So as I’m writing this blog, I’ve realized that my summer is almost halfway over with. For me it is betwixt and between, because the last week of July, and the first week of August, I’ll be packing up all my stuff and then moving.

There is some ambivalence when it comes to me moving. I don’t want to leave all my friends, even though I know I’ll make new ones, and I’m used to my school’s schedule, but I don’t like this hick town, and I hate that there’s nothing to do around here. You have to drive an hour just to get to a mall, 30 minutes to get to the movies, and fifteen minutes to get to school. I’m excited about moving back to Illinois, but I’m not so such that moving back with my brothers is such a good idea.

The past couple of months, three of my older brothers have come to visit, and I’ve realized a few things just by being extrospective and observing the situations. 1) I’m immensely elitist when it comes to my brothers, and 2) I feel like crap around them. The latter is because it seems like I have nothing in common with them. We can’t hang out because I don’t drink or smoke, and when they’re sober, I have nothing in common with them. It really sucks, and I feel extremely alienated whenever I’m around them. Plus, like clockwork, the night before all three of them left (they were here at two separate times), we got into a cussing match and didn’t talk the rest of the night. So, being on bad terms with them won’t help when I move to where I’m going to be around them all the time.

Cody

P.S.- The song of the day is because I’m missing the beach so much right now. If I had money, I’d drive myself to the beach, considering I won’t see again for a long time after we move. Plus, it’s only three hours away.

On Tuesday, I got a ‘new’ CD, (I say ‘new’ because it came out in 2007, but I just got it) and I love it. It is Avenged Sevenfold’s eponymous fourth album. I first heard of Avenged Sevenfold last summer when I was visiting my sister in California. I was playing Need for Speed: ProStreet on her Wii, and I heard the song Almost Easy start playing. I really liked the song, and so when I got back home, I downloaded it. Well, I also told my metal-head little sister about it, and she loved it. She also loved a lot of her other songs, and then she started playing them around me. Now, I usually don’t like metal, but I really do like Avenged Sevenfold, so I went ahead and download the rest of their CD, and as I’ve been listening to it the past day or so, I’ve decided that I really like this band. My favorite songs on the CD are: Almost Easy, Scream, Afterlife, A Little Piece of Heaven, and Dear God.

As for the torpidness, I really haven’t done much of anything these past couple of days, but in my defense, I’ve been license-less. You see, last Saturday when I went to the lake, I went to my friend’s house after and I accidentally left my wallet there. And she didn’t have the time to return it to me until today, so I’ve really just been sitting around the house doing nothing. But that is all going to change tomorrow when I drive to my work and get my schedule for the upcoming week. They still need to train me, and then I actually get to work for some money.

My plans for the near-future consist of; my friend Kristin possibly coming over to hang out on Friday, going to my friend Kayla’s house to have her teach me to play guitar, and in two weeks, hopefully my friend Michael coming over to hang out for a few days. Anything is possible now that my little sister is in California for two weeks!

Cody

P.S.- The Chicago Cubs vs Chicago White Sox game is on Friday, and I know the Sox are going down.

*Elaboración means Elaboration.

So, obviously, I’m kicking my summer off with a great start. I already have plans for some other stuff, like tomorrow (rather later today) we’re having a cook-out because my brother-in-law is in town and he has my nephew with him. Although my sister had to stay home in California, I’m still really glad to be able to see my brother-in-law and nephew, even though I wish my sister and my niece could come too. And then on Wednesday, if my plans don’t fall through, I’ll be going to a different lake with a huge group of people from my school. I’m really excited to be going back to the lake.

Then, of course, over the summer I’ll be working and still trying to get into shape. Hopefully I’ll throw at least two parties before I leave for Illinois, maybe more if I don’t leave in July like I want to. I really can’t wait for my pool to be ready to swim in, because then I will be having pool/bonfire parties. Also, I’m hoping that my family will be able to go to the beach one last time before we move.

Even though I’ll be working, I’m really hoping that this summer will be my best one yet, mostly because I can drive now, which means I can do a lot more. I haven’t really ever had a crazy, fun-filled summer before, and whether it’s just hanging out or partying, I really just want to spend as much time with my friends as I can before I move.

Cody

I’m kind of sad, but I won’t let this summer go to waste. I’ll be having parties and stuff, and thanks to Facebook and the text messaging gods, I can always keep in touch with all of my old friends.

