It was the first fall recess giving them a week off of school. All ten of them had taken a bus to spend the week with Christopher and Olivia’s grandparent’s cabin in Wisconsin. On this particular day I was snooping around. I found my way into a study. The walls were covered with pictures of ten, college aged, people at Oberlin College.
The door opened, it startled me, and someone walked in.
“Sorry” Mae, their grandmother, said.
“No I am sorry” I said beginning to walk out.
“No look around” Mae said.
“Thanks” I said.
“So many pictures” Mae said.
“Yeah” I said. “Who are they?”
“That is my son, Caleb, my daughter in law, Celeste, and this is all of their friends.” Mae said pointing them all out. “You know they went to Oberlin also.”
“I know” I said.
“You know my Caleb met Celeste there.” Mae said.
“I know” I said.
“So many memories” Mae said gazing at them.
“They looked like they had a lot of fun.” I said.
“They had the best time ever.” Mae said.
One picture in particular had caught my eye. It was a picture of the ten of them outside Allan holding paintings.
“Looks familiar” Mae said.
“Yeah” I said.
“Olivia showed me your picture.” Mae said.
I noticed that the pictures of the ten of them stopped. And pictures with eight and Christopher and Olivia popped up.
“Where are they now?” I asked.
“They died when Christopher and Olivia were only two. “ Mae said. “In a car wreck coming home from dinner one night.”
“I am so sorry I had no idea.” I said.
“Yes it was.” Mae said. “Luckily they had really good friends who make sure that their kids never forget who they were.”
“I’ll bet” I said.
Just then Olivia popped her head in the study.
“There you are Danny Boy” Olivia said. “Come on we are going to watch a movie.”
“Coming” I said and left.
May 30, 2011
May 29, 2011
Dorm Daze: 8/16 Dinner
August 16 Dinner
Dear JoJo,
What a day we had. Martha was keeping Steph busy by annoying the rest of us with near constant up dates about their dinner plans.
Here is some of the nearly one hundred post its that were found on my door:
9:17 am – There was talk of a dinner tonight, are you still in? RSVP to Martha and Steph in room 103.
9:21 am – We have yet to here from you please let us know. P.S. this is Martha and Steph in room 103.
9:27 am – Just letting you know we will be in our room all day so any time you want to stop on by is okay with us. 103.
9:33 am – Going to go to breakfast by back in thirty minutes. 103.
10:27 am – You have a large collections of post its on your door, you might want to clean them up. 103.
11: 19 am – We are making a post it run be back soon. 103.
12:13 pm – We will be meeting in the lobby at 5:45 pm for dinner. 103.
12:14 pm – We RSVP’d for you as Haley said it was okay.
1:38 pm - We are going to lunch be back in a half hour. 103.
3:19 pm – We will be having a dinner planning meeting in the lobby at 3:30. 103.
4:26 pm – We appreciated every one’s participation in the planning meeting. See all of you at 5:45 for dinner at D- Lair. 103.
4:51 pm – We have moved up the dinner time to 5:30.
5:10 pm – We see you have not gotten a round to cleaning up your door so we did. Here is a white board. 103.
At 5:30 all of the first floor Keller hall meet in the lobby for dinner.
“I can not believe those two are late.” Haley said.
“May be they made a nother post it run.” Chels said.
“How long do you think we have to wait for them?” Roma asked.
“We can not leave with out them that is for sure.” Haley said.
“But is will be so much peace full with out them” Pear said.
“Steph is not that bad” Natalie said.
“No, we are talking a bout Gina and Hannah.” Zena said.
“Oh” I said.
“I say if Martha and Steph get here first we lie and leave them.” Rosie said.
“Yes” Megan and Sarah said.
“Gina come on you hog we are going to be late.” Hannah said as they left their room.
“I am coming God” Gina said.
“Look” Hannah said.
“It is the girls” Gina said.
“I know that you moron, we are late.” Hannah said.
“May be they are all early.” Gina said.
“I swear to God Gina” Hannah said.
“Oh good you are all here.” Martha said as they walked over to them.
“Sorry guys” Steph said.
“Yes we are so sorry we are late but their was a problem at the printers with the name cards.” Martha said.
“Name Cards?” Annie asked.
“Yes” Steph said. “Martha thought it would be best to wear name tags to help every one get to know each other.”
“We all so went to D Lair and put place cards at every one’s seat.” Martha said. “I thought it best to mix us up to get to know every one.”
We all started to leave when our RA, Catlin, emerged from her room for the first time since we moved in.
“Where are all of you going?” Catlin asked.
“Dinner” Martha said.
“All of you?” Catlin asked.
“Yes” Martha said.
“No funny business” Catlin said and went back in to her room.
“Weird” Haley said.
