Happy Halloween

This is my 100th post.

Bradley update: Our storytelling went very well today. Everyone shared weird stories about things that happened to them or just stories that they've heard. Mrs. Bradley warned us adamantly not to use a weegee (I don't know how to spell it) board. She was very serious about this.

Apparently there is a housing complex in Pleasanton that was built over a burial ground. It's right off the freeway and there is a gas station there. I used it when my car ran out of gas last year. Yeah, last year I was driving to school and I ran out of gas. I never even looked at the gas gauge when I left the house. My car stopped right in front of this gas station and there was a cop just behind me. So circumstances were good. But I'm not the most observant of drivers.

Anyway, a girl in my class who lives there wants to have a paranormal expert come and cleanse her house of any present spirits. I don't know about this. I think that if the spirits are angry, they're going to stay angry.

There is also a local legend here in Pleasanton called the "White Witch of Niles Canyon." Niles Canyon is a road that has no lights when it's dark. People say there was a girl who died in a car accident on this road and that if you drive along it at night you'll see her. I've never been on this road. And I'm never going to be on this road.

Yes, "ghosts" scare me. Do I believe in them? I don't know. I don't see why they can't exist, though. Life is something that no one can explain. What makes us have feelings and thoughts, while rocks don't? There must be something inside of us that is not biological. Do you know what I mean? There must some sort of spirit inside of us. So why can't it live on when our physical bodies are no longer working?

Do you believe in spirits? Have you ever had an "encounter" or unexplained experience? I know I haven't. I don't think.

I remember when I was younger I was lying in my mom's bed waiting to fall asleep. I could have sworn I saw a bottle of lotion sitting on the dresser moving around. It looked like it was dancing. I know I wasn't asleep. But it was very strange. Of course, my mom doesn't believe me. She doesn't believe in ghosts or any supernatural things at all. She thinks it's just ridiculous.

I just don't know. It's all very interesting, though.

Today we had an assembly first period that lasted almost two hours. I guess the teachers didn't know about it until this morning and it screwed up the bell schedule so every class was twenty eight minutes long.

This assembly was in light of the recent suicides. A man came to speak about depression and the twelve "warning signs." He was a much better speaker than the last one we had. I don't know if I learned a lot, but it was very informative none the less.

Mrs. West called me in during physics (again) to talk about things. She said she was proud of me for writing that e-mail to my teachers.

Ok, my sister just came barging into the room saying Happy Halloween and she scared the crap out of me.

Anyway, back to Mrs. West. She asked me if I was at all affected by the assembly or if I related to it. I said that I could identify with some of the warning signs, like losing interest in friends and irritability. But he also talked about suicide and I told her I have never seriously considered it. The speaker said that 90% of teens and adults have thought about suicide at some point in their lives. He means just "casually," but he called this stage one. He also made a point not to drive when you're upset. I have done this and it was one of those times where I thought I should crash my car into someone. So I don't do that anymore.

Tonight is trick-or-treating. My sister and I are going out as ninjas. My "costume" is not really anything. I'm wearing black jeans and a black T-shirt with a silly headdress. I am also bringing a sword. My mom ordered a ninja costume for me but it didn't fit at all. I might wear a black slip or cut up the costume and use certain parts of it. I will put up a picture of us.

My mom is going to order a pizza. Then we'll have some candy. I guess lots of candy. All Foothill teachers were told to have tests or quizzes tomorrow to prevent kids from cutting. Only two of my teachers are actually doing this. But I'm gonna go to school.

Last night I watched Friday the 13th Part 3 on channel AMC. It was pretty dumb and not that scary. Then I watched Dracula 2000. Again just dumb and not scary. But Dracula was very handsome, played by Girard Butler.

People came in some interesting costumes today at school. One kid was Moses. His costume was great. Pretty much all the girls that dressed up looked slutty and inappropriate. And for many of them Halloween is just an excuse to look this way. They'd dress up as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz and wear skirts that barely covered their butt. Um, Dorothy didn't dress that way. I feel sorry for girls that think they have to be this way to get attention. But I also think they are doing a disservice to womankind.

Anyway, sorry for the super long post today. I had a lot of thoughts going through my head.

Ok, now I am going to ... do something. I don't know what, though. So bye!

Bradley update

I just have to say this.

Tomorrow Mrs. Bradley wants to have a scary story session. She wants to spend the period telling scary stories.

........okay Bradley. Whatever you say.

Ahhh!

Last night I watched the scariest movie I have ever seen. It was on the Sci Fi channel. It was called Jeepers Creepers. Oh my god, it was terrifying. I don't know how to describe it without it sounding incredibly stupid, though. Just trust me. And it did not have a happy ending. I don't like being home alone right now.

Today my calculus teacher asked me to come visit him after I leave. I will do that.

We continued ping pong today in PE. My partner is really nice. We played a couple girls that had no interest in following the rules of the game and just stood there hitting the ball in random directions. What morons. Girls can be really dumb sometimes.

I overheard this one girl talking to her friends and she said that she was "mad" at someone. I just think that is so sixth grade. It's so immature and just stupid. "I'm so like, mad at like, her." Ok, so why don't you say something to her instead of talking about her behind her back? Gah.

I want to get away from these people. I just hope that people are a little more mature at Las Positas. Not that I am all that mature. But do you know what I mean? I just can't stand the kids at Foothill and the way they talk and the way they dress. Maybe I'm just kidding myself, though. Maybe people will be exactly the same at Las Po as they are at Foothill.

There have been a couple of teen suicides around Pleasanton recently. My friend today told me she overheard a girl talking about being raped. I think that girl may have been exaggerating about some sort of harassment situation. But I don't know.

Anyway, not a very cheery day. But I have Friday off, which is a mood lifter.

At lunch today I sat in my car and text messaged my mom. We just realized that we are probably being charged for each message we make. But oh, well. It's addictive.

Well, I can't think of anything else to say. So I hope you all are having a good day/night/whatever it is.

Oh, my mom just got home and told me that Joe Girardi will be the Yankees manager next season. We LOVE him. So we are very happy. Unfortunately, the American League MVP Alex Rodriguez will most likely be gone. This makes me very sad. This team is just falling apart. My mom and I don't know if we are gonna follow them next year.

I'm really glad, though, that I did not bet my mom on Joe Girardi. I thought for sure he was done with managing. He kept saying that "now is not the right time." But he was lying. And I was very wrong about him.

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So I did not like what my mom made in the crock pot last night. It was some sort of turkey thing. I like turkey but I didn't like this.

I am looking forward to dinner tonight.

Nooooo!

The Red Sox won the World Series. They swept the Rockies. I can't believe this. What did we do to anger the baseball gods? Why does this have to happen? Luckily Manny Ramirez did absolutely nothing and even got thrown out at the plate. Moron. While he was running his helmet fell off and hit the back of his leg. It's always falling off because of his dread locks.

My GED results get here Thursday. There is no school on Friday, so I'll have to sign up to see Ms. Edwards on Monday. Then it will probably be a few days before she calls me in.

Bradley update: Well, Mrs. Bradley thinks I was absent from class again. What is wrong with her? Do I have to go back to hating her? Today she had a "doggie emergency" and left us with a sub. We aren't working on anything in class and we never have homework, so I slept again.

Last night I watched Invasion of the Body Snatchers. It was very creepy. The ending gave me chills.

