Tales of p2p

Here's a list of some of the infamous songs that I'll never forget because of the trip:

Jack Johnson's album In Between Dreams (Never Know was our good morning song that we played every morning)

Right Round- Flo Rida

Fire Burning- Sean Kingston

Boom Boom Pow- Black Eyed Peas

I'm on a Boat- The Lonely Island (this happened several times due to overnight ferry rides)

Baby Got Back- Sir Mix A Lot

I Love College- Asher Roth

La Bomba- King Africa (we learned an Italian dance to this song <3)

Chica- Culcha Candela

Big City Life- Mattafix

And a song about African children crying no more and dynamo and a better tomorrow that none of us could find haha

We played lots of dance music on the bus and in the clubs on the ferries.

No one used the club on the first ferry ride because it was empty. On the second ferry ride me, Kelsey and Francie were being teenage girls and dancing with each other instead of with the guys because they weren't doing much of anything (even though all but two of them were present). It was about 15 minutes before bed checks and Boom Boom Pow came on. Travis was doing some funny dance move during the beginning so we were like "YES they're not just standing there". Then Right Round came on and they were loosening up. We were excited, we were going to make the most of the time before bed checks when suddenly they all froze. The girls and I looked behind them to see Jim LaPlante (aka the leaf) standing there, grinning like he had just fulfilled a certain manly want of his. We screamed and bolted in the opposite direction. We didn't want a creeper like him seeing a bunch of girls grinding on each other. After we were down a few floors from the club we stopped to catch our breath. Jim Sobanik bubonic jump up on it electronic jumped down the stairs and informed us that the leaf was pissed. We walked him to his room, so that he wouldn't get caught being alone (a major no no in the p2p protocol), and then found Travis, who told us the same thing in a much funnier, more animated way. Then as we were talking to him the leaf appeared at the top of the stairs. He crept by us while laughing sketchily as we tried to avoid eye contact with him. We failed dismally at pretending to be highly interested in the large mirror that covered the wall. It was incredibly awkward. We ran back to our rooms, completely traumatized. Then I traded that story with Hannah for the one where Sweet Pete punched Klebage in the face.

I might as well explain that one.

For future reference Hudson's last name is Klebs, pronounced just like it looks. That didn't last very long, and people started saying Kleebs. This soon turned into Klebage. Peter's name is Sweet Pete, but that doesn't really have much of a story. It just rhymed.

Klebage is pretty chill but can be really awkward. He reminds me somewhat of Shawn Callahan. It's hard to be around him for more than a couple of minutes before the conversation is strained and awful. He can be nice, though. He was usually the one to get my suitcase off the bus because I'm such a wimp. He can do this really cool trick to make cards disappear and oh my God it's awesome. Magic is so attractive.

Sweet Pete is pretty obnoxious and immature. He's also very materialistic. The only time I ever believe he acts his age is when he's talking about money or cars or weapons. (He burned down a forest and once we caught wind of this story labeled him as the group's pyromaniac. He bought several lighters and knives, which he collects, while we were over there.) I'm such a Debbie Downer, I need to be a Positive Polly. But really even after I told him I'm afraid of fire he continued to wave a lit lighter in front of my face until Travis told him to knock it off. I'm pretty sure Sweet Pete had a man crush on most of the guys on the trip, because he was always trying to impress them.

It was late, so I don't really remember a whole lot about the story. The gist of it was that Klebage turned off the light to go to sleep when Sweet Pete used his key to enter the room. Then he turned on the lights and went into the bathroom. Klebage turned off the lights again because he thought Sweet Pete had left and he was trying to get to sleep. Upon exiting the bathroom, Sweet Pete stumbled and got frustrated with Klebage, saying if the lights had been off he wouldn't have hurt himself. He then punched Klebage in the face and left the room, storming the halls of the ferry by himself. This explained why these two boys were the only ones not in the club at one point or another during the night. They're cool now, but Sweet Pete was wicked pissed before, which is really sad 'cause Klebage is pretty chill.