“No funny business” Catlin said quickly popping out.
We walked to D Lair for dinner. Martha and Steph had all ready put the tables to gether so we could all sit to gether. There were name tags at each seat. No body was seating next to people they knew. No athletes were seating next to each other. No sorority girls next to each other. No room mates next to each other, with the exception of Gina and Hannah. I guess Martha thought she could make them friends. I was sitting be tween Emily and Zena. They had all ready ordered for us be cause as we sat down they were bringing it out to us. All most all of us got burgers. Pear, who is a vegetarian got a salad. Chels had grill chicken be cause she needed the protein for weight training the next day. Haley got the breaded chicken sand witch.
“How can you eat that?” Chels asked.
“I have found that my body needs a certain amount of fat and cholesterol to function.” Haley said.
“So how is the room mate?” Audrey asked.
“Is not here yet” I said.
“You wasted your whole day waiting for her for nothing.” Megan said.
“Oh I know” I said. “But she did text me that she should be here tonight.”
“What do you know a bout her?” Megan asked.
“Not much” I said. “She has texted me twice. Once to say we are roomies but did not give a name and the other a couple of weeks later telling me what to bring.”
“Weird” Zena said.
“Yeah” I said. “So where are you girls from?”
“Well I am from Nashville, Tennessee.” Emily said. “I went to Father Ryan High School there.”
“What sorority are you in?” Zena asked.
“That would be Alpha Delta Pi.” Emily said.
Just as I was a bout to ask her how she liked it Gina and Hannah were going at it.
“You did take a sip of my drink.” Hannah yelled.
“No I did not” Gina yelled.
“Yes you did I have been putting my drink there the whole time.” Hannah yelled.
“May be you did not this time.” Gina said.
“You and that freakin ‘May be’ bull shit.” Hannah said.
“It is not bull shit, it is an alternate explanation.” Gina yelled.
“We are going to need to go boxes.” Martha yelled.
We got our food and ran. We finished it up and the brownies that they made for us at ‘Not So Good’ Barn Field. When it was dark out we headed back to the dorm. In the lounge was a woman.
“DD?” the woman asked.
“Yes” I said.
“Hi I am from the housing office I am afraid that your original room mate will not be joining us this year.” She said.
“Okay” I said.
“May be we could all take a moment of silence for her.” The woman said.
We all just looked a round awkwardly.
“We are very sorry a bout this but we will assign you a new one.” The woman said.
“Oh okay” I said.
She hugged me and left.
“Weird” we said and headed to our rooms.
DD
Dear JoJo,
What a day we had. Martha was keeping Steph busy by annoying the rest of us with near constant up dates about their dinner plans.
Here is some of the nearly one hundred post its that were found on my door:
9:17 am – There was talk of a dinner tonight, are you still in? RSVP to Martha and Steph in room 103.
9:21 am – We have yet to here from you please let us know. P.S. this is Martha and Steph in room 103.
9:27 am – Just letting you know we will be in our room all day so any time you want to stop on by is okay with us. 103.
9:33 am – Going to go to breakfast by back in thirty minutes. 103.
10:27 am – You have a large collections of post its on your door, you might want to clean them up. 103.
11: 19 am – We are making a post it run be back soon. 103.
12:13 pm – We will be meeting in the lobby at 5:45 pm for dinner. 103.
12:14 pm – We RSVP’d for you as Haley said it was okay.
1:38 pm - We are going to lunch be back in a half hour. 103.
3:19 pm – We will be having a dinner planning meeting in the lobby at 3:30. 103.
4:26 pm – We appreciated every one’s participation in the planning meeting. See all of you at 5:45 for dinner at D- Lair. 103.
4:51 pm – We have moved up the dinner time to 5:30.
5:10 pm – We see you have not gotten a round to cleaning up your door so we did. Here is a white board. 103.
At 5:30 all of the first floor Keller hall meet in the lobby for dinner.
“I can not believe those two are late.” Haley said.
“May be they made a nother post it run.” Chels said.
“How long do you think we have to wait for them?” Roma asked.
“We can not leave with out them that is for sure.” Haley said.
“But is will be so much peace full with out them” Pear said.
“Steph is not that bad” Natalie said.
“No, we are talking a bout Gina and Hannah.” Zena said.
“Oh” I said.
“I say if Martha and Steph get here first we lie and leave them.” Rosie said.
“Yes” Megan and Sarah said.
“Gina come on you hog we are going to be late.” Hannah said as they left their room.
“I am coming God” Gina said.
“Look” Hannah said.
“It is the girls” Gina said.
“I know that you moron, we are late.” Hannah said.
“May be they are all early.” Gina said.
“I swear to God Gina” Hannah said.
“Oh good you are all here.” Martha said as they walked over to them.
