I've Been Thinking All Day...

Top 3.5 Reasons Lucie is in a bad mood (Redux)

1. She’s worried she’s pregnant
2. She’s worried she has to tell Aaron she’s worried she’s pregnant
3. She’s worried she has to go to the doctor because she’s worried she’s pregnant
3.5 She’s pregnant

Let’s re-group here. I found the test box. Is there another reason for the box to be in the trash?

Remember that episode of “Friends” where Phoebe finds the pregnancy test in the trash right before Monica’s wedding and she tells Rachel and they think it’s Monica and they’re happy and all and we find out later Rachel is lying and she’s the one who’s pregnant? Love that episode, although Rachel pregnant with Ross’ baby was kind of jumping the shark at that point. Not that I cared. I loved it!

Anyway, I’m Phoebe and I have found the test. Only instead of there being a Rachel and Monica, there’s only Rachel OR Monica. A pregnant one or a non-pregnant one. Which is it?

And when exactly was Lucie going to tell me? I am her sister, after all, her own flesh and blood. Her only flesh and blood. Wouldn’t she want to confide in me?

Bonus Blog

Okay, here’s something weird. I found a home pregnancy test box when I was throwing out the trash this morning. Not the test itself, just an empty box.

We know I didn’t buy it. And we know I don’t have any friends who would have sneaked in and put it there (April Fool’s Day was weeks ago).

Which leaves just one person who has access to our trash. My sister.

Could Lucie be pregnant?

Hitchcock? Who's Hitchcock?

Week Two of Lab…

“Hey,” T says when I sit down.

“Hey.”

“I brought the pins this time.”

(Last class, he forgot the push pins to mark the seismic activity.)

“Cool.”

Silence as we measure the latitude and longitude of various earthquakes from a list we printed out from the internet.

“You want to go out this Saturday?”

“Me?” I think I pointed to myself. “Uh, what’d you want to do?” D’oh! Who cares???

“Maybe a movie at the mall. Have you seen ‘Disturbia’?”

“Nope.”

“It’s sort of a remake of ‘Rear Window.’”

“What’s that?”

T rolls his eyes. “Classic Hitchcock. You never saw ‘Rear Window’?”

“Nope.”

T smiles, really big. “Okay, you’re coming to my house and I’m gonna introduce you to the classics. It’ll be my gift to you.”

“Your gift to me?”

“Yeah. I’m gonna school you on the best movies.”

I smile. I know I smiled. “Okay.”

This Post has No Message

I’ve been thinking about what Evelyn wrote and I don’t know what to say. I mean, I kind of like being able to express my thoughts on what I’m going through, even if no one out there is listening. Maybe especially because no one is listening. I can say what I want and what I think and isn’t that what cyberspace is all about?

I admit, at first I thought I wanted to say something important but I had a hard time figuring that out. Not everything can be an important message and frankly, I hate those kinds of things. I hate reading a book or seeing a movie that has a “message.” I don’t want people telling me what to think or feel. Just give it to me and if I think or feel what you want me to, okay, but when you put in messages and themes, you’re just manipulating people. And I don’t want to be manipulated. I want to figure it out myself.

So I write what I want and I say what I want. I’m not going to put out themes or messages. If I want to write about Rwanda or the war, okay, I will, but I’m not going to do it just to make a statement. Let other people do that, people who want to send messages to the world (like I don’t know people are starving in Rwanda or that the war was a bad idea - of course I do and so do you).

And maybe I do talk about T and Lucie and my personal life but maybe there’s something in there that someone else could relate to and so the message isn’t global but local. Hey, there’s a theme for you…

Is it something in the air?

Top 3.5 Reasons Lucie is in a bad mood

1. She lost her boyfriend
2. She lost her job
3. She lost her purse
3.5 She got a bad haircut

I have seen all of the above happen (sometimes on the same day) and yet, I can’t figure out what the reason is right now. She’s got Aaron and she likes her job and she just bought a new purse and her hair looks awesome. Yet, she’s in a lousy mood. She wouldn’t order a pizza with me Friday night which is really weird and she told Aaron she didn’t want to go to dinner last night which is unheard of. The Shanley girls are all about the free meal (not that you’re a free meal, Aaron, no offense).