We are playing ping pong in PE right now. This is supposed to last three weeks. Oh, well, it's pretty fun, I guess.

I haven't told A.J. about my whole situation. I don't know what he'll think of it. It doesn't really matter, but I feel bad for some reason. I don't know.

My eye does this thing where it randomly starts burning. It happened while I was driving home today. It's really annoying.

Today I wore my special Halloween socks. I ordered this pair of jeans online and they came very short, shorter than they were supposed to be. So I wore them with my high socks and I looked very stupid. But festive.

Yesterday my sister and I worked on a ginger bread haunted house. It turned out pretty nice. My dad set up some spooky decorations in the front yard. I think I'll put up a picture of them.

Anyway, baseball is over now. I'll miss it. But it will start again, as it always does, in April.

I am going to go see if the Sci Fi channel is airing any scary movies tonight as part of its "thirteen days of Halloween." Oh yeah, that Headless Horseman movie my mom and I watched was pretty stupid. Some teenagers get stuck in "deliverance" country where there are a bunch of "inbreds" who trap them in their little town. Headless kills them off one by one and even gets to ride a motorcycle. Headless Biker Dude. Two of the kids escape and then go on a date. The end.

My mom and sister just got home. So... I am going to ask my mom about dinner. We are getting along now.

Side note: I know what you mean about lucid dreaming. I think that happened to me once by accident. I remember there were dinosaurs terrorizing us and I was thinking, "Ok, this is just a dream. Please wake up now." I don't know if that counts.

Last night I had a dream that I had braces again. I was begging the orthodontist to take them off. Yikes!

I'm hungry, version 3

There are some interesting blogs out there. "My Bladder Cancer Journey." "CumLover." There is one dedicated to the Red Sox win on Wednesday.

Anyway, I just got back from a four problem math quiz. The teacher showed us the answers after and I got one of them right. I should have gotten two because I made a stupid mistake on the last one. And another one I should have gotten too. But the first one I had no idea. So that's great. Yeah, 2pi/3 goes over.... there. Not here.

Bradley update: I slept through English today. I didn't get much sleep last night and I was way too tired.

I have been dreaming very strongly lately. I had a dream that I caught a murderer in the act, and he tried to kill me. But I escaped and took pictures of him with my new cell phone. I gave them to the police. (It actually wasn't murder, it was something else.)

My mom showed me a short little article in one of her magazines about dreams and what they mean. They are supposed to be images and feelings that you link from your past into feelings you have presently. They illustrate your anxieties. Dreams show that you are in touch with your emotions. Well, yes, I am very in touch with my emotions. My mom says she never remembers her dreams. I think she is lucky. They just rob you of sleep and put awkward, uncomfortable images into your head. I've never had a "good" dream. I don't like dreams.

I have recurring dreams about sharks and large bodies of water. They are not fun.

What are some common dreams you have? Are there any that stick out to you as particularly strange or bad?

Last night I watched Final Destination 2 on the Sci Fi channel. It was about a girl who foresaw a major car accident on the freeway and she ended up saving a whole bunch of people by avoiding it. But then all the people she saved started dying off in creative ways, because they messed up "death's plan." Saturday is a movie called "Headless Horseman" and my mom and I are going to watch that.

I sort of missed some of the movie because my mom and I were text messaging each other. We were sitting right next to each other. That is how we entertain ourselves. I've decided I am going to make real live friends at Las Po, so I can talk to them on my cell phone. That would be nice.

I am really glad it's Friday. But who isn't? There is no game on tonight because the guys are traveling to Colorado. Hopefully being home will bring some life into the Rockies and hopefully they will cream the Red Sox.

I also had a test in physics and bio. They were ok. I didn't study for them very much.

My GED test scores should come in the mail by next Friday. So on Monday I'll tell my counselor and then it's up to the administrators to file some paper work. I don't see why I have to be in class while they do this, though. But it's not a big deal anyway.

I am going to have some pizza now. And I'm going to play with my cell phone.

All done

I just got back from the last of the GED tests. They were math and reading, and they were very easy. I don't know why that stupid study book made them out to be so hard. It was good practice anyway.

I have very nice teachers. Every one of them responded to my e-mail. Regardless of how they run their classes and some of the things they do in class, they are very nice people.

By the way, Boston won 13-1 last night. They are winning 2-1 right now. So let's hope I don't have to boycott baseball next year.

Ahh

Ok, those GED practice tests I took were way harder than the actual test. Seriously. I wonder why that is.

Bradley update: Today Mrs. Bradley responded to the e-mail I sent out. Here was her message:

Thank you for writing this even though it must have been hard to do.
Everyone goes through hard times sometimes, so don't be embarrassed. If you want to talk, I am here.
I wish you well.

I really like Mrs. Bradley now. She's not a moron, or a demon, or whatever else I said about her. She's really a nice person. I should have known this from the beginning since she cared about her dog so much. Oh, well. I'M SORRY MRS. BRADLEY.

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Edit: my mom is very angry at me again. I wrote in my e-mail that things have been hard both at school and at home. She can't believe that I have problems at home. She thinks I mean she isn't supportive of me. That is not true. I don't mean that. But there are things about my family that stress me out. So yes, I have problems at home because this whole debacle is really hard on my family.

We aren't getting along right now.

What else is new

I am so stupid sometimes.

Today I stood in line for lunch and when it was almost my turn to order I suddenly realized that I had no money left in my lunch account. I stepped out of line, and then I looked in my backpack. I found five dollars. I didn't want to stand in line again and wait, and they would probably be out of food by the time it was my turn anyways. So I sat on a bench and waited for lunch to be over.

Mrs. West (support counselor) called me in to see her today during physics. She just wanted to catch up. She recommended that I e-mail my teachers and tell them what has been going on.

On this bench at lunch I started thinking about things, and this lunch deal made me very upset for some reason. Ok, I sweat excessively. I hate this. I started thinking about this and how no one is ever gonna want to be with me if I sweat like this. I won't be able to hold hands with anyone.

So I got really upset and I didn't want to go to class like that. I sat in the quad when class started after lunch. Then this guy came up to me and asked me where I was supposed to be. I told him, and he said I should either go to class or go to the nurse's office. I went to the nurse's office and had my mom take me home.

Now my mom is really, really angry. She said she can't stand it anymore. She thinks that everything's about me and that I want to be sad. She said "what can you possibly be upset about now? Everyone is bending over backwards to make things happen for you." I thought about taking the steering wheel out of her hands and moving into oncoming traffic.

I am going to e-mail my teachers now.

Ring ring

I just got back from the test. Actually I got back at seven, and it's now nine.

It was very easy. You get two hours to write an essay and do fifty multiple choice questions. I did it in an hour. So I got to leave early.

We had to put our cell phones at the front of the classroom during the test, but I forgot to get it back when I left. So I had to go back.

There were nine of us total. The others seemed very young, probably my age. I took it at Village High School, which is where the "bad" kids go. Maybe the kids I saw were from Village.

When I went back to get my (mom's) cell phone I saw that most of the people were still taking the test.

Speaking of cell phones, my mom and I just got new ones. They are very cool looking. They take pictures, too. I took a picture of my cat Bernie and set it as my wallpaper. Then my mom wanted me to take a picture of Bernie for her phone, so now our phones are identical. They're black, which matches my hair and my car.