“Sorry guys” Steph said.
“Yes we are so sorry we are late but their was a problem at the printers with the name cards.” Martha said.
“Name Cards?” Annie asked.
“Yes” Steph said. “Martha thought it would be best to wear name tags to help every one get to know each other.”
“We all so went to D Lair and put place cards at every one’s seat.” Martha said. “I thought it best to mix us up to get to know every one.”
We all started to leave when our RA, Catlin, emerged from her room for the first time since we moved in.
“Where are all of you going?” Catlin asked.
“Dinner” Martha said.
“All of you?” Catlin asked.
“Yes” Martha said.
“No funny business” Catlin said and went back in to her room.
“Weird” Haley said.
“No funny business” Catlin said quickly popping out.
We walked to D Lair for dinner. Martha and Steph had all ready put the tables to gether so we could all sit to gether. There were name tags at each seat. No body was seating next to people they knew. No athletes were seating next to each other. No sorority girls next to each other. No room mates next to each other, with the exception of Gina and Hannah. I guess Martha thought she could make them friends. I was sitting be tween Emily and Zena. They had all ready ordered for us be cause as we sat down they were bringing it out to us. All most all of us got burgers. Pear, who is a vegetarian got a salad. Chels had grill chicken be cause she needed the protein for weight training the next day. Haley got the breaded chicken sand witch.
“How can you eat that?” Chels asked.
“I have found that my body needs a certain amount of fat and cholesterol to function.” Haley said.
“So how is the room mate?” Audrey asked.
“Is not here yet” I said.
“You wasted your whole day waiting for her for nothing.” Megan said.
“Oh I know” I said. “But she did text me that she should be here tonight.”
“What do you know a bout her?” Megan asked.
“Not much” I said. “She has texted me twice. Once to say we are roomies but did not give a name and the other a couple of weeks later telling me what to bring.”
“Weird” Zena said.
“Yeah” I said. “So where are you girls from?”
“Well I am from Nashville, Tennessee.” Emily said. “I went to Father Ryan High School there.”
“What sorority are you in?” Zena asked.
“That would be Alpha Delta Pi.” Emily said.
Just as I was a bout to ask her how she liked it Gina and Hannah were going at it.
“You did take a sip of my drink.” Hannah yelled.
“No I did not” Gina yelled.
“Yes you did I have been putting my drink there the whole time.” Hannah yelled.
“May be you did not this time.” Gina said.
“You and that freakin ‘May be’ bull shit.” Hannah said.
“It is not bull shit, it is an alternate explanation.” Gina yelled.
“We are going to need to go boxes.” Martha yelled.
We got our food and ran. We finished it up and the brownies that they made for us at ‘Not So Good’ Barn Field. When it was dark out we headed back to the dorm. In the lounge was a woman.
“DD?” the woman asked.
“Yes” I said.
“Hi I am from the housing office I am afraid that your original room mate will not be joining us this year.” She said.
“Okay” I said.
“May be we could all take a moment of silence for her.” The woman said.
We all just looked a round awkwardly.
“We are very sorry a bout this but we will assign you a new one.” The woman said.
“Oh okay” I said.
She hugged me and left.
“Weird” we said and headed to our rooms.
DD
May 27, 2011
"Best Years of Our Lives": 29 and 30 August 1986
The ten of us were eating lunch at Dascomb Dinning Hall. We began talking about our first week of college and our classes. Then we got to talking about the weekend.
“So what are we going to do with our first full weekend of college?” Christopher asked.
“Don’t you think we should head to the library.” Elizabeth said. “You know stay on top of our studies.”
“No” Christopher said.
“We could go see a movie.” Cameron said.
“No” Christopher said.
“We could explore Oberlin.” Olivia said.
“No” Christopher said.
“Is there any concerts going on?” Zachery asked.
“No” Christopher said.
“Okay Christopher what do you think we should do?” I asked.
“I am glad you asked Danny Boy.” Christopher said. “We should go camping!”
“Like in nature, with bugs?” Emily asked.
“Yes” Christopher said.
“Gross” Emily said.
“Come on” Cameron said.
“Where would we go?” Jack asked.
“I found this great park an hour from campus.” Christopher said.
“How fun!” Olivia said. “Just like mom and dad.”
“Yes” Christopher said.
“Sounds like fun.” I said.
“I am in” Zachery said.
“Me too” Jack said.
“What about you girls?” Christopher asked.
“Yeah you can’t leave me with all the boys.” Olivia said.
“Sure” they said.
“Great” Olivia said.
“We will meet outside of Langston at five.” Christopher said.
We left Dascomb Dinning Hall and went our separate ways. A little before five I grabbed my comforter and some food put it in my back pack and headed off to Langston. When I got there every one was all ready there.
