The Sleeping Porch: Exposed

Oh the sleeping porch...let me give you an idea of what this perfect little sleeping habitat is like. The porch is a small room at the end of our hall, filled with 5 bunkbeds, an overabundance of fans, one unused death trap of a heater, and an absurd amount of squirrels. It is always dark, courtesy of some duct tape/construction paper rigging on the windows- we like to keep things aesthetically pleasing, and cold. Sometimes an extra set of socks is necessary. Ideally, the porch would be a place for a restful nights sleep- this, however, is hardly the case. Some nights we engage in squirrel volleyball or dodge the squirrel. Others, some inhabitants have a little too much fun and bring the "joy of the evening" right onto the porch.There has been bunk-bed shaking and the occasional "angry emily."  My favorite part of the porch is the occasional night terrors courtesy of Mary Alice and Sage. According to Sage a roll call was necessary at 3 and Mary Alice was sure we were all being abducted- Jerry would never let that happen. Recently I have discovered someone's bed needs some WD40 stat! Every time the unknown culprit moves the dogs howl because the squeaking is so loud. I have the misfortune of having a top bunk again. For my clumsy and easily bruising self this predicament has turned out to be quite deadly for me. The first week of school I knocked over a fan and almost took out Emily. I have come close to falling off the side and gotten some sweet bruises from hitting the rails on the way down. If I do not have a bottom bunk next year things could be bad. Every night when I enter the porch I must watch out for Kathy's personal fan. I am convinced she sets it right in my path to get back at me for stealing her personal stool. After I dodge the fan I must remember the massive space heater which is conveniently located right next to my bed. I spider monkey it past the heater and onto the bed only to be met with no less than two squirrels under my sheets... thanks Lolly.

hey

Ahh yes. We have just returned from Christmas break, classes have begun, and it's still chilly outside. Naturally, for Alabama students at least, it's time to start thinking about Spring Break. Though the week of frivolity is still a couple of months away (52 days, not that I'm counting), hotel bookings and elliptical crazes have started. Here are some various tidbits, both personal and general, about SB.

My SB spectrum:

freshman year: the rite of passage. I think Corey Smith's song suffices in summing this week up.

sophomore year: loads of fun without the naivety. Been there done that. Can relax this year after surviving the rite of passage.

junior year: something different. Ready for a change. No need to work on the beach bod, thank goodness.

senior year: the final blow-out. Who knows what this will comprise of...but hopefully something to live up to its title!

Being a deep South Alabamian, I consider myself at least partly knowledgeable about Alabama/Florida beaches. Here are my takes:

Dauphin Island- lots of fun, but probably more so for locals (I have to be a snob)

Ono Island- ask Reed. :)

Orange Beach- really good time. sophomore yr experience. little bit calmer than its friends down the road, but can still be crazy fun.

Panama City- wild. very. but fun. freshman yr.

Perdido/Soldier's Creek- yet again more of a local spot. probably my favorite.

Destin- yay for shopping.

Beaches along 30A (Seaside, Water Color, Grayton, Rosemary, etc.)- awesome if you have an extra jingle jangle in the pocket.

Words to the wise:

Contrary to what you may think or how many tanning bed runs you have made, you do need to wear sunscreen that first day on the beach. Red streaks enwrapping the stomach are not attractive on anyone.

Cookie Cake for breakfast is OK for a day. Not for a week.

If Morgan Sellers will be joining you on your vacay, do not eat ham for a month prior.

Avoid meeting up with high school friends who may be staying in your vicinity. No need for the awkwardness when you have plenty of your college friends nearby.

Panama City is the wildest, trashiest, most perfect Spring Break place on the planet. It is wonderful, if you let it be.

Club La Vela is the wildest, trashiest, most perfect Spring Break club on the planet. It is wonderful, if you let it be.

The Tiki Bar is the wildest, trashiest, most perfect Spring Break bar on the planet (unless you can get into the Flora-Bama). It is wonderful, if you let it be.

Plan on a daily trip to Wal-Mart.

Avoid mixing pop rocks and alcohol. Trust me on this one.

Listen TO this...