Tomorrow is the social studies and science tests. Those should be much harder than tonight's test.

Testing, one two three

Tonight is the first GED test. It starts at 6:00 and goes til 9:30.

I met with Ms. Edwards again today and she said it will take about a month after I get the test results for the district to exit me from Foothill. That's ok.

I tried to to look up the application process on the Las Po website, but it said they're only accepting apps for the Fall 2007 semester. I called the admissions office to ask about the Spring 2008 semester and I got a recorded message saying: "We are now accepting applications for Spring 2008." But the website doesn't say this. So I e-mailed the school with my question and I received this response: "We are now accepting applications for Spring 2008." Thanks. But you're wrong. Then I looked on the website again and it had a link to Spring 2008 applications. I swear they updated their website after I e-mailed them. I'm not crazy.

I learned today that Mr. Lipman is a homophobic idiot. Apparently J.K. Rowling made a statement that one of the Harry Potter characters is gay. Someone brought this up in class as part of an economic current event project. Lipman's like, "Why would she say that? What is wrong with her?" Um, maybe she said that because it's the truth. He thought that her saying this would hurt the book. But he also thought she was slamming one of the characters by calling them gay (dumb/stupid). Believe it or not there are gay people in the world, Lipman. And they're not stupid. The other day he made a lame joke about two guys who came into class under the same umbrella. What a moron. He's in a position of authority and he's acting just like all the other ignorant high school kids. Again, what a moron. Again, again, again..... !

I relate this to when teachers swear in class. Why do they think that is ok? I don't know.

Gah, why are my teachers so horrible?

Bradley update: ...... I don't even remember what we did today.

I had really bad cramps this morning so I didn't do Pilates. Tomorrow is a conditioning run. We just run for as long and far as we can.

I am very anxious right now.

I am going to take a nap.

Okay

My calculus teacher just called my house and talked to my mom. He was concerned about the paper I turned in today. I wrote some pretty weird stuff down. I wrote a conversation between two people about going to college. One of them said he/she couldn't afford it. Now my calculus teacher thinks I can't afford to go to college.

My mom told him that I just turned off after my plans fell into place and I knew I was leaving soon.

Mr. G said he thought I was making a call for help.

He also said he's gonna send an e-mail to Ms. Edwards.

I can't believe I let this happen.

Thanks, guys

The World Series starts on Wednesday and the Rockies are my new best friends.

We are loyal to you all season. We watch you play every single day. And this is how you treat us.

Today we had an assembly and it was the worst Foothill has ever put on. It was in honor of Red Ribbon Week. This ex-addict stood there yapping while swinging his legs back like he was going to kick someone in the shins. He kept talking about how good he felt while he was high. Then quickly at the end he barfed up his message. "Some of you are on the road to death. The seed of addiction has been planted. Some of you will end up in prison. You are going to DIE!" A very powerful speaker.

This assembly made all the periods shorter except for fourth period, economics. Great. Over an hour with Lipman. He made up a funny word today. "Interchangements." Well, he's good for something.

Today was test day in calculus. I didn't take it. I just sat there and wrote down all the things that were in my head. A lot of what I am writing now. I turned that in.

I've been playing Mah Jongg every day for hours. It's a great stress reliever.

Yesterday I went to Del Valle Regional Park. I went by myself. It is a very cool place. I like to take a walk along the water.

Tomorrow is the first GED test. They span three nights, each three and a half hours. I think it's the writing test first. This is the easiest one because all you have to do is correct things like spelling and grammar. You also have to write an essay.

Bradley update: Still doing absolutely nothing.

Steve is a Red Sox fan who's in my economics class. We've been arguing about which team is going to win the ALCS. Today he wore his Boston sweatshirt. I was thinking how sweet it would have been if I could wear my Grady Sizemore jersey that my mom got me for my birthday. Steve didn't say anything to me, which is good because I probably would have punched him in the face. But save your judgments. He's a very nice person.

Anyway, I didn't do much else today.

My mom called Ms. Edwards, my counselor, on Friday to ask her if I could leave sometime this week. She hasn't called back yet.

So I am waiting for Ms. Edwards.

Gram: How would you feel if I came to stay at your house around November 1st? I know you wanted me to come and help out during December when people are doing their holiday shopping, but maybe people will start early.

Bye!

I am full of hate today.

I hate the Red Sox and their fans. I hate that the weather is warming up. I hate the Christian conservatives' "family values." Why are there so many immigrants in the workforce? Because all the Americans have been aborted!

But other than that today was pretty good. My sister and I went to the mall and bought some clothes/toys.

I drove my car for only the third time since I got it. It has new windshield wiper blades.

The Indians are losing after someone hit a grand slam in the first inning, following Manny's strikeout. Why do they always do this? Why?

Anyway, I hope you all are having a good evening/morning/whatever it is.

No champagne tonight

The Indians lost last night. So they have to win it in Boston. C.C. Sabathia only allowed two runs, but Josh Beckett only allowed one.

Today I saw my good friend Jennifer, the one who's gonna be valedictorian, making out with her boyfriend. This is so bizarre because she is the most asexual person I have ever met. He is the boy she went to prom with last year, but I didn't know they were going out or whatever. It was just very strange.

I've always been jealous of Jennifer because she has a really nice body. I guess boys think so too.

Well, I'm happy for her.

Bradley update: Mrs. Bradley gave me a C on this essay I wrote on the Epic of Gilgamesh. She said I write really well and that I have a great depth of thought, but that I didn't use enough quotes from the text. She had said she wanted paraphrasing, not just quotes. Oh, well. Doesn't matter anyway.

We subscribe to People Magazine and one came in the mail the other day. On the cover was a picture of George Clooney and Matthew McConaghey with their respective girlfriends. The caption read: "Sexy men in love!" I think that is some horrible editing right there. Haha.

Anyway, nothing really exciting happened today.

The Indians and Red Sox play on Saturday. Make sure you send Cleveland some good vibes and energy.

Bye Joe

Joe Torre turned down an offer for a 1-year contract to manage the Yankees next season. He would have had to take a pay cut. I guess he thought it was a set up to be fired next year.

The Indians could win the series tonight.

On the Red Sox's 3-1 deficit, Manny Ramirez had this to say: "...if we don't make it, who cares? There's always next year. It's not the end of the world."

I don't think your manager wants to hear that, Manny. I can't believe his comment. He's so arrogant and yet so nonchalant. So you're just gonna give up all the work you put into this season just on the hopes you'll make it next season?

Not that I am not happy Manny isn't trying. The thing is, he doesn't need to try. Things just happen for him. That's what makes him so hate-able.

Anyway, I put up a picture of the Man-eater for you all to look disgustedly at.

I'm hungry, version 2

Happy October 17. I just decided to celebrate this day.

Yesterday I left my PE clothes in bio so I couldn't participate today. But since it was raining all the PE classes were inside the gym and we just played basketball instead of doing Pilates. I locked my backpack inside the teacher's office in the locker room. Happy now, school?

I worked on my GED practice tests today during class instead of doing what I was supposed to be doing. But oh, well. I did pretty well on them.

Today in economics we spent the period in the computer lab researching the stock market. It turns out my partner Jason really does want to do this stupid game. I hope he doesn't mind if he has to do it on his own. The whole thing is just very confusing. Several people have tried to explain stocks to me, but I just can't grasp it.