“Where have you been?” Dave asked.
“I am like three minutes late.” I said.
“All right camping trip ’86 is about to begin.” Christopher said.
The ten of us headed to the parking lot.
“Okay me and Olivia can take two more, what about you guys?” Christopher asked.
“What about us?” I asked.
“How many seats in your cars?” Olivia asked.
“We do not have cars” The eight of us said.
We stood there for a moment with all of our stuff.
“We did not plan this very well.” Olivia said.
“Our group is just too big.” Christopher said.
“Are you going to cut people?” I asked.
“Perhaps” Christopher said.
The eight of us just look at him.
“No we won’t.” Olivia said.
The eight of us just look at them.
“We should camp out on campus.” Olivia said.
“Where?” Dave asked.
“By Allan Musuem?” Cameron asked.
“No we did that already.” Zachery said.
“What about those woods on North Campus?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yeah” Emily said.
“Good idea” Olivia said.
“Lets go” Christopher said.
So the ten of us walked over to the woods and set up camp.
“There is no fire pit.” Christopher said.
“Well this is not a sanctioned camp site.” Cameron said.
“How are we going to cook the hot dogs for dinner?” Olivia asked.
“You brought hot dogs for us?” Dave asked.
“Yeah to cook over a fire just like our parents did.” Olivia said.
“Huh” Dave said.
“We could heat them up in one of our microwaves and run them back.” Jack said.
“No we are out in the wilderness now.” Christopher said.
“No it is not the same.” Olivia said.
“Can you guys excuse us for a second?” Christopher asked.
We shook our heads yes.
Christopher and Olivia walked a couple of paces from the group.
“What do you think they are talking about?” Elizabeth asked.
“I have no idea” Zachery said.
“Maybe they are talking about how we are not living up to their parent’s friends.” Dave said.
“Hey” Elizabeth said.
“It is a little weird how much they bring up their parents time here.” Cameron said.
“They just heard all their amazing stories want to have some of their own.” Elizabeth said.
“Sshh they are coming back.” I said.
“Sorry about that” Olivia said.
“Its cool” we all said.
“So what do you guys have?” Christopher asked.
“I have chips , two cans of soda, and a bag of cereal.” I said.
“I have yogurt, granola bars, and some cherries.” Cameron said.
“I have peanut butter crackers and a box of swiss cake rolls.” Dave said.
“Guys we are camping!” Christopher said.
We ended up ordering Lorenzo’s Pizza. I got someone walking to their dorm to take a picture of us with our pizza. The weather dropped considerably as the sun went down. We were huddled together in a mass.
“It is so freakin cold.” Emily said.
“On the plus side we have to in counter any bugs.” Cameron said.
“Or any rain” Zachery said.
“I guess” Emily said.
We spent the night talking, looking at the stars, and trying to keep warm.
The sun came up and we began to pack up our stuff.
“Next time we will be more prepared.” Olivia said.
“Don’t be ridiculous this was awesome.” Elizabeth said.
“Dinner tonight?” Christopher asked.
“Yeah” we all said.
We headed back to our dorms for some much needed sleep.
“So what are we going to do with our first full weekend of college?” Christopher asked.
“Don’t you think we should head to the library.” Elizabeth said. “You know stay on top of our studies.”
“No” Christopher said.
“We could go see a movie.” Cameron said.
“No” Christopher said.
“We could explore Oberlin.” Olivia said.
“No” Christopher said.
“Is there any concerts going on?” Zachery asked.
“No” Christopher said.
“Okay Christopher what do you think we should do?” I asked.
“I am glad you asked Danny Boy.” Christopher said. “We should go camping!”
“Like in nature, with bugs?” Emily asked.
“Yes” Christopher said.
“Gross” Emily said.
“Come on” Cameron said.
“Where would we go?” Jack asked.
“I found this great park an hour from campus.” Christopher said.
“How fun!” Olivia said. “Just like mom and dad.”
“Yes” Christopher said.
“Sounds like fun.” I said.
“I am in” Zachery said.
“Me too” Jack said.
“What about you girls?” Christopher asked.
“Yeah you can’t leave me with all the boys.” Olivia said.
“Sure” they said.
“Great” Olivia said.
“We will meet outside of Langston at five.” Christopher said.
We left Dascomb Dinning Hall and went our separate ways. A little before five I grabbed my comforter and some food put it in my back pack and headed off to Langston. When I got there every one was all ready there.
“Where have you been?” Dave asked.
“I am like three minutes late.” I said.
“All right camping trip ’86 is about to begin.” Christopher said.
The ten of us headed to the parking lot.
“Okay me and Olivia can take two more, what about you guys?” Christopher asked.
“What about us?” I asked.
