSELF. Maybe this is just a big pet peeve to me, but please, I’m begging you, whoever is reading this that’s guilty… FLUSH THE TOILETS PEOPLE!!!

Friday, September 13, 2013

What It's Like to be a Senior - Leyli Beims

Senior year is a huge landmark in a high schooler's life. It’s what we look forward to and plan for our freshman, sophomore, and junior years. Twelfth grade is the grand finale in the fireworks show of high school, the cherry on top of the high school sundae. It doesn’t seem possible, but here I am, a high school senior. While most of it’s great, there are a few unexpected drawbacks to being top dog.
It's awesome not to have to answer to anyone, but it kind of sucks to be the person in charge. All of these underclassmen see you as a higher authority, someone who knows exactly what they’re doing and has this whole life thing down. Hate to break it to you guys, but I have no idea what I'm doing 99.9999999% of the time. Seriously, my dearest youngsters, don't look up to me; I'm a hot mess. This pressure to have it all together and be a guiding force is sometimes difficult to handle.
And talk about responsibility! I love floating around in my own little world while others take care of me, but senior year doesn't want me to be happy. Senior year wants me to become a responsible adult and make important life decisions, blah, blah, blah. Knock it off senior year! I don’t want this!
Also, everything has this bittersweet taste, because while I’m so excited that I’m almost out of here, I will never experience many of these things ever again. This causes this pressure of having to make absolutely everything count, which can drive a girl crazy.
All of the sudden, my future is staring me in the face. It’s always been some distant concept that could be easily dismissed. Well, not anymore. It’s a very present and imminent force that demands to be dealt with. For me, the habitual procrastinator, this is not fun. 
While many of the challenges senior year presents seem scary and difficult, I know that my classmates and I will conquer them. I’m positive that this will be the best year of high school yet. Class of 2014, we’ve got this!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

They Save the Best for Last - Zoe Walsh

Since fall of 2004, the Walsh girls have played an active role in the CHS Panther Newspaper. As the last of three girls, I have the opportunity to wrap up the nine year stretch of Walsh words. If that isn’t an honor in itself, I am also the only third sibling from one family to ever write for the CHS Panther.  But let’s not focus on me.
Let’s flashback to nine years ago, it was an edgy day in journalism class as all the students were engaged in their own conversations and not listening to their wise teacher, Mrs. Watson. Editor Lindsay Walsh sat at her desk and felt Mrs. Watson’s pain. There was a lot to be done. Mrs. Watson decided to step out of the classroom to take a deep breath, but before she left she reminded her students that by the time she got back they’d better have stopped talking and started working. But to Mrs. Watson’s dismay she returned to a situation not every teacher can relate to. A male student had taken two Oreos and placed them on his bare chest while other journalism students were taking pictures of him with the journalism cameras. Needless to say, Mrs. Watson was furious. To this day, Lindsay remembers this moment in journalism vividly. Looking back it’s a humorous story to tell for both Lindsay and Mrs. Watson. 


Fast forward about four years to Haley Walsh, sitting in the same classroom as her older sister Lindsay. As many high school students know, the Walsh girls don’t tan. Somewhere in the genetic combination we missed the boat of beach tanned skin.  Anyway, as the students were creating nicknames, an annual ritual in journalism, they reached my ghostly sister. They didn’t even have to think twice, Moon Beam Walsh it was. My sister Moon Beam, forever known for her white skin.

Today is August 29, 2013. I, Zoe Walsh, sit in the journalism classroom. Mrs. Watson’s memories of my sisters still linger. I haven’t been deemed forever pale by my nickname, nor had any absurd experiences with Oreos… not yet anyway. As Mrs. Watson skims my blog entry, she’s already laughing by the third line. She’s always told me that both my sisters were great writers, but I don’t think they’ve ever had her laughing a mere three lines in. What can I say? They save the best for last.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Contact Cross Country - Isaac Sprague


The CHS Cross Country Team is made up of high society individuals, the upper class. My seventh grade year, for instance, included charismatic individuals such as Casey Carlgren. When I think of Casey I think of short shorts, a care free attitude, and the “Hop on the Truck until Coach Notices” method. Casey was also inspiring because he could accomplish making Coach so mad at him for messing around that he would run two miles on the track before we even started our practice run. Once Casey left, the team had to grow new leaders such as Creighton Leif with his road side massacre and Nathan Koeber with the jokes of a lifetime.