The cast of p2p

The trip was amazing. It's probably the best time I've had in my life. I met some wonderful people, got to see great things, it was a perfect chunk of my summer. Now that I'm back in the states there's a part of me that's a little under the weather (I forgot how cold Maine is), but I'm trying to stick some genuinely good advice.

Don't frown because it's over, smile because it happened. ~Dr. Seuss

It's going to take me forever to sort through all the pictures I took, so those will trickle onto facebook eventually. In the mean time you can correlate the few pics I've uploaded with the names I'll be mentioning.

One of the girls I got to know is named Sara. I love her, she's awesome, we even have a handshake. She's had such a rough past but she still smiles like youthful optimism. I find this very admirable. She lives in Cape Elizabeth, so that's not terribly far away. Hopefully I'll still be able to see her. I still miss her, of course. Why can't everybody who's wonderful just live in Kennebunk so I can see them whenever I want? How incredibly selfish of me to wish haha

Two girls I befriended, they're pretty much a pair, are Kelsey and Francie. They're great, and they live in Scarborough and Saco so I'll be able to chill with them. Lots of inside jokes started with us. I love them. Kelsey's a girly partyer and Francie's a tomboy, a perfect combination. Francie works at Funtown so whenever we go there we must look for her in the food stands. Kelsey used to work at Funtown too at the front gate. It's just a town of fun people! (that was some kind of pathetic play on words)

One of the guys I got close to is named Travis. We actually had deep one-on-one conversations with each other, and I can't say that about most people. We would sit next to each other against the hallway wall and as an emotional subject came up, he would put his arm around me when I cried. If someone walked by and interrupted us he would say "We're kind of talking here, so if you don't mind-" and politely give them their que to leave. It was really sweet. He wants to be a psychiatrist, so he likes talking intimately with people. We discussed lots of things like our pasts, his religion (I asked 'cause I didn't know anything about Mormonism), our families, I even told him I was bi. I was relieved to find out he's not against homosexuality like facebook told me he was. (just some pre-trip facebook stalking to find out who's too cool for school and who's lamer than Mondays) He lives almost 2 hours away, so I'm going to miss him a lot. He's probably one of the most caring, accepting persons I've ever met in my life. Plus he's absolutely hilarious.

Max is a funny guy, but since he has dial up he can't get facebook which means I probably won't talk to him until the reunion. Lots of the guys (besides the equally comical Travis) didn't like him. They thought he was obnoxious and annoying. I didn't find anything wrong with him. I mean to say that I wouldn't want to be dating the guy but he's not bad. He always smelled good, though. And he's on the football team, so he has to be in shape. Those were some great pluses. haha

Jim was a pretty laid-back, funny in a slightly awkward way, classic rocker. We would sing Beatles songs on the long bus rides. Sometimes he would have these pms-y moments where he would make fun of me but I'm hoping he didn't mean it. A few of us would say this rhyme every 5 seconds or so that involved his awesome last name. Jim Sobanik bubonic jump up on it electronic. (We also listened to that song Apache (Jump on it) a lot, along with various others)

There were definitely a lot of other people I was friends with, but I'll explain them when they come up in stories. I'm going to try writing down as many funny or memorable moments as possible in future entries.

Probably one of the most important things I learned from this trip is one doesn't really know a person at first glance. People usually don't express themselves the way they really are, and they can't tailor themselves to anybody. You may think that you know someone because of the clothes they wear, but that doesn't mean anything. Not in this world. It takes a long time. Appearances are deceiving, and so are opinions and views and haircuts and jokes and the way lips curl into smiles. But hearts are wonderful things, and I'm sure life will treat us all well. We have the honor, the privilege, to know and love amazing people with magnificent shock lacing every step of the journey. Talk to someone. You might be surprised.

"I vish I vere a vitch vith wiolet, welvet, vings!"

Tonight I laughed harder than I have in a long time. I convinced my parents to play a game because they were being more civil to each other than usual. They agreed. It's always a good night when they're not arguing. We played Clue and it was epic.

Dad's awful at Clue, he always has been. He banishes his logical mind and frequently guesses weapons and suspects that he already knows about, which leads him to explain, "Ah yes...I was just confirming my knowledge." and chortle whole-heartily in an I'm-a-chimney-sweep-from-Mary-Poppins accent.