“How many seats in your cars?” Olivia asked.
“We do not have cars” The eight of us said.
We stood there for a moment with all of our stuff.
“We did not plan this very well.” Olivia said.
“Our group is just too big.” Christopher said.
“Are you going to cut people?” I asked.
“Perhaps” Christopher said.
The eight of us just look at him.
“No we won’t.” Olivia said.
The eight of us just look at them.
“We should camp out on campus.” Olivia said.
“Where?” Dave asked.
“By Allan Musuem?” Cameron asked.
“No we did that already.” Zachery said.
“What about those woods on North Campus?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yeah” Emily said.
“Good idea” Olivia said.
“Lets go” Christopher said.
So the ten of us walked over to the woods and set up camp.
“There is no fire pit.” Christopher said.
“Well this is not a sanctioned camp site.” Cameron said.
“How are we going to cook the hot dogs for dinner?” Olivia asked.
“You brought hot dogs for us?” Dave asked.
“Yeah to cook over a fire just like our parents did.” Olivia said.
“Huh” Dave said.
“We could heat them up in one of our microwaves and run them back.” Jack said.
“No we are out in the wilderness now.” Christopher said.
“No it is not the same.” Olivia said.
“Can you guys excuse us for a second?” Christopher asked.
We shook our heads yes.
Christopher and Olivia walked a couple of paces from the group.
“What do you think they are talking about?” Elizabeth asked.
“I have no idea” Zachery said.
“Maybe they are talking about how we are not living up to their parent’s friends.” Dave said.
“Hey” Elizabeth said.
“It is a little weird how much they bring up their parents time here.” Cameron said.
“They just heard all their amazing stories want to have some of their own.” Elizabeth said.
“Sshh they are coming back.” I said.
“Sorry about that” Olivia said.
“Its cool” we all said.
“So what do you guys have?” Christopher asked.
“I have chips , two cans of soda, and a bag of cereal.” I said.
“I have yogurt, granola bars, and some cherries.” Cameron said.
“I have peanut butter crackers and a box of swiss cake rolls.” Dave said.
“Guys we are camping!” Christopher said.
We ended up ordering Lorenzo’s Pizza. I got someone walking to their dorm to take a picture of us with our pizza. The weather dropped considerably as the sun went down. We were huddled together in a mass.
“It is so freakin cold.” Emily said.
“On the plus side we have to in counter any bugs.” Cameron said.
“Or any rain” Zachery said.
“I guess” Emily said.
We spent the night talking, looking at the stars, and trying to keep warm.
The sun came up and we began to pack up our stuff.
“Next time we will be more prepared.” Olivia said.
“Don’t be ridiculous this was awesome.” Elizabeth said.
“Dinner tonight?” Christopher asked.
“Yeah” we all said.
We headed back to our dorms for some much needed sleep.
May 26, 2011
Clueless to the Spirit (1970)
Clueless to the Spirit
1970
On the last day of eighth grade Lauren Myers received a sweat shirt of the school she would be attending in the fall. She said good bye to her acquaintances she had made at her last school. When she got home from school she and her parents pilled into their car and hit the road. They followed the moving van to their new home.
It was chili when they arrived and Lauren had to put on the only thing not in a box on and that was the sweat shirt her parents had given her. It didn’t take long for their new neighbors to show up and start welcoming them.
“We have been here for like a second.” Lauren said to her parents when she noticed them running over.
“They are just trying to be nice.” Her dad said.
“I like it.” Her mom said.
It wasn’t long before they realized not all the people running over were technically neighbors. Some did not actually live in the neighborhood at all. All of them brought something. Most were food related. Others were not. One woman brought the worst kind, her daughter.
“I am so happy to see this neighborhood filling up.” Mrs. Hollings said. “Is that your daughter?”
“Yes, this is Lauren.” Mrs. Myers said.
“What grade will she be in?” Mrs. Hollings asked.
“She will be a freshman in high school.” Mrs. Myers said.
“Get out of town, my daughter too!” Mrs. Hollings said. “Mary come here.”
Mary ran over to where the two ladies had been talking.
“Lauren I want you to meet someone.” Her mom said.
Lauren reluctantly walked over.
“This is Lauren” Mrs. Myers said.
“Mary- Sacred Heart! I am going there too!” Mary said.
“Really” Lauren said.
“Yes! I can’t wait for school to start. It is going to be the best four years of our lives.” Mary said.
“Well we will let you guys get settled but we will have to get these girls together over the summer. After all they are both going to be Valkyries soon.” Mrs. Hollings said and the two headed home.
“Thank God that is over with.” Lauren said.
“Hey, she seemed nice.” Her mother said.
Things had died down for a week or two. Lauren’s family had become a regular fixture in the neighborhood. One cool night after dinner Lauren’s dad took her out for ice cream.
