I'm feeling too lazy to try and think back about everything that happened this week, so instead of the usual GBU, I'm going to tell you about what happened today (there's plenty to tell).

First off, a little bit about yesterday:

For a few precious, fleeting moments, the sun touches the treetops on the eastern horizon with her golden fingers, caressing them, lending them ancient grandeur and youthful joy. And then sweetly, she smiles and dips her glowing head below the horizon, and the soft blue of the sky turns a downy gray.

The trees are dark as tar against the arctic blue of the sky. The clouds look like the landscape of an alien world, an illustration of an ancient northern lay.

'Kay, nuff poetry.

Yesterday was the first day we really worked on set design for this year's fall play, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown". I’m not in the play, but I’m backstage, working with people in basically the play atmosphere, although there isn't the stress and annoyance of having to work with the director (if you know him, you know what I'm talking about ha ha). And I’m actually being useful, unlike when I was in the corp of the cast--except when we were looking through props in that disgusting prop room. Actually, that's lots of fun and very interesting. But Tristin is much better at moving around those huge flats. Yesterday, Heather painted “HI” on the back of Tristin’s shirt. We're so professional.

We got a whole ton done today--if you go and see the play, you can look at the stone wall, and say, "Ashley helped paint that!" And the pitcher's mound--I didn't do the top outline, or some of the grass on the left, but I painted the rest. I'm very proud of it :).

The crew has a cameo in the play! It was something they were going to get teachers to do, but they couldn't organize it. Go see the play! Hee hee Don't blink; we're on for about thirty seconds or less in the next to last song of Act II (two act play only).

Speaking of art: I had a very interesting conversation with my drawing and comp teacher today. I don't know if I should tell you all this because it sounds like bragging, but I can't tell anyone else but my parents for the same reason, so what the heck. First, he asked me if I had taken art classes outside of school (I already told him on a former occasion that I hadn't taken an art class in school since eighth). I said no. He said I should seriously consider a future in art, because with as little (basically, no) training that I've had, I shouldn't be able to draw as well as I draw, which argues a great deal of natural talent.

And to think, I never thought I was that good.

I mean, people sometimes looked at my drawing and said they were really nice, and my mom supports me and stuff. But most of the drawing is in a kind of cartoony style (unless I've got a model to work off of, which I usually don't). And like I said, Mom's supportive, but she believes in always using constructive criticism (which is and huge help). But because of that, I hadn't thought she thought my drawing was all that great until the one time my aunt asked if I could draw well, and Mom answered, "Can she!" I was tremendously flattered. But I also thought a lot of that was maternal prejustice. Turns out, I actually can draw! lol

I was supposed to go down to the lobby today after morning announcements and get in the picture of the cast and crew of the play for the yearbook staff. But then, I got a pass to go down to the astronomy room. I was really puzzled, because I don't have astronomy (actually, I don't have any science classes this year). So I went down. Turns out, Harold and I are the Nov. students of the month honored by the Lion's Club. A lot of my friends are getting that this year. So that was cool. And yes, I managed to get down to get in the picture. I was also in another cow parade picture in design class today.

It's funny today went so well, cause it started off with something that could have been potentially aggravating--I got halfway down to the bus stop, and realized I didn't have my painting clothes, so I had to run back up the lane to get them (we've got a long lane. On a steep hill.) and then run back down. And of course, the bus was late as usual and I ended up standing there for like, eight minutes anyway. Don't know why I thought I had to run. So I was all hot and sweaty, and I sit over the heater on the bus, and I got into the school and this was the first day they had on the heat and it was really warm in there. Luckily, I had worn a hoody over a sleeveless shirt (thinking I'd freeze) so I just didn't wear the hoody sometimes (even though I hadn't shaved my underarms, so I couldn't raise my hand. But you didn't need to know that :) ).

Turned in the first draft of my Voice of Democracy speech today. The only part I really liked writing was the last paragraph:

Finally, one of the most effective things we can do to insure the future of our country is to live a wise and moral life. To temper justice with mercy, truth with love and courage with compassion; to recognize a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time for war and a time for peace; to serve humbly and speak clearly, that all may hear our voices raised in protest or in praise. These are goal within every man’s reach, be they great figures in history or small. And this is my commitment to America’s future.