Up and down and up and down go Lucie’s moods these days. I know it’s not our period (ours are synchronized, we’ve talked about this before) so I don’t know what’s up. And she’s being very secretive about things. She runs into the bathroom first thing in the morning and she stays in there until she has to leave for work. Doesn’t even come out for cereal and coffee.

No coffee?? That’s the weirdest part of all.

C is for...

...don't answer that!

Evelyn issued us “grades” on our blogs yesterday. Since she can’t officially make us keep them anymore, she can’t officially give us grades on them but she is offering “suggested grades” and has told us we can submit ours for extra credit if we want to. I submitted mine since I could use all the credit I can get.

I got a C.

With the comment, “Meg, I’m disappointed your blog has degenerated into a diary of sorts. You had the talent to stand out from the crowd of journals and on-line gossip fests and do something more original and you neglected that talent in favor of boy chat. I’d like to see you use your electronic voice to rise above the average blog and say something unique.”

Does this mean I don’t get the extra credit?

Sanjaya's Gone? Sniff Sniff...

I had not been planning to post about Idol because, well, honestly? I never thought this day would come. Sanjaya was voted off! I still can't believe I'm writing that. I mean, logically, he couldn't win it all - he shouldn't win it all - but yet...week after week, there he was.

First of all, the bottom three last night were completely wrong: LaKisha? Come on! And Blake? No chance! Chris R totally should have been there with Sanjaya. His argument with Simon that his nasally singing was deliberate was lame and annoying and simply to provoke an argument. No one was on his side after that and I don't think it was right for him to mention the Virginia Tech thing then either. That was inappropriate. That was a horrible horrible tragedy and he made it get lumped in with a discussion about bad singing.

Second of all, making Melinda choose which group she thought was the bottom three was tacky. Seriously, Idol producers, that was a stupid thing to do and of course, she wasn't gonna choose. We pretty much knew the group with Jordin wasn't going anywhere. She was amazing so anyone standing in her immediate vicinity was safe.

Third of all, I think Melinda should just be kicked off the show now and given a massive recording contract. She needs a makeover, yes, but she should stop with this Idol crap and go make records. And that would leave...

Fourth of all, Jordin should win. She's 17 which is a perfect age for a pop star. She's so pretty and cute and sweet and that voice! Wow! Plus I like that she isn't skinny like a Britney or a Lindsay or a Jessica. She's got curves and she looks like a real girl.

I think the contestants will be eliminated in the following order: Blake, Phil, LaKisha, Chris and then Melinda and Jordin.

Can there be a tie?

Sigh...I miss Sanjaya already.

Long-lost R

Are you wondering whatever happened to R, my geometry tutor and admirer?

Me too.

Our second session got canceled because he had a family thing and we never rescheduled. We still talk sometimes but it wasn’t like before when we were flirting at lunch and stuff. I wonder, and you can correct me if I’m wrong because I have no experience with this at all, if he knows or thinks T is interested and has backed off. Or would T have said something to him, like, I like Meg and I don’t want you asking her out? Or tutoring her or whatever? And not for nothing but R liked me first. I think. Well, he acted first. T took his sweet time getting around to me. So technically, I should be dating R.

Except I’m not dating anyone!

I don’t understand this. At what point does the actual dating begin?

Mmm...chocolate

Top 3.5 Chocolate Desserts

1. Entenmann’s Chocolate Fudge Cake
2. Chocolate Chip Cookies
3. Fudge Nut Brownies
3.5 Chocolate Covered Strawberries

The strawberries, as delicious as they are, get honorable mention because they are a fruit and fruit is good for you. When you’re eating chocolate, you really don’t want to think about healthy things. And don’t tell me dark chocolate is healthy because that’s when you get old. I don’t need to eat healthy chocolate now.

And why is this list here? Because T’s favorite desserts are chocolate ones and I am trying to figure out what to make him for his birthday.

Still no date! Not a formal asking-out anyway. We started our lab on Friday which just means we got the maps and markers and learned about fault lines, which most of us already knew since we live in SoCal. But we did move our seats around so we could be next to our lab partners and um, that was cool. I know I’m blushing but you can’t see it.

So T’s birthday is May 17th (Taurus, the bull) and I want to make him a special dessert. Not from a girlfriend to a boyfriend, although if we are by then, that would be cool, but just you know, one lab partner to another. Okay? Nothing more than that.