“Look its Sacred Heart!” Mary yelled and ran over to them.
“Oh good” Lauren said under her breathe. “And she brought friends.”
“This is my new neighbor.” Mary said to her friends. “She is a member of the class of ’74. I am so sorry, what’s your name again?”
“Lauren” Lauren said.
“This is Elizabeth and Theresa. I am Mary in case you forgot too.” Mary said point to them and her.
“Hello” Elizabeth and Theresa said.
“Hi” Lauren said.
“You girls getting ice cream too?” Mr. Myers asked.
“Yeah, every Wednesday” Mary said.
“Why don’t you girls join us?” Mr. Myers asked.
“Sure” Mary said.
“Where did you move here from?” Elizabeth asked.
“Indianapolis” Lauren said.
“Why did you guys move here?” Theresa asked.
“Dad got a better job.” Lauren said.
“Congrats” Theresa said looking at Mr. Myers.
“Thanks” Mr. Myers said.
“What are your plans for the summer?” Mary asked.
“Summer camp and visiting grand parents” Lauren said.
“Sounds like fun.” Mary said.
“Yeah” Lauren said.
The four girls ate their ice cream and talked about meaningless things. When they were done Lauren and her dad got into their car to go home.
“So glad that is over.” Lauren said.
“They seem so nice. Wouldn’t it be nice to already know people on the first day of school?” Lauren’s dad asked.
“No” Lauren said.
Two days later Lauren left for summer camp. When she returned a couple of weeks later she was grocery shopping with her mom when they ran into Mary and her mother.
“Settling in?” Mrs. Hollings asked.
“Yes, thank you.” Mrs. Myers said.
“Can you believe the summer is half over?” Mrs. Hollings asked.
“Oh I know. We went uniform shopping today.” Mrs. Myers said.
“We are going next week. I can’t believe they are already getting their navy skirts.” Mrs. Hollings said.
“Do you know what classes or teachers you have yet?” Mary asked.
“I got the envelop while I was at camp but haven’t really looked at it yet.” Lauren said.
“Wouldn’t it be so cool if we had some classes together?” Mary asked.
“Yeah” Lauren said.
The Myers and the Hollings chit-chatted for a few more minutes and went their separate ways.
“Its like she is stalking me.” Lauren said.
“Would it kill you to try to be nice and have fun here?” Lauren’s mom asked.
“Yes” Lauren said.
Lauren spent the rest of the summer with her grandparents and cousins.
The first day of school came. Lauren was walking through the third floor freshmen hall. She was realizing that most of these girls went to grade school together and already had a group of friends. Lauren found her locker and started putting her books in.
“Lauren Myers!” Mary shouted. “Please tell me your team room is 210 also.”
“Yeah” Lauren said.
“Awesome. We are so sitting together.” Mary said.
“Ok” Lauren said.
“Do you already have lunch plans?” Mary asked as they walked into the classroom.
“Nope” Lauren said.
“You have to sit with me, Elizabeth, and Theresa.” Mary said and they sat down.
“Ok” Lauren said.
Yes Lauren had a real group of friends to sit with every day at lunch.
1970
On the last day of eighth grade Lauren Myers received a sweat shirt of the school she would be attending in the fall. She said good bye to her acquaintances she had made at her last school. When she got home from school she and her parents pilled into their car and hit the road. They followed the moving van to their new home.
It was chili when they arrived and Lauren had to put on the only thing not in a box on and that was the sweat shirt her parents had given her. It didn’t take long for their new neighbors to show up and start welcoming them.
“We have been here for like a second.” Lauren said to her parents when she noticed them running over.
“They are just trying to be nice.” Her dad said.
“I like it.” Her mom said.
It wasn’t long before they realized not all the people running over were technically neighbors. Some did not actually live in the neighborhood at all. All of them brought something. Most were food related. Others were not. One woman brought the worst kind, her daughter.
“I am so happy to see this neighborhood filling up.” Mrs. Hollings said. “Is that your daughter?”
“Yes, this is Lauren.” Mrs. Myers said.
“What grade will she be in?” Mrs. Hollings asked.
“She will be a freshman in high school.” Mrs. Myers said.
“Get out of town, my daughter too!” Mrs. Hollings said. “Mary come here.”
Mary ran over to where the two ladies had been talking.
“Lauren I want you to meet someone.” Her mom said.
Lauren reluctantly walked over.
“This is Lauren” Mrs. Myers said.
“Mary- Sacred Heart! I am going there too!” Mary said.
“Really” Lauren said.
“Yes! I can’t wait for school to start. It is going to be the best four years of our lives.” Mary said.