Mom is slightly better, but since I know how she plays she's not much of a threat unless she rolls really high numbers. Mom does, however, like to poke fun at dad for sucking horribly at Clue in her posh English accent.

For some reason we always revert to dialects and speech patterns foreign to America such as Russian, Chinese, African, etc. It's one of the highlights of living in a Wilson or Appleton residence.

{Quick side notes deserve the cool looking brackets. My immediate family all have different last names. Mama Wilson, Daddy Appleton, my sis Jessie Thompson, Jessie's dad Ted Orzech, grammy Alice Clunie, and then the whole rest of the family we never see: the Fairfields. How weird is that?}

Halfway through the game mom speculates out-loud, "The violet-hued Professor Plum in the dining room with the wrench." Upon hearing this color dad blurts out, "I vish I vere a vitch vith wiolet, welvet, vings!" in a voice resembling Count Dracula. Mom and I were baffled as to what he was saying. "Are you saying witch? -or bitch? Wait dad wouldn't want to be that..." "No, I vish I vere a VITCH vith wiolet, welvet, vings!" Seeing the two of us stare at him in utter confusion, he leaps up, clasps his hands together in from of himself and parades around the living room. "Sumo wrestler?" "Buddha!" "No, a VITCH a VITCH!" he exclaims. This vague manner of confrontation wasn't succeeding, so he picked up a guitar and began to ride around. "Oh, a vitch!" "Wait, so what's he saying?"

Dad was running around while perched on the guitar, cackling like the wicked witch of the west from The Wizard of Oz. Mom was muttering incoherent nonsense about dad's clever joke, purple vs. violet, and the Schuyler White song. (She had this stuck in her head all day and asked me on numerous occasions to serenade her with something non-Schuyler and/or the color white related.)

The entire scene was hysterical. That's when I said "I'm going to have a blogging extravaganza tonight!" Good thing I chose to exploit some of cyber-communication's many drawbacks. You can't hear the tones, the accents, the joke, and you can't see dad looking completely ridiculous. Plus mom's laughter is funnier than the new season of Paris Hilton's my new bff. (at least the first one was good, but this one actually has straight men. What the hell's up with that?)

For all of those who don't yet understand what dad was saying, if you replace the v's with w's and vice versa it states "I wish I were a witch with violet, velvet, wings!" Dad ended up hearing this hilarious phrase from his brother during their childhood and it stuck with him all these years. Good thing, too, otherwise we would've missed out on life. Spontaneously-planned family game nights are always worth talking about.

Being girly and music oriented at the same time

William Beckett. One of the several musicians who make my hormones happy.

The reason this glorious figure is the center of today's post is because he did two extraordinary things that only a true man could do (on his blog).

1) He posted Regina Spektor's video Laughing With and proceeded to tell how he has been a fan of hers for a few years and is "particularly blown away with her unique lyric and vocal phrasing/delivery." He also stated how this song inspired him and his amigo to write some new music. (Regina Spektor as an influence on The Academy Is...= hit of the year on Sara's ipod)

2) "Saturday Night Music Club" is a weekly feature where he broadcasts the great music of other talented artists. Last night was Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap.

How freaking awesome is that?! I knew I had good taste in girly men. Plus he's wearing an Obama shirt. It doesn't get much better than that. He's one of the only celebrities I've ever met. I met George Bush (Senior) once when I was like 7... in a fishing boat. :/ William's a lot cuter. And his hand is softer. kwefiywew I got to hold Bilvy's hand for five whole seconds!

Temporary moment of spontaneous combustion. Sorry, I got a little excited...

http://thewilliambeckettblog.com/

I put the link there in case you wanted to get some good tunage and stalk celebs and the same time. Happy Father's Day everyone. I still need to get my dad a card....crapsicles.

P.S. Even though he was in the hospital yesterday he's perfectly fine today (sorta) and shall hopefully enjoy a lovely day of celebration ambulance-free. He thanks you guys for all the concern. A kidney stone is probably the worst father's day gift he could have gotten. This'll make whatever I do look like he's the king of England. (I spelled king wrong three times trying to type that haha)

I remember when (part 1)

I remember when Sophie saved my life.