Today was test day in bio. It was ok. I admit I didn't study for it as much as I usually do. Tomorrow we have to write a couple essays on stuff from four different chapters. They cover respiration, photosynthesis, mitosis, and meiosis. There is a lot of math involved in these four things.

Bradley update: Today Mrs. Bradley demonstrated her poor whistling skills. She claims it's easier for men to whistle than for women. She also says that women float due to an extra layer of fat under the skin. Why did she talk about this? I don't know.

I just learned that there will be a volunteer orientation at the Oakland Zoo on November 17. You need to fill out an application and do a little interview. I hope that works out. That would be a great way to spend my time in the coming months.

That is all for today.

A very worthy post

Ok, so I take the GED next week. And I get my scores back ONE WEEK later. One.... week. It takes SIX weeks to get back SAT scores.

That's TWO WEEKS left of Foothill.

I can't get over this.

Oh, and some new clothes I bought online arrived today. Today is a very good day.

Stupid Rockies

"Again, again, again... chwenty, chwenty, chwenty...." Ahhh, Mr. Lipman!!

The Rockies are going to be in the World Series. This is not right. The Diamondbacks are a much better team. Colorado made the playoffs on a bad call. Holliday was not safe! But oh, well. All I care about is the Indians. They make me happy.

I leave my backpack in the locker room during PE. They want you to lock up your stuff but my backpack doesn't fit in the locker. So I just leave it out. Well, today during class some administrators came and stole stuff out of our packs. They took my cell phone. I had to go to the office at the beginning of third period to get it back from the vice principal. He was trying to make a point. Now he is gonna call my house to tell my parents that I don't lock up my backpack at school. Doesn't that seem a little ridiculous? What are my parents gonna do about it? Scold me? Whatever.

Today in economics we partnered up for a stock market game. Apparently there is a site online that gives you fake money to invest in the stock market. The couple that has the most money at the end of the game, a month from now, will be exempt from taking the written part of the final in January. This thing is not required and I really don't have the motivation or desire to do it. My partner, selected randomly, is a guy named Jason. He seems really dumb. I don't think he'll want to do it either.

I drove A.J. to school today. He said thanks, so I guess he really doesn't mind me driving. It started to rain when we were driving home, and my windshield wipers don't work very well. They just smear the water droplets. But it was ok. I could still see.

Today I am going to the adult education center to register for the GED. I'm taking it next week. I am very excited for this test. Nervous too, because if I don't pass then my whole plan is shot. But that won't happen.

I just tried to call the Oakland Zoo to ask about volunteer stuff, but the volunteer lady is out sick today. So I will try tomorrow.

I recently learned that there is a new addition to the San Francisco Zoo. A grizzly bear. Yes, those horribly terrifying bears that once roamed very extensively throughout North America. I really, really want to see it. But I bet it's one of those zoo animals that always hides in the back of its enclosure. Like the sun bear in Oakland. Still, I think it's really amazing. It's always fun to see something that could kill you if it weren't for some fences and concrete. Even though I like seeing dangerous animals, my favorite has always been the lemur. Remember my time at the zoo? I got to feed them. I'll always remember that.

Bradley update: Today we started reading David and Goliath. Actually, it's just one page, so we finished reading David and Goliath. But, just like Book of Ruth, Mrs. Bradley will somehow find a way to extend the story for another two weeks.

Now I am going to go sharpen my only remaining pencil.

Another blah day

I got my "Mastering the GED" study book today. Some of it sounds pretty hard. But that's alright. You only have to answer half the questions correctly to pass. Just like the ACT.

This morning I went and got a parking permit form so I can park my little car at school. Tomorrow I am for sure driving A.J.

I got my hair recolored today since it was starting to fade. I got some bangs to go with it. It's very cool.

The Indians just beat the Red Sox. Hooray! Now I am watching the Rockies game. If they win tonight they are going to the World Series. Poor Arizona.

Bradley update: Mrs. Bradley doesn't like anything I turn in. She gave me a D on this essay outline we had to write. At the top she wrote "good ideas." She gave me a D on this list of themes from Genesis we had to make. She checked off every one I wrote down and still gave me a bad grade. Jeez. Maybe she's right. We really don't have a chance to pass the class.

I am very tired today. I have been having very strong dreams. I dreamed the other night that my dad murdered us all. Doesn't make for a very pleasant sleep.

I am going to stay up til nine, even if the game isn't over. I just want as much sleep as possible.

Good night.

Gah

Sweeney Todd was pretty amazing. All the actors/singers played their own instruments. Everyone was on stage for the entire duration of the play. All the props/furniture/etc. were on stage the whole time. A very disturbing story. But very entertaining.

I got really mad at my dad at dinner after. He was playing with my sister at the dinner table and they were making really loud noises and clapping their hands while others were trying to speak. I asked them to please stop. My dad said that an eight year old doesn't need to hang on her grandmother's every word. I told him if you don't care what she has to say then go in the other room instead of sitting there being irritating and rude. He said I am allowed to say how I feel even though I'm wrong. Then I left the room.

I can't believe this annoyed no one but me.

This makes me really angry. Why does he have to be that way? Why can't he just recognize that he's being annoying and then stop?

I don't know.

As of right now the Indians and Red Sox are tied 6-6. After tonight's game they will be moving to Cleveland where there will be no more irritating Sox fans.

So I am not feeling good at the moment. I think I'm gonna go to bed.

Stupid Indians

"Actually I'm gonna take the GED."

"The what?"

"The GED."

"...what?"

"THE GED."

"...why?"
-----

"Ok, good luck with that."

That is how my conversation with my psychiatrist went over the phone yesterday.

She understands. I think.

I don't think A.J. wants me to drive. Every time I offer, he's like "no, no, it's ok. I'll pick you up." It was his idea to carpool with me. So, why is he saying I don't have to drive? Dude, I want to drive! Sheesh. Maybe he thinks I am a dangerous driver. Or maybe he's just being weird. I dunno. It's mildly irritating.

Well, Cleveland didn't exactly follow my plan for them last night. They lost 10-3. Manny Ramirez got walked twice with the bases loaded. Pathetic. Manny would stop and wave at his teammates when he was on first base. What a moron. He thinks he's so special. I think the Diamondbacks lost too, but I went to bed before the game was over.

If Boston makes the World Series I am not gonna watch it. I'm not gonna give them the attention that they want. Losers.

In other news, I am off to San Francisco in about an hour to see Sweeney Todd - the musical about a murderous barber. I have no idea what it will be like.

Last night I taped Man vs. Wild: Sierra Nevadas. Apparently Bear tames wild horses in this one.
I will report back later today.

What a blah day

It's raining pretty hard outside.

Well, the Rockies won last night. Diamondback Justin Upton took out Kaz Matsui at second base and interference was called. He was out in a double play. This angered the crowd a little bit and some stupid people started throwing things onto the field. They will now spend some time in jail.

Bradley update: today we performed our Socratic seminars and talked about the Book of Ruth in front of the class. Mrs. Bradley volunteered me to go first. I went with a couple of other guys who were smart, so that was nice. It was ok. I said some reasonably intelligent things. Now we are moving on to David and Goliath.

We continued Pilates in PE. Still hard.

Today the Newb introduced the famous bridge project. We are to construct a bridge that will hold 75 pounds. It isn't due for a while, after I'll be done with Foothill. So I don't have to do it.

