Finals Weekend

Why is it that whenever I try to spend a weekend studying, something screws it up?

You may doubt me, but I would have spent the whole weekend in front of books if it had not been for other commitments. Why are there sports events on finals weekend anyway? I'm surprised that BK allows that sort of thing; they seem to value grades alot more than athleticism. Of course I could be wrong. But Saturday was not a good day to study for me.

I was able to finish some of my homework Saturday, but only a fraction of my ridiculously large 50-page Spanish worksheet. I would have finished more, but it's amazing how many distractions you can find in your room when there's work to be done. About quarter til 3, I put my gear in the back of the car and headed out to hockey.

We were playing the Canyon County Coyotes. Most of them were eighth graders and girls, but they didn't play half bad. Unsurprisingly, the refs sucked and the other team was hooking and roughing without penalization. They actually turned out to be really aggressive, and at one point in the game, they half knocked one of our players down in front of their net, one of those classic brawls in the crease. At any rate, we tied them, 2-2, and I got a good assist (he really deflected it more than anything else). The team's improving a lot though, and we're probably one of the strongest teams in the league by now.

After that I had to hurry to a Varsity basketball game because I'm in the pep band and I had to play. On my way over I noticed that there was a room filled with food and marshmallow shooters. And understand me, I had had no dinner and I just got back from the hockey game. So what do I do? I casually walk in and try to blend as much as possible while taking a piece of delicious brownie. After eating a few snacks I grabbed another brownie and left. My friend Cameron saw me and laughed. "Look at him! He just jacks food and leaves!" Well he's pretty much right.

At any rate I soon found myself playing keyboard with the band. And I got to say, the cheerleaders get a lot more credit than the pep band does, and that seems unfair when it the band takes more effort. I have to get up an hour earlier for band practice every morning, almost without exception. Can they say the same? We played at breaks and timeouts throughout the game and then moved all our stuff back to the music room. My folks picked me up and I was looking forward to sleeping in.

But that didn't happen.

Instead I did what most catholic boys and teenagers fear: get up early for mass. An 8:00 AM mass. School starts at that time for the love of God! Oh well, it was a good mass. I really enjoy the Homilies the most in a mass, probably because it's the most original part of the mass. This one was a good one, and it was shortly followed up by an Anointing of the Sick. When the priest called for those who wanted the sacrament to stand up, Gary stood up. As he walked up, I looked at Mom to see that there was a tear rolling down her cheek. He sat back down and we all held each other as a family, suspended in that one golden, peaceful moment.

I hardly studied at all this weekend, but I spent some good time with my family. I'm content.


"Love...is the strangest thing..." - James and the Giant Peach

A fair enough Thursday

Fair enough day today. I’ve got nearly no homework except for a few things I’d like to get done ahead of time. To be honest that’s not usually my style. My style for school is usually the procrastinating mindset. Of course, this isn’t unlike most high schoolers, but I’ve changed my mindset today. Finals are coming up faster than I would like, and I’m suddenly thinking to myself, “Better do it today. It could be harder tomorrow.”

And just as it should be. As I have mentioned before, procrastination is the root of all evil. You never know what could happen tomorrow, so why wait for then? When you find out your huge project is due tomorrow, it helps when you don’t have to worry about the silly vocabulary worksheets that you haven’t done yet.

Speaking of workbooks, I’m going to have to make some decisions here. I’ve lost several schoolbooks, and I can’t decide whether to foot the bill myself or try to make it as long as I can without it. Currently I’m missing my Spanish hardback textbook, my Spanish workbook, and my vocabulary workbook. That could add up to as much as ninety dollars if they’re expensive. I’ve got one hundred dollars saved up in my debit account, but I can’t decide. That’s the thing about money; it’s hard to spend in moderation. I seem to go either go crazy, or save every penny. Well that’s life.

I’ve also found that I’m not supposed to blog during the week. My mom says I spend too much time downstairs. To hell with her, I don’t care what she does; I’ll find a way around it. I didn’t write daily for a month to have someone essentially shut down my blog. I’ll do something. Maybe write on the weekend or get more people to write blurbs. Whatever it takes, but you all can count on me being back here every day God willing. Keep reading!


“The shifts of Fortune test the reliability of friends.”- Marcus Tullius Cicero

Holding off

Ain't it true.

It's Sunday night, quarter past nine, and none of my homework is done. None of my homework is even started. I am inevitably, competely, and in all ways, screwed. Tomorrow is gonna be hell. And to think it's already Sunday. To think it's already November! I've got about a month and a half to get my grades the way I want them. And I can't even deal with tomorrow. The feeling from my first post is kicking in. I am overwhelmed. It's probably my fault, but there's no way to avoid it now.

But why does this keep happening? I'll tell you. Homework over the weekend doesn't do mie any good. There's work to do, but no pressure and no immediate compensation. Nothing. But come Sunday night, that's when I'm suddenly ready to go, because that's when the pressure hits me. But, there's too much homework in a weekend to do in a night. So I'm screwed, and it probably not going to stop.

So here's what I'll do. I'll stay up late tonight and do what I can, and get to school early and finish everything else. And if I can't finish it all, I'll use break and lunch to try to do the remainder. I really can't tell you the feeling that I've got right now. Anxiety. Anguish. Doom. I'm just wondering how I'll make it through the week right now. Good night and good luck.



"Procrastination is the root of all evil." - Patrick Connor

Saturday Procrastination

Boy, how I wish that I was here this weekend.

But no. That couldn't happen. I was supposed to hang out with a couple of good friends today (including the one who got my bracelet when I died (see yesterday's post)) but neither of the two have bothered to pick up their phone. So now I'm at home in front of my computer, writing yet another post. Needless to say, my accomplishment meter for the day is plummeting.

Now the real dillemma on days like these is whether or not I should do my homework. Now I hate to admit it, but quite frankly, I never do homework on Saturday. I'll do nothing all Saturday and work all day Sunday. I think that this is relatively normal for most ninth graders; they procrastinate as much as possible. But the only reason I ever get things done is if they're neccessary. So if I've got three days to do something, chances are I'll do it on the third day.

The only thing interesting I've done all day is get all my new ski gear at the annual ski swap for a pretty penny. My parents were quite distraught when they found that I had grown to the point where every single piece of equipment from last year had to be replaced. So after two hours of hectic shopping, trying on boots, and giving dirty looks to people who took equipment we had our eyes on, we finally had all our new ski gear for the family. I was ready to shred up the mountain.

The skiing season should be fun. I can't wait for some good snow. Unfortunately, homework can and will wait for today. I'm sure I'll regret it tommorrow. Procrastination doesn't get me anywhere, but I'm going to enjoy my wasted time.


If it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get anything done. - Anonymous