I was at my mom's house in the middle of a Maine winter. Mom was asleep on the couch (go figure), and besides her, I was home alone at the age of 6. Seeing as it was snowing and looked lovely outside, I decided to enjoy the weather. Dede was off doing her own thing but Sophie was there for me. I told an unconscious mom I'd be outside (I left a note for good measure), got my snow gear on, and headed down the snow covered hill in the backyard. Sophie raced me down the hill and despite my best efforts she would always win. I traveled to the boardwalk to look at the ice. I tested the slippery surface by putting a foot on. It seemed fine, so I gradually put more weight on it.

It didn't break. Sophie decided to stay on the boardwalk while I pretended I was pretty and could dance like a fairy. I heard a peculiar noise from a nearby animal and in my surprise I jumped, accidentally sliding over into uncharted territory. Sophie perked her head up as if she knew what was coming.

I fell right through the ice. The water was so cold I couldn't move my legs, and the water had soaked me so thoroughly that I couldn't propel my tiny self out. I started to panic, and as my breathing became unstable I actually started to inhale water, which made me freak out even more. Sophie knew what was going on and carefully but swiftly made her way towards me. She grabbed my coat with her teeth and managed to pull me out of the water and onto the boardwalk without harming me.

I was chilled to the bone and shivering all over. Sophie let go of me, thinking I would get up to run inside, but I couldn't. I couldn't move. She stared at me for a second, then maneuvered herself so that she was beneath me. She hoisted me onto her back and carried me up the hill. A few minutes later we were back in the house and the warmth allowed me to move again. When she saw me get up and hug her in immense appreciation she wore the happiest of grins I've ever seen in my life.

If there's one thing I can remember about my childhood, it's her smile. She will always be one of the most lovable, caring creatures I've had the honor of knowing. I never told my parents about this little event because I didn't want them to ever think they were irresponsible, because they're not. It was completely my 6-year-old fault.

But that was more than a decade ago. When Sophie got the tumor I started beating her in our runs down the hill, and soon those became slow walks. I have no doubt in my mind that she is one of my biggest influences. To be nice, to be selfless. To love others the way I wish I was loved.

One day on the way home from school dad turned right down Storer street. I immediately thought "What's going on?", this never happened. Knowing we must be heading to mom's house, we turned down our beloved Grasshopper Lane and drove to the last house. There was a foreign vehicle there and a small gathering outside our house.

Dread filled my system. I had been thinking this would happen for a while, but I still wasn't ready for it. The man I didn't recognize standing next to my mother was here to put Sophie to sleep.

All the hurried, rushed goodbyes didn't prepare me to see her smiling figure be buried beneath the shoveled mounds of dirt. Wave after wave of rich earth pounded against her golden, furry body. It didn't even sink in until much later that I would never see her again, that she was physically gone forever. She'd never scratch her paw on the sliding door again.

That was one of the saddest days I have ever experienced. I wrote for catharsis, not for enjoyment. I cry. I mourn. Tears stream down my face and I can't do anything about it, especially not when it's 2 o'clock in the morning with no one to hold me. I still remember how she would wait patiently at the door wishing to come in. She'd only bark once because she didn't want to bother anyone. Gratitude would stretch across her face every time she got to walk through that sliding door. Every time she got to brighten someone's day. Every time she got to make life a little easier for the rest of us.

Out of all the good hearted souls that enter this world, I was blessed with the best dog I could've asked for. I never truly got over her passing away. If she hadn't been so sick towards the end I would've felt better, but we all knew she was in so much pain and agony. She still tried to live on, for our sakes.

The closest I ever come to believing in God is when I think of her. I want her to be safe, to be happy so badly that I sometimes quickly mutter words of hope, a "prayer" if you will. I'd like to think it pays off, but who knows. No one really knows.

I miss you so much. I hope whatever is after life is treating you well, because you deserve it. You deserved so much more, Sophie. I love you, I always will.