Mr. Lipman was gone today and Mr. Robarts subbed. Oh, Mr. Robarts.

Last year my history teacher fell and broke his leg, and he was out for six weeks. Robarts became our long-term sub. He is about 100 years old. He can't hear. He can't speak. He fills the board with illegible handwriting. He goes on and on about the stupidest things. He talked about his son's time in the air force today. What does that have to do with anything? He took five minutes to take attendance, too.

Today was lab day in bio. We looked at some cells under the microscope and tried to determine which stage of mitosis they were in. We had to kind of make our data up because it was really hard to see the little bits and pieces of the cells. But it was fun anyways.

I am behind on my calculus homework for this week. Today we had to turn all our assignments in and I didn't have any of them. I just don't even care anymore.

I guess that's really bad. But I just want to start over.

I have an appointment with my psychiatrist today at 5:30. It will be over the phone since she isn't in Pleasanton right now. I will have to tell her about my plans. Hopefully she will understand.

So I'll be getting my car back on Monday. Did I already mention this? I forget. I told A.J. I'll drive every day next week. He offered to drive on Wednesday because the traffic is bad on that day.

The Indians are playing at 4 and the Diamondbacks are playing at 7. That is how the rest of Friday will go for me.

Where is my Spectra??

"Again, calculate your total earnings at five percent interest over chwenty years." Whatever Lipman.

My computer is making a very strange and disconcerting noise.

I am very angry right now. The other day I lost my best pencil. Then I started using this really cool erasable pen, but I lost that too. And today I lost my replacement pencil. So I'm all out of pencils/pens. Why, pencil gods, why?

The Newb was absent today in physics. We continued our pointless lab. I overheard this girl talking to some other people and she said that all the people she's talked to who go/have gone to SDSU don't like it because you actually have to study there. Apparently there is "nothing to do except schoolwork." Um.... what do you think college is for, idiot? Luckily I wasn't outwardly mean to anyone.

But today was also very good. Ms. Edwards pulled me out of physics to talk about the GED. She says it's a great idea. She told me that I am very bright and that I can do anything I set my mind to. I love Ms. Edwards.

All that's left to do is register for the test, take it, then hopefully pass it. Once I can hold it in my hands, I can leave school.

Ms. Edwards told me that I may be able to continue taking my bio class while attending Las Po at the same time. That would be cool, since bio is the only class I actually look forward to every day.

My grades for this semester won't count for anything and won't show up on any transcript. That's good. They are very bad right now.

Bradley update: Today Mrs. Bradley continued talking about nothing. We were supposed to start our Socratic seminars, but she used up all the class time yapping on and on.

My stomach muscles hurt very badly right now. Pilates. Your abs are constantly being squeezed and pulled. It hurts.

My car is still in Hayward. I really miss it.


I've been thinking about the nature of AP classes. Why do some people take so many? Do they do it just for the sake of taking an AP class? What is the point of it if you are not actually interested in what the class is about? It's a waste of time and effort to take so many. A lot of my friends are miserable because they are overloaded with crap that they don't even care about. AP classes are OPTIONAL. You are not being forced to take an uninteresting course. So why??? Gah. Colleges care more about your personal interests and if you are taking classes that go along with a certain theme. If you are interested in math, then take AP calculus. But don't take AP English at the same time. Show colleges you have a method to your madness, not that you're spread out all over the place with no coherent point. Or don't even do it for college. Just take something for fun.

Well, this is a very boring post. Sorry.

Oh yeah, the NLCS is on later!!!! Go Arizona!!!

Oh my

My mom just taught me a lot of my family history. On both sides.

It was very enlightening.

----------

Today Ms. Edwards called me in to see her during 5th period. I was taking a test in bio, so she is gonna see me tomorrow morning instead. I hope she takes me out of Bradley's class. Or economics.

Bradley update: Today Mrs. Bradley got really mad at a kid in class. Someone was whistling softly and Bradley got all flustered and said, loudly, "can you please stop! God!" Poor Mrs. Bradley. We continued to read the Book of Ruth. For, what, the seventh day? Gah.

Today in economics Mr. Lipman had us do a stock market simulation. We each had to make up a company and incorporate our names into the company's name. A kid named Luke Greenaway made up the best one. His company was Luke's Pool Cleaning and his slogan was "we take the green away." I thought that was pretty funny. Luke's a cool guy. He was one of the top three nominees for homecoming king and he plays a sport of some kind. I had a class with him in the ninth grade and he's been really nice to me ever since. He always says hi to me when he sees me around. I just like him a lot.

Well, my company was Grayce's Auto Dealers. My stock was worth ten dollars. I didn't really know what we were supposed to be getting out of this game. I guess we'll go over it tomorrow.

I really hate playing games in class. Mr. Lipman had us play a review game a while ago in preparation for a test. I just think they are kinda pointless. Do you play games in college?

Actually I don't really care for Lipman's class at all. He treats us like we are in the sixth grade. He has us fill out this assignment sheet that tracks all the homework and quizzes that we've had. We have to write the date assigned, the date due, how many points it's worth, and how many points we received. He gives us credit for this. Is it just me, or is this sort of childish? He also gives us points for taking proper notes.

Now this is why I like my bio class. We just do our labs, take our tests, and take our own notes the way we want to do them. We study how we want to. And if it doesn't work, then we change it. Lipman checks on every little thing as if we are incapable of doing it on our own. That just really bugs me.

Today was lab day in physics. I sort of understood it, but not really. The Newb's directions and explanations did not help whatsoever. As usual.

In the Newb's class there are handful of seniors. I know them all and have tried to work with them in the same lab group, but they kind of shut me out. Maybe it's because I'm... mean? Naw, couldn't be. So I started my own lab group with a couple of juniors. One I have seen around since middle school. His name is Frank. My lab group is better than theirs, na-na. Just kidding. I think they are a lot smarter than we are.

I had to see how far I could run in 9 minutes today in PE. I ended up running 4.25 laps. That's just over a mile. My teacher said we should shoot for 6 laps. Yeah, not happening.

Well I probably won't be driving A.J. tomorrow like we had planned. My car is still in Hayward and may not be ready until tomorrow. So I have to call A.J. and tell him that. Jeez, I want to drive my car, dang it!

My car does sort of have a little... quirk. When I don't touch the steering wheel it swerves to the right. My dad says that might have something to do with the tires. But oh, well.

Tomorrow is the NLCS!! Rockies and Diamondbacks. I am really looking forward to this.

Now my mom wants me to go clean the floors.

See ya!

Edit: I came home today to find my neighbor taking magazines out of my garbage can and bringing them over to his house. Why? I dunno. They are some seriously weird people though. The cops have come asking about them a few times.

My car

Zoo....?

Did I mention that I love my little car?

A.J. didn't need a ride to school today so I just drove myself. So fun. I haven't driven in a few weeks. I want to drive A.J. every day like he was doing for me.

Today we switched seats in calculus. I now sit dead center in the front row. Why me, again?

That singing dude in physics was bouncing his foot on my seat. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to seem like a total monster, having already gotten annoyed with him before. But can we just switch seats in physics??

I will have the months of December and January off. I don't know what to do with that time. I tried to call the Oakland Zoo to ask about volunteer opportunities, but no one answered. So I will try again.