So, on another subject, my workout and diet is going really well. I’m really hoping to get into shape for football, but if not, I’m definitely going to try out for baseball in the spring. If I get in good enough shape, I might run track, but I’m not sure how that’s going to work out. But I’ve been eating right and pushing myself to the max with these work-outs. When my brother (whose helping me get into shape) said that it’d be a complete lifestyle change, I was kind of nervous, but now I realize that I actually like this lifestyle better anyways. I’m eating a lot more poultry and fish than I am red meats, and I workout at least twice a day. Since I have exams this week, most days I get out halfway through the day, so I’ll probably be going to the batting cage after school to practice.

Hasta Luego,

Cody

First, let me say: Grease was amazing. Probably the absolute best theatre experience I’ve ever had. I had a blast playing Vince Fontaine, it really got me out of my norm. We actually pushed the play back a month, to give us more time to prepare. And then we came out with the highest-profit-producing show that our local theatre group has ever had. The cast is actually getting together next Saturday at the county’s summer arts festival and we’re going to reprise all our roles and perform a few of our best songs to help support the arts. It was extremely sad when it ended, but now we’re a huge group of friends that are inseparable.

Other things: Shelby broke up with me two weeks ago, but I’m fine. It would’ve been 13 months last Thursday, but it had to happen. And, me and my family are definitely moving to Illinois. I’m really glad. All my brothers are there, and I miss them a whole lot. And going to a new high school will give me a chance to reinvent myself. More on that in another blog.

Sophomore year has been really challenging. Mentally, Physically, Spiritually, and all the other -ally’s. The work has been tough, the teachers, the drama that I never want. I’m still really good friends with Lauren. If it wasn’t for her, I’d probably die. Also, Michael and I are starting to hang out again, now that I have a car it should be easier. Oh yeah, as of March, I finally got my license, and then a car. It’s a 1987 Honda Accord, and it really is more trouble than it’s worth, but at least its a car. I had to learn how to drive it, because it’s a stick shift, but now I love stick, because you have more control over everything.

All this year and last year has been a struggle because of my niece, Lauren. As you have previously known, she was diagnosed with Autism, which brought about a depression in me for about a month. This, in turn, completely ruined any trust I had built up in God. I considered being atheist for a long time. I’m trying to get everything with my relationship with Jesus back on track, but it’s taking awhile. Also, Lauren is missing her left cerebellum. That one hit me kind of hard also, but the doctors said that the other parts of her brain are making up for the lost piece.

The latest news is the fact that I’m trying extremely hard to get into shape. I want to play sports when we go to the new school. Hopefully they’ll accept me onto the football team, but if not, I’m trying out for baseball. I’m also really excited because my new school has a lot of better opportunities than my current school does. They have a journalism department, which I’ll hopefully be joining, and they compete in a scholar bowl, so that will be fun. But best of all: they have health occupations classes. Which will greatly help me in my pursuit to be a doctor.

So, you should all be caught up on what’s happened since the last time I blogged. I’ll be blogging a lot more, since it’s now summer, so keep checking back. (Or you could subscribe using RSS.)

Until Next Time,

Cody

P.S. – Brandie, since I know you subscribe to this; I love you, miss you greatly, and really hope that I can come see you.

So here’s a quick update before I get to my main subject; On Wednesday the 13th, my two friends, Abby and Lauren, and I went out for lunch and then went bowling. We were celebrating the end of finals, and I had a really fun time. But that night, my little sister gave me the stomach flu. Okay, so after I got over that, my friend Michael came over and hung out with me for the weekend. That was fun too, because I haven’t seen him in a long time.

Okay, and then last Monday, I had my first Grease rehearsal. I got the disc jockey in the play, and his name is Vince Fontaine. At first I didn’t like that I got this part, but after we read through the play, I really thank the director for giving me this role. It breaks me out of the typical, background, serious characters that I’ve played in the past. He is really quirky, and in one scene he flirts with one of the leads. So, that role will be fun. I had another rehearsal on Thursday, and I have my next rehearsal on Monday.

As for my main topic, I have two. First, last Wednesday, I had my first voice lesson. I decided to start taking voice lessons with my chorus teacher, mostly to become more comfortable singing in front of people, but also to find exactly how much I can do with my voice, and also to learn how to read music. I’ve been into music all my life, and I can read music notes, but I have no idea what an A# or an F♭ or a C should sound like when I sing it. I can hit notes after hearing someone else sing them. I mimic the pitchs, basically. So on Wednesday, we discovered that I’m a full Bass, full Baritone, and one high note away from being a full typical Tenor. So if we work on it, I’ll be able to hit a full scale in men’s pitchs. So I’m really happy about that. I’m hoping to perfect my audition before I leave for Illinois.

So, about me starting the semester, I almost wish I was still a freshman. I’ve been doubting myself as an Honor’s student lately, and I think this semester will be a test for me. I have a really easy class for 1st period, and the teacher likes me already, so it’s basically a free-period for me. But after that, I have some pretty challenging classes. I’ll descibe them for you.