There were some statistics and stuff that I didn't have last night when I was writing it, and my brother made me a deal: If I'd dye his mohawk bright green for him, he'd get me the info. Yayness! And then, when I was dyeing it, Dee called, and I was talking to her while I worked and he kept making weird jokes about goats, which Dee found extremely amusing. Ah yes, brothers. Dee said the only reason he said she was welcome in our house was because he had never heard her and me have a "Lost World Conversation" and I told her, "We're talking about the guy who runs down the hall, flings open my door, shouts "MOOOO!" closes the door and runs on. I don't think anything we do is going to scare him." He wears a dog collar and a kilt, for heaven's sake!

Ah, the joys of cramming. I studied for about eight minutes in study hall, and aced the psych quiz. Yesterday, the psych teacher told us that rote memorization doesn't work very well. He's full of crap. Ask any older person (without alzheimers, please) to recite a poem that they had to learn by rote in elementary school, and I bet they can do it. My great grandfather could, at 90-something. I memorize by rote all the time. I've begun doubting everything my psych teacher says because he's wrong so much. And he can't spell. The word is "assess" not "asses". Wonder what Freud would think of the fact that he spelled that wrong four times on our notes? What's even funnier is, he didn't realize what it was he'd written! I told him about it and he's like, "I wonder why the spellcheck didn't catch that?" *rolls eyes*

Got back my report card today. A's in everything except a B in AP English, which actually pretty good, and I expected it. So I'm happy. Accum GPA: 3.9004 . James A is beating me in class rank. *sticks tongue out at James* I huggled him today in homeroom because he was pretending to be mad. Totally disgusted him. Hee hee! NO PDA, Ashley! ha ha.

Speaking of academic achievement, one of my friends told me that she and another student had been called down to the guidance office to congratulate them on their very high PSAT scores. "But," she said, "not high enough to be a semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship." I didn't say anything. I thought I wasn't supposed to tell until after the info was made public, but apparently it already has, b/c yesterday I got two different letters for colleges congratulating me on placing and waiving my application fee (not that I'm even remotely interested in either of the schools). Guidance told me I was the only one in our school who placed. Unfortunately, the NMS wants senior SAT scores, so I've got to take them again in Nov. Grrrr. I wasn't going to bother; I figured my junior scores were enough. No, I'm not telling you what I got, I've bragged enough for one page.

Andrew's older brother came in to talk to his calc class today. I wish I could have met him, but I didn't see him. I've got to email him about that roleplaying game stuff. I swear, I'll do it sometime! Just don't know when I'll get around to it. :( Too busy *sobs*

Today's pep rally was wonderful. I can say that, because I wasn't there! I had Sharps, and the director didn't go, and didn't make us go, so three of us just hung out in the band room the whole period. The pep rally was for the LBJ game--I heard the cheerleaders held up signs for the letters... and spelled it JBL. Speaking of cheerleaders and English deficiency, I saw the banner they put up over the door to the cafeteria. It was supposed to say, "Welcome Big Spring Cheerleaders", but they ran out of room, so it actually read, "Welcome BS Cheerleaders". I don't know if they did that out of malice or stupidity. If they did it out of malice, it was incredibly witty, and if they did it out of stupidity, it's incredibly funny. Either way, I enjoyed it.

Whilst we were playing hooky from the pep rally, we got the director to help us out with some county chorus music. *hem hem hem (not meant to sound like Umbridge for HP, and no, I know you’re not supposed to clear your throat, but you know.)* “Quid quid amabile daemondat cor Jesu minus aestimat DAEMON DAEMON DAEMON DAEMON DAEMON...” That is such a kewl song. Most of them are this year. :) Lotsa Latin. Tolkein would be proud.

Woke up this morning with a song stuck in my head ("I'm Here to Meet with You"). Ended up singing it and "Your Love Makes Me Sing" all morning. Goodtimes.

Well, I think that's all the news for today. Don't I lead an exciting life? All I can say is, THANK GOODNESS IT'S FRIDAY!