Bradley update: We have been reading this two-page story called the Book of Ruth. For six days. Can we slow down the pace any more? Tomorrow we are to give a Socratic seminar in which a couple of us at a time go sit in front of the class and discuss the story. How many new ideas are 36 people supposed to come up with? Gah, so pointless.

Today was our first day of Pilates. Yeah, harder than yoga. All my muscles hurt right now.

Mr. Lipman says the word "twenty" very oddly. It's like "chwenty." I think it's funny.

Mr. Lipman loves pugs. If you don't know the answer to a question on a test, you just write "I love pugs" and he will give you a point. I guess pugs are kinda cute.

I think my mom was trying to organize her extensive collection of catalogues. There are a couple piles of them stacked in the other room. But they are also all over the floor in a big mess. I bet my dog Max is responsible. Mom will be very mad.

Today there was a blood drive at my school. Everyone was walking around all sick and light-headed. I didn't do it.

-----------

My mom just got home and said we are going to the pumpkin patch again. And she made the catalogue mess. It's her "to throw away" pile.

Anyway, a very long day. I hope you all are having a good one.

Smile

Eric Wedge smiled!

So it will be Indians and Red Sox.

It is the end of an era. Joe Torre is gone. Rivera, Rodriguez, Posada - all free agents. All gone.

I don't know if I will be a Yankee fan next year. It won't be the same team.

Oh, by the way - 13 straight post-season appearances. Under who? Torre. Think that's a coincidence?

Sigh.

So, Indians: you better remember that plan I made up for you guys. If not, I'm no longer an Indian fan.

And I've already given up on the Mets. So baseball is pretty pointless right now.

BEAT THEM SOX!!!!

See ya Schneider!

We switched seats today in economics. I now sit dead center in the front row. Worst possible seat. Why me?

I left my economics folder at school on Friday so I didn't have my notes to do the stupid commercial assignment. Oh, well.

Today I met with Mrs. West (support counselor) again. She said I should meet with my regular counselor to discuss the details of getting the GED and quitting. I just realized that I forgot to sign up to see her. I guess I'll do that tomorrow.

Mrs. West said she'll be sad to see me go. I think part of me will be sad too. I mean, not all aspects of high school are bad. I have good friends. There are some teachers that I actually liked. And I'll really miss my biology class. (Today Joey was in my lab group. I *heart* him.) But that said, I am not gonna miss anything else.

Mrs. West wants to have a meal planning session with me. I don't usually eat at school. I'm also underweight. So I guess that means I'll be bringing food from home, since every time I do try to eat at school, there is no food left. I always buy a bottle of water, though.

Today the Newb lectured our class on spending more time studying for tests. He was of course talking to the four people who got a D or an F (namely me.) Yeah, I get it. I'm an A student - I don't need to be told how to study. I am just in desperate need of a tutor. There will be a meeting on Wednesday that prospective tutorees should attend to set up tutoring sessions. I'll have to go.

I saw the Newb after school. He was wearing gym clothes. A.J. says he's a jock. I think he's actually a football coach or something. He loves the Angels, so he was in an especially bad mood today. Not that he's in a bad mood regularly.

I found out that Mr. Schneider is resigning. Apparently he can't afford health care and he is expecting his second child. So he's gonna work at some corporation.

How do I describe Schneider? Well, we have a complicated history. Let's just say he's not one of the teachers I actually liked. In fact he may be my least favorite teacher ever, even worse than Bradley. He was mean and always yelling. He threw things around. He was the most unorganized teacher. When I did home study in the tenth grade, he lost all the work I turned in. The next semester he gives me a C because he doesn't have this work. He's a moron. Actually I can't describe my exact feelings for Schneider. You just have to know him.

He almost got fired last year. He teaches the leadership class and somehow he did something illegal regarding support for politicians. I can't really remember why. But now he's gone.

Mr. Lipman, my economics teacher, suggested that Schneider's former students give him a thank you/goodbye visit. Can I just tell him, "F you?"

Bradley update: Mrs. Bradley has finally cleared my cut. That means I don't have to sit through a meeting with her. But I do have to see her every day anyway. Today we wrote an essay in class that's been put off for about three weeks. Other than that, we've been reading the Bible and ..... just sitting in class listening to Bradley yap on about random things. "Take notes!" she says. Take notes on what exactly? What are we supposed to to be learning here? She's always saying we have to learn the "standards." Writing, reading, and speaking. Ok, so that's nice. Why don't you teach us how to do it now. I hate standards. Do they have standards in college?

Tomorrow I am gonna drive A.J. to school. Now we can have a real carpool. A.J. listens to classical music in the car. He'll have to listen to my New Zealand rap music from now on. Or Jersey Boys. The passenger side handle on the outside of the car is sort of falling off. It still works though. I have to figure out how to clean the windshield so I can go crash the car again. Heh. Just kidding.

I love my little car.

Tomorrow we are starting Pilates in PE. That should be interesting. I am not sure exactly what Pilates is. I'm thinking it's sort of like yoga?? I dunno.

So that's all for now. I believe..... yes, the Yankees and Indians are playing today. It's a must win for New York.

Edit: OMG Grady just hit a lead-off home run! Yikes.

Vroom vroom

Well, I have a car now.

It's a black 2002 Kia Spectra. Really cute. I got it at ACA Cars in Dublin.

The dealer was very nice. I drove it around a bit before we bought it. I looked at a few other cars, too, but I liked this one the best. I found a red Ford Focus on Vehix.com that was supposed to be at ACA but it wasn't there. I really wanted that car.

So it's sitting in my driveway. I just put gas in it. My dad is gonna take it in tomorrow to get an oil change and a few other things looked at. But other than that it's good to go.

We found a good quality Plymouth at the first lot we went to, but it played only cassettes. So I passed. Yes, it matters that much.

I'll try to put up a picture of it soon.

In other news, the Yankees are not going down without a fight. They're winning right now and Joba Chamberlain just struck out the side. They still have a chance. I'm sorry, Indians. I love you, but I love the Yankees a little bit more.

Apparently George Steinbrenner is being stupid and said that if the Yankees lose this series Joe Torre will no longer be manager. I can't believe that. Whatever.

The Angels are out for good - they lost again today. Poor Angels. I've always liked Vladimir Guerrero.

I am so tired. I still have some homework to do. For economics class I have to watch six TV commercials and write down what kind of appeals and general advertising techniques they use. Stupid.

Kenny Lofton is batting now. I'm... going....to...go...fall asleep.

Growl

(Remember the deal, Eric Wedge.)

I watched "Grizzly Rage" on the SciFi channel last night. It was about a group of twenty-something teenagers who run over a baby grizzly bear and come across its angry mother. In the end everyone died. The kids managed to lock the bear inside an abandoned cabin and they walked away in relief as slowly as possible. Of course the bear clawed its way out and then ate them all. It was very entertaining.

On commercials I checked on the Rockies/Phillies game. They were tied in the eighth inning until a Colorado pinch hitter batted in the winning run. I am very happy the Phillies were swept.
Arizona also swept the Cubs at Wrigley Field. So it will be Diamondbacks versus Rockies in the NLCS. I am rooting for the Diamondbacks. No one would have picked either team at the beginning of the season.

Speaking of the Rockies, Les Stroud stranded himself in the Rocky Mountains on yesterday's Survivorman. He ate nothing but a couple of berries for the week. He came across some moose in Canada's boreal forest. He said the scariest thing to ever happen to him on the show was when he came close to a bull moose. He says they are the most dangerous animals in North America. Even more dangerous than the grizzly bear.