2nd period – Honor’s Algebra 2: I have Honor’s Algebra 2, and I’m worried about it for a few reasons. 1; I have Mrs. Small. Mrs. Small has a really bad reputation at my school, not for being a bad teacher, but for being a really strict teacher. She seems nice so far, and a lot of other teachers have said that if you do all your homework and pay attention in class, then she won’t give you a hard time. And 2; I just don’t want to fail the class, because when I took Prep for Algebra 2, I passed with a 77. So, I’m actually having one of my friends that is good with math help me with this class.

3rd period – Spanish 2: The same teacher I had for Spanish 1 last semester, Mr. Sergent, is teaching me Spanish 2. I’m kind of worried about this class, but not too worried. I’m just striving for a 96 this semester so I can finally get a car.

4th period – Honor’s English 2: This is the class that worries me. The teacher is extremly strict, and very mean. She flat out told us that we won’t make an A in her class. She said that we might get a B. She belittles us, and accomplishes in giving me a headache the second I walk in her door. And her homework is horrible. Friday was the third day of class, and for homework we have to annotate 19 pages of Aristotle‘s Poetics. On top of other homework. On the first day of class, we had 20 minutes to write a final copy of an essay, which she would take as her first impression of us. I don’t like her, but I’m going to stop talking about her, because I’m getting a headache just thinking about that class.

So, I’m kind of worried about this semester. In past semesters, I’ve had some pretty low lows, this past semester being the worst. I’m a strong person, but when an elective class can make me feel the way I’ve felt, I get scared about what the classes this semester will do to me.

Cody

In exactly an hour, I will be at the local auditorium, auditioning for the musical, Grease. I am really excited, and kind of nervous. I’m trying out for the lead, Danny, and I really hope that I get the part. Both of my friends are trying out, one auditioned yesterday, and one is auditioning with me today.

Our audition song has to be sung a capella, without music, and I chose to sing the title song from Footloose. Earlier this week my chorus director helped me with my pitches, so I’m actually singing the song higher than it is originally. My friend, Lauren, called me last night and sung her audition song to me over the phone. She’s doing  Imagine by John Lennon, and she did amazing. I think she might get Sandy, the girl lead, because she has one of the best voices ever.

So, I have a secret to auditioning; Red Bull. As stated in the last blog, the adrenaline that is in Red Bull strengthens your vocal chords and helps dull nerves. So I’m bringing two to the audition, one for me, and one for Lauren. I’ve already had one today, and I went through my audition song in the shower, so I’m pretty sure I’ve got all the pitches down. Well, I have to go, I need to eat and then I’ll ask Mom if I can drive to auditions, I take my driver’s test on March 23rd.

Cody

So, this semester I decided to take Spanish 1 (two foreign language credits required to graduate), and today I took the final exam. It was exhausting. We had a two-hour delay, (where they delay school two hours. This only happens in the South US) so I got to school at 10:30. Instead of having the exam and then going to other classes to study, today we had to stay in our exam room all day long.

The exam exhasted me, mostly because it was 200 questions long, and the desk was hurting my back and neck. I got a headache, because translating every word in my head proved to be too much for me. The exam was based on 7 chapters, with each chapter having about 70 words. So I had to know around 500 words, plus any other words he threw at us, like conates. (Cognates are words in Spanish that look the same as their English translation. Ex: computadora means ‘computer’)

So after that lovely day at school, I come home and brace myself for a torturous weekend; My little sister is having three of her amigas* over. Yep, so I was forced to make dinner (not that bad), and then Sam, her friends, and I went on an adventure to Dollar General.

At Dollar General, I was attempting my first non-impluse buying spree. So, I picked up a four-pack of Red Bull, (my auditions are this weekend, and that is my secret; energy and adreneline help your vocal chords, and your projection) a thing of cheddar-flavored Pringles. (Not impluse buying, I was actually getting those because I wanted something with my Red Bull), and two boxes of tissues (my major reason for going, me and Lauren get extra credit for bringing in tissues).

Lastly, my featured website for this post is my friend, Crux’s blog, Fluorescent Funeral (aka Ambrosia Withdrawal). The blog is about her new year’s resolution, to give up chocolate for a year. She blogs once a day, telling you (the visitor) about her struggles and battle plans (and random other stuff) for her inner war against her withdrawal. She also has a great playlist by the band, Voltaire. I really recommend her website.

Cody

P.S.- If you want your site/blog/channel as the Featured Site, just comment on one of my blogs, I’ll look at your website, and if I like it, I’ll post it.

*Amiga(s) means friend(s) that is/are a girl, or girl friend(s).