“Well we will let you guys get settled but we will have to get these girls together over the summer. After all they are both going to be Valkyries soon.” Mrs. Hollings said and the two headed home.
“Thank God that is over with.” Lauren said.
“Hey, she seemed nice.” Her mother said.
Things had died down for a week or two. Lauren’s family had become a regular fixture in the neighborhood. One cool night after dinner Lauren’s dad took her out for ice cream.
“Look its Sacred Heart!” Mary yelled and ran over to them.
“Oh good” Lauren said under her breathe. “And she brought friends.”
“This is my new neighbor.” Mary said to her friends. “She is a member of the class of ’74. I am so sorry, what’s your name again?”
“Lauren” Lauren said.
“This is Elizabeth and Theresa. I am Mary in case you forgot too.” Mary said point to them and her.
“Hello” Elizabeth and Theresa said.
“Hi” Lauren said.
“You girls getting ice cream too?” Mr. Myers asked.
“Yeah, every Wednesday” Mary said.
“Why don’t you girls join us?” Mr. Myers asked.
“Sure” Mary said.
“Where did you move here from?” Elizabeth asked.
“Indianapolis” Lauren said.
“Why did you guys move here?” Theresa asked.
“Dad got a better job.” Lauren said.
“Congrats” Theresa said looking at Mr. Myers.
“Thanks” Mr. Myers said.
“What are your plans for the summer?” Mary asked.
“Summer camp and visiting grand parents” Lauren said.
“Sounds like fun.” Mary said.
“Yeah” Lauren said.
The four girls ate their ice cream and talked about meaningless things. When they were done Lauren and her dad got into their car to go home.
“So glad that is over.” Lauren said.
“They seem so nice. Wouldn’t it be nice to already know people on the first day of school?” Lauren’s dad asked.
“No” Lauren said.
Two days later Lauren left for summer camp. When she returned a couple of weeks later she was grocery shopping with her mom when they ran into Mary and her mother.
“Settling in?” Mrs. Hollings asked.
“Yes, thank you.” Mrs. Myers said.
“Can you believe the summer is half over?” Mrs. Hollings asked.
“Oh I know. We went uniform shopping today.” Mrs. Myers said.
“We are going next week. I can’t believe they are already getting their navy skirts.” Mrs. Hollings said.
“Do you know what classes or teachers you have yet?” Mary asked.
“I got the envelop while I was at camp but haven’t really looked at it yet.” Lauren said.
“Wouldn’t it be so cool if we had some classes together?” Mary asked.
“Yeah” Lauren said.
The Myers and the Hollings chit-chatted for a few more minutes and went their separate ways.
“Its like she is stalking me.” Lauren said.
“Would it kill you to try to be nice and have fun here?” Lauren’s mom asked.
“Yes” Lauren said.
Lauren spent the rest of the summer with her grandparents and cousins.
The first day of school came. Lauren was walking through the third floor freshmen hall. She was realizing that most of these girls went to grade school together and already had a group of friends. Lauren found her locker and started putting her books in.
“Lauren Myers!” Mary shouted. “Please tell me your team room is 210 also.”
“Yeah” Lauren said.
“Awesome. We are so sitting together.” Mary said.
“Ok” Lauren said.
“Do you already have lunch plans?” Mary asked as they walked into the classroom.
“Nope” Lauren said.
“You have to sit with me, Elizabeth, and Theresa.” Mary said and they sat down.
“Ok” Lauren said.
Yes Lauren had a real group of friends to sit with every day at lunch.
May 21, 2011
Final Ecology
I feel it is something that needs to be addressed. We have created a real mess for our selves and we need to look towards the future.
I learned about Ness’s deep ecology and shallow ecology and many other’s take on them. To day I am purposing a new ecology called Final Ecology. Final Ecology looks at the world as a whole and not just our individual place in it. It is impossible to think that cars, energy, factories, etc will be wiped out completely. The human race and technology will all ways have to move foreword. Final Ecology has a hundred year initial time line.
The first twenty five years will be used to address humans. Final Ecology looks at the human race in three levels. Final Ecology will work on a checks and balance system. Each ‘family unit’ will be given energy/waste credits. Your credits will be based on how much you do to help the environment. It would all so have a commerce element where you can buy and sell your credits. Final Ecology takes in to account all of the out liars and variables. It balances every thing out. There will all ways be those who do not care. They will all ways drive there Hummer’s, leave all there lights on, and be overly waste full. It is okay be cause there are groups of people that live off the grid. Examples of this are the Amish, indigenous tribes, and the deep ecologist. Then there is the majority of people where it is okay to still drive your mini van, have your air conditioning, and watch your television if you recycle, compost, and buy ‘Kentucky Proud’. This level of Final Ecology only works if the energy sources come from re-usable sources like wind and solar. There would all so have to be a gas, food, and people quota for each family unit.