Yet.

Earthquake....Lab

Well, was I right or was I right?

About Idol, I mean…Haley's gone and she was (not that I notice these things much) pretty hot. Phil is way more normal looking than her and notice that HE made it through another round. Mark my words: normal is the new hot.

It’s getting closer to another weekend and T hasn’t said anything about the movie. But - and this is a big but, kind of like my own (lol! Yes, I’m in a happy mood!) - he has been hanging around me a lot lately. We’re not talking about anything major, like, I don’t know, deep thoughts about life or whatever, but…okay, let me give you an example.

I got to school late Wednesday morning because Lucie was a total mess about her hair so I had to help her flat-iron it which takes FOREVER! She said she would give me a ride to school afterward if I helped but she completely lied, of course. Well, not completely. She said she would after she finished her makeup but I didn’t want to wait that long so I left.

Oh, did I mention she got a new job? A receptionist in some dental office. At least it’s in RC and we don’t have to move again. Whew.

Anyway, Reggie was already gone since I told her she didn’t have to pick me up because Luce was driving me so I hopped on a bus (ugh) and got to school about 45 minutes late. I ran to my locker and just as I am closing it, who comes waltzing up to me but T? I guess he was using the boys’ room or whatever, I don’t know, I didn’t ask. I was just so surprised to see him there. He smiles, like he’s happy to see me and says,

“Hey, you’re late.”

And I’m like, “Long story” and I sort of stop. Like do I run off to class or stay and talk to him?

“You gonna be in Science today?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Cool. We have that lab.”

We’re doing an earthquake plotting exercise today. We got to vote on which lab project we wanted to do as a class (meteorology, geology, or astronomy) and nearly everyone picked the earthquake one.

“Yeah. That’s cool,” I say. Um, duh.

“You pick a partner yet?” he aks.

I shake my head.

“You want to be my partner?”

Um, duh. I think I smiled. I know I said yes. I’m sure I looked moronic.

“Cool,” he says. “See ya.”

This is definitely going somewhere, don’t you think?

Idol countdown!

It’s getting closer! Chris Sligh got kicked off a couple of weeks ago and Gina Glocksen last week. I was really surprised. I figured America would at least keep Chris in the top 5 with Melinda, Lakisha, Chris R., and Jordin because he was sort of normal-looking and America likes to promote normal-looking people. You ever notice that? Look at the winners versus the runners-up.

From the very first season: Kelly vs. Justin. Sorry, Kel, Justin was wayyy better looking.

Ruben vs. Clay? Hello, Clay, easily.

Fantasia or Diana? No question: Diana.

Carrie vs. Bo? Carrie was very cute but come on…Bo was hot.

And the number one example that supports my thesis: Taylor Hicks vs. Katherine McPhee? I don’t have to actually answer that, do I? I mean, you can figure that one out yourself.

So when you look at the contestants tonight, don’t just listen to their voices, because they all are really good singers. Instead, look at their relative normalness. The most normal of the bunch, I’ll bet you, will be the Season 6 winner.

The Results of Playing Hooky

Top 3.5 Things I Learned From Tyra Banks

1. Wait until your mascara is dry before you wipe off the smudges with a Q-Tip
2. Lean forward when your picture is being taken so you will look thinner
3. 160 pounds on a former supermodel who’s 5’ 10” is normal
3.5 Guest stars should always look fatter and uglier than the show’s host

We’re feeling a little better today but I gotta say, we were totally wiped out on Friday. We barely made the cinnamon toast and coffee and basically just sat around all day, watching television and taking naps. I think I’d rather play hooky when I’m feeling well. A day off is wasted when you’re sick.

Aaron was going to come make us dinner but he got stuck in traffic and called us at 7:30 to say he had to go back so he could make his rehearsal. For once, Lucie didn’t get upset. I think she was just feeling really bad so it didn’t matter if he came or not. And why would he want to get sick too? But it was a nice offer. I think he was going to cook macaroni and cheese which sounds okay but we can make that from a box ourselves. Maybe I will do that tonight if I am feeling ambitious.