I support love

I finally came out on facebook. :)

Prom, peeps to peeps, the letter P seems to make me happy haha

Last night was prom. Mucho fun! I sincerely enjoyed when Zac (:] :] smileys for Zac!) requested Britney Spears from the dj. I'm not gonna lie, she's one of the embarrasing, pop, hit-single artists that I like. Brit Brit's on my shower mix. I have really nice showers.

Next year at The New School will be another adventure: Pirate Prom. It's the perfect occasion to don my peg leg and train Chi-Chi, the lovable parrot, to spew inappropriate words from his beak.

Today there was a p2p meeting. We had a presentation due. Being the procrastinator I am, I did most of my section the hour before the meeting began.

Somehow I managed to have a good idea. I looked up some Italian phrases, thinking that would be a lot more useful than knowing about Italian pre-schools and what exact percentage of Italians speak the different dialects that all sound the same to us uncultured Americans.

So I was the last person to present in my group and at the end I asked that the crowd repeat those phrases after I stated them. I WAS SO RELIEVED after it went so well.

This whole year I've been making a conscious effort to be less shy. It's been a challenge, but I'm slowly seeing the changes. It's awesome, actually having people notice me and not think I'm a loser. After my presentation four parents came up to me to tell me how great I did, and it made me feel really good. Granted, one of them was my dad haha. I respect people who can go up to someone they don't know too well to compliment them and be vulnerable, even if just for a moment.

(I feel really pompous right now, writing blogs about myself has that effect on me haha)

owaertohiru!! I'm currently watching Daisy of Love instead of doing my homework, and I went on yahoo answers to see what song they always play when the incredibly attractive Fox enters the scene and someone on there spoiled tonight's episode! And some girl posted "I feel horrible for Daisy because all those guys on there are hideous (except for 12 Pack but he's kind of a douche). " 12 Pack? Are you serious anonymous yahoo answerer? Out of all the cute, gorgeous, musically-inclined sex gods on the show you had to pick one of the few who AREN'T cute? grrr they didn't even know what song it was anyway. :( The tv just showed a commercial for the show with the awful slogan "Wanna pluck?" because Daisy is a flower, but it sounds like she needs to pluck her eyebrows. haha

I've joined the track team, and I'm SO glad the season is almost over. Running sucks. A lot. At the 1st meet I went to (which was actually the 3rd or 4th meet) I did the 800 m and got fourth to last and at the next meet I got second to last (but I improved my time so it's alllll good). I'm just gratful I haven't gotten last...yet. Tyler got 5th on the mile!! Woo-hoo! :)

I took my IB music exam on Friday. 6 questions, all worth 20 "marks" (Europeans are so cool!!). I was pleased with the extract from a Jimi Hendrix song. haha The exam was two and a half hours long, and afterwards I went to history instead of skipping the rest of the day like we were allowed to. We ended up having the most awkward sub I've ever seen in my life while we watched a movie about Somalia that I didn't understand in the slightest. All the characters looked the same, it was confuzling my little mind. And then band is a joke, so I could've just left school. Lame poop.

I need to start my homework for tomorrow, considering it's almost 10 o'clock. haha but here's a poem I felt like writing. Nothing big, just one of those short five minutes things. I've been feeling happier recently because of my great friends who make me feel better about myself. :) Arrivederci y'all!

Sprouting like kites upon a cloudless beach sky, my butterfly soars with blinding splashes of balloon color.
I am aware that yours is misplaced, but don't fear.
She is alive and well, I feel her heartbeat as you dream fondly of cherries upon nitrous oxide
Mountains
Turning into cliffs
Nightmares become frequent, until I find her
And when I do, she shall be the most beautiful relief
Because flying across fields with flowering gems will be the landscape of the
Future
Some might wonder about you.
But she's there.
An adventure for your light may be in order, and if so I'm ready when you are.
I have uncorked my bottle of comfort because safety never seemed so silly before now.
You make me realize just how wonderful our secluded planetarium is, why metaphors and symbols shooting across imagination's realm bring joy to every core of my skeletal figure.
If a butterfly could be split in two, I would share.
But reality isn't one to humor us.
I will help you in different ways.

With much love,
Optimism