Ahhhhh Sundays....A day on which I can go to church, relax, catch up on some homework, and enjoy a meal with my friends. Sunday lunches have been somewhat of a struggle in 2010. After the barrel experience last week I never imagined it could get any worse. we were wrong. Today after the long period of contemplation in the parking lot of First Baptist Church, we decided to go to Zoes, a usual favorite among bloggers. Upon our arrival at Zoes, it seemed like it would be a typical visit, filled with yummy Greek food. The restaurant was packed, but nothing out of the ordinary. One by one we ordered our delicious meals and took our seats to patiently await the arrival of our lunch. Then the madness began. Morgan's meal arrived in an efficient and usual 4 or 5 minutes. We continued to wait. Another 10 minutes or so goes by and 2 plates of delicious chicken roll ups arrive. One was Kathy's, obvious by the lack of vegetables inside, and another was Courtney's, complete with potato salad. We continued to wait....and wait...and wait. Eventually, maybe after another 15 minutes, some more food arrived. Alas, it was not what Jodes had ordered. It was an "unwelcomed Chicken sandwich" in the place of her craved grilled chicken plate. Jodes decided to deal with the meal (smart choice). Let's see...whose meal is still not there? MINE. by this time it has been 30 minutes. The waitress asks me what I ordered and I responded, "Chicken Roll Ups". She runs off in a hurry. A few more minutes go by...she walks by and ensures that they are cooking. Let's now take a moment to discuss the chicken roll up. Pita bread, chicken, feta, tomatoes, onions. that's it. complicated? I think not. continuing on....Another man comes by and we ask if they have forgotten about us, and he too ensures us that they are cooking. Are they burnt by now? are you killing the chicken? Are you as incompetent as you seem? YES. Finally, the waitress arrives with a meal. It is chicken roll ups and 2 sides and a gift card to apologize. I was very thankful for the compensation as well as the thought of bringing me a surplus of sides, but alas Zoes...you have messed up again. She brought me every side BUT the one I ordered. At this point, the whole thing became a big joke. I just told her,"you know, thanks, but can I please just have some rice?" I got some. It had a dent in it, but you know...beggers can't be choosers. It was by far the craziest experience I have ever had in a Zoes. I felt as if I were in a dream...Thousands of plates of chicken roll ups floating around the restaurant, but NONE were mine. What a day.

More thoughts from the MIA bookend

Hello All, and happy 2010. I know this will be a good year for all of us. I have a few opening thoughts. First, the large bookend picture is quite retched of Lolly. I look sweaty. perhaps 2010 will be a better picture taking year for me. I can supply the blog with some lovely head shots if anyone is interested. Just send me some adoring fan mail and i will send out signed copies to anyone :). another thought: I am digging the new set up. Congrats to the lesser bookends on the lovely new design. Since I am bored in Gumptown I am actually blogging so everyone get excited. Many exciting things happened today including the premiere of one of my favorite shows: The Bachelor. Every season my heart tingles in my chest until I meet the 25-30 new contestants that are up for critique, judgement, and of course there to create some good laughs for the viewers out there. My personal favorites this season *CAUTION SPOILERS AHEAD FOR YOU LOSERS WHO HAVE'NT WATCHED IT YET*.....Vienna: The stereotypical floridian with the dog. she was creepy and the whole dog bit was very strange. Ella: YOU are wierd. Christina: brought jelly beans for all of the other girls who were going home and played a rousing game of airplane with Jake. what a winner. Roslynn: I will call you little rose for the rest of the season. Michelle: wow, that was just sad. I think she is emotionally unstable and will be a thrill to make fun of during her bachelor debut. Elizabeth is definitely my favorite so far!! This will definitely be an interesting season full of drama and thrills for the backhall. On a final note, the best show ever Modern Family FINALLY has a new episode wednesday night!!! peace for now.

Countdown no more

Finally, the 21st birthday countdown for me is over. I am now the only LEGAL bookend. The rest will just have to wait until May. That's crazy, isn't it? LA's birthday is May 12, MA's is May 16, and Jodes's is May 29. Guess I'm just the odd one out. Peace.