Cross country has been considered to be a dangerous sport to participate in because cross country members are often hurt. For instance, Daniel Longfellow, a cross country veteran, had his pinky finger cut off during cross country. This loss of appendage may have also resulted in a loss of cross country morale, causing the guys team to once again lose its spot at state. Another story of dangerous proportions is when Olivia Leif, a senior this year, was frightened by what we believe to be a vicious squirrel, causing her to topple over and sprain her ankle.
My teammates aren’t the only ones who have been affected by the perils of cross country. I, too, have experienced the danger. If it is ninety degrees or above during practice, the cross country team goes to the park. When we run in the park there are many Parkour opportunities that the guys on the team cannot resist. So I, being a hardcore Parkour enthusiast, tried a trick that required me to run over a pole in hope of missing the pole. But the heat had really affected me that day and I was not at my usual hardcore Parkour level. I ended up hitting the pole and cutting my leg, leaving me disabled and unable to run. So there’s one thing all of us on the cross country team have learned: don’t do cross country.
In loving memory of Bailey, Daniel, Garret, Micah, and Katherine

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Football Managing - Madeline Hoard and Chelsea Martin

Sweaty shoulder pads, pounding adrenaline, and the sound of the nearby marching band all signify the start of another Concordia Panthers football season. These young men wait all year to stand under those Friday night lights with not only their teammates, but their brothers. Together, these men set out to carry on the legacy those before them have left behind.
 
Contrary to popular belief, football managing has its perks and its drawbacks. From keeping the players hydrated to gossiping on the sidelines, we take pride in being part of the Panther football family. Sharing in the exhilarating wins and the heart breaking losses gives us the chance to bond with the players in a way that no one else can. We girls truly feel as if every August we each gain thirty new big brothers.
Being in the center of all the action can cause tempers to flare and patience to wear thin. On some occasions the coaches and players feel as if we aren’t doing our jobs to their liking, which ends in a thorough butt chewing or a few choice words. Tape seems to disappear left and right, due to many “serious injuries” such as jammed fingers and gaping blisters. On the worst days, we can find ourselves dodging tackles, flying water bottles, and escaping the wrath of angry coaches.
Whether the men like to admit it or not, without us none of them would be entertained or hydrated. Without us, the sidelines would be void of gossip. Without us, the smells of the shimmels would be unbearable. Without us, the coaches and players would have no one to tease. Without us, the players wouldn’t have anyone to wait on them hand and foot. Even though our hard work usually goes unnoticed, we are proud to call ourselves Concordia Panther Football Managers.
 

Monday, September 9, 2013

This Years Tennis Write-off - Julie Gross

This year, tennis practice is as amazing as ever. There’s only one problem: it’s so hot outside on the tennis courts! I swear it’s at least ten degrees hotter when you’re standing on the courts. It always seems like the temperature begins to climb as soon as tennis starts. I had to go out to Wal-Mart to buy a new water jug because my half gallon one just wasn’t cutting it. I suppose part of that is because Allison Redmond always forgets to bring her own, and she puts on an innocent smile and says, “Hey Julie, can I have a drink of your water?”

Despite the unbearable heat, we still manage to have fun. Just last week Siri McGuire came back to watch us practice. We all miss her tons! Our team is super small this year. We only have ten people out, which isn’t even enough for a full team. I’m on varsity this year, though. Yay!
I‘m not a big fan of singles, so I play doubles. The game is just more exciting with a partner, and you get to go up to the net and smash the ball more. I’m not sure how our tennis team will turn out this year, but we have some pretty talented people out. Hopefully we can get someone to state. Danielle Timme almost went to state last year, and we all hope she makes it this year. Our next meet is this Saturday. I can’t wait, but I’m nervous at the same time!

