A Relaxing Sort of Busy

Last week, I had the privilege of reading two freakishly awe- some pieces of literature: Thoreau's "Walden" and Emerson's "Self-Reliance." The former helped me find peace in a busy week; the latter, meaning in my exis- tence.

Inspired by some combination of these, a stack of old quilting patterns, and a three- day weekend, I spent the end of last week in an especially productive manner. I started making a stuffed patchwork dog, finished all my home- work during breaks at the theater, read a 500-page book on recommendation from my cousin, and formu- lated a brilliant business plan that could be executed (or at least semi-successfully endeavored) by a cooperative of three or so teenagers.

And I feel great. Sure, there were a couple seams I needed to rip out on the dog, and a couple cues I nearly missed trying to take notes on the Oneida colony, and a couple hours of sleep lost to particularly interesting plot twists, and a couple thousand dollars between me and the realization of my terrific retail concept, but I honestly couldn't care less. I suppose this is because it feels nice to do stuff just for the heck of it. I was busy last weekend, but it was a very relaxing sort of busy.

On Monday (Veterans Day), it's back to reality with a Peter Pan rehearsal, which should ensure that we're Broadway-quality by opening night. Alas, my inner crybaby dislikes the encroachment on the sacred three-day weekend, as much as my logical side has tried to suppress such thoughts. I tried to make some far- fetched point about how vet- erans fought to defend our freedom, which we gained through the Declaration of Independence, which guar- antees the right to life (social or otherwise), liberty (aka free time), and the pursuit of happiness (more free time!). No dice: rehearsal's still on.

No, really, I'm excited for Opening Night. It's not just because my little brother's playing the lead role (not that I like to brag him up or anything). But it's seriously going to be great - the acting is incredible, from little Michael Darling's adorable tenacity to the make-you- want-to-roll-in-the-aisles antics of the pirates. The sets are gorgeously complex, and the costumes even more so. (Every time I see the croco- dile, I jump.)

Oh, yes, and there's go- ing to be a Knowledge Bowl meet on Tuesday the 12th. That's another thing I did this weekend - started on a parody of Poe's "The Ra- ven" that incorporates most of WHS KB's inside jokes. For your reading pleasure, an excerpt is included below: As the moderator lectured, preppies in the room con- jectured That our zombie was no zombie, he just needs to shower more. Then the finger started inch- ing - like a larvae, rippling, twitching, Right across the table, 'till it tumbled down upon the floor It kept crawling. We screamed more.

Sweet dreams, everyone!