Algebra or Algeblah?

No, this is not a request for a spell-check. Those of you reading this are reading this at a time when I am either:
a. studying for my Algebra 2 test today,
b. taking the test while glaring at my calculator, or
c. recovering from the horrors of said test.

The Lolcat sez- I mean says- it all. Granted, Algebra is preferable to Geometry's painful proofs, but really. When am I ever going to need to know how to reduce a square root discriminate in a quadratic function while using imaginary numbers? See? It's a whole different language! And really, imaginary numbers? Hello- imaginary means that they don't exist- why do I need to know how to use them in equations? Humph! Math.... Sam agrees with me- Why does she need to know about quadratics, and parabolas, and imaginary numbers when all she wants to do is cook? Alex is of a different opinion- he loves solving numerical puzzles. The geek.

Not that I'm bitter or anything, because based on what I want to do (other than be a fabulously famous author) I might need to know that x is equal to negative b plus or minus the square root of b squared minus 4ac all over 2a! All you math geeks out there should be able to follow- for those of you not yet in Algebra, it's the quadratic formula and it can be sung to "Pop Goes the Weasel." And then it gets stuck in your head... LOL

However, math does come in handy and quadratics are mostly fun-they actually make loops on the graph! Sorry, me and Sam are so ADD. Anyways, its only when you start tossing in weird stuff like the axis of symmetry and imaginary numbers that things start to get more annoying than alluring.

So have fun, study hard, and wish me luck on my test! And don't forget to come on over tomorrow and meet Alan's furry pal!

Mondays- Not My Friends

Love polar bears- hate Mondays. Sigh. Today marks the end of my weekend freedom and the return to my dungeon of a school. Ha ha, see that's funny- we call our football "stadium" The Dungeon.

I get to leave my nice warm, well-lit home that holds my laptop for the temperature-challenged, dim hallways filled with textbooks. But I'm supposed to stay positive:

* I get to try and finish my robot for engineering- hopefully it will work and not pull itself apart!
* I will test the acidity of household substances (like soda) in my physical science class.
* I will enjoy 3 free cookies. Hurrah! (See Saturday's post to learn more)

Okay, so I'm obviously not feeling super excited. The good news is several of my band friends will be back from their All-State trip and they should help keep me awake and amused. Yawn. I'm already falling asleep. Who knows, maybe I might have some fun taking notes... Which reminds me, Spanish quiz! Tuna = atun, chicken = pollo, beef = carne, corn = maize, etc. Easy peasy.

I'm not the only who feels this way about Mondays. Sam and her friends all bemoan the end of each weekend- preferring DVD's to textbooks. Who can blame them? Weekends are packed with late nights, TV, video games, soda, and free time. School- not usually so exciting.

Once I get Sam out of bed, I'll get some notes together for you about her weekend's antics. Check back tomorrow to find out what she and the boys got themselves into this time!

Furry Friday!

It's time to introduce another weekly feature: Furry Friday! Once a week you will have the chance to meet the pets owned by the characters from Just One of the Guys. Today's feature: Tolkien, Sam's German Shepherd.

Age: 2 years old

Gender: Male

Height: 25 in. at the shoulders

Weight: 85 lbs

Origins: Sam received Tolkien as a puppy from her father on her 13th birthday. Tolkien came from Germany with nineteen other dogs to be trained as a police canine unit. However, when it became apparent early on that Tolkien suffered from mild asthma, he was retired from the program. Mr. Lansey was given Tolkien by a friend on the local police force.

Favorite Game(s): Tolkien never grows tired of tug-of-war with a rope, stick, rawhide, shirt, etc. He also enjoys playing fetch with his vast collection of tennis balls in various states of destruction. Tolkien has been known to compose entire symphonies by attacking his assortment of squeaky toys.

Habits: Tolkien and Sam have been inseparable since they were "introduced" two years ago. Tolkien goes everywhere with Sam-aside from school, shopping centers, and band functions- an invitation to Sam is an invitation to Tolkien as well. He has a particular fondness for finding the largest stick in the vicinity and dragging it with him to Sam's destination.

Next week we'll visit the creature Colby keeps stashed in his room!

Who's Who Wednesday

I am proud to announce the debut of a new weekly feature: Who's Who Wednesday. Each Triple W post will introduce a character from my new short, Just One of the Guys. Today's star is none other than the heroine herself: Samantha (Sam) Elisabeth Lansey!

Age: 15 1/2

Description: Sam's height is at the short end of average. Her long auburn hair is usually whipped into a braided ponytail and her iPod never leaves her hip. Sam has bright green eyes that are usually looking through contacts. Her regular clothing ensemble includes jeans, a t-shirt, an over-sized hoodie, and a pair of Converse sneakers. While not a physical characteristic, it must be said that "one of the guys" is always lurking in the shadows, prepared to jump in at the best, or worst, moment.

Driving Status: Learner's Permit + driving class (16 comes around and the restricted is hers!)

Favorite Class(es): Culinary Arts class and Band. It's all about the band!

Instrument: flute and piccolo. Sam marches with her piccolo, but she usually plays flute during the concert season.

After-School Activities: Sam's afternoons are usually devoted to marching rehearsal, but beforehand she always walks to the nearest fast-food joint with the rest of the group. On the rare occasions that she doesn't have practice, Sam can usually be found putting extra hours in at the school's culinary building. It's early in the year, so things may change depending on what life throws Sam's way.

Hobbies: Sam is always cooking! Whether she's mixing up snacks and treats for the gang, helping the parentals out with dinner, or preparing potluck type foods for band trips Sam is always tuned into her music and up to her elbows in flour. She also loves to create playlists for herself and her friends from her dad's vast collection of CD's and the newest hits on the internet.

Weekend Stuff: Sam's weekends belong to Colby, Matt, Alan, and Alex. Running around the neighborhood, spending hours at the movie theatre, crashing at each other's houses... You name it, Sam's either doing it or is planning to get to it. That is, if there isn't a band competition or a family friend coming to visit...

I certainly hoped you enjoyed meeting Sam today! Prepare to meet Colby, a flirtatious goof like no other next Triple W!