Marching in the Spotlight - Olivia Leif

Every fall, the city of Concordia bundles up against the crisp night air in the bleachers of Harold M. Clark Stadium to watch the Panther football team in action. Though the game is always enjoyable, I consider another type of play on the field to be more interesting.
The CHS Marching Panther Band is something to see. Yes, I am the Drum Major, making me a bit biased, but I believe that coming to the game just to see the band is worth the cold toes no matter who you are. This year especially will be a show that you won’t want to miss. The Marching Panthers are performing the show Grease: The Musical. It is a fun and energetic show that everyone will love. After only two weeks of school, the band has all of the music down and they sound great. The trumpets are loud, the saxes are sassy, and the piccolos are right in tune. On top of that, the Color Guard routine is coming together wonderfully and the girls are excited to show off their official “Pink Ladies” jackets while the Drum Line struts their stuff as the “T-Birds”.

If you are not into the football scene, that’s fine (I really don’t understand it enough to be either). Come to the game anyway. Support the team, cheer when everybody else does, and go back in time to when Grease was the word.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

5 Reasons I Won't Own a Cat for a Long, Long Time Once I Leave Home

I like cats. I really do. I've lived with them my entire life, and that's part of the problem. When you live with a person for eighteen years you learn every little thing you don't like about them. It’s exactly the same with cats. The things you love about that person or animal quickly become the things that make you want to “accidentally” drown them. I kid, but there have definitely been days...

1. Cats don't understand food boundaries
This happens all the time. Breakfast cereal is theirs. Soup is theirs. Cheese is theirs. EVERY food is theirs. It doesn't matter where the food is. Cats will jump onto counters, beds, and tables to find anything they want and ruin it.

2. Cat hair
Oh Lord, the cat hair. It's everywhere. It gets on EVERYTHING. There hasn't been a day in my life that I haven't picked cat hair off of me. People judge you for it, too. Let me say it here: IT'S NOT MY FAULT I HAVE CAT HAIR ON EVERYTHING I OWN. I didn't know cats could produce hair in such vast quantities. It never ends.

3. Vacuuming
You could vacuum every day and your house would still look as if it hadn't been vacuumed in weeks. This ties in to Complaint #2.

4. Litter Boxes
Sure, it's nice that you don't have to take cats out to poop. However, this doesn't change the fact that you have a box of poop sitting somewhere in your house. In our case, we have two huge boxes of cat poop in our home. And let me tell you, no amount of Febreze will ever disguise the smell of cat poop.

5. Cat Vomit
There is nothing worse than stepping in cold cat vomit. Nothing.

Although I have these specific grievances with cats, I'm certain I will own a cat or two again someday. I just need a break; I can only take so much.

Sumertime Sadness

Every spring, about two weeks before school gets out, most high schoolers begin planning out their "awesome" summer. Our expectations of summer can be deadly. We expect so much, assume that we will do it all. We make plans to take shopping trips, travel to Rome, become master quilters, and participate in all sorts of shenanigans (such as late-night skinny dipping). We make so many plans, all destined to fail.

I don’t know about you, but I always plan a great expedition with a group of my friends. Unfortunately our get-a-way trip never ends up happening. Just this summer, my friends and I planned a trip to Kansas City. We wanted to stay in a hotel (because we are old enough to reserve a room by ourselves), go shopping, and maybe even go to Worlds of Fun. Did that happen? NO.

I honestly believe the problem is Pinterest. You may ask why. Well, Pinterest is a website where you can post and see different ideas of events, your interests, or different hobbies. You follow fellow pinners, re-pin the things they pin, blah, blah, blah. The problem is you see all these cool things that you want to do, whether it is a craft, a cute outfit idea, a delicious-looking recipe, or a fun activity. We get so obsessed with doing all of this awesome stuff. So, yeah, I am blaming all of my summer failures on Pinterest. Hopefully Summer 2014 will break the chain.