I really really had hoped I would have been watching “Saw” with T last night (or doing anything with T!) but I didn’t think it was fair to cough all over him. I talked to him on Wednesday about getting together this weekend and he was totally up for it and I was so psyched! It was a totally casual thing, too, the way it all came about. We were in science and talking about our final projects and I just sort of blurted out, “hey, I still haven’t seen that movie yet,” and he was like, “Saw? Well, come on over this weekend.”

Just like that.

And if you’re wondering why I don’t write more about T, it’s because he reads the blog sometimes and I don’t want him to think all I do is talk about him. But occasionally is okay. R doesn’t read it (too busy planning the rest of his life, I guess) so I can say here that he and I have another “tutoring” session after school on Monday. (Sweet!)

It probably won’t turn into a date thing but still, it’s at the Bucks on Foothill which is where everyone goes to hang out so people will totally see us together.

But I’m having a bit of a moral crisis…not the two boys, are you crazy? That’s awesome! No, I am actually doing much better in geometry these days. I got a B- on last week’s surprise quiz but I told R I got a D. So should I tell R that I don’t really need his help anymore? Or do I pretend I still suck so I can be alone with him? Such a dilemma.

A Cure For The Common Cold

It’s definitely a cold and Lucie has it too. We’re both gonna play hooky tomorrow and watch soaps (cuz Luce has some work thing she has to do today) and make cinnamon toast. I love cinnamon toast! Everyone says you should eat chicken soup and drink tea when you're sick but I say, cinnamon toast and coffee!



Here's how I make it:

4 slices of white bread
cinnamon
sugar
butter
lots of coffee

While the bread is toasting, mix the cinnamon into the sugar well. Soften the butter in the micro. Spread the butter on the toast and then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over it. Slice diagonally for best results. Serves 2 with a pot of coffee. Yummy!

Note: Some people mix the cinnamon sugar into the butter and spread that on the toast but I think the butter gets too crunchy and doesn’t melt into the toast properly. So follow my directions instead.

Ooh, can’t wait! I hope there’s good stuff to watch on TV tomorrow!

Achoo!

I think I’m getting a cold. My nose was all stuffy and my throat was really sore last night. The last time I had a cold we were living in Tujunga (Did you know they shot some of “ET” there? Yeah, whatever, I didn’t think that movie was so great either but Lucie said it made her cry. Maybe when you see it in a theater or something but on a crappy TV screen, what’s the big deal?

And Drew Barrymore as a kid? How weird is that? The first movie I saw her in was “Charlie’s Angels.” I didn’t really believe they did their own stunts but that’s what they say. Lucy Liu looks pretty kick-ass but Cam Diaz and Drew? Come on…they’re totally girly-girls. I didn’t buy it for a second.)

A Message To Lucie

Top 3.5 Things That Cheer Up My Sister

1. Going on a date with “the guy”
2. Getting a call from “the guy”
3. Getting a text from “the guy”
3.5 Going on a date with me

This is a message to Lucie, so sorry if none of you can relate.

Luce, he’s just a guy and he’s also only human. He probably really is busy and he probably really was sick a few days ago. It has nothing to do with you. You can’t assume he’s dumping you! Why would he do that? Because you like him? That makes no sense at all. He likes you too. I don’t think it’s a smart thing to go find him - that’s like being a stalker. If he’s with another girl - and I doubt it - what would you do? Yell at him? Throw something at him? Just chill and do your own thing.

Didn’t we have fun last night? I told you it would be cool walking around the mall and picking out clothes. I can’t ever get Reg to do it but I love window-shopping. I pretend I have a lot of money and then I imagine what I would look like in really cool outfits. Sometimes I try it all on but only if the salespeople are cool. Sometimes they follow me around and keep bugging me but if the store is really busy, like it usually is at Forever 21, they ignore me.

And then going for coffee at the Bean? Wasn’t that fun? After all that shopping, we spent maybe 10 bucks, including the 2 coffees and the pair of hoop earrings we got on sale. Not bad for a Saturday night in RC, huh?

So just, I don’t know, enjoy hanging out with me sometimes and forget about Aaron. He’ll either call or he won’t but you won’t be sitting around waiting for him.

And that’s all I have to say. Except…

…someone better give me that advice soon because I have no idea what to do about R or T. Should I ask R out on a real date? Should I call T to see the movie at his house? Do I want to see the movie? Do I want to see T? Do I want to see R? Well, the answer to all those questions is obvious: yes!

And that’s no April Fool’s joke!