Les made fire by rubbing two sticks together. Yes. I think he is actually a genius, because he writes and plays music, too. He wrote the show's theme song. He is just a very talented, resourceful guy. And a genius.

"Grizzly Rage" made me think of Timothy Treadwell and his unfortunate encounter. He was a film maker who wanted to study the grizzly bear. He spent time in Alaska tracking them, but he romanticized them a little too much and ended up dead. He also took his girlfriend with him. Their deaths are on tape. The camera lens was still on, so only the audio works. But it still exists; no one destroyed it (at least to my knowledge.) Pretty horrible.

I remember a documentary made about Timothy, which was really amazing, that was nominated for an Oscar. Ellen DeGeneres made a spoof of it on her show as part of an Oscar reenactment segment. I thought this was sort of uncalled for. Making fun of someone's death. Oh, well.

Anyway, the Yankees are down to their last hope today. So are the Angels. The National League turned out great for me yesterday, so I am expecting the same today. Ok? Good.

I can't tell you how much better I feel now that I have a good plan for the coming months. I am excited about things now, whereas before I was just waiting dead like a vegetable for something to happen. A plan was all I needed. A goal and a future.

Cuz he's Grady. Woah, woah, woah, cuz he's Grady. Talkin about that little Grady... and he's playin for the tri-ibe.

Well.....

I just got back from taking the SAT. It started at 8, it is now 1:30.

It went sort of .... bad/ok. I did much better on the ACT. I was in the top 5 percent.

My essay topic was : "Is it possible for someone to be truly original?" What the heck are you supposed to say??? I have no idea.

ACT essay: "Should the legal driving age be raised to 18?" That was a lot easier for me.

I saw my friend Mike and he told me that his essay was going great until time was called. He wasn't even half way done. He wants to go to MIT.

Mike is the type of person that takes five AP classes in one year. He says that's what it takes to get into MIT. Well, I wish him luck, but... Mike, you're gonna be burned out!

My good friend Jennifer is going to be valedictorian for our class. She got a 2200 on the SAT. The perfect score is 2400. She has one of those super brains that seems to learn quick and remember forever. I hate and love her.

The Diamondback/Cubs game is on at 3. The Phillies and Rockies are playing at 6. I want Arizona to win because they have a beautiful and air conditioned stadium. They also have a giant floating Pepsi bottle. I know because I went to a game there last summer while visiting my grandparents. I also want the Phillies to LOSE because they took away the Mets' playoff dreams.

My mom got an e-mail a little while ago from the Mets organization. It was an "I'm sorry" letter, apologizing for the Mets' pathetic performance at the end of the season. The letter hinted at "major changes" that will take place in the future. Well, no major changes need to be made to that team. They are a great team, and they have a great manager in Willie Randolph. I hope that they don't decimate (I don't know why that word is highlighted) themselves, but that may be the case. If it is, it's a stupid decision.

Well, unfortunately Grady played a role in the Indians' win yesterday. Not what I wanted to happen. But oh, well.

I have Man vs. Wild and Survivorman episodes taped. I'm going to go watch them now, and report back on any disgusting and/or amazing things these two guys may do.

Oh...my...god

I thought I hated Manny Ramirez before tonight. I thought it was not possible to hate him any more than I did. I was wrong. Dead wrong. Manny Ramirez has ruined my night. Thank you, Manny. Thank you, you fat, ugly, toad of a man.

It's obvious the Yankees are out - they're just doing their thing. It's obvious the Red Sox are in - they're just doing their thing. So here's how it's gonna go down. Indians and Red Sox:

I want Grady Sizemore to rob Manny Ramirez of a homerun. Twice. I want Manny to strike out every other at bat. I want Grady to make five excellent diving catches. I want Victor Martinez to hit... three homeruns. In one game. I want Terry Francona to get thrown out. I want David Ortiz to get thrown out. I want Coco Crisp to get caught stealing. I want to see Eric Wedge smile.

That sounds like plan. GOT IT??

Grady

I found this cute little video on Youtube. It's a Grady Sizemore montage. You MUST watch it... or else.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ0Dk4qOYT8

And here's a clip of Grady giving Casey Blake a pie in the face.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUDCjg-t7Vg&mode=related&search=

Still hungry

I just got back from A.J.'s house. We talked about the Newb and Mrs. Bradley.

Do you think it's fair for someone to buy four cheeseburgers at lunch, for their friends? If their friends want a cheeseburger then let them stand in line like the rest of us. I hate standing behind someone who orders a million cheeseburgers and three bottles of water just to have the lunch lady tell me she's out of food. What's up with that?

I spent lunch today watching some senior boys play basketball on the quad. Some of them were really good and some not so good. I don't know why I found that to be very entertaining.

Today in bio Austin said to me, "I want your eyes." He said he doesn't like having brown eyes. I actually think he would look really strange with blue ones.

I hate the class of '09. They are trying to sabotage the senior class. We have class shirts that say: "Seniors: we're kinda a big deal." '09 made some stupid shirt that says: "Juniors: we ARE a big deal." There is also a shirt they wear that says: '"continuing the legacy" and lists the classes of '06, '07, and '09, but skips over '08. Why can't they let us have our senior year and our senior fun?? Idiots. That really bugs me.

Well, my physics test wasn't that bad. Maybe I got a D instead of an F. I hope I can take physics at Las Po. It will probably be a harder class, but the teacher will be much better. The Newb just can't teach.

I found my Jersey Boys CD. My dad had taken it to work to make a copy.

Grady just scored a run in the Yankees/Indians game. My mom said he hit a triple and made a great catch. Why does Grady have to play well when I'm not watching? The teams are tied.

Ok, I'm going to have dinner now. If I don't pass out from hunger first.

I'm hungry

Well, there's a test tomorrow in physics that I wasn't aware of. I guess I'll get an F.

Bradley update: this morning Mrs. Bradley was MIA. No one knew where she was, including the vice principal. We took this opportunity to describe the lovely job Bradley is doing. Maybe she'll get fired. Then she can spend all the time she wants with her stupid blind dog.

I talked to Mrs. West, the support counselor, about my plans today. My mom called her and told her what they were. Mrs. West thinks this is a good idea. I was worried she might think I was making a mistake. But she told me "you're finally taking care of yourself." Yes, I am.

She still wants to hold a meeting with Bradley, however. This will be on Monday. I guess I'm staying in her class for the remainder of my time at Foothill. That's ok.

Apparently there is a zoology class at Las Po. I will definitely have to take that, since it's what I want to study. I think it would be cool to have a zoology course at Foothill. We have an anatomy class - I can't imagine how you could make a year-long course based on body parts. So why not animals?

I've noticed that my economics teacher has an annoying habit of beginning every sentence with the word "again." Again, what? What is happening again?

Today we had a school-wide rally. For homecoming. The homecoming football game is tonight and it's being televised throughout northern California. I used to go to football games in the ninth grade - they were pretty fun. I guess I ran out of school spirit.

My mom is bringing home KFC for dinner.... I am really looking forward to that.

Well, I know this post has been very random. But that's how my thoughts are, I guess.