The next twenty five years will focus on animals. Ensuring that they have the food and environment needed to survive. Final Ecology would have a data base of all the animals on the planet. It will be used to track their population and the other populations in the eco system.
The last fifty years of the initial plan deals with nature. Nature gets the most amount of time be cause that is where the majority of the damage is. You might be asking if it is the worse why is it the last to be addressed and the answer is it is going to take humans a while to change. I thought the best way to condition them was over time beginning with the easiest one that directly affects them. The effort will begin with the oceans be cause of the amount of animals that live there and that all life depends on water. Then we will move to replanting forests.
After the initial hundred years their will be other stages to wean us off gas and coal completely. There are other stages to keep up species numbers and farming and recycling initiatives. Making sure that every thing is in check with people, animals, and nature. Over time there will not be a need for the checks and balance system be cause people would be conditioned to do good.
I learned about Ness’s deep ecology and shallow ecology and many other’s take on them. To day I am purposing a new ecology called Final Ecology. Final Ecology looks at the world as a whole and not just our individual place in it. It is impossible to think that cars, energy, factories, etc will be wiped out completely. The human race and technology will all ways have to move foreword. Final Ecology has a hundred year initial time line.
The first twenty five years will be used to address humans. Final Ecology looks at the human race in three levels. Final Ecology will work on a checks and balance system. Each ‘family unit’ will be given energy/waste credits. Your credits will be based on how much you do to help the environment. It would all so have a commerce element where you can buy and sell your credits. Final Ecology takes in to account all of the out liars and variables. It balances every thing out. There will all ways be those who do not care. They will all ways drive there Hummer’s, leave all there lights on, and be overly waste full. It is okay be cause there are groups of people that live off the grid. Examples of this are the Amish, indigenous tribes, and the deep ecologist. Then there is the majority of people where it is okay to still drive your mini van, have your air conditioning, and watch your television if you recycle, compost, and buy ‘Kentucky Proud’. This level of Final Ecology only works if the energy sources come from re-usable sources like wind and solar. There would all so have to be a gas, food, and people quota for each family unit.
The next twenty five years will focus on animals. Ensuring that they have the food and environment needed to survive. Final Ecology would have a data base of all the animals on the planet. It will be used to track their population and the other populations in the eco system.
The last fifty years of the initial plan deals with nature. Nature gets the most amount of time be cause that is where the majority of the damage is. You might be asking if it is the worse why is it the last to be addressed and the answer is it is going to take humans a while to change. I thought the best way to condition them was over time beginning with the easiest one that directly affects them. The effort will begin with the oceans be cause of the amount of animals that live there and that all life depends on water. Then we will move to replanting forests.
After the initial hundred years their will be other stages to wean us off gas and coal completely. There are other stages to keep up species numbers and farming and recycling initiatives. Making sure that every thing is in check with people, animals, and nature. Over time there will not be a need for the checks and balance system be cause people would be conditioned to do good.
May 17, 2011
'We Were Czech' By: Echo Delling
-The Book-
This really isn't a book but Echo is up front about that. It is a collection of stories and poetry about people living in Czech. The stories range from the 1400s to the present.
-The Review-
I didn't know much about Czech are the people to I read this and this book was a window into their lives. I am not sure how accuarate that is but it was fascinating and has caused me to do more research. I really liked how in a short amount of time I felt like I new these people. He has amazing character development in that regard. I also really liked how it was evident that english was not his first language and because of it their were some awkward places but I think that really gave it character. I also think it will be cool to see how that matures over time.
I would reccomend this for people thirteen and up. I feel this was written with a co-ed audience in mind. I think Czech people will really like it because of the awarness the book brings to the world and I think Americans will like it to see what it is like in other countries. You can buy the book at amazon.com here:
May 15, 2011
Emma Watson to play Loren
The site has gotten alot of hits since my compagin to get Stacey Farber to play Susan in 'One Year' and positive feed back as well. It was decided that we would launch compagins for everyone else.
May 14, 2011
Evan Rachel Wood to Play Beth!
New Sites in Platnium Writers Family
Platnium Writers is proud to announce two new sites to the Platnium Writers family: Well Come to Red Wood and University of Dasani. If you would like to write fan fiction on either one of these sites please email me. If you have suggestion for a site that would fit well with the Platnium Writers family please email me as well.
www.wellcometoredwood.blogspot.com
www.universityofdasani.blogspot.com
www.wellcometoredwood.blogspot.com
www.universityofdasani.blogspot.com
May 4, 2011
Writer of the Month for April!
Everyone at Platnium Writers wants to congratulate Courtney Ella Hrabik on being the writer of the month! We hope to read more of your beautiful works that earned him this title.
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