...Oh, I just realized the Yankees are playing the Indians right now! *turns on TV*

The Yankees are winning by one run in the first inning. They're playing in Cleveland because the Indians had a better record than New York. Man, I want both teams to win! Why can't they both win???? Boston beat the Angels last night. I hate Boston.

I've tried to talk to boys at school about baseball, but they never listen to me. I guess they think I don't know what I'm talking about. What could a girl know about baseball? Well, I know a lot, thank you very much.

Cleveland just scored a run. I've decided that I want the Yankees to win, but I'm gonna root for Grady whenever he comes up. Yes. That is satisfying. What I don't want is for the Indians to win and for Grady to strike out every at bat. (He had the second most strike outs in the American League in the regular season.)

Now the bases are loaded for Kenny Lofton. Ok, I won't do a play by play. Sorry.

(Lofton just got a base hit.)

Alright I'll stop.

Later!

Haha

Ok, I think this is so funny. Remember that physics project I had to do? I made a really stupid poster with a picture of a rocket on it and everyone else made cool, functioning mobiles. I put absolutely no effort into it. Well, I turned it in today and Mr. Newbery said to me, "oh, I like this one - this one is great," and gave me extra credit. Whatever, I'll take it. ..... oh my god I think that is so funny.

Bradley update: still no meeting with Mrs. Bradley.... I guess that's not happening. She told me today that she would finally clear my "cut." I still hate her.

My mom has been taping every new show that comes on. There's about twenty different ones that she's trying out. I think most of them sound pretty dumb, though. I only watch Lost, but that won't be on again till February. In the meantime I've been watching America's Next Top Model with Tyra Banks. I think it's fun to see how mean and dumb some girls can be. It's actually quite entertaining. Some of the girls are really nice, and those are the ones I root for. One of them has Asberger's disease. Someone in my zoo volunteer group over the summer had that. It's a mild form of autism, and this girl on the show is alienated by the others. I don't know how long she will last. I don't think she's that attractive either.

I watched another Man vs. Wild the other night. This time Bear ate a dead sheep's eyeball. He found a sheep, dead, randomly, and decided to eat its eyeball. He was in Iceland. I don't know if I can keep watching this show. It makes me want to throw up.

But Bear is nothing compared to Les Stroud on Survivorman. Bear takes a camera crew with him and only stays out there for a couple days. Sure, he's more adept at catching food and sure, he has climbed Everest, but he brings matches and lighters to start fires. Les brings no one, films himself, and survives for an entire week. He doesn't bring any stupid matches. While in the Arctic Les attempted to make an igloo but failed and slept unprotected one night. When he woke up the next morning he found fresh polar bear tracks about six feet from his bed. Pretty scary. He also slept unprotected in Africa, in prime lion and leopard territory. Bear came across some alligators while in the Georgia swamps, but he didn't sleep with them.

Les also spares his audience the disgusting factors of surviving. He hates to kill animals and never shows himself doing that. He doesn't show himself gutting and skinning his food. Bear just does it for everyone to see, stabbing his knife into a turtle, skinning a dead deer, and breaking a rabbit's neck. I guess he does it for shock value. Well, it certainly is very shocking.

------ I'm trying to look for my Jersey Boys CD but I can't find it. Oh, well. It must be someplace.

Anyway, here's a clip of Bear eating a dead zebra. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdkX7KG-tlg. (Bear, you're not a lion.)

Argh

I hate it when teachers call on you randomly and expect you to say something intelligent. Why don't you go jump off a cliff?

I looked up test dates for the GED and they are in October. There is also an official test site right here in Pleasanton, which is nice. The dates are October 23, 24, and 25.

Applications for Las Po are being accepted starting November 19. So when that goes through and I get registered, I can quit Foothill. That means two more months of school.

Bradley update: still no meeting with Mrs. Bradley. But I can handle her for two more months. I think.

I have my last SAT test on Saturday. I haven't been studying for it. I don't know if I'm gonna go take it, though. I guess I could just see how I would do. My mom bought me two huge study books from Amazon.com that I hope we can return. I need to buy a GED study book now.

Well, I looked up the Accomplished pose. It is very, very simple. You just sit in a cross-legged position. It's good for the knee and ankle joints and it improves blood circulation in the lower body. It's also a good meditating pose. A couple of girls presented their poses today and one of them said the word "like" just about every other word. I hate girls who sound dumb when they talk. You're in high school - learn to speak properly.

Good news: everyone did so badly on the calc test that we all re-took it today in groups. The answers my group came up with were mostly the same as the ones I came up with on my own. So that was good.

I finally gave a statement over the phone to the insurance dude. He kept calling me while I was in school. Duh, I'm not home. Now that $5200 check can come.

Guess what? A.J. used the word faggot today. I didn't say anything because he was sort of talking over me when he said it. He was referring to the insurance dude that I was complaining about. Oh, well. He also needs to learn how to speak properly. Even though he's a homophobic, war-philic republican, he's still a good friend. Yes, I made up the word war-philic.

Well, we got some pretty good pumpkins yesterday. I picked out a huge one - the biggest we've ever gotten. It's really smooth and even, too. A couple years ago someone came and smashed our carved pumpkins on Halloween night. I'm hoping that doesn't happen to my perfect pumpkin. I also picked out a cool little squash. It's a dark green, almost black, with a little bulb attached to a curved sort of handle. My mom says this is not "random crap" as I had previously mentioned. But I still think it is. Interesting random crap.

.... that's all for today. Bye!

Sigh...

Ok, I failed my calculus test today. It was horrible.

But the day will get better because we are going to the pumpkin patch later. Yay!

Well, I've been doing some talking with my mom, and we have decided that I will graduate early and go to Las Positas community college next semester. I think this will work best. I'm not ready to move out but I am ready to leave high school.

That means that all my hard work and good grades and good SAT scores won't amount to anything, since community colleges don't care about those things. But they will be a personal accomplishment, even if I don't get rewarded for them. Yes.

Today was lab day in bio. My lab group is interesting. There's my friend A.J., an ugly girl named (I can't remember), and Austin, the only person who's more stressed out than me. Austin is cool, we like to study together and he's really sweet. But man, today he was saying how much he hated his life at the moment and how sick he felt and how much he wanted to die and how little sleep he got and ..... on and on. Poor Austin. He thinks that cute guy, Joey, makes sounds like a dolphin and is really annoyed by him. Yeah, Joey is pretty annoying. But it seems like everyone in that class is pretty annoying. Especially Evan, the one who cheats. Today he decided to abandon his lab group and go around disrupting everyone else. When he came over to our table I yelled at him to go away. This annoyed the ugly girl, who thought I was being mean. Whatever. If she loves him so much they can go get married and have very ugly children. (Yeah, I guess I am kinda mean.)

Bradley update: well, no meeting today with Mrs. Bradley. Too bad. I was really looking forward to that... Anyway, I have been going over and over again in my mind how I want to make my plans clear to the counsellors and such. I want to do this as soon as possible.

Now I am going to have some Spaghettios and ruminate over my plummeting grade in calc.

(I'm going to be ironic and wear my Foothill High School sweatshirt to the pumpkin patch.)

Happy October

I'm sort of having a hard time this morning, so I'm gonna go in at lunch.

I didn't sleep last night. I was worried about a math test and also my meeting with Mrs. Bradley. I know she won't be at school today because she's taking care of her sick dog. So hopefully the meeting will be tomorrow.

That's all I have to say.

I can't do this anymore.